A/N- Here is a longer update! As summer will be ending, the updates may slow down to twice a month due to school starting back up. Please follow or review if you would like to see this revision continued!

-GP

Chapter 13 - Lies and Comfort

Summary: Alternate World: The Empire Prevails and the Jedi have all been in hiding for thirty years. Emperor Palptaine searches for a way to live long past his dying body through cloning technology and his attempts at descendants. One of his " experiments" escapes and comes to live a slave's life on Naboo. He will meet and forever his destiny changed by the fateful meeting with none other than one young Naberrie girl…

Location: Theed, Naboo

Month 1 Day 5 Year 28 BBY

It's been an extremely long week. Every day has been torture not being able to write, comm, or send a live holo. Every day her heart aches from the every growing hole left from where he used to be. He's not even dead and I'm hurting this much.

No one has really noticed their cut of ties or at least Padme' believes this. Tonight had been the first time she had heard about Anakin's well being. Ruwee had mentioned his comm with Anakin earlier that day. He had only mentioned that his classes were going fine and that his dislocated shoulder was healed up. The shoulder you dislocated.

The guilt had seeped back into her, hearing those words. Anakin had told everyone that he had drunk too much and had fallen down the stairs by the balcony. No one overanalyzed the situation as it had been at the reception. No one had asked about Palo leaving suddenly either.

Palo rises to her mind as she peers out the bedroom window. Palo hadn't told anyone about the incident in the garage. In fact he hadn't spent a lot of time talking to her either. The only words he had spoken to her afterwards had been " I need some space."

She had taken that as he was done and had respected his space. She can understand his need for space too. Anakin had acted out of pure jealousy and rage. The rage had been surprisingly strong. She has improved on sensing others emotions through the force, but his emotions had been like a tidal wave. She hadn't been able to stop the suffocating darkness and jealousy emanating from her friend. Why had he been so jealous? That had been the most shocking revelation she had felt since their abrupt break of their friendship.

Does he have feelings for me?

Or was he afraid of losing my friendship to someone I was getting to know?

Her thoughts had reeled on this topic for the past few days. She desired to know the answer instead of assuming, but that would mean contacting her former friend, so she just keeps those thoughts to herself.

Clink

Clink

Clink

Padme's ears hear the soft clink of whatever has hit her window. She blinks as she sees nothing from her spot on her bed. She sighs and ignores the sound. It's probably just a swallow.

Clink

Clink

Clink

Irritated and finding it hard to concentrate on her datapad, she scoots off her bed. She shuffles to the balcony door and sees a figure outside on the balcony. She blinks back her shock to see those mixture of brown eyes staring her down. Those dark curls hide a portion of his face, and reach the nape of his olive neck.

" Palo?" She questions.

He reaches for her and takes her hands in his. His eyes shine in sorrow as if he yearns to apologize for their time apart. Moreover, she can feel his grief; his ache to be near her. It is genuine.

He takes a deep breath in and begins, " Padme', this last week without you has been dreadful. I thought being away from you would be easy and it hasn't. It made my heart ache to be near you."

He pauses his speech and cups her cheeks with the palms of his hands. She swallows hard, trying to keep her attention on him and not the dull ache she senses from him.

He continues, " My darling, I don't want to be without you anymore than needed. I love you and if you'd allow me another chance to set things right."

She bites her lip. She has missed him, missed kissing him and the feeling of his arms around her. The hurt creeps into her voice as she says, " Palo- I care for you too, but I thought when you said you needed space, you didn't want to see me again."

He shakes his head, keeping his hands pressed against her cheeks. " Darling Padme, I was angry at the situation. Your- friend tried to - well I'm not sure what he was trying to do. I was afraid you would choose to end things with me because of him."

She leads him to the bench on her balcony. She takes her hands in his and suggests, " As of right now, I am not speaking to Anakin for what he did to you. I don't know if I can forgive him for what he did. But I think we can give it another try."

