Ferus had no say over whether Anakin's son would train to be a Jedi or what Anakin and Dormé had discussed in regards to that matter, but he also knew that speaking of Siac to anyone had the potential to endanger him, even if the person was trustworthy like Asthaea Arxia. Discouraged, but not defeated, Ferus finally made contact with Master Kenobi, who was currently leading a battalion in the Outer Rim Territories.

Obi-Wan couldn't give specifics on his mission or location, but assured Ferus that he would look into finding out where Ahsoka was and to let him know when he found out anything that could be of use to Ferus.

Ferus appreciated this, but didn't think there would be enough time. He spoke of Anakin to Master Kenobi.

Obi-Wan looked grimly at the holoimage of Ferus Olin before he spoke of his unwavering faith in Anakin.

While Ferus was stewing on Coruscant, wanting to be in three places at once: Naboo to protect Dormé, seeking out Anakin in the senatorial district or Jedi Temple, and in the Outer Rim Territories to bring Ashoka back to Coruscant and out of the war, Obi-Wan broke away from the command of his current mission to make contact with Aayla Secura. Finding out that the young Padawan was under the care of a Master Jedi, Obi-Wan sent a message back to Ferus Olin, letting him know that the youngling was safe.

Ferus couldn't believe the message he received from Master Kenobi. Was there no one else in this galaxy that could tell that something horrible was about to happen? Why weren't they listening?

Unaware of the turmoil on Coruscant, Dormé tried to get in contact with Ferus, if only to know if he had heard anything about Anakin. She was worried about him and it seemed that even Siac knew something was wrong. She wished he would hear her whispered thoughts, but it seemed as though there was such a darkness surrounding and encompassing the galaxy that whatever she tired, her intentions were blocked.

'I wish you were here,' she said. 'I wish I knew how to help.'

Siac played with his invention that looked like an imitation of his father's flying device. He could at least make his fly with the Force. Even though he knew Ama didn't like it when he did that, he had a habit of doing so when she wasn't looking.

'Siac, stop that—' she said when she saw what he was doing. 'You can't keep doing that—no one must see you when you do that—'

Siac became upset and Dormé wished her tone hadn't been so harsh. She scooped him into her arms and held him to her chest. 'I'm sorry, Siac... I'm just trying to protect you—I love you so much, little one.'

Siac was the first to notice the strange holo-messages from Anakin's Padawan. He thought it was a new game and tried swiping at the images of the girl with funny hair. But after Dormé saw the messages and understood who the girl was, she took it away from Siac and tried to reply, unsure if the message would get through. Sure enough, it did and Siac and she were on the receiving end of sweet messages from Anakin's Padawan.

Each time there was a new recorded message waiting for them, Siac would proudly announce ''Shoka comm.!'

Dormé enjoyed listening to and watching Ashoka's messages, wishing that she were able to meet her in person. Ashoka seemed like a very sweet girl and knew that Siac would love to meet her if they had the occasion. Though Dormé didn't know the extent of her mission or many of the people the girl mentioned, she enjoyed hearing from her nonetheless. Dormé also tried to send as many messages as she could to her in return, though she was always reluctant to admit that she hadn't heard anything from Anakin at all and that she worried about him.

'I wish I could send you something more substantial than a holocom, like sandwiches or cookies, but that just means that you'll have to come to Naboo for a visit sometime so that I can make it up to you!' she announced in her last recording.

'Me too!' Siac said, even though Dormé knew that he didn't know what he was agreeing to.

Dormé never admitted to the young girl that Siac was Anakin's son, nor anything regarding their personal life, just that Ferus and Anakin were both friends of hers and that she hoped Ashoka would be her friend too.

Ahsoka soon found a new friendship in Dormé and her son Siac. It wasn't too hard for her to understand why Anakin was so fond of the young mother. In fact, in many ways Ahsoka began to see Dormé as a big sister and Siac as a little brother.

She could still remember the first time she made contact with them. The nervous introduction and the strange reply which was in reality Siac attempting to grab at her image. Dormé was a forgiving woman who understood Ahsoka's loneliness without her ever saying a word of it. The young togruta was grateful to her in ways she couldn't explain and hoped that one day she'd make it up to them.

