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"I have a wife and three children back home, I am begging you not to do this." An unknown man was on his knees with his hands cuffed as he looked up at Anakin who was standing over him with his lightsaber in one hand. "I only stole the food for my family I swear! My children were starving and we have no credits. Ever since the new rule was established many of my people have died because they do not have enough to eat or they have their homes taken away because they cannot afford to pay the fees we were issued. You can understand that can't you? What would you do if you had been in my position? Could you honestly tell me that you would let your family starve?"

Anakin looked down at the man before casting a quick glance upwards to see Palpatine watching him from his throne. He knew what he had to do and yet a part of him rebelled since he knew it was wrong. Still what option did he have? If he did not kill this man as he had been ordered, Palpatine would realize the truth and the plan would be ruined which meant his family would be in real danger and he could not let that happen; he would do whatever he had to even if it meant an innocent man had to die. Of course the man had not really done anything wrong, at least not that Anakin could see because if it had been his family, he would have done the same thing. The only reason Palpatine was having this man executed was because he wanted to make a statement to anyone who dare rebel against him and the new rules he had set in place.

"You have rebelled against the new empire and for that you must pay." He replied trying to keep his voice calm and empty of all emotion. "With your death, people will know what will happen to them should they take the same path as you. You should be lucky your family is going to be spared. Your death means their survival and you should take comfort in that."

Before the man had the chance to say anything else, Anakin had swung his lightsaber taking off the mans head with one smooth motion. His eyes closed immediately afterwards and he could feel the warm spray of liquid as blood splattered over his face and soaked through his clothes. A scream was caught in his throat and he knew he could not let it out no matter how much he may want to do so. After taking a deep breath and getting his emotions under control the best he could, the 'Chosen One' turned around to face Palpatine as he bent down on one knee in front of him as he was supposed to do.

"It is done my Master." The words came out a bit muffled considering he had his head down. "Others will now know what happens when they cross the Empire. Is there anything else you desire for me to do today Master?"

The Sith Lord shook his head as he looked at his apprentice. Today had been a test of Anakin's loyalty and he had passed with flying colors. "There is nothing more I need today. You can feel free to do whatever it is you wish. Tomorrow you will be leaving for your home planet of Tatooine; there have been rumors that Obi-Wan Kenobi could possibly be hiding there and if he is then I want him brought in. You know the planet better than most and that is why I am entrusting you with this mission. You will first thing in the morning, but until then you may leave and do whatever you wish. Consider it an award for a job well done."

He bowed once in a show of respect even though he did not hold any respect for the man in front of him, before leaving the room and heading back to his in order to take a shower. The need to get the blood off of him was overwhelming and as soon as he entered his room, Anakin started to undress before climbing in to the show which had the ability to use water or a blast of of warm air mixed with a few gases from other planets, that would do the exact same thing as a shower with water, the only difference being the fact he would not actually have to get wet if he did not want to. Anakin decided that he wanted to use water and turned on the knob that would activate it. After clicking it on, he stepped under the spray and immediately started to relax as the hot water flowed down every surface of his body.

The face of the man he had just killed flashed through his mind. It was not the first time he had killed, but it was the first time he had wanted to stop. The man had been begging him, and it killed a little piece of Anakin's soul to take his life when he knew the other man did not deserve it. It reminded him of when he slaughtered all those Jedi children and it caused a feeling of sickness to roll around in his stomach making him feel as if he wanted to throw up. So many innocent people had lost their lives because of him and nothing he ever did was going to fix that. No amount of good deeds would ever make up for what he had done and it was something he would be forced to live with for the rest of his life.

The only thing that was any comfort to him was the fact Padme and the twins were safe. His main mission from this point on was to whatever he must for the sake of those he cared about. He would always regret some of the things he had done, but there had been no other choice; it was either them or him and his family. Sometimes you to do back things even though your intentions were noble. It was just the way life worked sometimes and when you are given two choices then you have to go with your gut instinct or the lesser of the two evils and that is what he had done. One day he may even be able to forgive himself and he hoped his wife would be able to as well.

Leaning his hands against the wall, Anakin focused on thinking about Padme, Luke, Leia, and how happy they would be after all of this was said and done. A smile came over his lips as he thought about the future he would have with his family. The thought alone made everything else worth it. Yes, he could do this; as long as he kept reminding himself what he was fighting for, he had no doubt in this mind they would win. Love was a powerful emotion and Anakin was determined to show everyone who doubted that how wrong they were.

TBC...

AN: First of all I want to say how sorry I am it is taking me so long to update. My health issues have worsened really badly and I write a chapter and then I have to rest for like three or four days before I have the energy to write again so please bare with me when it comes to updates because have not and I will not abandon this story. Anyways, as usual I would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter.

Please R&R like always!