Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 30! Thanks for all the great reviews!
Forever Destined
Chapter 30: Negotiations on Jabiim
The Republic cruiser, the Intrepid, sped through hyperspace en route to Jabiim. Inside the conference aboard their ship, the six Republic Senators were locked in a heated debate. Orn Free Taa slammed his hand on the table.
"We cannot give into the Separatists demands!" The Twi'lek Senator of Ryloth argued.
"I think we are far past the time for negotiation. If they have attacked us, then they should be destroyed!" Ask Moe of Malastare argued.
"No, that is the very reason we are being sent. An opportunity for negotiation has risen and we have the chance to end this senseless violence," Bail Organa of Alderaan argued.
"Senator Organa is right. If we can end this war through negotiation, then we must do so," Padme Skywalker of Naboo stated.
"I think you're hardly in a position to be objective, Senator Skywalker," Orn Free Taa sneered at her.
"Yes, I have personal reason why this war should end. But I will remain objective and listen to all sides of the argument. You however, only seem interested in your own point of view, which happens to be one that is lining your pockets!" Padme retorted.
"Just what are you implying, Senator?" Orn demanded.
"I am implying that people are dying, Senator! And this means we must put a stop to it!" Padme argued.
"And this coming from a Senator who is in bed with the Jedi...literally," Ask Moe retorted.
"Senator Moe, you are out of line," Bail argued.
"I agree. The fact remains that we have negotiations to oversee. It would be in the best interest of the Republic to end this war through peaceful means," Mon Mothma agreed.
"We are getting no where with this argument," Bel Iblis said. Padme sat back in her chair with a frown. She had a very bad feeling that these negotiations were going to implode right before them. No, she couldn't think like that. She had to end this conflict. She could not bear anymore time apart from her beloved husband. She could not bear the thought of him going off into anymore battles. She ached for his loving embrace and his wonderful kisses. There was a knock at the door and a young officer stepped in.
"Senators, the Captain will be bringing us out of hyperspace momentarily he has asked that you return to the cabin and strap in," the young man said. Padme's heart fluttered, as she knew it would only be minutes now before they were reunited...
Anakin waited impatiently on the landing platform, as the Republic Cruiser landed. Once the ramp dropped, Anakin and Obi-Wan, followed by Siri and Ferris followed them over to greet the Senators.
"Senators," Obi-Wan greeted formally, as Mon Mothma and Bel Iblis stepped off first. Bail and Padme stepped off next and Anakin caught her, as she threw herself in his arms. It was completely unprofessional, but neither cared. Anakin hugged her tightly and spun her around.
"I've missed you so much, angel," he whispered to her.
"I've missed you too," she replied, as she planted her lips on his in a passionate kiss. Feris rolled his eyes.
"Please, I'm trying to keep my lunch down. Can't you do that in private?" he asked. Anakin set her down on her feet.
"Shut up Feris," Anakin snapped at him.
"Senators, if you'll follow me, I'll show you to your quarters," Obi-Wan said. Anakin picked up her travel case and they followed behind.
"You all have a couple hours to rest and freshen up before dinner is served in the dining hall," Obi-Wan said. Each Senator found their designated room and Anakin led Padme to hers. The door shut behind them and their lips met in a searing kiss. Anakin helped her out of her cloak, as he plundered her mouth. Padme moaned into his kiss and melted in his arms. After five months apart, they were starved for each other.
"Ani...I have something wonderful to tell you," Padme said.
"What is it?" he asked. She smiled brightly and placed his hand on her swollen belly that was hidden by her Senatorial gown.
"Ani...I'm pregnant," she told him. Anakin's eyes widened and a smile formed on his face.
"Oh Padme...this is wonderful!" he exclaimed, as he picked her up and spun her around. She squealed lightly and he placed her on her feet again. Anakin placed his hand on her belly and Padme felt a thump in her womb. A look of child-like wonder washed over Anakin's face and Padme giggled.
"That's right little one...daddy's here," she said.
"I wish I could have been there for you during the first part of your pregnancy," he said.
"I know, me too. But mom and dad and everyone else have taken really good care of me," she replied. Anakin sunk to his knees and placed a kiss to her belly.
"I'm going to end this war, little one. You won't grow up in a war torn galaxy, I promise," Anakin said. Tears welled in her eyes, as she watched him talk to their unborn baby.
"I bet mom and dad are thrilled. Grandmother and grandfather too," he said. She beamed.
"Ecstatic," she replied. He stood up and swept her into his arms.
"I love you Padme. I've missed you so much," he said.
