Chapter 8: Confusion
Padme was in her apartment. She had spoken with the chancellor. She wanted to move up some meetings and discuss some Senate bills she found problematic. The trick she had used had been low-key, but it had sounded personal enough for the chancellor to believe it.
"Padme," Ahsoka greeted as she arrived at her apartment. They had used public transportation, and no one looked like a Jedi, just as Padme had requested.
"Ahsoka, Luke, Leia," she said, hugging them tightly.
"I can hardly believe you already know," Ahsoka said, sitting down on the couch. "But I definitely think it's for the best."
"I'll help as much as I can. Ani will never fall to the dark side."
"Why didn't you ever tell me you were married?" Ahsoka asked.
"It was a difficult decision for us," Padme commented.
"I understand, even if you don't believe it," Ahsoka smiled.
"I spoke to the chancellor."
"What did you tell him, Mother?" Leia asked, curious. She knew her mother would initiate the plan, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
"I convinced him to talk about my vote on some bills I've been opposing."
"Are you planning on telling him you've changed your mind?" Leia asked, knowing that might be suspicious.
"My vote will still be against him, but maybe I can convince him to seek help passing the laws at the neutral points, ensuring that there aren't enough of them to approve harmful projects that involve bad decisions for the Republic."
"How do you plan to deceive him then?" Luke and Ahsoka asked, not understanding much about politics.
"I understand," Leia said excitedly. "You'll make him believe you're worried about the Jedi, without directly mentioning Father. Since he likely already knows about your marriage, he'll believe your support for him is genuine."
"I know it's too selfish, and it's not that I don't care about his father, but it's the only way to divert the Chancellor's attention. I need to pull strings in the Senate against him to take away his powers. I need the Senate on my side, and the Chancellor on my side to achieve this."
"What does my father have to do with these projects?" Luke asked, not understanding anything.
"Is the project about creating more clones true? There's always been a lot of fuss about that topic, and honestly, my Master doesn't agree."
"I always had the impression that Anakin agreed," Padme said, overwhelmed by the realization that there were many things she didn't know about her husband.
"My master always does what must be done," Ahsoka said, eating a muffin that 3P0 had brought them. "But he doesn't agree with the way the clones are treated."
"Rex is one of his best friends," Padme confirmed.
"He's always wanted to do more for them. He regrets that they were created only to die in battle. To him, they are normal people. They feel and love the same way. My master is a good person," Ahsoka said, her voice breaking.
"When I met him, his mother said he always gave without expecting anything in return. He always wanted the best for others," Padme said, tears falling from her eyes as Ahsoka began to sob.
"I won't let that horrible fate befall him," Ahsoka said, crying in Padme's lap. Ahsoka almost never cried, not even in the worst moments, but Anakin was like her brother, like her father. She had no idea how to save him, couldn't imagine a future where she would have to face her master.
"We'll make it, Mom," Leia said, and Padme savored the sound of that word.
"That's what I need from you, Ahsoka," Padme said.
"From me?"
"You'll be my trusted confidant with the Chancellor."
"Like the Chancellor does with Father," Luke said, and everyone nodded.
"It'll make the lie more believable. I'll tell you about the tragedies that happen in the war, and your concern for my Master will only increase. I can fake it well."
"What will we do?" Leia asked.
"I need you to tell me everything Anakin does. I need you to keep him away from the Chancellor at all times."
"We can do that," Leia said thoughtfully. It wouldn't be easy, but they could definitely do it.
"My Master and I will be sent on missions to the Outer Rim soon," Ahsoka announced. "How will you keep track of us?" she asked, having already learned of the plan to always be close.
"I know the approximate duration of the mission and the potential risks. I don't agree with exposing my children to this, but we must avoid the future at all costs. That's why I've brought forward the meetings. I'll just say that my father is in poor health. Another of my ladies-in-waiting will be replacing me on Naboo. The Chancellor would never visit my home on Naboo in person."
"Mother also spoke of a riskier plan," Luke commented. "Having one of her handmaidens replace her in the Senate, once the lie about his sick father on Naboo has worn off."
"That's a good idea," Ahsoka said. "Even if he finds out, he'll think you did it to spend time with my master."
"Exactly," Padme smiled, finishing wiping away her tears.
Ahsoka and Leia began chatting about Anakin. Leia needed all the information she could get to plan how to get her father away from the chancellor, and Ahsoka really had a lot of stories to tell.
Luke, for his part, stood on the outside terrace, awestruck by the beauty of Coruscant at night; he didn't know much beyond Tatooine.
"What's wrong, Luke?" Padme asked, hugging him from behind. She wanted to enjoy every second with her son.
"I've never seen anything so beautiful," Luke confessed. "I only know Tatooine, and the war."
"Tatooine is also very beautiful, even though your father hates it."
"I hate it too," Luke confessed, "but I miss my Aunt Beru and my Uncle Owen."
"We could go see them," Padme suggested.
"When? With everything going on?"
"It's not a long trip; it would only take us two days between missions in the Outer Rim. We'll have to pass close by. Anakin mustn't know, otherwise he'll find out you're his son."
