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stephanie_ficsTitle: Destiny Can Wait
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
stephanie_fics
Time Frame: RotS
Characters: Anakin, Padmé, Barriss, OCs.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Rating: Adult
Summary: Anakin and Barriss catch up, a new threat shows his face, and a thunderstorm steams up the Skywalker bedroom.
Chapter List
Much thanks to my betarentsgirl
Chapter 6 – Three Jedi Live
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
Somehow find you and I collide
-X-
Barriss looked down into Anakin’s cart and noticed jars of baby food and formula. She furrowed her brow in curiosity.
“I can explain this.” Anakin said with a smirk. “Is there somewhere where we can talk?” He noticed she hadn’t started her shopping.
“I’m staying at the relief camp down the road. Can we meet outside in ten minutes?”
Anakin nodded, “I can’t talk long. I have to get back home.”
Barriss wondered if “home” was where the Senator from Naboo lived. She remembered that Anakin and the Senator had become close friends after Geonosis. Why else would he be on Naboo? All she could say was, “I imagine there’s a very hungry baby there.”
With pride in his voice he answered, “Two actually, twins.”
“Sounds like you have had a busy year,” she said with a smile as she walked away.
Anakin was filled with hope. He was starting to believe he and Obi-Wan were the only two left. If Barriss survived the purge maybe others had too. He was amazed that she was staying at the same relief camp that Padmé and Obi-Wan had been going to. It was strange Obi-Wan had not run into Barriss there. He knew Obi-Wan would have told him if he did.
Anakin left the market and loaded the supplies in his speeder. He saw Barriss walk up to him. She was dressed in a black lightweight cotton jumpsuit. Her satchel was full and flung over her shoulder. “I walked here from the camp but since you have your speeder let’s go.”
They stepped into the speeder and drove off. “How did you get involved with the hurricane relief group?” Anakin asked.
“I’ve been traveling with Doctors Around the Galaxy.”
“I’m not familiar with it.”
“It’s a non-profit group that travels from planet to planet providing medical aid to those who can’t afford it or have been victims of violence or natural disasters.” It seemed a fitting calling for Barriss who was a Jedi Healer.
“So you just signed up for this group when the war ended?”
She continued to explain, “A doctor I befriended during the war, Kornell Divini, he joined the group as part of his residency and suggested it would be a good way for me to stay on the move and hide from any Imperials that are hunting Jedi. I had no other plan and no home to go back to.” Her voice trailed off with a sad whisper.
Anakin took in her story as he turned the speeder down the winding roads. He noticed the engine was making a sound it shouldn’t have and slowed down around the turns. “You weren’t at the Temple then during the purge?”
“Master Aayla Secura and I were still on Felucia. We –“
“Is she alive?” Anakin interrupted. She saw the look of hope in his eyes and it hurt her to tell him the sad truth.
“No, she was shot down by our clones. We received word that Grievous was dead and the war was over. All the droid units were shut down. We were relived to be returning home and back to our Jedi duties.
"I had helped at the Medical Station and Kornell was a doctor there. We met two years prior when I was still a Padawan serving on Drongar. I didn’t expect to see him again after Drongar but with the war over I knew we’d most likely not meet again so I went to say goodbye to him. That’s when I felt a disturbance in the Force.”
“The purge” he answered for her.
“I didn’t know that at the time. I was talking to Kornell when I saw clone troopers approach me with blasters and I felt something was wrong. They fired at me but I deflected their blasts with my lightsaber and killed them. I couldn’t even think about why they turned on me but I knew I had to find Aayla. I had left her by our transport with our clone troopers.” She shook her head with guilt and closed her eyes. After a deep breath she continued, “When Kornell and I found her by the transport ship she was already dead. Knowing I was no longer safe Kornell helped me stow away on the medical personnel transport. While I was aboard I knew we couldn’t have been the only Jedi targeted.” She paused to take a breath and shut her eyes. It was still difficult to let the pain and memory pass. There is no pain; there is only the Force. “I felt Master Luminara’s death. But I know she is still alive in the Force.” Barriss let her grief pass but could sense Anakin’s anger.
“She was at the Temple at the time. I saw her in passing that morning.” Anakin said sadly.
“It was a few days later when I found out about Palpatine’s accusations against the Jedi and the raid on the Temple. I don’t know why Palpatine would turn on us. The Republic won.”
Anakin stopped in front of the camp’s entrance and turned off the speeder’s engines. “Palpatine is the Sith Lord we have been looking for.” He watched as her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
“How do you know that?”
“He told me himself when I informed him that Obi-Wan engaged General Grievous.” Anakin stated firmly.
She looked at him suspiciously. “He told you just like that? Why would he reveal that to you?”
“He wanted me to become his apprentice. I told him I was going to report him to the Council but I should have killed him then.”
“What stopped you?”
Anakin felt uneasy and stared at the temporary tents and homes inside the camp. He might as well tell her everything. “I married Senator Amidala after Geonosis and then she became pregnant. Palpatine knew I was having nightmares about Padmé dying in childbirth. He told me if I joined him I could use his knowledge of the Force to save my wife from death. He also said that the Jedi would take over the Republic. I had to find out if he was telling me the truth so I informed Master Windu that he was the Sith we were looking for. Instead of allowing me to come to arrest him I was ordered to stay in the Council Chambers. I was angry at the time but it turned out to be for the best because Padmé went into labor that night and I kept her alive without his knowledge of the Force.”
Barriss pursed her lips. She sensed that the dark side clouded his thoughts. She wondered if his feelings about the Senator dying were at all correct and he was taking pride in himself that he saved her. Not only did he let his attachment rule over his conscience but Anakin also doubted his fellow Jedi. However, he did not pledge himself to the Sith and now she felt his anger toward the Emperor. “I suppose Palpatine’s order to destroy the Jedi changed your trust in him.”
He turned his head to look at her, “He also sent a Dark Jedi to Padmé’s home to take my children while the Jedi were being massacred! Obi-Wan and I were there to stop him!”
“Master Kenobi was with you at the Senator’s home?”
“He followed me there. That’s when we decided to leave Coruscant.”
“Where is Master Kenobi now?”
Anakin started laughing. “He’s living at the Seminary a few miles down the road. I’m surprised you haven’t run into him at the relief camp when he volunteers there.”
“It’s a large camp and we just arrived yesterday.”
After a pause Anakin asked, “Do you think other Jedi escaped? Not everyone made it back to the Temple.”
“It’s possible.” Barriss answered. “I believe Master Yoda is alive. We would have felt his death.”
“He went to confront Sidious the same time as the purge. Whatever happened during that encounter I am sure he came out alive and is in exile somewhere. I wish we could find him. We could use his help.”
Barriss turned her head and studied his words. “What are you thinking in that head of yours?”
“I want to find all the Jedi who survived and start a rebellion against the Empire.”
Barriss thought about what he was asking of her. Over the past year she had adapted to her new life. She rarely used the Force anymore and put her Jedi title and skills behind her. She even discarded her lightsaber should she ever be caught or questioned. Her mission was to survive and that meant to go into hiding. Having to give up all that she knew, all that she was made her feel sad and alone. Now she knew she wasn’t alone. Knowing that Master Kenobi and Skywalker were alive gave her a small hope that they could bring back the Order and the Republic. But she had to remain realistic. “It’s not going to be easy. I don’t think many escaped and any who did have been found and killed or have started their lives over. You’re the first I’ve seen in a year.”
