Chapter 16
Padmé and Bail were able to prolong the inevitable vote within the Senate the next day. Their allies had agreed to aid their cause in disrupting the vote and those in favor of a war were obviously growing annoyed by the disruption they caused. The discussion had begun in favor of declaring war but as the session wore on and more information came to light about what would happen should the Republic go to war the more the tide seemed to turn against it. The shifting opinions forced the issue to be taken up again in the next day's session.
It took them eight days to reach a unanimous agreement within the Senate to not openly declare war against the Separatists. In the end it came down to Padmé using the information about Ventress murdering the former leaders to persuade the Senate to vote down a declaration of war. She had seen the furious look on Palpatine's face as Mas Ameda read the results of the final vote and she had to rely on all of her training to not smirk in satisfaction. He may have been pulling the strings on both sides but diplomacy still had a voice in the Republic.
Once the session ended several Senators were called to the Chancellor's office to discuss the options they now had. Padmé and Bail had had every intention of enjoying a celebratory drink with their friends in his office when he was called to join the meeting. The others toasted their success and then took their leave from the Senate for the day, choosing instead to celebrate their victory in other ways.
Anakin was waiting on the veranda of her apartment when Captain Typho pulled up. Padmé dismissed the captain with a word as Anakin helped her out of the speeder and took her into his arms.
"I knew you could do it," he said softly.
"So you've heard then?"
"It's hard to escape this kind of news," he said, taking her hand and leading her over to one of the long couches. "It spread through the city like a fire."
"This victory is thanks to you," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder. "If you hadn't told me what Yoda found war would have been inevitable."
"I'm glad to have helped but this success is because of how persuasive you can be," he said, gently cupping her chin so that he could look into her eyes. "You and Bail earned this victory, what I gave you only sealed it."
She kissed him then, a swift sweet pressure of her lips against his. "I love you," she said.
His smile was contagious and she found it impossible not to smile too. "I'll never grow tired of hearing you say that," he said, leaning forward to kiss her again.
"I'll never grow tired of telling you," she replied.
"Good, because I expect to hear it as often as possible," he said with a smirk. "Perhaps we should start thinking about our wedding."
"Not yet, there's still work to be done here before I can turn my attention to that."
He frowned but nodded his head reluctantly. "I figured you would say that."
Her hands came up to frame his face as she looked into his eyes. "I consider us already married," she said. "The marks our fingers bare tie us together in a way that no wedding ceremony can. To marry in front of a holy man would be more about making what we share a legal bond than the binding of our hearts."
"Your family expects a proper ceremony."
"And we will give them one," she said. "I do intend to marry you properly but for now it is enough to know that the Gods have given us their blessing. Besides, my parents already view us as married because we have the mark."
"So I can finally call you my wife?"
"As long as I can call you my husband," she said with a small smile.
"I am whatever it is you want me to be."
"Then be my lover," she said.
"As my lady commands," he said, tenderly scooping her up into his arms and carrying her up the stairs towards their bedroom.
Despite the fact that they had spent every night since their return from Raxus together their passion for each other had not abated, if anything it only seemed to consume them more completely. Not every night had been spent locked in passionate embrace, they had enjoyed nights where they simply slept, content to have the other close, and they were learning how to control their need for each other though it never truly went away.
Night had settled over Coruscant when they emerged from their room in search of food. They worked together in the kitchen to make a simple meal, choosing to make it themselves rather than allowing the chef droid to create something for them. Their preparations were interrupted by the occasional kiss as Anakin found it impossible to not pull her to him while she wore little more than his under tunic, the image of her in his shirt far too tempting to be ignored.
Padmé found herself experiencing the same dilemma as she watched him clean the dishes they had used. From her spot sitting on top of one of the counters she could watch the play of muscles in his back and admire the way his body moved with such grace. In the days following his Knighting he had begun a far more physical training routine that he had tried to explain to her and she could see the changes beginning to take shape. His shoulders were broadening and his arms were bigger, every muscle seemed to be even more obvious. Even his hair was changing, growing out of the short style of a Padawan and giving in to its natural tendency to curl slightly.
Her musings on the way the light and shadows played across his back was interrupted by the unexpected sound of her door chime. They could hear Threepio at the door greeting their visitor and she hopped down from her perch to poke her head out of the door to see who it was.
"Bail," she said in surprise as the other Senator made his way over to the kitchen when he saw her. He looked harried and his normally neat hair was mused as though he had been running his hands through it in frustration. "What is it?"
Bail was not at all surprised to find Anakin in the kitchen with Padmé but he was surprised by their state of dress, or rather undress. The young Jedi was standing there in only a pair of sleep pants and Padmé appeared to be wearing his shirt because it was far too large for her tiny frame, the rough fabric hanging down to her knees and the sleeves rolled up to keep her hands free.
"I'm sorry to barge in like this," Bail said, his embarrassment tinting his cheeks pink.
"We'll go change," Padmé said, reaching for Anakin's hand.
"No, it's all right, this should only be a minute," he said.
"Can I get you something to drink at least?" Padmé asked.
"A brandy if you have it."
Anakin used the Force to float a glass from one of the cabinets as Padmé retrieved the bottle of brandy and poured it for him.
"What's bothering you?" she asked when he took the glass from her.
