AN: You know what I found out? I can upload these documents from my phone onto here, therefore, I never have to miss another update ever! Oh yeah. So here it is even though I'm still at my grandma's house with no internet. This was… well. You read it. I had a good time writing what Anakin thinks in regards to Padmé's different behavior, but just like Anakin's change wasn't outright though we all knew something was off and it seemed harmless enough until the Sith talked to him and turned him to the dark side. In any case…

Read, enjoy, and review!

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Chapter Six

Vision

Padmé hadn't felt this content in months. She felt silly for feeling this way, all happy and giddy because Anakin was home, simply watching her as she brushed her hair on the balcony. She had so much to do before the baby arrived and that wasn't including her political duties to the Senate. She had so many plans and now that Anakin was here she was bursting to share them with him.

"Ani, I want to have our baby back home on Naboo," she said suddenly and then added while looking at the stars. "We could go to the lake country where no one would know . . . where we would be safe."

She turned to grin at him, unable to contain her excitement. "I could go early and fix up the baby's room. I know the perfect spot, right by the gardens."

Her smiled faltered a little when she noticed Anakin staring at her.

"What?" she asked.

"You're so beautiful," he blurted out.

Padmé smiled. "Only because I'm so in love."

"No," Anakin said shaking his head. "It's because I'm so in love with you."

She frowned playfully. "So love has blinded you?"

"That's not exactly what I meant," Anakin said a little flustered.

Padmé's smile returned. "Maybe. But I think it's probably true."

Anakin laughed, and Padmé's heart swelled with joy at hearing it for the first time in months. The war had changed a lot, but the only one constant in her life was Anakin. Padmé snuggled next to him, letting his body warm her as she fell into a restful sleep, but it didn't last. Ever since Maya, fear had crept into her heart, not for her own life, but for her baby's life. She imagined herself lying on the medical table, calling out for Anakin to save her as she tried to give birth and then was unable to hold on any longer. The dreams terrified her. She wasn't afraid to die, but she was afraid for her baby, that if something happened to her and Anakin, it wouldn't get the life it deserved or worse yet, it would die with her.

Padmé awoke from her nightmare, opening her eyes and comforted by the familiar sight of her and Anakin's bedroom. She tried to roll over closer to Anakin and then realized he wasn't there. She sat up.

"Anakin?" she said frowning and then got up to find him.

Padmé found him in the veranda looking strangely conflicted, worried even. She grabbed his hand.

"What's wrong?"

Anakin didn't answer and instead picked up the japor snippet on her neck.

"I remember when I gave you this."

"How long is it going to take us to be honest with each other?" she asked rubbing his arm.

Anakin looked up at her and Padmé almost jumped, startled by his expression. He was looking at her like he was trying to see into the very depth of her soul, as if trying to see if she was still herself.

"What?"

Anakin shook his head. "It's nothing Padmé."

Padmé sighed. "How long is it going to take for us to be honest with each other?"

Anakin looked at her in that piercing way again before looking down and shrugging his shoulders.

"I had a dream…"

"Like the one's about your mother?" Padmé asked slowly.

It seemed like he wasn't going to answer her and Padmé started to ask him again until finally he quietly said, "No…"

"Then why is it bothering you?"

Anakin sighed. "I was arguing with someone, someone close to me."

"Who?"

Anakin hesitated before replying, "It wasn't clear. All I know is that they weren't the same person anymore, didn't sound like themselves."

"What do they usually sound like?" Padmé asked hoping she could get an idea of who Anakin was talking about.

"I don't know… She was darker, less compassionate… well no, the compassion was there. It was just out of control. She was so hell bent on helping others and doing what it took to eliminate their suffering, she didn't realize that she was hurting others in the process," Anakin replied like he was seeing his dream and not looking right at Padmé. "She was the same person, I'm sure. But I didn't know her."

Padmé pressed her lips together. Apparently Anakin knew more about who it was than he was letting on if he knew it was a she and could place her personality. Why wouldn't he want to tell her?

"Anything else?" she prompted.

"No. It was just odd…"

"You're just stressed out," Padmé finally said seeing that Anakin wasn't going to talk about it any longer. "I know how you feel. This war is getting to everyone. People we thought were allies are our enemies, not knowing where to place your faith as order and freedom crumble right before our eyes," she added in a whisper.

Anakin looked at her in concern now. "Are you okay?"

Padmé blinked. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. You just seem… lost. Is there something you want to tell me?"

Padmé frowned. "No. Why?"

Anakin looked at her and then shook his head.

Padmé smiled. "This baby will change our lives. The Queen probably won't want me to continue serving in the Senate and the Jedi will want to expel you if they find out you're the father… Maybe… Maybe we should talk to someone about it."

"Are you suggesting I talk to Obi-wan?" Anakin asked a little irritated.

"No, I'm just saying it would be nice to have some support."

"We don't need anyone's help. This baby is a blessing," Anakin said putting a hand on her womb. Padmé sat her hand atop his.

"Yes. He will be."

