Seldom Darlin – Hee! The question of the century has been answered! "Snuck" is the way to go, huh? That's too funny! I'm so glad you liked the previous chapter – I hope you enjoy this one just as much!
Avschick33 – Yeah, the ending is not going to be all sunshine and roses, unfortunately. But I do hope you'll stick with it despite the angst – it's always so nice to hear what you think of the updates!
Hellish Red Devil – Wow! What a compliment! I would love nothing more than to write an original novel and have been toying with a few ideas, actually. To hear you say such a thing - well, you made my day! Thank you so much, my friend! And I'm glad that this story is drawing you in. The plot took me ages to develop so I know where everything needs to go. However, I can't help but drag my feet a bit b/c the end result is such a bummer. But that's RotS, I suppose. Thanks for reading!
meandmysharpie – Hopefully this update finds you finished with school for the year. I bet you were ready to be done, huh? I remember that feeling oh-so-well! So glad you like the story thus far – I hope I can continue the trend! Thanks for dropping in, especially since I know you were super busy!
Ann Jinn – Thanks! Mace is one tough cookie and I just can't imagine him reacting calmly even though he's a Jedi through and through. Glad you are enjoying the suspense – the plot has taken awhile to weave!
Eriks leadinglady – Hello, my dear! It is so wonderful to see you again – and your song was awesome! I have missed your lovely reviews – I grinned like a loon when I saw you pop up in here! I hope you like my take on a RotS AU – this one is going to stay pretty close to canon as far as the outcome, so I hope that doesn't drive you away. I will be doing a happier tale when I'm finished though so hopefully that will make up for the angst! Welcome to the story!
ALL – Thank you so much for your support – it is such a pleasure to hear from each and every one of you. Your kind words keep me inspired... which keeps me writing. See you back here soon with more!
APARTMENT OF SENATOR AMIDALA - THREE DAYS LATER
"Are you ready to go?" Anakin asked reluctantly.
"It depends on what level of 'ready' you want me to define," Padmé murmured sleepily. "If you mean my packing and physical health, then yes. If you mean my willingness to leave all my responsibilities and threats to Dormé, then not really. If you mean my ability to leave you behind then the answer is no. I'll never be ready to do that."
He buried his head in her shoulder. "Me neither."
She swiped at the tear that was tracking its way down her cheek. "This is the right thing to do," she insisted. She didn't know who she was trying to reassure - Anakin or herself. "The Republic needs you and I am only going to be a distraction if I stay."
"I don't care about distractions," he replied. "But you can't stay. This week's attack proved that the attempts on your life are getting bolder and bolder."
She sat up and fixed him with a serious gaze. "You're sure that Dormé will be suitably protected? She is one of my best friends, Anakin. I couldn't bear it if she died because of me. I already lost Cordé like that-"
"Masters Fisto and Windu have been assigned to her and they are two of the best swordsmen in the Order. She will be fine."
"I don't know why she can't go into hiding with Obi-wan and me," she huffed.
Anakin pulled her back into his arms and repeated his stance on the matter for the millionth time. "Because we need to maintain the appearance that you are here on Coruscant. If your enemies don't realize that you've left then they can't exactly go hunting after you, can they?"
She ran her fingers through his hair as the quiet chime of the chrono echoed through the room.
"We have to go soon," she pointed out sadly.
"I know."
Silence filled the room until Padmé began to giggle, placing his hand over her swollen stomach. "It seems your son is already awake."
"Well, that makes sense. My daughter is bound to be an early riser just like her father," he retorted.
She brushed a kiss against his lips, offering no resistance when he deepened the contact. When they pulled apart, both were breathing heavily, eyes filled with longing. "If you keep doing that, I won't be able to leave," she sighed.
"That's the whole idea," he replied, reaching for her.
She danced out of his grasp, shaking her head at him knowingly. "I have a transport to catch and you have a new assignment ahead of you, Ani. It wouldn't do for either of us to be late, especially since we are skating on thin ice already."
"Ah yes, my new post at the Chancellor's office," he groaned. "Where I will get to listen to politicians drone on and on about things of no consequence." He threw his arm across his forehead, flopping back on the bed dramatically.
She playfully hit him with a pillow. "That's my profession you're maligning. Bite your tongue."
He sat up, his demeanor changing from playful to serious in a split second. "I could still go with you," he noted. "We could leave all this behind and just run away. All you have to do is say the word, Padmé. We'll disappear."
She buried her shaking hands in the soft folds of her nightgown, her heart pounding at the idea.
"We can't," she finally managed. "Our responsibilities... we can't desert them now. If a Sith really is behind all of this death and destruction, we have to put an end to it." Her voice trailed off as she walked back towards him, taking a seat beside him on the bed. "You need to be here, Ani, to do this. You are a child of destiny."
"I was afraid you would say that," he grumbled. He scrounged around the bedside table before holding up two small electronic devices. "That's why I made these."
She examined it closely before fixing a puzzled stare on him.
"They're transmitters," he explained. "Now we can send private messages to each other while we are apart. We don't have to worry about the Council eavesdropping or making Obi-wan uncomfortable-"
"But the Council said we should only use the ship's transmitter."
He waved his hand in the universal gesture of dismissal. "These will run through the Chancellor's personal communications system which just so happens to have the best long-range encryption technology in the Galaxy. And I should know; I helped design it."
