Hero_With_No_Fear

[ihateflying]

There are precious few decisions that are easy.

When it comes to decisions regarding Anakin, even fewer of them are easy. The decision to never tell Anakin that his 'jokes' about Anakin being the death of him aren't really jokes? As near to easy as they come.

The decision to tell Anakin that Padme is pregnant? More difficult than any decision to date - except perhaps leaving Satine to stay with the Jedi. That he had made that decision - had that experience - may be making the decision harder. He knows what the consequences of this can be, and likely will be, and-

And allowing things to play out would be much more comfortable for him, on a number of levels. It may also well be the right thing to do.

But he has decided, so it's time to act.

He makes time to find Anakin, and says with simple directness but utter seriousness: "We need to speak. In private."

Comments

[hero_with_no_fear]

"I was sure you weren't dead," Anakin said. "I just feel that I would know if she died."

[ihateflying]

"I feel like you would, too. That's why I asked. When Qui-Gon died I felt like someone had ripped out the back half of my brain, not just as he died," since that would have been hard to notice in the midst of... all the other deaths, "but for quite a while afterward. Wrong way around, I know, but I don't believe it's something you would be unaware of."

[hero_with_no_fear]

Anakin wondered if it would be the same. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had had over a decade to connect and bond. He'd had two years with Ahsoka.

But he was still sure he would have felt something more.

"I didn't know you went through that... with Qui-Gon." He'd only been ten, but still just a child dealing with his own sadness over losing Qui-Gon.

[ihateflying]

He shrugs. "You were ten years old and missed your mother; I didn't want you to know."

Like that's the most obvious thing in the world.

"The point is, you'd have surely noticed something, even within the cascade of other deaths. That you didn't is a good sign and I agree that she is where we should start looking."

[hero_with_no_fear]

As much as that made sense, for some reason, Anakin still felt guilty for not knowing. He should have known, Qui-Gon had told him to be observant.

"I'm assuming she was on Mandalore when the Order was issued. I didn't hear any updates from her after we sent her off with Rex. We should start there, but we'll need covers, fake IDs, transport." Mandalore was always iffy for Jedi at best, given that Maul was on the planet running roughshod, there was no way Anakin and Obi-Wan would be able to openly dock on the planet.

[ihateflying]

It made Anakin feel guilty because he was Obi-Wan's friend and the idea that he could hide anything casually described as having half his brain ripped out was upsetting, even if Anakin had been ten.

Probably.

At a guess.

"Then that's the place to start looking. After we get to Alderaan with Padme." Look, he knew the greater good thing and knew the intensity of the sense of responsibility and concern for anyone who had ever been a student but he also knew Padme had to be safe, first.

"And start looking digitally and carefully."

[servemypeople]

"Alderaan? With the Organas?" Padme walked into the room, one hand on her rounded belly and the other rubbing sleep from her eyes. She blinked and greeting Obi Wan with a nod. She would have hugged him but she was moving a bit slower these days. A true smile, bright and filled with love turned to her husband.

"Am I making things difficult for you? I could have stayed in the Senators Quarters. I am a public figure and that did offer some protection." She felt like they were putting themselves at extra risk due to her, and her condition. But she had agreed to go with them and she could do no more than make token comments now.

She walked forward until she could offer a small hug to the elder Jedi, a hand cupping his cheek. They owed him so much, and he was so much a part of their lives. "Thank you for being with us."

[ihateflying]

He felt her arriving and turned to face the door just as she entered the room and spoke. He was not in a place where he was going to be smiling any time soon, but the greeting still managed to be warm.

She was also welcome to argue with them or offer any input she had. It was just -

"Bail and Breha, yes. They may be the only people not currently in this room that I trust." At all. With good reason. He returned her hug carefully and pressed a kiss against her temple in decidedly brotherly fashion.

"Being a public figure will help you, and I think Anakin should also continue to ... not hide. The Organas certainly will continue to be very public figures. The four of you together will increase security for everyone, I think." None of them were Jedi. The Emperor would try something, but he'd be unable to do so openly. Anakin may even be able to position himself within the Empire, openly, but that was a thought for later.