Palo smiles and lays his lips on hers. She senses his cheer and tries to smile back. But all she can feel is the emptiness of her best friend's presence. And the loud voice in her head remembering that Palo had just admitted he loves her and she hadn't said it back… What in sith hells did that mean?

Location: Warehouse District, Coruscant

Month 1 Day 5 Year 28 BBY

The ride in the speeder is filled with silence. Qui-gon knew not what to say at this moment. He did not know how to begin the conversation he had to have with the young man. He had to tell Anakin the truth of his origins, and he should know his usage of the force is not destiny. That he has a choice to be a Jedi or a Sith.

As an Inquisitor, Qui-gon had felt the shift in his powers. He had used the dark side. He had chosen to try and use the light side of the force whenever possible. It had been a struggle for many years after being an Inquisitor to break the habits of the dark side, and Anakin needs to understand this- before his training starts.

Anakin stares out the window of the speeder. His eyes catch the bright lights of the sun above them. It had to be midafternoon by now. His mind circles back to his best friend, and the expression on her face when he been hurting Palo- all due to his jealousy.

" Anakin, you're killing him! Stop! Stop it now!" Padme's pleas from behind him.

No! Stay out of my head. I can't be friends with someone who will go out of their way to hurt another innocent human being!

The painful beating of his heart is a reminder of his loss, so many times he's wanted to com. her to beg for forgiveness and yet he hesitates to do so. She had made it clear that she was done. Had she really determined seven years of friendship should be over because he had slipped up and almost choked that asshat to death? Palo is an ass and changing his friend more than to his liking.

Ex-friend

Anakin does feel remorse for hurting the young man, but a part of him had liked the fear he had felt. The power had been so undeniable. He had never felt such a rush in his life, but at the cost of his friendship. Palo isn't " innocent", as Padme' had thought, but she had been right in the prospect that he hadn't wanted to harm her in any way. Palo hadn't really deserved to be force choked like he had.

And it costs you the person you love.

The ache in his chest continues to thud hard against his chest. He has realized in the days after he's returned home that he's fallen in love. He had fallen in love with his best friend over time without realizing it until it was too late.

" Love isn't always easy," murmurs Qui-gon, , as if creeping into his thoughts.

Anakin lets out a laugh and mutters bitterly, " Yes, it hurts like hell."

Qui-gon eyes the boy in the seat next to him. He senses the hurt and agony the boy feels at losing his first love. His compassion goes out to Anakin, but he needs to have focus and fuel and unfortunately focusing on his pain will do nothing short of leading him to the dark side.

" Love can lead us down unfamiliar paths of the force. It can surround us in the light or the fear and pain of losing someone you love can force us to use the dark side in ways we think are for saving the person we love. Love blinds us." Qui-gon murmurs through their silence.

Anakin nods in agreement. He asks, " How do I escape the fear and jealousy?"

Qui-gon shakes his head and murmurs, " Trust the force to guide you, meditate a lot on what you do have in your life. Meditate on letting go if there is nothing left to save."

Anakin soaks up his words and notices they are departing towards the edge of the city. The traffic is lessening and the creatures within their speeders seem to appear living a rougher form of life. With a few minutes, the city changes into the warehouse district and he asks, " Why are we in the warehouse district?"

Qui-gon does not turn his eyes onto Anakin. " There's something I wish for you to see."

He nods seemingly without asking any more questions. He trusts Qui-gon with his life. Qui-gon had saved his life and his mother's life. Moreover, he is his hero from the Clone Wars and has become his mentor. If Anakin's 12 year old self had known he would someday meet his hero, he'd be a wreck. Now as an almost 20 year old man, his delusions of grandeur have died. He knew Qui-gon as a mentor and a friend. At least he believes Qui-gon is a friend of his. Qui-gon never expressed his feelings on the matter, but it seemed to be an unspoken caring there as time has passed.

