[ He's being reckless. He should know that this plan is insanely flawed. But Padmé recognizes his state of mind-- scared, anxious, angry, anguished. It's a reflection of her own. He wants to rush forward, take all the risk, and get the entire thing over with.
She can't let him. (She can't lose him to this.) ]
And if he finds out? He could kill you, Ani. This isn't... we have to think this through.
What else can we do, Padme? You know who he is, what he is. The Republic admires him, the clones are in his command, everything we've been fighting for has been a cover up for his plans. If we don't end this as quickly as possible, if we don't take a risk--
[ This has to succeed if there's any chance of changing the fate of the Republic. And, although she doesn't acknowledge it herself, his betrayal is personal. ]
[ He thanks her with a squeeze of her hand in his and a small hopeful smile. He continues her line of thought. ]
And it can't be the Jedi who presents it.
[ He paused, knowing that what he asks of her next will put her at risk. In front of it, directly. He drops his eyes and stares at their joined hands, refusing to show the tinge of guilt for not being enough to keep her out of danger. ]
The Jedi can't look like we're getting too involved in the politics of the Republic. It'll look like a coup, even though we know it's a matter between the Jedi and the Sith. We'll need... you and trusted Senators to open a case against him to the rest of the Republic. But you can utilize the Jedi meanwhile, that and any information I can gain from being close to him.
[ She gives his hand a comforting squeeze. Padmé expected him to protest, and she's very glad he didn't. This isn't the time to fight amongst themselves. ]
I can also get a feel for how other senators feel about Palpatine. There may be some that are ambivalent toward him or perhaps outright distrust him. I won't tell them anything, but I can keep them in mind for when we bring him up on charges. The trick will be ensuring a fair trial-- his influence reaches further than we know, I'm sure. I'll root out as much as I can without being noticed, but I can't say I'll get far.
Although, if we back him into a corner, it will make him desperate. And dangerous.
[ It had just been a loose train of thought, which is why she doesn't protest when he dismisses it. She has time to think and no worry of Palpatine finding out here. ]
How will we communicate? Nobody can know.
[ A rogue ex-Jedi and a Senator. The senate would tear her apart and ruin their plan. And Palpatine might suspect that Anakin isn't as invested in Palpatine's plan as he's going to pretend to be. ]
[ He'll use you. It's unspoken and the taste of it lingers, bitter and sour. He already regrets telling her all this, her involvement only brings dread and that dark fear between his ribs. He can't lose her.
He glances at Padme then. His head dips, shoulders slumping slightly from the rigid hold. ]
R2 can the go between for me and Obi-Wan. You will have to find a way to talk to Obi-Wan without notice.
Talking with an old friend won't raise suspicion. It won't be as difficult for us as it will be for you.
[ The idea of not being able to see Anakin, to talk to him, for an undetermined amount of time makes her heart ache. He'll be alone, cut off from everyone he loves.
Padmé isn't a Force-sensitive, but she knows Anakin. She hears his unspoken fear. Honestly, she's afraid too. But there's a spark of hope in her heart too, and she clings to that.
Her free hand brushes the hair out of his face.
Softly: ] It's going to be okay, Ani. We can do this.
You're not just an old friend. If Obi-Wan and Ahsoka had suspected there were feelings between us, Palpatine would know. I've... I've told him so much.
[ He close his eyes. Her touch is comforting and more than ever, he just want to sink into that comfort. To hide, crawl away until it's just them and nothing hurts. But he loves her and he has to continue, and she loves him and so he can continue. ]
Our focus determines our reality. Qui-Gon used to tell say that.
[ There were other things; events that passed that hinted his descent, that he felt guilt for for not doing the right thing, that Palpatine had kindly offered that it was right... for him. Rules didn't matter, that's what made him special. ]
But I've never been good at hiding my true feelings.
[ She touches his chin lightly to encourage him to look at her. ]
Neither should you.
[ Padme feels a swell of guilt and anger bubbling up again. She's part of the reason he's Chancellor. The Chancellor who has-- and will-- hurt so many.
