Chapter 4: Important Women
Sitting in her office, Padmé watches the HoloNet and sees the story breakout. In her mind, she wishes she had Anakin's force abilities. That way she could annihilate Rush for what he's done to them.
"Rush, you son of a bitch." She curses when her handmaiden, Sabé walks in.
"Milady, you have some visitors." She says.
"Who is it?" Padmé asks, rubbing her temples.
"It's Senators Organa and Mothma, and Chancellor Palpatine." Sabé answers.
"There isn't any press with them is there?" Padmé asks.
"No, just the three of them." Sabé replies in a comforting tone.
"Let them in." Padmé says, and the three politicians enter her office.
"Padmé." Mon says in a concerned tone. "Are you okay?"
"Not really, Mon." Padmé replies.
"Well what happened?" Bail asks. "Did Clovis Doctor those images?"
"No." Padmé answers. "He just happened to make sure they were captured the right way, to make Anakin and himself look like victims of homophobia, and to vilify me."
"I've known Anakin for many years." Palpatine chimes in. "I never knew him to have those types of feelings."
"He doesn't have those feelings, Chancellor." Padmé corrects. "Clovis had a little too much wine, at least I think, and threw himself onto Anakin."
"Well then I feel very sorry for him." Palpatine says, feigning surprise. "Though knowing Anakin as well as I do, I'm surprised that Senator Clovis was able to walk away from that."
"I think Anakin was too shocked to really react." Padmé replies. "Besides, Anakin may have thought he was just drunk."
"I see… well-" Before Palpatine can finish, Anakin and Ahsoka walk into the office. "Anakin, my boy. Good to see you."
"Feelings mutual, Chancellor." Anakin bows to the Chancellor.
"Well it's good to have friends on your side." Palpatine says. "Especially in times like these."
"Indeed." Anakin says, uneasy knowing that the Chancellor is aware of the scandal. "I don't mean to sound rude, sir. But would you mind if-"
"Oh not at all, dear boy." Palpatine says, standing up to leave. "I completely understand why you're here. Perhaps we can talk at a later date."
"Of course, I'll be in touch." Anakin says bowing to the Chancellor. "Oh good see you two, as well." He says as Bail and Mon stand to leave with Palpatine. As soon as they all leave, Padmé breathes a sigh of relief.
"Oh, Angel." Anakin embraces Padmé with a kiss as he lifts her up. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes."
"Anakin, what are we gonna do?" Padmé asks, worried about the whole thing.
"It'll be okay." Anakin reassures her. "I've talked to the Jedi about all of this. They're not saying anything until we make a statement."
"Wait… we? Do they… know about us?" Padmé asks.
"Yes they do, but they're cool." Anakin explains. "But I wanted to know how you are. Has anyone come to harass you?"
"Nobody involved in the HoloNet has come to ask me anything." Padmé answers. "But do you remember what I told you about my old boyfriend, Palo?"
"Yeah why?" Anakin asks curiously.
"Well somebody published an article about him and me, pointing out that he now has a husband and lives in a villa near Canto Bight. It went on to insinuate that either I turn men gay, or that I force them to repress those feelings." Padmé explains. "I can show you if wa- oh… woah. Umm… Anakin?" Padmé shows the pair an article on her data pad.
Senator Rush Clovis Has Been Placed Under Arrest by 501st Battalion, the Battalion of General Anakin Skywalker. Clovis to Be Processed for: Assault, Harassment, and Trespassing.
"Good for Rex." Ahsoka says looking at the image of Rex detaining Clovis. "He gets what he deserves."
"What happened?" Padmé asked.
"Before we came here Rex said that Clovis was waiting for Anakin with the rest of the 501st. When we got there he was asking clones if any of them were gay for each other." Ahsoka explains as Padmé nearly vomits in her mouth.
"That's disgusting." Padmé comments. "The clones are brothers. What is the matter with him?"
"I don't know." Anakin says. "But what I do know is that I will be making a statement to the HoloNet soon, and I want you two with me. You are the most important people in my life and I don't want you under fire for fodder they might throw your way. If there are any objections, I recommend telling me now before I go out."
"My one question is will you be telling the public about our marriage?" Padmé asks.
"No, but we can't deny that we've been together." Anakin says. "They don't need to know everything about our intimate life. Just enough to not accuse you of being a homewrecker. I also don't want anyone accusing Ahsoka of anything crazy should Clovis tell them she threatened to geld him." This allows Ahsoka and Padmé to both breathe a sigh of relief. "Though before we go out there, I really need to use the fresher." Anakin then rushes to the fresher down the hall. When Anakin leaves the room, Ahsoka turns nervously to Padmé.
"What's wrong, Ahsoka?" Padmé, curious to Ahsoka's sudden nervousness.
"Don't hate me, Padmé." Ahsoka starts. "But I admitted to Anakin that I loved him. There's… there's just just something about him that-"
"Aww honey." Padmé says she hugs Ahsoka. "That's nothing to be ashamed of. Anakin loves you, too. It may not be the way you have hoped for, but love is there. This doesn't change anything about us, because I can understand better than most why someone would have feelings for him. And I think it's good that he feels that he has everyone in his corner: you, me, the Jedi. The only thing I worry about is the reporters and if they ask him anything that could get him back into a dark place."
"I don't think Skyguy cares about them, so long as he has us in his corner." Ahsoka says as she gets up to catch up to Anakin. "So long as we're with him, I think he'll be fine."
End of the chapter. Hello readers! It's been a long time since I've updated any of my stories. I've been busy with life, and I've done a lot of reading of other people's stories. I hope to get back to it and finish up most of the stories I need to update and complete. Until the next update, happy reading.