Note 1: Star Wars and its affiliates do not belong to me, only the contents of this Verse.

Note 2: Thank you to Young at Heart21 and my new beta authorwithissues; you make this story happen.

Note 3: I am sooo sorry for the lengthy period between updates. Please forgive me! And show me that you have by reviewing. :]

Chosen: Restoration

Chapter 17: Recuperation

By WrittinInStone

"The Exchange pirates," Obi-Wan mused a day later as they recovered from their trip to Tatooine in the Jedi Master's suite. "I have heard much of this organization. Supposedly, they have a strong presence in countless worlds."

"You're right, Obi-Wan," Padmé began grimly, having wasted no time in looking up the facts in the Records Room of Twilight's Rain. "The Exchange is an extremely powerful criminal organization that operates through much of the Outer Rim Territories. They deal in spice smuggling, extortion, weapon trafficking, slave trading, and bounty hunting. But that's not even the good part," she said, shaking her head.

"The Exchange is controlled by a mysterious entity called the 'Compeer', but the organization has a command structure that gives individual crime lords direct control over the worlds in which they reside, worlds which are always extremely profitable. If that's not bad enough, bosses report to sector chiefs who have no cells of their own, but operate under secret identities and lead normal lives. Even the bosses don't know who their chiefs are as all interactions are done over secret, secure communications."

"This organization is huge, massive," Padmé said frustration permeating her voice. "Even if we knew where Shmi was abducted, we still wouldn't know who the bosses or chiefs were."

They all fell silent for a moment, contemplating the information.

Anakin closed his eyes, taking a moment to seek serenity in the Force. This was yet another roadblock to his recovery, yet another obstacle; would they never end?

"So, she was sold to Gardulla the Hutt by the Exchange pirates," the Knight said, gently squeezing the bridge of his nose. "We need to know how long ago it was and if there were any reported incidences of registered ships disappearing around that time in the Outer Rim."

"How do we even know that will help?" Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. "We're assuming that Shmi was on a registered ship and that it did indeed disappear in the Outer Rim."

"Well, we're forced to go on some assumptions," Padmé said, the enormity of their lack of information hitting her. "But where would we even start?"

"I could check the Jedi Archives and talk to the Jedi Council," Obi-Wan said finally. "Maybe they have some information. It wouldn't hurt to check."

Anakin hesitated. "I could contact the Chancellor," he said quietly.

Padmé's and Obi-Wan's response were instantaneous.

"No." Obi-Wan said flatly.

"Absolutely not," Padmé said immediately. "No, Anakin."

"Look," Anakin began, "We don't have the luxury of finding 'squeaky clean' sources. We need a lead somewhere and out of everyone that we know, the Chancellor will be the one most capable of finding that information."

"You're probably right, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, his eyebrows rising, "But at what cost? I do not trust the Chancellor, now more than ever. We cannot risk him knowing the details of our mission."

Anakin frowned. "I know the Chancellor isn't the most perfect person, but surely this level of…distrust isn't necessary."

"Isn't necessary?" Padmé said, incredulously. "Are we talking about the same man who urged you to kill an unarmed man? You know, the one who wanted you to leave Obi-Wan on the Invisible Hand to die? Anakin, we can't trust him. Surely you can see that?"

Biting his lip, Anakin looked away. He had tried hard not to think about what had happened with the Chancellor on the Invisible Hand, but now, it looked as though he had no choice.

"Anakin," Padmé said softly, reaching over and touching her husband's hand. "Promise me you won't seek out the Chancellor. Please."

Anakin gazed at Padmé for a long moment before nodding. "Okay," he murmured. "I won't contact him."

She searched his face for a moment longer before squeezing his hand and pulling back. "Very well, then. How about we all do a bit of digging with our respective sources and meet back here later?

Obi-Wan rubbed his clean-shaven face as he nodded. "That should give me some time to talk to the Jedi Council, at least. I can also talk to Jocasta Nu; if such a thing has occurred, she would be able to point me in the right direction."

"Jocasta Nu?" Padmé questioned.

"She is the Chief Librarian of the Jedi Archives." Obi-Wan replied, "She knows more about the Archives than anyone alive, save perhaps Master Yoda."

"Very well then," Padmé stated. "I will check my contacts on Naboo. I have some underground sources who owe me a few favors. I'll call them in and see what I can find out."

"I'll contact some sources as well," Anakin said with a nod. "And hopefully, by the time we meet up, we would have found out some less than public information about the Exchange pirates."

"Very well," Obi-Wan said, nodding. "We'll make for Coruscant immediately."

#*#*#*#*#

"This is so frustrating," Padmé said, a few hours later as she lay on the bed of their suite. "I know I should show more patience, but it's like one roadblock after another."

"I feel exactly the same way," Anakin said, sitting down next to his wife. "But I have to keep hoping that we're not chasing our tails here. The thought of us wasting all this time on a useless lead…" His voice trailed off as he shook his head.

"Anakin?" Her face scrunched with worry, Padmé turned to her husband and put her arms around him, hugging him tight. "I'm so sorry, Ani! Here I am complaining, when you're the one that's sick!"

Anakin smiled into her hair. "Don't make light of your feelings, my love," he murmured. "You might not be sick, but your beautiful, beloved, totally awesome husband is. It's natural that you would feel worry."

Eyebrows arched, Padmé pulled away from him. "My beautiful, beloved, totally awesome husband, huh?" she said teasingly, "It's great to know that this sickness hasn't hurt your self-esteem."

