Saga THE FIRST TIME (Anakin-Padme struggle to have their wedding night) OOOH FINALE POSTED!

So Anakin suggests a pact that includes joint suicide in the event they're discovered. Now Ani, you know better than that! The Jedi would't kill you, they would just expel you. Then you and Padme could retire, alive, to a civilian lifestyle.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to give Anakin a

[image=http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m96/jenniferhejsek/creepy.gif]

for his offer and walking so close to the dark side.

I'm just saying...

 

yeah, a murder-suicide since he's technically doing the killing lol. wow my anakin is really creepy...

 

Ok, so that was sexy and creepy and weird and loving all at the same time. I do wonder why Anakin would think such things when in bed with Padme. Very well done.

 

Anakin and Padme Naberrie Skywalker did as much as they could possibly do in the time they spent on Naboo. The first day was spent frolicking near the lake by Padme's villa. The second was spent doing idle things, like eating breakfast in bed and sleeping. The third day, Padme suggested they go to the opera...

Anakin watched with a frown on his face as she stood before a mirror clipping an earring into her ear. It wasn't that he hated the opera, or didn't want to go with her... it was that he was forced to go in disguise, and in doing so, he couldn't fully enjoy time out with his wife.

Padme bent her neck allowing Anakin to fasten a necklace around it. When she was done she turned and adjusted Anakin's robe, mumbling quietly to herself. They soon left the house, their hands clasped together as they walked. Anakin wore his hood and kept his face down whenever they were in full view of the public. Padme being the former queen didn't help matters any, and soon they couldn't hold hands at all. Senators, colleagues, and even some Jedi where there on the planet. Padme could only explain her husband away, claiming that he was overseeing her security detail. Nevermind, her entire security team was on Coruscant since she and Anakin had left alone, taking only Threepio and Artoo with them. On the plus side of things, they did manage to steal a kiss or two when the lights in the theatre dimmed and all were seemingly distracted by the performance before them.

The night ended when Anakin's comlink rang. Obi Wan was on the other end. Tomorrow, he would go back to Coruscant and both would leave for a tour in the Outer Rim. For how long, they couldn't be certain.

That night, Anakin and Padme laid in bed, whispering and simply doing their best to enjoy whatever time they might have left to spend together.

"You never told me why the council decided you were ready to become a knight."

Anakin lowered his eyes, grinning. "Well... I was sent to Praestlyn and apparently news reached council about my activities there..."

"That wasn't the only news that reached Coruscant. There were rumors that you died in an explosion. I was so sad, Anakin, waiting to hear from you. But I knew you were still alive. Somehow, I still felt as though you were."

"What about my letters? You never wrote back," he replied, somewhat solemnly.

Padme gave him a confused look. "I never got them," she replied. "Is that why you didn't come back?"

"I was certain our marriage was over. As much as I didn't want it to be... as much as it nearly killed me."

"Oh Ani..." Padme said, wrapping her arms around him. "Strange that I didn't get the letters. Where did you send them?"

"To your office. I didn't want to draw suspicion."

Padme clapped a hand across her face. "No no no! Anakin..." she droned. "I do hope they weren't "detained" by the Chancellor. I understand that his office now oversees all incoming and outgoing mail. They hunt for spies and corrupt senators."

"I'm sure the Chancellor means well."

"You only say that because he's your friend."

"Don't talk like that, Padme. You may not trust him, but I do."

"More than you trust me?"

Yes, he wanted to answer... but thought better of it.

"There are things I can tell the chancellor that I can't tell you."

Padme brought her voice to a whisper... "You told me about the sand people and I forgave you, I understood..."

"That was different," Anakin said, climbing out of bed.

"Where are you going?" Padme asked.

"Back to Coruscant."

Padme was out of bed behind him in an instant. She caught him by the back of his pants and pulled him toward her. His resistance was minimal.

Padme clung to his arm, meeting his glare with a comforting smile. "Remember what you told me a few nights ago?"

Anakin drew his breath.

"...about, making love as much as you possibly can because of the slight chance that you might not return? Would you want harsh words to be the last that passed between us."

