A/N: This chapter was hard to write, they say write what you know, and to a certain extent, I did. Stick with me, there is an end in sight. :)
First Chorus I
It had been several weeks since Obi-Wan had arrived on Naboo. But as Padmé still kept to her room most of the time, he was beginning to
doubt whether he could alert her to the state she was in, before it became apparent to those besides him. But she was in enough pain as
it was, telling her there was more than what she knew seemed too cruel. Her dreams were so clear that he spent many nights awake, feeling the
emptiness that shrouded her mind. If only he could talk to her. Somehow he sure that once she could trust him, open up to him, then her
energy could return, and her spirits would lift. Not only that but the Council was expecting a report on Anakin's disappearance, and she wasn't in
any position to dredge up the memories of those days when he was with her… and what he had done. Still his resolution to stay by her side and
comfort her never waivered, nor was he tempted to lure her into a false confidence. What disclosure he needed would be whatever she deemed to
have common knowledge. Sola seemed to trust him now, even letting him take Padmé's meals to her. There were never any words exchanged.
The silence was painful, to both of them. He sensed in her a desire to tell him how things had progressed in such an awful manner that
it left her so abandoned inside. Obi-Wan spent much time in the gardens, keeping his mind preoccupied, walking the streets nearby, or
meditating on how he should approach her as to ascertain what she could and could not handle to know. He occasionally joined Sola in an
effort to bridge the gap between her sister and her family that had been severed by Anakin. One day in particular, Sola asked him, "Why are
you taking such an interest in my sister's well being? Not that I'm ungrateful in any way. You've proved yourself worthy in my opinion and that
of my parents." She smiled briefly. "Even my daughters have taken a liking to you." She laid a hand on his arm. "But Padmé still keeps herself
under lock and key. Obi-Wan placed his own hand over hers. "I have not given up hope. Sola, your sister has been severely wounded on such a
level that no easy words can explain. And because of that, I will give her all the time she needs before she is ready to reveal just what exactly is
overshadowing her. The Jedi Council have ordered me to protect Padmé, and as long as she needs care and attention, I will be dutiful and
obedient to that command. Your family has me at your disposal, whatever that may be." Sola was clearly taken aback by this confession but his
kindheartedness could not be more apparent, and she began to question whether it was just the Council that was keeping him here.
All this time Padmé spent in her room, her thoughts were plagued by those Anakin had seared into her. She remembered the way he smelled, the
way he laughed, the way he smiled. The way he smiled at her, with those wild, passionate eyes. It was thrilling at first, toying with the thought of
a younger man interested in her. He was certainly handsome. His earnest desire to be with her again and his claim to have loved her all those
years were touching. Yes, Anakin Skywalker was slowly winning over her heart. She forgot about assassins, she forgot about the conflict of the
Military Creation Act she never was to vote on. She felt like a woman, special in the eyes of this man no longer a boy. She was still Amidala, but
yet inside, Padmé Naberrie was beginning to flourish under the ardent attention of her Jedi guardia--- Sobs racked her body as she remembered
him this way. How wrong it had all been. How wrong she was. And she bore the penalty. The marks he left were so deep in her heart, no one on
earth could ever know. No one would believe her. How could she expect mercy when this was her fault? And how could someone like Obi-Wan,
Anakin's mentor, accept this version of his apprentice; a man he trusted, a man he trusted her to him? No, she was alone. She had realized the
reality that was she could never be Padmé. She had let him take her away. She was gone. She was broken. No one could know this, this would
tear what future she had left apart. It would tear her family apart; like it had torn her apart. Padmé wept openly on her bedroom floor, her
memories, pieces of glass that cut and cut. She felt sick, ugly, grotesque, tarnished. She hated herself. Pulling herself up off the floor, she
yanked the mirror off the wall and smashed it onto the stone tiles. Just then there was a knock on the door and Sola calling out to her.
"Leave me alone!" She howled in abject misery. "Just let me die…" She let out with one final sob. Then she was silent. Sola was now crying.
"I won't let you do that Padmé! I can't let you do this to yourself! Padmé!" Her sister begged. "Please let me help you!" But Padmé couldn't
find the strength to answer. She feebly made her way across to the bed and buried her face in her pillow. She saw one image before she found
equable sleep; a face hooded in brown robes, but sharp blue eyes that seemed to convey comfort. She felt a blanket cover her, then it was dark.
While Padmé slept, relieved of nightmares as best he could manage, Obi-Wan focused on how to proceed. He knew he must remain calm, but
inside he was anything but. His stomach churned at the thought of what Anakin had possibly done to cause this inordinate amount of pain
like she was feeling. "Just let me die" echoed in his head. What can I do? What can I say? He should have done something while she was alone,
locked away in her room. Her mind had festered with all things dark and disturbing from her past. Finding a chair blindly, he sank down onto it.
Nothing was going to make this any easier for the Senator. He doubted whether she could return to a public life at all. She wanted to die, to
end her very existence. Pain shot to his heart as he thought of his beloved Padmé dead at her own hand. Obi-Wan was unsure of what to do,
virtually drained of all ideas pertaining to Padmé's broken heart. I can heal you. He thought. Trust me. I can. Sola entered the kitchen, looking
exhausted. It had been a long night, and both of them needed sleep. "Sola, you should rest. I'll make sure that your sister remains as she is
right now." Sola gave him a wary look. "She's at peace for now. That's what she needs most at present." "Thank you." Sola replied, and left him.
By the next morning, Obi-Wan felt nearer to a plan, and to his relief, Padmé was out walking down the hall to where he had stayed awake in the
entryway next to the kitchen. He had spent the hours meditating, leaving his mind open to the Force for any kind of guidance. "Were you here
the entire night?" Padmé asked incredulously. "I know that even Jedi require sleep at some point." "Senator," He began. "Padmé, the time
has come for you to tell me what Anakin did before he left for Tatooine." She stared at the floor. "Please look at me." He gently requested. Her
eyes found his and he knew that now she was ready. She cleared her throat roughly before speaking again. "I don't know if I can. If I can
share with you what took place. You won't want to believe me." "I need to know, the Council needs to investigate his disappearance and take
action if necessary. I know you'r--" But he was cut off by Padmé doubling over, her hand clamping over her mouth before rushing to the
marble sink and heaving. When she turned to face him, her eyes were full of fear. "Obi-Wan" She rasped. "There's something wrong with me.
Everything is wrong." Obi-Wan knew now he could no longer wait to hide her condition from her. "Padmé, you're carrying Anakin's child."
Did anyone else wonder why nothing was said about Padme's pregnancy until it was blindly obvious? I mean, Lucas seriously did not give much credit to his characters.
Anyhoo, more to come! I currently working on Chapter Four. :) ~Verite