She watched in horror as the sky exploded, fearing the worst. Her heart raced, although it never seemed to stop lately. She was always on edge, awaiting the next disaster.

Padmé broke into a run. She sprinted across the concrete, her eyes trained on her apartment building. She had to get to the twins. She loaded the gun at her hip and raised it high in the air.

This was the attack she'd been awaiting, Anakin's long awaited return. Although she was a leader of the rebellion, she would not be fighting. Anakin could go after the twins again, she would protect them. That was her job.

She wasn't afraid of him anymore. She only feared her children's safety. That was the most crucial and important thing she could focus on.

Within minutes, she'd thrown her door open. She scanned the room vigorously, in search of the twins.

The curtains were open, reavealing the smoking sky. To her relief, the black wreckage didn't seem to be spreading... yet.

The nanny of the twins sat frightened on the floor. Luke and Leia were sitting up in their baby chairs, holding onto a toy each. Her children seemed content, unfazed by what was happening in the outside world.

"What's going on?" she cried out.

Padmé slammed the door and lowered her gun.

"We are under attack. You can go home or into a safe house if you'd like. I can take it from here."

The young woman, no older than Padmé, stood up.

"Luke ate an hour ago, Leia did not. She's still being fussy with taking bottles from me. Both of them napped at their regular time."

"Thank you," Padmé said, "I appreciate it. Please find protection and stay safe."

With a nod, the women left. She quickly closed the door behind her, leaving Padmé and the twins alone.

Padmé took Leia from her seat and held her in her arms. Despite the chaos unleashing outside, she decided to feed her. She prepared a bottle of formula and sat on the floor with her. Padmé watched the sky eagerly.

However, nothing seemed to change. If anything, the black began to fade away. The sky was clearing up again. It made no sense.

Padmé was able to finish feeding Leia and put her down for a nap. She slept soundlessly in the room over.

Padmé returned to the livingroom, double checking the window. The chaos had dyed down. She cradled Luke in her arms as she stared out the window.

Although her pulse remained fast and her senses were heightened, nothing seemed to happen. There were no other explosions. The smoke had dissapeared. No one was panicking on the streets. Padmé sighed, confused. She didn't understand what had happened.

Part of her wished she'd remained at the rebel base. That way, she would be in complete control. She would understand why everything looked alright outside, regardless of the explosion that had occured.

However, the other part of her desired to stay home with her children. She wanted to protect them and know if they were safe. She knew Luke and Leia had to be her first priority, despite her former position as a political leader. She had to be selfish and worry about her family now.

The minutes passed slowly. Leia stayed peacefully asleep. Luke was the calmer baby, although he fussed a little bit. She bounced him on her hip as she awaited an update.

Impatience gnawed at her stomach. She hated not knowing what was going on. She wished Obi-wan would call her.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the holopad she kept on the counter displayed a flashing green. She immediatly opened it. Obi-wan's hologram stood in front of her. He seemed to be walking.

"Hello, Padmé," he greeted.

"Please explain to me what's happened," she sighed. "Are we under attack?"

"No," Obi-wan responded, "We are completely safe."

"Then what was the explosion?" she raised an eyebrow.

"I would like to discuss this matter in person," he told her, "I will be at your apartment shortly."

Obi-wan's hologram dissapeared and Padmé sighed. She began to pace, frustrated by her lack of knowledge.

Within minutes, Obi-wan's knock came from the front door. Padmé put Luke back in his chair, then went towards the sound. She wondered what was so urgent that he had to come over immediately.

She opened the door, beginning to ask. However, no one stood in front of her. Obi-wan's figure was no where to be seen.

She frowned, confused. She scanned the hallway, trying to shake the feeling that she was being watched.

Before shutting the door, she glanced at her feet. Padmé gasped, her heart stopped. A pain filled her chest. Her legs stiffined, leaving her frozen in place.

"Anakin?"

There he was, his head in his hands. He was on his knees, unable to meet her eyes.

"What are you doing?" she questioned. Instinctively, she reached for her gun. However, she hesitated loading it. He seemed different.

He didn't move or respond. He continued to stare at the floor.

"Anakin," she prodded.

Again, he didn't make any motion.

"Anakin," she insisted, "Anakin, look at me."

Slowly, he lifted his head. When their eyes connected, a shattering sensation took over her being. Padmé felt broken again, a feeling she'd been able to avoid for so long.

Anakin's eyes were filled with tears. He looked in terrible agony. His face was blotched and red. His hair had disintegrated in patches and his skin was blackened in areas.

She attempted to bite back her questions. He had chosen power of her multiple times. He was evil, he wasn't Anakin. Yet, she couldn't. Checking in on him was second nature, "What happened?"