That didn’t give either of them much hope but there had to be more that just the three of them. “We can’t give up Barriss. You have the advantage of traveling around the galaxy. If you find any Jedi, even if they were just a Padawan, we have to form a rebellion. Sidious must be destroyed.” Anakin said with determination.
Forming a rebellion would take years and resources but they had to start somewhere. “And how will we contact each other without the Empire tracking our messages and finding out about our little operation?” Barriss asked.
Anakin came up with a quick and simple plan. “We’ll correspond on a regular basis through a Holo Net mail account, under alias names of course. Also so it doesn’t look suspicious we’ll have to develop a code key and always encode the messages so they look consistent. I’ll have my protocol droid come up with a code key and then Padmé can give you a copy when she comes to the camp.”
“Sounds like a good start” Barriss added.
“Good.” Anakin finally found someone on his side, someone who wanted to fight back. He paused then smiled. “I should get going. “It was good to see you again.”
“I feel the same. May the Force be with you.” It felt good to say those words again.
“May the Force be with you, Barriss.”
-X-
Anakin returned home excited and told Padmé about his meeting with Barriss. Padmé was surprised to hear that another Jedi survived and was now on Naboo. It was too much to be just a coincidence.
Anakin called for Threepio and asked him to develop a coded language and transfer the code key onto two data chips. Threepio used the opportunity to state to his master, “I am fluent in over six million forms of communication. I can combine a series of ancient languages to develop a code and then translate it into Basic.”
With a roll of his eyes Anakin said, “Well get it started and then we’ll work on it together. I want this formatted as soon as possible. “
“Certainly Master Anakin. I am happy to put my programming to good use. I hope you take no offense to this but I am rather disappointed that I have become,” he paused to whisper, “a nanny droid.” Artoo made a series of beeps that sounded like a laugh.
“I wouldn’t talk if I were you. They made you install baby proof devices on every door and cupboard in the house.”
Anakin left the droids to their banter and programming to take a shower.
-X-
Anakin joined his wife on the sofa. She was watching the Holo Net and keeping an eye on the twins who were playing together on the floor in front of her. “Threepio and Artoo are working on the code key. It should be ready by the time you go to the camp again this week.”
Padmé nodded and lifted Anakin’s arm to place around her and rested her head against him. “I think this is a good idea. This is just the first step. Eventually many worlds will become oppressed under Palpatine’s rule and they'll rebel. Knowing where to find surviving Jedi and rebels will be beneficial.”
“That will take more patience than I have.”
“Well in the meantime we have our children to raise and protect,” she strongly pointed out, “That is what comes first.”
“I’m looking forward to training them.” He watched as Leia and Luke chased each other around the caff table but they were using the table for support since they were not yet walking on their own.
She looked at her husband as he watched their children and reassured him, “You’ll be a great teacher. I have faith in you.”
He turned to look in her eyes and kissed her lips lovingly.
“How was your day with Obi-Wan?”
Anakin snuffed. “He was his usual self.”
Padmé squinted her eyes, “That didn’t sound like a pleasant tone. What happened?”
“Nothing. We talked and then spared. He didn’t seem lonely like you said. In fact he seemed pretty settled in. He even adopted a new name.”
“I know. He goes by ‘Ben’.” She shook her head. “If you ask me he’s still grieving and adjusting to his new life. I know on the surface it seems like life in the seminary is like life at the Jedi Temple but they are two different Orders.”
“He said the Force guided him to that place so he should have all the answers he’s looking for. I had another idea but –“ Anakin stopped himself before he said something he might regret. He took the remote from his wife’s hand to change the frequency. “The pre-race commentary is about to start.”
Padmé pursed her lips in disappointment and let the subject go for now bringing up another instead, “I thought you were supposed to go out and celebrate with everyone from the agency?”
“I’m not going.” She tilted her head as those brown eyes burned into him. “Look, the restaurant is all the way in Theed, there’s a storm coming and I rather spend time with you. We can watch the race and then that boring political drama you love so much.”
Padmé raised her eyebrows. ”The one you said you hate but then ask me a million questions about what’s going on?”
He pretended to sound excited, “Yeah that one.”
“They canceled that program.”
“I’m sure we’ll think of something else to do.” Anakin leaned in to kiss her cheek playfully and tickle her sides.
She squirmed and laughed, “Ani, stop!”
A small voice called out, “Ani,” and they looked to see Leia standing in front of them and pointing to her father. Anakin picked her up and set her on his lap. “Leia, I’m your father you shouldn’t call me by my name.” His attempt to sound serious and commanding was unconvincing. He started to laugh at himself and was amazed at how much his children actually understood.
Padmé shared his thoughts and said, “Isn’t it amazing how much they pick up? Watching them grow captivates me everyday.” She combed her fingers through Leia’s thick soft curls and kissed her cheek. Luke crawled his way to the sofa and Anakin placed his son on his other lap.
As much as Padmé was enjoying seeing her husband playing with their children Anakin had to go, “Anakin, you have to at least make an appearance. You work with those people as a team and it took you months to perfect the designs. I know you’re afraid of letting anyone get to know you too well but alienating yourself isn’t the way.” He looked away from her gaze. “You don’t have to stay long.”
Anakin sighed. “Ok, I’ll go and I’ll stay for one race. I’m not getting caught in that storm that’s headed this way.”
She smiled approvingly, “I wouldn’t want you to.”
-X-
Anakin stepped out of his speeder and made his way to the restaurant. The wind was picking up and the late summer sunset was unseen behind a gray overcast.
As he walked into the door he saw everyone he knew gathered on the other side of the bar occupying at least 10 small round tables. Nikkei was the first to notice Anakin arrive and waved him over.
“I told you all he would show up this time. Pay up.” She held out her palm and motioned with her fingers that she expected payment. Those who made a bet with her handed over a credit. She placed the credits in her bag and pulled out the chair to her right. “Den, sit here.”
Anakin had to remind himself to answer to his alias. He took the seat and moved it more to the right to have some room to himself. “You all made a bet I wouldn’t show?”
“Well you never show. It was a sure thing. Thought we can make some credits tonight. You know how risky sabacc is.” Morgan explained. “So what made you decide to show up?”
“I’m here to celebrate and watch the pod race on a Holo receiver that’s bigger than the one I have at home.” Anakin joked as he pointed to the big screen on the wall above the bar.
“Who are you going to bet on?” Nikkei asked.
Anakin stared at the screen and focused on the racers lined up at the start line. “Bick is going to win.” To show his certainty he threw down some credits on the table. A droid rolled up and asked for Anakin’s order, a nerf burger well done with everything on it, a baked potato with lots of gravy and Aldreaanian ale.
Joaquin jumped in, “Bick can’t win. He hasn’t finished a race since three seasons ago and that pod is at least ten years old and on it’s last turbo engines.”
The droid rolled up again to give Anakin his ale from which he took a cool sip. “You’re underestimating him.”
“He should just scrap that piece of s-“
Nikkei interrupted him, “He would never do that! He won the Boonta Eve Classic five times in a row in that pod. It’s his pride and joy.”
Joaquin looked at her like she was a crazy pod racing know it all. “My credits are on Grissom. He’s ruthless and has the fastest pod.”
x
Anakin got his food and the race began. Trying to listen to the commentary was impossible since the restaurant was crowded to capacity and very loud. Anakin, Nikkei and Joaquin were the only ones at their party involved in the race. Everyone else was trying his or her luck at sabacc.