"I've missed you too, my love," she replied, as he carried her to bed...
Their lips met again and again in a passionate array of kisses.
"Oh Gods...I've missed you," Anakin rasped, as he furiously nipped at her neck. He had survived all the hells of war to come back to her. She slipped the shirt off his shoulders and discarded it to the floor. She marveled at the hard, delicious muscle that defined his entire torso.
Anakin laid her on the bed, before joining her. He carefully shifted his weight over her and resumed kissing her lips. Padme moaned into his kiss, as she felt his hands begin to roam. He found the edge of her gown and began pushing it up. Padme sat up and kissed him, as he worked her out of the dress Eventually, he managed to push it over her head and discarded it onto the floor. Suddenly, Padme became very self conscious. She was not exactly feeling beautiful these days, but Anakin was mesmerized by her. He touched her swollen belly, where their child was growing.
"You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he told her, sensing her anxiety about her condition.
"You don't have to say that Ani," she replied. He leaned down and kissed her deeply.
"But it's true and I love you more than anything angel," Anakin replied.
"I love you too Ani," she replied, tears threatening to fall. Anakin leaned down and kissed her lips again, as their passion and starvation for each other consumed them after five long months apart...
Anakin watched his wife get ready for dinner with a smile. He felt like the luckiest man in the galaxy at the moment. Not only did he have the most beautiful wife ever, but in a few short months, they would bring their first child into the world. She embodied that pregnant glow he'd heard about and there was a contagious smile on her face. She wore a semi-formal dress in a beautiful soft pink color. The dress flattered her pregnant figure, making no effort to hide the swell of her stomach, unlike the bulky Senatorial gowns did. He came up behind her and placed her grandmother's locket around her neck. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Thanks," she said. He leaned down and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. Her arms slid around his neck, as he kissed her deeply. Slowly, they broke the kiss and Padme rested her head against his chest. She inhaled his intoxicating, masculine scent and sighed contentedly.
"How surprised do you think Obi-Wan will be when he finds out he's going to be an uncle? Padme asked. Anakin smiled.
"I'm sure it will be priceless, though I think he's pretty much figured he's going to be an uncle before he's a father," Anakin replied.
"Well, let's go, because I'm starving...or at least he is," Padme said, indicating the baby.
"You mean she," he insisted.
"No, it's a boy," she replied.
"You have no proof," he retorted.
"I do. It's my motherly intuition," she answered.
"That's not proof," he replied.
"Are you questioning my intuition?" she asked. He sidestepped her question.
"I could look if you want...you know, with the Force," he said.
"No," she replied.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Because I said so," she responded.
"That's not a reason," he protested.
"It is if I say it is. Surely you don't want to continue such a fruitless battle that you cannot win," she replied.
"I'm a Jedi. There is not a battle I cannot win," he responded.
"Except against me," she replied.
"You don't fight fairly. You use your feminine charms against me," he stated.
"So, we agree on that. You are no match for me," she said playfully.
"Nope. I can kill Sith Lords and take down armies of droids, but I am bested by a gorgeous 5'2", one hundred pound angel. How pathetic am I?" he joked.
"You're not pathetic at all. You're my handsome, adorable, sexy Jedi husband and I love you very much," she replied, as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"I still can't look, can I?" he asked, referring to the baby.
"No, I want to find out at the same time. Perhaps, we can find a credible healer in the compound who will perform an ultrasound for us. It is time for another one anyway, even though I'd rather have Bant perform it. But I also want you to be able to see them too," she replied.
"Let's do that first chance we get then. I can't wait," he replied., as he kissed her softly. There was a knock at their door. Anakin grinned.
"There's uncle Ben now," Anakin said, as they walked to the door hand in hand. Anakin opened the door and they stepped out. Obi-Wan's eyes widened, as he looked at Padme. Anakin chuckled.
"You're..." Obi-Wan said, as she hugged him.
"That's right. You're going to be an uncle," she told him.
"Congratulations, baby brother," Obi-Wan said, as they began walking toward the dining hall.
"Thanks Ben," he replied, as the arrived in the dining hall where the other Senators waited.
"Congratulations to you both," Siri said.
"Another Skywalker, just what we don't need," Feris quipped. Anakin was about to retort, but Padme beat him to the punch.