Anakin pulled her into an embrace. "Of course not... I just- I don't want to talk

 

Oh crap! The blackmail begins.

Please don't let him make her sleep with him

And I want to ***** slap Anakin for trusting the Chancellor more than his wife. I know the Chancellor's his friend, but really....he doesn't share a bed and a body with the Chancellor. He should know better

 

Three days he told her. To meet him at the Congressional Banquet and to sit at his table for what he called "negotiations". The Congressional Banquet wasn't so bad. Others would be there. Nearly all of their peers, members of the Holonet press, as well as the Chancellor. There was nothing to be afraid of. Nothing at all, she told herself. If she could face two monstrous beasts in the arena on Geonosis, then she could stand up to a Senator from the forest planet of Endor.

The Congressional Banquet was a bi-yearly event where various keynote speakers made speeches about the state of the Republic. It was also a time for announcements of both personal and politcally relevant topics. These topics were made by the Senators themselves, or their aids. Sometimes the announcements were about various changes being made to their home planets and abroad. Padme wondered if Cobra Sien chose the Congressional Banquet to make an announcement of his own... one that had nothing to do with him, but everything to do with Padme and Anakin Skywalker. The very thought made her shudder. She could see the Holonet press typing away in their datapads and reporting the scandal to holonet news to be spread throughout the galaxy within a matter of minutes -- the following day, their story would be all over the holonews paper in the social and gossip pages.

Cobra's table was next to the speaker's podium. There were flowers and two lit candles before him and glasses of wine. He rose when Padme approached, and pulled her chair. She reluctantly sat beside him. Cobra looked around, to see if anyone was looking then grabbed the seat of her chair and pulled her closer. Padme cringed, her nose crinkling as though the man emitted a foul odor.

A senator from Rea stood behind the podium speaking passionately about conservation issues and the need of funding for his planet.

Padme's lips formed a thin white line as her eyes rose to met Cobra's face. "You wanted to speak with me about a very private matter, Senator. A matter that should be of no concern to you."

Cobra's smile was one of pure malevolence. "A Senator who violates the rules should be everyone's concern."

"Did you ask me to come here because you wanted to torment me? If you want to tell everyone, then go ahead and do it. I have no wish to be trifled with. The situation is difficult enough."

Cobra shook his head. "On the contrary, I wish to discuss a political matter."

Padme's eyebrows rose. She could deal with this. She could "do" politics. "Then what is it that you wish to discuss?"

"I would like your support on a bill. I plan to submit it to the senate in only a matter of weeks. You are renown for being the 'peace' senator... and I am aware that all war bills that have been thus rejected on the floor were ferociously contested by you and those who follow your lead. You are all that stands in the way of my bill and I am hoping the two of us can work something out."

"And what does the bill entail?"

"My father's company -- my company, Endor Enterprises is requesting a no bid contract with the Republic to build more weaponry. Our all terraine machines will lead the Republic to certain victory."

"And more wealth for your family, no doubt. Untold wealth..." she whispered incrediously. "So that's what this is about... money? And what about peace? What about a peaceful resolution to the war? Surely the Separatists will only build more weapons to fight you."

"More weapons, more money for me," he answered, taking another sip of his wine.

Padme folded her hands across her lap. "No. I won't do it."

"You know why so many Holonet reporters are here tonight? Because I asked them to come."

"Your Jedi husband is a very famous man. His many adventures and mishaps along with the Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi are well known. He's in the news almost nightly. He's also the face of the Republic and the war against the Separatists. People love him. Imagine their dismay... their disappointment seeing him in such compromising...positions with you, Senator. Imagine ho

 

Oh not good, Padme really should have contacted Anakin about this whole situation, now he is REALLY going to flip when he hears about this.

 

If she could face two monstrous beasts in the arena on Geonosis, then she could stand up to a Senator from the snowy planet of Endor.

Snow planet of Endor? Isn't it the forest planet of Endor? Or maybe the snow planet of Hoth...


On another note--Padme, no more secrets! Lay it all out for Anakin and you both can decide what to do. This will only get worse if you don't

 

doh! I meant hoth, thanks. but instead of changing it, i will take teh snow part out, since his company is endor enterprises.

