AN: So I received som positive feedback, including the talk about thw political aspect of this. Let's face it, people misunderstand the meaning of democracy. The Republic is a limited democracy where the people elect leaders to make their decisions. After that, the representatives are supposed to make the decision based on the needs and desires of the people. The fact is, that doesn't always happen because money talks a lot in government. Yes, some of the representatives aren't 'elected' persay, but chosen by monarchies (actually, in AotC Padmé says the Queen asked her to serve as Senator and she couldn't refuse her implying Padme wasn't elected into her office either). It's called a democracy because those representatives are supposed to represent the voices of the people of their planet or state or whatever, which is why usually Republic and democracy go hand in hand. I'm not an expert. My understanding is limited, but there it is. That's the sense of 'democracy' that's used in The Republic in Star Wars, not a true 'democracy.

Anyway, more subtle manipulations. See if you can find them and point them out.

Read, enjoy, and review!

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Chapter Two
Close to Home

Padmé didn't understand it. Despite her and Palpatine's best efforts and countless attempts to persuade Dooku into agreeing into a temporary ceasefire to at least discuss the possible negotiations and a peace treaty, they wouldn't hear it. She was quite literally at her wits end and it couldn't be blamed on Palpatine trying to block her efforts because true to his word he was facilitating her attempts. In fact, he hadn't said anything to her about it and when he finally did, needless to say, Padmé was more than a little frustrated.

"They've blocked all my attempts. It appears Count Dooku has the Separatists Council convinced that there will be no peaceful solution to this war," she snapped. "If that weren't bad enough, the Senate is trying to push forward another bill that will allot money for more troops when it's obvious the last thing we need is more war. It will only cause the Separatist to return with more violence."

Padmé, realizing she was rambling and on something she and the Chancellor didn't see eye to eye on no less, put a hand on her face.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to start a political debate."

"That's quite alright Padmé," Palpatine assured. "I can understand your frustration. You shouldn't be shocked though. Might I remind you that the last time you thought you had secured diplomatic negotiations it was to no avail?"

Padmé clasped her hands behind her.

"Yes…" she agreed solemnly. "I agree that there are people who want this war to continue, but there are many more who rather see it end."

"Yes. It is my greatest fear though, that the senate has something to do with these failed negotiations and sabotaging," Palpatine pointed out.

"How so?"

"Self interest Padmé. Not many people are as honorable as you and I and have the people's best interests at heart."

"I'm aware," Padmé muttered. "But surely even they can see that spending money on more troops and continuing this war will continue to cripple the economy of the Republic."

"Yes… But on the other hand," Palpatine said, "The Jedi are overwhelmed. If not for the Clone Army, the Republic would be fairing far worse than it is now."

"We probably wouldn't be at war to begin with."

"I'm not sure," Palpatine said uncertainly. "But let's agree to disagree for now. Let's talk about you. How's everything going?"

Padmé sighed. "At this point my life is the war and trying to stop it. So I couldn't give you an honest answer."

"It is right now. But not for long," Palpatine said with one of his secret smiles. "Have you seen a medic yet?"

Padmé absently ran a hand over her abdomen, a little uncomfortable talking about her pregnancy with the Chancellor. She already knew what everyone else would say if they found out and the rumors that would spiral at her reluctance to talk about the father.

"I have," she said guardedly. "Everything's fine."

Palpatine looked at her. "All this stress can't be good for you when you're in such a delicate condition."

"It probably isn't. But it can't be helped anyway," Padmé said sighing as her thoughts went to Anakin. She wouldn't be truly at peace until he came home.

"Is this about the father?"

Padmé jumped. "No. Of course not. Not like that…"

"Relax Padmé. It's obvious you don't want to talk about it for whatever reason and I won't pry. I think no less of you. Just know that if you ever need anything, you can come to me," Palpatine said to reassure her.

"I'll keep that in mind," Padmé said if only so that he wouldn't worry over her. "Well, if there's nothing more to be done, I'll be on my way."

"Do be careful."

"I will," Padmé replied.

