AN: And so here's the scene with the Invisible Hand and Anakin and Padmé are reunited and believe me, Padmé's presence will make it all the more different.

Read, enjoy, and review!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter Five

The Invisible Hand

It was appalling. Was this what the galaxy had come to? Dissatisfaction and revolution? At the beginning of the war, their enemy had been clear, but now the people were rising up in rebellion. If this war didn't come to an end soon, if the government wasn't reformed and faith and trust restored in their elected officials, the galaxy could be left in chaos, ravaged by war and both the Republic and the Separatist would be looking at a revolution. Padmé shuddered at the thought. It was unfathomable.

"Padmé," Palpatine said obviously surprised by her unannounced arrival.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Obviously startled by her demand, Palpatine said, "Tell you what?

"I happened to be looking up the status for Maya for the sake of knowing. Turns out he people destroyed the Monarchy, burned the palace to the ground and joined the Separatist movement. But imagine my surprise when I get a list of hundreds of systems not only fighting the separatists, but now in revolt against their leaders and representative right in our republic. Why isn't this being address?"

Palpatine sighed as he raised a hand in a motion to her to calm down. Padmé took a couple of deep breaths and once she was a little calmer Palpatine replied.

"Is it really all that surprising?"

Padmé open her mouth and then abruptly closed it as she reluctantly admitted it wasn't. They were at war, war that the galaxy hadn't seen in a thousand years.

"I guess it's to be expected after all that's happened. The people don't trust their senate representatives. They're angry at them, at all of us and I can't find myself able to put the blame on anyone except us for letting it get this far," she finally said as she sighed.

Palpatine looked at her in determination. "I was afraid this would happen… The line between what is good and what is evil has been blurred."

"And there's only so many Jedi to help… Besides, even if they had the numbers we can't risk sending the Jedi into a political climate like that. We can't risk sending anyone."

"I could personally see to it that a clone legion is sent with them," Palpatine said.

"The people don't want to talk anymore. They're tired of talking." Padmé sighed. "I'm almost tired of talking. What we need is action and relief, something we can't promise anyone…"

"Then we have to do something drastic, something to redeem ourselves in the eyes of the people and stay their revolution. But it has to be from someone they trust…" Palpatine said trailing off as they heard something that sounded like a battle come from outside.

"What's that?" Padmé asked going over to the window.

"I'm not sure. It sounds like-." Palpatine stopped and his face turned grim.

Padmé followed his gaze to a large cruiser in the sky.

"What's that?"

"The Invisible Hand," Palpatine said and then turned to Padmé. "You need to leave here Padmé.

"What? Why?"

"Padmé don't argue with me," he said in an urgent tone. "Please lea-."

In came battle droids and the leader of the Droid Army himself, General Grievous. Padmé gasped in shock. The Separatists had made it to Coruscant and actually gotten onto the planet and to the Chancellor. She looked past them as saw Palpatine's guards lying on the ground. What could have possessed them to attempt and then succeed in such a bold endeavor?

"You come with me chancellor," Grievous said to him.

"No," Padmé said making her way to stand next to Palpatine.

"Padmé get out of here," Palpatine demanded. "It's me they want."

"I won't be intimidated," Padmé said as she glared at the general.

"Then you will accompany us," Grievous said to them.

"That won't be necessary," Palpatine said to them. "Take me. I'll come with you willingly. But Senator Amidala-."

"Will certainly be welcomed by Nute Gunray. He'll want to personally see to her demise," the general said as the droids apprehended the two.

Padmé felt outrage bubble inside her and she started to resist until she felt a jab in her ribs. She had almost forgotten. If she risked fighting now, the baby could get hurt. So she relaxed and allowed them to cuff her and lead her away.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I don't see how this could have happened," Palpatine said to Padmé in the room they were being held in. "For the separatist to pull such a bold move…"

"I just hope the Senate can deal with this situation thoughtfully and carefully," Padmé said trying to hide her fear. If they lost this battle and the Separatists took over Coruscant, then the war was over and it would spell the end of the Republic. Maybe that was close to happening anyway if the Separatists felt confident enough to pull a move as bold as this.

"Hopefully they'll send their most capable Jedi to handle this."

"Actually, this would be a great opportunity for them to open up diplomatic negations with the Separatists. Perhaps this doesn't have to end in violence," Padmé replied hopefully and then added, "I would like for it not to anyway."

Palpatine smiled. "It's so refreshing to have you around. You're a voice of faith that one day this galaxy will be restored to peace and learn from the mistakes of this war, that fighting though sometimes necessary only brings pain and death to everyone involved."

"Sometimes it seems like that day will never come," Padmé replied. "I admit even I-."

