"What do you mean you're not coming?"

Luke stood with Anakin in their shared room at the Jedi Temple in complete shock and even some fear, though he was doing his best to hide the latter.

"The chancellor wants the conversation to be a private one, and he gave me information to deliver to the Council," Anakin told him wearily, arms folded across his chest.

"But Anakin—"

"My hands are tied, Luke, all right? Besides, it's not like anything bad will happen to you. I don't see why you're so against this meeting; what's the worst that could happen?" Anakin asked, putting a hand on Luke's shoulder.

He kills me on the spot, Luke thought grimly. He shook his head and sighed. "I'd much rather you were there with me...are you sure there's nothing you can do?"

"Yes I'm sure. I already asked the chancellor if I could be there too but he was very adamant for it to be a private meeting. He left no room to negotiate. You'll be fine and I'll see you afterwards. If you're really that worried, then after my meeting with the Council I'll come to the Senate Building and wait for you outside of his office, how about that?" Anakin asked.

Luke sighed in defeat, his shoulders dropping. "Fine..."

Anakin let out a long sigh, staring at Luke. "Why are you so against meeting Palpatine?" he asked quietly.

Luke looked away towards the wall. "We met once...we don't get along; at all," he said simply. Not in the least.

Anakin gave him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry. Though you never know; maybe whatever happened in your time changed him and you'll get along with him better right now."

Highly unlikely, Luke thought bitterly. Instead of voicing that thought out loud, he sighed. "Let's just get this over with," he grumbled, stomach churning.

It seemed Anakin realized that no matter what he said Luke wasn't going to change his mind, though he did accompany Luke there, talking of a special meal Padmé was apparently preparing for when they got home. Luke had no doubt Anakin had talked to Padmé about Luke not wanting to go see Palpatine, and they had arranged the dinner in an effort to cheer him up. It was what Luke was looking forward to in order to get him through this horrible meeting, so at least it would all work out once it was over. A nice meal with his parents would definitely ease whatever happened in that office, Luke was sure of that much.

When Anakin and Luke stood outside of Sidious' office, Luke was very tempted to ask Anakin once again to stay with him. However, it seemed Anakin already knew what Luke was going to say, and he shook his head. "You'll be all right, Luke, trust me. Now go on; the longer you stall, the longer it's going to take."

Luke sighed. "All right, I'm going, I'm going..."

Anakin smiled at him. "I've got to go. I'll see you whenever you're done."

Before Luke could take what Anakin said to stall just a little longer, the elder Skywalker turned and walked back down the hall, leaving Luke standing there in front of the door to Sidious' office. He grimaced, took a steadying breath to compose himself, and then very reluctantly knocked.

The door opened and Luke found himself face to face with the last person he wanted to be alone with. Sidious smiled at him, something that only made the nausea Luke was feeling to intensify. "Luke, isn't it? I was wondering when you'd appear. Come in, my dear boy, don't just stand out there all day," he chuckled.

Like you didn't sense me out here, Luke thought sourly. However, he entered the room, and the door shutting behind him sounding way too final. Sidious put a hand on his shoulder, and it took all of Luke's willpower not to shrug him off. "I took the liberty of ordering us something to eat. We can talk over a nice lunch," Sidious said.

Luke finally managed to find his voice. "Thank you...Chancellor."

Sidious smiled. "Anakin talks about you quite a lot. I was curious to meet you after everything I've heard."

"What has he said?" Luke asked, curious but also nervous. Hopefully his father hadn't said anything that put Luke in a bad spot.

Sidious chuckled. "Ah, that's a secret. Though he gives you very high praises and is always rather...happy to talk about your quick progress in your training."

Something about the forced edge in Sidious' smile made Luke think that perhaps Luke's presence was doing his father good and frustrating Sidious' efforts. Luke smiled a little at the thought as Sidious led them to a table set up with the lunch Sidious had ordered for them. As Sidious took his seat at one end, Luke took his at the other far end.

"So, Luke; tell me about yourself. I'm rather...curious to learn about who's been making Anakin so much happier as of late."

Ah, now I know what this is all about. I'm frustrating his efforts and he's trying to figure out an effective way to combat my positive influence, Luke thought with smug amusement. I'm going to have to play my cards very carefully then; I don't want to give him anything real to use against me. This is going to be a dangerous game, and I have no one to back me up.

Luke faked a pleasant smile. "What do you want to know?"