 

yep...yep... we shall see , i haven't quite decided what anakin's reaction will be. hmm he might flip out... but not on padme

 

A messy pile of dismantled battle droids laid in an alley just behind a run down cantina on the Outer Rim planet of Cristea. Anakin Skwalker and Obi Wan Kenobi deactivated their lightsabers and clipped them to their belts, almost in unison. Two Jedi, then pulled the hood to their robes over their heads and slipped into the crowded market, unnoticed by the Separatist Neimodian group they were spying upon.

Anakin stopped near a fruit stand, grabbed a pumpkin fruit and tossed the vendor a credit. Obi Wan gave him a slight nod of his head, and both walked to the catina, going inside.

The Jedi pair did their best not to look like Jedi. In fact, one could say they looked like tall sand people, with their hoods covering their heads, eyes, and obscuring their faces. They sat on neighboring bar stools and Obi Wan laid a handful of credits on the counter.

"Savages are not welcome here," the bartender barked, sliding the credits back to Obi Wan.

Obi Wan using a trance-like voice began to speak: "We are paying customers and you want to serve us."

"You are paying customers and I would like to serve you drinks."

"What do you wish to have?" Obi Wan said.

"What do you wish to have?" the bartender repeated in a trance-like voice.

"My friend and I will have a shot of rum."

"Yes sir," the bartender replied, hurrying to fetch their drinks.

"It'll only be a matter of time before someone sees the pile of droids in the back, and put two and two together that there are Jedi here."

"We'll have all the information we need long before then," Obi Wan replied.

The bartender passed the pair their shots of rum. Obi Wan tossed his head and drank it in one gulp. He raised his hand for another. The bartender complied, pouring the rum directly into his glass.

"The arena will be airing in a few minutes," the bartender said in a gruff voice.

"What do you mean?" Anakin asked.

"It's sports night. Can't you read basic?" the guy said, pointing toward the sign on the window.

"We're savages, remember? We can't read anything."

Obi Wan smirked and gave Anakin a nudge to the side with his elbow. They were alike in more ways than he cared to admit. Obi Wan could remember being somewhat of a smart ass when he was that age. If not, a bit worse than Anakin. He could easily remember calling the boy a "pathetic lifeform" when Qui Gon Jinn bought Anakin to their ship that day on Tattoine so many years ago.

Obi Wan tossed his head back and drank the second glass of rum in one gulp. Anakin raised his hand, singling the bartender for more drinks.

"Master... I think we ought to take it easy with the rum..."

"Don't worry Anakin," he said, pulling the hood to his robe back. "We're just trying to fit in..." he said, one brow raised.

"Master- your hood..."

"Don't worry about it, Anakin. I doubt any Neiomodians will come in here."

He drained the remnants of his third glass. Anakin swirled the contents around in his own. He then turned and looked around. The room swarmed with various life forms. some stumbled about in a drunken stupor, some punched each other, or played cards.

"Mind your liquor master, we're in polite company."

Obi Wan flagged the bartender again. "How about a bit of Hoi Broth, brother?" Obi Wan said.

Anakin sighed. Not again... he thought. "Master, remember what happened the last time you drank hoi broth?"

"Nothing I can't handle, Anakin."

The bartender slid the drink across the bar, which Obi Wan grabbed almost on instinct.

"Master, but you had a really bad-"

Obi Wan threw his head back and gulped it down.

"See? Nothing could possibly go wrong."

His hood was fully off of his head now and his speech was slurred. When was the last time the master had eaten anything? If there was one vice, rum was it. Rum made him do and say foolish things, and now was no exception.

"Anakin..." Obi Wan droned. "You're not the only one..." he started.

Anakin turned and looked at the Jedi Master. "The only one who what?"

"The only one who...who...whose...(burp!) got

 

Oooo...possessive Anakin. Kinda sexy if I do say so myself! I always thought honesty was the best policy though, or she'll just drive him further to the Sith.

Hilarious how Obi-Wan got drunk and for once Anakin was the rational and responsible one. I didn't know Kenobi had those kind of weaknesses

The apprentice sighed. The drunken father he never had...

Classic.

