A/N- I think there was a lot of shock in seeing Anakin disguised as Vader. Keep in mind the premise of this is to help the Rebels in the long run and was in the original version of this story. I did want to convey that he is using the dark side a bit more within the last chapter because he's been training with Maul and he's on the tip of the light and the dark. I wanted to explore this concept because we saw tidbits within AOTC, and the Clone Wars series of this. However I did also want to know the plot had to keep trucking along because I felt there are some underlying things going on, not just Padme' and Anakin's budding romance. On another note for something ligher, Heroic Delusions will be getting an update soon too! - GP

Chapter 24

Location: Jinn's Safehouse, Coruscant

Month 4 Day 14 Year 28 BBY

Sweat pours off of his shoulders and neck. The suit had taken a lot of stamina to use and stay in for as long as he had. Though this should only be the one time, it feels as if this isn't the last time- and only the first time. The adrenaline from the kill felt good through his veins. He hated to admit it but following the rules of the Rebellion had been tying him down and being able to use some of the techniques he had learned during his interrogations with Maul had paid off. He isn't a murderer but feels this death is just. How many Rebels had killed Imperial Officers to accomplish their missions? How many Imperial Officers tortured and killed the Rebels for their beliefs? They are at war with each other and every life matters. Every life that has been and will be taken will matter

He senses the anger and disappointment within their bonds as he enters the building. He is surprised to notice his father is not angry, but just disappointed with his actions. He swallows and Obi-Wan is on him like a rancor on a hunting mission.

" What part of not killing, did you not comprehend?" Obi-wan snaps. His control is gone and the usual calm-faced Jedi is ranked with fury. " You killed five people!"

Anakin eyes bore over to his father and his eyes are staring off into the distance. Silence. He has nothing to say as if Obi-Wan is the only one who will speak to him.

Anakin turns on his best friend, arguing, " What was I supposed to do? Walk right in and ask politely?"

Obi-wan hisses back, " It is not our way, Anakin. Jedi don't kill for enjoyment."

Anakin retorts, " You're telling me that those countless lives that will be saved from Imperial grasps aren't worth 5 people's lives?"

Obi-wan scolds, " No, you're going against orders from your commander and enjoying the kill. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it in the slightest."

Anakin narrows his eyes and snaps, " I went against orders to save lives- in war sacrifices have to be made."

Both Anakin and Obi-wan turn to him then. Anakin assures angrily, " I was doing what I thought was right. Why can't either of you see that I only wanted to help the Rebellion?"

Qui-gon orders, " I think you need to go back to the barracks and sleep off your anger. When we find out the outcome we'll speak on the matter more."

He storms off in a blaze of fury. Obi-Wan sighs and eyes his mentor. He suggests, " Do you think he'll be able to walk this line? Are you sure he'll be able to fight the darkness within himself? Because I am not too sure anymore."

Qui-gon stares back into the younger man's features. He sighs and murmurs, " Honestly I don't know Obi-Wan. I fear losing him to the darkness will tip the balance. But it is difficult for me to draw the lines of his commander and father. Perhaps I am no longer the best Jedi Master to be training him."

Obi-Wan shakes his head. " Anakin will always buck up against the rules. It is in his nature to do so. You are the only one who seems to be able to reason with him."

Qui-gon smiles slightly but there is weariness in his eyes. " Yes, but being a father is a different sort of connection than just being a mentor. I fear my own feelings of our relationship are clouding my own judgment."

Obi-wan nods, " Likewise. He is like my brother. We will just have to watch him and guide him as best as we can then."

Qui-gon nods silently and turns back to the datapad to begin his work.

Month 4 Day 14 Year 28 BBY

Location: Sabe's Residence, Coruscant

The sunlight blaring through the windows alerted her senses. She sighs leaning into the warm body next to her. Her head lays on his arm with her curls splashed in a muddy sweaty pattern- an indication of their actions the past few hours.

Padme' had been woken up perhaps two or three hours ago to the not-so-soundless footsteps of the man lying beside her. He had quietly snuck into her sister's apartment using the keypad and had come into her room and taken a course of action of pulling her to him without a word. He had been angry as she had sensed his fury through their bond, and there hadn't been any time to focus on where the anger was directed.

