Chapter 26-Confessions

Summary: Alternate World: The Empire Prevails and the Jedi have all been in hiding for thirty years. Emperor Palpatine 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: Padme's Residence, Coruscant

Month 4 Day 18 Year 28 BBY

0700

Anakin yawns as he makes his way to the location Padme' had mentioned to him. He hadn't slept much the night prior as he had left the Inquisitor's building around midnight and by the time he had showered and laid down on Obi-wan's soft sofa- it was closer to two. His comm had woken him up. beeping furiously- even after he had shut it off multiple times to silence it. He had finally answered after the third missed call. Padme' had woken him up at the crack of dawn to meet him at this upper-sector residence. She had mentioned that she had something to show him. All he wanted her to show him is a nice warm bed to sleep off his exhaustion- watching footage for six hours had been the particular night shift he dreaded, but what else was he supposed to do? He has to be reliable and loyal to Maul. If Maul suspects a mole inside the Inquisitors just from one attack then he must stay secure and be careful when choosing when to bring out the persona of Vader. Maul is clever-sometimes too clever.

Anakin rings the panel and yawns. Padme' beautiful smile greets him. His tired eyes attempt to smile through his exhaustion and she frowns a bit at seeing how tired he is.

" Oh Ani- I didn't realize you had a late shift- if I had known-" He cuts her off by leaning down and kissing her gently on the lips.

He murmurs, " It's all right. Now, what do you want to show me?"

She pulls him by his arm into the apartment. Anakin blinks and notices the standard Imperial gray furniture. The apartment is larger than Sabe's in size. The main living area has the basic gray sofa, table and holoscreen. Anakin observes the kitchenette as well- it's its own room off the living area- combined with a dining area. The floor is more of the tile that he is accustomed to seeing at the Imperial Academy; black and gray with hints of Navy in every three or four square patterns. There is a hallway off to the left where it seems to have a two-bedroom area as well. They seem fairly large compared to Sabe's residence.

He shrugs as she questions, " Well, what do you think?"

" It needs a bit of color."

She laughs and comments, " Yes, it does."

His gaze flickers back to her and he inquires, " Exactly why are we here?"

She glances around and back into his tired blue eyes. She admits, " It's my new home."

Anakin blinks, his slow tired mind working not as he wishes it would. He asks, " Your new home? Has Sabe' decided to rent a larger place?"

Padme' shakes her brown curls and laughs. " You are tired. Ani- I'm staying. Rush offered me a full aid position."

His mind reels at her words. She's staying? She's staying! Force-

Padme' senses his surprise and giggles again. She cups his cheek and says, " I'm staying and there's something else."

Anakin laughs with her and murmurs, " Nothing else matters, you're staying."

She shakes her head and whispers, " Yes- it matters- Ani- I want to be with you."

Anakin cups her face and whispers back, " P, we're together now."

She laughs quietly and confesses, " No, I'm in love with you. I want to be in a relationship with you."

His eyes soften and he kisses her lips. " P-"

She shushes him and murmurs, " I know, you don't have to say it back."

He shakes his head and murmurs, " I love you too."

She kisses him and then suggests, " Now- why don't we try out my new bed?"

Anakin moans and kisses her, admitting, " Under normal circumstances, I'd take you up on your offer, but I'm exhausted."

She giggles and comments, " No- to actually sleep. C'mon let's go get comfortable."

He laughs as she leads the way to her new bedroom. The room is lacking in warmth and tones. The walls are white with the same gray nightstand, dresser and bed. The comforter is black and softer than the one Anakin has back at his bunk. He lands with a thud onto the soft mattress and sighs.

" This is definitely better than Obi-wan's couch."

He feels her body lying beside him. Her hand reaches for his and their fingers lace together. Anakin closes his eyes and drowns in the peace of her force signature and their bond. The light from her signature relaxes him completely. He snuggles into her hair as he has done to fall asleep on nights when they were children. He sighs, smelling the scent of her berry shampoo.

I wish every time I fall asleep it can be next to you.

Me too Ani. Just rest. I'll be here when you wake up.

