A/N: I am so sorry about the wait. I don't usually take this long to update. But I just haven't been very inspired lately. Between going up to Quebec and everything else I've had such intense writer's block. Thanks elizabethlovestatu, froovygirl, SWfanfan, Beatrice, Queen Naberrie, Jedi Everdeen, madscientistproduction.01, and SerendipityAEY for reviewing. Onto the chapter, finally!

Chapter 19

Changes

It seemed to happen like a dream.

Or more like a nightmare.

Dreams weren't supposed to be terrifying.

The dirt was blasted into the air and there was a cloud of it. Nothing could be seen. And through the dust there were blaster shots suddenly.

Even so, the Jedi held their own. Lightsabers were raised.

The blaster shots were deflected successfully. The dust in the air was just beginning to clear.

And then there was an explosion.

Siri was knocked to the ground. She made a little yelp sound as she fell.

Obi-Wan could usually maintain his calm even in the most dire and dangerous of circumstances. But he felt panic immediately. His heart raced and he felt the terror like fire in his veins.

Siri didn't get back up and Obi-Wan feared the worst. Ahsoka looked at him worriedly.

"Master, I don't know how much longer we can keep them back."

"Get back on the ship!" Obi-Wan shouted through the blaster fire.

"But, Master! I can't leave you here alone."

"It's our only chance. I need you to launch the ship's missiles. After you do that, contact the Clone Troopers and Med-staff. We're going to need help and Siri needs medical attention. Take her onto the ship."

"But, Master!" She began to object.

"Go!"

Ahsoka ran over to Siri, blocking blaster shots with her lightsaber all the way over.

Siri was conscious, but she was clutching her shoulder and her Jedi robes were soaked in blood.

"Master Tachi."

"Ahsoka." She winced.

"Master Obi-Wan has instructed me to take you on board the ship."

Ahsoka bent down and Siri put her arm around the Padawan and leaned on her for support. They walked up the ramp onto the starship.

Ahsoka laid Siri down on the floor and ran for the controls. She powered up the missiles and aimed for the group of civilian militia. She took a deep breath and fired, hoping Obi-Wan wouldn't be harmed in the blast. She let the force wash over her, letting it steady her nerves and calm her. Then she fired once more.

She took her com-link out.

"This is Ahsoka Tano. We need help. Do you copy?"

There was some static and then…

"We copy. What's your location?"

"The docking bay in Mos Espa. We have a wounded Jedi who needs immediate medical attention."

"We'll be there as soon as possible."

"Thank you."

There were the sounds of footsteps and Ahsoka spun around in her seat. Obi-Wan was staring back at her, clothes dirtied and face bruised and bloody.

"Oh thank the force." She ran over to him and hugged him tightly.

They walked over to Siri.

She was pale, but she looked like she was in stable condition.

"Help is on the way." Ahsoka said.

Siri smiled weakly.

Tatooine was proving to be a battle that would not be easily won. In fact, it was one of the toughest battles they'd fought in. First, Anakin was nearly killed. And now Siri was injured. It seemed like they were making no ground in the conflict.

They could only hope now. Trust in the force.

It was early morning on Coruscant and the city was already buzzing with traffic. The horizontal sun was harsh on the durasteel skyscrapers and it streamed into 500 Republica in heavy golden beams.

Padmé fastened the ties on her robe and looked back at Anakin. He was getting dressed and she enjoyed a final glimpse at his bare body.

He looked at her and smiled mischievously.

"Do you wanna try to walk today?" She asked.

"Yes I do."

She sauntered over to him and bent slightly, holding out her arms.

His hands brushed her arms and then came to rest atop her shoulders.

"Okay. One, two, three."

He furrowed his brows and slowly, but surely stood.

Padmé smiled. "Good!"

He looked at her, trembling slightly and smiled back.

"Do you wanna take a few steps?"

He nodded.

"I'm going to walk backwards and you're going to walk towards me."

She began to walk backwards and he took awkward steps forward, limping.

"You're doing great!"

When they were on the opposite side of the bedroom they stopped.

"Alright, I'm going to get your hover-chair. I think you'd had enough for today." She said.

"No. I want to talk to the kitchen."

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"I'm proud of you." She touched his cheek.

After breakfast Anakin and Padmé sat in the living room and watched Luke and Leia crawl around on their play-mats.

Padmé broke the silence, feeling almost guilty for interrupting Anakin's peace.

"Ani…I want to talk to you about something."

He looked away from their children and his eyes settled on her.

"What is it?"

"Nothing's wrong. I just, I've wanted to talk about it for a long time."

"What have you wanted to talk about?"

"You remember when I used to have visions?"

His eyes darkened. "Yes. I remember. I'd rather not. It wasn't a good time for us."

"Well, Obi-Wan had my blood tested and I had high midichlorian levels. I don't know if it was because of my contact with you or because I was pregnant with your children. But Obi-Wan said I was force sensitive."

"Where are you going with this?"

"I was wondering…if you could train me in the ways of the Jedi."

His eyes widened and he didn't say anything.

"I want to learn to fight, to be able to better protect myself."

"I protect you."

"But you can't be with me all the time. And I don't know. Seeing you and Obi-Wan battle with lightsabers. It's a very beautiful thing to watch. I want to be involved in that part of your life."

"I don't feel comfortable with this." He replied.

"Why not?"

"It's not an easy thing, to become a Jedi. And I would need the Council's permission."

"They would grant you the permission. You're a member of the Council now and they hold you in very high esteem."

"It's very exhausting, Padmé. And you get hurt a lot. I don't want to see you injured."

"Oh for goodness sake! It's okay when you hurt yourself sparring and practicing, but the thought of me doing the same…"

He interrupted her. "I don't care if anything happens to me, Padmé. But, I can't stand to see you hurt."

"A few cuts and bruises aren't going to kill me."

"I just don't know."

"I'm stronger than I look."

"I never said you weren't strong."

"Please, Anakin. I really want to be a Jedi."

He was silent for a moment. Then he spoke, his voice soft.

"Alright. I'll train you."

She threw her arms around. "Thank you!"

He cupped her face in his hands. She was smiling widely.

He ran his thumb over rose petal lips and then he kissed her.

This was the beginning of something new. A new page in their lives.

One he would have never predicted. But a welcome one, nevertheless.

Training Padmé to be a Jedi would bring them closer together. Something else they could share besides their love or their children. Now she would understand more of who he was.

At first he was hesitant, but now he couldn't wait to share that part of his life with her.

With every passing day, they were becoming more and more one unified being, twined like thread. Their lives braided together in one single unit.

And he couldn't be happier.