 

I'm horrible lol. I think it was in Labrynith of Evil, where Anakin told Obi Wan that he was going to have to cut his sword hand to stop him from having another drink or something. Then, that part in AOTC where Anakin asked Obi Wan what he was doing, outside of the nightclub and he gets kind of angry and says "having a drink" as in "leave me alone, dammit." And then, his drinking in star wars a new hope. I said, hmmmm of all the Jedi, Obi Wan does a lot of drinking lol.

 

In bed, he had gathered her to himself and draped his arm over body so that she couldn't so much as move without him knowing. She felt... smothered. Padme sighed.How was it, that she... of all people, could love someone so volatile and possessive? She had to know it was coming. The way he looked at her on Naboo, the way he talked to her, the way he cherished her and hung on her every word. He made her feel things she had never felt before. Perhaps, somewhere deep within herself she wanted to know what it was like to be loved as deeply as he loved her. When others looked at her and saw Senator Amidala, Anakin saw a beautiful, intelligent woman. He didn't care about the rules, he didn't care about the boundaries that should have been in place between them. He wanted to be with her and that was all that mattered to him.

Of all the Jedi she ever met, he was the only one who ever made his feelings plain. After that incident with the sand people, she knew he needed her. He knew he needed her as well. After all, did she not take care of him when he left tattoine all those years ago? Was it not she, who made sure he was alright? Did she not hug him when he was sad? Did she not comfort him? But her feelings for him at the time were maternal... she had no idea the little boy would grow up and repay her kindness and affection by asking her to marry him. Or that, when the boy looked at her, he thought of her in that way.

She was the soothing balance to Obi Wan's iron discipline. The comforting balance to his nightmares and the sting of Watto's whip. She made him whole and complete. But still... Anakin was afraid of losing her, the way he lost everything else... and sometimes the fear that he could lose her made him volatile and angry. Padme thought more and more of leaving the Senate altogether to devote her time to her husband. To show him, that he was more important to her than politics, more important to her than anything or anyone else. The stress of the war was beginning to take its toll and her Ani was turning into a different person right before her eyes.

Padme laid a hand on his shoulder and shook him awake. Anakin opened his eyes and rubbed a hand across his face as if to fully wake himself. "You're going to smother me," she said.

"I'm sorry, my love. I wasn't trying to hurt you."

He was her Ani again.

"There's something I wish to ask you."

Anakin sat up, propping his head on one hand. She too, propped herself up in the same manner, then inched closer to his bare chest. "Should I leave the Senate?"

Anakin smiled. "Are you serious?"

"Yes." Dead serious.

His voice took a darker tone: "Because of Cobra?"

Padme shook her head, "No, because of you."

Anakin looked down at her. "As much as I would like you to leave the senate, I couldn't ask you to do that. This is what you love to do Padme, I could never ask you to stop doing what you love, no more than you could ask me."

"You mean that, Ani?"

"Of course I do," he smiled. "I know, I'm a fool sometimes, but only because I love you so much, Padme I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you. It would probably drive me mad."

"You have control these... urges. I can only reign you in for so long. Ani, sometimes, I'm afraid of you."

"Of me? - I could never hurt you Padme. Not in a trillion years."

"That's not what you told me before." That's not what you did before, Padme wanted to say, thinking of the few times he had grabbed her just a bit too roughly.

"You mean the lover's pact?" he smacked his lips. "That's different."

"How is it different?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"Different because it's an agreement between you and I. It's not something I would ever force, should you wish to back down." He wanted to believe this, he really did. Anakin pulled her close. "You know what I'm thinking about?"

She had an idea.

He nibbled her shoulder and pulled her beneath him. Padme sighed as she turned away from his kisses. "Anakin, no. It's almost dawn and I have a meeting in a few hours." Their love m

 

Very sweet and sexy. I kind of worried that his rage against Cobra is now coming in the middle of their coital bliss. That's not good...

Padme thought more and more of leaving the Senate altogether to devote her time to her husband. To show him, that he was more important to her than politics, more important to her than anything or anyone else.

Sounds good to me. Politics can only take you so far, before you start neglecting those closest to you.