"Excuse me padawan Olin, but I don't like your attitude, nor do I care for your disrespect toward my husband. He is a higher rank than you, after all and a great Jedi. Furthermore, I don't appreciate you implying that this baby will be anything but a blessing. My baby is going to have me best father any child could ask for. So, unless you can say something kind, padawan Olin, then perhaps you should not speak at all," Padme said. Bail Organa tried to hide a chuckle with a suspicious cough. Siri and Obi-Wan didn't attempt to hide their amusement, nor did Anakin. The padawan reddened in embarrassment, before he quietly crept away and sat down. Siri sat next to him and patted his shoulder.
"I'm sorry padawan, but you were asking for that," Siri told him. Anakin wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to her seat.
"I love you," he said.
"I know," she replied, as he scooted her in to the table. Dinner was uneventful and after a few hours of socializing. Anakin and Padme returned to their room. Anakin chuckled, as they entered their room and he wrapped his arms around her.
"Do you know how turned on I was when you told Feris off?" he said, as he began kissing her neck. Padme giggled.
"Did you like that, baby?" she asked.
"Oh yeah," he replied.
"Well, why don't you do something about it?" she said playfully. He swept her into his arms and carried her to bed.
"Maybe, I will," he replied, as he carried her to bed...
Somtime later, they lay entwined together and she rested atop his sweat slicked chest, as they bathed in the afterglow. Padme looked up at him and pressed her lips to his. Anakin kissed back passionately and held her close in his strong arms.
"Sleep has not come easy since you've been away," she said.
"It hasn't for me either. I daresay it has been scarce. Only my dreams of you have helped lull me to sleep," Anakin replied.
"I don't think we will have trouble sleeping tonight," she smiled.
"We never do when we're together...the way it should be," he smiled back.
"Good night, my handsome husband," she whispered, as she cuddled against him.
"Good night, my beautiful wife," he replied. Sleep came quickly and easily in the comfort of each other's arms...
The arguing and bickering had been going on for four days now. It was wearing heavy on Padme and the other Senators, as well as the four Jedi present. No agreements could be reached that would satisfy both sides. Ask Moe and Orn Free Taa were particularly difficult, as they were both Loyalists to Palpatine.
"This arguing is getting us no where. I suggest we take a three hour recess and convene back here at O 300 this afternoon," Bel Iblis suggested. That was the only thing they could seem to agree on and the meeting adjourned. The Separatists leaders stalked out of the conference room in anger. Padme stood up and sighed, as she walked out on to the terrace that over looked the city. Anakin followed her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back against him and let him kiss her lips softly.
"These negotiations are a complete joke. Palpatine knew they would be. He just wanted to provide us with the false hope that we could end this war. It was a cruel joke on his part," Padme said bitterly.
"Unfortunately, the Separatists are not ready to admit defeat. We have not weakened them enough and therefore, their demands are still unreasonable. This war has shaken the very grounds upon which the Republic was built. Palpatine is destroying over ten thousand years of peace and democracy," Anakin said.
"And yet we can prove no malfeasance," Padme replied in frustration.
"We will angel. It is only a matter of time before we find the evidence we need," Anakin stated.
"And just what are you looking for?" she asked.
"The evidence that he is indeed in league with the Sith," Anakin said quietly.
"You think it could be that extreme?" she asked.
"I suspect that it could be and I am not alone in my opinion. Each and every day, Palpatine is afforded more power and the Jedi are weakened by the war," Anakin said.
"The Loyalists are gladly signing over the checks and balances. They outnumber the delegation of two-thousand by a slim margin. I fear the war may escalate if these negotiations fail, but what can we do? No agreement can be made with them," Padme said in defeat.
"They don't want to negotiate. We just have to keep searching for the proof we need that will bring all of this to an end. Corruption and deceit are rampant in the Senate, but we will find a way to bring an end to it...together," he gave her a soft smile. She smile back.
"Since we have some time, perhaps we can go to the healer's wing and see if we can get that ultrasound?" she suggested.
"That sounds wonderful," he replied, as they walked together, arms around each other's waists.
Padme sat on the exam table in a white gown that had been provided for her. They were in the exam room, waiting for the healer. A kind looking woman stepped in. She looked to be probably in her sixties, giving them the impression that she'd been practicing medicine for some time now. She eyed the young couple with a gentle smile.
"I'm Healer Nanda," she said kindly, as she examined her chart.
"It says here you'd like an ultrasound performed," the healer stated.
"Yes ma'am," Padme answered.
"How far along are you, dear?" she asked.
"Five months and one week," Padme answered.
"And is this strapping young man the proud father?" she asked. Anakin smiled.
"Yes ma'am, I am," he replied.
"Hmm...it says here that you are not citizens of Jabiim," the Healer stated.
"No, we are visitors here for the negotiations," Padme answered.