"Oh, just the basics for now. I'm sure the more I learn the more questions I'll have," Sidious replied politely.

Luke weighed his words carefully before he spoke, trying to keep in mind the rules the Jedi had that he was currently aware of. "Well...I'm native to Tatooine..."

"Just as Anakin is," Sidious cut in, apparently amused by the fact. "Were you a slave child like him?"

Luke shook his head. "I was raised on a farmstead until I was taken in by the Jedi," he said easily. He was careful to keep too vague truths so that Sidious wouldn't sense any lies from him, but Luke could still keep most of his life secret.

"I see...Anakin and I tend to discuss this matter quite a bit with some...recent worries he's had. I'm curious as to what your opinion of the current state of the Jedi is?" Sidious pressed.

Luke made sure to think his words through very carefully. He could see some flaws in the Jedi at the moment—Anakin and Luke had breached the topic themselves a few times after Anakin had come back from his meetings with Sidious especially doubtful. Though Luke was always careful to point out how the Jedi were overall trying to do what was right and had the well-being of the galaxy at heart, even if they didn't go about the best way of reaching that goal sometimes.

Luke, finally finished thinking, spoke. "The Jedi are still protectors of the galaxy, and with the war they've had to take on more responsibility and become more active in affairs they would rather avoid—for good reason, too. War causes lines to be blurred, and I think that with how bad this war has been the Jedi have done rather well in keeping their standards. Though it seems there are some things they need to work on. I'm sure that they will learn in time. They are trying, and I have no complaints."

Sidious seemed to evaluate what he said, trying to find a weakness to exploit. "War does change people. Perhaps the Jedi aren't what they used to be and have become flawed. It seems to me that the Council has become as corrupt as senators. They haven't had much change in leadership since the war started, and even now they bar Anakin from a position he deserves. It seems they've gained so much power, they now fear to lose it."

"The Jedi are not corrupt," Luke said firmly. He chided himself, reminding himself to keep reigned in. Shaking his head, he started to put some food on his plate, remembering that they were supposed to be having this discussion over a meal.

"How can you be so sure?" Sidious challenged.

"Because their intents are still pure, even if others do not think so."

Sidious stopped his attempts, apparently trying to think of a new angle to come at Luke from. There were a few moments of silence, during which Luke could feel Sidious' burning gaze on him. However, Luke refused to meet the twisted man's eyes, doing his best to keep from shifting uncomfortably under that gaze.

"You don't seem too fond of me, Luke. In fact, Anakin admitted earlier that you were not too keen to meet me," Sidious said smoothly.

Luke tensed; he wasn't sure how to respond to that one without lying. I'm not stupid enough to just come out and say I know he's a Sith and I plan on stopping him. "I'm just...cautious when meeting people."

"Anakin said you were perfectly fine meeting the other senators until it came to meeting me. He said you were rather reluctant."

Sidious' tone was starting to harden. At least now Luke could hear the undercurrent that suggested Sidious at least suspected Luke knew something; Luke was sure of it.

"Call it a bad feeling," Luke finally said, throwing caution to the wind. He shifted uneasily; this conversation was starting to get a little too risky.

"I can assure you, Luke, that you have nothing to fear from me," Sidious replied in a slick tone.

Luke made the mistake of looking up to meet Sidious' eyes, an accusing glint in his gaze. He looked back down at his food sharply, hoping that Sidious caught his expression. Force, Luke, you're going to give yourself away!

There was another long silence, and Luke was alarmed when he felt Sidious prodding at his mental barriers in an attempt to gauge...something from Luke. Immediately Luke fortified those shields as much as he could, and the prodding stopped. However Luke made no physical reaction to the prodding and simply continued to eat in silence.

"You know about me, don't you? Or at least you suspect something," Sidious finally said. It wasn't a question; it was a final statement, and his tone had gone cold.

Luke suddenly felt like he was in mortal danger, though he couldn't tell if it was the Force telling him, his instincts, or Sidious' tone of voice. Either way, Luke didn't feel comfortable staying a moment longer. He stood up sharply, calmly meeting Sidious' eyes and doing his best to appear as un-shaken and determined as he could. "I'll be leaving now, Chancellor. Though I do have one more thing to say; whatever lies or warped truths you've been telling Anakin is going to stop. I'll make sure that what you're trying to do doesn't happen if I must."

What happened to staying off of his radar, Luke wondered to himself.

