DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.
Hey guys, sorry about the waiting. I'll just let you know I do work a lot, especially now in this Christmas period so don't fret too much if I don't make regular updates. I'm writing on my days off when I get them and have every intention of finishing this story! Thanks for all the feedback too and I have decided to make it a long one! Hope you guys are still enjoying my story!
Anakin had lost all track of time. He hadn't slept and his neck was stiff. Only minutes after Palpatine had left him, beaten and hooded, Anakin had started fiddling with the rings that attached him to the wall but nothing he did made any difference. So he'd resigned himself to a long night with no sleep and no comfort.
When Palpatine finally came for him, Anakin's legs were aching and he was utterly exhausted. His back had calmed down overnight but only as long as he didn't move. When Palpatine unlocked the rings, he pushed Anakin roughly against the wall again, causing his back to flare up. Anakin bit back the cry that threatened to escape.
"Follow me," was all Palpatine ordered.
He didn't take Anakin's leash, which was still dangling against his chest, instead just began walking away. Anakin swallowed back the pain in his back and did as he was told. He kept his head down as he'd been trained too, even though he couldn't see Palpatine through the thick leather. His hands were outstretched in front of him as he walked, his feet shuffling carefully forward. He had to guess where the door was and then after finding it, he had to strain to hear Palpatine.
He heard voices from his right and started down the hallway. Anakin tried to visualise the apartment as he walked, trying to figure out where he could be. From his brief walk through when he'd first arrived, he guessed he was heading towards the lounge/dining area.
Sure enough, seconds later his hands found the soft material of the couch he'd run into the night before. Still listening for the voices, Anakin managed to navigate his way safely through the living area and into the kitchen beyond. There he could hear the voices more clearly.
"It happened this morning. They infiltrated the Clone guards and gained control of the transporter before we even reached the landing dock."
Anakin knew that voice well. He'd grown up with Aayla Secura and still was struggling to comprehend that she had turned Sith.
Palpatine was suspiciously quiet in the short pause. When Aayla spoke again, Anakin could hear the apprehension in her voice.
"They ambushed us, taking out the Clone guards before they could even raise their blasters. Kenobi and the other Jedi distracted me long enough to get the girl before I could stop them. They took the transporter but I sent a tracker after them. When I caught up to the tracker, they'd already ditched the ship and disappeared. I couldn't even find any trace of them my Lord."
Again Palpatine was silent but Anakin's mind was reeling. Kenobi? The other Jedi surely had to be Ferus! And the girl...
Beneath the hood, Anakin's eyes widened in hope. Could that mean Padme was safe? Was Aayla saying that Obi Wan and Ferus had rescued Padme before she could meet her terrible fate? His heart started beating faster as his ears strained to hear more.
Suddenly Aayla was screaming. Anakin could feel the electricity in the air, smell the burning flesh and knew that Palpatine was pumping his apprentice full of Force lightning.
"I tire of your incompetence Aayla," Palpatine spat. "Find her or you will be forced to revisit your training. Go."
Aayla's screaming stopped. She panted heavily before muttering a goodbye. Anakin felt Palpatine draw near him and his whole body tensed. Next thing he knew, his back was exploding in pain again, worse than the previous night. He cried out as he fell to his knees.
The lashing continued for what felt to Anakin like forever before the Emperor's raged was sated. By that time, Anakin was barely conscious; his back a bleeding battered mess.
Palpatine, ignoring Anakin's whimpering, pulled his young captive through the long hallway. At the end there was a lift. He entered it and pressed the only button available. This lift was the only access point to the floor below the Emperor's apartment. Palpatine pulled Anakin along with him as he exited the lift.
This floor was identical to the one above except it was completely empty. When Palpatine had purchased the top floor of 500 Republica, he had also bought the one beneath – a security precaution that the Senate had insisted upon. Mere days later, Palpatine had hired a crew of workmen in secret to disable all access to the second highest floor, board it up and put in the new lift in Palpatine's own apartment. Days after the project had been completed all twelve workmen had died in mysterious accidents. As such, no one but the Emperor knew what the second highest level in 500 Republica was used for.
In the hallway, identical to the one above, Palpatine released Anakin. Anakin dropped to the floor, in too much pain to do anything but moan softly.
"When I return I want you to know this place inside and out. You are in an apartment identical to the one I live in so you should known the layout already. Make yourself comfortable," Palpatine said.
Then he turned and disappeared back up the lift.
The tunnel had many exits along the roof. It was completely black inside so the group of five walked by the light of two lightsabers and a pencil light mounted on the Clone helmet. Rex led the group, his blaster poised and ready for anything. Obi Wan and Ferus walked in the middle with Padme between them and Pieter brought up the rear. The group barely spoke, moving quickly and quietly in case someone was following.