It was nearing the last lap of the race and Bick and Grissom were still in it with Bick lagging behind. Anakin was on the edge of his seat with his arms crossed leaning on the table and his empty plate pushed aside. Even though he had a strong feeling about his bet it was fun to mess with Joaquin’s head by appearing nervous. Joaquin sat back with his legs propped up on a chair quite confident he would be collecting credits in a few minutes.
Nikkei lost interest in the race when it became clear she would be losing credits. Instead she sat back and watched Anakin how with each lap of the race he slid more and more off his chair. As she curled the tip of her hair around her finger she wondered if he was seeing anyone. In the few months she knew him he never mentioned a girlfriend but come to think of it he didn’t reveal much about himself at all. They always talked about work or pod racing. No mention of parents, schooling, friends; she didn’t even know where he lived.
Just as the racers were approaching the finish line Grissom was slowing down. He over heated his engine and burned out his circuits. Joaquin started to curse under his breath as he watched these events unfold and Bick took the lead through the finish line.
“Can’t win them all.” Anakin gloated as he collected the credits in the middle of the table. Joaquin was still in shock but gave Anakin a dirty look. “How did you know he would win?”
Anakin shrugged. “Just a lucky guess.”
“Like the saying goes, ‘Lucky at cards unlucky at love.’” Nikkei added.
The place began to quiet down when a breaking news report flashed from the receiver.
“Intelligent operatives intercepted a message and tracked down a group of twenty rebels on Kessel where they were planning to steal a ship full of spice cargo. It was believed they would head to Nar Shadda and sell it in exchange for weapons and a freighter. It was also reported that two of the rebels were Jedi. His eminence, Emperor Palpatine, sent his newly appointed enforcer, Lord Avel, to bring these rebels and Jedi to justice and oversee the security on Kessel.” An image of Lord Avel appeared. He was a young man, probably around Anakin’s age. He was strongly built in stature and had hard facial features, dark hair and dark eyes. Anakin didn’t recognize him and wondered who this man was before he became a Sith apprentice. The news of a new apprentice didn’t surprise him. It was a matter of time before Sidious would find a replacement. It was one more obstacle that made it harder for any Jedi to stay hidden.
The anchorwoman continued her report but the patrons were all murmuring and talking about the report and this new enforcer. Anakin blocked them out as he began to fear for the safety of his family at home. He focused on the bond he had with them and didn’t feel any immediate danger but now all he wanted to do was get home to them. Make sure they were safe.
He stood up, “I have to go. I’ll see you all at the agency.” None of them, expect Nikkei, heard him. She watched as he dropped some credits on the table and made his way to the door. Those standing moved to make a path for him as he walked by.
x
Nikkei pushed her way through the noisy crowd to the exit. She found Anakin outside fiddling under the hood of his speeder. She ran up to him and shouted “Den!”
He barely glanced at her. She stood next to him and looked down into the speeder’s engine. “What’s wrong with your speeder?”
“That’s what I am trying to find out.” Anakin grumbled as he gave the power couplings another look. Of all night for this to happen it had to happen when he was in a rush to get home.
The wind was picking up. Nikkei tied her jet-black hair back and reached under the hood to take a look. “It’s not the power coupling. Your starting motor is flooded. Speed through any large puddles today?”
Anakin thought about his drive to visit Obi-Wan early today. He always speeded down the road when he was driving alone and it wasn’t until he splashed water all over his speeder did he realize he drove through a rather large puddle. He saw he was approaching it but underestimated its size. He never thought he would ruin his speeder. This was just perfect. He answered her, “Yes, I did.”
“We can hook up your speeder to mine and I can give you a ride home.” Nikkei offered.
Anakin wasn’t sure that was a wise idea. “You don’t have to do that.”
She gave him a smile. “It’s no trouble. I tow things on my speeder all the time. And this way you won’t have to waste your winnings on a tow truck.”
All he could think about was getting home to make sure his family was alright. Once again he used the Force to reach out to them. A vision appeared of his children sound asleep and Padmé waiting up for him. He still needed to get home to keep them safe. He was their protector. He looked at the clouded sky and felt the wind picking up. Waiting for a tow could take hours. “Ok, thanks for doing this.”
“I’ll go get my speeder.” Once she was out of earshot he called Padmé on his comlink to let her know the situation but left out the news he just learned when he realized she hadn’t heard. He didn’t want to worry her. After he ended the call he saw a stormtrooper approach him.
“Is everything alright with your speeder, sir?”
“Everything is fine.” Anakin answered calmly.
The stormtrooper became suspicious of Anakin. He watched him as he tried to fix his speeder and he watched as the girl walk away. Now he was loitering in the parking lot. “Can I see some identification?”
Anakin hated how the Empire had turned Naboo into a police state. He also pitied this clone. He guessed he was fresh out of the training facility on Kamino and probably never served in the war. Each new batch of clones would probably be altered to become more like officers of the law rather than soldiers. He waved his hand, “You don’t need to see any identification. My speeder is fine and I can go about my business.”
The stormtrooper repeated Anakin’s words and left.
x
As Nikkei got into her speeder she saw Anakin speaking to a clone trooper. She became nervous and waited before she started the engine so not to draw attention to herself. Many stormtroopers that went on nightly patrols would needlessly question people and scan their ID chips into the system so that everyone’s whereabouts were known. It was a new system in the Empire to ensure its civilians remained safe.
She watched as Anakin waved his hand and the trooper left the site without scanning his ID. That was unusual. She drove her speeder and parked it in front of Anakin’s. As she stepped out she asked, “How did you do that?”
“I can be very persuasive. Now let's get going before the skies open up on us.”
X
Nikkei had no idea how far out of the city Anakin lived. They were driving through the hills toward the edge of the Lake Country. Lighting lit the sky and thunder echoed through the hills. Luckily it hadn’t started to pour yet. Anakin was staring out the window and brooding. He felt Nikkei constantly glance at him. It made him as uneasy as it did when he felt her eyes on him back at the restaurant. After tonight he was going to start keeping his distance from her.
The silence was killing her. “Should I put on some music?”
“No thanks. Make the next right at the end of the road.” Anakin answered.
“This is one heck of a commute. Have you always lived this far out of the city?”
Anakin kept his eyes on the window. His answer would be short and simple. “Yes, I like the privacy.”
She made a right and continued down the road. Keeping the conversation going she continued, “Seems like they keep finding rebels or Jedi plotting to overthrow the government. They keep making an example out of them to instill fear in others. I don’t believe the Jedi tried to overthrow the Republic. They were manipulated and betrayed.”
Anakin turned to her and warned her. “You should be careful what you say and who you say it to. Talk like that can get you arrested or killed.”
“I know, but I can trust you, right?” She winked but her smile faded when she saw he was not amused. “So who is this Lord Avel?” The name left distaste in her mouth.
“Someone you wouldn’t want to cross paths with. We’re here, make another right.”
Nikkei stopped in front of a small one story home by the lake. “Nice home.”
Anakin unclipped his safety belt. “Thanks for the tow. I should have warned you how out your way this trip was.”
“Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t leave you stranded in that lot. I’ll help you unhinge your speeder.”
X
Anakin quietly walked into his home through the garage door. Everything was dark and the only light came from the lighting outside and a candle on a table by the window. He sensed Padmé by the window looking out as Nikkei drove away. Just then the skies opened up and the rain began to patter hard against the glass. “Hey, you made it just in time. Will she get home alright?”
Anakin came up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her like a cocoon. “She’ll be fine.”
“Was it wise to bring her here? Now she knows where you live.” Padmé said with concern.
“We can trust her.”
“We? I don’t know her.”
