I am following the revenge of the sith plot, ala "missing scenes" but am wondering if I should go AU with this and give Padme and Anakin my alternate story. What do you think? - CG
The morning sickness was severe. Severe enough that Padme Amidala was in need of being on bed rest, three droids at her side. Threepio was one of them. He laid a cool towel on Padme's head, dabbing away the little beads of sweat.
"Oh dear, my lady. According to my internal thermostat, your temperature is exceedingly high. Please drink some water." He tried to press a glass into her hand but she pushed it away.
The holonet was on. Pictures of Anakin played on the screen and something about the outer rim, and possibly dead. Threepio turned, looked at the holonet, stood then turned it off. Padme tried to sit up.
"Threepio, no. I need to see him-"
"I'm sure he's safe, my lady. You'll have to be mindful of your fluids, and take care of yourself if you want to get better."
And that was precisely the problem. She needed him more than ever and here she was...taking care of herself. It wasn't Anakin's fault. Or was it? Blast. She was so confused. And then there were those awful rumors about him being killed in the war. If only the holonet reporter knew what those reports did to her nerves... the prospect of being alone and raising a child by herself wasn't exactly how she planned her future. But then, neither was getting pregnant so soon. Padme sighed. There was no one to blame but herself. She married a Jedi. It's not like she went into the situation blindly.
Despite Padme's ruminations, she was happy about the baby. If Anakin died, part of him would live on through her. One of the nurse droids began to recite a report. An analysis of Padme's blood sample. The nurse droid spoke in a series of chirps and beeps. Much like Artoo. Threepio translated:
"Apparently, the absense of calcium and an extreme deficiency of iron in your blood is causing you to become severely anemic. Which explains why you've taken ill. We can give you iron supplements, but your anemia is so dire, we're not sure the supplements will be enough."
"Ask her Threepio... if there is anything I can do."
Threepio spoke in a series of chirps. The nurse droid replied in kind.
"She says, she will give you a list of foods to eat, a prescription for iron supplements, and encourages you to stay on bed rest for the duration of your pregnancy, if possible."
"I can't do that, I'm a senator. I have far too many obligations."
"I advise you to listen to nurse D210, my lady. She knows what she's talking about."
"If I leave bed rest, will it hurt the baby?"
The nurse and Threepio exchanged chirps.
"NO, but it will hurt you, she says. Your body only produces enough iron and nutrients, for one. And the one who gets it is the baby. Without proper care, you won't be strong enough to deliver the baby. It's best to stay in bed. D210 would like to know, if you wish to learn the sex of your baby? She says, there's something else you should know about the pregnancy that might explain why your body is overtaxed."
Padme shook her head. "No, I want it to be a surprise. I don't want to know the gender of the baby, what he or she looks like, or whether he's too fat... nothing. I'll see him when he gets here."
Threepio looked at the Senator. Was there enough room in someone so small? Where did babies come from? And how did one get in Senator Amidala?
"Threepio?" she called.
"Yes, my lady."
"Will you go to the Temple and try, albeit subtley, to find out if Anakin is alright?"
Threepio saluted. "With pleasure, my lady!"
Threepio took the elevator down to the ground floor then walked... or rather, he tottered to the nearest air trolley. One that would take him to the temple. The air trolley's driver gave Threepio a strange look as he boarded. Threepio dropped a credit in the alien's hand. Let's see if he can throw me off of the trolley now, thought Threepio somewhat snidely. The people here are just plain rude! And droids have no rights at all. Perhaps, Senator Amidala could work in our favor... making it against the law to harm droids like myself. Perhaps, I'll work hard and show my dedication and loyalty to the senator so that she see's the value of having a droid, and that we have... feelings.
After an uneventful ride to the Jedi Temple, a grateful Threepio trotted to the entrance and walked inside. He looked around, not sure who he would even ask. Senator Amidala told him to "subtley" ask if Master Skywalker was okay. He scanned his programming for the word "subtley" but could not find a match.
Threepio turned and saw Jedi Master Mace Windu walking down the hall toward him. The man gave him a hard look. One that set Threepio's self preseveration components to full alert. Was he going to hurt him? Why so angry?
"Oh, Master Windu, Master Windu!" Threepio called, trying to run behind him.
The Jedi Master turned, looking at the protocol droid. "Senator Amidala sent me here to the temple to ask a very subtle question," he whispered, trying his best to look discreet. "She wants to know if Anakin Skywalker was killed?"
Threepio scanned Master Windu's face. His programming interpreted the expression on the Jedi's face. It was a look of confusion combined with irritation. "What do you mean, killed?"
"It was all over holonet news this morning."
"Oh. That. Tell Senator Amidala that Anakin Skywalker has been in contact with the Temple and that he's still alive."
"Oh this is good news! She should be very glad to hear of it."
Mace Windu furrowed his eyebrows. "Why does the senator want to know? What does it have to do with her?" There was something suspicious about this whole thing... he saw the way Senator Amidala looked at Anakin... that moony gaze in her eyes. He had sensed some very interesting feelings from her. Though luckily, nothing from Anakin at all. And he wanted to keep it that way.
Threepio scanned his memory: "Senator... Amidala... was interested... in hearing Master Skywalker's opinion on her current security detail," he recited.
"Tell Senator Amidala I would be more than happy to help her if she needs it. Anakin will be gone for a very long time." Mace Windu turned on his heels and walked away. Threepio spoke after him.
"Of course, thank you, Master Windu. As always, it was a pleasure speaking to you..."
After waiting on the trolley, and praying some buffoon didn't come along and dismantle him for the sheer pleasure of it, Threepio made it back to the senator's apartment a few hours later glad to be in one piece. Padme sat on the sofa, sewing a new pillow. She sat with her feet propped on the sofa cushions, very focused on the design she was making. She looked up, seeing Threepio enter the apartment. She sat the pillows beside her.
"Did you speak to one of the masters? Is Anakin alright?"
"Oh yes, Master Windu told me he was in contact with the temple today and is very much alive."
Padme gave a big sigh of relief. "I don't know how to thank you, Threepio."
"I'm sure I'll think of something, madame."
Suddenly, Padme lapsed into a fit of giggles. Threepio scanned her face. Hmm. Happy. "My lady?" he said.
"I think the baby is very happy! Happy to learn his father is safe!"
"Oh?" Threepio asked, curiously cocking his head to the side. "How do you know?"
"Well, he just kicked."
"Oh no!" Threepio said in a panicked voice. "He actually kicked you?"
Padme smiled warmly. "Yes, he's been quite active. Come, see, Threepio."
Padme pulled the fabric of her gown tightly, enough to show the roundness of her belly. Oh my, Poor Senator Amidala, Threepio thought. She took his hand, guiding it to her stomach. His sensors could feel how round and tight it was, then a thump! And then more thumping! Threepio pulled his hand away and looked very curiously at the Senator again.
"My, my, my... Senator Amidala, I believe he wants to get out."
Padme clapped a hand over her mouth and laughed.