He watched, as the sleek, golden ship settled slowly onto the hangar floor. As its landing thrusters whined to a stop, he walked slowly out into the massive, dimly lit hangar toward the ship, his long, thick cloak swirling at his feet, as the ship's forward entry ramp began to open and descend slowly down toward the smooth, stone floor.

He stopped a short distance from the ship, watching intently as the tall, dark clad gentleman walked slowly down the ramp and crossed the distance toward him.

"Welcome home, Lord Tyrannus," the dark, hooded figure said, as Count Dooku approached him.

Dooku bowed, reverently, to the Dark Lord before him. "The Force is with us, Master Sidious," he said, as he looked up with a smile, and then turned and walked slowly through the hangar alongside his master.

"I have good news, my lord," Dooku said, regarding his master with a sinister smile. "The war has begun."

Sidious' evil smile was barely visible under the thick hood of his cloak. "You have done well, Lord Tyrannus," he said, visibly pleased with the work of his dark apprentice.

Dooku reached into his belt and produced the small, holographic data cartridge he had retrieved from the control room on Geonosis. "The plans are safe, my lord," he said, as he handed the small device to his master as he walked slowly beside him. "The Jedi have no knowledge of what we are planning."

"Excellent," Sidious replied, as he took the small device from Dooku and placed it inside his cloak. "Soon, the Jedi will no longer be a threat to us."

They walked a bit further down the hangar, their boots echoing crisply off the high, arching stone walls. Finally, after a long moment of silence, Sidious stopped, and turned toward his dark servant. "What of young Skywalker?" he asked, as Dooku turned to face him.

Dooku took a long, deep breath as he looked, somewhat nervously, at his master. "He still lives, my lord," he said, casting his gaze downward toward the hard, stone floor. "He has grown strong, very much so." He looked back up at his master, his expression dark and thoughtful. "I was unable to defeat him."

Sidious regarded Dooku for a long moment. "That is unfortunate," he said, the evil smile disappearing from his face.

"However," Count Dooku replied, reaching into his belt, "I was able to obtain this."

Dooku produced a small glass cylinder from his belt and, as he handed it to his master, its dark crimson contents could be seen in the dim hangar light.

Darth Sidious held the small cylinder up in front of him, turning it slowly as he examined it. "Excellent," he said, finally, and then handed the cylinder back to Count Dooku. "See that it is delivered to Kamino, promptly. Advise them that I want results as quickly as possible."

"At once, my lord," Count Dooku replied with a smile, placing the small cylinder securely back into his belt.

"We must be patient, Lord Tyrannus," the Dark Lord said, as they turned and began to walk slowly along the hangar again. "We will deal with young Skywalker in due time."

Darth Sidious turned and regarded his apprentice with an evil smile as they made their way to the exit. "Everything will proceed as we have foreseen."

------

"Master Ani?" Threepio said, as he tapped Anakin gently on the shoulder.

Anakin took a deep breath and opened his eyes, as he looked around the cockpit drowsily. "I'm sorry to wake you, Master Ani," Threepio said, apologetically, "but Artoo wanted me to let you know that we're here."

"No, it's okay, Threepio," Anakin yawned, taking another deep breath and sitting up straighter in the copilot's seat where he had been sleeping. He rubbed his eyes sleepily for a moment, and then turned his attention to the cockpit window near him.

Anakin watched as Artoo brought the ship slowly through the thick clouds in the upper atmosphere. He smiled, sleepily, as the brilliant lights of Coruscant filled the ship's window below them; there were few sights more awe-inspiring than the one that lay before them as they made their descent. The surface of the planet literally glistened with light, and, on a clear, moonless night like this, there were few sights to be seen in the galaxy that were more dazzling; the planet literally glistened as though it were covered with millions of bright, shining jewels.

Anakin turned the copilot's chair slowly and looked back across the dim lighting of the cockpit to where Padmé lay, sleeping peacefully, her long, brown hair tumbling around her shoulders, on the padded passenger's bench of their small ship. They were both exhausted from the events of the past day, and she had fallen asleep shortly after they left Geonosis. Anakin smiled as he looked at her; I'm just going to lie down for a moment, she had said. She had fallen asleep almost instantly and, very quietly, Anakin had covered her with his cloak to keep her warm and dimmed the cockpit lights so that she could rest. He hadn't lasted much longer; the last thing he remembered was Artoo taking the ship to light speed after they had left the Geonosian atmosphere. The trip from Geonosis to Coruscant took almost four hours, and they had both slept the whole way.