He didn't address the thanks for being with them. He was, for now, because there was active work to do, but he had an open target on his back. There was no need for subterfuge to execute him. Anyone found associating with him at all could be called treasonous.

That was not a situation that would remain tenable. It couldn't. It was part of his urgency to find Ahsoka. She was in the same position.

[hero_with_no_fear]

"We are not going back to Coruscant," Anakin said emphatically. Which was better than him saying the first thing that came to mind, which was 'are you out of your mind?'

This was how Anakin and Padme were alike, never thinking about their own safety when something had to get done.

He stood up to give Padme his seat, and in the process, moved to give her a hug. It was new and still awkward being so open about his relationship in front of Obi-Wan, but he was getting used to it.

"It's not safe for you, Padme. I don't want Palpatine anywhere near the twins."

[servemypeople]

She hugged her husband in returned and squeezed his arm. "Alright, I understand." She did, but it didn't mean it sat any better with her. She took the offered chair and rested her hands on the arms of it.

"But I can't stay in hiding forever, and one day there will need to be a challenge to Palplatine in the senate. I'll have to be involved with that. I can't just stand by and let others do the work I committed to." No more than either of them could.

"I agree that there are times for caution, I've lived my life that way for years. But there will be a time to fight, and I won't be left behind for that." She hoped they could understand that.

[ihateflying]

"You cannot stay in hiding forever, and you cannot leave the Senate." It was horrible, and terrible, but leaving would draw attention to her and by extension the children.

Sorry, Anakin, but -

"And you should join her, Anakin. Openly.. If only as her spouse. The children are a separate issue, but she's right. There will be a time to fight - and that fight and the protection of Naboo and your children is not best served by removing yourselves."

[hero_with_no_fear]

Anakin did not see things the same way. Of course he has to argue his points.

"No," Anakin was shaking his head. "Palpatine was upset with you leading those two thousand senators to force him to relinquish emergency powers, Padme. He won't have forgotten. Senator Organa is only lucky that he didn't sign your petition so Palpatine doesn't know he's a threat. If you go, Palpatine will target you. Am I the only one remembering he's not just in control of everything but a Sith, too?"

[servemypeople]

No, I remember everything. I remember that you have given me love and that love created life. I can't let our children grow up under the heel of tyranny." She loved him and she understood the need for caution, but the was also not negotiable.

"This is bigger than us Anakin, so many more lives than just mine are at stake here. And I love you more than I can say, but you can't hide me away forever. Whatever comes, we can face it together, I know we can." She reached for his hand, if he let's her take it she grips it tight.

"I'll agree to what must be done for now, but it won't always be so." And it was exactly because she remembered, because she loved him and their children, that she couldn't just stand by.

[ihateflying]

He almost interjects, tells him that of course he hasn't forgotten that Palpatine is a Sith, but it will be far harder to rid himself of a Senator than of someone in hiding - because in the Senate he will have to kill in the open, and it will be seen and known and require explanations.

In the end he opts to leave most of it out. Padme is more than capable of handling Anakin and herself. He simply nods slightly. "Alderaan for now. Nothing else needs to be done tonight."

[hero_with_no_fear]

Anakin could tell he was outnumbered. And he didn't like it. His best strategy was to talk to them each alone so they couldn't gang up on him.

But also, in the end, he's just relieved that Obi-Wan is okay - for now, they are all safe.

He reached back for Padme's hand.

"When do you think we'll hear back from Senator Organa?" Anakin asked. This was his acquiescence of 'just Alderaan' for now.

[servemypeople]

She knew that look, he wasn't done arguing yet. Thankfully she and Master Kenobi had agreed, but with Anakin being as determined as he was she had no doubt the debate would arise again later.

For now she simply held his hand, offering what strength, love and support she could through the contact.

[ihateflying]

He just wasn't going to argue. He'd claim it was a problem for them to solve together - and would let it be.

He had his own arguments to have with Anakin.

"I've no idea, but unless I hear otherwise I am going to assume that it will be safe and we should head there. I'll take care of that and continue to wait for his confirmation."

You kids go make out or something.