Chapter 17

Naboo

Padmé had not been able to stop thinking about what Obi-wan had told her about Anakin. He's abandoned the name Vader - does that mean he has completely abandoned the Dark Side? And what medical procedure was he having? Does it have anything to do with his lungs? Has he managed to heal them? She was sorely tempted to contact him, but still hesitated. He's probably still recovering, anyway, she reflected.

"Padmé, are you sure you don't mind?" Dormé asked.

Padmé looked at her. "Sorry, what did you say?"

It was clear that Padmé had not been paying attention, and Dormé was quite sure why. But she had already voiced her opinion on the matter, and had decided to say no more.

"I asked if you didn't mind me going back to Theed," Dormé said. "My parents have been asking for nearly a week now, and.."

"Oh yes, of course," Padmé said. "Go, by all means."

"You're sure?" Dormé asked.

"Yes of course," Padmé said. "I can't expect you to put your life on hold indefinitely. Besides, the three of us have managed well all this time. We'll be fine."

Dormé nodded. "Please don't go back to him, Padmé," she said. "I know you once loved this man, but he's not the same, surely you see that."

Padmé smiled, her friend's consideration for her touching her. "Don't worry about any of that, okay?" she said. "I know how to take care of myself, surely you must know that."

Dormé smiled. "Yes, I know," she said.

"Come on," Padmé said. "I'll take you into Theed."

Star destroyer Devastator

"Another lap, Anakin," the nurse called, standing on the side of the pool.

"It's cold," Anakin called back. "This is torture."

The nurse laughed. "It's not cold," she said. "Keep moving!"

The medical team had designed a vigorous regimen of exercise and diet to increase his cardio-vascular strength. He was enjoying himself immensely.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" the nurse said, handing Anakin a towel.

"Do you really want me to answer that?" Anakin said, rubbing the towel over his arms.

"Looks like you're getting some hair back," the nurse commented.

Anakin rubbed the top of his head. "A little," he said, thinking wistfully of the unruly mane of wavy hair he'd once had. "I guess it's a start."

"Positive thoughts, remember?" she said.

Anakin nodded, getting the impression that he was being flirted with. He wasn't sure how he felt about it, for it had been a while since he'd been remotely attractive to women. But he was married, so her attention made him feel uneasy. Are we still married, Padmé? Or have you given up on us completely?

"Hungry?" the nurse asked as they left the recreational deck.

"Very, yes," he said.

"Then I'd say it's lunch time," said the nurse.

Anakin couldn't agree more.

Naberrie home

"What a wonderful surprise!" Jobal said as she hugged Padmé and then each of the twins.

"I was in Theed taking Dormé home, so I thought I'd pop in for a visit," Padmé said.

"You're staying for dinner," Jobal stated.

Padmé smiled. "Thanks, Mom," she said.

"And while you're here, why not stay overnight?" Jobal pressed.

Padmé laughed. "Okay, if you insist," she said.

"We do," Ruwee said as he walked into the room and hugged Padmé. He picked up the twins and hugged them while they giggled. "Let's go play," he said to them, and lead them into the back yard.

"Thanks Dad!" Padmé called.

"Oh you don't need to thank him," Jobal said. "He just adores those two."

"I can tell," Padmé said.

"Come on in the kitchen," Jobal said. "I just made a pot of tea."

"Sounds lovely," Padmé said, following her mother into the kitchen.

"So," Jobal said as they sat down with their tea. "How are things going?"

Padmé shrugged. "All right I guess," she said.

Jobal looked at her shrewdly. "I heard that you were on Coruscant," she said.

"How did you know that?" Padmé asked.

"We saw you on the holonet," Jobal said. "So did your husband."

Padmé frowned. "I don't understand," she said. "How would you know that?"

"He was here, Padmé," Jobal said. "He came here looking for you."

Padmé was shocked. "I...I had no idea," she said.

Jobal watched her. "What's going on between you two?" she asked. "Why didn't he know where you were?"

Padmé frowned, and looked down at her tea. "I didn't tell him where I was going," she said.

"He was pretty upset," Jobal said.

"Yes I know," Padmé said. "He came to Coruscant to confront me."

Jobal frowned. "That doesn't sound good," she said.

"It wasn't," Padmé said. "It was ugly, very ugly." She sighed and took a sip of her tea. "I haven't seen him since," she said.

"That was two months ago, Padmé," Jobal said. "Are you saying you haven't seen your husband in all that time?"

