Part 1
Plot: Instead of awakening from a nightmare of Padme's death, Anakin wakes up in Padme's body. And she wakes up in his. They're both hopelessly befuddled about what happened or what to do about it and explaining it to anyone would be far too complicated. But trying to play each other's roles is far from easy.
Author's Note: I know this is far more Anidala-centric than most of our fics. It's also very cracky. :)
This is a gift for Shin_Jam on ao3. ^-^
Enjoy! :D
~ Amina Gila
The first thing Anakin knows the moment he opens his eyes in Padme's bed – the first night that they've been able to spend with each other since before the Outer Rim Sieges – is that something is very wrong. It's not that he can sense it, either. It's that he can't.
The Force always burns around him, every sensation of life nearly overwhelming, even if he's gotten used to it overtime, but now, everything is just quiet. And his body feels wrong in more ways than he can even explain, but most especially the fact that he can sense the life growing inside of him.
Anakin twists to look down, stilling completely when he sees that he's lying in bed next to himself.
Yes.
Himself.
And the blue dress he's wearing looks suspiciously like Padme's. Anakin bolts upright, but the proportions are all wrong, and he feels suspiciously heavy in the wrong proportions, and –
It takes only a few moments of looking down at himself to realize what's going on, even if it makes absolutely no sense. He's in Padme's body. And he's now pregnant with their child. And his body is still quite alive next to him, but he has no idea if it's in a coma, or what happened to Padme, or –
Anakin closes his – Padme's? – eyes, breathing in and out for a few moments, silently willing the Force to swap them back. It would probably help if he could feel the Force properly in the first place. How do non-Force sensitives stand this?
He clambers out of bed awkwardly, stumbling out of the room to the front area with a fountain. He used to find water calming, and it would help a little more right now if he wasn't so confused, with absolutely no idea what to do. This doesn't make any sense. It's literally impossible. He can't just end up in someone's else body. That's –
He hears movement in the doorway and looks up to see... his body stepping into the room, moving very awkwardly like he – it – they – she? – isn't quite sure what's happening.
"Padme?" Anakin tries, after a moment of staring himself in the face. He winces at the sound of her voice speaking instead.
"Anakin," she realizes, and it sounds ridiculous in his voice, "What's happening?"
In fact, ridiculous enough that he suddenly feels the totally nonsensical, inexplicable urge to laugh. Because this is so downright ludicrous.
"I don't know." He stands a little unsteadily – how is he supposed to get used to this balance?! – but it's Padme who approaches, standing over him. It's been a long time since he's had to look up at people.
"I just woke up like this." She sounds the tiniest bit hysterical.
"Maybe we... ought to be sleeping," Anakin offers, flatly. Though, for some reason, he doesn't think that it would be that simple. If going back to sleep would fix this, it wouldn't have happened in the first place.
Padme lets out a not-quite laugh, and it's so unnerving when their voices are swapped. "I'm inclined to agree. And why is everything so... noisy? Like I can..."
"The Force. You're feeling the Force," he realizes. This is even weirder. "I grew used to it. You have to know how to block it out."
"I hope I won't have to learn," she replies, flatly.
That, he can entirely agree with. They cannot stay like this. He can't imagine not being able to feel the Force the way he always has, or – or any of the other complications this is going to cause.
"Isn't there anything you can do? Would the Jedi know something?" she presses.
"I have never heard of something even close to this nature before," Anakin objects. He wishes he could stop talking so he didn't have to hear Padme's voice instead of his own. "If there was, I'm certain I would have heard of it. But I could check –" He cuts himself off right there. "I can't, actually. I can't well go to the Temple, and you won't know you're way around."
Just when they needed things to get even more complicated.
"We have to do something," Padme says.
"People will realize," Anakin points out, considering the situation, "Telling them now may be simplest." For all that doing that will cast serious suspicions on the two of them, he's really past caring at this point. He wants to be free from everything, able to be with her like they dreamed at the beginning of the war, and just be, while raising their child.
"It would be too suspicious," she's already protesting, shaking her head, "Maybe by tomorrow it'll be undone. We'll... see what we can do. But for today, I think we should wait before telling anyone."
"You want me to go to the Senate in your stead?" he asks.
"Or Dorme could fill in, but I think you'd be fine..." She trails off, uncertainly. "Though I had some important meetings coming up."
"And I'm supposed to be a briefing within an hour." The sun is already rising.