Anakin stood up, stiffly, and carefully stretched his arms over his head. He stood quietly for a moment, moving his arms gingerly back and forth; his back still ached from the impact of Dooku's mysterious probe, and he winced as he rolled his shoulders forward, stretching his arms out in front of him.

"Are you all right, Master Ani?" Threepio asked, concerned, seeing the uncomfortable look on his master's face.

"I'm fine, Threepio," Anakin grinned back at him. "I'm just a little sore. It'll be fine in a day or two." He stretched once more, and then turned and walked over to where Padmé lay sleeping.

"Padmé," Anakin said, softly, as he knelt down beside her as she lay sleeping. He gently brushed her hair with his hand and stroked her cheek lightly. "Wake up, Padmé," he called again, gently. "We're here."

Padmé took a deep breath, and then slowly opened her eyes. She glanced sleepily around the cabin, and then smiled as she saw him gazing down at her fondly. "Hi," she said, sleepily.

Anakin kissed her tenderly. "Hi, he said, softly, as he gently stroked her long, soft hair. "You need to wake up, Angel, at least for a little while," he said. "We'll be landing soon."

Padmé rolled slowly onto her back, raising her arms over her head and stretching as she yawned, sleepily.

"We're going to need to find a place to stay," Anakin said, rising to his feet and sitting down on the bench beside her, taking her hand in his; he was having trouble waking up himself, and he rubbed his eyes again with his free hand, sleepily.

"I beg your pardon, Master Ani," Threepio said, as he shuffled across the cockpit and stood near them, "but that won't be necessary."

Padmé turned a sleepy expression to their mechanical friend as Anakin looked at him, puzzled.

"Master Kenobi contacted us while we were en route," Threepio said, seeing the tired, puzzled looks on their faces. "It seems," he continued, "that he has already taken care of finding you and Miss Padmé some suitable accommodations." He turned and gestured to Artoo at the pilot's station. "Artoo's taking us there now."

Anakin and Padmé both looked at each other with a smile, as Artoo swung his sensors toward them and whistled brightly. "Artoo says that you should both relax," Threepio said, turning back toward them, his voice as excited as a droid's could be. "Master Obi-Wan has taken care of everything."

"That was very thoughtful of him," Padmé said, looking at Anakin with a bright, but sleepy, smile.

"Remind me to thank him when we see him tomorrow morning," Anakin smiled in reply, as he squeezed Padmé's hand gently. "You lay here and rest. I'll get our stuff together."

"It's already done, Master Ani," Threepio chimed in, gesturing toward the far end of the cockpit. Anakin turned and looked over his shoulder and there, standing neatly together near the door, sat their travel cases. "I hope you don't mind," Threepio said, "but I took the liberty of getting your things ready while you were both resting."

Anakin turned and looked at Padmé, a surprised, and somewhat confused, expression on his face. He lifted his eyebrow and smiled at her, and she laughed out loud as she looked at his bewildered expression.

"You're going to spoil us, Threepio," she said with a broad smile, as she turned and regarded him thankfully. "That was very thoughtful of you, too."

"Oh, you're quite welcome, Miss Padmé," Threepio exclaimed, obviously quite pleased with himself, as he turned around and took a seat in the copilot's chair.

Padmé turned and looked back at Anakin affectionately, and, pulling his cloak up over her shoulder, she sat up on the bench and gently patted the spot next to her. Anakin smiled and stood up, and, taking the seat beside her, he placed his arm over her shoulders. As he leaned back against the padded bench, she snuggled close beside him, placing her arm around his chest, holding him tightly.

"Just one more day," Padmé said, as she closed her eyes and laid her head gently on his shoulder. "We'll be going home tomorrow night."

Anakin leaned his head back and closed his eyes, smiling contentedly. "I can't wait," he sighed, and then he took a long, deep breath, and then exhaled slowly. "Back to our new home," he said, quietly, "and our new life."

Padmé leaned her head back on his shoulder, looking up at him with a contented smile. He turned toward her and their eyes met, and she gazed at him lovingly as he looked deeply into her beautiful brown eyes for a long time.

