Stronger ( A Star Wars Story)

Chapter 1

Anakin and Obi-Wan were the best of friends, and they were partners.  That was the grand part about Anakin now being a knight instead of a Padawan- him and Obi-Wan were now equals, and not student and teacher any longer.  They were more like brothers now.  That was something that meant more to either of them then either one could say.

Now, there was a war on.  The Clone War.  It had been raging, and had made Anakin a stronger person-a better Jedi, Obi-Wan admitted.  There was a maturity that exuded from his old apprentice.  Obi-Wan Kenobi assumed that it was largely due to Anakin’s not-so-secret relationship with Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo-the former queen. Anakin had always admired her, even as a young kid.  But, once the two had reunited three years ago, Obi-Wan quickly noticed the sparks flying, and against the Jedi Code, Anakin was in love.  Kenobi suspected that Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala were in a physical relationship, and he hoped, even though it was against the code-and risky-that they were married.  It wasn’t that he was a prude… He just knew that Anakin and the senator were moral people, and they would create even more problems for themselves if they were involved in an intimate relationship without the benefit of marriage, at least if they were married, they wouldn’t be breaking any moral laws.  Actually, Obi-Wan had no problem with Anakin and Padmé being together-besides the code-breaking.  Padmé was good for Anakin.  She had made a man out of him, and she made him happy.  Obi-Wan also couldn’t deny that she seemed happier too. It wasn’t just Anakin whose life had drastically changed for the better three years ago.  When Obi-Wan was in meetings with Senator Amidala: he could attest to the fact that she seemed happier, and whenever Anakin was mentioned; her smile brightened considerably.  Obi-Wan cared about Anakin and he had befriended Padmé because she was so close to Anakin, and because she was really a fantastic person.  He had, in the past, overlooked her and the prospect of friendship because she was in politics, and he thought that politicians were crooks.  Padmé proved him wrong though- in spades, She showed him that she meant what she said and said what she meant. She kept her promises, and she didn’t have to lie to get votes.  Padmé Amidala had been at first, appointed by the new Queen in appreciation of her efforts when she was in office. Padmé had quickly proven herself again and again.  She even surpassed everyone’s expectations-his included.  So, in this matter, Obi-Wan really hoped that his old apprentice had married her.

          Anakin Skywalker was facing a difficult choice.  He had Dooku in his grasp.  He was being told to do him in-to kill him.  Anakin actually would love nothing more than to get rid of the person who cut off his arm-for revenge-but that was just it.  Anakin knew that it was wrong because it would be revenge.  Anakin knew that it was against the Code, and he knew it would be murder-it would be wrong… Of course, if Dooku was dead, everything would be so much easier! The war could end a lot sooner, and the battle droids would shut down, and everything would change for the better- but Anakin realized that even saying that- it would still be wrong.  But Palpatine-the Supreme Chancellor of the Grand Republic: Commander in Chief of the Army he served in- was telling him to get rid of him.  Did that make it ok then? No, Anakin decided- it doesn’t.  So, he had to do something he did all too often-he disobeyed a direct order.  “It’s not the Jedi way, Chancellor.  I’m sorry.  I’ll take him as a prisoner, but I’m not murdering him…that’s what it would be if I killed him right now- a murder.”

Palpatine was seething, but he managed to put up a good front for Anakin, probably giving him the benefit of the doubt because usually, he seemed to find Anakin’s disobedience charming- well, as long as it was to the Jedi and not to him… “He’s too dangerous to be left alive.”

          “Maybe so, sir- but it would be revenge.  It would be against the Code, and it would be wrong-more importantly.  Maybe keeping him alive is a risk- maybe he is dangerous- but I can’t have this on my conscience.”

At this, Palpatine showed his anger.  He was irate-furious!  “Boy, you have never been one to follow the rules, so why are you being so virtuous all of a sudden?! I gave you an order!  Believe it or not, I thought you would enjoy getting rid of your arch enemy-your nemesis.”

That had occurred to Anakin, and Palpatine wasn’t entirely wrong.  Anakin did want to see Dooku dead.  He did tend to get revenge when something irritated or wronged him.  The man could be trying to help him in a weird, sadistic way, but Anakin couldn’t go ahead and do it just because he wanted to.  He couldn’t go ahead and do it just because the Chancellor told him to. He couldn’t do something that he knew was wrong.  It was something new Anakin was trying.  He was trying to be a good little Jedi and trying to see what would happen.  So far, it had brought him great rewards.  “Sir, I have been one to break the rules, but I am sincerely trying to do the right thing here.  If you insist on killing him, you can do it yourself.  I’ll let you go… But I’m not doing it.”

Palpatine was still angry.  He was even madder than before.  “You disappoint me, boy.”

          “So be it.”