She rubs at the small bite mark on her neck. He hadn't been exactly sweet or gentle with her. But it hadn't mattered, she had needed him too. She had needed him to rock her rocky world after the day she had had at work.

His fingertips touch hers and their eyes meet for the first time in a few minutes since they had finished a third round of lovemaking. He pulls her hand away and uses the force to begin healing the mark. She smiles and whispers, " Leave it. It's a reminder of you."

His face is less frustrated now, and less serious. He forces a smile to his face and whispers, " Okay."

He says no more and begins to sit up without saying anything. He checks his comm. link and sighs. He hadn't slept at all and wanted to finish his conversation with Qui-gon, but he had class in an hour. He needed to shower and change his clothes which he had left at his and Obi-Wan's apartment. He uses the force to reach for his nightshirt on the floor where it had fallen. His fingers feel the soft black fabric between them as he feels the hand on his bare shoulder.

" I know you're angry and I'm here if you want to talk about it, " comes her sweet voice.

He does not look at her and tries to keep his mental shields up. What would she think of him if she knew the truth? He had taken upon himself a persona that by now or soon would be seen as a terrorist to the Inquisitors. It isn't a truth he wants to discuss with the woman he loves, whatever is between them has been going smoothly these past few weeks.

He turns to her and murmurs, " Thank you- I'm just angry about something that happened on duty last night. I'm sorry if it seems I'm pulling away- I just don't want to talk about it."

She nods clearly understanding it had something to do with his training as an Inquisitor. He didn't like to discuss with her what happened in the prisons or torture chambers. She kept the light side lit inside him and he needed her to be that light.

She leans forward and kisses his shoulder. He turns his head and kisses her cheek quickly sighing tiredly. His eyes reflect his exhaustive state- the countless nights without sleep are getting to him. She rubs his shoulder and questions, " When was the last time you slept more than an hour?"

He shrugs and complains, " Whenever Inquisitor Maul chooses to stop tormenting me with night shifts on top of classes at the Academy."

She squeezes his shoulder and murmurs, " If you are that exhausted then you should rest, Ani. You need your strength."

He smiles tiredly at her caring and says, " I have a class in an hour. What are you doing today?"

She tries to smile and hide the truth of her worry but chooses to go along with the change of subject. " I have to attend several meetings with Senator Clovis. He asked me to be his lead instead of Corde."

He leans forward kisses her lips and eyes the clock. " I wish you luck then."

She smiles and says, " You too. Please rest after class if you can, even for an hour, okay?"

He nods and suggests, " I'll try."

He pulls his shirt over his bare chest and pulls his loose-fitting pants up to his waist. He has a few minutes to squeeze in a quick shower, but food will have to wait.

She smiles and watches him leave her bedroom. Her expression falls after he leaves. She had sensed the darkness within his aura when he arrived- the anger hadn't been what she was used to feeling from him- it felt almost like he had pleasure in whatever task he had been given last night, and felt guilty for enjoying the kill.

Her alarm blares in her ears as she continues to stare up at the ceiling for a few more mere moments. She hadn't slept much the night before but had slept more than her lover had. Clearly, he is run down by exhaustion, she'd need to find a way to speak to Obi-wan about her concerns for him.

She sighs and slams her hand against the blaring alarm and sits up. Clearly, she needs a shower and smells of slick sweat after hours of actions earlier this morning.

After her shower, she eyes the Chrono near her bed. 600. She sighs, she has enjoyed her new position for the past few weeks, but she is exhausted. With Anakin waking her up so early and not going back to sleep, she'll need an extra cup of cafe' today. She eyes her sister who also is up watching the holo screen intently. Padme' watches as she slides a cup of cafe' across the counter to her and does not look back at her. Padme's eyes flicker to her gaze on the screen and what is so interesting on the holonet.

Blaring across the holo read: Terrorist blows up Imperial Shipyard Control Tower - 5 dead."

Padme' blinks as she listens to the newscast. " At midnight someone under the guise of donning a space suit attacked the Imperial Shipyard and port. They murdered five people, including stormtroopers and guards. Here is the footage released by the Imperial Office of the Inquisitors."

A monster donned in black, flings one of the Imperial guards like a rag doll across the room and into a corner. One guard's neck is snapped at a grotesque angle. The monster's eyes are black and you can hear one of the guards ask in fear, " Who are you?"