"This really is getting more complicated," Padme says with a huff. It sounds ridiculous to hear his voice talking to him like this, and he's beginning to find it more and more funny than he has any right to. "But we can't tell anyone. Not unless this is going to last. I don't want anyone to know."
"Alright," Anakin concedes. He thinks it would be easier if they just admitted it, but frankly, he doesn't know how he would, either. And he's not even sure anyone would believe it. Not that they'd have much choice, but seriously...
The situation is so ridiculous, and he tries to imagine showing up to talk to Obi-Wan like "hey, Master, I'm not Padme, I'm actually Anakin. No, this is not a prank –" and can't help dissolving into laughter.
Except, it sounds like a giggle in Padme's voice, and then he can't stop giggling. Because honestly? What else can he even do?
"I really don't think this is funny," Padme says, but now, she sounds amused, too.
"Isn't it?" he asks, finally starting to calm down. "I'm you and you're me and if our child is born soon, I'm going to be the mother. How would we ever explain that to them?"
"We wouldn't have to."
"We would if we never switch back."
She practically shudders. "I can't believe that."
"I find it difficult to believe this happened to begin with." Anakin really has no idea when or if it'll be undone, even if he tentatively thinks it will be.
"I suppose I can think of one benefit," Padme muses, "You can't tickle attack me anymore."
He smirks. (It feels weird on her face.) "Really?"
"Yes. I'm the one twice your size now."
"I'd disprove your point," he retorts, "Except I'm not tickling myself."
Padme makes a face. "... Right. This is... going to be difficult."
Because Anakin can't imagine doing... anything... right now when he'll just be looking at himself. Absolutely not. "We should focus on preparing for the day if we're keeping this secret. You'll need Artoo to show you how to get to the briefing room, and everywhere else in the Temple."
"Is there anything I need to say in this briefing?" Padme asks, warily.
"Show outward interest, remember everything important they say and tell me what happened?" he advises.
"I suppose I should tell you to do the same thing," she replies, dryly, "But if you have to vote, I'm sure Dorme can help you with what I should pick. If you can't figure it out."
It really feels like breaking rules they shouldn't be to do that, but this was hardly his choice. And they'll have to make do with the situation as is.
"Good luck," Padme says, moving to stand next to him.
"You too," Anakin tells her, hesitating a moment before leaning closer to hug her. It feels ridiculous, though. Absolutely, positively ridiculous, especially when he feels his metal hand around his back.
"This is weird," Padme deadpans, first to pull away.
"Let's not do that again right now," he agrees, even if there's a part of him that's feeling overly... snuggly right now. Does it have anything to do with hormones and the fact that he's about to give birth?
Yes, okay, he really hopes this is going to be swapped back the next morning.
**w**
Padme's slightly embarrassed to admit it takes her so long to navigate through the Temple halls, even with Artoo leading her. To be fair, she's having a hard time moving in this body in the first place. She's not used to being so ridiculously tall, and while she's used to being exhausted, she just feels so... worn out, like she hasn't slept much in a long time. Given that this is Anakin's body, and he's been on the front lines for so long, it's not really surprising.
Not to mention that her mechanical arm feels so strange and lifeless and not being able to feel any sensation there at all is driving her crazy – how does Anakin stand it? She never truly thought what that would be like, until now.
What would Sabe stay if she found out about this? Or even her parents? And it's weird to not be... carrying her child. She really, really hopes that they get swapped back by tomorrow. The plainness of the robes is driving her crazy, too, and she can't imagine constantly wearing the same boring, black pair of clothes. Even if that's a very minor concern in the whole scheme of things.
And she keeps thinking that she'll need to pick a hairstyle for the day, only to reach up and feel how incredibly short it is.
By the time she reaches the briefing, it's already over. That... is bad. How is she going to update Anakin on anything now?
"You're late," Master Kenobi greets shortly. The sharpness catches her by surprise. He's always... polite when talking to her. But he doesn't think he's talking to her right now.
Maybe it shouldn't take her by surprise so much when she's perfectly acquainted with using a more annoyed tone on someone that she's closer with than she normally would in public – like mainly when her first set of handmaids were fooling around a little too much – if she's... very stressed by something, but she still didn't quite expect it. "I was occupied," Padme replies hastily. She's already taking too long to answer.
It's also beyond weird to be looking down at him instead of up.
Obi-Wan gives her a look. "You are well aware you were expected to be here."
It's weird how she can practically feel the life around her – she never knew such a sensation was possible. And it keeps distracting her, even though she has no idea what she's really doing when it comes to sensing things with the Force. "I should have been," she agrees, "Can you give me a rundown of the situation?"