          “I don’t think you fully realize what this means, Anakin.” The man sneered.  “I want you to kill him, and I get what I want.  So, if you won’t kill him- I will-as you suggested.  But then, I will make your life a living hell.”

Anakin actually chuckled.  “It’s already hell.  I don’t see what you could do to make it worse; not that I put it past you.”

          “Don’t test me, Anakin.  I’m giving you one last chance.”

          “I’m still not killing him.  I’ve made my mind up. And I have to say that I am suspicious of you.  I think you’re not what you appear to be, I think that just maybe you’re the Sith Lord we’ve been looking for.” Anakin kept his voice calm and collected.  It was a serious charge, and Anakin, for once knew that he was right.  The way Palpatine acted when Anakin said it confirmed it. 

          “You think you’re so smart.” The Chancellor sneered. 

          “So you deny it?” Anakin tilted his head towards the man.

          “How can one deny the truth, boy?  Yes, you got me. I’m the Sith lord.  You’re correct.”

          “Well then, it makes it easy to leave you here.”

          “You forget, boy-who I am.”

          “Oh, right.  You have the Force… Well, that makes it interesting.  That gives me a challenge.  Never mind, I like challenges.  I’m still going to leave you here; but just expect that you’ll come after me.  Then, I guess we’ll duel.”

          “Oh no, young Skywalker, I have work to do first.”

          “Well, so be it.  Ta Ta.” Anakin shrugged and walked away, going over to Obi-Wan and waking him-surprised that Palpatine didn’t try to get out.  He wasn’t foolish enough, however, to believe that Palpatine wouldn’t try it, so he decided to hurry.  Obi-Wan was barely conscious, so Anakin swung his former master over his shoulder and carried him out.  Just before they got out; Anakin watched as Palpatine used the Force to kill Dooku-to choke him.  Anakin ran to the bridge with Obi-Wan hanging on for dear life-now wide awake.  Kenobi realized that Palpatine wasn’t with them, which was confusing because that was the whole reason they went on the mission in the first place.  The Chancellor had been kidnapped and their job was to rescue him- so leaving without him seemed incredibly dumb. 

          “Where’s the Chancellor?  Why are we leaving him?”

          “Because he’s the Sith lord- Sidious… It’s a long story- and we have to get out of here.” The battle was raging outside the window.

          “Greivous?” Kenobi asked.

          “Exactly.”

          “Did he threaten you?”

          “He said he’d make my life hell. It’s already hell.”

          “You’re braver than the Council gives you credit for, Anakin.”

          “Well, I may be brave, but I’m scared out of my mind-about everything.” Anakin got into a big cruiser now that they had reached the docking bay. Anakin had called for R2-D2 who teetered over.  A few of the battle droids tried to stop him, but he used his retractable arm to trip them and Obi-Wan and Anakin took care of the rest.  Anakin took off in a hurry and made his way for Courascant.  “I have to tell you something.” Anakin said to Obi-Wan in all seriousness, putting the ship on Autopilot even though they were just a short distance from the planet.  That was something that Anakin rarely did.  He liked to fly the ships himself, but this was something that he needed to say, and it would be better if he didn’t have any distractions when he did it.

          “Is it something that you think Palpatine will use against you?” Kenobi asked, as if hoping that it wasn’t the only reason he was telling him.

          “He might, but, this is something that I should have told you a long time ago- I was afraid… You just said I was brave in there, but I don’t feel brave-being so scared that I couldn’t tell my best friend something that I did-something life and death related… When you said that, it made me realize how much I wanted to be honest with you.”

          “Well, what is it?  I promise I won’t get mad.”

          “I’m married.” Anakin said simply.  There wasn’t much more he could say.

Kenobi smiled and Anakin was shocked that his old master- the perfect Jedi had that reaction to his breaking the Code.

          “Oh! Thank the Force!  I was hoping you and Padmé weren’t just fooling around.”

Anakin coughed nervously-shocked again.  “I never said it was Padmé!”

          “Oh, be serious, Anakin! Who else could it be?! I’m not blind and stupid. One would have to be a total idiot not to see that the two of you are an item- and Padmé; you’ve loved her since you were nine! You wouldn’t break the Code and marry just anybody.”

          “So- all this time, you knew?” Anakin ran his mechanical hand through his hair.

          “not all the time… about 2 years officially, Any fool with half a brain could tell that something had happened when the two of you were on Naboo… And something remained changed.  You grew up, Anakin.  Marriage does that.  Also, I didn’t know that you and Padmé were actually married. I was just hoping you were-for morality’s sake… and to spare you two some consequences.  I mean- what would happen if she got pregnant?  If someone found out she was expecting, they would know you were the father.  People aren’t blind, Anakin.”

          “Well, why didn’t you say anything? I’ve been so afraid to tell you, and you knew all this time.”

