"Anakin my boy, I'm delighted that you could take the time out of your schedule to come." Anakin's skin crawled as he greeted Palpatine with a hug. It was expected, given that Palpatine had been the one to adopt Anakin after his mother had died, making him the heir to the Empire, but despite that fact, it didn't make him any more comfortable.
Not after Palptine had revealed his plans for Anakin at the end of the year, of Anakin's true purpose at the Officer Academy, of the machinations of the Sith that had been building for over a millenia that Anakin would never have a say in whether he should fulfill. "It was the least I could do. How are affairs back home?"
"Things are going smoothly." Palpatine's smile was calm as ever, hiding the hidden meaning meant only for Anakin. "You've been doing your part?"
Anakin nodded. Despite his desire to be doing anything but, he'd been doing his part. Since the start of his final year Darth Vader, the mysterious Lord of the Sith, had been doing his "best" to incapacitate the other House Leaders. He, of course, wouldn't do any lasting damage to them, but at least the illusion of playing along was enough to keep Palpatine at bay until he could figure out a way to tell anybody what was happening.
Palpatine's grin grew wider. "I'm proud of you. Before long, the Sith will rise once more, the Jedi and all their useless preaching that cost your mother her life will be gone."
"Are we sure we can't recruit the other students?" Anakin asked, his mind going to Obi-Wan and Padmé. "We could-"
"Anakin, do you truly believe that you could sway the leaders of the Kingdom or the Alliance? They've been loyal to the Jedi Order for far too long. It has only ever been the Empire who has been willing to stand against them and their power." The truth was, he knew he couldn't. Obi-Wan was well on his way to being a Jedi, even if he was also the future king, and Padmé...
He couldn't let himself think of her, not now. Not when he couldn't imagine himself corrupting her light just so he wouldn't lose her when Palpatine's plans came to fruition. "You're right. I'm sorry for stepping out of line."
"Nonsense, they have been your peers for years. It's only natural you would feel some... lingering attachment towards them." There was a certain disdain to Palpatine's words, implying that Anakin would one day no longer care about his friends in a way that made his blood run cold. "When the time comes, I am sure you will rise above them, and lead our armies to victory." After a pause, Palpatine started heading towards the door. "I shall leave you to your studies. I'm due for a meeting with Master Yoda. You know it's best not to keep him waiting."
Anakin nodded, ignoring the fear he felt towards the Sith, and the relief that he was leaving. "Of course, your excellency. Is there anything I need to know for the mission?"
"I believe Darth Vader should be making an appearance soon. Alongside Darth Tyrannus, I believe he has something to do with the disappearance of Knight Billaba." Palpatine put a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I assume you'll know what to do when the rescue attempt begins."
"Of course." Anakin did his best to keep his voice steady. "I'll be ready."
"I'm proud of you Anakin. You've done well.I know I can leave this operation in your capable hands." With that Palpatine left, and Anakin let out a sigh of relief. If nothing else, he knew the mission; he could plan how to help the others survive it when the chance came.
While he took a moment to gather his wits and calm down, a gentle hand was placed on his shoulder. He turned, surprised to see Padmé standing there with a worried expression on her face. "Ani?"
Just having her near him was enough for Anakin's fears and worries to melt away, and a small smile formed on his face. "Angel, you have no idea how glad I am to see you."
"Are you alright?" While she didn't know a lot of what was going on (or anything, really) Padmé did know that Palpatine had been putting undue pressure on him, more than he could handle. She was his confidant, the love of his life, his everything.
He ignored the fact that if Palpatine had his way he would be betraying her sooner than not, choosing instead to pull her into his arms and bury his face in her hair. "I will be, it was just another request of his. You don't have to worry about it."
"I can't help it if I do, you're under so much stress lately." She didn't pull away, instead opting to bury herself into his chest. "You should tell him to let you have a break, the way he's working you isn't right."
It wasn't that simple. If it had just been about grades he might've gotten away with it, but as it stood that wouldn't be the case. "I'll talk to him next time he visits. Or maybe just refuse to see him." And then he would send Dooku or some other Sith at the academy to get Anakin to do his dirty work.
Still, Padmé wouldn't know that, and it seemed to alleviate her worries about his sanity for the time being. "You should. It's our final year at the academy, you don't need to have more on your plate than you already do."
Anakin laughed, letting her go. "You're right. We have all those missions and exams, and we're figuring out how we'll keep seeing each other while we're off ruling opposite ends of the galaxy."
Padmé placed a gentle kiss to his lips. "We'll figure it out. Perhaps you can convince the emperor a marriage between the Alliance and the Empire will be beneficial."
If he thought Padmé would abandon her morals and join him with the Sith he would suggest it without question, but he knew she would never. "Palpatine would never approve. But so long as we can stay together, that's all that matters to me."
She was all that mattered to him, but he hesitated, sensing an almost disappointment from Padmé. "What is it? I know a life of romance in the shadows wasn't what we'd hoped for when our relationship began, but it's all we've ever had."
"What if I wanted something more from our relationship?" Padmé asked. There was a nervous edge to her voice as she started tracing various patterns in his hand, refusing to look up. "What would you do then?"
"I would do everything in my power to make sure that one day, you could have it." He smiled. "Your happiness, above all else, is what matters to me."
"Then..." She took a deep breath, stabilizing her nerves. "Then we may need to start figuring that out."
Anakin stared at her, confused. "Is something wrong? Did something happen?"
"I'm late. I was worried, so I stopped by the healer's wing, just to check." Padmé gave a nervous smile, tentative, but full of hope. "Something wonderful has happened. Ani, I'm pregnant."
He froze, trying to comprehend what she had said. Padmé was...but...was that possible? They'd taken their relationship farther since the new year had begun, Anakin had wanted to spend as much time with her as he could before he was forced to do something he would forever regret, but she...pregnant?
"Ani? Are you alright? Please, say something." With his lack of response, Padmé's nervousness had increased and it snapped Anakin into responding. He couldn't stop the smile from forming on his face as he gave her a kiss, slow and full of all the love he could possibly send towards her and the baby.
"You're...that's...that's wonderful." He sent as much joy as possible her way. "I...I know it's my fault we have to hide our relationship, but I'll figure this out, I promise. By the time our baby is born, we won't be hiding in the shadows anymore. We'll be married. They'll spend time with both of their parents. They'll be happy."
Padmé held his hand, wrapping her fingers in his. "You promise?"
Anakin nodded. "Of course. I want this more than anything. No matter what happens, I'll keep you safe. You and the baby."
He knew he could figure this out, and as he and Padmé left the small classroom, he thought over everything. His duties to the Sith, his part to play as the leader of the Black Convors, and his love for Padmé.
The baby on the way just hastened the time limit, but he could figure this out.
He had to.