 

Ugh,, they really need to get everything out in the open, it's so frustrating how quick he is to temper. He needs to listen to what Padme is saying before jumping to conclusions.
Great chapter, good humor with the allergic reaction and the alcohol. I can't wait for more.

 

---

Cobra Sien sat behind a desk in his spacious gold and black colored Coruscant office. Behind him was a magnificient view of the city, and directly across only a few blocks away, was the balcony to Padme Amidala's apartment. Over the past year he had watched, and even video taped the comings and goings of her secret husband, Anakin Skywalker. It was only a matter of time before he got rid of the Jedi for good. Unbeknownst to Chancellor Palpatine, Cobra was plotting to have Anakin assassinated with hopes that Padme Amidala would turn to him in her grief. He didn't care about the Chancellor or his wishes. His no-bid contract was as good as approved already. Blackmailing Senator Amidala worked better than expected. They made it so easy for him.
Cobra spun around in his chair, smiling to himself, the room becoming one big blur. He stopped, then drummed his fingernails on the top of his desk. How long til he left this awful metropolis? How long til he was on the lush green planet of Endor again? "Not long..." he mumbled to himself. He would leave when his knew wife was ready to leave. After she quit the senate. There was only room for one breadwinner in his family. Money meant power. So why let her have any?

Suddenly the door opened. One of Cobra's guards walked in. He wore a black jacket with gold detail. He carried a blaster strapped to his waist and walked very stiffly to his boss' desk.

"Sir, a message from Endor!" The guard saluted, turned on his heels, and walked out of the door.

Cobra leaned his chair back, index finger pressed thoughtfully under his nose. A letter from his home planet. A shipment he had been waiting for was in. Only, the space pirate who delivered it, refused to give it to Cobra's men. He wanted to see the Senator in person... perhaps to collect a higher pay. The cargo was definitely "sensitive". Illegal as far as the Republic was concerned. Cobra was in the business of mining spices on the side. Something the twi-leks used to get some type of high.

Cobra pressed a button on his desk and two guards entered the office. "Prepare my ship for a flight to Endor," he said in a hurried voice. Billions of credits were on the line.

Cobra strode down the hall past the Chancellor's office, ignoring the redguard outside of the door. With guards flanked by his side, he pressed the up button to the elevator and took it to the landing dock. Chancellor Palpatine gave his redrobes a suspicious look then spoke in his Sidious voice, "Take me to the landing dock, we're going to Endor..." then in a whisper, he spoke to himself... "I sense my plans are in danger..."

[hr]
Cobra had the aura. The aura of a man of means. He was, indeed very successful so this depiction of him would not be far off. Thanks in part to the inheritance his grandfather gave him. He also managed to amass a large fortune on his own through the same illegal activities that brought him to Endor. Cobra grunted. This "pirate" was going to pay dearly, for having forced him to travel to the planet so late and on such short notice. Cobra understood greed better than anybody, but to hold his cargo hostage -- well, that was crossing the line. And nobody crossed Cobra... nobody!
Cobra's ship landed in a clearing deep within the forest with only the moon for light. The landing platform descended from the ship. Two guards stepped out, with Cobra just behind them. He stood with his hands on his hip, his feet meters apart. He looked around, his gaze finally settling on a shadow between the trees.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing? Where's my cargo?" Cobra yelled.

A cloaked figure raised a hand, then pointed deep into the darkened forest. Cobra's shoulders dropped, he looked around, suddenly feeling a little nervous.

"Who are you? You the guy I hired?"

The man spoke, but it sounded as though he used a voculator. "Yes..." it said.

"Get out of the shadows. You're acting real suspicous, buddy. And I don't like it. Come out or the deal's off."

Cobra's guards fixed their hands on their blasters, aiming at darkn

 

Awesome, awesome! She's pregnant-that's so sweet! Somehow I think it would make Anakin happier.

This chapter started out worrying me but I have to say that I felt elation (I'm so bad) when Cobra was assassinated. I was thinking he was just about the most shallow, sleaziest guy and was glad his mistakes caught up with him.

I still hope the assassin doesn't try to hurt Anakin now that his master's dead. That shot that killed Cobra as he was pronouncing the name was kind of an eerie flashback to AOTC.