"Well, you know," Anakin said slyly, allowing his chest to puff out, "It's really difficult to have low self-esteem with so many mirrors on this ship."

Padmé rolled her eyes. "Instead of calling you the 'Hero With No Fear', they should call you 'Anakin the Vain'."

He smiled. "I only think I'm beautiful because you have said so and you are the only reason I believe it."

His voice lowering sensually, he pulled her close to his body. "Your opinion is the only one I care about. I love you, Padmé."

She closed her eyes and squeezed them shut as a soft blush stained her cheeks. Oh, how she loved this man. She nearly swooned at the overpowering feelings that swelled up inside her.

Suddenly, she tensed as the door beeped, indicating that someone was at the door. Moments later, Threepio entered the room.

"Mistress Padmé," the droid said promptly. "It is time for your appointment."

Eyes widening, Padmé jumped up hastily. "The appointment! I forgot! Anakin, come on, it's time for my appointment!"

"Appointment?" he said in confusion.

"My doctor's appointment, come on!" With that, Padmé grabbed her husband's hand and dragged him out the door.

#*#*#*#*#

"Everything looks to be going pretty well," 2-1B said, consulting its pad. "You have gained weight which is excellent. Both of the babies' heartbeats are strong."

As Anakin stood in the medical ward of Twilight's Rain and watched the medical droid poke and prod and…invade his wife, he could not help but be glad that the doctor was a machine: he was pretty sure he would have committed murder had a sentient being tried to do such things to his wife.

"So, they're healthy?" Anakin asked nervously, sweat on his brow. "They're alright?" He was still trying to come to terms with the fact that he was going to be a father. Why couldn't he wrap his head around this? Why was this so hard for him to grasp, to accept?

"Anakin," Padmé said in concern, noting her husband's pallor. "Are you okay?"

"I am, it's just…I'm going to be a father, Padmé," he said. "And I…" He hesitated.

"What is it?" she asked softly, touching his arm and rubbing it gently.

"I didn't have a father, Padmé. Literally. How am I going to be a good dad to my children if I've never had one myself? I just…" Anakin looked away from her. "I just don't want to mess this up. I don't want my children to hate me."

"Anakin." She smiled and drew him close, turning so that she could look into his eyes. "If you love them even half as much as you love me, you'll be fine. Be firm with them, don't let them have their way, but show them open affection. Praise their efforts as much as you gently correct their mistakes. It's not going to be easy, but we'll do it together."

He gazed into her dark brown eyes, and felt his heart grow heavy with love. He leaned close and nuzzled her hair.

"I love you, Padmé." he said seriously, pulling back to stare into her eyes once more. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Ani," she said softly. "Being without me is something you'll never have to experience."

He smiled at her, and her breath caught in her throat. He truly was beautiful; it made her heart ache. Sighing softly, she laid her head on his chest and rested, reveling in the feel of his arms around her.

#*#*#*#*#

"So, the plan, as it stands, is that we meet back here on the ship in a week's time," Obi-Wan announced as they all stood in the hangar bay. They stood off to the side to avoid being noticed; there were quite a few clones preparing Padmé's ship for takeoff.

"I'll be going to Naboo," Padmé said confidently. "I'll do my best to find out more about the Exchange."

"I'll be on Coruscant with you, Obi-Wan," Anakin stated. "I'll covertly search the Senatorial Archives. It's true that they are not nearly as extensive as the Jedi Archives, and they should have nothing that the Jedi don't have, but with politicians, you never know. It won't hurt to check it out." He sent Padmé an apologetic look at the last part.

Anakin turned to Obi-Wan, "Ready, Master?"

"As I'll ever be," Obi-Wan said with a sigh. "Let's get going."

The Jedi Knight turned to his wife. "Padmé," he began softly. "Please be careful. No heroics, okay? And if you need help, if you need anything at all, contact me immediately."

"Of course," she said, smiling at him gently. "Don't worry. I'll be on my best behavior."

"You'd better," he said, glaring at her. "I know how you operate, Mrs. Skywalker."

"Me?" she asked innocently, her eyes widening in mock shock. "I am always on my best behavior."

"Yeah. Right." He glared at her for a moment longer before drawing her in his arms. "I'm going to miss you. Contact me as soon as you get to Naboo."

She nodded. "Will do." She kissed him gently on the lips and gave Obi-Wan a tight hug before boarding her ship.

Moments later, she was gone, on her way to Naboo.

Anakin watched her ship until he could no longer see it.

"She'll be okay, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, gripping the younger man's shoulder. "Have faith in her."

"I do," Anakin answered, "But I can't help but worry."

Obi-Wan smiled gently. "Let's go, my old Padawan. We have much work to do."

Giving the stars one last look, Anakin turned and left, focusing his mind on the task ahead.

End of Chapter 17: (Waves hand) "You will review!" :]

18th Chapter: Naboo: Padmé arrives on Naboo.

Attribution: Thank you to Wookiepedia for the Stars Wars facts.

***IMPORTANT***

Dear Readers:

So…school has started again, and I'm back in the thick of things, but no need to fear! I will continue posting this fic until it is completed.

I do want to thank those who reviewed last chapter. I was soo close to becoming apathetic about this story and not finishing it, but the reviews really gave me the morale boost that I needed.

So, thank you to my reviewers! You guys are awesome!

Also, I just want to say thank you to those who read! I love my reviewers, but I can't ignore everyone else. So although I would LOVE IT if other readers would review, I have to thank everyone who reads this fic just for doing so!

WrittinInStone