[ He tucks his face into her hand and kiss her palm, her wrist and close the gap between them and kisses her, wordlessly urging her not to think about it - not the Chancellor's betrayal or the Republic falling. It has been a long day of it and sooner or later, they will have nothing but days like these, when they have nothing but this to worry about. ]
[ Padme closes her eyes and pulls him close, close, close. As if she can shield him, as if she can pull the weight off his shoulders if she just holds him close enough.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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What happens if he figures out you're a double agent? What if he makes you prove your allegiance by forcing you to do something horrible?
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[ A dry chuckle. He is pitying himself for placing so much trust in the man, but it's not time for that so he stops. ]
Then I won't. Whatever he comes up with, we can use it against him.
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She can't let him. (She can't lose him to this.) ]
And if he finds out? He could kill you, Ani. This isn't... we have to think this through.
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[ He rubs his hand over his face and jaw. ]
I'm afraid he'll destroy everything we hold dear.
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[ He's not going to like it, but since when does he like when she gets involved. ]
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[ This has to succeed if there's any chance of changing the fate of the Republic. And, although she doesn't acknowledge it herself, his betrayal is personal. ]
You'll need people to present the evidence to.
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And it can't be the Jedi who presents it.
[ He paused, knowing that what he asks of her next will put her at risk. In front of it, directly. He drops his eyes and stares at their joined hands, refusing to show the tinge of guilt for not being enough to keep her out of danger. ]
The Jedi can't look like we're getting too involved in the politics of the Republic. It'll look like a coup, even though we know it's a matter between the Jedi and the Sith. We'll need... you and trusted Senators to open a case against him to the rest of the Republic. But you can utilize the Jedi meanwhile, that and any information I can gain from being close to him.
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I can also get a feel for how other senators feel about Palpatine. There may be some that are ambivalent toward him or perhaps outright distrust him. I won't tell them anything, but I can keep them in mind for when we bring him up on charges. The trick will be ensuring a fair trial-- his influence reaches further than we know, I'm sure. I'll root out as much as I can without being noticed, but I can't say I'll get far.
Although, if we back him into a corner, it will make him desperate. And dangerous.
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No.
[ He shakes his head mildly and unconscious of the way his hand tightens. ]
No. Focus on rallying the Senators that can be trusted. If there's anyone that will be against us, I'll know before you do.
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How will we communicate? Nobody can know.
[ A rogue ex-Jedi and a Senator. The senate would tear her apart and ruin their plan. And Palpatine might suspect that Anakin isn't as invested in Palpatine's plan as he's going to pretend to be. ]
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[ He'll use you. It's unspoken and the taste of it lingers, bitter and sour. He already regrets telling her all this, her involvement only brings dread and that dark fear between his ribs. He can't lose her.
He glances at Padme then. His head dips, shoulders slumping slightly from the rigid hold. ]
R2 can the go between for me and Obi-Wan. You will have to find a way to talk to Obi-Wan without notice.
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[ The idea of not being able to see Anakin, to talk to him, for an undetermined amount of time makes her heart ache. He'll be alone, cut off from everyone he loves.
Padmé isn't a Force-sensitive, but she knows Anakin. She hears his unspoken fear. Honestly, she's afraid too. But there's a spark of hope in her heart too, and she clings to that.
Her free hand brushes the hair out of his face.
Softly: ] It's going to be okay, Ani. We can do this.
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[ He close his eyes. Her touch is comforting and more than ever, he just want to sink into that comfort. To hide, crawl away until it's just them and nothing hurts. But he loves her and he has to continue, and she loves him and so he can continue. ]
Our focus determines our reality. Qui-Gon used to tell say that.
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How much did you tell him?
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[ There were other things; events that passed that hinted his descent, that he felt guilt for for not doing the right thing, that Palpatine had kindly offered that it was right... for him. Rules didn't matter, that's what made him special. ]
But I've never been good at hiding my true feelings.
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If we assume he knows, then we can anticipate his moves. If he threatens me, I might somehow find myself surrounded by more security.
[ There's more than one way to hurt her, she knows, but she's trying to find any advantage she can. And any comfort she can give him. ]
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I'm sorry, Padme. I should-- I should be better. If I was stronger, I could protect you. Protect us.
[ Quietly: ]
You shouldn't have to go through any of this.
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Neither should you.
[ Padme feels a swell of guilt and anger bubbling up again. She's part of the reason he's Chancellor. The Chancellor who has-- and will-- hurt so many.
He's not even here and he's hurting Anakin. ]
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'I'm here. I'm here for you.' ]