 

the assassin won't hurt anakin because the assassin is palpatine. Remember he left right after cobra because he got a bad feeling. Or somehow knew Sien was going to tell Anakin that Palpatine ordered the whole thing. Not wanting cobra to ruin his plans, he killed him first, sparing anakin the chore of doing it himself.

 

Oh I'm glad to say that Sien is dead, but what will happen now that he is gone, and with Padme being pregnant. I do hope that someone will figure out sooner than later that it's the chancellor is behind everything before it's too late.
Well done- things really are getting excited.

 

---

The morning sickness was severe. Severe enough that Padme Amidala was in need of being on bed rest, three droids at her side. Threepio was one of them. He laid a cool towel on Padme's head, dabbing away the little beads of sweat.

"Oh dear, my lady. According to my internal thermostat, your temperature is exceedingly high. Please drink some water." He tried to press a glass into her hand but she pushed it away.

The holonet was on. Pictures of Anakin played on the screen and something about the outer rim, and possibly dead. Threepio turned, looked at the holonet, stood then turned it off. Padme tried to sit up.

"Threepio, no. I need to see him-"

"I'm sure he's safe, my lady. You'll have to be mindful of your fluids, and take care of yourself if you want to get better."

And that was precisely the problem. She needed him more than ever and here she was...[i]taking care of herself.[/i] It wasn't Anakin's fault. Or was it? Blast. She was so confused. And then there were those awful rumors about him being killed in the war. If only the holonet reporter knew what those reports did to her nerves... the prospect of being alone and raising a child by herself wasn't exactly how she planned her future. But then, neither was getting pregnant so soon. Padme sighed. There was no one to blame but herself. She married a Jedi. It's not like she went into the situation blindly.

Despite Padme's ruminations, she was happy about the baby. If Anakin died, part of him would live on through her. One of the nurse droids began to recite a report. An analysis of Padme's blood sample. The nurse droid spoke in a series of chirps and beeps. Much like Artoo. Threepio translated:

"Apparently, the absense of calcium and an extreme deficiency of iron in your blood is causing you to become severely anemic. Which explains why you've taken ill. We can give you iron supplements, but your anemia is so dire, we're not sure the supplements will be enough."

"Ask her Threepio... if there is anything I can do."

Threepio spoke in a series of chirps. The nurse droid replied in kind.

"She says, she will give you a list of foods to eat, a prescription for iron supplements, and encourages you to stay on bed rest for the duration of your pregnancy, if possible."

"I can't do that, I'm a senator. I have far too many obligations."

"I advise you to listen to nurse D210, my lady. She knows what she's talking about."

"If I leave bed rest, will it hurt the baby?"

The nurse and Threepio exchanged chirps.

"NO, but it will hurt you, she says. Your body only produces enough iron and nutrients, for one. And the one who gets it is the baby. Without proper care, you won't be strong enough to deliver the baby. It's best to stay in bed. D210 would like to know, if you wish to learn the sex of your baby? She says, there's something else you should know about the pregnancy that might explain why your body is overtaxed."

Padme shook her head. "No, I want it to be a surprise. I don't want to know the gender of the baby, what he or she looks like, or whether he's too fat... nothing. I'll see him when he gets here."

Threepio looked at the Senator. Was there enough room in someone so small? Where did babies come from? And how did one get in Senator Amidala?

"Threepio?" she called.

"Yes, my lady."

"Will you go to the Temple and try, albeit subtley, to find out if Anakin is alright?"

Threepio saluted. "With pleasure, my lady!"

Threepio took the elevator down to the ground floor then walked... or rather, he tottered to the nearest air trolley. One that would take him to the temple. The air trolley's driver gave Threepio a strange look as he boarded. Threepio dropped a credit in the alien's hand. [i]Let's see if he can throw me off of the trolley now,[/i] thought Threepio somewhat snidely. [i]The people here are just plain rude! And droids have no rights at all. Perhaps, Senator Amidala could work in our favor... making it against the law to harm droids like myself. Perhaps, I'll work hard and show my dedication and loyalt

 

Awww, that droid is so cute! He really is quite lifelike.