"I'd really love to see them one last time," Luke said, hugging Padme.
"If we avoid all this, they won't die, there won't be an empire," Padme smiled, looking into her son's eyes. Luke wasn't as tall as Anakin, but his hair, including the same childlike expression Anakin had had years before, continued to hug each other.
They continued to hug, while Luke told her stories of his childhood on Tatooine. What they couldn't know was that Anakin was walking past Obi-Wan in front of Padme's apartment. He was supposed to take his master to his apartment, and he had taken that route only to perhaps visit Padme with Obi-Wan, but the image left him completely absorbed.
"Anakin, calm down," his master said when he saw Anakin's darkened gaze.
"I'm calm. What is Luke doing with Padme... Senator Amidala?" he asked. "Why is he hugging her like that?"
"Whatever the reason, Senator Amidala's life is none of our concern. Luke comes from the past. His duty here is to save us from the future. You heard it yourself from Yoda," Obi-Wan continued, thankful that Anakin's jealousy prevented him from seeing that Ahsoka's ship was right in the apartment's hangar. Obi-Wan immediately understood the situation. Deep down, he always knew it. He was sure Anakin felt it too, but whatever was preventing him from realizing it, he wouldn't say it. He would only warn them of what had happened without Anakin noticing.
Anakin dropped him off at his apartment and couldn't keep him, even after inviting him to a drink. He grabbed his communicator, pleading for Ahsoka to answer, and luckily for him, she did.
"Ahsoka, Anakin just saw Padme hugging Luke on the terrace."
"How do you know we're here? Oh my God, what are you saying?" Ahsoka asked, understanding what her master would think of seeing them hugging.
"Ahsoka, the twins are Anakin and Padme's children, right?" she asked; there was no time to be tactful enough to ask.
"How did he find out?" Ahsoka asked, feeling despair wash over her.
"They're practically his clones. Why would Luke hug Padme? Have you seen how Leia looks at Anakin with admiration?" Obi-Wan asked. Ahsoka admitted she had a point. They would have to be very careful if they didn't want anyone else to find out.
"Ahsoka, you need to get out of there now. Leave Luke alone. Come up with something. If Anakin doesn't find him there when he gets there—because I'm sure he's going there—his jealousy will take over. He'll imagine I've run away and imagine the worst. He'll look for Luke, and unless they tell him the truth, the outcome won't be good."
"So how do you plan to have me leave him here?" Ahsoka asked, while Leia looked at him in terror. How had that happened?
"Just make up a story," Obi-Wan cursed. "Ahsoka, my apartment isn't far from the senator's. Anakin will be there in less than half an hour, considering his driving speed."
"What story do you want me to make up?" Ahsoka shouted, looking at Luke, Leia, and Padme, who had heard everything on the communicator. How could they have been so careless?
"Either they tell him the truth now, or they make up a story Anakin will believe, and only a very talented person can fool him."
"There's no need for us to run away with Ahsoka. Father will never believe Luke came alone to talk to Mother or something. He'll be even more suspicious. I'm sorry, Obi-Wan, your idea isn't the best."
"What do you propose, then, Leia Skywalker?" Obi-Wan asked. The resentment in Wan's voice at not having been informed of this was almost audible.
"Mother, give me your clothes," Leia asked.
"Right away," Padme said, understanding.
"Oh, by force, Leia, you're brilliant," Ahsoka said. They were too identical. They had a chance.
"Ahsoka, you take some of my clothes too," Padme ordered, and Ahsoka nodded. The lie would be more believable.
"Why are you switching clothes?" Obi-Wan asked through the communicator. "I don't know if you've noticed, but you don't have much time."
"Leia will pretend to be Padme; they look identical," Ahsoka said through the communicator. "When Anakin arrives, we'll both be wearing Padme's clothes. He'll easily believe it. Padme often lends me her dresses."
"Why?" Obi-Wan asked, confused.
"You're a man, you'd never understand," Padme smiled. She quickly took off her clothes and handed them to Leia. She put on another dress and threw one to Ahsoka.
"Let me know if anything bad happens," Obi-Wan said, sighing. "I want all four of you here tomorrow," he said, and Padme promised they would be there. They weren't sure that Obi-Wan knowing was for the best, but it had been inevitable.
"Leia, your hairstyle has to be similar to mine," Padme said, letting go of Leia's hair and gathering it in a similar way to hers. "Ahsoka, please undo my hairstyle."
"I'm working on it," Ahsoka murmured, feeling her master's ship land in the hangar. Luke was alone outside. She hoped he was smart enough to hide.
"He just got off the ship," Luke said, entering the room, thankful that all the women were dressed.
"What are you doing here? He'll kill you before he even knows you're his son," Ahsoka yelled.
"I'm not going to stay alone with him," Luke said fearfully. In the short time he'd known him, he'd loved his father, but he had no idea he was his son, and he could easily kill him if the dark side appeared in him.
"The first thing we have to do is change father's bad temper," Leia said, and everyone nodded. "Otherwise, his fall to the dark side will be imminent," Leia said as Padme arranged the last detail in her hair.
