Star Wars: Second Chance

4: Chancellor Sidious

4: Chancellor Sidious

On the way to Padme's apartment, Anakin commed her to tell her that Luke was joining them and that he knew and he could be trusted. Luke just sat back, thinking about the chance he had been given and what he had to do.
When they reached the door, Anakin unlocked it and they went in. Anakin went up to Padme and kissed her. When they broke apart, Luke went up to Padme, shook her hand and said it was a pleasure to meet her.
"Such manners, Luke. It's nice to meet you, too. Come, dinner is ready."
At dinner, they talked and laughed. Luke felt at home and safe for the first time in a long time. Luke learned that Padme had been queen, that Anakin had built C3PO, and he told about living on Tatooine, comparing his story to Anakin's.

"I lived with my Aunt and Uncle in a homestead." Luke said.

"I lived with my mother at Mos Espa. You said you lived with you Aunt and Uncle. What happened to your parents?" Anakin inquired.

"My father was a Jedi but he fell to the Dark Side and I never really knew him. My mother died after she found out what my father did which was right after I was born."

They finished the meal in silence. Anakin digested what Luke had told him. If Luke's father fell to the Dark Side, he must have been the Sith that killed the remaining Jedi... What a burden for Luke to carry.

After dinner, Anakin told him, "There's a spare bedroom on the second right. Padme and I will be over there." Gesturing to the door just down the hall.
"Goodnight." Luke said.
"Goodnight, Luke." Anakin said.
In his room, Luke lay down on the soft bed and meditated himself to sleep. In confused dreams of fragments of memory and flashed of scenes he'd never seen before Luke heard snippets of conversation.
"Good, good, embrace your anger."
"You were my brother!"
"I won't leave you!"
"Tell your sister you were right."
"I HATE YOU!"
Luke was drowning in painful memories when a white light cleaved through them. In front of him stood a man with long hair and Jedi robes. "Luke, I am Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan's former master. I'm here to help you in your mission to redeem Anakin. You can call on me for aid and advice."
"How do you know all this?" Luke asked him.
"The Force showed me." Qui-Gon explained. "I'm warning you now that Anakin is about to have a dream about Padme dying at childbirth. This is one of the things exploited by Sidious. Help Anakin stay in the Light."
The last words faded as Luke felt a rush of terror and pain through the Force and leapt to his feet, lightsaber in hand.
Luke put the lightsaber back down and went to find Anakin.
As he reached the main room he heard Anakin and Padme talking.
"It was a dream." Anakin said.
"Bad?" asked Padme.
"Like the ones I used to have about my mother just before she died." Anakin answered.
"And?" She questioned.
"It was about you." He muttered. "It was only a dream." Luke could tell Anakin was trying to reassure himself as well as Padme.
"You die in childbirth..." Anakin finally admitted.
"And the baby?" Padme worried.
"I don't know."
"It was only a dream." Padme stated.
"I won't let this one become real, Padme." Anakin pledged.
"Anakin, this baby will change our lives. I doubt the Queen will continue to allow me to serve in the Senate, and if the Council discovers you are the father, you will be expelled from the Jedi Order." Padme worried.
"I know." Anakin said.
"Anakin, do you think Obi-Wan might be able to help us?" Padme questioned.
"Have you told him anything?" Anakin asked.
"No, but he's your mentor, your best friend . . . he must suspect something." Padme reasoned.
"He's been a father to me, but he's still on the Council. Don't tell him anything!" Anakin warned.
"I won't, Anakin." Padme promised.
"I don't need his help . . . Our baby is a blessing, not a problem." He kissed her forehead. "Now, go back to bed. I'll be right there."
She went and without turning Anakin asked "How much did you hear?"
Luke walked forwards next to Anakin at the terrace. "Enough."
Anakin sighed and bowed his head. "I can't believe I'm having these dreams again. I can't lose Padme..."
Luke thought then spoke. "I once had a dream about people dear to me dying and when I rushed to save them I made things worse. My vision was a warning, maybe yours is too. Maybe the Force is warming you about what could happen if you act of your fear."
Anakin sighed again. "You might be right, Luke, I'll try to remember that. Now, go back to sleep, we have work to do tomorrow."
-SW-