Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Here's chapter 35! Thanks for all the great reviews! Enjoy!
Forever Destined
Chapter 35: Confrontation with Ventress
Rain pelted down on Anakin, and his saber hissed and crackled under the contact with the red blade of his evil opponent. Anakin's shaggy hair clung to his neck and face, soaked with precipitation. Droplets cascaded down his face quickly, as it poured from the sky and drenched him from head to toe.
"Die Skywalker!" Asaaj Ventress snarled, as she lashed at him. Strike, parry, thrust, uppercut, block. Anakin evaded and met her every attack.
"This is far from over, Ventress," Anakin retorted. Just days from now, his children would be a year old. This Force forsaken war had lasted another year, totaling almost two years now. Another broken year in his and Padme's marriage. But the separation had only strengthened their bond and resolve. Truthfully, he had been home much more with them this year than the last when Padme was pregnant. He and Obi-Wan were sent on the specialized missions usually and those seemed to last weeks rather than months. They were still no less hard for either of them, especially since his older brother had grown very close to Padme's older sister. Much had happened in the last year and he remembered those many times with his little family. And now that he had found Ventress, he was not going to let her keep him away from the ones he loved so deeply. Ventress snarled and landed a vicious kick in Anakin's abdomen, thrusting him to the ground on his back. The young Jedi used his momentum to leap back up just in time to meet another one of the witch's brutal downward strikes. Anakin was fully aware of the precarious cliff that Ventress was driving him toward. He met her vicious strikes expertly, as the rain continued to pelt down on them, as the very heavens thundered its wrath upon the planet below their feet. Anakin's wet locks whipped about his face, as blocked and met her onslaught.
"You know...I hear you have spawned a couple of brats with your lovely, trouble making wife. After I dispose of you, they shall make wonderful pets for me. I'll make sure to teach them all about the wrath of the dark side..." Ventress goaded, as she cackled in the amusement of Skywalker's piercing gaze. He was so despicably easy to goad. She had no idea why they flaunted him with such titles as 'The Hero With No Fear'. What a completely untrue title to bestow upon this man. He feared...feared harm coming to those he loved. Anakin would have to agree with her on that. The title was ridiculously untrue; yet he managed to live up to their expectations by his continued defeat of the Separatists forces. And...Ventress would be no different, as she too would meet her defeat at his hands. It was not something he would do to further his ego or bolster his popularity even more among the people of the galaxy. No...he desired none of their praise. He only desired to make the galaxy a safer place for his family and live out the rest of his days being at the side of his beautiful wife, as they watched their children grow. They could give him whatever titles they wanted, but the only ones that meant anything to him were husband and father. Lightning crackled around them, as its companion rumbled loudly through the blackened skies. A bolt of whitish, yellow lightning struck a tree above them and he heard Ventress cackle in delight, as a branch snapped. The loose piece of wood fell from directly above him, threatening to pummel him. But Skywalker stood as still as could be and Ventress had to hide her utter amazement under a scowl when she witnessed the large branch stop in mid air. The Jedi did not flinch in the least under the weight of the oppressive object and she snarled. No Jedi on the light side of the Force should possess power like him. It was a great threat to the dark side and that was exactly why she'd been ordered to eliminate Skywalker at all costs by Master Sidious. She screamed in rage, as she watched the branch explode into nothing more than mulch...and the Jedi had yet to flinch from the exertion of such raw power.
"I hope you've made peace with your maker..." Ventress threatened. Anakin couldn't help but scoff at her insolence.
"I truly pity you, Asaaj," Anakin replied. She snarled, barring her discolored teeth at him.
"Save your pity, Jedi scum!" she hissed.
"You truly never knew what love was or how amazing it can be," Anakin said.
"Love makes you weak," Ventress spat.
"Then how come you are losing this duel?" Anakin questioned. Ventress screamed maniacally at him, as she charged. Anakin blocked her angry attacks and propelled himself into a front flip over her head. He brought his saber over his head and down hard on hers, as they struggled against each other in a deadlock. Ventress seethed in rage, as he began pushing her back.
"Jedi slime...you will never defeat the dark side!" Ventress snarled.
"I've already won," Anakin said, as he Force pushed her flat on her back, before extinguishing his light saber.
"What are you doing, you fool?! If you have won, then finish me!" she taunted.
"You're helpless now and it would be wrong to kill you now," Anakin replied.
"Helpless?!" she screamed, her eyes bleeding yellow.