The war grew steadily worse but Dormés messages were a ray of light for Ahsoka who look forward to receiving them.

Today she received two messages, one from her friends on Naboo and the other an order to return to the temple. Excited and eager to return home Ahsoka sent a message to Dormé unaware that their first meeting woudl be under far darker circumstances than planned.

'Guess what! I just might have to take you up on your offer for sandwiches and cookies! I'm coming back to Coruscant! I received an order that we're all to return ot the temple!

'Once I get back I'm going to get Skyguy to take me to Naboo to see you both! He says you make the best cookies in the galaxy! And you know he'd never lie about that!' she eagerly announced. She was about to say something more when the sound of shouts and laser fire could be heard. Frowning she apologized and was about to part ways when something caused her connection to suddenly go out.

There would be no further messages from Ahsoka that day.

Though Siac hadn't been able to return to Dormé's place of work, out of her fear of him showing off his magic powers, he had been able to visit one of his friends, who was recently adopted. The little girl was about his age, though they weren't sure exactly since she had been left on their doorstep without any information. Her name was Vanné and Siac and she were always running about with their latest games.

Dormé didn't mind that Siac went over to her house to play for a few hours on the weekends, so long as he was home for dinner. The nearly three-year-old was now speaking in comprehensible sentences, at least ones his ama could understand and was always on the go. This evening, when she picked him up, he was babbling about all the different things Vanné and he had gotten up to while Dormé was out grocery shopping. Though Saché's household servants had the duty of the major shopping, Dormé never liked having to rely on them and was always wanting to help out where she could. She also knew that eventually, once she had enough credits, she would have to move out. But this evening, she was consumed with the task of trying to get Siac home safely before it got too dark out. She still didn't like speeders and preferred to walk rather than attempt driving one. She didn't think she would be able to do so safely and didn't want to risk it, especially not with Siac.

When they arrived back home, Dormé wanted Siac to have his dinner, but the little one had raced into his room to get one of his modified inventions. 'Siac—dinner!' she called.

After the third or fourth time trying to get his attention, Dormé shook her head and went to fetch him. What she found when she arrived at his bedroom door made her heart swell. Siac lay on his bed with the contraptions and toys strewn about, his mouth half open as his little chest rose and fell.

Dormé couldn't resist a grin as she looked on him before returning to the kitchen to put the food away for later. It was as though he hadn't had any rest since they parted, so she wanted him to relax. Once everything was put away, she went to lie next to him and watch him as he slept.

Smiling secretly to herself, Dormé pulled the blankets up around Siac and kissed his brow.

Siac muttered something in his sleep and rolled over.

Dormé then closed the door partially before going to have dinner and saving some for Siac just in case he woke up. He reminds me so much of you, she said in her thoughts, hoping that Anakin could hear her. Every day it's something new, but it's always you.

Anakin was about to receive a new promotion, one that neither the council or his former master was to know about. He was now to become the supreme chancellor's personal spy.

'Your first duty,' Palpatine informed him, 'will be to apply for a position as a member of the Jedi Council.'

The very idea made Anakin want to be ill.

Sensing the boy's reluctance, Palpatine refused to back down. 'The safety of your unborn child is in your hands, my boy. If you leave, the child will most certainly be stolen away and be forced to live the life you have. Is that what you want for your son or daughter?'

It was with great reluctance that Anakin finally accepted, feeling as though he had just sold his soul.

Padmé heard about Anakin's new appointment after her meeting with the Alliance leaders. They had tried to speak to Palpatine, but nothing they did seemed to matter. There was talk of war and Padmé knew Anakin was not on the right side. She would have to talk to him. She had to persuade him that the new emperor was too powerful and that the democracy they had been fighting to protect no longer existed.

'Ani, I think it's a boy,' she said, trying her best to mend ways with him of only to convince him to fight on the right side, against the emperor, so they would truly have peace in the galaxy.

Though he was reluctant to join Padmé the young Jedi agreed simply because he wanted to discuss the matters of their divorce. However Padmé clearly had other things on her mind. 'How do you know?' he asked unable to deny a sense of excitement to the possibility of having another child. Though he loathed himself for his actions there was no way he could hold it against the child who had done nothing more than exist.