Something was different now, as their eyes locked in that deep, passionate gaze. She felt that familiar tremor in her heart again; she didn't understand it, or know exactly what it was, but ever since that moment in the hangar, when she had felt him so clearly as he had fought Count Dooku, she had sensed something new and different between them. She wondered, as her eyes searched his, if this is how he felt when he sensed her presence through the Force. Your presence is soothing, he had told her on several occasions; she understood, now, what he had meant.

Padmé slowly sat up straighter, lifting her head from his shoulder, as she brought her face closer to his. Her eyes never left his as she reached down and took his hand tightly in hers, and then reached up and gently touched his cheek. The feeling was intoxicating; she could feel his love for her now, sense his emotions, almost as clearly as she could feel the soft touch of his hand on her face, as, in like fashion, he reached up and brushed her hair gently away from her eyes.

She remembered how close she had felt to him on their wedding night, as they had held each other for the very first time. She never imagined that it would ever be possible to feel any closer to him than she had at that moment; yet now, she could feel her heart speaking to his, as she could, quite literally, feel the love that flowed from her heart to him and back again. It was a magical feeling, one that filled her with so much joy and contentment that she felt giddy inside; so much so that, as she gently brushed her fingers against his cheek, she laughed out loud, softly.

What happened next absolutely amazed her.

"I know," Anakin laughed softly, his eyes never leaving hers, as he smiled brightly. "I feel it, too."

Padmé gasped softly as he spoke, and then, smiling radiantly, she reached up and gently ran her fingers through his soft, blond hair. "Really?" she whispered, laughing softly.

"Yes," Anakin said, his eyes shining brightly as he gently touched her cheek. "Very much so."

Padmé held his gaze for another long moment. "I love you, Ani," she finally said, softly, and she closed her eyes as she pulled him to her and kissed him, tenderly.

As his lips moved over hers, she melted into his strong arms as he held her close, and, though he never spoke a word, she heard his heart speak to hers as clearly as if he had said the words out loud, yet their lips never parted...

I love you, too.

Threepio turned and looked quietly at the two young lovers for a long moment and then, reaching over and dimming the ship's interior lights a little more, he turned back toward the cockpit window, as he watched Artoo start their descent into the city.

------

The night air was cool and clean, and Padmé felt just a hint of a chill as she followed Anakin down the rear entry ramp of the ship and onto the landing platform in front of the massive residential complex.

It was a welcome feeling; the air on Geonosis had been hot and dry, and she welcomed the feeling of the cool, damp night air on her face. She smiled as she looked up at the ornate building before them, rising high into the sky above them. Obi-Wan had done well, she thought to herself, as she came and stood next to Anakin, as he stopped just in front of her to wait on the droids as they secured their ship. The many lights and bright colors of the building gave it a warm, welcoming appearance.

Anakin smiled at her as she came and stood next to him, taking his hand in hers, and they turned and watched as Threepio ducked his head, awkwardly, and walked slowly down the ramp, with Artoo following close behind him. As Threepio made his way toward them, Artoo rolled quickly to the access terminal at the side of the ship. He inserted his data probe into the access terminal and, after a few seconds, the interior lights went dark, and the access ramp slowly began to close.

With Artoo rolling along behind them, whistling happily to himself, they all turned and, picking up their belongings, walked through the ornate entrance and into the building.

------

Obi-Wan rubbed his shoulder, slowly; it was still quite sore, even though the medical droids had done a fine job healing the angry wounds. He took a few steps closer to the tall windows of the Jedi Temple, the limp in his right leg still evident as he looked, thoughtfully, out over the city.

The sky was dark, and the buildings rose into the sky like glistening spires; the city seemed to be alive, as the many speeders and transports that wove in and out of the innumerable buildings that towered into the sky flowed like the shimmering life-blood of the city itself.

Mace Windu stood near him, and he turned and regarded Obi-Wan with a look of concern as he came and stood next to him. "It would appear," Mace said, regarding his young companion with keen interest, "that more troubles you than your shoulder, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan turned and looked back and smiled, unconvincingly, at the venerable Jedi Master's dark, thoughtful face. "I was thinking of what Dooku said to me, Master," Obi-Wan said, as he looked back out thoughtfully over the city. He stood quiet for a moment, and then turned to face Master Windu again. "Do you believe what Dooku said, Master, about Sidious controlling the Senate?" He shook his head, slowly. "It just doesn't feel right."