          “Well, at first, it was because I didn’t really know; I just suspected.  Then, I didn’t say anything because then I may have to tell the Council, and I didn’t want you to get in trouble… but then, I realized that they already knew you were in love with her, so there was nothing I would be telling them that they didn’t already know.”

          “Wait a minute- the Council knows about us?”

          “Yes and no… They suspected that you two were involved.  They know you two are attracted to each other- but there is really no proof that the two are involved.  Believe it or not, Anakin- but the Council doesn’t want proof.  They didn’t want to find any because they didn’t want to have to confront you and kick you out- they couldn’t afford to.”

          “but what about now?” They were almost landing by now.

          “The Council doesn’t care.  They aren’t going to kick you out for it.  They can’t afford to now any more than they could years ago-even more so now… Plus, your marriage, and love for Padmé has made you a better man-a better Jedi.  They can’t argue with that, plus, they like Padmé- she’s an ally.”

          “So I can tell them?” Anakin received his permission to land.

          “Sure.  That would be a good thing to do.”

          “Ok…”

          “I’d tell them before Palpatine does.”

          “Ok.  I’ll do it when we have our next meeting.”

 

 

Chapter 2

Anakin Skywalker had realized that he really had nothing to lose- telling the Council about his union with Padmé.  The only thing was the fact that he now had to ask her if he could tell the Council.  He couldn’t just go ahead and do it-this concerned her too.  And if she wasn’t comfortable with it, he would have to figure out what to do from there.  He hadn’t seen his wife in months.  He hadn’t even talked to her in months, so he felt bad that he was going to have to bring this up right when he got back.  He noticed that these kinds of things happened a lot.  It was what it was.  They were in a secret relationship, and the fact that they were in a secret relationship made everything extremely complicated.  Also, since he and Padmé were in a non-conventional relationship, they were always second-guessing everything they did, and said to each other.  The secret nature of this relationship caused a lot of stress because they loved each other, but each had to do their part to ensure that the secret stayed a secret.  At least, now Anakin knew that Padmé really hadn’t been saying anything to anybody about their relationship.  Everyone could see it for themselves. It was actually a comfort to him.  Now, he was headed to 500 Republica where Padmé kept her palatial apartment. He often thought it was odd how the two of them were so different-he was born a slave and she was born into a noble family-and became royalty.  She was rich and he was dirt poor.  And still, she loved him.  A shiver went down his spine when he thought about it.  Somehow though, Padmé always acted like she was the lucky one.  And Force- he loved her for that. 

Anakin had contacted his wife so that she’d know he was going to be back on Courascant. And so, when he got there, he was alarmed when he didn’t see her.  He milled about through people and beings trying to find her-trying to see where she could be.  For a moment, Anakin feared that maybe she didn’t get the message, or that maybe she got it, but thought it wasn’t important to meet him.  If the latter was true- Anakin feared that maybe he missed her more than she missed him-or worse-that there was someone else… Anakin felt that like a rock in his heart for a moment or two, but then realized that Padmé loved him.  She would never do such a thing, and he felt ashamed for even thinking it could possibly be true-even for a second. He almost felt a little disloyal for thinking such a thing about her- and then, he realized for good that he was indeed wrong- he saw her behind a pillar.  And he made his way over-trying not to look too excited- not for Padmé, but for all the strangers in the hall.  He didn’t want any of them to see a gesture of excitement and make it into some big scandal.  He was going to tell the Council about him and Padmé, but he wanted to make sure it was ok with her first-after all, they were married and if Anakin knew anything about wives, it was that they wanted to be consulted about such things.  When he got to her, they embraced, and he kissed her tenderly.  “Oh, Padmé, I’ve missed you .” He said.

          “And I’ve missed you, my dearest.”

          “It’s been such a long time.”

          “Yes it has.”

It was then that Anakin noticed that something was different.  The kiss had been different, and the embrace felt different-and he knew that something had changed.  And he also noticed that Padmé was trembling.  “What’s wrong?  Are you alright?” He asked her. 

She took a deep breath and said, “Let’s go upstairs. We have a lot to talk about.”

As they were walking, Anakin could hardly stand it- the suspense was killing him, and not only that- he feared that whatever she didn’t want to tell him was something that was serious enough to change everything.  As they got into the elevator, Anakin found his palms sweaty.  “Did I do something?” He gulped.

She tilted her head as if trying to figure out how to answer that. “Well, yeah, you did something, but I wouldn’t say that something was bad…”

          “Is it something I could change? Something I can undo or make better?”

          “You can’t change it, and I don’t want to undo it- it’s better now that you’re here…”

By now, they were to Padmé’s floor and they got out and Padmé put her hand to the hand-print validator. It scanned her handprint and let her into her apartment.