"Yes, I'm Anakin Skywalker and this is my wife Senator Padme Skywalker. We're legal citizens of Coruscant, Naboo, and Serenno," Anakin answered. The healer's eyes widened a bit.
"The Anakin Skywalker? The Hero With No Fear?" she asked. Anakin frowned and blushed a little. He really didn't like that title.
"Yes ma'am," he said quietly.
"Well, it is an honor to aide you and your wife, Jedi Skywalker. You saved our little world and Jabiim is indebted to you," the Healer said, as she came next Padme and lifted the gown. She began rubbing a solution on Padme's swollen stomach.
"Aren't you the lucky lady," the elder woman said, with a smile. Padme grinned at her, as Anakin's blush deepened.
"Yes, I am," Padme replied. The Healer began performing the needed operations and soon, a blurry picture appeared on the screen in front of them. Anakin was in awe of the image of, as he laid eyes on their unborn child. He squinted his eyes though, trying to make out body parts.
"Oh Ani, there he is," she said.
"Are you sure it's a boy?" he asked.
"Yes I'm sure. Here's his head and this is the rest of him. I think you can clearly see he's a boy," Padme said.
"Oh...yeah, I guess you're right," Anakin said, as he studied the image of his son in awe.
"But what's that by his head?" Anakin asked. Padme squinted.
"I don't know," she answered.
"It's another head," the Healer stated. Anakin and Padme's eyes widened in surprise. The Healer chuckled and brought up another view. This time, it was from the other side of the womb.
"And there's the other one," he Healer said, as she focused the image.
"The other one?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, it looks like you are pregnant with twins, Senator Skywalker," the Healer responded.
"Oh Ani...twins!" Padme exclaimed. Anakin smiled and kissed her hair.
"Can we tell what the sex of this one is?" Anakin asked.
"Well, it looks like this one's definitely a little girl," the Healer answered.
"Both Padme, we're having both," Anakin said, with a laugh.
"I guess we were both right. Oh, just wait until everyone hears about this!" Padme exclaimed in excitement.
"You don't half do anything, do you Jedi Skywalker?" the Healer teased. Anakin reddened and Padme and the Healer laughed.
"Is the Temple ready for Twin Skywalker's?" Padme joked.
"Angel, they weren't ready for me, so this will completely take them off guard," he replied jokingly. She giggled.
"I've heard the stories. You were a handful. We are in a lot of trouble," she replied. He smiled slyly at her.
"Sola's told me stories about you too. I daresay you were quite a handful yourself," he said, thinking about those implications.
"We really are in a lot of trouble," Anakin said. Padme giggled.
"Congratulations to you both," the Healer said.
"Thank you," Padme said, as she began dressing, as the healer exited. Anakin helped her into her Senatorial gown and zipped her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Can you believe it? Twins?!" she said in excitement.
"I'm so happy Padme. And everyone else will be too. I love you," he said, as he hugged her tightly.
"And I love you," she replied, as he spun her around.
"I'm hungry. Let's go eat something before we have to be back in the conference room," he suggested.
"Sounds good. We're starving," Padme said, indicating the babies. Anakin wrapped his arm around her waist, as they headed for the dining hall. After a meal, they returned to the conference room and the fruitless negotiations resumed.
The ramp dropped on the odd looking ship that had just docked on the landing platform at the main station on Jabiim. The sound of clamping could be heard, as a bulky figure clanked down the ramp. The being looked to be almost entirely made of machine, except for the beating organ behind his metal chest plate and the ability it had to breath air. A cloaked figure approached and the metal monstrosity and it bowed to its Master.
"Master Seditious, how may I serve you?" he asked. Xanatos motioned for him to rise.
"Welcome, General Grevious. Negotiations between the Separatists and the representatives from the Republic Senate are still meeting as we speak. The Senators are being guarded by four Jedi. I want them all killed. Then, you will transport the Separatist leaders to the droid factory on Cato-Neimodia. There, you will wait for more instructions from Master Sidious or myself," Xanatos said.
"I will not fail, my Master," Grevious responded.
"See that you don't. Kenobi and Skywalker are powerful. Do not underestimate them. I must leave at once and return to Korriban on my Master's orders. Contact me with your report as soon as you arrive on Cato-Neimodia," Xanatos ordered.
"Yes Master," Grevious obeyed. Grevious sneered evilly, as he stared at the compound in the distance.
"More Jedi light sabers for my collection. The galaxy will tremble in fear at the mention of my name, after I kill The Negotiator and The Hero With No Fear," Grevious said evilly, as he headed for the nearest transport...