"Padme," the scream was heard in the living room. It was close. Ahsoka tried to hide them with the Force, but she was sure her master would find them quickly, and they still didn't know what to do with Luke.
"We're ready," Padme said, looking in the mirror. She felt her loose hair wasn't very glamorous, but Leia looked identical to her.
"Padme," a shout came from near the room, and they knew there was no way to get Luke out of the room now.
"Luke, hand me that bracelet," Padme said, pointing to a metal bracelet on her dresser. Luke did so immediately, and Padme placed it on her wrist. "Squeeze it hard, quickly, without hurting me," Luke did so quickly. "Now pretend you're taking it off with your lightsaber."
"Good idea," Ahsoka said. She had tried using those bracelets herself; they always got stuck. Even Anakin had had to take them off once, and boy had he outsmarted her.
"Padme," Anakin said, flinging open the door, causing everyone to gasp in surprise at the unexpected entrance, and Luke gulped as his father's furious gaze fixed on him.
"What's Luke doing here?" he asked, advancing on her.
"Master Skywalker," Padme whispered, trying to remind him that no one was supposed to know about their marriage. "Did he need me?"
"What's he doing here?" he asked, annoyed, looking at Luke.
"Oh, Ahsoka and Leia want to go shopping with me tomorrow. You know, Leia doesn't have many clothes from this era, and I suggested they try on mine," Padme smiled, frustrated when Anakin didn't seem to notice Leia was wearing the clothes he had seen her in on the terrace.
"Was Luke weighing in on how well they looked?" he asked, even more annoyed, and everyone understood.
"Ahsoka, did you let a man watch you change your clothes? And what about you, Senator Amidala? Is this good behavior? And you?" he said, pointing at Leia. "Is this a custom of the future?"
"Master, it's not what you think," Ahsoka began, but Anakin pulled her away.
"It's not what you think, Anakin," Padme said, trying not to burst out laughing at his jealousy. Something like this shouldn't make her laugh, but she couldn't help it. "This bracelet won't come off my arm. I've never had a problem with one," she said, trying not to laugh at Luke's panicked face.
"Luke was helping her," Ahsoka said. "You know my accuracy with these damn bracelets isn't the best. You've had to help me many times when my desire to be fashionable betrayed me," Ahsoka said, and Anakin looked at the bracelet, sighing. He saw Leia in Padme's clothes. So it was her he saw on the terrace? How could he mistake his beloved wife?
"I don't think you have the necessary precision, Luke," he joked, still a little annoyed, but Luke relaxed. "This is the way," he said, taking out his lightsaber and delicately cutting the bracelet.
"Thanks," Luke sighed, and Ahsoka tried not to burst out laughing at his muffled whisper. "I thought I was going to cut his arm off," Luke said, and Anakin placed a hand on his shoulder. Luke could swear he was using too much force.
"Have you been here all afternoon while they try on clothes?" Anakin asked with a smile.
"It's been hell," Luke said when Leia subtly threw him a bracelet.
"You need something else to do, kid," Anakin said, leaving the room with Luke. He needed to lighten the mood. He had been on the verge of giving himself away because of his jealous rage. He had distrusted Padme. He couldn't forgive himself for that. How would he explain why he came back so upset? How would he explain why he was visiting Padme again? How could he have imagined that everyone already knew the truth and he was the only one trying to hide it?
"I'll be with you right away, Jedi Master," Padme said from the room. "The project the Chancellor sent you to retrieve is on my desk. I'll speak to you about it in a moment," Padme said, supposedly covering for Anakin.
"Thank you very much, Senator," Anakin sighed in relief. Padme always saved him.
"We'll be leaving. They said they were going to change clothes when the bracelet incident happened," Luke smiled.
3PO offered them a drink, and they couldn't refuse. They talked about Coruscant and a few missions during the long time it took the women to get ready.
"Okay, are you ready, Luke?" Ahsoka asked.
"Sure," Luke said, saying goodbye to his father.
"See you at the Master Temple?" Ahsoka asked, knowing the answer.
"I'll stop by Obi-Wan's," Anakin smiled, and Ahsoka nodded.
No one brought up Anakin's arrival. It wasn't in anyone's best interest to ask. Padme hated having to hide things from Anakin, but she would tell him the truth as soon as possible.
When Ahsoka left with the twins, Padme feigned surprise.
"Ani, why did you come in like that?" she asked.
"Padme, I'm sorry," Anakin said, hugging her. Padme's heart was about to break. "I didn't trust you. I saw Leia hugging Luke. She was wearing your clothes. I thought it was you. I know it's stupid. Forgive me, angel," Anakin said, and Padme kissed him.
"I would never cheat on you, Ani," Padme said, regretting deep down that she had kept such a beautiful secret from him, that the boys were his children. Now even Obi-Wan knew it. "Never," she said, kissing him again, assuring him that she would never cheat on him, that she would always love only him, and that they would always be together despite the difficulties.
Anakin felt loved that night, at the end of the night, with Padme sleeping on his chest, he felt how hatred, how jealousy, how fear disappeared, he had never felt so close to the light as now.