Chapter 8 - Despair

"How is he?" Obi-Wan stood in front of Anakin's bed and spoke to a Twi'lek healer named Jalina Sedulr. Anakin lay in the Halls of Healing for several days without showing a single sign of life.

"I'm sorry, Master Kenobi," she said, and Obi-Wan heard the slight accent of Ryloth in her voice. The Jedi strode closer to the bed, but didn't get far when suddenly the devices monitoring Anakin's condition began beeping. Jalina Sedulr was immediately at Anakin's side and convinced herself of what she hadn't thought possible until now. "He's waking up," she exclaimed in surprise.

Anakin slowly slipped back into reality. Tormented by nightmares, he couldn't take anymore. This sleep had given him nothing but terror. After some time, he opened his eyes.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan carefully sat down on the edge of the bed. "Anakin do you hear me?" Shortly thereafter, Obi-Wan saw his former Padawan 's blue eyes . "Hello Master," he whispered softly. Anakin needed some time to remember what had happened over the past few days.

Anakin rose and looked around. "What's going on? Why am I here? What happened?" Obi-Wan raised his hand to stop the questions. But Anakin still seemed to turn around, searching. He looked at Obi-Wan almost in panic. "Where's Padmé?" Obi-Wan avoided his gaze. "She was captured, right?" Anakin's voice was no more than a whisper. "They arrested her for high treason. And only because of Windu!" Now he was literally screaming.

Obi-Wan just nodded. "I'm so sorry, Anakin, but ..."

The angry Jedi simply cut him off. "I don't care what you're sorry for! You came with Shaak Ti as backup! You have some of the blame yourself." With these words he jumped up and ran out. Obi-Wan tried in vain to catch up. "Anakin, wait a minute." Finally, Anakin stopped and turned around. He seemed to burn with anger and fury. "Master Yoda is not there. That is why Windu is in control of the Council."

"I don't care!" Anakin disappeared, and Obi-Wan felt incredibly guilty.

The hot-headed Jedi raced down the hallways of the temple. He had to catch a turbolift as fast as he could. He was so preoccupied that he didn't notice the turbolift until he'd walked past it. He cursed under his breath and entered the elevator. With a small movement of his hand, Anakin pressed a button. Immediately, the lift shot down into the depths of the temple, well below Coruscant 's surface.

The door of the turbolift hissed open. In front of the young Jedi lay the prison block. He slowly stepped out and looked around. A 'glass box' in which several Jedi Guardians stood. Next to it was a radiation-protected passageway guarded by two Jedi guards. With a big stride, Anakin stood in front of the 'glass case' and said, "I have to see Senator Amidala urgently."

"Unfortunately, all access to her has been banned by the High Council."

Angry at Windu's move, Anakin clenched his hands into fists. "But I really need to talk to her," he said emphatically.

But the guard shook his head. "I'm sorry, Master Skywalker, but all entry into the prison block must be approved by the Council.

Now Anakin smirked inwardly and stepped back. "But of course I have approval from the High Council. Otherwise I wouldn't be here." But the guard didn't seem really convinced. "Master Kenobi gave me permission. As a member of the council, I have permission," Anakin lied, beaming with confidence. But on the inside, he was on the verge of the end. He had to see Padmé by all means! She needed him now more than ever.

After a while, the guard nodded and gestured for the guards to step aside. The red ray shield was deactivated, and the Guardians directed Anakin to follow them.

oOo

Knees pressed to her body, Padmé crouched in her cell. Windu had lied! Another five days had passed and no one had come to see her, except for a guard with something to eat every two days. She slowly lowered her head to her knees. Suddenly the door opened, but Padmé didn't care. She probably only got something to eat again.

oOo

When the doors to Padmé's cell opened, Anakin shivered. She was huddled in the corner of her cell and appeared to be shaking. He rushed to her side and tenderly touched the back of her head. But Padmé flinched, and moments later the Jedi felt a rumbling pain on his cheek. "Ouch," he exclaimed.

She sat up then and he caught a glimpse of her face. " Anakin? I ... I'm sorry ... I didn't mean to do this," she whispered.

"Shhh, everything is fine." Tears ran down her cheeks and Anakin wrapped his arms around Padmé. He heard her sobs and whimpers. But he held her tightly to him. "Padmé, I ... I'm so sorry," he began. "But I was still lying in the Halls of Healing until a few hours ago. Had I known that ..."

But she interrupted Anakin. "It wasn't your fault," her voice sounded rough, but there was still love in it. "You're here now."

He pulled her onto his lap and approached her face. "I've missed you so much, my angel." At this, Padmé sniffled and snuggled up to her husband. He stroked her shoulder reassuringly.

"They locked me up and interrogated me for no reason ... if I'm being honest, I don't even know why I'm here. Also, I'm starving, I haven't eaten anything normal for days and ..."

Now Anakin it was, who carefully interrupted her. "Don't worry, darling, I'll get you out of here. As long as we stick together, nothing and nobody will separate us." Anakin met Padmé's eyes hopefully and rested his forehead on hers.

"I love you, Ani," she whimpered, and more tears ran down her cheeks. Anakin touched each one with his real hand and held them even tighter. Padmé, still crying, leaned up a little and pressed her lips to his.

It was a kiss full of desperation and longing. As soon as Padmé started kissing him, he was finally happy again. Though Anakin had sensed her anxiety and fear. He also knew the real challenge was yet to come.

-

Hi and welcome back!

What do you think?

Skyllen :)