Chapter 28 - New Beginnings

We arrive back on Coruscant a few hours later, before dawn has even broken. Obi Wan waits for us at the landing pad, with Senator Organa and Senator Mothma. They wear eerily grim expressions, their faces downcast in sorrow.

"We came as quickly as we could," Anakin explains as he descends the loading ramp. "What do you mean, 'war?'"

Obi Wan shakes his head. "We received a distress signal from the system of Noriasis a few hours after the battle today. The trade federation's droid army landed and began to take the place over. It's completely overrun."

"Chancellor Palpatine has officially declared war," senator Organa adds.

"He can't do that," I tell him, "unless he has the full support of the senate."

"He doesn't need it anymore." Senator Mothma looks away, at the senate building. "Representative Binks motioned that full emergency powers be given to the chancellor."

"No," I sputter, bringing my hands to my face. "No, that can't be."

The senators don't speak, the only nod their heads.

"The council has requested you see them," Obi Wan tells Anakin. "You'd better get there quickly. They don't like to be kept waiting."

Anakin bows his head, shoots me a last glance, and takes off in the direction of the transport to the temple. Obi Wan nods to us, and walks behind us as we make our way to the senate building.

"What can we do to stop this," I ask.

"There's nothing," Senator Organa says. "It's too late."

I nod, and bite my lip.

"The Kaminoans have agreed to keep supplying the clones for our army," Senator Mothma says. "So we don't have to worry about conscription."

"For now, anyway," Bail clarifies.

"It looks like the Jedi will be leading their squadrons, though," Obi Wan says. "The chancellor specifically requested it."

I nod. "That does seem like the right decision." Anakin would be a great leader. He has the ability, and the drive.

"In the meantime, you should go back to your flats. There'll be a conference at noon. Try to get some sleep," Bail tells me.

"Who is the leader of the opposition now," I ask.

"You were the one fighting hardest against the military creation act, we we hoping you might," Mon says.

"I'd love to," I tell her, "but recent family developments have limited my time. Perhaps Bail would be a better choice? He is better respected."

"I'd be honored, Senator," Bail replies, "but I believe you are the better fighter."

I smile. "Perhaps we should share the position."

"That sounds like a fair agreement to me."

"Good," I sigh. "Now, I will retire."

They wave to me as I make my way to the elevator. Obi Wan follows me, not forgetting about his charge of protecting me.

He stands silently beside me as we ascend, and I drum my fingers against my thigh.

"So, do you know why Anakin was called to the Jedi council?"

Obi wan raises an eyebrow. "I heard that they're taking any older padawans to do a few hours of dangerous meditation, and then they will have completed the trials. All of them are to be made Jedi Knights." He crosses his arms. "I'll be called back there in a bit to chop off his braid."

"That sounds exciting," I smile. "I'm sure he'll be very happy to complete his training."

"His training isn't complete," Obi wan says. "There's much he still needs to learn."

I nod. "But didn't you become a knight without completing your training."

"Technically, yes."

"Then you have no right to judge Anakin as a worse Jedi than you were at the time."

"Oh, I suppose that's true."

I laugh inwardly. "Thank you for taking care of me these last few days," I say, finally looking back at him.

He smiles back at me. "We were only fulfilling our mandate."

"Even so, it was very kind of you to come at my request."

"The chancellor's, but still. It was a pleasure to serve you."

The elevator doors open just as Obi Wan's transmitter device begins to beep.

"I should get back," he says. "I hope to see you again, soon."

"Thank you, master."

I wave gently as the door closes and the elevator descends.

"Senator Padmé," someone calls from inside the flat. "Yousa back!"

"Yes, Jar Jar," I turn, and face the tall Gungan.

"Meesa hearin' dat yousa gotten hurt," he exclaims, rushing over to my side, almost tripping on the staircase.

"I'm fine, Jar Jar."

He helps me up the steps to the living room, and takes me to sit down on a couch. Then he rushes out of the room, stumbling as he does, and returns with my box of magazines.

"There'sa a lot of tha new ississies, Padmé," he exclaims as he takes his seat next to me. "Meesa made sure yousa got all o' dem!"

"Thank you, Jar Jar," I say, taking the first magazine off the pile. "That was very kind of you."

"Let meesa get yousa someting to drinkin'!" He springs out of his seat, and rushes to the kitchen, humming as he goes.

I glance down at the magazine in front of me.

War! What has the senate done now?

Take a deep breath and flip to the suggested page, almost too afraid to look.

Gungan representative from Naboo, Jar Jar Binks suggested that the senate give emergency powers to the supreme chancellor earlier this week, and as his first act, the chancellor had the gall to authorize the creation of an army! Citizens everywhere are outraged, especially since the representative has never had the clearance nor the power to do this! And where was the senator from Naboo when we needed her? Gone.

I slap the magazine down against my thigh, and let out a sigh.

"There'sa sometin wrongo, isn't there?"