Padmé stopped as she looked at her concealed belly. Her baby had suddenly become unusually active. But she sensed it wasn't a bad thing or anything to be concerned about. It was like it was excited or something.

"That's strange…" she said out loud but to herself.

"There they are," said a voice with a thick Coruscant accent.

"Are you two alright?"

Padmé had to keep from grinning when she saw him. No wonder. The baby was reacting to its father's presence. She had a feeling it would be force sensitive, but she didn't know that it would be able to sense these things from her womb.

Padmé began to reply until Palptaine said, "Count Dooku."

Padmé turned her gaze in the same direction as Palpatine to where Dooku was coming from. He had eluded Republic forces ever since the war began three years ago on Genosis.

"This time we'll do this together," Obi-wan said.

"I was about to say the same thing," Anakin pointed out.

"Get help. You're no match for him. He's a Sith Lord," said Palpatine.

"Don't worry chancellor," Obi-wan assured. "Sith Lords are our specialty."

"Be careful," Padmé said unable to help herself as the fuel began.

Padmé didn't want to watch, but she could keep her eyes off the duel. Count Dooku was powerful to be able to take on two Jedi at once.

"Hopefully Dooku won't resort to his cowardly ways and we can see to it that he's brought to trial before the senate," Padmé said in an attempt to steel her nerves.

"Can we really put him on trial?" Palpatine asked her.

Padmé looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"You've seen the hypocrisy of the senate much more clearly in these last few months. Can we really trust the senate to bring him to justice for his crimes like we trusted them to have compassion for the affliction of Maya?"

Padmé paused, vaguely aware of Obi-wan being thrown into the railing and lying unconscious while her husband continued the duel.

"I… I don't know," she said honestly.

"The people want to see him dead Padmé, for the countless atrocities he's committed against them. I fear that handing him over to the senate will do more harm than good for the reputation of the Republic," Palpatine said passively. "Especially if he doesn't get the punishment he so rightfully deserves. You do remember that Nute Gunray was tried four times and still remained the leader of the Trade Federation."

Padmé turned to look back at the duel in front of her as she mulled over Palpatine's words. Anakin had the upper hand now. It was only a matter of time…

Dooku cried out as Anakin took off both his hands. The Sith apprentice fell to his knees. Anakin put both lightsabers to his neck, but Padmé was so caught up in her own thoughts she didn't register that Anakin was safe. She was trying to figure out what the best method to deal with Dooku would be.

"Good, Anakin, good," Palpatine said to him. "I knew you could do it. Now kill him. Kill him now."

Dooku looked shocked and Anakin looked conflicted, not surprising to Padmé. But what did surprise her were her own feelings. Palpatine's command didn't bother her as much as she thought it would and that in itself bothered her. A few months ago she would have been outraged and her suspicion in Palpatine would have only increased. But things had changed now. She knew things she hadn't known before and so she didn't say anything as she looked between Palpatine and Anakin.

"I shouldn't," Anakin said.

"He's too powerful to be left alive," Palaptine replied.

Anakin didn't reply, but he did look at Padmé who was just as conflicted as he was. She opened her mouth to say something, to stop him, but the voice in her head that wanted this man brought to justice was stronger. It might be months before the Senate brought him to trial and the trial itself might take even longer which would only anger the people more, especially if the war kept going. She closed her mouth and remained passive.

"Kill him Anakin," Palpatine said again.

Anakin took off his Dooku's head and extinguished his blades, tossing Dooku's blade aside.

"I shouldn't have done that," Anakin finally said as he waved his hands toward them and released them both from their bindings. "It's not the Jedi way."

Palpatine started to say something as he got up, but Padmé cut him off to her own surprise and Palaptine's and Anakin's.

"It was necessary," she finally said as she looked down at Dooku trying to push away the part of her that was horrified by what she had just allowed to happen.

"The galaxy wanted this. The millions of lives he's helped destroy wanted this and the Republic needed it whether they know it or not. Seeing Count Dooku brought to justice wouldn't have been enough for the people. They would have called for his death and if the senate had denied them that, we'd be looking at a revolution, more than the one we're already facing if this war isn't brought to an end soon," Padmé said solemnly before looking at Anakin. "You did nothing wrong. Only gave a guilty man no less than what he rightfully deserved. The Republic is in debt to you Knight Skywalker."

Anakin was obviously surprised that Padmé approved of his actions as he had essentially murdered a man in cold blood. Padmé was surprised herself, but couldn't find it in her to disapprove as a familiar ache in her chest grew, one she had become increasingly familiar with since her trip to Maya and seeing their suffering, suffering Naboo might had gone through if not for her swift action and help from Qui-Gon, Obi-wan, and Anakin. So she steeled herself and looked away from Dooku's dead body indifferently. This is what had to be done if the Republic and democracy were to be saved. She had to forgo it to save it.