Mace and Obi-Wan heard a disgruntled sigh from behind them. They both turned and looked behind them, to where Master Yoda sat, his hands folded in his lap thoughtfully.

"Joined the Dark Side, Dooku has," Yoda said, his voiced laced with a trace of disgust as he turned to regard his two Jedi companions. "Lies, deceit, creating mistrust are his ways now."

"Nevertheless," Mace said, placing his thumbs in his belt as he looked at Yoda," I feel we should keep a closer eye on the Senate from now on."

Yoda took a deep breath, and then nodded slowly. "I agree," he said, turning his eyes back toward his hands thoughtfully.

Mace turned and looked at Obi-Wan again. "Where is your apprentice, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, and then turned and looked back toward Yoda. The tiny Jedi Master looked at him, thoughtfully for a moment, and then nodded his head at him.

"There's something we need to make you aware of concerning Anakin, Master," Obi-Wan said, turning to regard Mace, his expression deeply thoughtful.

"What is it?" Mace said, turning to look at Yoda, his face puzzled, inquisitive.

Yoda looked at both of them, and then motioned to the two chairs next to him. "Sit," he said. "Much we have to discuss concerning young Skywalker."

Mace looked at Obi-Wan curiously, and they walked toward Yoda, as the diminutive Jedi Master folded his hands again, thoughtfully, and sat down beside him.

Yoda turned and looked at Obi-Wan. "Your padawan," he said, looking at his young Jedi friend thoughtfully, "young Skywalker is. Your place it is, then, to share what we have learned."

Obi-Wan nodded, and, taking a deep, thoughtful breath, he turned and looked at Mace Windu. "Anakin has chosen to leave the Jedi Order, Master," he said, quietly.

Mace Windu looked, thoughtfully, at Yoda and Obi-Wan in silence for a moment. His expression grew serious, as he looked down at the floor before him, leaning slowly back in his chair.

"A serious choice, indeed," Mace said, quietly, as he turned and looked at Yoda. "And a troubling one."

"More there is, Master Windu," Yoda said quietly, and he turned and looked back at Obi-Wan again.

"Senator Amidala has resigned her position in the Senate as well, Master," Obi-Wan continued, as Mace leaned forward again, listening to him intently. "She and Anakin were married three days ago."

Mace turned his eyes thoughtfully to the floor again and, slowly, leaned back in his chair and looked away toward the distant wall of the council chamber. He sat silently for a long time, as Obi-Wan and Yoda sat quietly, watching the Jedi Master intently.

After a long silence, Mace finally spoke. "Then the prophecy," he said, turning to look at them both with a deeply troubled expression, "is untrue."

"Difficult to see, the future is," Yoda said, turning to look at him thoughtfully. "The chosen one, the boy yet may be."

"But how can that be?" Mace asked, leaning forward in his chair once more. "Anakin has broken the Code."

Mace looked at Yoda as the tiny Jedi Master regarded him, thoughtfully. "A long time, have I watched young Skywalker," Yoda said, as he stood up slowly, taking his small cane in his hand and walking slowly toward the center of the room. Obi-Wan and Mace listened to him, intently, as he continued.

"Dark, dangerous and clouded, young Skywalker's future has always been," Yoda said. "No contentment have I ever sensed in him, not since he was a boy."

"I'm aware of this," Mace said, turning to look at Obi-Wan. "We all sensed it. That is why we resisted Qui-Gon's request that he be trained as a Jedi." He looked back at Yoda, his expression concerned. "There was no peace inside him."

Yoda turned to look at them both, thoughtfully. "Until now," he said, quietly.

"You sense a change in him?" Mace asked, looking at the tiny Jedi Master, curiously.

"Indeed," Yoda said, turning and looking out the window, thoughtfully. "And a powerful change, it is." He stood thoughtfully for another long moment, and then looked at Obi-Wan thoughtfully. "Saved you from Dooku, did he not, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, Master," he said, smiling slightly. "If it weren't for Anakin, I wouldn't be here now."

Mace turned and looked at Obi-Wan, shocked. "Your padawan fought Count Dooku?" he asked, leaning forward in his chair again.

"Not only did he fight him, Master," Obi-Wan said, turning to look at Mace thoughtfully. "But he would have defeated him, had it not been for some treachery on Dooku's