Anakin rubbed his hand up and down her arms. “You trust me, don’t you? I know we can trust her.” He knew she was about to say something else and stopped her, “Are the twins asleep?”
Padmé turned to face him but couldn’t see him in the dark. “I checked on them. They’ll sleep through the storm. How bad is the damage on your speeder?”
“Nothing I can’t easily fix in the morning,” he reassured her.
The lighting lit up her face and he saw her beautiful features for a brief second before darkness took over again. The sound of thunder followed, masking the sound of the rain and wind. The energy from the storm was enticing Anakin. He held Padmé tight in his arms and kissed her deeply. He wanted to forget everything that happened tonight and focus on the moment.
Padmé found a moment to break away and tried to look into her husband’s eyes through the darkness, wondering where all this desperation and desire was coming from. He would act this way when he just came from or was about to leave for the war. “Are you alright?”
“Yes. Now that I am home everything is perfect.” He kissed her and wouldn’t let her break away again. He was tired of talking and felt her curves under his hands. The silk robe around her body was making his mind wander to what was underneath.
Padmé too found herself drawn into the moment. The setting couldn’t have been more romantic, no lights and the storm in the background. She wrapped her hands around his arms and pulled him with her, walking blindly to their bedroom.
With his mouth still over hers Anakin half laughed-half said, “We can’t see where we’re going.”
With a turn Padmé found herself pressed against the wall, one that she hoped was in the hallway leading to the bedroom. Not that it really mattered where they happened to find themselves when they wanted each other. Sliding her hands up his body she crossed her arms behind his neck to support her weight from that weak in the knees feeling. Though those weak knees were soon in her husband’s grasp as he brought her legs around his waist.
Finally a flash of lighting brightened up the hallway long enough for Anakin to see their way to the door. Which was closed. “Ow.”
“What happened?”
“Backed into the door knob.”
Anakin pressed his flesh hand against her skin. "Sorry."
Padmé opened the door, “I’m fine.”
Anakin finally laid her across the foot of the bed relieved that they made it that far with flashes of lighting as their only source of light. After rushing through foreplay they now were in each other’s arms and exploring each other with less haste and more carefulness. Having been with only each other granted them the joy of knowing how their caresses and kisses felt and what made the other groan with pleasure.
With the storm intensifying the Force felt more alive to Anakin to the point where he felt omnipotent. Padmé herself felt like her senses were heightened.
Making love to her husband hadn’t felt this intoxicating since before their children were born. Every thrust, every touch and sound he made intensified her pleasure so that when she ran her nails down his back and moved her body to receive him deeper she heard the sound of her name rumble with the thunder. Then unexpectedly the lights in their bedroom came to life.
As Padmé arched her body and pushed her head back Anakin felt she was reaching her climax. He left a trail of hungry kisses up her neck and brought his hand behind her head to tilt it forward wanting to watch her expressions of ecstasy. Looking deep into her brown eyes felt like he was reaching into her soul. He was hit with a wave of visions, memories of their life together. Then he received a flash that was not a memory. He found himself standing beside his wife looking upon a baby she was cradling.
Before he could grasp onto the vision it was gone just as he felt his release come a second after Padmé’s.
Anakin collapsed in his wife’s embrace. Catching their breath and feeling their hearts begin to regulate they listened to the storm outside slow down till there was only a pitter-patter of droplets against their window.
Anakin rolled onto his back. Staring at the ceiling, thoughts of the new threat in the galaxy were put on hold as he focused on the instant image of the infant.
Feeling the intensity of the Force and receiving flashes of memories while connecting with Padmé was nothing new. Tonight was the first time he experienced a vision while making love.
He was brought back to reality when Padmé, who saw he was deep in thought, turned to her side, draped her arm across his chest and placed a gentle kiss on his neck. She murmured against his ear, “That was,“ pausing to grin, “amazing.”
“It was.” Anakin responded with satisfaction.
Realizing their position at the foot of bed and feeling a chill she said, “Let’s get under the covers.”
“I’ll be right back.” Anakin got up from the bed and Padmé, leaning back on her elbows, watched her husband’s god-like naked form disappear behind the refresher door.
-
Anakin leaned against the sink holding his weight on his palms and pressed his forehead against the mirror.
He called upon the Force to see the image again but he was not calm and his mind was not clear. Opening his eyes Anakin caught his reflection noticing he looked flushed and exhausted.
When he entered the bedroom he saw Padmé facing his side of the bed already asleep, her right hand resting on her hip and her left curled against her cheek.
Anakin got under the covers beside her noticing how peaceful and content she looked. He carefully studied her soft features and gently moved her brown curls away from her body revealing her breasts. Not wanting to wake her but feel her flesh under his real hand he rested it just below her naval.
Even though she took precautions that didn’t mean tonight may have resulted in creating a new life. Anakin placed a kiss on her forehead promising to protect her and their children from any harm, and not just from the two Sith Lords ruling the galaxy.
And despite his dark visions, his fears, not being ready, and the constant threat of being found Anakin couldn’t deny that part of him secretly wished his wife would become pregnant.
Padmé sensed his touch. Putting her hand on his she brought it up to her lips to kiss his palm. She turned over to lean back against his body and rested their entwined hands over her heart.
-X-
Padmé opened her eyes to the sight of the chrono. It was only nine in the morning. She listened out for her children but the only sound she heard was her husband breathing and the rain lightly falling outside. Her eyes moved to the window where the droplets of water created a shadow on the cream colored drapes. Her gaze moved down to the floor where her robe and night slip were thrown in haste. A trail of Anakin’s clothes led to the door and out into the hallway. A smile crept over her face as she thought about last night but faded when she remembered how over eager he had been. Well – she shouldn’t talk either. Still, she replayed what he said, “Now that I am home everything is perfect.” What happened while he was out? A part of her said she was worrying too much. Maybe he was just in the mood. It wouldn’t be the first time he came home with the intension to take her to bed. No, he wasn’t being romantic. Something was on his mind. She herself got so caught up in the moment she didn’t have time to prepare contraception like usual. With a nervous stomach Padmé brought her hand to her forehead and counted the days, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen. They just made it. It was too late to conceive.
Going back to her previous thought Padmé ran through all the possible things that could have happened. Maybe he had another vision. Or maybe it had to do with Nikkei driving him home. Maybe he wasn’t sure Nikkei could be trusted and only said she could be to make her feel safe. Padmé still felt it was unwise to show her his home. She hoped Anakin was right about trusting her. They had trusted Palpatine once and look how that turned out.
Padmé saw Anakin’s right hand peeking out from under her pillow. Good thing it wasn’t flesh and bone or the weight of her head would have numbed it during the night. The look and feel of the synthetic flesh was just as real as his left arm but sometimes she found herself missing his golden prosthesis. She looked down at his left hand resting on her stomach. Softly with her fingers she traced his hand feeling the spaces in between his fingers and the callous on his thumb from lightsaber practice.
She sighed with frustration. A long shower and a cup of caff would clear her head. Nothing was worse than waking up with a worried mind.
Anakin woke up and lifted his head to check the chrono. Looking down at Padmé beside him he saw she was wide-awake. It was too early for him and he rested his head again. With a sleepy whisper he said, “It’s still the weekend. Let’s sleep in.” Protectively he brought his body closer to hers till she felt his chest pressing against her bare back. He moved his leg to intertwine with hers and she could tell he fell back asleep when his breathing changed. She was locked in his grip and felt it was more possessive than intimate. Now she knew something was bothering him.