Sitting on the couch near the balcony, she mused that their child must be a boy, a son. Anakin would want a song, wouldn't he? 'I think it's a boy because he's kicking me so hard!' she replied, smiling and trying to win over the affection he used to have for her, the youthful, lustful glance he used to give her that seemed now so long ago. 'I heard about your new appointment to the Jedi Council. I'm so proud of you, Ani...'

Anakin frowned to Padmé's congratulatory words as he glanced away. 'They don't want me there, Padmé. I'm only there because of the supreme chancellor's influence.'

'The chancellor put you there? You didn't earn it?' Padmé asked after he turned away from her. 'I think the supreme chancellor has had way too much power for too long. It's time that he relinquish his powers and return it where it belongs, with the senate—' She had promised not to tell anyone about her secret pledge to her fellow Alliance members, but this was incredibly hard to do, especially now that her husband was so high up in the Jedi Order. It didn't matter whether his appointment was official or created by the chancellor. Padmé saw it as a potential for putting an end to the chancellor's rule and restoring the Republic from what was fast becoming a dictatorship.

'The senate? Tell Padmé how are they any better? They're all a bunch of liars and thieves! They only care about saving face and collecting their credits! At least the chancellor is doing something about the war! He's trying to expose the Jedi conspiracy and end the separatists' movements. Yes, he has a lot of power, but he's using it properly, as he should!'

'It doesn't change anything,' he maintained. 'I still want to end this farce as quickly as I can. Even you can't deny that nothing about this is right.'

Padmé couldn't believe what she was hearing. Anakin had been lying to her this whole time. She found it utterly appalling that this precocious young Jedi Knight would deceive her into thinking that he loved her and that she had, in fact, at least for a little while, loved him. Now that she knew the truth, it made it easier. Though Padmé hadn't been using their marriage for anything except for trying to lead what others considered to be a normal life, she had been trying to believe the lie she didn't know she had been lying about to herself for so long.

Anakin was startled by Padmé's reaction to his words. Surely she of all people knew that their marriage was nothing more than a farce. 'I thought you knew I wasn't serious! You actually believed that stupid rot I said about Tatooine sand?' Anakin balked in disbelief. 'You actually wanted to marry me?' he stammered feeling a sudden chill run down his spine. If this was indeed the case would that mean she wouldn't go through with the divorce?

'If something is not right, it is definitely because of the supreme chancellor who has held this position of power for far too long,' Padmé went on to say. 'The last thing I want is to raise out baby in the middle of a war with a dictator at its head.' She was far more impassioned talking about politics than she was about baby names and all of her handmaidens could tell, though they wouldn't speak a word of it to anyone. 'Why don't we ask Obi-Wan for help. Perhaps he could approach the Council about it and make them see reason.'

Anakin wouldn't have anything to do with it. He didn't want to place his friend at risk. This was his mess he'd just have to find a way to clean it up. 'Reason? Tell me Padmé just what about this mess is reasonable? We're trapped in a marriage we don't want. You're having a baby you have no intention of properly raising, and we hate each other!' Anakin growled.

'Besides, who said anything about you raising our baby? Last I checked, you knowing nothing about babies—you can't change diapers, feed them bottles—force you can't even clean! I don't want our child to live their life in a loveless home with a mother who cares more about what people think of her than what her own child does. I might not have much, but at least I'd put their needs first!'

She gaped at him for a moment in shock at his words. He was right on many levels and merely seeing eye-to-eye with the younger man caused her to lose her power of speech.

Seeing the senator at a loss for words was a sight indeed. It took him a moment to fully register that she wasn't the ice queen he had always believed her to be. Despite appearances she was still a human, with emotions and fears.

Padmé didn't even think about Anakin's fling with her former handmaiden or the possibility that he could already have a child out there somewhere. Her thoughts were torn between the Alliance and plans that they had been making for some time now, her budding affections that she could no longer internally deny for Senator Organa, and the idea of being a mother. Padmé had read books already and had spoken with her sister. Even though they weren't that close, they were able to talk about her impending motherhood and had somewhat bonded over it. If she had questions, she could ask her, though Padmé didn't like having to ask for help. She was headstrong, always had been, and preferred doing things on her own. She was smart enough to know that one couldn't anticipate everything until one was faced with it. She couldn't anticipate the dirty nappies, the unceasing crying, or the lack of more than a few hours a night of rest.

