Skywalker and Vader

"Padme, you can't tell him everything."

"Why not, he's my husband," Padme protested.

"Which one? The Sith Lord back there, or the eleven year old in front of you." Padme glared at Obi-Wan. Anakin was her husband, it didn't matter to her, she was following her heart, and she was going to protect little Ani with everything she had in her.

"You don't think he will carry Ani to Palpatine do you?"

"I think that's a very good possibility. I just wish I knew how to send him back."

"I'm not going back without Padme," Anakin spoke up.

"Anakin, you are in danger here."

"No, I'm not. My powers have expanded, Master, past anything I imagined."

"Oh, Ani, no. Power, my love, isn't everything. Please, promise me you will think of me and our love first. That you won't search for power above all else."

"Padme, I love you,"he said, though he loved her in the way he loved his mother and the way he loved eating at Dex's, with a child's wonderment. He knew Padme was special, and all he wanted was to protect her.

"I love you too, Anakin. I always will. Nothing could make me betray you. Please believe me."

"I do. I've always wanted to protect you. On Naboo, when Master Qui-Gon told me to stay in the ship. I promised myself I would save you and Master Qui-Gon...only..." Anakin was pensive for a moment. "I had never flew a starfighter. I never flew anything 'cept my fighter. And I got so caught up, I forgot 'bout saving you and Master Qui-Gon."

"Are you saying, you blamed yourself for Master Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan asked kneeling down and looking up at the boy.

"Kenobi, that's none of your business. Leave Skywalker alone," came the deep mechanical voice from the doorway. Padme wondered how long he had been there. Anakin at eleven was much more open about his thoughts and emotions than Padme remembered him being. Well, she hadn't really spent a lot of time with Anakin when he was nine, she had been so worried about her people and then later, the Jedi had disciplined him well...her thoughts trailed off as she looked at the man who had been her husband.

"Skywalker, the Emperor is most intrested in meeting you."

"No! Take me as well."

"You? You would take his place?"

"I would do anything for him...and for you."

"Run, Anakin," Obi-Wan told him, but Anakin shook his head.

"No. If this is my destiny I will face it. I will not run, and I will not have you accept it for me. If Palaptine has betrayed me, then I must see for myself," he said with a maturity that was well beyond his years. "I will be a Knight. A Jedi. And it is the destiny of the Jedi to face the Sith and I will not run from it. No one can take away or fight the will of the Force," he looked at Padme and smiled softly. "I will be alright. I will not turn. Have faith in me. Master, please trust me. I won't let you down." Obi-Wan didn't want him to this alone.

"Anakin, we've always been a team." Darth Vader sneered at the emotion Kenobi showed but then stopped. Was Anakin right? Had he brought this all on himself? Had he pushed Kenobi and Padme away? Had he pushed everyone away. Had he woken up as if from a bad dream and realized he had no one but the Emperor, had he allowed himself to be so manipulated.

"You will be protected," he stated as he led Anakin out of the room and toward the elevator.

"Will you kill them?" Anakin asked him, a little bit of fear creeping into his voice.

"No, I will not. You have my word, Anakin. If you can't trust yourself, who can you trust?" Anakin said nothing as he squared his shoulders and followed Darth Vader to the Throne Room on the Death Star.

"So...you have come to me …..at last." Anakin saw the hooded figure sitting down in a chair, but he couldn't make out any features. Darth Vader laid a hand on his shoulder.