He still looks seriously displeased. "In short, they are going very well. Saleucami has fallen, and Master Vos has moved his troops to Boz Pity. And the Chancellor is asking to see you."
Oh.
Oh no.
She knows Anakin is close with Palpatine, and she is very much not feeling favorable towards him right now, given all the power he's amassing. She has no idea how to act like Anakin around him. "About what?"
"He didn't say," Obi-Wan sounds very grumpy. She's never seen this side of him before, for all that Anakin talks about it.
"Then is it necessary for me to go right now?" Maybe it can wait.
He raises an eyebrow. "I would say no for how unusual this is, but he said it was urgent."
She can't help deflating a little. "I'll stop by there, then."
He's still eyeing her. "Be wary of him."
The words catch her slightly by surprise, even if she entirely agrees. "Why?" she asks, just to... see what he'll have to say to that.
"All of this is unusual, and it's making me feel uneasy," he replies, shortly.
What would Anakin say to that? She frankly has no idea. "I don't know what to think of it, either," she replies, "No one should have this amount of power."
"I've never heard you express concerns about that before," Obi-Wan says, bluntly.
Clearly, she is... not succeeding at acting as Anakin. At all. It's a sharp reminder of how, at the end of the day, they really don't know each other that well. That's part of why she's looking forward to a little time away from everything, to start raising their child. They can actually learn what it's like to truly be married.
"I never had a... reason to think about it until... getting back to Coruscant and seeing the difference. I should be going." She practically flees, trying not to trip over her own two feet.
Although, playing along and pretending she actually knows what Anakin and Palpatine's relationship is like will be a lot harder.
**w**
Padme already explained the situation to Dorme before leaving, but that doesn't make it any less awkward now that she and Anakin are here alone. He doesn't know her, and she's Padme's handmaid.
"Would you... like help with your hair?" Dorme asks, eyeing the... probably mess.
Anakin twitches, reaching up to smooth it back again. He could care less what he looks like, but he doesn't want to ruin Padme's public image. "Is that necessary?"
"It's probably passable," she concedes. He doubts she'd find that offer any more comfortable than he does.
As is, he already picked the least fancy and un-revealing dress that he could find. Especially now that he's the one in the clothes, he doesn't know how Padme can tolerate wearing things like that. It would leave him feeling unbearably exposed and especially on Tatooine, that's... always a bad thing. You should always try to attract the least attention possible, not the most.
And maybe that's different on Coruscant and the rest of the galaxy, but he still doesn't understand it. At all.
"I should get you updated on her work," Dorme decides, finally. She gives Anakin a quick rundown on all the most recent bills that he'll have to be addressing, and Padme's opinions on them. It's a lot to remember so quickly, but he'll manage.
He's good at remembering random facts off the top of his head at this point. Has to be, when he goes to random planets all the time during the war, and he doesn't always have time to study about them the way he did when going on regular missions as a Jedi.
It still feels like hiding in plain sight when he heads to Padme's Senate pod and has to sit in session for several hours voting on things.
Most of which he... gets why they're important, but the amount of arguing seems unnecessary sometimes. Even if, sometimes, it really is up in the air about what's actually right. Fighting on the fronts where he can actually see that he's helping people is a lot easier in that regard.
It goes pretty smoothly, all things considered, until he checks the appointment list Dorme gave him for the day, to see that he's expected in Bail's office. And this isn't even something she knows what they'll be meeting about, so she never had time to tell Anakin, and he doesn't have time to call Padme right now either.
All he can do is go, and hope this will go over smoothly.
Senator Organa, Mothma, and a number of others are there – he doesn't recognize everyone, but that there's a lot of people here hopefully means he won't stand out quite as much. He's good at acting, but this is going to be tricky.
It is driving him crazy that he can hardly sense them. He's so accustomed to always feeling everyone around him, sensing their shifts in emotions, and what their intentions are.
"We all know what we're here to discuss," Bail begins. So Anakin's the only one who doesn't. That's... bad.
"I thought the war might be over with Dooku dealt with, but no," Mothma replies, frustratedly.
"The Separatists will never stop attacking so long as Grievous is out there," Anakin points out. He gets being upset that the war isn't over yet, but he doesn't think that's entirely what they're getting at here.
"I know, but I am concerned with how much more power Palpatine will seize until that's over. Now that he has control of the Jedi Council, he's appointed Governors to oversee all star systems in the Republic."