The last thought Anakin has before falling asleep in his angel's arms is how much he loves her and never wants this to end.

Time: 1500 Hours

The continuous ringing of his com. link makes him let out a soft groan. He reaches down into his pocket and pulls it out. He blinks and sits up in Padme's soft bed. He notices the caller and creeps out of bed and down the hallway.

" Father?" His voice croaks out.

His father's voice fills his ears. " Anakin, I know you are still angry at me- but I need to speak with you."

Anakin rubs his eyes and mumbles out half-asleep. " I- just woke up. What time is it?"

"3 pm, were you on the night shift last night?"

Anakin nods, and replies, " Yes, Maul had me scour over footage of everyone that was working the night of the terrorist attack. He thinks there is a mole within."

Qui-gon pauses in thought. He has to choose his words carefully in case anyone is around Anakin. He suggests, " Why don't you come to my residence in an hour? We can talk more about the situation."

" Can we make it two hours? I'm in the upper sector- at Padme's new residence and I need a shower."

Qui-gon smiles into his comm. link is thinking about his son's preferred companion. He has heard a lot about her and does not want to shove on Anakin that he desires to meet her officially.

" That's fine, you know- it would be nice for you to bring her for dinner sometime."

Anakin blinks at his offer and suggestion. He replies, " I'll have to ask her- it would be nice for you to meet her- but what as my boss? My father?"

Qui-gon hears the nervousness in his son's voice and replies, " It would probably be best as your friend for now."

Anakin sighs and mumbles, " Okay, I will see you soon."

He shuts off the call and then blinks back his sleepy eyes. He looks to his left and then senses her presence. Her mouth is agape and she's leaning against the doorway.

He freezes. How much had she heard? He hadn't been discussing rebelling matters, but had she heard him say..

" You found your father?" Padme' murmurs in awe.

Anakin mutters a huttese curse under his breath. She had heard him say that. Well- the truth is out now. He gestures for her to enter her bedroom, and they both sit on the bed. He desires to be more awake to provide her with the simplest explanation. Her force signature was muddled with questions and shock. He takes her hand and begins, " Yes- I have."

Padme's mouth is still agape as she inquires, " When? How?"

He chuckles upon hearing her questions. He explains, " Not long ago- he had his suspicions and matched his DNA to mine through blood work done."

She tilts her head and asks, " Who is he? I don't understand why you wouldn't tell me."

Anakin sighs and murmurs, " It's complicated- you're the only person I've told."

Padme shakes her head commenting, " It isn't complicated. Why the secrets?"

Anakin murmurs, " Padme- it's Admiral Jinn. He's my father."

Her brown eyes widened. Admiral Qui-gon Jinn is his father? His idol is his father?

" That explains why you've been spending so much time with him outside of the Academy," She adds.

" Exactly and why no one can know right now. He's one of my commanding officers."

Padme' nods in acceptance. She apologizes, " I was not trying to eavesdrop. I came to see if you wanted to grab some dinner tonight."

Anakin kisses her cheek and says, " I have to meet with Qui-gon first. We have to discuss-"

She finishes for him. " You have to discuss the terrorist attack that happened a few days ago. I get it- you can't share information."

Anakin squeezes her hand in his and whispers, " Yes, but how about I cook dinner for the two of us around 8?"

Padme's smile reaches her eyes and she accepts. He sighs and mutters, " Now, I need a shower and get going."

Padme' kisses his lips and says, " I will be waiting."

He touches his forehead to hers and gets off her bed, heading for the refresher.

Location: Qui-gon's Residence- Military Sector, Coruscant

Time:1700

Anakin leans in the leather white lounge chair he currently is perched in. He holds a glass of his favorite whisky which his father had poured them both. His father hadn't said much after he had arrived a few minutes ago. They both eye each other from the space of the two chairs and coffee table between them.

Anakin takes a sip of his whisky and apologizes, " I am sorry for walking out the other night. I was irrational."

Qui-gon's gray eyes flicker to his son and can sense his apology is sincere. He sighs and admits, " It is not the Jedi way- but you are a life form, we are imperfect compared to the force."

