Chapter 21: Come What May

A/N: I'm sorry it's been a year. I'm getting on with it. Review replies down at the bottom. Reviews motivate me to write and write faster. Much love to those who do!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything here.

The Skywalkers found themselves in the court room. Padmé found herself holding Anakin's hand tightly, and Anakin didn't tell her that it was starting to hurt. Instead he squeezed her hand in reassurance before pulling his hand out of hers. He pulled her into the hollow of his arm and began rubbing circles into her back. Comforting Padmé helped him calm his own out of control nerves. Force help him if the Count wasn't pronounced guilty and sentenced to death. Anakin knew what he would have to do if that didn't happen. He'd have to carry out the death sentence himself.

Padmé's breathing quickened and became increasingly shallow as the indomitable silence stretched on. Sensing this, Anakin pulled her closer with his other arm and cradled her face against his.

"All rise, the Honorable Judge Nawara Shala presiding," the bailiff announced.

They rose together, Anakin gently pushing on Padmé's back.

"I'm fine," she whispered tersely.

The judge seated herself in her chair as the chamber waited.

"I wish to make a statement before I present the verdict," she said as everyone took their seats again. "This was a difficult case," she began, "I understand that emotions are running high. But I want everyone to remember that in the Galactic Republic we go by rule of law. The decisions of this court are final."

There was a pregnant silence as Count Dooku and is counsel stood. The prosecution stood as well.

"In the matter of the case YB2534 against defendant Count Dooku, there were several charges: numerous count of first and second degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, treason against the Galactic Republic. In the matter of all charges except attempted murder, the defendant is found guilty. In the charges of attempted murder, the defendant is found not guilty. The sentencing will commence after deliberation at 10 hours tomorrow."

The judge turned around after rising out of her seat and walked into her chamber.

Anakin and Padmé were stunned as they walked out of the courtroom. Only the charges they had pressed against Dooku had been found not guilty. The press followed them as they tried to walk back to their apartment.

"How do you feel about the outcome of the verdict?"

"Are you insulted that his offenses against you personally were found not guilty?"

"Senator Amidala, will you be planning a run for Chancellor?"

"We won't be answering any questions for now," Anakin replied pushing them out of the way. They reached the doors that signaled the division between private and public on the Senate. The press couldn't harangue them any further.

As soon as they reached the entrance to their apartment, Padmé all but fell unceremoniously onto the couch.

"I'm tired," she whispered. Anakin came to kneel on the floor beside her.

"I am too," he paused before deciding now was the time to tell her what he had been planning. "I think we should move to Naboo. In fact, I've already arranged it. I think you need rest. The pregnancy took its toll on you and time with your family will help you heal in peace away from the press."

Padmé bolted straight up, her hands folded in her lap. "You did what?"

"It's already fixed. I figured that you would resign now that the children had been born."

She steeled herself, preparing for the storm she would create. "Let me get this straight," she began, "you arranged for us to move worlds away without consulting me?"

"Yes, but-"

"But what? You assumed I would take it quietly like a common housewife?"

"No, but-"

"Did you even consider that I have a career? A career that is my life's passion? I owe my life to the people of Naboo. Did you think that obligation would simply disappear because of the children?

"No, I didn't-"

"I should have known you would use the children as a bargaining chip for my life's decisions. Did I ever give you the impression that I was the kind of housewife you might find on Tatooine?

"I never thought that-"

"I made my own decisions for twenty years before I became your wife. I didn't expect for that to change. I am still in charge of my life. My husband will never make decisions for me. Those children don't make a difference. Did it ever occur to you that perhaps I had plans of my own? I plan to run for Chancellor. I have a career and apparently I am not the woman you thought that I was."

"Padmé, stop talking. That's enough. If it is a crime for me to make decisions for you, why do you get to decide to run for Chancellor without talking to me? I detect more than a trace of hypocrisy."

"Are you calling me a hypocrite? Are you calling me a hypocrite? How dare you. Just how dare you!"

"Who do you think you are Padmé? I'm beginning to think this memory loss is turning you into a different person!"

"Don't you dare blame my amnesia! I am the very same woman you married, in case you've forgotten. I am your equal. Being your wife should be synonymous with that. And if it isn't, then maybe I don't want to be your wife anymore!

The words hung in the air creating an impossibly thick silence. Their yelling echoed around the apartment. Cries pierced the thick silence.

"Please tell me you didn't mean that," Anakin said softly.

Padmé sighed as she sat down by the crib, picking up her crying daughter. "I'm sorry, baby."

Anakin sat down beside her and picked up their son. He turned to his wife to apologize, "I'm sorry!"

"Don't bother, Anakin. I don't want to talk about this right now. But what is it? Are you jealous of my career?"

"No! Of course not. I just wanted you to be able to rest and recover. You overworked yourself during the pregnancy. I promise I will cancel all the arrangements. And we'll talk about what we do next. I really didn't mean to upset you."

"Anakin I just don't want anything to change. Until I remember everything, I just want to stay here. I'm sorry for taking it out on you...but I hate not being in control of what's happening to me."

"Somehow Padmé, I don't think this happened to you. I think that we just need to get through this. And we will, together, I promise."

They both put the children back in the crib and walked to their bedroom. Padmé stripped off her dress and pulled on a nightgown. Before she could turn around, Anakin was there, his arms around her waist holding her close.

"I miss holding you like this. I miss you, Padmé."

"I haven't been anywhere," she answered climbing into bed.

"I hate fighting with you."

"I hate fighting with you more." She curled into him in the bed. She kissed her way up his chest. Kissing his jawline, she worked her way to his lips lingering there, their lips melting together. Anakin broke away.

"I just feel like we keep fighting, and we didn't use to fight this much."

"It is my fault, Anakin. But there's a giant piece of me missing. And until it's back, I won't be the same. I'm sorry about this. I'm sorry I went to Palpatine's office, and I'm sorry-"

Anakin kissed her to make her stop talking, "It doesn't matter. I love you and as long as you love me and still want to be my wife, we don't have any issues."

"I do love you. I love you so much it hurts sometimes, and I am honored to be your wife," she finished kissing him on the lips.

A/N: QueenNaberrie: that cracked me up. I'll see if I can use that somewhere.

Kubasaki: I fixed it! Thank you! It happened because I originally wrote it in first person and then went back and changed it.

novelreader: I am only going to write the story in third person from now on.

Mireilles3: I am working on it. The story will only be in third person henceforth.

all the other people that always review: kisses, you guys are the best! PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING.