AN: So there was controversy in the last chapter and while I say the points, it's too late now, but I'll be certain to keep it in mind. I did some editing to this with your comments in mind though, no changes of which messed with the continuity of the story, just made it better.

Read, enjoy, and review!

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Chapter Eleven
Padme's Betrayal Part I

"Don't worry little ones," Anakin said smiling down at the two children that were about to be wheeled off into a ship that would transport them to the neutral planet of Polis Massa. "Your mother and I will be with you soon."

He watched the ship take off before turning to the doctor who had approved the secret move. It had been done with as much discretion as possible and the only ones who knew of the move were Threepio, who he had asked to meet him at the hospital to accompany the children, and Ahsoka, who was piloting the ship.

"I was never here," Anakin said to him, putting the force behind the suggestion.

"You were never here," the doctor said to him.

"If anyone asks, Senator Amidala's children died from complications," Anakin said and then the doctor repeated it to him.

He nodded in satisfaction and left the building. The twins were safe now, he thought as he got into his speeder and headed toward the Jedi temple. All he had to do was see if the Jedi had succeeded in taking Palpatine into custody before he would-.

His hand shot to his head and he nearly swerved out the traffic lane at the disturbance in the force. One thought in his mind… Padmé. He changed course and headed to her apartment, parking next to the veranda.

"Padmé," he yelled as he started to head inside to find her. "Padmé!"

"Master Skywalker."

Anakin turned to see Sabé standing near the hall and noticed how nervous she looked.

"Where's Padmé?"

"I tried to stop her from leaving. But she insisted," Sabé said quickly. "I don't know where she was headed though."

"I told her to wait for me," Anakin said frustrated.

Sabé smiled a little. "I don't think you were specific enough then. You only told her to wait. Not to wait here."

Anakin cursed. That's what he got for marrying a politician. Always able to find a loophole…

"She was probably looking for me," Anakin said realizing she probably thought he was headed back to the Jedi temple. "She-."

Anakin stopped, suddenly grunting in pain and clutching at his chest.

"Master Skywalker!" Sabé said trying to help him stand, but only succeeding in easing his fall. "I'll call a medic."

"No wait… This isn't…" Anakin stopped as the room melted away and images flashed before him, gruesome images of Jedi dying and then someone's dark silhouette in front of him watching the fire, dozens of jedi, with clones shooting them down.

"No!' he yelled trying to attack the person but finding himself unable to. "What? Why?"

The person raised a weapon at him, a blaster it appeared an dfired two shots.

"Master Skywalker!"

The scene melted away and he was back in Padmé's apartment. "What?"

"What happened? Why did you fall out like that? What's wrong?"

Anakin started to answer before he realized he was lying on the sofa and Sabé was standing over him. He must have fallen unconscious or something and she had dragged him there.

"How long have I been out?"

"A while," Sabé said passing him a glass of water. "It's getting late…"

"Where'd Padmé go," Anakin asked suddenly when he didn't sense her. "Why isn't she back yet?"

"I don't know," Sabé said and Anakin noticed that she seemed to be keeping something from him.

"What is it?" Anakin asked slowly.

Sabé was silent for a long time, having what felt like an internal debate judging by the emotions Anakin felt from her. Finally she looked to the window and said, "It's the Jedi temple."

Anakin slowly got up from the couch and went to the window, seeing what Sabé was talking about without her having to point it as she was doing. The smoke coming from the blazing temple probably could have been spotted miles away from where they were. It lit up Coruscant's night sky, a red haze in the air.

Anakin started to leave but then wobbled a little at the strength of the pain he felt in the force. Sabé ran to stop him.

"Master Skywalker, you can't go. It's too dangerous."

"I have to stop this."

"You can barely stand. You'll be killed! Padmé would be heartbroken."

"Sabé."

"At least until you aren't suffering like this," Sabé pleaded.

Grudgingly, Anakin had to admit she was right. Where ever she was though, Padmé was safe and he could live with that until he was in better condition to help. And the Jedi… He wouldn't be any help to them if he got himself killed.

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Even though she was aware that Palpatine had ordered all the Jedi to be killed, Padmé had conflicting ideas. She imagined a new order, one without the ridiculous code and restraints of the Jedi order. One that Anakin would help her build. With Palpatine's help, they could uncover Darth Plagueis' secret and use the force to keep people from dying prematurely, people who didn't deserve to die. There would be no more senseless war casualties among civilians. Yes… that would work. She could see it now. A galaxy where no one had to fear war, fear senseless killing, or even disease…

"Commander," Padmé said to the clone who was next to her.

"Yes milady."

"Give out the order that no one under the age of three is to be killed in the Jedi Temple," Padmé ordered. "I want them all rounded up and taken into custody under my protection."

"But our orders were-."

"I'm giving you new ones and if I find out you disobeyed me, there will be severe consequences!" Padmé said firmly.

"Yes ma'am," the commander said as he went to give the order.

Padmé nodded as she watched the temple burn. She should have been horrified and perhaps at one time she would have been. But this burning was like a sacrifice, a sacrifice that meant the freedom and security of the galaxy, the freedom of her, Anakin, and their children. A smile came to her lips. They didn't have to hide anymore. They could love each other freely now. No more hiding.

"What's going on here?"

Padmé was snapped out her musing by Bail Organa and turned to see his confused expression.

"There's been a rebellion against the Republic Bail," Padmé said simply. "Don't worry. The situation is under control."

"Padmé-."

"I think you should leave now Bail. The clones are ordered to bar anyone from entering the temple. I won't be able to stop them if they decide to take action against you," Padmé said to him coolly as one of the clones came beside her with his gun cocked.

Padmé turned back to the situation at hand, ignoring Bail. Out of the temple came a young Jedi, fighting the clones.

"Get him!" Padmé ordered, but the Jedi youngling cut down several of the clones. She groaned and took out her own blaster, shooting the young boy in the arm. Her disabling him gave the other clones the chance to take him down.

"What about the senator?" one of the clones asked her. She turned around to see Bail speeding away in his speeder, the other troopers surrounding her trying in vain to shoot him down.

"We'll deal with him later," Padmé said with a careless shrug. "Come. I want to survey the situation from the inside."

The clones led her inside the building, around the controlled flames. Padmé felt her heart wrench at the sight of bodies, clones and Jedi. At that moment she almost turned back, she almost changed her mind. She could leave right now and tell Anakin everything. He'd understand, and he'd take her in his arms while she cried, tell her everything was alright and forgive her. Then they'd go somewhere, away from all of this. But the question was would they ever be free if she turned and left now? Anakin was very well known, they'd have to take many measures to ensure no one recognized him or her, practically create new identities. Could she really force him to hide who he was, to stop doing what it was he loved. Sure he'd be happy with her, but there would always be that part of him… She shook her head and pushed away her doubts. She could do this. If she did this it wouldn't only be for her benefit, but for the benefit of the rest of the galaxy. She and Anakin could love each other and raise their family openly and service the galaxy like they were meant to at the same time. She could be Padmé Skywalker and Amidala. It would be easier to balance out.

"Are you alright milady?" one of the clones asked.

Padmé jumped a little. She didn't even know she had stopped and was staring at the body of a Jedi Knight who was amongst a group of padawans that Padmé guessed he had been trying to protect.

"I'm fine," she said inhaling and exhaling deeply. Then she forced herself to be indifferent, to be unfeeling, to ignore the nagging voice in the back of her head saying that she was a selfish scared hypocrite and continued along the way, ignoring the shots and the Jedi being shot down as the clones escorted her in her inspection of their work.

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Anakin was sitting on the couch holding his head. Sometimes he cursed how sensitive to the force he was. He could feel the deaths of so many Jedi and while the worst was over, a nagging headache still remained. To add to his problems, it was early morning now, dawn approaching and the blaze had died down yet Padmé was still gone.

"Would you like some tea Master Skywalker?" Sabé asked coming into the living room holding a steaming mug of tea. "Perhaps it will help with your headache."

"Thank you," Anakin said taking the tea from her.

Sabé nodded and stared at him, obviously concerned. It was probably more so for Padmé's sake though, Anakin mused. He knew Sabé, but they weren't close. They knew each other through Padmé. She had been with Padmé since her time as queen. Still, he was grateful for her concern and so smiled at her a little to acknowledge it.