But Padmé never had to deal with such things. She hadn't ever done her own laundry or cooking and cleaning. She always had other people to do such things for her. She could afford, on her salary, to pay someone else to take care of the child if it got to be too much for her to handle and then there was also boarding school. Raising a child wasn't that much different than ruling a planet anyway. Now Anakin was threatening to take her own flesh and blood away from her. That was something she couldn't allow. She considered the fact that it might be a Force-sensitive child, but also if it wasn't, then what would Anakin do with it? And if he wasn't going to have the child be brought up within the Jedi Temple, then how was he going to care for it? It wasn't as though he had a job! How was he going to support it nevermind take care of it?

Padmé was grateful for the opportunity to speak to Anakin again, hoping that this would mark a change in the temperamental Jedi. If she could convince him that she was concerned about the child and wanted what was best for it, would that facilitate a change? Certainly it would not have to come to the law to decide, for if it did, it would end up leaving her with the child and removing her of her position in the senate—unless she were to convince her otherwise. She wouldn't be found guilty of leading a Jedi to abandon the Order, would she? How would the public react to such a thing? No, certainly he wasn't going to leave the Order... The last thing on her mind was the idea of discussing a divorce settlement; she thought such things could wait until after the child was born. At least that way, if need be, she could use the child as leverage.

Yet as quickly as the moment of humanity was there, it was there it was gone. The masks were once more in place, this time Padmé was trying to portray the image of the loving mother. It didn't work and Anakin felt torn between playing along and throwing her out the door. But this was her quarters and she was with child and so he refrained.

'It is—I'm just sorry I had to be the one to make you understand that,' he admitted quietly. 'This isn't meant to be Padmé and you know it. Once the baby is born, I'm going to take it with me and leave. You'll have the life you knew before and I'll ensure the child never becomes a slave to the Jedi.'

The last thing she expected to hear was that her noble Jedi husband was not only going to take the child, but take it away from the Jedi as well. 'Slave of the Jedi' was a term she had not heard before, not from his lips.

He drove her mad and she was about ready to smack him across the face. But she caught herself in time. Padmé was smart, perhaps too smart for her own good, but she knew when a battle was lost and when it was won. To commit any act of violence against Anakin in that moment would be to prove him right on two accounts: that the senate was corrupt and hypocritical and that they were in a loveless marriage.

Instead, she rubbed her belly saying, 'I am putting our baby's needs first by trying to get you to listen to reason: that the supreme chancellor needs to relinquish his power so that democracy can be maintained in the Republic and that the war will end. This way, our child will never know the horrors of war and that his father might not end up dying in battle...' Although secretly, Padmé almost wished he would. It was a harsh thought, but one she couldn't help but think about. Why was he such a stubborn veermok? He certainly snored like one.

'What does the baby's needs have to do with politics, Padmé? The Supreme Chancellor's the only one whose willing to do whatever it takes to end this war. If anything, he is our last hope for peace! I don't understand why you can't see that. Or have the Separatists convinced you to turn on him as well?' he said in dark tones. This wasn't about him and Anakin knew it. Padmé wanted control, she thrived on it and that was why she was now using their child as a means of wielding power over him. Anakin refused to let their child, or any child for that matter ever become a weapon or a tool. 'Why do you care about this baby anyway? You're a politician, not a mother! You can't tell me that you wanted this life!'

She restrained herself from lashing out at his ignorance in political affairs, how he didn't know the first thing about what he claimed to know so much about, how he would rather deal with things through aggressive negotiations rather than a civilised discussion. She didn't know why Anakin bothered her so much, but she wasn't going to let him win by fighting about it. Though she doubted that he would hit a pregnant woman, carrying his child, she knew perfectly well about his own past.

Padmé was at the end of her rope. What else could she say that would really help? Even just giving up hope, giving up and losing her child...would that help? 'What if it's a girl?' she asked. 'How would you know how to raise a little girl?' What did Anakin know about girls anyway?

Her challenge only added to his frustration and he glared at her in agitation. 'And what if it is? I'd raise her with the same amount of love and care as I would if it were a boy!' he snapped. It was insulting to think that she'd believe he'd only love the child if it was a boy. What sort of backwater fool did she think he was anyway? 'It's not just your child. And if I recall correctly you were the one who wanted a career over the family life! I finally found a way to free us both and now you're fighting me tooth and nail over it? Why do you care about this marriage or our child?'