Author’s Note: Lyrics from ‘Collide’ by Howie Day
Chapter 7 - Ever The Same
Author:
stephanie_ficsTime Frame: RotS
Characters: Anakin, Padmé, Barriss, OCs.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Rating: Adult
Summary: Anakin and Barriss catch up, a new threat shows his face, and a thunderstorm steams up the Skywalker bedroom.
Chapter List
Much thanks to my beta
rentsgirlChapter 6 – Three Jedi Live
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
Somehow find you and I collide
Barriss looked down into Anakin’s cart and noticed jars of baby food and formula. She furrowed her brow in curiosity.
“I can explain this.” Anakin said with a smirk. “Is there somewhere where we can talk?” He noticed she hadn’t started her shopping.
“I’m staying at the relief camp down the road. Can we meet outside in ten minutes?”
Anakin nodded, “I can’t talk long. I have to get back home.”
Barriss wondered if “home” was where the Senator from Naboo lived. She remembered that Anakin and the Senator had become close friends after Geonosis. Why else would he be on Naboo? All she could say was, “I imagine there’s a very hungry baby there.”
With pride in his voice he answered, “Two actually, twins.”
“Sounds like you have had a busy year,” she said with a smile as she walked away.
Anakin was filled with hope. He was starting to believe he and Obi-Wan were the only two left. If Barriss survived the purge maybe others had too. He was amazed that she was staying at the same relief camp that Padmé and Obi-Wan had been going to. It was strange Obi-Wan had not run into Barriss there. He knew Obi-Wan would have told him if he did.
Anakin left the market and loaded the supplies in his speeder. He saw Barriss walk up to him. She was dressed in a black lightweight cotton jumpsuit. Her satchel was full and flung over her shoulder. “I walked here from the camp but since you have your speeder let’s go.”
They stepped into the speeder and drove off. “How did you get involved with the hurricane relief group?” Anakin asked.
“I’ve been traveling with Doctors Around the Galaxy.”
“I’m not familiar with it.”
“It’s a non-profit group that travels from planet to planet providing medical aid to those who can’t afford it or have been victims of violence or natural disasters.” It seemed a fitting calling for Barriss who was a Jedi Healer.
“So you just signed up for this group when the war ended?”
She continued to explain, “A doctor I befriended during the war, Kornell Divini, he joined the group as part of his residency and suggested it would be a good way for me to stay on the move and hide from any Imperials that are hunting Jedi. I had no other plan and no home to go back to.” Her voice trailed off with a sad whisper.
Anakin took in her story as he turned the speeder down the winding roads. He noticed the engine was making a sound it shouldn’t have and slowed down around the turns. “You weren’t at the Temple then during the purge?”
“Master Aayla Secura and I were still on Felucia. We –“
“Is she alive?” Anakin interrupted. She saw the look of hope in his eyes and it hurt her to tell him the sad truth.
“No, she was shot down by our clones. We received word that Grievous was dead and the war was over. All the droid units were shut down. We were relived to be returning home and back to our Jedi duties.
"I had helped at the Medical Station and Kornell was a doctor there. We met two years prior when I was still a Padawan serving on Drongar. I didn’t expect to see him again after Drongar but with the war over I knew we’d most likely not meet again so I went to say goodbye to him. That’s when I felt a disturbance in the Force.”
“The purge” he answered for her.
“I didn’t know that at the time. I was talking to Kornell when I saw clone troopers approach me with blasters and I felt something was wrong. They fired at me but I deflected their blasts with my lightsaber and killed them. I couldn’t even think about why they turned on me but I knew I had to find Aayla. I had left her by our transport with our clone troopers.” She shook her head with guilt and closed her eyes. After a deep breath she continued, “When Kornell and I found her by the transport ship she was already dead. Knowing I was no longer safe Kornell helped me stow away on the medical personnel transport. While I was aboard I knew we couldn’t have been the only Jedi targeted.” She paused to take a breath and shut her eyes. It was still difficult to let the pain and memory pass. There is no pain; there is only the Force. “I felt Master Luminara’s death. But I know she is still alive in the Force.” Barriss let her grief pass but could sense Anakin’s anger.
“She was at the Temple at the time. I saw her in passing that morning.” Anakin said sadly.
“It was a few days later when I found out about Palpatine’s accusations against the Jedi and the raid on the Temple. I don’t know why Palpatine would turn on us. The Republic won.”
Anakin stopped in front of the camp’s entrance and turned off the speeder’s engines. “Palpatine is the Sith Lord we have been looking for.” He watched as her eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
“How do you know that?”
“He told me himself when I informed him that Obi-Wan engaged General Grievous.” Anakin stated firmly.
She looked at him suspiciously. “He told you just like that? Why would he reveal that to you?”
“He wanted me to become his apprentice. I told him I was going to report him to the Council but I should have killed him then.”
“What stopped you?”
Anakin felt uneasy and stared at the temporary tents and homes inside the camp. He might as well tell her everything. “I married Senator Amidala after Geonosis and then she became pregnant. Palpatine knew I was having nightmares about Padmé dying in childbirth. He told me if I joined him I could use his knowledge of the Force to save my wife from death. He also said that the Jedi would take over the Republic. I had to find out if he was telling me the truth so I informed Master Windu that he was the Sith we were looking for. Instead of allowing me to come to arrest him I was ordered to stay in the Council Chambers. I was angry at the time but it turned out to be for the best because Padmé went into labor that night and I kept her alive without his knowledge of the Force.”
Barriss pursed her lips. She sensed that the dark side clouded his thoughts. She wondered if his feelings about the Senator dying were at all correct and he was taking pride in himself that he saved her. Not only did he let his attachment rule over his conscience but Anakin also doubted his fellow Jedi. However, he did not pledge himself to the Sith and now she felt his anger toward the Emperor. “I suppose Palpatine’s order to destroy the Jedi changed your trust in him.”
He turned his head to look at her, “He also sent a Dark Jedi to Padmé’s home to take my children while the Jedi were being massacred! Obi-Wan and I were there to stop him!”
“Master Kenobi was with you at the Senator’s home?”
“He followed me there. That’s when we decided to leave Coruscant.”
“Where is Master Kenobi now?”
Anakin started laughing. “He’s living at the Seminary a few miles down the road. I’m surprised you haven’t run into him at the relief camp when he volunteers there.”
“It’s a large camp and we just arrived yesterday.”
After a pause Anakin asked, “Do you think other Jedi escaped? Not everyone made it back to the Temple.”
“It’s possible.” Barriss answered. “I believe Master Yoda is alive. We would have felt his death.”
“He went to confront Sidious the same time as the purge. Whatever happened during that encounter I am sure he came out alive and is in exile somewhere. I wish we could find him. We could use his help.”
Barriss turned her head and studied his words. “What are you thinking in that head of yours?”
“I want to find all the Jedi who survived and start a rebellion against the Empire.”
Barriss thought about what he was asking of her. Over the past year she had adapted to her new life. She rarely used the Force anymore and put her Jedi title and skills behind her. She even discarded her lightsaber should she ever be caught or questioned. Her mission was to survive and that meant to go into hiding. Having to give up all that she knew, all that she was made her feel sad and alone. Now she knew she wasn’t alone. Knowing that Master Kenobi and Skywalker were alive gave her a small hope that they could bring back the Order and the Republic. But she had to remain realistic. “It’s not going to be easy. I don’t think many escaped and any who did have been found and killed or have started their lives over. You’re the first I’ve seen in a year.”