She smiled back and then made her way back out the room. Anakin took in the aroma of the tea. Its scent alone helped subdue his headache, making him able to think clearer. The only logical reason he could come up with that the temple had been on fire was that it had been attacked. But it wasn't just the temple. It was the Jedi all across the galaxy. Something had just gone horribly wrong.

Artoo, noticing his mood came to try to cheer him up.

"It's hard to be cheerful after something like this Artoo," Anakin pointed out as he tried to figure out why something seemed to be missing from him.

"Anakin!"

And just her voice filled the void.

"Padmé," Anakin whispered putting the tea down and rushing out to meet her. He pulled her to him in a hug. "Where have you been?"

"Oh Anakin," Padmé whispered to him burying her face in his chest.

"Do you know what's going on?" Anakin asked her. "The Jedi temple… It was on fire. You can see the smoke for miles."

Padmé paused and then looked at him.

"I'm not exactly sure what happened, Anakin. All I know is that there was a rebellion and that the chancellor has declared the Jedi traitors," Padmé explained.

"That's ridiculous," Anakin said immediately. "The chancellor is the Sith-."

"I know," Padmé said. "I've been trying to help handle to situation all night. The senate is a mess."

"I can only imagine," Anakin said to her. "Maybe I should try to get in contact with Obi-wan or Yoda. Maybe they can help and we can go see what's going on."

"No!" Padmé suddenly exclaimed catching Anakin off guard.

"What?"

"I mean… I'm just tired Anakin… so tired. And I have to be back at the senate this afternoon for an emergency session. Please. It's too dangerous for a Jedi right now. Don't go yet. I won't be able to rest in peace knowing you're putting yourself in danger," Padmé begged. "I'm so scared for you."

Anakin rubbed her arms and kissed the top of her forehead.

"Have faith my love," Anakin whispered to her. "Everything will soon be set right. You go rest."

Padmé sighed in relief and made her way to the back to rest. Anakin looked after her and then frowned as she left. The force was telling him something wasn't right. Something about Padmé's presence was off… He still recognized it. But it was different.

"Anakin… Anakin…"

Anakin heard the voice coming out of his transmitter and picked it up.

"Obi-wan," Anakin said in relief. "Thank goodness you're safe. Master the Jedi temple's been attacked by the clones."

"I was afraid of something like that," Obi-wan said grimly. "I too was ambushed. I didn't think it was an isolated incident."

"Do you think any other Jedi survived?"

"I'm not sure Anakin. You're the first I've come into contact with. You're on Coruscant. Do you have any idea what's going on?"

Anakin paused and then said, "Palpatine's the Sith Lord. Padmé said he declared the Jedi traitors to the Republic."

"Anakin, don't do anything rash. Wait until I get there," Obi-wan said to him.

"You want me to wait when the Jedi temple is under siege?" Anakin bristled neglecting to mention that just an hour or so ago he had been in no shape to investigate and had been waiting anyway.

"Anakin," Obi-wan said in exasperation. "You're going to need backup. You can't take on that many clones."

Anakin scowled but grunted in agreement nonetheless.

"You're on the way?" he asked.

"I'm rendezvousing with Bail Organa and Master Yoda. I'll contact you afterwards," Obi-wan replied and then asked, "Are the children safe?"

Anakin nodded.

"Good," Obi-wan said. "May the force be with you Anakin."

"And with you master," Anakin said turning off his com.

Anakin was restless. He found it hard to sit and do nothing while the Jedi on the brink of being completely wiped out. But what more could he do. He then looked in the direction Padmé had gone. Hopefully when Padmé left for the Senate later, he would be able to get away without her noticing. Obi-wan contacted him again a few hours later, just as he sensed Padmé start to awake.

He looked grim.

"What is it?" Anakin asked furrowing his eyebrows.

Obi-wan didn't answer and instead said, "We'll be using the Emergency Senate session as a cover to investigate what happened in the Jedi temple. There's a code being sent out telling all Jedi to return to the temple. We have to dismantle it. Otherwise any surviving Jedi will fall into a trap."

"That makes sense," Anakin replied. "I'll meet you there."

He started to cut the connection before Obi-wan stopped him.