Anakin senses the speeder coming to a halt. They stop behind a large brown warehouse building in the heart of the warehouse district. Hardly anyone is around as it is near lunchtime and everyone would be on their lunch breaks. The two men step out of the speeder. Anakin follows his hero to the side of the building where he imprints his fingers into the pad. It scans and beeps quickly. The gusting swish of the door opens and Qui-gon gestures for Anakin to follow him.

The bright lights above them blind Anakin in the pitch blackness. He covers his eyes as the fixtures continue to glow directly into his eyes. He blinks and his eyes take in the large interior. There are large computer servers along the far walls. There's a long corridor to his left which seems to lead to a bedroom and refresher.

Anakin glances around the large console and questions, " What is this place?"

Qui-gon murmurs, " It is my safe house. I have used it to house many escapees from the Empire and for contacting the Rebellion."

Anakin leans against a chair nearby and questions, " Why are we here?"

Qui-gon replies, " I wanted to share this place with you. And I wished to speak to you where no one could overhear our conversation."

Anakin states flatly, " Why couldn't we speak at your residence? Obi-wan is trustworthy, is he not?"

Qui-gon takes his trifold hat off his head and rubs his hands through his hair. Anakin knows he had something he doesn't want to say. He always rubbed his hands through his hair out of concern. " Master?" He asks formally.

Qui-gon's gray eyes hold the youth's blue ones. " What I have to say to you cannot leave these walls and I want to speak to you about your future."

Anakin leans against the nearest control panel and crosses his arms. He gestures for Qui-gon to begin.

" Not long ago, I had a discussion about you with Inquisitor Maul." He begins.

Anakin's eyebrow lifts and his fist begins to form. " And?" His tone is sharp, not meaning to shine in the anger he has towards the Emperor's main henchman.

Qui-gon sighs, " I didn't want to put you in this position just yet, but Inquisitor Maul has requested you begin your training as an Inquisitor. He says you have the potential to be an excellent candidate for the job."

Anakin snaps, " And what if I refuse to work under a murderer?"

Master Jinn responded calmly, " Anakin we both knew this would happen and you cannot refuse unless you want to be discharged from the Imperial Navy for disobeying orders. This means you will forgo any insider training to help the rebellion and to help the Jedi cause."

Anakin shakes his head. " So you want me to walk the fine line between the worlds of dark and light? I don't think I am strong enough to do that. My friendship with my best friend has been ruined because of my anger."

Qui-gon places his hand on the boy's shoulder and questions, " What of it? Tell me."

Anakin sighs and relays the events during the reception. Qui-gon listens with interest and his perception. When he is finished he asks, " Is she the woman you've lost?"

Anakin's smile is soft and sad. His voice is bitter, " That's the irony- I've realized how deep my feelings are for her and I've lost her. I know it's not something a Jedi should want."

Qui-gon's grim expression tenses and his eyes express a far away look. He knew in a way what Anakin felt in choosing between someone you love and your personal feelings towards the Empire. He had never revealed to Anakin the full truth of how he could have changed his life for the better. He chose the greater good over love and family. At times he wishes he had chosen the path that had been offered to him- to see her brown eyes alive and loving. He determines this is a good sideway into why he brought Anakin out here- to reveal the truth.

" I do know of making choices between love and your duty Anakin. I- fell in love with a woman who I befriended in the labs here on Coruscant and she is the one who made me see I had to change the galaxy for the better. If I hadn't chosen to help her- I wouldn't have joined the Rebellion and the Jedi once more."

Anakin's eyes soften at the mention of his Master's own experiences of being a young soldier. He watches the older man as he continues, " She begged me to come with her and to forget the war, and to raise our child with her. I chose not to."

Anakin blinks when he relays those few words his childhood hero has said. Our child. Anakin's eyes widen as it dawns on him. The story is about his mother's escape. That means he's saying…

" You're my father?" Anakin blurts out, shock evident in his tone.

Qui-gon nods and pats the boy's shoulder. " Yes, I had a DNA test done recently to confirm it."

