Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it. All characters and quotes are the property of George Lucas.
Okay guys, we're just going to jump right in. I'm running out of clever things to say at the beginning of these things...Sorry it took me so long to update, but my new work schedule is pretty busy, so I won't be able to update as often as I have been. But, I should still be able to update at least once a week, probably more if I can find some down time.
Enjoy!
Padmé looked on numbly as the coroner gently loaded her father's remains into the ambulance.
Dad was a mobster...that certainly explains a lot. She thought. Padmé reached up to dash at her eyes as the tears threatened to spill over; the fact that her father was a criminal didn't make the pain of his loss any easier to bear.
A few salty droplets trailed down her cheeks and she turned to press her face into Anakin's chest.
"I'm so sorry, Padmé." Anakin breathed in a half-choked whisper.
His conscience had already been beating him to death; the sight of Padmé in tears was almost enough to make him confess right then and there.
But he couldn't.
Padmé would never forgive him, he was certain of it.
As Anakin mulled over his dilemma, he was oblivious to the quiet creaking of brakes behind him.
Unseen, Palpatine stepped out of the car.
"I'm so sorry, Padmé!" The elderly man's exclamation was sympathetic and compassionate, but not overly so. "I just heard the news." Palpatine spread his arms, expecting a hug.
Padmé briefly released Anakin to dutifully embrace the man.
"If you need anything, and I do mean anything, please don't hesitate to call me. I will do anything I can to help you, should you need it." Palpatine was saying.
Padmé sniffled. "I will. Thanks." She said in a watery voice, returning to Anakin's warm hug.
Anakin squeezed Padmé's small frame reassuringly. "It'll be okay. I promise." He said, stroking her hair.
Padmé squeezed back weakly, spent. "I know." She replied. "Are you ready to go home?" She asked. "Ahsoka's probably wondering where you are."
Anakin nodded. "I'd better get going. Do you want to stay at my place tonight?" He wondered. After all, it was the least he could do-he'd caused this entire mess to begin with.
Padmé nodded, and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you later."
Anakin gave Padmé one last brief embrace, and then turned to leave.
On his way back to his car, he passed a few police officers who were chatting, and he couldn't help but overhear them.
"How'd he know about this?" The one officer was saying with a suspicious glance in Palpatine's direction as the principal drove away.
"I have no idea. We haven't even released a press statement yet." His comrade said, nonplussed as he stared after the retreating Rolls Royce.
***RH***
"How is Padmé doing?" Obi-Wan asked as Anakin entered the apartment; he'd agreed to watch over Ahsoka while Anakin went to check on Padmé after the devastating news of her father's death.
Anakin shrugged wearily. "She was pretty shaken up. Can't say I blame her..." Anakin sighed as he came into the kitchen, where Ahsoka was doing some homework.
"Hi," Ahsoka said without looking up from her work.
"Hey Snips, how's the homework coming along?" Anakin wondered.
Ahsoka popped her gum. "'S fine." She said, still absorbed into her assignment.
"Do you want to take a break?" He asked.
"Look, I'm fine, alright?. Just let me be." Ahsoka almost snapped.
"Alright, alright, calm down." Anakin replied defensively following Obi-Wan out into the living room.
"Has she been like this the whole time?" He queried.
Obi-Wan nodded. "It's no big deal. Everybody has their own way of coping when bad things happen. Some people get mean, other people mope, and some people eat chocolate..." Obi-Wan looked vaguely guilty after his last addition. "Don't judge me!" He said.
Anakin resisted the impulse to chuckle. "I see what you mean. Whatever this is, I hope she snaps out of it fast. I don't like her attitude."
"Give it time. She'll probably be back to normal in a day or so, she just needs time to adjust." Obi-Wan advised.
"Sure." Anakin replied placidly as Obi-Wan made for the door. "See you later."
"See you, man. Keep it real." Obi-Wan answered smoothly before strolling out.
"I will." Anakin replied. Whatever that means... He went back into the kitchen to check on Ahsoka's progress.
"Snips?" He asked.
"Hmm?" Ahsoka replied, looking up at him.
"Padmé is probably going to be staying with us for a few days; she won't be allowed back into her house until the police finish their investigations." Anakin told her.
"Okay. That's cool. Whatever." Ahsoka replied calmly, and turned back to her work.
"Do you need any help with that?" Anakin asked, motioning to the white sheet of paper; Ahsoka's calculations were scribbled all over her scratch paper. He hoped she'd say yes, he needed something to distract him from the raging guilt inside him.
"No, I'll be okay. This stuff's easy." Ahsoka answered.
Anakin's face fell. "Oh. Let me know if you need anything." Anakin said, and shuffled into the living room to watch television.
***RH***
Most people would have found Palpatine's private office eerie.
That is, if they were ever allowed inside.
The room was small, dimly lit, and festooned with various ancient artifacts, most of them scrolls or books.
Everything is going according to plan. Palpatine thought as he sank into his luxurious desk chair. By forcing, Padmé's father to beat her, she has learned fear, and hatred. With the refinement of Vader, she will soon see the same traits in Anakin, prompting her to leave his side.
Once that miserable creature is no longer a thorn in Skywalker's side, the boy will be able to focus on his training. He will become the perfect heir, the ideal successor, the Chosen One...to inherit my Empire and rule the earth with an iron fist.
An odd urge to chuckle swept Palpatine up, but he dismissed it; hubris was not his style. He was a refined, elegant, stately man, and he would conduct himself as such, even in private.
However, a small smile crept across his withered lips, his teeth glinting yellow in the faint light. He took a sip of water, and his eyes glared an effervescent yellow as the Vader took hold of him.
Palpatine steepled his long, bony fingers. Yes...everything is going as planned.
Thoughts anyone? Don't forget to Review!
Until next time,
~Ink