'I'm not at all thrilled at the idea that you think you can just waltz in here and steal my child from me,' she admitted with as little irritation in her voice that she could muster in that moment. She had warmed to the idea of having a child and ever since she spoke to Bail about it and seen the look on his face, his happiness...she wanted more than anything to be able to give him that joy.

Anakin was painfully clear about his decisions and opinions on the matter. There was little else she could say or do. How would she be able to hold on to this new life if he had the divorce he sought? Without the Force capabilities that Anakin possessed, how could she ever keep their child? It wasn't fair and she hated fighting this losing battle.

'I don't care what you think or what you say, Padmé. That child will be raised by me and our marriage will be dissolved. You try to use your rank and political power on me and I swear to you that not only will I kill you but I will destroy your family as well.' He stormed out, wanting nothing more than to put some distance between them. Anakin knew if he were to remain her their child might pay the price of his rage.

She didn't think that he would go to such lengths as to threaten her and her family. 'Ani, no—please!'

He was gone without looking back. Padmé stared at the closed door, not knowing what else to do.

Once she got a hold of herself, she went to her comm. 'I need to speak with the senator. Can you put him on?' she asked the aid.

'Senator Amidala?' Bail asked.

'I'm sorry—it's late. I shouldn't have bothered you...' she began.

'No, please, Padmé,' Bail replied, 'you're never a bother. What's going on?'

Despite Anakin's doubt the supreme chancellor was able to convince the Jedi Order to allow him a seat on the Council. It was very clear to both Anakin and everyone else that no one wanted him there. In reality he didn't want the position either but if it meant having his revenge he would do it.

However it wasn't without its price. A new mission was asked of him. This time he was to act as the Orders eyes and ears. Palpatine was the first person Anakin shared his discovery with. The elder Sith Lord ordered Anakin to remain silent on the matter until the right moment. When the time came he was to inform the council that he was in fact the elder Sith Lord that they had been seeking all along.

It wasn't long after that Anakin found himself having to stand in on a meeting with the Alliance leaders. To his shock, Padmé was a member of them. Though he spoke not a word of it, Anakin found himself growing even more distrustful of Padmé. What if she used their marriage as a weapon to keep him under her thumb? What if she tried to twist it around to play the victim and completely ruin what little chance he had of starting a new life with Dormé?

It ate at his mind, adding to his internal struggle leaving him torn between facing the truth and running away. When did his life suddenly turn so complicated?

It was two days since his discussion with Padmé that Anakin found himself once more in the offices of the supreme chancellor. The elder man's words both stunned and confused Anakin. He knew that there were plans underway to mark the Jedi's demise. The last thing he had expected was to discover that they were about to unfold so soon.

'I want you to tell the council that you know what I am—who I am; is that understood?'

Anakin frowned as he fell silent to the supreme chancellor's words. He still didn't understand how this plan was going to work or how he'd be ensured his revenge against the Jedi. 'You know that they're going to force you to give up your position,' Anakin argued in concern. 'You might be strong, but I doubt you're strong enough to take down the grand master, nevermind the entire council!'

'Do you doubt me, Jedi Skywalker?'

The smooth reply would normally send a chill down Anakin's spine. Its deadly calm held a warning that even he knew better than to question. But his thoughts were entirely elsewhere and he could only sigh in response. 'No, sir. I just—Everything I've ever truly wanted has always been taken from me. I want this chance for revenge—I need it.'

The elder Sith Lord gave a knowing smile as he set a heavy hand on the young warrior's shoulder. 'And you shall have it my boy. Now listen to me carefully and do exactly as I say...'

Later that day, Anakin spoke to Master Windu, explaining of his discovery that the Supreme Chancellor was indeed the Sith Lord they sought. As ordered, Anakin retired to the Jedi Council hall where he was to remain until the chancellor's arrest.

Though he knew what had to be done, Anakin was hesitant to follow through with the orders given to him by the supreme chancellor. Alone, he stood before the windows that overlooked Coruscant's upper levels. All he could think about was of Ferus's words, of Obi-Wan's kindness, and Ahsoka's safety. Anakin was at crossroads and though he had spent a lifetime longing for this moment, now that it was upon him, all he could think about was everything he could lose.