So this is about Palpatine? He knew there was a lot of tension between him and the Council, but with Senators, too? With Padme? Anakin just... doesn't understand.
"When did this happen?" one of the others demands, bristling.
"The decree was posted this morning," Bail replies, grimly.
"He's trying to keep the Republic together," Anakin interjects. He doesn't know that Padme would actually be disputing this, but he has to say something about it, because he just doesn't understand why everyone's so upset with Palpatine. Even if now that he's here and listening to what they're saying, he can... understand the massiveness of some of the changes. But with all the fighting he saw in the Senate, making faster decisions seems far more effective. Even if there's obviously a question of the powers being misused, but Palpatine wouldn't do that.
"Perhaps, but one has to question where those motivations end," Mothma replies, bitterly, "As a practical matter, the Senate no longer exists."
Anakin can't well dispute that, when he has no idea what the Senate used to be like. But he can already see they don't have much say in anything important anymore.
"We can't let a thousand years of democracy disappear without a fight," Bail asserts determinedly, and a chill suddenly snakes through him. It reminds him of what the Separatist Senators say all the time, and even if they definitely have good points in what they say, that doesn't mean he can't approve of what they've done because of it.
"What are you saying?" Anakin asks. Some of the other Senators are also exchanging uneasy glances, which... helps a little.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to sound like a Separatist," he assures.
"We are not Separatists trying to leave the Republic," Mothma speaks up, "We are loyalists trying to preserve democracy in the Republic."
It's strange to even think about speaking his mind like this, to people who are important. He... never does that, no matter how much he disagrees with what they do sometimes. But he doesn't know that he can stay silent,either, when they're discussing something this important. And it's admittedly significantly easier to talk to them than it is to the Jedi Council. At least they haven't shut him down time and time again.
And somehow, it makes it easier that everyone who looks at him thinks he's someone else.
He doesn't want to risk affecting Padme's relationships with anyone, so he also needs to be careful, but the points he needs to make are... things he knows she's seen, too.
"The entire system is... not operating the way it is intended to, in theory. If it ever has, it has not for decades," Anakin points out, "The interests of the people were constantly overlooked, even when the Senate was fully in control."
"There is no doubt of that," Mothma agrees, "And the Chancellor has played the Senators well. They know where the power lies, and they will do whatever it takes to share it. Palpatine has become a dictator, and we have helped him to do it."
It constantly circles back to that, and he doesn't like how they're talking about Palpatine. It makes him feel increasingly uncomfortable to even think about his friend doing something like this. (But they aren't entirely wrong now that he's actually in the situation enough to see it. He... he should look into it more later.) He might've objected to what Mothma said, but... it's hard to keep expressing his opinion like that when none of the others really agree. He's not used to doing that. Never has been.
"We can't sit around debating any longer. We have decided to do what we can to stop it," Bail begins.
What... does that mean? They're Senators,so they have the right to do it, but he's still uncertain what they're implying.
"We can't speak of this to anyone else," Mothma cautions, "No one, not even family."
Anakin nods.
That, he can understand, because of the sensitivity of the topic. He'll obviously have to discuss it with the real Padme later, though.
But to start with, he has to try looking into this a little more himself.
**w**
Padme's still feeling nervous when she finally reaches Palpatine's office. He and Anakin are friends – they don't just have a professional relationship, and she has no idea how she's going to play that. But she's definitely not letting him, of all people, find out what's really going on.
"Anakin, I'm so glad you were able to make it," Palpatine greets, warmly.
She just nods.
"I must congratulate you again on your success on the Invisible Hand, in landing it and defeating Dooku," he goes on. "You did there what no one else could."
Wait, Anakin's the one who personally defeated Dooku? That... is impressive.
"Thank you, Chancellor," she offers. It's probably best they get down to business now, though, so nothing gets too personal. "The Council said you wanted to speak with me on something critical?"
He paces over to the window, overlooking Coruscant. She pauses a moment before following, standing several paces away. Generally, when she meets with him, they just stay at his desk and talk. "Yes," Palpatine muses finally, studying her for a long moment.
She holds his gaze, refusing to let her nervousness show outwardly, no matter how squeamish she feels over not being in her own body.
It feels like he's staring at her for far too long, before he starts talking. "This afternoon, the Senate is calling on me to take direct control of the Jedi Council."
"What?" Padme demands. He's taking more power? "Why would they not continue reporting to the Senate?"
"I'm sure you have seen that the Senate is too unfocused to conduct a war. If they report to me, it will bring things to a quick end."
