In the Aftermath

Ghosts of the Future

Obi-Wan, while probably the best choice for a third confidant for Padmé to add to the inner circle of her ever expanding plans, was off the table due to his current position in the Outer Rim.  Besides, Anakin was hesitant to open up to his former master about all of his past mistakes.  Probably just more of Palpatine's manipulations of his insecurities, but neither of them could completely discern the difference between legitimate concerns and seeds of doubt planted by the Sith Lord.  Either way, Obi-Wan couldn't help them this time, so they had to find somebody else.  The need to involve the Jedi was certainly one Padmé had always seen on the horizon and dreaded to a certain degree.  However, with the realization of Palpatine's true influence over Anakin, her hand was now forced.  Retiring to the living room, as the balcony definitely lacked the proper privacy needed to shelter the progressing conspiracy against the leader of the Republic, Padmé and Anakin attempted to brainstorm.

"The only other Jedi alive in the future was Master Yoda, right?" Anakin asked, thumbing through Padmé's notes.

She gave him a nod. "He passed away soon after we met up, but yes. Only he and Obi-Wan make it through the betrayal of the clones, at least, they were the only two that Luke knew of."

One fact Padmé absolutely refused to accept was that, out of an order of literally thousands, only two members survived within the subsequent two decades of its fall. Perhaps there existed other survivors out in the galaxy that lived underneath Palpatine's radar, ones simply unconcerned with the fates of her family members and the galaxy as a whole. It was entirely possible, but there was no concrete way of knowing who they could be, and who exactly she could put her trust into. Padmé had made an effort to include ever major player in the future she had seen or heard of within her current plans to some capacity, as she knew that these people would want to help fight against the empire and weren't involved with Palpatine. It was just easier to put her trust into already established members of the resistance. Even bringing in Captain Rex had been a gamble, but it seemed to be paying off, as he had recently informed Anakin that nearly the entire 501st had gotten their chips removed at his insistence. Yet another reason to involve the Jedi, as the rest of the clones outside of that legion wouldn't be granted the same blessing by their own Generals without good reason.

"I guess our only option outside of Obi-Wan would be Master Yoda then," Anakin sighed, clearly unhappy with the conclusion. "It won't be easy though. As the Grand Master, he's expected to uphold the code most of all, and when he finds out about our relationship, he'll have no choice but to expel me."

Padmé slumped, this was her greatest concern when it came to dealing with the Jedi. "Are there no other Jedi who we could speak with? Maybe someone else on the council?"

Anakin gave a snort, before reclining back next to her. "Master Windu is the next higher up below Yoda, but the second it's brought up that I become an evil Sith Lord, he's just going to latch onto that. He's always looking for proof that I'm a bad Jedi, and this will be his chance to lock me up for crimes I haven't even committed yet! Besides, he'll probably do something reckless like confront Palpatine himself, and that will only bring our plans to his attention."

Anakin wrapped an arm around Padmé's shoulders, and the two cuddled in close on the couch.

"Tomorrow morning, I'll request a meeting with Master Yoda. I'll tell him about my dreams and go from there, so don't be surprised if he wants to see you soon after."

Padmé nodded, as her eyelids grew heavy. It had been a long night, with only longer days to come their way after, but at least they still had each other. And Padmé was determined to keep it that way.

***
It was lunchtime the next day when Anakin had showed up in her office. Padmé had been attempting to keep her mind on her work all morning, however, her thoughts constantly lingered on the inevitable meeting between the two Jedi. It was almost a relief when she came back after a few business related encounters of her own, to find Anakin waiting at her desk. She quickly shut the door and the two shared a swift kiss. Immediately after, Anakin began explaining the details of his conversation with Master Yoda.