Anakin sinks into the control panel more and he shakes his head in disbelief. He questions, " Why didn't you tell me it was a possibility?"

Qui-gon shrugs and murmurs, " I did not want to overwhelm you at the beginning of your training, nor give you hope. Your mother was not sure of your conception date, as it had been during the times she had been experimented on."

Anakin swallows realizing that he could have been actually raised by his favorite Hero of the Clone Wars.

Anakin questions, " Why did you choose the galaxy over us then?"

Master Jinn stands to his feet and places his hands on both of Anakin's shoulders. " I knew the Emperor would not stop looking for us. Your mother would be dead and you were raised by the Emperor and all hope would be lost. I knew I had to choose to let you both go as much as I wanted to go and be with her."

Anakin whispers, " I miss her. I don't know if she ever was freed or dead. She and I were separated when I was 9 and I was sold to my former slave owner on Naboo. I understand your sacrifices and I thank you for them."

Qui-gon nods and adds, " Anakin, everything here will pass now to you when I am gone. You will inherit everything that is mine."

Anakin shakes his head and murmurs, " If you were to claim me as your son- the Emperor would know of your deception."

Qui-gon shakes his head in earnest. " No one will know until my will is revealed. Hopefully the Emperor is long gone before my death."

Anakin nods his heart and mind battling the odds of his newfound career. To be an Inquisitor and Jedi means to walk the line as a seesaw in the dark and light. He is fierce and strong, but the notion of falling into the blackness wears on him. To live a lie constantly- and to keep up with all the lies. Perhaps it isn't a terrible idea that Padme' has chosen to keep her distance. She doesn't deserve to be drawn into his lies and blackness.

You won't fail.

" I'm afraid I will," murmurs his son into the air.

Qui-gon clutches his son's shoulder and says, " I will make sure with every living breath still in my body to prepare you as best as I can."

Anakin listens to his father, but he can't keep his eyes from staring into the depths of the black holes of the suit's mask. The suit is large, probably over six feet in height and made of armor plating. Anakin takes a step over to where it stands like a soldier on the wall. His fingers touch the metal of the suit. His eyes stare back into the helmet's black soulless eyes. The suit has a breathing apparatus as well. It must be built for outdoor space walking. He touches the gloves of the monster staring him down. He cannot take his eyes off the suit.

Anakin replies simply back, "What was this suit used for?"

Qui-gon stands to his feet and draws closer to the young man with his back to him. He states clearly, " The suit was a prototype for usage outside of an Imperial Star Destroyer. It never made it past the prototype stage due to the cost of creating this kind of suit for the clones. It was more cost effective to create the suits that they wear now. If you like it, you can have it."

Anakin turns to his mentor and asks, " Qui-gon I never asked for-"

He stops Anakin dead in his tracks. " Anakin, if you can find a useful purpose for the suit, it's yours. It is collecting dust here."

His eyes turn back to the suit and he feels his soul lost within those souless eyes of the helmet. He can sense that he and this suit will become one- at some point and he's not sure when or why. He suggests, " I'll train in it for cardio purposes. The joints and such can be refitted for this purpose and it would be good to make sure I can fit in a suit such as this, if ever needed."

Qui-gon accepts his thoughts on that matter. He adds, " I brought you out here to show you where you and Obi-wan will be training from now on."

Anakin's head bobs with comprehension. His shoulders sag as he admits, " I'll take the assignment. But I won't promise to not fail. I've never been one to quit unless I've done everything I can."

Qui-gon pulls Anakin into his embrace for a hug. It is a bit awkward as they don't usually share physical personal space unless they are training together. Anakin eyes the suit and mentions, " Do you want to go a few rounds, Dad?"

Qui-gon cannot keep the grin off his face when hearing those words on his son's lips. He laughs and suggests, " You will beat your old man. But I suggest you wear the suit to give me a bit of an advantage."

Anakin agrees and begins disassembling the suit to put it on and to begin whatever journey he will face within this suit.

To Be Continued