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Padmé was exhausted and taking a well deserved rest. She could no longer continue her sleepless days and nights working. She could barely get through a few hours without feeling exhausted. She never knew pregnancy was so tiring, but it should pass soon, at least that's what she read in her research on pregnancy. She was eleven weeks. She should start to get her energy back in the next few days or so. But perhaps it had been a good thing she had lost her energy. It gave her time to sit down and really think about the war and the mess the galaxy was in. She couldn't believe she was thinking this, but perhaps fighting the war and defeating its leaders was the only way to force the Separatists into negotiations, not only that, but it would force whoever was pulling the strings for the war in the Senate to talk with no one to be fought.

She didn't want it to come to that though. Padmé was willing to hear her enemy out, compromise, but it couldn't just be a one person effort or even just those of her close colleagues who she knew didn't support the war and fighting. So long as the senate was divided and there wasn't a united front, the Separatists would take any hostility as hostility from the entire group. She was starting to see why Palpatine was so reluctant to give his powers back. People could be so fickle and narrow-minded. Sometimes the senate acted like children that needed to be told what to do and forced in the right direction rather than a governing body of intelligent beings who could come to agreement on how to solve a problem.

This wasn't the Senate she had been proud to be a part of when she first joined five years ago. It needed reform and Padmé wasn't sure if that was more important than the war or not. If they took the time to reform the senate, the Separatists might take advantage of them and if it wasn't reformed, they may very well end up losing this war or worse her child's generation might inherit it…

Padmé flipped on the holo-vision deciding that just because she wasn't working didn't mean she couldn't keep up with the latest news, even though all holo-media in her opinion was little more than dignified gossip.

But she regretted flipping it on as soon as she heard the words of the reporter on the breaking news.

What was supposed to be a simple mission to take down a separatist base turned into tragedy today when the base in question was detonated with two Jedi inside. With nothing to contradict and prove otherwise, Obi-wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are presumed dead…

Padmé didn't hear anything else after that as she sat up, cold fear gripping her heart. That wasn't true. There was no way Anakin was dead. Something inside her told her he wasn't, but she wouldn't be at peace until it was confirmed. Despite her convictions though, tears came to her eyes at the thought. What if it was true? Anakin didn't even know she was pregnant. And within minutes, the mask of Senator Amidala came off as she let the tears fall and sob escaped her. Not feeling up to having anything for dinner, she curled up on the couch for the night, leaving the news blinking all through the night, nightmares plaguing her as she cried through the night.

She woke up to find light streaming in through the window and then glanced at the time. I twas late in the morning but she didn't feel like getting up. She started to lay her head back down until her com went off. Padmé sighed and went to answer it, the image of Palpatine appearing in front of her.

"There you are Padmé. I was starting to worry about you. This is the third time I've called this morning," he said.

Padmé shrugged. "I'm fine…"

"Good. If you hadn't answered I was going to come and personally-. Is something wrong?" Palpatine asked suddenly noticing how disheveled she looked. "Child you look like you've been crying all night. What happened?"

"Nothing. I'm fine. But I don't think I'll be working today. I just need to stay in."

"Padmé are you sure-?"

"I'm fine," Padmé snapped glaring at him. "Thank you for your concern."

With that, Padmé cut the connection and made her way to the kitchen to make herself some tea and a small breakfast. She sat down to eat a few minutes later to eat but found she didn't have much of an appetite. She was worried about Anakin, tired of this war, tired of the fact that they were forced to keep their marriage a secret because of the Jedi code.

"Miss Padmé."

Padmé groaned. "What is it Threepio?"

Oblivious to her annoyed tone he said, "I know you said you didn't want anyone to bother you but I thought you'd like to know that his Excellency is here to see you."

Padmé's head snapped up so fast it was a wonder she hadn't broken it.

"The chancellor?" she asked stunned.

"Yes. Should I tell him to leave?"

Padmé open and closed her mouth before finally shaking her head and saying, "No. Of course not. Tell him I'll be right with him."

If the chancellor had made his way to her apartment something important must have happened. Padmé made her way to her room to throw on something more appropriate to wear for greeting guest in her home and then made her way out to her living room where Threepio was serving Palpatine tea.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," Padmé said. "I wasn't expecting any visitors."

"Oh that's quite alright Padmé," Palpatine said stirring his tea.

"I apologize for my abrupt discontinuation of your call earlier. It must have been important for you to come here," Padmé assumed. "Has something happened?"

"Actually," Palpatine said and then paused before he continued, "I made this house call to check on you."