"I'm glad you understand, Padmé," Palpatine said to her, but Anakin didn't look convinced.

"Are you alright Padmé?" he asked her.

She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm fine."

An explosion rocked the ship and all three of them sprung into action. They had to leave quickly. Anakin ran over to Obi-wan.

"Anakin there's no time," Palpatine said. "Leave him."

"He seems to be alright. No broken bones, breathing's fine," Anakin replied.

"Leave him, or we'll never make it!" Palpatine said urgently.

Anakin shook his head. "His fate will be the same as ours."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"How did we fall for this? We're smarter than this," Obi-wan said shaking his head as he looked at the ray shield.

"This is the oldest trick in the book… Then again I was distracted," Anakin said

"So it's my fault?" Obi-wan asked incredulously.

"You're the master. I'm just the hero," Anakin pointed out with a smirk.

"And I'm open to suggestions."

Padmé sighed as she brushed a stray strand of hair out her face. How Anakin and Obi-wan managed to do this all the time was beyond her. Then again, she was tired and she didn't have the strength and endurance she used to with her being pregnant. She rubbed her head and closed her eyes to fight off a headache.

"Is something wrong?" Anakin asked her.

"Nothing," she said standing up straighter and forcing her hand down to her side instead of settling on her stomach.

"Are you sure?" Obi-wan asked. "You seem a bit weary."

"Have we figured out how we're going to get out of here?" Padmé asked.

"Ah yes," Obi-wan said. "Did anyone come up with anything?"

"I say patience," Anakin suddenly said.

"Patience!" Obi-wan said in disbelief. "That's your plan?"

"Yes. Artoo will be along in a few moments and he'll release the ray shields," Anakin said confidently.

Padmé raised her eyebrow skeptically but sure enough, Artoo came racing down the hall, crashing into the wall.

"See, no problem," Anakin said to them and then as if to contradict him, destroyer droids and battle droids came around the corner, one of them kicking Artoo onto his side.

"Yes. Wonderful plan," Padmé said amused despite the situation as the ray shield were dropped and they were detained. They were immediately taken to where General Grievous was awaiting their arrival.

"General Kenobi, the great negotiator. We've been waiting for you. That wasn't much of a rescue," he commented.

"Depends on your point of view," Padmé said calmly from where she was.

"And Anakin Skywalker… I was expecting someone with your reputation to be older."

Anakin didn't bat an eye and replied, "General Grievous… You're shorter than I expected."

Grievous scoffed and held out their lightsabers.

"They'll make a fine addition to my collection," he said opening his cloak.

"Not this time," Obi-wan assured. "And this time you won't escape."

"Artoo," Anakin yelled and the little droid caused a distraction allowing Obi-wan to summon his lightsaber and cut his bonds before he did the same for Anakin.

As the two began to cut down the droids and chaos befell the bridge, Padmé bit her lip as she looked for a way to cut her binds.

"We have to help them," she said.

"I think we have our own problems Padmé," Palpatine said as droids surrounded them and tried to take them away.

"Ani!" she yelled as the droids tried to force her down the hall.

Anakin flipped over to where they were and cut down the three droids before releasing the two politicians from their bonds.

"Are you okay?" Anakin asked looking over her.

"I'm fine now. Help Obi-wan."

"Find cover somewhere," Anakin ordered.

Padmé snorted. As if… She picked up the fallen blaster of the droids as she and Palaptine ducked down. She then began to take out random stray droids. Then the ship rattled with another explosion and alarms began to sound.

"This isn't good," Palpatine muttered.

"Don't have to tell me," Padmé said as Anakin and Obi-wan finally cornered Grievous. But before they could even tried to detain him, he threw a staff into the window and it shattered.

"Grab on to something," Padmé yelled as she dropped her blaster and held on for dear life as everything that wasn't bolted down, including General Grievous was blown out the window. When the blast shield's closed, Padmé was hardly able to regain her bearings as Anakin and Obi-wan took out the remaining droids.

Then Palpatine said, "The hull is burning."

"Anakin!" Padmé said to get his attention.

"I know," he said heading for the navigator's chairs.

"Can you fly this thing?" Obi-wan asked.

"You mean do I know how to land what's left of this thing," he said sitting in the pilot chair.

"Well?" Obi-wan asked Anakin as he fiddled with the controls.

"Under the circumstances, I'd say the ability to pilot this is irrelevant," Anakin pointed out. "Strap in."

Padmé complied and next to her Palpatine did the same thing. Despite herself, she could help but smile when she felt two swift kicks in her abdomen.

"Exciting isn't it?" she whispered. She couldn't wait to tell Anakin. It took all her will power to not throw caution to the wind and tell him despite the fact that Obi-wan and Palpatine were with them.