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"The senate has managed to persuade the Jedi Council to send one of their knights to help stave off revolution. The problem is which planet to send them to," Padmé muttered. "I've already acquired a list of the planets most important to us winning this war. But intervention at the wrong or right time could tip the scale of the war in any direction,"

"Is it really a job for one Jedi to handle?" Palpatine asked her.

"There aren't enough Jedi to go around. They already have the crisis with the wookiees to worry about," Padmé said sighing. "And I won't even talk about what's going on in congress."

"The Senate is too unfocused to conduct a war," Palpatine replied. "To use what few Jedi we have effectively send them to fight this war."

"Is that why you've requested direct control of the Jedi Council?"Padmé asked.

"Unfortunately it must be done."

Padmé looked out the window and placed a hand on her stomach.

"A few months ago I probably would have been your biggest opposition in the Senate saying that more executive power hadn't helped to end this war any quicker. And it probably would have ended a lot sooner had you not been voted powers," Padmé replied. "But we might not have come out victorious, even if democracy has to suffer."

"Is it really?" Palpatine asked and continued before Padmé could comply. "The senate doesn't represent democracy anymore Padmé and the people know it which is why there is unrest and revolution. The common man no longer has a voice, only those who can afford to buy it from senators do."

"So what are you suggesting?" Padmé asked hotly. "A dictatorship?"

"Is it so bad if the right person is in charge?"

"A dictatorship opens the door for more rebellion and corruption because only one person's voice and those who think like them can be heard."

"That depends on your point of view," Palpatine said to her. "You've seen how squabbling amongst the senators and stubbornness and pride have prevented things from getting done in the senate. To have power and then to not use it because one is unable to compromise is the greatest form of corruption because the leaders forget the bigger picture."

The big picture, Padmé mused as someone else entered Palpatine office.

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"We can rule the galaxy together, raise our children freely…"

…

"I don't know who you are… You aren't my angel."

…

"Bail saw her kill a youngling."

…

"Don't you betray me too,"

…

"I know there's… still…"

…

"I'm sorry Anakin."

Anakin's vision had horrified in ways he hadn't thought possible. He used to think his worst fear was of Padmé dying, but seeing her in his dream the way he had… she may as well have been dead. Yoda had tried to help in the way he could, but it was hard to explain that he saw himself arguing with his wife who appeared to have betrayed him in some way.

"You aren't my angel."

Anakin was sure there was more to the dream, but that hadn't been his compassionate wife who would sooner die than see democracy destroyed with herself as its ruler. She had been different then, but he saw no indication as to what had changed her. In fact, when he watched her and observed her earlier, she didn't seem different. She sounded like the same old Padmé. Things were so confusing and then Obi-wan warning him of his friendship with Palpatine… The idea that either of them could become evil was ridiculous. However, Anakin couldn't get rid of the nagging in the back of his mind…

He pushed all thoughts of his dream out his head as he made his way into the chancellor's office. To his surprise, the subject of his thoughts was in the room with the chancellor.

"Padmé," he couldn't help blurting out.

"Ah Anakin. There you are," Palpatine said to him.

Anakin looked away from Padmé to the chancellor mumbling an apology and nodding to Palpatine in a slight bow. But he couldn't help drawing his eyes back to Padmé who too looked a little surprised to see him.

"Hello Anakin," she said with a smile, not at all trying to be formal in front of the chancellor.

"Good afternoon," Anakin finally said to them both after he was able to collect himself.

"I'm glad you are able to get here Anakin," Palpatine said walking over to the window where Padmé was already standing. "Anakin, this afternoon the Senate is going to call on me to take direct control of the Jedi Council."

"The Jedi will no longer report to the Senate?" Anakin asked surprised.

"They'll report to me personally. The senate is too unfocused to conduct a war. This will bring a quick end to things. Senator Amidala agrees."

Anakin turned to look at Padmé who kept staring out the window, ignoring his gaze.

"What?"

"The Jedi won't agree," Padmé finally said and then looked at him. "But it's obvious the Senate isn't going to effectively utilize the Jedi to end this war. The senate hasn't had to conduct a war for a thousand years. We can't afford to fight over what to do for another six months when invasion is knocking on the doors of Coruscant and they don't understand that."

Anakin looked at his wife trying to conceal his disbelief, not that he didn't agree with her. Actually, he did and that was the problem. Anakin loved Padmé and she him, but they had very different political views. Padmé was the diplomat, who rather negotiate than fight, and he used his lightsaber to convey his words. But to hear Padmé agree that the power needed to be taken out the hands of the senate, the voice of the people, and into one man's hand (not that he had anything against Palpatine) was against democracy and everything she believed in.

"Sometimes, there are times when we must endure adjustments to the constitution in the name of security, Padmé and Anakin."

Padmé sighed and then said, "I know," much to Anakin's surprise.

"With all due respect, sir, the council is in no mood for more constitutional amendments," Anakin pointed out keeping his eyes on Padmé.

"Thank you my friend. But I have no choice. This war must be won."