"With all due respect, Chancellor," she replies, "I don't believe the constitution should undergo any further adjustments, especially in times like these." What would Anakin normally say? Probably not this, but she's only realizing now how little she actually knows about his life, and that makes it nigh impossible to act like him.
He eyes her, contemplatively. "I know you have seen how ineffective the Senate is in dealing with these matters, Anakin," he begins, an almost chiding note in his voice, even if he's talking gently, "This war must be won, and in times like these, steps must be taken in the name of security."
And Padme knows she's supposed to be playing her role so no one suspects anything, but she can't stay quiet about this either. Even if she has to tone down what she might normally say. "I still feel a step this great is unnecessary."
"It's the Senate's choice," Palpatine replies, "And I must tell you, Anakin, that there is more going on than most have seen."
She frowns. (The gesture feels weird when her face is different. Her hair feels weird, too, and it's driving her crazy.) "What do you mean?"
"I've known you since you were a small boy. I have advised you over the years when I could," he replies, seriously, "I hope you trust me, Anakin."
What's this about? She... doesn't have a good feeling about it. "What is it?"
"I need your help, son," he replies, momentarily touching her shoulder.
Son?
They're... close enough he calls him that?
"With what?" Is she missing something? She wasn't aware there was anything this serious happening, that Palpatine would take it to Anakin.
"I fear the Jedi," he answers, bluntly, and she blinks in confusion. What? "The Council keeps pushing for more control. They're shrouded in secrecy and obsessed with maintaining their autonomy and ideals. I find this simply incomprehensible in a democracy."
"I... haven't noticed them taking any action they don't have the right to take, as prime leaders in the war," she objects, because she hasn't. Well, they have a lot more control and power than they used to, but it's Palpatine's power that really concerns her right now. "I know they're dedicated to serving the Republic."
"Nevertheless, their actions will speak more loudly than their works. I'm depending on you." He looks entirely genuine, and she wonders, for a moment, if there actually is something here that she's entirely missed. She can't imagine what, and yet...
"Depending on me for what?" she asks, uncertainly.
"To be the eyes, ears, and voice of the Republic," he replies, "I'm appointing you to be my personal representative on the Jedi Council."
Padme blinks.
What?!
This is not good. She's about to be appointed to the Council?! She'd be happy for Anakin if he got the appointment, but she's the one getting it, not him. "I thought the Council made those choices," Padme argues, then mentally kicks herself.
She better know the Council makes those choices! What was she even thinking? Well, backtracking would only make it more suspicious.
If Palpatine noticed, he doesn't say anything. "They will accept it this time," he assures, "They need you more than you know."
Do they?
She can't entirely tell if that's a compliment or if it's intended as something ominous. Either way, she'll find out far too soon. She doesn't even know her way properly through the Temple.
Force.
This is getting harder and harder with each passing moment, and this is a crucial moment for the Republic; they don't have time for this.
**w**
Going to work in Padme's office is strange, but Anakin doesn't have time to worry about that right now, even if it's jarring to keep seeing hands much too small whenever he reaches for something. But what matters now is that he needs answers. He needs to know if the Senators are right.
And so, he... starts by looking over all the recent powers that Palpatine has been given and looking over the executive directives that he's passed since.
On the surface, everything looks like it's intended for bringing the war to a close, but now that Anakin's actually looking at it, some of the control he's taken don't really... sound like things he would actually need. Even if it's things the Senate was still willing to give him.
He's good at playing the Senators, Bail had said, and Anakin does not want to believe that could be true. It feels wrong to even be questioning Palpatine like this, after everything he's done for Anakin, but he has to know what's going on.
Of course, he also knows how someone trying to do what's best could... Start going a little too far, even if they don't have any negative intentions. So far, that's really what he's seeing, the deeper he digs.
The first thing that actually catches his attention is when he gets to some of the information about the banks. What he's able to see is relatively limited, because most of it is confidential, but the numbers aren't really adding up.
And dealing with numbers and keeping track of them is something he's had to do constantly, both when helping Watto with his shop and when he's a General in charge of entire Star Destroyers. And these numbers do not make sense.
Maybe it's also an inkling in the Force, that something about the supposed expenses isn't right. But he can't look any deeper into that without running into a bunch of classified files.
If he's playing as Padme, he has to do his best, and he can't just... settle for not knowing something like this. And technically, Jedi are allowed to break most laws of the Republic if it's for the Republic in the end – exceptions for them because of their position – so finally, making sure no one will be able to trace it back to him, he settles for trying to splice into the confidential files.
