Saga Good for the Soul--Padme's confession post-AOTC, AU--Vignette 62

It took every bit of moral fiber that she had and then strength beyond what she really possessed to come here.

It was not that the Jedi Temple was an ominous place. Of all the buildings on Coruscant, there were few that actually calmed her soul just by their presence. The Senate Arboretum was one, while the Senate building was not.

Nevertheless, as her speeder approached the civilian dock, Padme's heart pounded against her ribs with a painful intensity. She had not felt this kind of sickening adrenaline since Geonosis and it half-frightened her, but she had chosen her path and she would die before she altered that course.

She approached alone, having left Dorme to run interference with Captain Typho until she could sneak back to her apartment, but the air in the speeder seemed oppressive as it was.

Perhaps, after she spoke to the Council, she would be able to breathe again. There would be less of this fear and apprehension and things would be entirely different.

She felt oppressed because circumstances might dictate that Anakin was expelled from the Jedi Order.

It was a tempting thought, of course, since they had been forced to love in the shadows and dread every hint of public intimacy in the way they spoke to each other. There were verbal codes of course, different ways of smiling into the comm unit so that the other would read more into the sentences than clear-cut statements. After today, they might not have to resort to that.

After today, however, he might not ever speak to her again. He might not have the chance. Still, there was something much stronger than her sense of justice telling her to keep this appointment. She had no word for it and didn't quite understand it, but she could not think on it too much because tears would blur her vision too much to let her pilot.

"Speeder 3117141xx2," the Temple controller greeted, "please transmit your clearance code."

Her hands shook as she punched in the numbers that Obi-Wan had provided when confirming her appointment and she clenched them around the steering yoke as she maintained a steady approach vector.

"Milady," the controller continued, "you are cleared for landing at the arranged coordinates. Let us know if you experience any difficulties."

"Thank you," she said automatically.

It was something of a relief to have Obi-Wan meet her at the docking bay, since she felt strange enough here as it was without a sympathetic face to welcome her.

"Padme," he said with a slight smile, "thank you for coming."

He was smiling because he probably thought she could explain his Padawan's disquiet. They simply had no idea what disquiet meant.

?Thank you for permitting it,? she rejoined with equal formality.

?Master Yoda is waiting for us in his chambers,? he explained, turning to escort her into the Temple proper.

?His chambers,? Padme repeated. ?We won?t be meeting in the Council chamber??

His smile thinned slightly. ?I don?t like bringing Jedi to the Council unnecessarily,? he stated. ?I wouldn?t do that to someone I respect, either.?

She found herself smiling more out of habit than anything else, but did not respond. He glanced over as if gauging her response and she knew that this was a learned habit. He respected the fact that she did not cherish the thought of anyone, much less a friend, delving into her mind. She trusted him to read her body language and tones more than her thoughts, just as she did with Anakin.

Or rather, as she thought she was able to trust Anakin.

?Besides,? he continued, obviously sensing that she did not need to comment on that, ?our meeting will be between yourself and Master Yoda and myself. Until we ascertain the nature of the difficulty, there is little need to stand on such ceremony.?

It was almost a relief to hear that. She knew each of the Masters by face and was well-acquainted with their exploits in the war, but they were not very familiar to her. Facing those she already knew by experience was much less imposing.

It would have been very easy for Master Yo

 

Love. A word the old Order had forgotten.

Loved this, Ish. Her correction of Yoda was kinda funny, actually. And yeah, they probably didn't fool anyone. And what a cliffie. Too bad it'll never get resolved, though. Ah, well.

 

(no words to express what I feel)

Rachel Rose

 

I don't know why this feels like a Bishop's court is being held but it does.

I would love to see more to this, what happens after.

 

This was very beautifully done. It wasn't what I expected at all.

 

RK_Striker_JK_5--Yes, seriously! Yeah, her correcting Yoda was something i just had to do. A bit of a cliffie, but I never said it would be unresolved.

AnakinLuver--Awww, hubs for you! Thanks!

Noelie--*snrk* Only you, noelie dear. Thanks. Like I said, continuation is not ruled out.

Araxie--Thanks, Araxie. Yeah, a bit different.

 

Senator Skywalker,? Padme corrected immediately.

There was no shock evident. Perhaps they had fooled no one. Perhaps Obi-Wan had guessed.

I liked the tone of the informal meeting. This post intrigued me. I definitely would like more.
I wonder though is this immediately after their marriage or further on down the road? What drove PAdme to confess now? I got that it was love and I am assuming it is to get Anakin help,I just would like to get the timeing clear in my head. Thanks

 

Great job. If only the truth had come out and the Council actually showed some understanding of human nature, things might have turned out differently.

--MissPadme

 

Yes, keeping secrets is definately not good for the soul. If only they had told someone, perhaps Obi-Wan and Yoda, at least, would have understood. I love that Obi-Wan was forced to confront that "power greater than justice". Perhaps if he had been forced to acknowlege his attachment to Anakin before he was limbless and falling into a river of lava, things would have turned out better, too.

What is different in this AU that led her to confess, though? Was it just that she thought about love differently than in canon, and wanted to help him, or was it something external? I would love to see this continued.

 

obsessedwithSW--Glad you enjoyed the tone and such. Fairly far down the road. If I expand this, the motivation will be very explained.

MissPadme--Exactly. It really would have made a difference. Thanks!

DarthNaughtious--No, it's not. I wish they had told Obi-Wan at the very least. Love your summation of it... Thanks!

 

It's good reading, but it feels unfinished.

You ... must ... write ... more!

 

Heehee, possibly will do. Thanks.