The ship rattled again and the sound of metal snapping and sparks sounded.

"What was that?" Padmé asked unable to help herself as she rested a hand on her belly.

"I think we just lost something," Anakin replied.

"Not to worry though," Obi-wan said good-naturedly. "We're still flying half a ship."

The ship lurched again and Padmé glared at them but didn't say anything. She would never know how they were able to joke around and be so lighthearted in a serious situation. Not that she thought they should panic, but at least acknowledging the gravity of the situation would be nice. Then again, being lighthearted and dismissing the gravity of things was probably a way to cope during war. But still…

"I'd appreciate it if you two stopped talking about this as if we're trying to predict the weather," she said in her senatorial tone.

"My apologies milady," Anakin began in an obviously teasing tone. "How would you like us to talk about it?"

Padmé started to reply when she realized she didn't have an answer. Darn it… She let out a squeak as the ship slid across the runway, bouncing rather hard and then slowed to a stop.

Palpatine let out a breath of relief as it stop relaxing a little.

"Another happy landing," Obi-wan declared.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Padmé hated this. She was anxious to get home, to hell with politics. Anakin was back. Nonetheless, she put a polite face and smiled at Master Windu.

"Chancellor Palpatine. Senator Amidala. Are you alright?"

"Yes. Thanks to your two Jedi Knights. They killed Count Dooku, but General Grievous has escaped once again," Palpatine replied.

"General Grievous will run and hide as he always does. He is a coward."

"That's true," Palpatine said in agreement. "But I fear that so long as he's still out there, the senate will want the war to continue, even with Count Dooku dead."

"Then the Jedi will make finding Grievous our highest priority," Mace assured as he walked ahead of them.

"Do you really thing the senate will vote to keep the war going even with Dooku dead?" Padmé asked him as they walked.

"I'm afraid so. He is the leader of the droid army, Padmé, and the senate has other things to worry about besides making sure Grievous doesn't resurface and attack. We may end this war, but we have a whole other fight to battle," Palpatine said to her. "And we have to make sure the senate is able to handle it."

Padmé only hummed a little as she stopped.

"I think I'll head home. It's been an exhausting day," she said.

"You're right. Do get some rest. We'll deal with the senate and the bureaucrats at another time," Palpatine said and then turned to Bail and Anakin who were in conversation behind them.

"Knight Skywalker," he said. "Would you kindly escort Senator Amidala to her home?"

"Of course, Your Excellency," Anakin replied appearing passive but Padmé could tell he was trying to contain his excitement. So was she.

"Thank you," Palpatine said and strode off, Bail following behind them.

Anakin and Padmé started in the opposite direction and when he was sure the other two were far enough away, he pulled her behind a column and embraced her.

"Anakin," she said in relief.

"I missed you."

"I missed you too," Padmé said as she pulled back but still kept her arms around him. "There were whispers… that you had been killed."

"It's alright Padmé," Anakin said leaning closer to her.

"Wait. Not here," she said to him.

"Yes here. I don't care if anyone sees, if they know we're married. I'll leave the Jedi."

Padmé wanted him to. She really did, but they couldn't leave, not with the Republic in shambles like it was. She shook her head. "Don't say things like that…"

Their child would not be brought up in a galaxy at war and even though she didn't want to, if sacrificing Anakin to the war all the time and hiding their love was what they needed to do to see to it, she was willing to do so, for their child. Their baby, inside her… Padmé felt herself begin to tremble as the weight of everything came down on her.

"Are you alright?" Anakin asked concerned. "You're trembling."

"It's nothing just…" Padmé looked down and sighed.

"Tell me."

Padmé looked back up at him trying to force herself to smile but unable to.

"Something wonderful has happened." she paused. "Anakin… I'm pregnant."

Anakin looked at her stunned and for what felt like an eternity didn't say anything. For a brief moment, Padmé feared he was upset. What if he didn't want the baby? What if… All her worry for his reactions went away as he broke out into a grin.

"That's wonderful!"

Padmé agreed, but she was still worried, fears she had been unable to voice running through her head, all the different scenarios, reactions, consequences…

"What are we going to do?"

"We're not going to worry about those things right now. Alright? This is a happy moment, the happiest day of my life."

Padmé found it in her to smile at that point, the first real smile she had given since Anakin had left for the war. There was still a lot to think about, but for the first time in months, she was content.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

AN: Sitting here at my grandma house with no internet except on my phone. Some reviews will make me feel all the more better. Anywho, the scene where Padmé tells Anakin she's pregnant is one of my favorite scenes in RoS, probably one of the most lighthearted parts in the movie despite the two not knowing how they were going to deal with the situation.

Hope you enjoyed. Review Please!