When the tunnel dead ended, Rex halted the group while he climbed up a ladder to the access hatch in the roof. Pieter dropped back into the tunnel, disappearing into the darkness within seconds. Rex, peering into the street above, announced the coast clear and proceeded to help Padme out.
The street was actually another alleyway. It led into a much busier street than the one they had left behind and as such it was easier to blend into the crowds. The group broke up, Ferus and Pieter staying with a cloaked Padme while Obi Wan and Rex took a different route back to their meeting place.
Now down to three, Padme's group walked slowly but purposefully through the crowd. Pieter had his weapon hidden inside his vest but his eyes were alert and watchful. Ferus had his arm linked through Padme's, to all appearing like a couple out for a stroll. They were ignored and made it back to the abandoned building without any hassles.
As soon as she stepped out of the lift she was nearly bowled over by an orange blur. Stumbling slightly but held up by Ferus, Padme didn't have a chance to even see who was hugging her until they stepped back. Then a huge grin broke out on her face.
"Ahsoka!"
Ahsoka had grown up. She was much taller, but still thin and agile, her features mature and beautiful. A smile equal to Padme's was on her lips.
"Are you okay?" Ahsoka asked immediately.
She took Padme's arm and led her to the couch. They sat down while the men went about their business. Both had enough sense to let the women be.
"I'm fine," Padme assured her. "They didn't harm me. Sadly the same can't be said of Anakin."
She grimaced as she remembered the haunted look in her husband's eyes. Ahsoka's hand found hers and she squeezed gently. Then Ahsoka noticed the cuffs. She rolled her eyes as she glanced around for the men.
"Typical males," she murmured tugging at the cuffs. Then she frowned.
Padme smiled gently, "They tried but they only unlock through the dark side of the Force."
Ahsoka's eyes met hers and Padme could have sworn she looked afraid for a second. Padme watched as the Togrutan glanced around the room again. Then she bit her lip.
"I shouldn't be doing this," she whispered.
Padme frowned. "Ahsoka? What's wrong?"
Ahsoka looked back to the ex-Senator and sighed.
"I've been working on something that Obi Wan and probably Ferus too wouldn't be too happy about."
She paused, took a deep breath and then pressed on, her eyes closed.
"When I found out that I was very susceptible to the dark side and left the Jedi Order, I met some people who could help me. They were trained in the arts of both sides of the Force and yet they hadn't been corrupted by the taint of the dark side. They recognised the struggle inside me and offered to help. Of course I took them up on the offer and that's where I've been since. It wasn't easy to leave but I'm glad that I did."
With that she pressed down on the cuff's lock and they popped open. Padme gasped and pulled her hands away. She rubbed her wrists as she studied Ahsoka. The young girl's eyes were still closed and her head was bowed, turned slightly away as though ashamed. It took Padme back to all the times she'd seen Anakin reprimanding his young padawan, who would respond exactly as she was doing now.
Padme wrapped her arms around Ahsoka's shoulders and pulled her into a tight, familiar hug.
"Thank you Ahsoka," she whispered.
Ahsoka smiled into Padme's shoulder and returned the gesture. When they pulled apart, Ahsoka nodded in the direction of the collar.
"Same problem?" she asked.
Padme nodded.
As Ahsoka unlocked that too, Padme noticed Obi Wan and Rex getting out of the lift.
Rex gave her a welcoming smile as he went straight to the kitchen. Obi Wan, however, went straight to Padme. His keen eyes noticed the absence of both collar and cuffs, saw the objects beside Ahsoka but said nothing. He met Ahsoka's eyes briefly before nodding. Ahsoka stood up, squeezed Padme's hand once more before she too left the room.
"We need to get you off planet" Obi Wan said, taking Ahsoka's place.
Padme stood quickly.
"I'm not leaving without Anakin," she replied firmly.
Obi Wan didn't move. He just sighed and motioned for her to sit back down.
"Padme," he began.
"No, Ben, you didn't see him," she cut in. Her eyes were desperate, a single tear running down her cheek. "He was a broken man. He had no spirit left in him and he looked so lost! I couldn't help him. I was so helpless. I couldn't..."
She flopped back into the couch and curled into Obi Wan. He held her close as she cried. His cloak was getting wet but he didn't care. He loved Padme like a sister and seeing her so upset was killing him.
Padme's hands were clutching the front of his shirt and as she twisted them tighter, trying to relieve herself of the pain inside, Obi Wan made a decision. He would do anything – absolutely anything – to get her reunited with her husband and children.