That didn’t give either of them much hope but there had to be more that just the three of them. “We can’t give up Barriss. You have the advantage of traveling around the galaxy. If you find any Jedi, even if they were just a Padawan, we have to form a rebellion. Sidious must be destroyed.” Anakin said with determination.
Forming a rebellion would take years and resources but they had to start somewhere. “And how will we contact each other without the Empire tracking our messages and finding out about our little operation?” Barriss asked.
Anakin came up with a quick and simple plan. “We’ll correspond on a regular basis through a Holo Net mail account, under alias names of course. Also so it doesn’t look suspicious we’ll have to develop a code key and always encode the messages so they look consistent. I’ll have my protocol droid come up with a code key and then Padmé can give you a copy when she comes to the camp.”
“Sounds like a good start” Barriss added.
“Good.” Anakin finally found someone on his side, someone who wanted to fight back. He paused then smiled. “I should get going. “It was good to see you again.”
“I feel the same. May the Force be with you.” It felt good to say those words again.
“May the Force be with you, Barriss.”
Anakin returned home excited and told Padmé about his meeting with Barriss. Padmé was surprised to hear that another Jedi survived and was now on Naboo. It was too much to be just a coincidence.
Anakin called for Threepio and asked him to develop a coded language and transfer the code key onto two data chips. Threepio used the opportunity to state to his master, “I am fluent in over six million forms of communication. I can combine a series of ancient languages to develop a code and then translate it into Basic.”
With a roll of his eyes Anakin said, “Well get it started and then we’ll work on it together. I want this formatted as soon as possible. “
“Certainly Master Anakin. I am happy to put my programming to good use. I hope you take no offense to this but I am rather disappointed that I have become,” he paused to whisper, “a nanny droid.” Artoo made a series of beeps that sounded like a laugh.
“I wouldn’t talk if I were you. They made you install baby proof devices on every door and cupboard in the house.”
Anakin left the droids to their banter and programming to take a shower.
Anakin joined his wife on the sofa. She was watching the Holo Net and keeping an eye on the twins who were playing together on the floor in front of her. “Threepio and Artoo are working on the code key. It should be ready by the time you go to the camp again this week.”
Padmé nodded and lifted Anakin’s arm to place around her and rested her head against him. “I think this is a good idea. This is just the first step. Eventually many worlds will become oppressed under Palpatine’s rule and they'll rebel. Knowing where to find surviving Jedi and rebels will be beneficial.”
“That will take more patience than I have.”
“Well in the meantime we have our children to raise and protect,” she strongly pointed out, “That is what comes first.”
“I’m looking forward to training them.” He watched as Leia and Luke chased each other around the caff table but they were using the table for support since they were not yet walking on their own.
She looked at her husband as he watched their children and reassured him, “You’ll be a great teacher. I have faith in you.”
He turned to look in her eyes and kissed her lips lovingly.
“How was your day with Obi-Wan?”
Anakin snuffed. “He was his usual self.”
Padmé squinted her eyes, “That didn’t sound like a pleasant tone. What happened?”
“Nothing. We talked and then spared. He didn’t seem lonely like you said. In fact he seemed pretty settled in. He even adopted a new name.”
“I know. He goes by ‘Ben’.” She shook her head. “If you ask me he’s still grieving and adjusting to his new life. I know on the surface it seems like life in the seminary is like life at the Jedi Temple but they are two different Orders.”
“He said the Force guided him to that place so he should have all the answers he’s looking for. I had another idea but –“ Anakin stopped himself before he said something he might regret. He took the remote from his wife’s hand to change the frequency. “The pre-race commentary is about to start.”
Padmé pursed her lips in disappointment and let the subject go for now bringing up another instead, “I thought you were supposed to go out and celebrate with everyone from the agency?”
“I’m not going.” She tilted her head as those brown eyes burned into him. “Look, the restaurant is all the way in Theed, there’s a storm coming and I rather spend time with you. We can watch the race and then that boring political drama you love so much.”
Padmé raised her eyebrows. ”The one you said you hate but then ask me a million questions about what’s going on?”
He pretended to sound excited, “Yeah that one.”
“They canceled that program.”
“I’m sure we’ll think of something else to do.” Anakin leaned in to kiss her cheek playfully and tickle her sides.
She squirmed and laughed, “Ani, stop!”
A small voice called out, “Ani,” and they looked to see Leia standing in front of them and pointing to her father. Anakin picked her up and set her on his lap. “Leia, I’m your father you shouldn’t call me by my name.” His attempt to sound serious and commanding was unconvincing. He started to laugh at himself and was amazed at how much his children actually understood.
Padmé shared his thoughts and said, “Isn’t it amazing how much they pick up? Watching them grow captivates me everyday.” She combed her fingers through Leia’s thick soft curls and kissed her cheek. Luke crawled his way to the sofa and Anakin placed his son on his other lap.
As much as Padmé was enjoying seeing her husband playing with their children Anakin had to go, “Anakin, you have to at least make an appearance. You work with those people as a team and it took you months to perfect the designs. I know you’re afraid of letting anyone get to know you too well but alienating yourself isn’t the way.” He looked away from her gaze. “You don’t have to stay long.”
Anakin sighed. “Ok, I’ll go and I’ll stay for one race. I’m not getting caught in that storm that’s headed this way.”
She smiled approvingly, “I wouldn’t want you to.”
Anakin stepped out of his speeder and made his way to the restaurant. The wind was picking up and the late summer sunset was unseen behind a gray overcast.
As he walked into the door he saw everyone he knew gathered on the other side of the bar occupying at least 10 small round tables. Nikkei was the first to notice Anakin arrive and waved him over.
“I told you all he would show up this time. Pay up.” She held out her palm and motioned with her fingers that she expected payment. Those who made a bet with her handed over a credit. She placed the credits in her bag and pulled out the chair to her right. “Den, sit here.”
Anakin had to remind himself to answer to his alias. He took the seat and moved it more to the right to have some room to himself. “You all made a bet I wouldn’t show?”
“Well you never show. It was a sure thing. Thought we can make some credits tonight. You know how risky sabacc is.” Morgan explained. “So what made you decide to show up?”
“I’m here to celebrate and watch the pod race on a Holo receiver that’s bigger than the one I have at home.” Anakin joked as he pointed to the big screen on the wall above the bar.
“Who are you going to bet on?” Nikkei asked.
Anakin stared at the screen and focused on the racers lined up at the start line. “Bick is going to win.” To show his certainty he threw down some credits on the table. A droid rolled up and asked for Anakin’s order, a nerf burger well done with everything on it, a baked potato with lots of gravy and Aldreaanian ale.
Joaquin jumped in, “Bick can’t win. He hasn’t finished a race since three seasons ago and that pod is at least ten years old and on it’s last turbo engines.”
The droid rolled up again to give Anakin his ale from which he took a cool sip. “You’re underestimating him.”
“He should just scrap that piece of s-“
Nikkei interrupted him, “He would never do that! He won the Boonta Eve Classic five times in a row in that pod. It’s his pride and joy.”
Joaquin looked at her like she was a crazy pod racing know it all. “My credits are on Grissom. He’s ruthless and has the fastest pod.”
Anakin got his food and the race began. Trying to listen to the commentary was impossible since the restaurant was crowded to capacity and very loud. Anakin, Nikkei and Joaquin were the only ones at their party involved in the race. Everyone else was trying his or her luck at sabacc.
