((And now, a chapter that is… not quite as depressing! It's ok, we'll get back to angst shortly.))

"...so congratulations, Senator."

Padme had been so engrossed in memorizing what the medic had said that his last few sentences completely slipped by her. His probing questions were the best way she had to figure out what the biological weapon exactly did. She wasn't force-sensitive enough for it to hit her as badly as Anakin or another Jedi, but it gave her a sense of what to expect. Dizziness, weakness, muscle failure. No, no headaches, no more fainting fits: she had answered all his questions correctly while making note of what was being asked. That, combined with other information leaked and gleamed, was her best chance to help Anakin. The finest doctors and medical droids were flitting around the lake villa, of course, but any bit of information made her feel a little more in control.

"...Pardon?" She shook her head, blinking rapidly.

"I was saying congratulations." The medic leaned in a little to catch her eye. "On your pregnancy, Senator."

Her jaw dropped very politely, her face going slack. "Uhh...?"

"It was on the routine bloodwork we pulled, double-checking hormone levels. Here, have a look for yourself," the medic said cheerfully, handing her the datapad. "That explains irregular menstruation. I know you hadn't complained of it but a few female Jedi caught in the blast complained of hormonal irregularity. Other than that, your vitals are looking good. Maybe a little more vitamin intake..."

"Um." For once in her life, the Senator was completely speechless, blinking rapidly at the datapad.

Truthfully, she had barely noticed the increasingly large lump of her belly. She had been so focused on Anakin, and she wasn't ashamed to admit that with no senatorial dresses to squeeze into, she had done quite a lot of eating. It was just so easy to sit down beside Anakin with something to eat in her hand, because the foods of home were so comforting. Without his conversation it was especially easy. She had just assumed that it was the natural progression of various pastries she had been shamelessly indulging in.

"You're about two months along, by the way. Perhaps three. It's a bit hard to guess from this bloodwork alone but if you'd like a more thorough analysis, I'd be happy to provide one," the medic continued chattering before he gave her a smile. He was an older man with a greying mustache and a kind smile, and the twinkle in his eye was at least distracting if not soothing. "Quite a bold move, if I do say so, Senator! I admire your spirit!"

"...Uh?"

"Having a child while unmarried, in the middle of your career!" His face turned serious. "Unless this is... unintended? There are several options for -"

"No! No, no - I mean, uh." She was downright dizzy, trying and failing to regain her composure. "No. It's - it's not unwelcome." As soon as the words clumsily tripped out of her mouth, she winced. It was such an awful way to put it, but at the moment the joy and stress - on top of everything else - had completely overloaded her mind. She was used to being able to spin pretty words out of thin air, but right now, everything she said was wrapped up and smothered with stutters.

The medic gave her another bright smile. "Good! Always a joyous thing, a birth. Like I said - a very bold move! I heard that Chancellor Palpatine recently heard a request from some Outer Rim senators for moral reform within the senate itself. Still a somewhat shocking thing in some parts of the galaxy, you know, a single mother. You won't have to worry about your constituents here, of course," he said cheerfully, patting her on the shoulder. "There will likely be some speculation in the gossip rags, but I'm sure you know how to ignore those."

"Speculation?" She said dizzily.

"On who the father is, of course."

"Oh! Oh. Right. Of course. Yes."

The medic gave a deep chuckle, packing away his equipment and giving it to his droid to carry. "Please, Senator, don't look so stressed. You'll be a wonderful mother, I'm sure. Save that vexation for when your child's a teenager!"

"Yes... right... of course."

He had been gone for about five more long minutes, leaving her alone in the room, before her mind seemed to finally wrap around what had just happened. There was exactly one thing to do, and Padme did it. She had to go talk with Anakin. Well - he was still unconscious. Perhaps talk at Anakin. It would still make her feel better.

But first she'd get another slice of cake.