"I'll show you helpless...you worthless fool!" she screamed, as Force lightning erupted from her fingertips. Anakin's saber blazed to life, intercepting the attack, as he fought against it. Lightning illuminated the landscape around them and bolts struck the ground around him.
"Ventress stop this now! You're going to get us both killed!" Anakin screamed.
"As long as you die...then my mission will be complete!" she screamed psychotically. White lightning hit blue lightning, igniting a nearby brush and it burst into flames. The wicked Sith assassin cackled, as the force of the explosion of flames knocked Anakin on his back. Her cackling ceased and turned to a horrifying scream of agony as white lightning struck Ventress, mixing with blue Force lightning. Anakin watched in horrified amazement, as Ventress was brutally electrocuted, burning and marring her flesh. The ground beneath her feet slowly crumbled from the lightning that had struck it. Ventress screamed, as the cliff crumbled underneath her and she fell into the black abyss beneath, her body still trembling violently from the effects of the electrocution. Anakin looked over the edge carefully, as he heard her scream die. He had no way of seeing anything...but he had little reason to believe that she could have actually survived such a horrible occurrence. Still...Obi-Wan would probably order a reconnaissance mission in the morning to see if they could recover the body. They could not declare her dead without the proof. He really did feel sorry for her and he hadn't just been saying that. Asaaj had a terrible childhood and things had never gotten better for her. She'd been shown nothing but cruelty and therefore only showed cruelty to others. He silently extinguished his saber and began trekking back to base...
Padme stepped into Bail's office with the double hover stroller and her nearly one-year-old twins in it. Bail smiled, as Luke and Leia cooed and babbled.
"Hello Padme," Bail greeted cheerfully.
"Hello Bail. Here is that proposal. It's up to you to get everyone else to sign it," Padme said, as she handed him the folder.
"Are you sure about this Padme? I have a feeling that Anakin would be very worried about you being involved," Bail said.
"I was able to speak to him over the holocom a few nights ago. He was able to get a call through and said they were close to finding Ventress. I discussed it with him; and you're right, he is very worried. But he knows why I am doing it, for he believes in it as well. This war is the reason we spend weeks apart. And now, the Chancellor wants even more emergency powers? If we allow him to gain those, we will be handing over all the checks and balances. I'm telling you Bail...he wants a dictatorship and if he receives it, the Jedi and many innocents will suffer," Padme said.
"I know. But you do realize that we could be labeled treasonous when we hand this petition to the Chancellor," Bail said.
"As long as we have democracy, Palpatine cannot arrest us for speaking our minds. That would be against the constitution of the Republic. But if the Chancellor is granted more emergency powers, then democracy will disappear," Padme replied.
"I agree with you Padme. But we must be careful," Bail replied.
"Mama!" Leia cooed, as she bounced in her seat.
"Oh, it won't be much longer, baby," Padme cooed to her, as she ruffled her chocolate locks. Bail smiled at the children.
"They've gotten so big. They look just like you and Anakin," Bail smiled.
"I know. Anakin and I wish they would stay this size forever," Padme replied.
"I know what you mean. Children are a wonderful treasure," Bail replied.
"Are you and Breha...still having trouble conceiving?" Padme asked her friend.
"Breha saw a healer...and she is barren," Bail replied.
"Oh Bail, I'm so sorry," Padme said regretfully.
"It's okay. We've put our names in with an adoption agency," Bail replied, with a smiled.
"That's great. Any little girl or boy will be lucky to have the two of you as parents" Padme replied.
"Thank you Padme," he replied.
"Mama!" Luke whined, as he bounced in his seat. She smiled.
"They're very restless. I've had them sitting far too long, so I'd better take them home," Padme said.
"Good day Padme and thank you for writing that proposal," Bail replied.
"It was the right thing to do," Padme said.
"Wave bye bye to Bail," she cooed to them. The twins raised their little hands and moved them in a waving motion.
"Bye bye, bye bye, bye bye," the twins chorused.
"Goodbye children," Bail waved back, as Padme left. She wheeled the hover stroller to the landing pad where she and Anakin's yellow speeder waited.
"Hungwy, mama," Luke cooed, as she lifted him out and strapped him into his speeder seat in the back.
"We're going home now, baby and we'll get some food in that little tummy," she cooed at him. He giggled, as his mother tickled his tummy, before turning back to his sister.
"Are you hungry too, honey?" Padme asked. Leia nodded her little head, as Padme kissed her cheek.
"Well, well, if it isn't mommy of the year," a very unwelcome voice taunted. Padme whirled around with Leia in her arms and glared at the man.