Anakin nods, sipping the whisky, feeling the burning sensation down his throat. " I don't know if I'll be Jedi material- Obi-wan was assertive. I did enjoy killing."

Qui-gon sips his whisky and then his eyes flicker back to his son's blue orbs. He did understand the enjoyment of a kill. In the years he had turned his back on the Jedi, he and Dooku had killed- killed for enjoyment- ordered to kill by the Emperor because they disobeyed them. He knows he will pay for his sins and the voices of his victims for the rest of his life. He hadn't wanted Anakin to know this as well. It isn't any event that any man wishes on their son.

" It isn't something you forget easily. It is sweet and the dark side of the force crushes your humanity- makes you feel invincible." His eyes are far away as if he's remembering his first sweet kill.

His eyes fall back onto Anakin and he says quietly. " The power is intoxicating. But the remorse you'll live with isn't worth it. I didn't want you to have blood on your hands- let alone know what a pure thrill it can be when killing for sport. You may see me as the hero- but I've killed countless people all in the name of the Empire- in the name of the Rebellion. It isn't something Obi-wan understands and he won't understand because he has never killed for enjoyment. He will always obey and try to save others."

Anakin sips his drink, his mind mauling over his father's words. " How do you live with the craving? It's intoxicating- the darkness."

Qui-gon nods in comprehension. " I don't let it control me. I surround myself with the light side of the force and accept what I've done and live with it."

Anakin swallows and murmurs, " I can't promise that at times it won't choke me. It feels so-"

Qui-gon finishes for him. " Good. To control it, you have to clear your mind and focus on something- anything that is more important than the dark side."

" Padme'. Every time I'm around her she's wrapped in the light side of the force. I'm at peace." Anakin says without having to think about his response.

Qui-gon sips his drinks and commands, " Good- then at the times you feel the darkness overtaking your humanity- think of her- her light- she's your humanity."

Anakin chuckles, commenting, " The Code forbids attachment and you're telling me to focus on my attachment."

" Fuck the Code. If she's the one person in your life worth keeping your humanity for, then do it." Qui-gon speaks very much unlike him.

Anakin chuckles at his cursing. " I will keep that in mind. Speaking of Padme'- she overheard our conversation today."

Qui-gon lifts an eyebrow in interest. " What did you tell her?"

Anakin rubs his hands through his blond waves. " I told her you're my father and that no one can know because you are my commanding officer."

Qui-gon nods, not surprised by his honesty. " Did she ask how you are involved with the terrorist event?"

" No, she understood it's Inquisitor business."

" Good- because the Council wants you to continue your efforts as your other persona."

Anakin finishes his glass of whisky. Is he hearing his father correctly? He stammers out, " Wait- the council wants me to-"

His father nods and sighs. " I don't agree with your methods, but they are satisfied with your blow to the Imperials. They were accepting of someone trying to help the actual soldiers of ours on the ground. You are the first who has trained under the Inquisitors who have been able to use the information gained during interrogations to be able to help our cause."

Anakin's grin appears on his features as his father warns him. " You will be given assignments at times and the council wants you to report any activity to me before choosing to act upon it unless it is dire. They felt in the circumstances that you acted accordingly. I disagree- you were messy."

Anakin shrugs. " I'm trying. Yes, it was a bit of a mess."

His father scolds him. " Anakin, if something had gone wrong you could have been killed or captured and our operations would have been discovered. You can't be messy, so unless it is a dire situation you need to discuss any missions with me first, understood? I don't want to bury you."

Anakin's grin is a bit smug. He says, " Fine, I'll try not to make a mess and I agree- we'll discuss unless there is a possible mission. For now- I should lay low because Maul is suspicious."

His father finishes his glass and uses the force to bring the whisky to him. He murmurs, " Good then. Now when do I get to meet her?"

Anakin's grin reappears on his features. " I know it is sudden but I'm supposed to have dinner with her tonight, would you like to come?"

Qui-gon smiles at his offer. He says, " I'd like that."

To Be Continued