It was nearing the last lap of the race and Bick and Grissom were still in it with Bick lagging behind. Anakin was on the edge of his seat with his arms crossed leaning on the table and his empty plate pushed aside. Even though he had a strong feeling about his bet it was fun to mess with Joaquin’s head by appearing nervous. Joaquin sat back with his legs propped up on a chair quite confident he would be collecting credits in a few minutes.
Nikkei lost interest in the race when it became clear she would be losing credits. Instead she sat back and watched Anakin how with each lap of the race he slid more and more off his chair. As she curled the tip of her hair around her finger she wondered if he was seeing anyone. In the few months she knew him he never mentioned a girlfriend but come to think of it he didn’t reveal much about himself at all. They always talked about work or pod racing. No mention of parents, schooling, friends; she didn’t even know where he lived.
Just as the racers were approaching the finish line Grissom was slowing down. He over heated his engine and burned out his circuits. Joaquin started to curse under his breath as he watched these events unfold and Bick took the lead through the finish line.
“Can’t win them all.” Anakin gloated as he collected the credits in the middle of the table. Joaquin was still in shock but gave Anakin a dirty look. “How did you know he would win?”
Anakin shrugged. “Just a lucky guess.”
“Like the saying goes, ‘Lucky at cards unlucky at love.’” Nikkei added.
The place began to quiet down when a breaking news report flashed from the receiver.
“Intelligent operatives intercepted a message and tracked down a group of twenty rebels on Kessel where they were planning to steal a ship full of spice cargo. It was believed they would head to Nar Shadda and sell it in exchange for weapons and a freighter. It was also reported that two of the rebels were Jedi. His eminence, Emperor Palpatine, sent his newly appointed enforcer, Lord Avel, to bring these rebels and Jedi to justice and oversee the security on Kessel.” An image of Lord Avel appeared. He was a young man, probably around Anakin’s age. He was strongly built in stature and had hard facial features, dark hair and dark eyes. Anakin didn’t recognize him and wondered who this man was before he became a Sith apprentice. The news of a new apprentice didn’t surprise him. It was a matter of time before Sidious would find a replacement. It was one more obstacle that made it harder for any Jedi to stay hidden.
The anchorwoman continued her report but the patrons were all murmuring and talking about the report and this new enforcer. Anakin blocked them out as he began to fear for the safety of his family at home. He focused on the bond he had with them and didn’t feel any immediate danger but now all he wanted to do was get home to them. Make sure they were safe.
He stood up, “I have to go. I’ll see you all at the agency.” None of them, expect Nikkei, heard him. She watched as he dropped some credits on the table and made his way to the door. Those standing moved to make a path for him as he walked by.
Nikkei pushed her way through the noisy crowd to the exit. She found Anakin outside fiddling under the hood of his speeder. She ran up to him and shouted “Den!”
He barely glanced at her. She stood next to him and looked down into the speeder’s engine. “What’s wrong with your speeder?”
“That’s what I am trying to find out.” Anakin grumbled as he gave the power couplings another look. Of all night for this to happen it had to happen when he was in a rush to get home.
The wind was picking up. Nikkei tied her jet-black hair back and reached under the hood to take a look. “It’s not the power coupling. Your starting motor is flooded. Speed through any large puddles today?”
Anakin thought about his drive to visit Obi-Wan early today. He always speeded down the road when he was driving alone and it wasn’t until he splashed water all over his speeder did he realize he drove through a rather large puddle. He saw he was approaching it but underestimated its size. He never thought he would ruin his speeder. This was just perfect. He answered her, “Yes, I did.”
“We can hook up your speeder to mine and I can give you a ride home.” Nikkei offered.
Anakin wasn’t sure that was a wise idea. “You don’t have to do that.”
She gave him a smile. “It’s no trouble. I tow things on my speeder all the time. And this way you won’t have to waste your winnings on a tow truck.”
All he could think about was getting home to make sure his family was alright. Once again he used the Force to reach out to them. A vision appeared of his children sound asleep and Padmé waiting up for him. He still needed to get home to keep them safe. He was their protector. He looked at the clouded sky and felt the wind picking up. Waiting for a tow could take hours. “Ok, thanks for doing this.”
“I’ll go get my speeder.” Once she was out of earshot he called Padmé on his comlink to let her know the situation but left out the news he just learned when he realized she hadn’t heard. He didn’t want to worry her. After he ended the call he saw a stormtrooper approach him.
“Is everything alright with your speeder, sir?”
“Everything is fine.” Anakin answered calmly.
The stormtrooper became suspicious of Anakin. He watched him as he tried to fix his speeder and he watched as the girl walk away. Now he was loitering in the parking lot. “Can I see some identification?”
Anakin hated how the Empire had turned Naboo into a police state. He also pitied this clone. He guessed he was fresh out of the training facility on Kamino and probably never served in the war. Each new batch of clones would probably be altered to become more like officers of the law rather than soldiers. He waved his hand, “You don’t need to see any identification. My speeder is fine and I can go about my business.”
The stormtrooper repeated Anakin’s words and left.
As Nikkei got into her speeder she saw Anakin speaking to a clone trooper. She became nervous and waited before she started the engine so not to draw attention to herself. Many stormtroopers that went on nightly patrols would needlessly question people and scan their ID chips into the system so that everyone’s whereabouts were known. It was a new system in the Empire to ensure its civilians remained safe.
She watched as Anakin waved his hand and the trooper left the site without scanning his ID. That was unusual. She drove her speeder and parked it in front of Anakin’s. As she stepped out she asked, “How did you do that?”
“I can be very persuasive. Now let's get going before the skies open up on us.”
Nikkei had no idea how far out of the city Anakin lived. They were driving through the hills toward the edge of the Lake Country. Lighting lit the sky and thunder echoed through the hills. Luckily it hadn’t started to pour yet. Anakin was staring out the window and brooding. He felt Nikkei constantly glance at him. It made him as uneasy as it did when he felt her eyes on him back at the restaurant. After tonight he was going to start keeping his distance from her.
The silence was killing her. “Should I put on some music?”
“No thanks. Make the next right at the end of the road.” Anakin answered.
“This is one heck of a commute. Have you always lived this far out of the city?”
Anakin kept his eyes on the window. His answer would be short and simple. “Yes, I like the privacy.”
She made a right and continued down the road. Keeping the conversation going she continued, “Seems like they keep finding rebels or Jedi plotting to overthrow the government. They keep making an example out of them to instill fear in others. I don’t believe the Jedi tried to overthrow the Republic. They were manipulated and betrayed.”
Anakin turned to her and warned her. “You should be careful what you say and who you say it to. Talk like that can get you arrested or killed.”
“I know, but I can trust you, right?” She winked but her smile faded when she saw he was not amused. “So who is this Lord Avel?” The name left distaste in her mouth.
“Someone you wouldn’t want to cross paths with. We’re here, make another right.”
Nikkei stopped in front of a small one story home by the lake. “Nice home.”
Anakin unclipped his safety belt. “Thanks for the tow. I should have warned you how out your way this trip was.”
“Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t leave you stranded in that lot. I’ll help you unhinge your speeder.”
Anakin quietly walked into his home through the garage door. Everything was dark and the only light came from the lighting outside and a candle on a table by the window. He sensed Padmé by the window looking out as Nikkei drove away. Just then the skies opened up and the rain began to patter hard against the glass. “Hey, you made it just in time. Will she get home alright?”
Anakin came up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her like a cocoon. “She’ll be fine.”
“Was it wise to bring her here? Now she knows where you live.” Padmé said with concern.
“We can trust her.”
“We? I don’t know her.”