It takes time to get through all the firewalls surrounding everything, but he keeps working on it, and finally,he's able to break through.
Which... means a couple more hours of analyzing numbers.
And the deeper he looks, the more he realizes something is very wrong. The funds that are supposedly going to Kamino are not. A bunch have been sent away to something else, some other project with names that he's never heard of before. But any further details are classified, and when he breaks into the system for information about them, there's nothing there.
It's not even on record.
And it amounts to a lot of credits missing, and Palpatine is supposed to be directly in charge of this. Yes, he's busy with countless things, but there's no way he couldn't notice something like this happening. He's not incompetent. He's probably one of the best Chancellor's they've ever had in that regard. He doesn't just not notice things, and a sinking feeling settles inside Anakin as he stares at the numbers.
That means... Palpatine must be doing something. Has to be, but he can't imagine what. And Anakin doesn't want to think about him misusing Republic money, but he must be. There's no other explanation for what he sees in front of him. It's millions of credits. Not just a few.
He has to take this to someone, because now that it's starting to sink in, he can see how his other powers are being used to hide this. No one can question it.
Anakin still doesn't believe Palpatine's doing this for his own gain, but that doesn't mean he... can't be doing the wrong thing for the right reason, and it's still something they have to stop. Somehow. He'd confront him about it directly, but he can't talk to anyone about this.
Except the other Senators. Maybe speaking with Bail and the real Padme would be the best place to start.
Something shifts inside of him, suddenly, which finally jolts him out of his mind, back to present. Right, it's their... child. He can't feel the Force anything like the way he used to and it's driving him crazy, but now that he's actually focusing on the tiny Force presence inside of him, he's almost certain he feels two.
They can't seriously be having twins, can they?
He... better wait to say anything for sure until after he's back in his own body – that's going to happen, right? He doesn't want to be essentially stripped of the Force for the rest of his life, not to mention all the other complications this will cause.
It – it's always what made him important. He was only allowed to become a Jedi because of his strength in the Force. That's what always made him worth something. He can't just have that gone. That would be...
There's no use brooding over it, because there's nothing that he can do to change it right now, but he can't help worrying anyway.
Although, he probably should eat. It's... long past early afternoon now and if it were just him, he wouldn't even take the time to worry about it when he's so busy, but this is the health of his child to be worried about, too.
Also, he's in Padme's body, and he at least ought to... take care of it.
**w**
Padme just puts on her perfect Senator expression as she stands in the center of the Council room, pretending she's not unbearably out of place here.
"Allow this appointment lightly, the Council does not," Yoda says. He feels unhappy. They all do, actually. Padme can hardly say how she even knows that. She just... does. So this is what it's like to have the Force, even if she's only half sure what she's doing. Mostly, she just finds it overwhelming more than enthralling. "Disturbing is this move by the Chancellor."
"I know," she replies, evenly. It doesn't make sense to her, either. She's surprised they agreed.
"You are on this Council, but we do not grant you the rank of Master," Windu goes on.
What? She... thought that was a given. Not that she knows everything about how the Jedi work, but she should probably clarify so she can properly update Anakin on what's happening. "Why not?" Padme asks, "I thought only Masters could be on the Council."
Windu practically glares at her.
... What? She just... asked a question?
"Your appointment to the Council is not a normal appointment," he replies, icily, "Take a seat, young Skywalker."
Yes, she gets that, but why is he being so rude about it? She doesn't know enough to argue, so she moves to her seat and opts to remain silent, but she can't help thinking about the occasional times Anakin's complained about Obi-Wan or the Council, and... Maybe there's a little more to it than she actually paid attention to.
The remainder of the Council meeting goes mostly over her head, but she tries to remember what she can, so she can repeat it to Anakin later.
She makes a beeline out the door the moment she's free, but barely makes it halfway down the hall before she hears Obi-Wan calling.
"Anakin!"
It takes a few moments to register that it's her he's talking to. "Yes?" she asks, a little irked, turning back. She doesn't want to get drawn into a conversation that she'll never be able to act properly in. "Do you need something?"
Obi-Wan seems a little put off by the question, annoyed maybe, though he doesn't comment. "You know the Council didn't approve this appointment lightly."
"They already made that apparent," she replies. What's his point? "But I still don't understand how An – I can... be on the Council if I'm not a master."
"It's not an ordinary appointment," he replies, evenly, "The only reasons the Council approved this appointment is because the Chancellor trusts you."