"Stay the hell away from us, Palo," Padme said.
"Such hostility, darling and in front of the children too," Palo taunted.
"Anakin has warned you not to harass me," Padme replied.
"He's not here...in fact, when is he here? Oh that's right...he's out being a hero," Palo replied.
"My husband is working hard to end this war so he can come home for good. And when he finds out that you've been anywhere near me or our children, you'll have a lot of trouble on your hands," Padme bit back.
"I suppose you haven't heard, but your father has lost his farm. He couldn't make the payments and my father was forced to take the land, not that you care since you caused it," Palo said.
"I did not cause him to lose his farm. My father made his bed and he can lie in it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take my children home and get them something to eat," Padme said rudely, as she strapped Leia in.
"You're not going anywhere, you little whore," Palo growled, as he grabbed her arm.
"Let...me go!" Padme screamed, as she stomped on his foot. Luke and Leia began screaming at the top of their lungs, sensing the danger their mother was in. Palo grit his teeth angrily, knowing the racket they were causing would draw attention soon.
"Stupid brats. This isn't over, Padme," Palo promised.
"The hell it isn't, you bastard," Padme growled, as she ripped her arm from his grip. Palo cringed, as he saw Captain Typho rapidly approaching.
"Milady...are you all right?" Typho asked.
"I am fine, captain. Mr. Danae needs a reminder that he's supposed to refrain from making any kind of contact with me," Padme said.
"Come along, Mr. Danae," Typho said, as he led Palo away. A few moments later, he returned.
"Milady, please allow me to file a restraining order against him," Typho pleaded. Padme nodded in agreement.
"Thank you Captain. I need to take the twins home now," Padme said. Typho couldn't help but notice that she was shaking.
"Milady, are you going to be all right?" he asked. She smiled faintly.
"I'll be fine as soon as I'm home. Thank you captain," she replied, as she got into the driver's seat and slowly sped away.
Anakin smiled, as Obi-Wan handed him the hot cup of caf. They were back aboard the Republic cruiser, The Executor. Anakin had stripped from his soaking wet Jedi blacks, as Padme liked to call them, and into something dry.
"The storm just broke and I sent Commander Cody out with on a reconnaissance mission to recover Ventress' body," Obi-Wan informed him.
"I highly doubt she could have survived that fall or the electrocution combined," Anakin replied.
"You are probably right, but we cannot assume anything," Obi-Wan answered, as he patted his little brother's shoulder.
"Get some rest and I'll let you know when they find anything," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin finished his caf and fell on his bed. He smiled, as he carefully picked up the framed holo that sat on his bedside tables in his bedchambers. It was a holo of the four of them taken when the twins were six months old. He felt his heart swell with love, as he gazed upon the three people that made him happy. He kissed the holo and placed it back on the bedside table, before laying down. He was asleep the minute his head hit the pillow, as he was exhausted.
Padme blew on Luke's tummy playfully, as she towel dried him after his bath. He laughed, as his mommy tickled him. She wrapped him in his towel and he sat down on his little rear, while Padme took Leia out of the bathtub. She began drying her as well and blew on her tummy too. She giggled, as Padme finished drying her and wrapped her up in the towel.
"All right angels, let's go get you ready for bed," Padme said, as she lifted them both into her arms and carried them to the nursery. Padme sat them both on the large changing table and began to diaper Leia. Luke babbled and then pointed to the holo beside their crib, which was one of their father she had placed there.
"Daddy!" Luke pointed with his chubby little finger.
"That's right Luke. We miss daddy, don't we," Padme said, as she finished putting Leia in her little pink pajamas.
"Miss daddy," Leia repeated, as Padme began to diaper her brother.
"I know sweetheart. Mommy misses daddy too," Padme said quietly.
"Daddy home?" Luke asked, as she dressed him in his little blue pajamas.
"Soon baby. Daddy will be coming home soon," she promised, as she lifted them both and laid them down in their double crib. She covered them with their blanket and kissed them both.
"Good night, my angels," Padme said, as she turned out the light and slowly closed the door, taking the baby monitor with her. She leaned against their closed door and sighed deeply.
"We miss you Ani," she said, as she quietly retired to her bedchambers.
Anakin felt something shaking him and slowly opened his eyes.
"You must have been exhausted. I've been shaking you for a few minutes now," Obi-Wan said.
"How long was I out?" Anakin asked.
"A good ten hours. We're in hyperspace on our way back to Coruscant," Obi-Wan replied, with a smile. Anakin's eyes shot open and he sat up.
