The Temple was eerily quiet. There were so many Jedi off world. Amira stretched out with her feelings searching for anything amiss. All the younglings were fine, but there was something not quite right. A feeling of pain, sadness and conflict swept through her. She headed to the source.
The setting sun cast a warm light throughout the Council chamber. One person stood alone looking out at the city. She approached him, "Skywalker? Are you alright?" He did not answer. She moved to stand next to him, "Anakin what are you doing in here alone?"
She asked again, "What is it. What's happened?" He seemed to finally acknowledge her presence, "Master Windu told me to stay here. He has gone to arrest the Supreme Chancellor."
She had to admit despite her misgivings about the Chancellor his arrest surprised her, "Arrest him; why?" He spoke without emotion, "He is a Sith Lord." She inhaled sharply, "A sith Lord… I'm so sorry Anakin, I know you were close to him."
He turned to look at her his agony clearly etched in his face, "I was fooled. I should have been able to sense what he was long before now. I feel so stupid." Her hand went to his shoulder, "No, you are not stupid. You were not the only one fooled. We all were."
He shook his head, "I don't get it. Why did he befriend me? All these years he has been a mentor. I looked up to him. I trusted him." She knew the awful truth. It all made sense now, "He must have known how powerful you would be. He's been grooming you."
Something made her shiver and it was coming from him. She could feel his anger, "Are you saying I would turn to the dark side?" She was walking very dangerous ground, "No, of course not, but something has you questioning your beliefs. I can feel the conflict in you."
He closed his eyes and sighed heavily, "I don't know where I belong. I don't know why I am made to sit here while Obi-Wan, Yoda, Windu and all the others are out saving the Republic, ending the war." He turned to her with tears in his eyes, "Why don't you trust me? Why don't any of you trust me?"
Her answer was straightforward, "To earn trust you must also give trust. What have you not told us? What causes you so much pain Anakin? Why have you not trusted us to help you? Especially Obi-Wan. He would do anything for you."
He turned back towards the window and stared out, "I am married. My wife is with child." He wasn't sure what made him confess to her. It seemed like it no longer mattered who knew. She spoke from her heart, "It must have been difficult to keep it secret. To not be able to share your love openly."
He did not expect this reaction from her, "Yes, exactly. You understand?" She nodded knowingly, "I do. You should have come to Obi-Wan with this." He shook his head, "No, I have already been a disappointment to him. He would never understand."
She gazed out at the darkening sky, "I think you would be surprised. You don't realize how much he loves you Anakin." He shook his head, "No, I do know. That's why I cannot bare to disappoint him."
She sat down and looked up at him, "You're wrong. He is very proud of you." The thick blanket of silence surrounded them for a moment, "So you are to be a father. That is a wonderful thing Anakin. Why are you so upset? It's not just about Palpatine."
His mood grew darker, "It is about my wife. I dreamed that she would die in childbirth and I haven't the power to stop it from happening." She knew very well how important dreams could be. Her own had foretold of future events many times.
He ran his mechanical hand through his hair and continued, "I have to save her." She tried to comfort him, "You don't know for certain she will die. I'm sure she and the baby are in good health and when the time comes the finest medical facilities to be found anywhere are here on Coruscant. We'll look out for you Anakin. We'll look out for you both."
A sudden sense of urgency surged into him and he turned and headed toward the door. She called after him, "Anakin, where are you going. I thought Master Windu told you to stay here?" He did not stop nor did he say anything, but she knew. She had heard his thoughts, "He needs me."
Her first instinct was to go after him. Her gut told her that it was not Master Windu's aid he was rushing to. However, she also had bee told to remain at the Temple; to keep it secure and the younglings safe.
Amira tuned back toward the window and looked out across the now dark sky and sparkling city. She had a bad feeling, a very bad feeling. Her mind turned to Obi-Wan and she sent him her thoughts, "I hope you are alright. Anakin is in trouble and he needs you. Come back soon my love."