Padme frowns. "Meaning?" He's obviously getting at something.
He sighs, glancing away briefly. "I didn't want you put in this situation."
"What situation?"
"The Council wants you to report on all of the Chancellor's dealings. They want to know what he's up to."
It takes a moment for his full intent to register. They want her to spy on him. "You're asking me to commit espionage?" she asks, incredulously.
"We are at war, Anakin," Obi-Wan replies, evenly.
"That doesn't mean this is legal. Have you thought through what this could mean?" Even if she'd very much like more information on Palpatine, too. Something's not right about him, but that doesn't mean breaking the law to get it is right. Besides, it's stupidly risky. Maybe Anakin could complete the mission without getting caught, but she can't say the same about herself, and they have no way of knowing when they'll get swapped back. She doesn't know that this is a mission she can really accept.
Obi-Wan gives her a hard look. "You're closer to him than anyone. If anyone could find out what his true intentions are, it would be you. He's managed to stay in office long after his term has expired."
"That's true," she concedes, grudgingly, "I'll see what I can do."
"We need this information, Anakin," he says, seriously, "If the Chancellor is plotting treason..."
"I know," she replies, turning to go. She'll see what she can do, without outright committing treason. It's still not legal, and she's not going to endanger Anakin like that. She can understand the Council asking him something this dangerous, given his status, but that doesn't mean she wants him to be in this kind of situation. It's dangerous.
And she still remembers far too clearly what happened with Ahsoka.
**w**
It's late afternoon when Padme finally shows up back at her apartment, where Anakin is still working. He's still going through everything he can find on Palpatine and it's only looking more incriminating, the further he looks.
Pretty much all the power is centered under him, and Anakin can't say that he's actually using it to better the Republic the way Anakin's always heard.
"How did feigning to be me go?" Anakin asks, when he sees himself step in.
Padme huffs out a breath. "Could have gone worse."
"What happened?"
"I nearly got lost trying to find my way around, but Artoo helped with that," she replies, crossing the room to settle on the couch next to him, though... keeping a small distance, probably because of how awkward the situation is. "I should update you on the briefing, but I can't say how much I remember accurately."
"That's alright," Anakin assures, though he would have much preferred to be there in person, "I can read the report." Add that to the list of things he'll have to do tonight, along with finishing this analysis of Padme's papers, though he certainly can't blame her for not remembering anything from the briefing.
"And there's something else you should know," she goes on, after a pause long enough that makes him think something's... up. He doesn't need the Force to read that on her face. "You were... appointed to the Council."
Anakin stills, the full meaning of the words sinking in. "What?"
"You're Palpatine's representative. That's what he wanted."
Of all the – That's not what Anakin expected to hear. Palpatine wanted him to...? He needs to know why, and he can't believe the Council ever agreed to that. Why would they agree to that? They've always... As much as it hurts, they've always treated him as not one of them. It's often subtle, but he knows it's there, and he can't believe they'd put him on the Council because the Chancellor who they don't even get along with right now asked them to, unless there was another reason for it.
And for Palpatine to ask for something like this, that must mean he wants Anakin to do something for him. He must suspect something or – something, and it almost makes him feel a twinge of guilt over what he's been thinking towards him all day, because he knows Palpatine trusts him. But this doesn't change that the Chancellor is doing things he shouldn't be, and Anakin doesn't understand why. "Why did he want that?"
"He... implied that he doesn't trust the Council," she replies, "And the Council is asking that I report on his dealings – it's a classified mission that they didn't have on record."
Of course. So that's why they agreed to this. "That's treason," Anakin protests, instinctively, because it is. What he's doing now is questionable, too, but not quite the same. Still, he hates to admit that he can somewhat understand right now because something is wrong. But it doesn't change that the Jedi are still planning to commit treason, and it's totally against their own principles. The war is destroying the principles of the Republic, and now, he's beginning to think that extends not only to the Jedi but maybe even the Chancellor, too.
(That doesn't mean it doesn't sting, that they just want to use his friendship with Palpatine again, the way they have so frequently in the past.)
"I know," Padme agrees, "That's what I told them, but Obi-Wan didn't seem inclined to listen."
As if that isn't normal. He can't well imagine Obi-Wan speaking to her the way he so often speaks to him, but... That's not really what's important right now. He's always had his issues with his former master, but they're still... Obi-Wan still raised him, is important to him just as much Ahsoka and Padme, even if their relationship is often harder. (Even if he doesn't know what will happen once he leaves the Order.)
But the Republic is at stake right now, and that's what Anakin needs to focus on.