Through the Force, he could feel the coming darkness. The longing within him begged him to embrace it. It whispered into his thoughts, reminding him of the vengeance he rightfully deserved, of all he had lost and gave up for the Order, and of all who suffered by the hands of the Jedi.

But then he thought of Dormé, of their son, Siac, and the child he had yet to meet. Could he really face them if he went through with Palpatine's plan? Could he truly face his brother, Obi-Wan, in battle? Could he truly turn his back on his surrogate sister, Ahsoka, and his friend, Ferus?

Dormé—help me. I feel like I'm drowning in this storm—what do I do? Where do I go? he whispered as he stared at his haunted reflection in the window. Though the dark side now clouded their bond Anakin desperately hoped his plea—his prayer—would be heard.

hr

Dormé awoke early, feeling incredibly alone. She didn't know why she felt this way, but just that she really wanted Anakin to be home, to be in this house, in this room, but most of all, in her arms. She approached the window and parted the blinds to see the sun rising over the lake, peeking through the trees. She drew a robe around her shoulders, feeling chilly as she looked out into the distance. She knew it was much earlier than usual and that she didn't have to be at work for another three hours, but she couldn't bring herself to go back to sleep.

For the first time in such a long while, Dormé heard Anakin's voice in her head. Dormé—-help me.

How could she help him when he was so far away? Anakin, I can hear you— she replied, hoping that he could hear her as well.

Anakin stared outside his thoughts a storm of darkness and inner turmoil. He knew that he was at a crossroad, one that would change everything that he had ever known. It wasn't the first time in his life that he felt as though the weight of the galaxy sat on his shoulders. Nor was it the first time he felt uncertain about his future or which way he should go. But it was the first time he felt free and it terrified him.

Where are you, my love? She couldn't stop herself from saying this, even though she had no right to call him her love. She had no regrets and that her purpose was pure and true, not trying to hold onto something that she had no claim to.

Like a child he began to pray pleading with the one who held his soul and heart to save him. And from the darkness he heard her voice. Closing his eyes, Anakin swallowed hard as he fought back the unshed tears. How he had longed to hear her speak to him in that way—to call him her love.

I feel like I'm drowning in this storm—what do I do? Where do I go?

Shall I come to you? I want to help you—

No—this is something I must do alone. I—need to know if what I'm going to do is right. Please tell me that it's right—that I'm alright. That this is meant to be.

He pleaded softly through their Force bond. Closing his eyes his thoughts suddenly cleared and in that moment he could see her standing before him.

Dormé closed her eyes against the onslaught of sunlight that just made its way over the treetops. She reached out to her beloved, unknowingly through their Force bond, and she could see him. Dormé didn't know how it was possible, but she saw him standing in the darkness, in the Jedi Temple, a place she had never set foot in. He looked so troubled, so exhausted and torn. She wanted to hold him. I want to tell you to just leave everything and come home, but I know that's not possible, she tearfully confessed to him.

He could feel and see her sorrow, just as he could see the love and faith in her eyes. Her words tore at his heart and yet it gave him a strength he had never known. Whatever was to come, he would not ever have to face it alone.

Whatever you decide to do, Anakin, please know that I will support you. Whatever is to come, it will not displace my love for you, my dearest friend.

With a sad smile Anakin reached out to touch her cheek. Thank you, my love. I swear to you, I will not fail you, not again.

Emerging from his trance-like state, Anakin felt a new sense of determination and courage come over him. Without a second thought, he departed from the Council hall and sought out the supreme chancellor.

The doubts that once plagued his mind were now nothing more than a memory. With Dormé's faith and courage, Anakin knew anything would be possible. Little did he realise that on this night he would test her faith in ways neither could possibly imagine.

A/N: Coming up - 'You need to get out of here, Ahsoka,' Ferus said, grabbing her arm and staring at her fiercely. 'It's not safe—'

Ferus jumped. Though his thoughts were terribly muddled, Ahsoka's presence helped clear his head. Upon entering the temple, Ferus saw dead clone troopers and blaster marks scorching various places. But the further they