"I'm sure we all agree on that," Anakin replied.

"Then I hope you trust me Anakin," Palpatine said to him. "And you too Padmé."

"Of course we do," Padmé replied softly with a smile.

Anakin would have said the same thing ten minutes ago. But now he wasn't so sure. However, he didn't contradict her.

"I need your help Anakin," Palpatine replied.

"What do you mean?"

"I fear the Jedi," Palpatine said and started to continue before Padmé looked at him.

"Fear the Jedi?" she asked. "The Jedi have done nothing but protect us."

Anakin was relieved at Padmé's comment. Now she was sounding like herself.

"But the council keeps pushing for more control. They're shrouded in secrecy and obsessed with maintaining their autonomy… ideals. I find it simply incomprehensible in a democracy," Palpatine continued.

"I can assure you that the Jedi are dedicated to the values of the Republic sir," Anakin assured watching Padmé for a reaction. She remained unusually neutral.

"Nevertheless, their actions will speak louder than their words. We're depending on you."

"For what? I don't understand."

"To be the eyes, ears, and voice of the Republic," Palpatine said and paused before adding, "I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council."

Anakin took his attention off Padmé at that point and looked at Palpatine.

"Me? A master? I'm overwhelmed. But the council elects its own member. They will never accept this."

Palpatine gave one of his secretive smiles. "I think they will. They need you more than you know."

Palpatine went back over to his desk. "Well if you excuse me. I have a meeting to attend."

"Of course," Padmé replied nodding tiredly as she started to leave the office.

"Good day chancellor," Anakin said to him and followed behind Padmé. It didn't take him long to catch up to her.

"I'm so proud of you Anakin," she finally said. "After all your work you'll finally be a master."

Anakin smiled a little before frowning again. He didn't know what to make of Padmé's behavior. She was herself for the most part, but for her to agree with giving the chancellor more power was shocking. So he decided to test the waters.

"Now that Palpatine has direct control of the Senate there will be less deliberation and more action so that we can end this war," Anakin said to her. "It's obvious that the senate has failed the Republic in respect to this war."

She was supposed to contradict him, tell him that if Palpatine stopped interfering and let the Senate do its job and negotiate with the separatists, they probably could have ended the war a long time ago.

Instead she said, "I agree. They're treating the galaxy just like they treated Naboo when the Trade Federation attacked. It was clear to me that senate no longer functioned as it should have. When I joined the senate I thought I could reform it from the inside, but now… Maybe Palpatine has a point. When you temporarily take something away from the one who is supposed to possess it, they'll treat it better when they get it back."

Anakin didn't quite know how to feel about Padmé's comment. It made sense. It sounded like she still held onto what she believed in. She was just going about doing it in a different way.

"Still," he continued, "I think it's preposterous that the chancellor would fear the Jedi. The Jedi have done everything in our power to try to end this war and done nothing but uphold the values of the Republic."

"Do they really?" Padmé asked. Anakin stopped in his tracks.

"What?" he asked wondering how many more times Padmé was going to stun him before the day was done. Padmé defended the Jedi when he was fed up with them and ready to leave, but to hear her actually question their wisdom…

"Do they?" Padmé asked again. "The ideals of the Republic mean not forcing your way onto a group of people, giving them the freedom to choose how to live their lives. The Jedi don't have that choice. The council dictates everything they do, right down to the freedom to express their emotions. That's not upholding the ideals of the Republic Anakin."

"The Jedi choose that lifestyle and if they don't feel comfortable with it, they have the choice to leave."

"Then why have so few left?" Padmé challenged. "The Jedi don't give their members a choice. They take them and indoctrinate them before they know what free will is as children."

"Well while we're on the subject of choice," Anakin said bluntly. "Your new friend Palpatine certainly isn't giving the council a say in whether or not they want to directly serve him if that's what democracy is all about. Having a choice right?"

Padmé continued to walk as she said, "It's only a temporary thing Ani. It won't matter if we lose this war. Then no one will have a choice, my baby won't have a choice…"

Anakin stopped Padmé by putting a hand on her shoulder as her worry and grief crashed into him. Not caring that they were in a public hall, he turned her to him and looked into her tear-filled eyes.

"I'm scared Ani. I'm afraid of the Jedi. What if they want to take our baby?"

Anakin wiped the tears that leaked out her eyes with his thumb and whispered, "They can't if you don't want them to. I promise. They have to have your permission."

"But Anakin what if he's powerful in the force like you and they deem it too dangerous to let us raise him? What if they appeal to the courts and they force us to-."

"That's not going to happen, Padmé," Anakin assured. "I won't let anyone take our baby from us, even if we have to run away from the republic, go somewhere no-one will find us."

"Oh Ani," she said as she embraced him.

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AN: The thing about messing with Padmé while she's pregnant is that some of her fears can be attributed to pregnancy and hormones which is no one can really be overtly suspicious of her behavior. All anyone can do is watch her. I've seen pregnant woman do and say some strange things. So it made my job as a writer easier.

Hope you enjoyed. Review Please!