"Really? What did the Clones find?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan sighed.
"Nothing...no body. But if she did somehow survive and was picked up by another one of the Sith's dark agents, then it is probably a good bet that she's not in very good shape. If she is alive, I doubt we will be hearing from her for a while," Obi-Wan replied.
"And still nothing on Grievous?" Anakin asked.
"There have been sightings, but he still eludes us. For now, the Council is bringing us back to Coruscant," Obi-Wan said.
"Great. Maybe then, you can stop pining and finally tell Sola how you really feel about her," Anakin pushed.
"Stay out of my love life, baby brother," he warned. Anakin rolled his eyes. Obi-Wan sighed, as he thought about Sola. They'd been seeing each other for almost a year and he knew he truly loved her. He hadn't committed himself to anyone in over fifteen years and still had his doubts and worries plaguing him. But Sola was a wonderful woman and he really did believe she was the one for him. So...perhaps it was time for him to say those three little words that seemed so difficult.
"So...how long till we get to Coruscant?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan smiled.
"Just a few hours," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin smiled and headed to the fresher for a shower.
Padme finished putting the twins down again. By now, they were mostly sleeping through the night. But on occasion, they would wake up during the night. It was just before sunrise now and they were sleeping soundly again. She kissed each of their little heads and quietly returned to her bedchambers, hoping she could go back so sleep for just a little while. Padme snuggled under the bedclothes in the still dark bedroom and slowly drifted back to sleep.
Anakin landed the speeder on the veranda. It was just after sunrise and they had arrived less than an hour ago.
"Sola is usually up before Padme. Are you going to wait here?" Anakin asked.
"Yes, go on. I'll be fine," Ben replied. Anakin smiled and quietly slipped into the apartment. Making no sound at all, he slipped into the bedchambers that he shared with his wife and quietly observed her as she slept. He quietly sat down on the bed and softly caressed her cheek. There was the sweetest humming he'd ever heard coming from her throat, as she immediately responded to his touch. She slowly opened her bleary eyes and focused on the handsome face of her beloved husband.
"Am I dreaming?" she asked, as she blinked several times. He chuckled.
"I promise I'm real, angel," he replied, as she sat up and threw her arms around his neck. He held her tightly, as he felt a few tears splash on his neck.
"I've missed you...so much," she sobbed.
"I've missed you too, my love," he replied, as he kissed her hair. She pulled back, so she could look at him and quickly began wiping her tears away. He stared at her, drinking every bit of her in.
"You are so beautiful," he said, in awe. She laughed.
"I'm a complete mess, Ani," she protested.
"You're always beautiful, Padme," he replied. She melted in his arms, as he captured her full, pouting lips in a passionate kiss. He smiled at her, as he carefully laid her down against her pillow. She pulled him down on top of her and into another searing kiss. Using the Force, Anakin pulled the blinds shut, darkening the room, as they let the roaring flames of passion consume them...
Sola yawned and sipped at her morning caf, as she quietly padded out to the veranda. Once she arrived, she gasped and dropped her cup in surprise. She watched, as the cup was suspended in mid air and floated back to her hand.
"Careful, milady," Obi-Wan said playfully. Sola set the cup down and rushed into his open arms. Obi-Wan spun her around, before their lips met in a loving kiss.
"Did you just arrive?" she asked.
"Yes, we just got in. It's so good to see you, Sola. I've missed you," Ben confessed.
"I've missed you too, Ben," she replied, as they kissed again.
"Tell you what. Why don't you go get the girls up and after you've all cleaned up, the four of us will go to Dex's for breakfast. We can spend the whole day together," Ben suggested.
"That sounds wonderful," Sola said, as she kissed his cheek and hurried off to ready herself and the girls.
Anakin rolled onto his back and Padme propped her head against his chest, as they bathed in the after glow.
"Now that was one heck of welcome home," he said, making her giggle. She sighed in contentment.
"I don't want to get up, but the twins will probably be awake soon," she mentioned.
"Tell you what. Let's go help each other...ah, clean up and then maybe we can pack a picnic lunch. Then we can take the twins to the park in the tourist district," Anakin suggested.
"That sounds wonderful. Race ya to the fresher!" she called, as she leapt out of bed and hurried to the fresher door. He caught up to her and pressed himself against her back.
"You're a naughty star nymph," he said playfully.
"Whatever will you do with me, Master Jedi?" she asked seductively.
"Oh, I have a few ideas," he replied in amusement, as he gently pushed her into the fresher, before following her and shutting the door behind him...