"Their concerns may not be entirely unfounded," he begins finally.
"What do you mean?" Padme asks, warily.
And so, he explains everything to her, about the meeting with Bail and the research that he's come across after that.
She's – more like his face – is looking increasingly shocked and upset. "I can't believe he would do this!" Padme exclaims finally, "I had questions about all the power he was amassing, but I never imagined it went this far. He's been one of my closest advisors since I first got into politics. I can't believe..."
"We don't know why he's doing it," Anakin reminds. He wants to believe that it's something good, but that he would do this at all hurts. Anakin trusted him, and something's wrong with what he's doing.
"We have to take this information to the Senate," she declares, firmly.
"I have been thinking about it already," he replies, slowly. This is her career, so she needs to agree with what he does. "Unless you would prefer something else, I will... take this to Senator Organa in the morning. He mentioned a bill requesting Palpatine to restore his powers. That... may be the best place to start." If what he's doing is genuine, he should be fairly receptive of that.
Tomorrow... tomorrow will answer that. Anakin's... not ready for that. He's always been loyal to the Republic, to strong and genuine leadership, after seeing what Tatooine was like. He can't forget all the places Palpatine took him to when he was younger, showing him how much the Senate was failing people, and how much Palpatine said he wanted to do to help people. He did help people sometimes, and from what Anakin saw, he was one of the only people who really tried. He needs to talk to him.
Anakin turns back to his paperwork, with Padme lingering next to him as they look over it, and he can't help realizing that this is the first time they've really... talked to each other in detail about their jobs, beyond the occasional complaints from Padme that he listened to whenever she wanted to talk. They've never really spent personal time with each other, not like this, even if this is more about the Republic than it is them. But it makes him realize just how little they truly know each other.
"There's something else I wanted to ask you," Padme interjects finally, looking up from the datapad. It's after dark now, the twilight sky shifting to darkness.
"What?" Her tone – his voice, ugh – is unusually serious.
"I know in the past you've mentioned that the Council... doesn't seem to treat you the same as everyone else."
... What? Why's she bringing that up now? He talked to her about it all the time, and she always told him he just needed to be patient, that they'd recognize his skill eventually. Or told him that it was often normal to get overlooked like that.
He'd stopped talking to her much about it because it just – Maybe she was right. Maybe he is just imagining it. Maybe he's just upset about things that he doesn't have the right to be. So why's she mentioning this now?
"Why do you ask?"
"They didn't make you a Jedi Master. I asked Windu why they didn't make you a Master, and he ignored me entirely." She frowns slightly. "I don't really understand the tension."
Anakin shouldn't be surprised to hear this, but that doesn't change the instinctive surge of bitterness. He can understand them not wanting him there at all, even if he has no idea what he's ever done to make them distrust him so much, but why are they breaking their own rules, as some way of reminding him that he doesn't belong there? That he's something – something lesser.
And he can't say he even minds the body swap for a moment, because he can't imagine sitting in his Council seat for hours, constantly thinking about how he doesn't belong here.
He's so tired of this, and he just wants to be away, to – to finally have a family, with Padme and his child. Children.
Force. He needs to tell her about that.
"I don't understand why either," Anakin replies, shaking his head, "It has always been that way. I did not belong as one of them. They do not let me forget that."
"I'm sure they'll realize in time that you're one of the best of them," she says, like she always does.
Maybe. It's not something he cares to be patient for anymore. "It doesn't matter. You were right that when this comes out, I will be thrown out. We will... be together without all the lies and deception, away from all this."
Padme nods, though she doesn't seem that happy. She's afraid of losing her career in the Senate, which he can entirely understand, but there's nothing they can do about it. Besides, she's also excited to raise the children, already has plans for it, so Anakin knows she... finds that more important, at least right now.
"Do you still want what our child is to be a surprise?" Anakin asks, changing the topic. He's so excited for this. He needs to stay to finish dealing with the Republic, but then he'll be more than happy to leave and raise his children.
"What do you mean?" Padme asks, warily.
"I sensed it."
"You can still do that? I... didn't know I could use the Force," she objects.
"Not strongly enough to be Force sensitive, but with training you could still listen to it passively. It was enough for me to... sense it." Though, how quiet the Force is, is driving him out of his mind, and he really hopes they're going to be switched back soon.
"Wait to surprise me," she decides, finally,
He can't help grinning, even if he feels a little bit bad about dumping a surprise that big on her, when they really aren't ready for it. "Alright."
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