"Palpatine was trying to find a way to nullify the vote that was cast today in favor of pursuing a war with the Separatists," he explained, taking a rather large gulp of the amber liquid. "We were able to talk him from pursuing that route."
"Go on," she prompted when he stopped to squeeze the bridge of his nose.
"Instead he decided to send the Jedi after Ventress," he said. "He figures that the Separatists will turn against her soon now that it has come to light that she was the one who murdered their leaders and he expects her to be on the run."
"Who did he decide to send?" Anakin asked, already preparing himself to get the news he had been dreading since he had learned of Padmé's political victory.
"Master Yoda was there at the meeting and he volunteered you and Master Kenobi to go after her because you two are the only Jedi to have faced the Sith and survived," Bail said.
"Did he say when he thought we would be leaving?"
"Tomorrow at the soonest, most likely the day after. It depends on when the Separatists learn of her betrayal and turn on her."
"Right," Anakin said. "I should return to the Temple, go speak to Obi-Wan."
"There's no need for that," Bail said.
"What do you mean?" Padmé asked.
"Master Kenobi was at the meeting as well, he's on his way over here."
"Of course he is," Anakin said.
"I'll stay until he arrives, if you don't mind," Bail said.
"That's fine, make yourself comfortable," Padmé said. "Anakin and I will be right back."
Bail finished his glass of brandy and poured himself another one as the couple left the room to go change. He hated that he had to be the one to interrupt their time together but he knew that they needed to be prepared before Obi-Wan arrived.
"They can't do this," Padmé growled as she tugged on a simple gown. "I will not allow them to send you after that…"
"Padmé," he said soothingly, gently taking her by the shoulders. "What Bail said was right. Obi-Wan and I are the only Jedi that have survived facing a Sith in recent memory and we are the obvious choice to go after her."
"I know," she sighed, slumping forward to bury her face against his chest as he embraced her tightly. "I just don't want you to leave again."
"This is who I am," he said. "Would you have me any other way?"
"No," she admitted, looking up at him as he leaned down to kiss her. "Just be safe."
"I will be. I have too much to live for," he said. "Besides, I would like to become your husband in every way."
She smiled weakly and nodded her head. "I'd like that."
"Come on. It wouldn't do for Obi-Wan to get here and only find Bail Organa waiting for him."
Obi-Wan arrived only a few moments latter looking just as harried as Bail and perhaps even more disheveled. Padmé greeted him at the door and ushered him into the sitting room where Anakin and Bail stood beside a window, deep in a hushed conversation. They looked up when he entered and they all sat down on the two long couches in the middle of the room.
"Well, I suspect you know the decision that has been reached," Obi-Wan said.
"Bail told us," Anakin said, gently gripping Padmé's hand.
"I've just spoken with the Council and they wish to see us leave at dawn," Obi-Wan said.
"So soon?" Padmé asked, panic lacing her normally calm voice.
"They feel it would be best to get a jump start on this little endeavor we are to undertake," Obi-Wan replied.
"We don't even know where she's going to go," Anakin protested. "How can we track someone if we have millions of locations that she can pick from?"
"Master Windu believes that she might return to Dooku's private residence on Sorenno."
"That seems too obvious," Bail said.
"At least it's a starting point," Anakin said.
"Indeed," Obi-Wan sighed. "Unfortunately this might turn out to be a wild bantha chase around the galaxy."
Anakin and Padmé shared a significant glance, one that said what they couldn't put into words. "It has to be done," she finally said, looking at the others across from her. "I will do whatever I can to aid you in this pursuit. I have a friend within the Separatist Senate that may be of use."
"Bonteri?" Bail asked.
"Yes, she was my mentor and a close friend before this mess. I may be able to get in touch with her and use her as a source," Padmé said.
"Any help would be appreciated," Obi-Wan said. "I must be returning to the Jedi Temple, there is much to be planned before we set out tomorrow."
"I'll go with you," Anakin said, already rising to his feet.
"No, stay. I fear that this may be our last night on Coruscant for quite some time," Obi-Wan said, waving off the protest he saw coming from Anakin. "You two deserve your time together and I will not have you argue against my decision to allow this, it would be quite opposite from how I suspect this may have been in another life."
"Yes Master," Anakin said. "I'll walk you out."
"I should be going as well," Bail said. "I have interrupted enough of your time."
They saw the two out and as soon as they were alone they embraced each other fiercely, unwilling to let go and not ready to face another separation.
In a hidden room deep within the compound that had been given to Ventress on Raxus she knelt before the flickering image of her master.
"You have been sloppy Lady Sestra," Sidous hissed. "You claimed that your presence had been hidden when you completed your mission and yet I have received word that the Jedi can link those murders back to you."
"Forgive me Master," she said. "I was not…"
"The Jedi will be coming after you and all the power we thought we gained has been lost because of your incompetence."
"Master, please…"
"Silence! I will not have you begging me for mercy. I took as my apprentice because I believed there was a great amount of potential within you but now I see nothing more than a frightened woman begging for her life," he growled. "Your inability to do something so simple could cost us everything."
"I will not fail you again."
"I do not think you will live long enough to fail me again. The Jedi are sending Kenobi and Skywalker after you, they are a formidable team and I suggest that you prepare yourself to face them and your death."
His final threat hung heavily in the air as the transmission flickered off. Ventress stood up and called upon the Force to break all the glass within the room, a cry of rage accompanying the shattering of glass.