"The Chancellor won't like-"
"He would be happy to have us 'borrow' it - especially since you will be traveling through areas where transmitting messages from a ship would be difficult."
"You told him where I was going?" She whirled around, aghast.
"Of course not." He seemed hurt by the implication. "I trust him, Padmé, but I would not take such a chance with your safety. All he knows is that you are leaving Coruscant for an undisclosed location."
"I know the Jedi felt it was necessary to bring him into part of the plan for Dormé's sake," she began. "Yet I can't help wonder if that was wise given that he is under suspicion."
"He's not under suspicion," he quickly corrected. He knew Padmé was unhappy with some of Palpatine's political maneuvering, but he felt compelled to defend the man who had been such a good friend to him. "Remember that he may be in danger as well. And if he is involved, it wouldn't be his fault - he could be under an outside influence. That's why I've accepted this assignment, my love. I will make sure the Republic is safe once again."
"I know you will, Ani," she replied. She hugged him close. "Just be careful."
He gave her one last cocky grin. "When am I not?"
TRANSPORT DOCKING BAY - EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING
"Senator, it is nearly time for us to depart." Obi-wan checked the ship's exterior one last time as he spoke, making sure everything was in working order. Sending up a prayer that his words had given the couple enough warning, he peered over.
Anakin met his gaze, eyes bright with worry, anticipation and trust.
"Hold on for just one more moment, Master. I have a going away present for you." He strode to the hanger entrance and gestured to something out of sight. "Come on, you two."
Artoo and Threepio toddled out, already arguing about who was going to pilot the vessel. They greeted Padmé enthusiastically before continuing up the ramp and into the belly of the ship. Obi-wan watched them go before turning a glare on his former Padawan.
"What did I ever do to deserve this?" he wondered sarcastically.
"They have been given orders to help you," Anakin insisted, hiding a smile. "I think you will find they can be quite useful. In fact, Threepio has even become quite skilled in food preparation - a responsibility you never did learn I might add."
"You're never going to let me forget the time I-"
"-burned dinner so badly we had to evacuate an entire floor of the Jedi Temple?" The young Jedi quirked an eyebrow as he finished the sentence. "You're right; I'm never going to let you forget that."
Padmé shook her head as she watched the two men banter, evidently a pastime much enjoyed by both. Unfortunately, she knew the conversation could not last as daybreak was beginning to illuminate the nighttime sky.
As if on cue, Obi-wan straightened.
"We should not delay our departure any further," he noted. "Senator, you may take a few moments to bid your husband farewell and then we must depart."
He turned back to Anakin, putting a firm hand on his shoulder. "We will see each other again soon, but in the interim I do hope you will heed my warnings. Palpatine is not to be trusted - not until we discover the identity of this Sith Lord."
"Yes, Master." It was obvious the young man was desperately fighting the urge to roll his eyes but Obi-wan pretended not to notice.
"I will keep your family safe," he continued. Anakin's expression cleared instantly. "Do not spend your time worrying about us. Your assignment is important and you will need all your wits about you."
"I will not let you down," Anakin vowed quietly. "I know I have disappointed you in the past, Master. I have not been appreciative of your training, often displaying reactions unbecoming of a Jedi. I've just been so fearful of what might happen if my marriage was uncovered. Yet through it all, your friendship has never wavered and that is something I will never forget."
Ob-wan felt a pang in his heart at the confession. "You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you. I have trained you since you were a small boy, watching you become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be. Have patience; it will not take long before this will all be a distant memory."
Anakin smiled gratefully. "May the Force be with you, Obi-wan."
"And with you," he replied. "Good bye, old friend."
The elder Jedi hurried up the ramp, his brown cloak swirling in his wake. Padmé turned to her husband, making a mental note to thank her new protector for giving them these last moments together.
"The morning has come too soon," she whispered.
"As it always does with us," he replied morosely. He stroked her cheek tenderly. "Do you have your new com-link?"
"Yes, of course."
"Send me a message when you arrive safely... on whatever planet Obi-wan's setting course for." His tone indicated that he was still unhappy about Yoda's decision to keep such information confidential. "I'll retrieve it as soon as I can."
"All right."
"Take care of our baby. I'll come for both of you as soon as I end this entire mess."
"I know he will be excited to meet you," she grinned impishly.
"Well, I hope she doesn't get too anxious. I want to be there for her big entrance."
Padmé grimaced and patted her belly. "That day will be a welcome one. It feels like I've been pregnant forever."
The last beeps of the pre-flight check echoed through the still night air and her breath caught in her throat. Without a word, Anakin pulled her into his arms, his chin resting on the top of her head.
I love you, Padmé. So much.
She didn't think he was speaking the words aloud, yet somehow she could hear them anyway - just another one of his mysterious gifts, she supposed.
"I love you too, Ani," she managed, her words brimming with emotion. "We'll be together soon and this time it will be for always. I promise."
He gave her a gentle nudge towards the ship. "Go, my love. We must take advantage of the darkness."
Moments later, the transport fired its engines, lumbering its way to the sky. Before it vanished from sight, the right wing dipped in a well-known farewell salute... from brother-to-brother, wife-to-husband.
Past to future.
And somewhere in the darkness, a Sith Lord smirked.