Treasured (Book 2)

Visions

Padmé rushed around to get ready for work, and Anakin followed her around, protesting the whole way.

"Just don't go! You have a fever, you're sick!"

Padmé turned around and Anakin pressed a hand to her forehead. "You're so hot."

"Thanks," Padmé said, rolling her eyes.

"Wow, do you really think that's what I meant? I mean-"

"I know, Anakin." She turned back around, opening a cabinet door and pulling out a small packet of granola.

"Padmé-"

"Anakin! I have to go, I'm becoming the Supreme Chancellor of Coruscant! They expect excellent attendance everyday before the election. No matter what you say, I'm going!"

"Oh, so you're just going to take the risk of throwing up all over your desk? Or another Senator?"

"I'm not going to-"

"Remember last time when you had Luke and Leia and how sick you always were?"

"At least I don't have to hide it anymore! And just because that was what it was like last time doesn't mean that it will this time, will it?"

"Well, maybe you should pay attention to your symptoms so you know what to expect!" Anakin interjected.

"You cannot force me to go!"

"Haha, very funny," Anakin said slowly. "With all due respect, Senator, I coerce you not to go."

"Just because we are married, Husband, doesn't mean you can push me around telling me what to do or not do!"

"Am I pushing you around?" said Anakin, frustrated.

Padmé opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it again.

"That's what I thought. I was merely recommending for you not to go to work because of the possible consequences."

"Well, thank you for your recommendation, Anakin, but I must go. I'll see you later."

Anakin's jaw hung open, and Padmé closed it, pushing on the bottom of his chin. She kissed him slowly.

When she pulled away, she looked to the floor beside her and pressed her lips together. "I'll be back soon. You know that. Right, Anakin?" She looked up at him, her eyes hopeful and teary.

He looked away.

"Anakin?"

"What," he mumbled.

"I love you."

He looked at her smiling face. "I love you too." He kissed her forehead. "Just please come home if your instinct tells you to."

His eyes were sad, but he knew she had to go. He knew it was her duty, and he thought about how many times he had to go when they were home together.

"I'm sorry."

"Ani, there's nothing to be sorry about. I'm the one who should be sorry. I wasn't listening."

"I mean I'm sorry for all of the other times I had to go. I disappointed you so many times."

"It's okay, Anakin. Your duty is more important than mine."

"It's-"

"It is. Now, I have to go, before I'm late. I love you with all of my heart."

"I love you with more than all of my heart."

Padmé smiled and picked up her purse from the couch. She waved at him, and he waved back slowly as she walked to the balcony and climbed into Bail Organa's ship when he came by. He waved at Anakin, and again, he waved back.

Anakin sighed as he shuffled slowly back to his bedroom. Once he got to the bathroom, he waved his hand at the light switch and the lights flicked on. He looked in the mirror at himself. What a hopeless, soft Jedi, he thought. I can't even let go of my wife to go to work for a few hours anymore.

He stared at himself. What ever happened to the old Anakin? Who never saw his wife, and he was okay. Wait a second. No he wasn't. He was cringing with excruciating pain inside. I'm that Anakin. Except I see her everyday now. I'm Anakin Skywalker. I have two kids, a wife, and I don't live in secret anymore. Sure, I'm a Jedi and I'm strong. But I can be caring and loving without being weak. Can't I?

Anakin furrowed his eyebrows and pressed his lips together, still staring at himself in the mirror, leaning on the counter with his palms.

All of the sudden, he cringed and held his head. "Ah," he said aloud.

The remaining visions from Mortis swirled into his head. "No!" he yelled, holding his hands over his eyes.

Padmé holding her neck came to the image first. Then Obi-Wan, then the younglings, everything harmful was done by Anakin's hand. "Stop! Stop!" he yelled in pain. He slumped down to the bathroom floor. 'I hate you,' in Anakin's voice could be heard so loud that he covered his ears and willed for it to be gone.

The images replayed, and Anakin continued to yell. The Brother came into view, the image of him convincing Anakin to turn to the Dark side coming up. He remembered the Brother acting as if he was Shmi, telling him that Padmé wasn't his destiny. That she was his fate. How could an Angel be her husband's fate?

Anakin forced the truth into him to reduce the worry. All of what the Brother said was a myth, he thought. Remember that.

Hundreds and hundreds of images of Padmé suffering came up in his mind, and Anakin felt hot tears run down his face. Then he heard a pleading voice, and felt someone shaking him, hard. His head pounded hard as Rex and Cody came into view, and he was in his bathroom again, panting like a dog.

"General Skywalker! Are you alright?"

"No," he said, his voice strained.

Rex's eyebrows knitted together. "Some neighbors next door called and said they heard terrible yelling. Now we know it was you. What was wrong?"

"You mean what is wrong," Anakin corrected, getting back on his feet. He gripped the edge of the counter in front of the sink. "Visions. My wife. Suffering. I don't know what's wrong with my head."

"I recall General Kenobi speaking to Commander Tano about you and visions. You get them often, don't you?" Cody assumed.

Anakin nodded.

"Why don't you just lie down, General," Rex suggested.

"No, I-"

"Your wife's fine. She's at a meeting right now. We just go one of our men to contact her protocol droid," Rex assured. "Lie down and rest. That's what you need. You've had a long week what with all of the missions."

Anakin nodded, taking Rex's advice. "Thank you, men. I'm sorry for the trouble."

"No problem, sir. Anytime." Cody, Rex, and the others walked out, leaving Anakin alone again to rest.

Anakin let out a deep breath and laid on his back in bed. He hoped Padmé would come back fine, and he fought the urge to call her.