Lori Skywalker – I know! If only Anakin would just chill out and use his head! But I think we both know the likelihood of that, eh?
Avschick33 – Yes, Padmé went into labor. So that adds yet another complication to the whole dilemma – yikes! As for this story – it ends at the end of RotS. I won't be taking it into the OT. Thanks a bunch for sticking with the story!
Jedi Master Arie Skywalker – Yeah, sorry about the cliffie. And I absolutely love your nickname, Lordess! I bow to you! Hee! Thanks for reading! You're awesome!
Hellish Red Devil – A million apologies for the evil cliffie. I have to warn you – there are probably going to be plenty more where that came from. And a TRILLION thanks for the kind words on my writing. I have enjoyed plotting and writing this story so much. And your enthusiasm and support has made it all the better. You've been there from the start and I can't thank you enough. Honestly.
The Last Guardian – Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Yay!
Seldom Darlin – I'm thrilled that you're so into the story. That really makes me feel good! I hope you find this chapter entertaining as well.
waiting4haykin – Welcome to the story! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story. It's been a lot of fun to write. We have quite a bit of story left so I hope you'll join us for the ride!
meandmysharpie – Hey there! I hope the second week of school was better than the first. Thanks a bunch for your kind words on this story – I'm thrilled that you like this version. That is so great to hear!
Ann Jinn – I'm trying to keep a mix of humor and angst while I can – I'm so glad that you liked the end result. I really appreciate the support. This story has been a lot of hard work but comments like yours make it all worthwhile.
Eriks leadinglady – Wow! Sadder than the movie? Oh my gosh! What a wonderful compliment indeed! Thank you! Sorry to hear about your guy trouble. I remember those days very well. I've been married for over four years now so hang in there. You'll meet the right guy – it just takes time. Unfortunately, there's a lot of aggravation in the interim. (hugs)
ALL – Sorry for the delayed update. Real life has reared up and bitten me in the behind. I'm fighting back whenever I can so bear with me. Thanks for reading ya'll – and for those of you who are reviewing... you're awesome!
Obi-wan Kenobi tried to avoid clichés whenever possible. However, on this day he decided to make an exception.
Because 'labor' really was the right word for it.
Padmé had already been struggling for over three hours, though to his mind it seemed more like three hundred. Intially, her pain had been so great he had assumed the birthing process was going to be relatively quick. But once Eight-Bee had administered the first round of pain-suppressants, things had slowed to a much more natural pace... so natural, in fact, that Padmé was currently taking a nap.
Obi-wan tugged on his beard, an absent-minded gesture he often used while trying to bring his thoughts into focus. Something was hovering in the back of his mind but he had been unable to bring it to the forefront. There had been too much excitement, too many questions to ask of the medical droid. But now that things were quiet, he knew he needed to identify whatever detail they had evidently left unattended.
And what a detail it was.
He was running before the thought could fully develop, the implications fueling his speed. How could he have permitted such an oversight! Padmé had said she had never received a confirmation from Anakin - what if the news report had been broadcasted before he had a chance to access his message?
"Oh Force," Obi-wan murmured, feeling helpless.
Normally, he would be able to sense Anakin as clearly as if they were standing beside each other but his mind shields had been impervious since the recording had gone out. Too much was at stake.
But he had never meant to sacrifice Anakin in the process.
Unwilling to take the time to come to a proper stop, his knees rammed the communications console as his fingers began to punch in the command. The pain was forgotten, however, as he found the report he had been searching for.
All communications received and reviewed.
Confirmation times were listed in the right-hand column and all were within minutes of each other. Well, except for Anakin's, which was twenty minutes behind everyone else's. Certainly not ideal but not the worst case scenario he had feared either.
"Master Kenobi!"
He whirled around. "Yes, Threepio?"
"Senator Amidala has awoken and is quite agitated."
"Is it the baby?" Worry sliced through him, fresh and pungent. "Has something happened?"
"I do not believe so," the golden droid replied. "Though I'm afraid my knowledge about the reproductive process is quite limited."
"You're not alone."
He patted Threepio's shoulder and turned, retracing his steps through the corridors he had traveled mere moments before. Hope, mingled with relief, flowed through him. Everything was going to be all right. The Force was truly with them.
He hovered in the doorway of Padmé's room, pleased to see that the brief rest had returned some color to her cheeks. She had also cued up some music and was humming along quietly, apparently relishing the time between the contractions that gripped her so fiercely.
He could hardly believe he would soon meet the newest member of the Skywalker family. It was proving to be an amazing day indeed.
Unfortunately, his self-congratulations were interrupted.
"Obi-wan Kenobi!" Padmé cried. "Where in the seven hells have you been?"
He gulped. Suddenly, facing a deadly Sith didn't seem so nerve-wracking.
"I was checking the status of our communications," he offered defensively.
Immediately, her tone softened. "Anakin? Did you hear from him? Does he know?"
"He received his transmission. A bit late, but when has Anakin ever heeded a schedule?" He shook his head good-naturedly. "But yes, he knows. So all you need to focus on is having this baby."
"Thank you, Obi-wan."
"You're quite welcome. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. Eight-Bee said she had some important information for me." The creases in Padmé's forehead eased as another wave of pain came and went. "I wouldn't let her tell me a thing until you came back."
"Is it bad?"
She smirked wryly and rested her left hand on her belly. "It depends on what you're asking about - the news or the birthing process?"
He blushed furiously. "Um... either, I suppose."