And Mace Windu-damn, does he have to be so rude in every AU? The more I read of him, the less sorry for him I feel. The man's like a walking attitude.

She needed him more than ever and here she was...taking care of herself. It wasn't Anakin's fault. Or was it? Blast. She was so confused.

That's the hormones talking. I should know

 

Good to see that things are progressing so well and fast for the Senator, however I do believe that 3PO may have made Master Windu a little suspicious with his line of questioning- I do hope Anakin gets back soon though.

 

Times were getting scarier by the day, and Padme found herself working more and more against the wishes of her nurse. Especially since the Chancellor's kidnapping by General Grievous. It was a sad twist indeed, and there was no telling what the monster would do to him. The only good news was that the Senate requested two of its best Clone War Jedi to save him: Obi Wan Kenobi, and her beloved, Anakin Skywalker. Were it not for this awful turn of events, Anakin would still be in the Outer Rim. The downside, was the possibility of his being killed whilst trying to save his friend.

Padme sat at her desk and whispered a prayer. The Republic was in horrible shape and she couldn't decide if it was worth saving anymore. At least, worth being saved by her. She wanted...needed to take her baby and husband away before one of them were killed. But that was just a fantasy. There were too many people out there counting on them both. She wouldn't even allow herself to think like that, much less act on it.

Padme's holoscreen sent a signal. She allowed the connection. Threepio appeared on screen. "Senator Amidala, Holonet News is reporting the death of Count Dooku, and the Chancellor's arrival on Coruscant with Master Skywalker, and Master Kenobi."

Padme's heart skipped a beat. "Thank you, Threepio. If anyone should ask, please tell them I will be in meetings all day."

"Of course, my lady," answered Threepio, dutifully.

Padme closed her datapad, then stood and adjusted her senatorial robes. She was visibly pregnant now. In fact, her pregnancy was an open secret. Thankfully, her colleagues had far too great a respect for her to ask questions... and for that, she was grateful.

Typho waited just outside of Padme's door. "Come Typho, please take me to the Jedi Temple."

"Of course, my lady," he answered, slightly reminiscent of Threepio only moments earlier.

Padme took the elevator to the top floor and boarded the waiting speeder. Typho climbed into the pilot's seat, and both strapped themselves in. From above the city, they could see shrapnel and bits and pieces of a crashed ship. Padme's heart caught in her throat. Threepio said Anakin was here... he didn't say Anakin was in good shape.

"Typho, land near the Temple garden, I'll walk from there."

Typho gave a sideward glance at her belly. "Are you sure my lady? The nurse droid said-"

"Typho, please... I'll be fine."

The ship gained clearance to land near the garden and a few minutes later, Padme was walking very slowly toward the temple. A large crowd had gathered near the side entrance. A crowd of senators, like Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, Mas Amedda, Chancellor Palpatine, as well as Jedi Masters like Mace Windu and Yoda to name a few. So many people but no Ani...

Padme slipped behind a column and watched the excitement from afar. Then she saw him. Her Anakin stood at the center of the crowd. People touched him, pulled his clothing, shook his hand... some even hugged him. She wanted hug him. But this was the life of the Hero. The Hero With No Fear, as they called him. After a few moments of watching him mingle and act the part of Jedi poster boy, the crowd slowly dissipated and only Anakin and Bail Organa remained. But even as they talked, Anakin's eyes seldom engaged the senator, for he was looking for his beautiful wife, wondering where she was and why she hadn't come out to greet him. Bail Organa said something and Anakin replied. Then finally, his gaze swept by the column, and he saw Padme standing there, hiding in the shadows, patiently waiting... a smile as wide as the universe spread across his face. Anakin quickly bade Bail Organa goodbye, looked around, then ran toward her.


Padme fell into his arms, her head against his chest as she hugged him. "What are you doing over here?" he beamed.

"Oh Ani, I missed you," Padme said. "I'm so glad you're safe. I'm so glad you're here. There are so many things I want to say, so many things to tell you... and then there were rumors that you had been killed," she gasped.

"I missed you too," he replie

 

So sweet!