" Vader," The name snarls out of the figure's mask which distorts its voice.

Sabe shakes her head and says, " This is the worst event to happen in a while. I know the rebels are known for their terrorism, but they've never tried to attack here on Coruscant. They either are desperate or brave."

Padme' sips her cafe' in thought. She questions, " Perhaps it is not a rebel? Maybe this is some other life form that is taken on this persona."

Sabe' shrugs. " I don't know, but that thing is terrifying and did you see it use those powers like an Inquisitor?"

Padme's heart thuds in her chest. I'm just angry about something that happened on duty last night. I'm sorry if it seems I'm pulling away- I just don't want to talk about it."

Padme' blinks as his words repeat in her mind. He had come by at a rather unusual time. He had been furious about an event on his shift. Anakin can use the force. She had watched him force-choke Palo.

No, Anakin is no traitor. He joined the Imperial Navy! He wouldn't have chosen to join the Rebellion. He is no terrorist.

" So do you want to tell me what's going on between you and Ani?" Sabe says with a smirk, changing the subject as she's over the newscast.

Padme's face breaks from the screen and she turns a bit red. " Why would you think something is going on?"

Sabe' laughs and comments, " Oh I don't know- let me think." She pauses dramatically and places her finger on her chin.

" He came into the apartment at 2am, or was it your screaming coming from your bedroom?"

Padme' squeaks out, " I- well–"

Sabe' sips her cafe' and laughs harder. Padme's embarrassment cools slightly.

" All I have to say is it's about time."

Padme' smiles back and admits, "We're still figuring this out. I-'d appreciate it if you didn't mention this to anyone."

Sabe smirks and teases, " You mean you haven't dropped the news to Dorme'?"

Padme' narrows her eyes and shakes her head. " Not funny. Anakin and I will tell everyone once we've figured out for ourselves. We've only gone out once."

Sabe''s smirk widens. " What is there to work out? You both are attracted to one another and have seven years of friendship on your side. You don't need the second and third dates to get to know each other. Just date."

Padme' sighs and confesses, " I had feelings for him before we started this- whatever it is- it's just-" She pauses and murmurs, " I don't want to jump into a relationship with him suddenly."

Sabe' nods in understanding but points out, " Yes, except most people who don't want to be in a relationship with someone else, don't usually have sex with each other more than once. On top of the fact, you were a virgin before sleeping with him."

Padme' sips her cafe' again and murmurs, " You didn't think I slept with Palo?"

Sabe' shakes her head. " No, you didn't fully trust him. You trust Ani, which means you should just tell him how you feel and be with him. It doesn't have to be complicated."

" I'm terrified of being with him." She whispers.

Sabe' leans forward and asks, " Why do you feel that way?"

She bites her lip in silence. Did she really know?

Sabe' answers her. " Maybe you're afraid that you'll admit that you've been falling in love with him?"

More silence. Did she love him? Is she even willing to ponder on that statement when her mind had just been flung towards her best friend being this " vader" terrorist.

" I know I care deeply for him."

Sabe' nods and eyes the holo. " Stop being so terrified of love, it's the most wondrous thing in this galaxy. Besides- Father loves Anakin like a son. I'm the one who has to worry about him liking Obi-Wan."

Padme' swirls her cafe' in the cup. She's almost out and needs another, especially with her mind fixated on the terrorist. Perchance she is wrong- perhaps Anakin had only come to her apartment angry because he found out about the situation at the Imperial shipyard.

Yes, that is it. It would fit the time period.

Her mind nerves don't feel any sort of sense of relief as her mind does wander. She has noticed Anakin's aura at times has become darker in nature after he returns from his shifts and training from Inquisitor Maul. And Last night- Last night his aura had been black as night- and he had felt some guilt into what pleasure had been done.

He's angry at himself.

She blinks and tries to keep her fears at bay. Anakin hadn't been angry at someone- the anger she had sensed had been towards his own actions. She swallows hard trying to keep her nerves calm. No- Anakin isn't the terrorist. He wouldn't lie to me about being loyal to the Empire...

Or would he?

Her mind replays the doubt and she tries to squash it down. She knows she won't directly ask him if he's the terrorist- at least not yet... She'd wait until she had enough evidence to disprove her doubts or prove her thoughts...

To Be Continued