With that being said, Luke started to leave, but found himself unable to move after only a few steps. As he realized he was trapped by Sidious for the second time in his life, panic and fear washed through him, and Sidious came back into view. Any hint of pleasantness he'd been feigning a few minutes ago was now gone. Luke felt darkness surrounding him and Sidious' eyes held a murderous, unrelenting glint in them that caused Luke's blood to run cold. "I won't kill you; no, no, no, that won't do me any good. You go missing during a visit with me when you were so reluctant to come here in the first place? Too suspicious. However, Luke, you would do well to remember that it would be such a shame for something to happen to you. If you breathe one word to Anakin about your suspicions, I personally will be sure you never have the chance to utter another word ever again."

Luke couldn't do anything but stare at him, eyes wide but jaw set in firm determination. Sidious seemed to note that, and he moved behind Luke where Luke couldn't see him. Luke felt a slight pressure on his throat that was gradually increasing, and his fear intensified. "Now run along, Luke; and keep your mouth shut, or I will find you. You would do well to remember that you are no match for me, so don't get any ideas and stay out of my way."

All at once, the darkness disappeared, the pressure on his throat vanished, and Luke could move again. He fell to the ground with a gasp, arms shaking as he pushed himself back to his feet. He stumbled towards the door, head pounding, and vaguely heard Sidious speak one last time.

"Run along, boy. I'm sure your friends are waiting for you."

Luke pushed himself out the door, arms still shaking and breathing shallow. All he wanted was to get out of the Senate Building as fast as he could. He would go back to his shared room with his father and somehow calm down enough to meditate, to breathe and ask Qui-Gon what he should do.

Luke collided with someone in his haste to get away, and he felt strong hands grip his shoulders.

"Luke?"

**********************************************************************************

Anakin had been on his way back to the Senate Building when he had felt a powerful wave of fear and panic wash over him, coming towards him through the Force Bond he shared with Luke. That Bond had been gradually growing over time and Anakin was able to catch more and more from Luke, even when the young man had his mental barriers up. When he sensed those feelings, Anakin quickened his pace towards the chancellor's office, deeply worried about the source of those feelings.

He had just rounded the corner when Luke barreled right into him. Anakin stumbled, grabbing Luke's shoulders to steady the young man as well. "Luke?"

The Jedi was trembling, and Anakin could still feel the panic and fear radiating off of him. He frowned, gripping Luke tightly but protectively. "Luke, what's wrong? I could sense your fear and panic before I even arrived, and you're shaking. What happened?"

Luke seemed to be trying to think up an excuse but he was apparently too shaken to give one, which only increased Anakin's concern. "I'll be fine, I just need some air and time to think, I-I'll have to talk to you later, I'll be at the Temple," he said in a rush. Before Anakin could respond, he brushed by Anakin, every movement tense and his eyes giving away how rattled he truly was.

Bemused, Anakin turned to Palpatine's office, making his way briskly into the room.

Palpatine was sitting at his desk, a service droid cleaning up a meal set up in a corner. Anakin approached the older man confidently.

"Chancellor, I just ran into Luke in the halls and he's very shaken; I don't know what's gotten into him. Did something happen while he was with you?" Anakin asked quickly, concern dripping in his tone.

Palpatine glanced up at him and sighed. "We were just having honest conversation and I suggested an idea I've had for a while; it really upset him. I simply suggested letting the Jedi have more power in the Republic and he was so upset he choked! When he gathered himself he ran out; I don't know what came over him."

Anakin was dumbfounded. Why would calm and collected Luke react to something like that so badly? It made no sense to him. Unless...

A disturbing thought came over him. Luke didn't want the Jedi to have more power? Did that mean the Jedi really had become corrupt, like Palpatine suggested? Luke had said that the Republic had been overthrown; what if it had been a member of the Council responsible?

"Anakin, are you all right?"

Palpatine's concerned voice brought Anakin back down to reality with a bump. Anakin was about to respond when a nudge in the Force told him to look closer. When he did, Anakin was disturbed to discover there was something too...eager in Palpatine's expression, something that seemed to have an almost sinister edge to it. Anakin shook his head.

"I have to go; I'm needed back at the Temple. I only came here to pick up Luke," Anakin told him, frowning.

Palpatine nodded. "I see. Well, I hope to see you soon, Anakin. You come to me if you need anything, all right?"

Anakin bowed respectfully. "Of course, Chancellor."

With that Anakin promptly left, feeling much more confused than when he had entered the room. Someone needed to start explaining things, because Anakin was only getting more and more lost and confused.