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You're sorry?!"

"I've made a mistake," he confessed.

"A mistake?!"

"I destroyed the fleet. I destroyed the Sith. I destroyed the clones... I took out as much of the dark side as I could."

Padmé was silent, examining him. His words absorbed into her mind like a sponge.

"How can I trust you?" she asked him.

He layed his limp, scarred arms on the ground. His eyes continued to water, overflowing in anguish.

"I have nothing left," he told her. "But I haven't had anything for months. I had everything. That everything was you, Padmé. I lost you. I'm empty. I destroyed what I could... Im trying to cast aside my evil ways... I'm sorry I dissapointed you."

Padmé was silent. She didn't know how to feel. Anger coursed through her veins, yet her soul reached for him. She wanted to believe what he was saying. She wanted to hold him.

This was what she'd been waiting for. She'd dreamt of Anakin showing up and admitting his faults at her knees. All she'd wanted was for him to feel. She wanted to see that he felt the same pain she was in.

"You left me," she told him, "I didn't leave you."

He nodded his head, "I'm so sorry Padmé."

"You can't just fix this with sorry," she replied coldly.

"I know," a sob broke from his throat, "I know Padmé. It tears me apart that I broke you. I would rather die than see any harm come to you. I have no excuses. I didn't think. I caused so much pain in the galaxy... I took so many lives... I'm so sorry. Can you please forgive me?"

She opened her mouth to respond, but he cut her off. Anakin remained in his begging position as he told her, "It doesn't have to be now. I know you hate me. I know I've messed up beyond repair... but please give me a chance to fix what I can. I love you, Padmé. I need you in my life. There is nothing in the universe that compares to you. I'm sorry I tried to find something else. You are everything that I need."

She stood stunned as she tried to comprehend what he was saying. Was it possible? Could someone come back from what he had done? He was a murderer. He killed innocent people and children. He tried to harm his own family.

"You can't keep doing this to me, Anakin," she said to him. "You keep wrapping this chain around me. I can't keep being dragged behind you while you destroy me. You're killing me!"

He reached out, barely grasping her leg. He continued to cry, ashamed of what he had done.

"It's like you've cut me, Anakin," Padmé continued, "It's like you've cut me so deep that I never stopped bleeding. It doesn't matter how many times you try to cover the wounds you've made, they will always bleed. It won't stop, no matter how hard I try. And god, I've tried!"

"I will try until the day I die," Anakin whispered, "I promise you. I will dedicate every breath I take for as long as I live to you. I will work to fix things. I will heal with you. I would do anything for you Padmé."

"You should've thought that months ago."

"I've never been so angry at myself," he confessed, "You don't deserve what I've put you through. I don't deserve you. You're an angel, the most stunning, generous, and kind soul I've met. I should never have harmed you. I hate myself for my decisions."

She shook her head, "It's too late."

"Please, Padmé!" he shouted. "What happened to until death do us part? Through sickness and health? What happened to forever?"

"You ruined any chance of that world the second you gave yourself to the dark side," she spat.

"Padmé-"

"I don't want to see your face."

"Padmé-"

From the distance, a rustling came. Padmé could hear footsteps from tbe end of the hallway.

"Please," he whispered.

"Leave me and my children alone. I don't want to see your face again. Do you hear me?"

"Please," his voice was barely audible.

"Did you hear me?" she questioned harshly.

"This is what you want?"

"Yes," she confirmed.

"Whatever you want," he nodded his head. Anakin let go of Padmé. He put his face in his hands again.

The footsteps drew closer. Within seconds, Obi-wan stood behind Anakin. He was shocked.

"I came to inform you that he has been destroyed... that the dark side just.... blew up."

"He did it," Padmé said with a hint of pride. Although the sight of him stabbed her in the chest, she was glad that he'd made the decision. There was no more threat.

"Anakin-" Obi-wan began.

"Take him in chains," Padmé told Obi-wan. "But don't hurt him. He can sit and think of what he's done for the rest of his life."

Obi-wan's face softened. Sympathetically, he watched Padmé. He knew the decision took strength.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am," she answered. "I never want to see him again."

Obi-wan nodded his head. He took out a pair of hand cuffs, then fastened them to his old Padawan's wrists. Anakin didn't struggle against him. He hadn't even flinched.

Without reluctance, the boy she'd loved in what seemed like another lifetime, stood up. He followed Obi-wan towards the outside world, where he'd be taken to a prison to rot for his crimes.

She knew it was the right decision, however, as she watched him leave her heart stung. A single tear escaped Padmé's eye.

She'd seen Anakin Skywalker for the first time in months, but she'd sent him away. He was willing to change, but she wouldn't listen. This time, it was Padmé who was turning her back on him.

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