This chapter is a bit of filler, and it's also pure indulgence on my part. I wanted to write it, though it doesn't advance the plot very much, so I did.

That said, it's Padme, and certain secrets are told, and that's the important part.

Padmé did everything she could not to pace as she waited for Anakin to arrive.

He'd sent her a brief message earlier in the day. *Home for dinner. Bringing Obi-Wan. We need to tell him.*

She wasn't sure why Anakin wanted to tell Obi-Wan now, of all times, but she almost didn't care.

The small speeder landed and Anakin and Obi-Wan got out.

Anakin headed right for her, and pulled her into his arms. She sighed and tilted her head up for a kiss, and he obliged her.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked as soon as they parted.

Anakin smiled down at her. "I… Master, I know you've met before, but may I introduce my wife?"

"Your…" Obi-Wan trailed off. "Ah. That does make sense."

Padmé blinked at him. "You're not surprised," she accused.

Obi-Wan smiled. "I knew there was… something between you two. I didn't realize you were married, of course, but I knew that you were attached."

Anakin smiled wryly. "I never could hide anything from you for long. I don't know why I expected to hide this."

"You're not… upset?" Padmé asked.

Obi-Wan paused. "Not… really," he said. "I already knew you were up to something," he said. "So… the marriage is just an extension. When were you married?"

They entered the apartment, and Padmé signaled Threepio to bring drinks out. They settled on the couches, Anakin and Padmé on one, Obi-Wan on the other. "Just after Geonosis," Padmé said. "When Anakin escorted me back to Naboo."

Obi-Wan smiled, glanced at Padmé, then at Anakin. "Then you have my belated congratulations," he said.

He frowned. "Anakin, is this why you want to tell her everything?"

"Or nearly," Anakin agreed.

"What is it?" Padmé asked.

Anakin's mouth twisted into what looked like an attempt at a smile. "I already told you Dooku is dead," he said. "But there were…"

"Side effects," Obi-Wan said. "Apparently, killing a Sith Lord is not something to be done lightly."

"What do you mean?" Padmé asked.

His explanation stunned her. By the time she regained her composure, Anakin was staring at her worriedly. "I…" he started.

She lifted her hand up and covered his mouth. "You're still you, right, Ani?" she asked.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Obi-Wan mouth "Ani?"

"Yes," Anakin said. "At least, everyone says so."

"Then I don't care. If this means you can find the other Sith, the one who planned the invasion of Naboo, and is probably responsible for the war, then it's a good thing." She took her hand off his mouth.

"But…"

"No, Anakin," Padmé said. "I don't care if you're a Jedi, a Sith, or a podracer. You're you, and that's the important thing."

Anakin practically melted against her. "Thank you, angel," he said.

She smiled up at him. She meant it, of course. And really, it just appeared that the whole Sith mark thing just marked them as Sith Killers, and not Sith themselves.

Threepio had appeared with drinks and some appetizers, and Padmé hastily took a drink of the wine he had served. "So, what do you plan next?" Padmé asked.

"Well, there's the Senate questioning tomorrow," Anakin said. "After that, we'll see. We might…" he frowned and glanced at Obi-Wan with a raised eyebrow.

Obi-Wan frowned in thought. "It might be best if we don't tell you our current assignment is, milady," he said. "If others find out about it, they might harm you if you know."

Padmé sighed. Anakin had kept war related things from her before, and she didn't like it, but she understood it. "Very well," she said. "But promise me you'll be careful, Anakin."

"As careful as I can be," Anakin replied.

Padmé sighed, but that was the best she was likely to get. "I mean it," she said. "Any other bombshells?"

"Not right now," Anakin said. "There might be one in the future, but Obi-Wan and I are both hoping not."

"Just be ready," Obi-Wan said. "There might be some political turmoil soon."

"When isn't there?" Padmé asked.

Anakin chuckled. "If this happens, it'll be worse than most."

She scowled at him. "I wish you could tell me," she said.

"I wish I thought it was safe to do so," Anakin replied.

She watched them as they ate, and teased each other. She could tell that the whole thing was worrying Anakin, and she didn't like it. "Anakin," she said once the meal was done. "Why are you so worried about this?"

Anakin sighed. "Part of it, I can't tell you yet," he said. "And part of it is just… a Sith Temple thinks I'm a Sith, Padmé. That we're Sith," he amended, gesturing between himself and Obi-Wan. "The guardian all but said that he arranged it so I killed Dooku and became a Sith." He sighed, glanced at Obi-Wan, then shook his head. "I'm just worried this will make it easier for me to turn. You know I have a temper."

"Anakin," Padmé and Obi-Wan started at the same time, in almost the same tone of voice.

Obi-Wan gestured to her. "Anakin," she repeated. "You aren't evil, and you never will be," she said.

"Do you worry about me?" Obi-Wan asked. "After all, I've had this… I've apparently been a Sith Lord since Naboo."

"You could never fall, Master," Anakin said. "Never!"

"And I believe the same about you, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "Especially now that you've started thinking about your temper, and what could happen if you use the Dark Side. If nothing else, this little mishap has helped with that. But I trust you, Anakin, even if you don't trust yourself."

"So do I," Padmé said.