Anakin rubbed his hand up and down her arms. “You trust me, don’t you? I know we can trust her.” He knew she was about to say something else and stopped her, “Are the twins asleep?”
Padmé turned to face him but couldn’t see him in the dark. “I checked on them. They’ll sleep through the storm. How bad is the damage on your speeder?”
“Nothing I can’t easily fix in the morning,” he reassured her.
The lighting lit up her face and he saw her beautiful features for a brief second before darkness took over again. The sound of thunder followed, masking the sound of the rain and wind. The energy from the storm was enticing Anakin. He held Padmé tight in his arms and kissed her deeply. He wanted to forget everything that happened tonight and focus on the moment.
Padmé found a moment to break away and tried to look into her husband’s eyes through the darkness, wondering where all this desperation and desire was coming from. He would act this way when he just came from or was about to leave for the war. “Are you alright?”
“Yes. Now that I am home everything is perfect.” He kissed her and wouldn’t let her break away again. He was tired of talking and felt her curves under his hands. The silk robe around her body was making his mind wander to what was underneath.
Padmé too found herself drawn into the moment. The setting couldn’t have been more romantic, no lights and the storm in the background. She wrapped her hands around his arms and pulled him with her, walking blindly to their bedroom.
With his mouth still over hers Anakin half laughed-half said, “We can’t see where we’re going.”
With a turn Padmé found herself pressed against the wall, one that she hoped was in the hallway leading to the bedroom. Not that it really mattered where they happened to find themselves when they wanted each other. Sliding her hands up his body she crossed her arms behind his neck to support her weight from that weak in the knees feeling. Though those weak knees were soon in her husband’s grasp as he brought her legs around his waist.
Finally a flash of lighting brightened up the hallway long enough for Anakin to see their way to the door. Which was closed. “Ow.”
“What happened?”
“Backed into the door knob.”
Anakin pressed his flesh hand against her skin. "Sorry."
Padmé opened the door, “I’m fine.”
Anakin finally laid her across the foot of the bed relieved that they made it that far with flashes of lighting as their only source of light. After rushing through foreplay they now were in each other’s arms and exploring each other with less haste and more carefulness. Having been with only each other granted them the joy of knowing how their caresses and kisses felt and what made the other groan with pleasure.
With the storm intensifying the Force felt more alive to Anakin to the point where he felt omnipotent. Padmé herself felt like her senses were heightened.
Making love to her husband hadn’t felt this intoxicating since before their children were born. Every thrust, every touch and sound he made intensified her pleasure so that when she ran her nails down his back and moved her body to receive him deeper she heard the sound of her name rumble with the thunder. Then unexpectedly the lights in their bedroom came to life.
As Padmé arched her body and pushed her head back Anakin felt she was reaching her climax. He left a trail of hungry kisses up her neck and brought his hand behind her head to tilt it forward wanting to watch her expressions of ecstasy. Looking deep into her brown eyes felt like he was reaching into her soul. He was hit with a wave of visions, memories of their life together. Then he received a flash that was not a memory. He found himself standing beside his wife looking upon a baby she was cradling.
Before he could grasp onto the vision it was gone just as he felt his release come a second after Padmé’s.
Anakin collapsed in his wife’s embrace. Catching their breath and feeling their hearts begin to regulate they listened to the storm outside slow down till there was only a pitter-patter of droplets against their window.
Anakin rolled onto his back. Staring at the ceiling, thoughts of the new threat in the galaxy were put on hold as he focused on the instant image of the infant.
Feeling the intensity of the Force and receiving flashes of memories while connecting with Padmé was nothing new. Tonight was the first time he experienced a vision while making love.
He was brought back to reality when Padmé, who saw he was deep in thought, turned to her side, draped her arm across his chest and placed a gentle kiss on his neck. She murmured against his ear, “That was,“ pausing to grin, “amazing.”
“It was.” Anakin responded with satisfaction.
Realizing their position at the foot of bed and feeling a chill she said, “Let’s get under the covers.”
“I’ll be right back.” Anakin got up from the bed and Padmé, leaning back on her elbows, watched her husband’s god-like naked form disappear behind the refresher door.
Anakin leaned against the sink holding his weight on his palms and pressed his forehead against the mirror.
He called upon the Force to see the image again but he was not calm and his mind was not clear. Opening his eyes Anakin caught his reflection noticing he looked flushed and exhausted.
When he entered the bedroom he saw Padmé facing his side of the bed already asleep, her right hand resting on her hip and her left curled against her cheek.
Anakin got under the covers beside her noticing how peaceful and content she looked. He carefully studied her soft features and gently moved her brown curls away from her body revealing her breasts. Not wanting to wake her but feel her flesh under his real hand he rested it just below her naval.
Even though she took precautions that didn’t mean tonight may have resulted in creating a new life. Anakin placed a kiss on her forehead promising to protect her and their children from any harm, and not just from the two Sith Lords ruling the galaxy.
And despite his dark visions, his fears, not being ready, and the constant threat of being found Anakin couldn’t deny that part of him secretly wished his wife would become pregnant.
Padmé sensed his touch. Putting her hand on his she brought it up to her lips to kiss his palm. She turned over to lean back against his body and rested their entwined hands over her heart.
Padmé opened her eyes to the sight of the chrono. It was only nine in the morning. She listened out for her children but the only sound she heard was her husband breathing and the rain lightly falling outside. Her eyes moved to the window where the droplets of water created a shadow on the cream colored drapes. Her gaze moved down to the floor where her robe and night slip were thrown in haste. A trail of Anakin’s clothes led to the door and out into the hallway. A smile crept over her face as she thought about last night but faded when she remembered how over eager he had been. Well – she shouldn’t talk either. Still, she replayed what he said, “Now that I am home everything is perfect.” What happened while he was out? A part of her said she was worrying too much. Maybe he was just in the mood. It wouldn’t be the first time he came home with the intension to take her to bed. No, he wasn’t being romantic. Something was on his mind. She herself got so caught up in the moment she didn’t have time to prepare contraception like usual. With a nervous stomach Padmé brought her hand to her forehead and counted the days, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen. They just made it. It was too late to conceive.
Going back to her previous thought Padmé ran through all the possible things that could have happened. Maybe he had another vision. Or maybe it had to do with Nikkei driving him home. Maybe he wasn’t sure Nikkei could be trusted and only said she could be to make her feel safe. Padmé still felt it was unwise to show her his home. She hoped Anakin was right about trusting her. They had trusted Palpatine once and look how that turned out.
Padmé saw Anakin’s right hand peeking out from under her pillow. Good thing it wasn’t flesh and bone or the weight of her head would have numbed it during the night. The look and feel of the synthetic flesh was just as real as his left arm but sometimes she found herself missing his golden prosthesis. She looked down at his left hand resting on her stomach. Softly with her fingers she traced his hand feeling the spaces in between his fingers and the callous on his thumb from lightsaber practice.
She sighed with frustration. A long shower and a cup of caff would clear her head. Nothing was worse than waking up with a worried mind.
Anakin woke up and lifted his head to check the chrono. Looking down at Padmé beside him he saw she was wide-awake. It was too early for him and he rested his head again. With a sleepy whisper he said, “It’s still the weekend. Let’s sleep in.” Protectively he brought his body closer to hers till she felt his chest pressing against her bare back. He moved his leg to intertwine with hers and she could tell he fell back asleep when his breathing changed. She was locked in his grip and felt it was more possessive than intimate. Now she knew something was bothering him.
Author’s Note: Lyrics from ‘Collide’ by Howie Day
Chapter 7 - Ever The Same