"No, Jar Jar, it's alright," I lie.

"Yousa angry 'cause meesa made a mistakin'."

"You did what you thought was right, Jar Jar. You did what you thought I would do."

He nods, and hands me a cup of tea. "Tank yousa, senator," he says, with a smile. "Maybe weesa makin' it right."

oOo

The next couple hours pass slowly, as I page through each of my new magazines. All of them take a different stance on the war, and all of them make my head spin. It's hard to believe that we really are at war.

"Senator," my captain calls as he enters the room, "I've been instructed to inform you of a certain gentleman caller the last few days."

I swallow, deeply. "You are talking about senator Clovis, I presume?"

"Yes, M'Lady. He came here every day that you were gone, looking for you. I've been informed that he's on his way up to see you. Should I turn him away?"

In all honesty, I'd like to push him away, and to put some distance between us for a while. But if I block him out, I may never be able to rekindle a friendship.

"Let him in," I tell the captain. "I should speak with him."

Typho nods, and marches over to the elevator door, ready to welcome our guest. I hear the hiss of the doors opening, and almost forget to breathe.

"I suppose you haven't heard from senator Amidala, have you," Rush asks, solemnly.

"Actually, the senator has returned. She'd like to see you," Typho explains.

I watch as an excited rush follows captain Typho into my living room, ecstatic to see me again.

"Senator Clovis," I smile. "It's been a while."

"It felt like an eternity."

I pat the cushion next to me, and he sits, uncomfortably close.

"Where have you been the last few days? Several members of the senate have left, there's been absolute chaos, and we lost our voice of reason!" He takes my hand between both of his and watches me, silently.

"I can't say," I reply, "it's confidential."

He nods. "That's too bad. We lost many good negotiators to this war. And I don't think this is the end."

"It's hard to believe that we're at war. I thought-"

"Everyone thought. But such is life. Anyway," he smiles, "I should get going, I only needed to check up on you."

I look up at him, confused. "But you've only been here a few minutes."

"I can't impose on you any longer. I should go."

He turns and almost runs out of my flat, waving a single-handed salute as he goes.

"That was strange," Typho says, raising one eyebrow at me. I shrug. Suddebly, my holotransmitter begins to beep, excitedly.

"Excuse me," I mutter, and Typho heads back to his area.

The message is only sound, no visual, which is puzzling.

"Senator Amidala," I answer, clicking the button.

"Padmé, it's Anakin. I've got something to show you," he says, excitedly.

"I'll meet you at the elevator," I reply, rushing to the front hall.

The elevator hisses open a few moments later, and reveals Anakin, with a huge grin on his face. His padawan braid is gone, freshly chopped off.

"Congratulations," I smile, wrapping my arms around him.

"I've already been assigned a squadron and a captain, and I'm to be sent to Noriasis within the next few weeks."

"So, they're sending you away so soon?"

"Well, we have to fight this war to win it, don't we?"

I sigh. "I wish it weren't that way."

He shrugs. "That's the way things always go." He walks over to the living room with me, and wraps me in a hug. "I've been in a state of bliss ever since yesterday."

"Yesterday was amazing," I say, leaning into him. "Everything i ever could have wanted."

"I'd love to do that again."

My eyes snap open, and I push him away, remembering the night before. "So, what the fuck was that?"

"What do you mean," he asks, his eyebrows twisting up in concern.

"Last night," I say, "when we... Did it."

"Was it bad," he cringes.

"No. That's just it," I say, "it was amazing. You're sure you were a virgin, right?"

"Of course," he replies, smirking.

"If you know how to blow my mind like that-" I lace my fingers into his shirt, "I don't think I'll be able to get enough of you."

"I hope you never do," he says, his fingers twisting up into my hair as he pulls me in for a long, breathless kiss. I sigh as I lean into him, my eyelashes fluttering.

"Anakin," I breathe, as he finally lets go.

"I love you," he tells me, planting a few kisses on my cheek. "More than anything."

I smile, and kiss him once more. "I know."

oOo

Six months later

"I'm sorry, but I've got to go," Anakin apologizes as his comlink begins to beep. "The council is calling me."

"Duty calls, right?" I wave as he winks as leaves, his new blue robe flowing behind me. The lights reflect off of the blue armor chest plate he wears, and his chin-length, tousled brown hair captures my gaze as he runs. "What's happened this time?"

"Christophsis has been attacked. Senator Organa is calling for help. I need to get there in time to get an official briefing."

"Senator Organa?" I bite my lip in concern. "I hope he's alright."

"He will be," Anakin smirks as he steps into the elevator. "Trust me."

I watch as the doors close, and glance up at that thin scar across his right eyebrow. I hope he doesn't come back with any more.

Author's note:

Yes, I do have a story for how Anakin got his scar, you can find that on my profile, it's a screenplay titled "deception on Havara." If you wanna read it that's cool. If not, whatever.

Sincerely,

Kitty Greene