"Wait Anakin," Obi-wan said quickly, but he seemed hesitant.

"What is it Master?"

"Is Padmé with you?"

Anakin frowned. "She's resting. Why?"

"Bail said he saw her at the Jedi temple earlier," Obi-wan replied.

"Figures she would try to stop it," Anakin muttered. "What's that got to do with anything?"

"They didn't even want Bail on the property, but strangely, they allowed Padmé to remain."

Anakin wasn't following.

"I don't get it. What am I supposed to understand from that?"

Obi-wan sighed. "Perhaps it would just be best if you met us at the Jedi temple. I'll see you there."

Obi-wan didn't even greet him. He simply cut the connection leaving a very bemused Anakin. What did Padmé have to do with any of this?

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

Anakin's vision rushed back to him and suddenly he knew what Obi-wan had been alluding to. The implications in his vision made sense. Padmé had sided with Palpatine. She had overseen the attack on the Jedi temple. That's why she hadn't wanted him to leave and investigate. It was why he had felt the attack on the Jedi so profusely, because his angel was the one who condoned it.

"No," Anakin whispered to himself. He was just assuming things. If there was one thing he had learned thus far in the war, it was that all the evidence could point in one direction, could point to one possible conclusion, but could very possibly be wrong. Evidence meant nothing and nor did this, even though all the signs were there. He refused to believe it. It just wasn't possible… Not his angel, the voice of freedom, justice, and democracy. She wouldn't sit by and let something like this happen let alone condone it.

He groaned as he threw his comlink down on the ground in anger. It didn't used to be like this. He remembered when they first got married, that the only thing that mattered was the two of them. They had both thrown caution to the wind and chosen each other. No plotting, no war, no politics…

"Anakin."

Anakin turned to look at Padmé who was dressed in preparation to attend her senate session. He forced a small smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. One conversation with Obi-wan made him wonder who it was he was actually looking at now, who he had been looking at since his return from the outer rim sieges, ever since that day she let him kill Count Dooku. She must have noticed the peculiar piercing expression he was giving her because she frowned and put her hand lovingly on his face.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

For a moment, the sound of her voice nearly wiped away all his doubts of her. It was impossible. It just wasn't in her nature to do such a terrible thing. But then he remembered the last few months. He put his own hand over hers.

"Is there something you need to tell me?"

"No," Padmé said slowly. "Why? Is something wrong?"

Anakin forced a smile. "Of course not. I'm just a little curious about what's going on. I know the chancellor has something to do with it, but I can't make a move on him without thinking about the repercussions it might have on the Republic."

"Thinking with reason and your head for once," Padmé said with a smile. "Don't worry Ani. I'll handle the senate. I promise and then I'll come back here and explain the totality of what's happened."

She kissed him and started to pull away, but Anakin pulled her back to him into his embrace and kissed her again more passionate this time. Something told him if he let her leave, this was the end.

"Don't go. Stay here with me."

Padmé sighed. "Anakin I'd love to, really… But I can't. Don't worry though. We'll have plenty of time once this war blows over."

She pulled away from him and started to leave before turning back and saying, "I love you."

"I love you."

As she left, Anakin stared after her, the void in his heart returning as the door closed. But he had to get going.

"Sabé," he called out to her and she came in the room. "I need you to do me a favor."

"Yes?"

"I need you to pretend to be Padmé for me and accompany me to the Jedi temple," Anakin explained. "The clones will attack me alone, but if they think you're Padmé, they may let you in. Make sure you get an ID, just in case they ask."

Sabé was obviously confused, but nodded and went to do so anyway. Anakin began to pace the room as he waited for her and then stopped in front of the balcony, where the Jedi temple could be seen, the red haze still over the city.

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AN: I had a really hard time with what to do with Anakin. It was at this point that the story could have diverged in three or four different directions, including a story where Anakin fell with Padmé but I decided I wanted Padmé to fall and there are many other stories I could write about Anakin and Padmé falling together and so ended with this. I thought it was reasonable that he would feel the Jedi dying as his destiny is directly tied to it. But if it's not, well… I have to live with it. I needed him to get back to the apartment for some reason. I didn't quite know what to feel about this chapter. I'll let you all decide.

Hope you enjoyed. Review Please!