Padmé blinked. "That's it?"

"Yes. I grew worried when I saw your appearance and you didn't seem to be acting like yourself, so I decided to come check on you personally."

"Oh… That's thoughtful of you," Padmé said a little flustered. "But I assure you. I'm fine."

"No," Palpatine said shaking his head. "I don't think you are. Tell me what's the matter child? I do hate to see you so obviously bothered.'

"I'm far from obvious," Padmé replied with a smile.

"But you forget that I've know you since you were a child Padmé. Are you worried about someone?"

Padmé sighed and relented. "It's my husband. He's fighting in the war and I… He's had so many close calls."

"Haven't we all?" Palpatine asked in a dry tone. "You've risked your own life more than a few times on the frontlines in the duration of this war Padmé."

"That's only rarely. My husband is always out there, always being sent to fight and never backing down. I'm afraid of what it's doing to him, but I don't tell him that. He'd insist he's fine."

"This war has affected us all in some way or another," Palpatine said sadly. "I think the senate has become indifferent though, blinded by the battles we have won. They don't know the true horror of the war, but you've been on the front lines. You know Padmé… You know more than me. The only reason I know so much from a personal perspective is because of Knight Skywalker."

Padmé looked up at that point. "Anakin?"

"Oh yes. You two are very close. He seems very fond of you. It's such a relief that despite the horrors he's seen, he's still as noble and honorable as ever, so willing to help and keep his duty to the republic. But I do worry about him," Palpatine said sighing. "Sometimes I think this war is too much for him. That one day he won't be able to handle it. The only reason I keep fighting sometimes is because he keeps on going no matter what. But still…"

Padmé couldn't help herself any longer. "He's… He's not really dead is he. I heard it on the holonews."

"Well it is true that we haven't received confirmation stating otherwise, but I have faith that he'll pull through, even without the aid of the Jedi."

"What do you mean?" Padmé asked him.

"I've been pleading with the council all morning to dispatch a search party, but they claim they don't have the Jedi to spare. I find it terribly hypocritical of them. They teach compassion and yet don't have the compassion to spare even one Jedi to search for their own comrade, who quite frankly is the reason there is still hope in the hearts of the citizens of this galaxy," Palpatine said to her.

"It's not the Jedi's fault," Padmé said to him though she couldn't help but feel a little angry that they were so willing to give up on Anakin like that. "I'm sure they're trying their best."

"I'm not so sure anymore Padmé," Palpatine said quietly. "But I'm not going to impose my views on you."

There was something about the way Palpatine said that which put Padmé on guard. But she didn't detect any deception or manipulation from him on his part. This didn't even have anything to do with politics. They were just two people talking about the war and how it was affecting the people they cared about. She dismissed any strange feelings she had.

"Well, it appears I've overstayed my welcome," Palpatine finally said. "My work is never done."

"Is anyone's?" Padmé asked with a small smile as she walked him to the door. She hesitated for a moment but then said, "Chancellor."

Palpatine turned to look at her just as he was going out the door.

"Would it be possible for you to let me know about Knight Skywalker's status as soon as you hear anything? I'm not inclined to trust the holonews. This is at least the third time in the last few months they've reported him dead," Padmé said trying not to seem too concerned.

Palpatine gave her another one of his secret smiles, the ones Padmé didn't know whether to be freaked out by or welcome.

"I'll definitely do that Senator. Good day."

"Good day to you too," Padmé said to him and closed the door.

She started to go back to the couch, feeling a little more bothered than she had before. Palpatine could be so cryptic sometimes. On first appearance he seemed to only have his own self-interest at heart. But when one sat down to talk to him self interest turned into concern about the people close to him or something equally as noble. He never quite was what he seemed. In fact, Padmé was quite sure he wasn't. But that didn't matter. Her goal was peace and freedom for the galaxy. Perhaps if she played her cards right with Palpatine, she could do more good for the public outside the senate that she could do inside of it.

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AN: I will never know how I got through these first few chapters because I had to be careful with words, carefully steer conversations, cast suggestions without being obvious, and keep Padmé true to character. I used to get a headache after working on this. Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Have a good time figuring out how Palpatine playing on Padmé's strengths and weaknesses in here.

Hope you enjoyed. Review Please!