Obi-Wan entered the room, his gaze focused on Padme. A surge of concern and urgency coursed through him as he saw her standing beside who he believed to be Vader.
Obi-Wan: Padme, you must come with me. He is not who you think he is. He's dangerous.
Padme turned her gaze toward Obi-Wan, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions—sadness, surprise, and a hint of anger.
Padme: (firmly) You're wrong, Obi-Wan. He's changed. Anakin… he's back.
Obi-Wan's expression softened, but scepticism lingered in his eyes. His doubts clashed with Padme's conviction.
Meanwhile, a doctor entered the room, immediately noticing the armoured figure of Anakin.
Doctor: Ah, you're here for your treatment, Mr…?
Anakin, taken aback, hesitated for a moment, then gestured subtly to Padme and Obi-Wan.
Anakin: (trying to deflect) There must be some mistake. I'm not here for treatment.
Doctor: Nonsense! I received your case file. Come now, the coil burns must be attended to.
Anakin: (agitated) There's nothing to be done. Please, just leave us.
The doctor's insistence didn't waver. He began examining Anakin, oblivious to the distress building in the room.
Doctor: Coil burns are easily treatable. We'll get you into a bacta tank right away.
Anakin: (voice laden with sorrow) I don't have coil burns… I have lava burns. I can't… I can't breathe without the suit.
Padme, shocked and distressed by this revelation, was overwhelmed with emotions. She didn't understand…HOW… She turned to Anakin with tear-filled eyes.
Padme: Anakin… What happened? Why didn't you tell me?
Anakin: I couldn't… (choking up) I didn't want you to see me like this.
The doctor, now realizing the severity of Anakin's condition, became increasingly apprehensive. He also realizes with horror that he just barged in the room of the legendary former queen Amidala.
Doctor: I apologize your highness for not recognizing you and for barging in as I did.
Padme: (small smile) Please. I am not a queen anymore. What can be done for my husband?
Anakin felt a wave of happiness at Padme claim…in public, nonetheless.
Doctor: Oh…Ehm…Right…He should not be wearing that suit; it will worsen his condition.
Doctor: (turning to Anakin) You need proper treatment.
Anakin's eyes widened, a realisation dawning upon him.
Anakin (almost taking to himself): Palpatine never intended to heal me. He kept me in this… (gesturing to his suit), in pain, just to control me.
Turning to the doctor, he said.
Anakin: I cannot get into a bacta tank. I have prosthetics.
Doctor: We can manage. How many do you have?
Anakin: (embarrassed looking at Padme) …Four…
Padme: (yelling) FOUR!
She then turns burning furious eyes on Obi Wan who looked away.
The doctor seemingly oblivious to the tension says.
Doctor: All right. It's not an issue. The priority is to get you in a bacta tank rapidly to treat your burns and your lungs. The faster we intervene the more chance we have to reverse the damages. You may be able to breath on your own if we act fast.
Padme's touch on Anakin's mechanical hand was gentle, yet compelling. Her eyes conveyed an unspoken plea.
Padme: Please, Anakin. Let the doctor treat you.
Obi-Wan observed the exchange, astonished by the unexpected power Padme held over Anakin. Regret clouded his features as he acknowledged the depth of their connection.
Anakin (hesitant turns to the doctor): What can be done?
The doctor offered a new procedure, explaining the process of reattaching limbs grown from cloning Anakin's tissues samples.
Doctor: We've developed a new procedure where we regrow your limbs from sample tissues. They'll be your own, as if they were never lost. The whole process can be done within the next hours if we start now. However, you will need therapy and training for months to get used to them and regain your former strength. But you will be mobile at least within a day or two. You may need painkillers for a while the time for your body to acknowledge the new neuronal pathways.
Anakin glanced at Padme, seeking her guidance.
Padme: (with determination) Anakin, please do it. We'll get through this together.
Anakin then nodded his consent.
The doctor left immediately to make arrangements for a specialised medical chamber and a room for Anakin and Padme, who insisted they remain together.
Then, Padme turned her gaze toward Obi-Wan, her eyes holding a glacial edge.