"No I haven't," Padmé said. "I asked him to give me some space. And he has."

"So the last time you saw him you had big fight?" Jobal said. "And that was how things were left? Padmé, that's not good at all," she said, shaking her head.

"He sent me a message to apologize," Padmé said. "I know he felt badly."

"Then why haven't you seen him? Why haven't you contacted him?" Jobal asked. "Are you planning on ending your marriage, Padmé?"

"I don't know," Padmé said. "I honestly don't know what the future holds. But I know that I have to see him soon, this can't continue indefinitely."

"You're right," Jobal said. "You need to settle things with him, one way or another. Living in this sort of limbo isn't good for you, for him, or, most especially, Luke and Leia."

"I know," Padmé said. "I was thinking of going to the ship to see him. Apparently he's had some sort of medical procedures," she said. "I'm not sure what that means."

"There's only one way to find out," Jobal said. "I'm not trying to tell you what to do," Jobal said. "But I'm worried about you, Padmé. I want you to be happy, you deserve to be happy. But right now, you're not happy, are you?"

Padmé looked at her mother and shook her head. "Not entirely, no," she said.

Jobal put her hand on Padmé's. "Then get this mess straightened up," she said. "Sooner rather than later. I know it's hard, love, but the longer you leave this to fester, the harder it will be."

"I know Mom," Padmé said, brushing aside an errant tear. "I just wish I knew what to do. I love him, I know that seems crazy, but I do. But I'm not sure I can accept what he's become, and what he's done."

Jobal nodded. "I completely understand that," she said. "But you're the only one who can figure it out, Padmé. You know that."

"Yes, I know," Padmé said.

Jobal smiled. "Come on," she said, standing up. "Help me set the table."

Star Destroyer Devastator

"Good evening, Chancellor Organa," Obi-Wan said as he sat before the computer screen in his quarters. "How are things in the capital?"

"Busy, very busy," Bail said. "But in a good way," he added. "Very exciting, actually. Never thought I'd be in this position."

Obi-Wan smiled. "We are living in interesting times," he said.

"Interesting, yes," Bail said. "There's a...situation, however, that I need to talk to you about."

"What manner of situation?" Obi-Wan asked.

"A man named Orson Krennic came into my office the other day," Bail said. "Apparently he is a part of the weapons development branch of the Imperial army," he said.

"Krennic you say?" Obi-Wan said, searching up the name on the data base. "Yes, I've found him," he said. "What did he want?"

"He has revealed to me that he has been involved in the development of a super weapon," Bail said. "A weapon that, if realized, could pose a serious threat to the peace of the galaxy."

Obi-Wan's eyebrows lowered. "What sort of weapon is this?" he said.

"He did not elaborate," Bail said. "All he said was that if we did not give him what he wants, the plans for this weapon will be realized and the galaxy will be under his control."

"Did you consider that he might be bluffing?" Obi-Wan said.

"Yes," Bail said. "But we have no way of knowing, and we simply can't take the risk. I need information, Obi-Wan. Can you help me?"

"I'm not sure that I can," Obi-Wan said. "If this is a weapon that has been developed in secret, then information may be difficult to locate."

Bail hesitated before saying what he wanted to say. "Do you think Vader would know anything?"

Obi-Wan was surprised by the question. "I couldn't say," Obi-Wan said. "And just so you know, he has abandoned the name Vader," he said. "He's using his birth name again."

Bail was shocked. "Is he?" he asked.

"Yes he is," Obi-Wan replied. "He has changed a great deal since you saw him last, Chancellor."

"That's good to hear," Organa said. "Do you think he would help us?" he asked, cutting to the chase at last.

"I don't know," Obi-Wan said. "Didn't you threaten to have him arrested the last time you saw each other?"

"Yes," Bail replied. "But that's when he was Darth Vader," he added.

Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "So you're saying you trust him now?" he asked. "Or do you just need him to get you the information you need?"

Bail frowned. "Considering all that he has done, it's the least he can do," he said.

Obi-Wan nodded, remaining calm despite how annoyed he was inside. "I will speak to Anakin as soon as possible and present your request to him," he said. "Unless you'd like to speak to him yourself."

"I will handle this," Bail said. "Thanks for your help."

"We live to serve," Obi-Wan said. The transmission ended, and Obi-Wan turned to Yoda, who had heard the whole conversation. "This does present a problem, doesn't it?"

Yoda nodded in agreement.