Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Star Wars yet.

Here it is, as promised – the sequel to "Now, That's Different!" I hope it satisfies your expectations, but be reminded – I am pre-writing, so suggestions made after individual chapters may or may not be taken, depending on whether it fits with my plan for the story. Reviews, however, are still welcome, so please feel free to take advantage of that feature of this web site!

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Anakin sat in the cockpit of his starfigter as the vehicle lifted away from the planet on which he had spent the last week. Bittersweet feelings swirled through his mind – he was leaving his new friends, who had been so kind to him, perhaps never to see them again. However, he was being taken by a close friend to rejoin other old friends – and someone dearer to him than all else: Padmé.

He suddenly remembered how much he missed her, and felt guilty for not missing her as much as he should have. But perhaps that was the beginning of the Dark Side in him already – he had been too preoccupied with himself to consider others. But then, he had to be concentrating on himself at this oh-so-crucial time, didn't he? He had to stay focused, keep his guard up, hold on tight to what he knew to keep himself from slipping down to the darkest of fates. Oh, it was so confusing! How could he tread a middle path between utter self-focus and complete oblivion?

The Jedi wanted him to balance the Force; but how was he supposed to balance the Force when he couldn't even balance himself?

His problem was confounded further by the remembrance of Jeff's advice that he inform Obi-wan of his issues. In the worst way, Anakin did not want to do it. It would possibly be the most unpleasant conversation of his life to that point. He wished he could find some way out of it. Then he remembered the inner strength and wisdom of the boy. The advice Jeff had given was good, solid; it just wasn't very much fun.

But then, neither was taking medicine; yet sometimes, that was necessary. Maybe that was the way to look at it. The confession would be like medicine to treat the darkness growing in his soul.

Anakin was ready, right there and then, to launch into his confession. His finger was on the comm dial to begin transmission to Obi-wan when he stopped himself. He couldn't do this in the middle of a flight! Obi-wan would freak out and lose control of his ship or something, and that could only end badly. He'd better wait until after they landed. And, he realized, until after he had spoken with Padmé. After all, she had some stake in the matter, too, and ought to have input on whether or not they told anyone of their "attachment."

He sighed. He hated unpleasant situations like this, but he hated delaying them even more; the longer a wait before one, the more time he had to dread it.

This was going to be much harder than he'd thought.

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They arrived on Coruscant two hours before their scheduled Council briefing. Anakin slipped away from Obi-wan as quickly as he could and headed straight for Padmé's apartment. He climbed out of his starfighter onto her private docking platform and rushed to her.

"Oh, Ani! I'm so glad you're back! There were rumors going around that you and Obi-wan had disappeared! I thought you were lost in space!"

Anakin was flabbergasted until it dawned on him that, of course, the council had not shared his strange tale with the rest of the galaxy.

"Angel, I will always come back to you," he soothed.

Quite suddenly, Anakin's mind was assaulted by an image of a fiery planet; Padmé standing there, clutching at her throat; and his own hand, twisting the Force to his wicked use.

He pulled away from her, momentarily feeling he was going to be sick, but the feeling passed. Instead, he felt his eyes filling with tears and his facial muscles contracting in an effort not to cry in front of her.

"Excuse me," he said thickly, and slipped into the refresher for privacy. For a few minutes, he indulged his need to weep, sobbing quietly into his hands. Then he composed himself as best he could, splashed water on his face, and went back to his wife.

She was waiting for him, concern evident on her perfect features. "Anakin, what's wrong?"

He scrunched his eyes shut and shook his head. "It's nothing. No, really. It's not important." He certainly intended to make sure it was not important!

Padmé looked at him, sadness and worry evident in her eyes. "Oh, Anakin, what is this war doing to you?" She flew to him and embraced him, laying her head on his chest. "Please, Ani. If there's something that's bothering you, please tell me about it. Don't leave me in the dark!"

Anakin blinked back tears again at the thought. "It's alright, my love. It's just I have something very serious to ask you."

Padmé pulled back to regard him. "Go on," she urged.

"I… I need to tell Obi-wan about… us."

Padmé sucked in her breath. "Anakin, that's a decision for you to make."

"But it will affect you, too. Your Senate career – if word gets out"—

"Then I will find some other way to serve the galaxy – or finally settle down like my family has been begging me to do for years," she said, offering him a bright smile.

As she continued, however, her smile faded. "I just wonder how sure you are that you want to do this. You know it will probably men the end of your career as a Jedi. Are you able to accept that?"

Anakin sighed, and turned away from her to stand, facing the window, his hands clasped behind his back in one of his favorite postures. After a moment of silence, he replied, "I'm sure with all my heart that I don't want to do it. But I'm equally sure that I have to. I know what's at stake here; but I discovered something on my last mission, and I know that I have to tell him, no matter what the cost. And if it comes to a choice between the Jedi and you, well," he smiled at her fondly, then drew her to him again. "I made that choice two and a half years ago."