"Well, the pain comes and goes. Thankfully, my medication is being monitored closely so it shouldn't get too unbearable. As for the news, I don't believe it's going to be bad but I wanted a friendly face with me. Just in case."
He nodded and squeezed her hand. "I'm honored."
The whirring sound of servomotors preceded Eight-Bee's arrival. Though the droid had barely entered the room, her scanners were already evaluating Padmé and the baby for signs of distress.
"Senator Amidala, your labor is progressing at a satisfactory pace," she intoned.
"It doesn't feel very satisfactory to me," she muttered.
Eight-Bee ignored her and continued. "The latest readings reveal a multiple birth will occur within the next seven hours."
Obi-wan stared at the droid in horror. "Seven more hours?"
He turned towards the medical cot, already brimming with sympathy. But Padmé continued to stare intently at a point beyond his shoulder, her mouth forming a perfect 'O.'
"Padmé?" he prompted gently. "It will be all right. You mustn't allow yourself to be frightened."
She ignored his attempt at encouragement and began to wring the bedsheets between her trembling hands.
"Can you repeat your previous statement, Eight-Bee?" she whispered.
"Certainly, Senator," the droid replied agreeably. "The latest scans reveal a multiple birth will occur within the next seven hours."
"A multiple birth," she repeated, her voice rising with every word.
"Yes, ma'am. You're carrying twins."
"Wait a moment." Now it was Obi-wan's turn to look shocked. "Twins! As in two babies? Two babies. Anakin never mentioned…"
"He didn't know," Padmé interrupted softly. "I didn't... I never even thought to ask."
"But you were repeatedly examined by a med droid-"
"And I had it programmed to only report whether the baby was healthy and developing normally. Apparently, it took its instructions literally."
They stared at each other, two friends brought together by a myriad of dire circumstances.
But at that moment, none of it mattered. And soon the joyous sound of laughter filled the air.
CORUSCANT, JEDI TEMPLE
Anakin's eyes fluttered open and he stared at the ceiling, his mind too sluggish to form coherent thoughts. His chest ached as though it was being held together by the thinnest of threads. He could already tell that the emotions it was trying to contain were too raw to examine.
And if he tried, he would never be able to piece himself back together.
The familiar scent of antiseptic wafted by his nose and he flinched. So he was in the Healer's ward which meant something must have gone wrong on his latest mission... but what? He couldn't remember where he had been - or even being transported back to the Temple!
Sitting up slowly, he waited for the spell of dizziness that typically followed a major injury. But the unsettling sensation never materialized. He shook his head from side to side experimentally. Nothing.
Deciding to press things a little further, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and made his way towards his clothes. Each garment had been folded and placed in a neat pile atop the room's only chair. His utility belt was slung carefully over the back.
But the light saber that was normally clipped there was nowhere to be found.
Had it been damaged when he had been injured? But how could it have been when there was no sign of any outward injuries anywhere on his body? Or on any of his clothes? What in the world had happened?
For a brief moment, he felt like he was a nine-year-old Padawan again, in need of a reassuring word from his Master. Truth be told, that was another aspect of the situation that didn't make sense. He couldn't recall ever waking from an injury or illness without Obi-wan by his side. Whether in an adjoining bed or sitting patiently beside him, the stoic Jedi had always been a constant presence.
Worry began to trickle through his heart. What could have kept him away?
He is hiding from you, a sickly voice whispered. He fears you because he failed you.
The accusation served as a trigger, releasing memories he had been trying so hard to suppress. He remembered the sight of the exploding transport; the bleak search for Padmé's Force signature; the blackness that beckoned to him before his collapse.
And now he remembered the power of his rage.
His head snapped up at the sound of a door hissing open. Through the haze of tears, he recognized Shaak Ti's familiar form... as well as the casual way her hand rested on the silver hilt of her saber. None of the Jedi had never trusted him; he supposed this only proved what he already suspected.
"Go away!" he spat, holding up a hand in warning. "Leave me."
"I can sense your distress," she replied simply. "I want to help you."
"No one can help me."
"If you won't speak with me, perhaps I can contact someone else for you."
Wild hope flared in his heart. "Take me to my wife's handmaiden. I know she is staying here at the Temple ."
"I'm sorry, Anakin, but Dormé has returned to Naboo."
He felt as though someone had punched him in the gut. Of course she had. There were funeral rites to perform.
"What happened was a horrible accident," she continued sadly. "The transport had a fuel leak; no one could have known."
"She was supposed to be safe!" he screamed as the last of his control snapped. "That's why I sent her away!"
"And it was a smart choice, Anakin; the Senator knew that as well. She wouldn't want you to blame yourself."
"Stop telling me what Padmé would want!" He sank to the floor as his voice broke. "She was my wife. I knew her better than anyone."
Shaak Ti dropped into a crouch beside him, patting his shoulder awkwardly.
"Master Yoda would like to see you. He says it's impor-"
Anakin watched through dispassionate eyes as she crumpled to the ground, rendered unconscious by a blow from the hilt of her very own light saber.
It had been so easy, he mused. She hadn't even noticed his arm snaking around her waist.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. He dressed quickly, keeping a watchful eye on the door.
He needed to get to Naboo, to see Padmé for himself. If his greatest fear was realized… well, his place was there, by her side. It was his right as her husband and father to their unborn child.
And this time, nothing would stop him from claiming it.
Unfortunately, the fastest mode of transportation – his starfighter – was off limits. The access codes had most likely been changed before his unconscious body had even been returned to the Temple. It seemed there was only one person who could help him now.
Chancellor Palpatine.