PROLOGUE

"What?" Anakin asked in disbelief. Padmè looked into his eyes, a look of fear on her face.

"I'm pregnant Anakin," she said before collapsing into his arms in a sobbing heap. Anakin caressed her hair. Padmè leaned against his strong chest. Anakin brought her face up to his and kissed her deeply.

"It'll be alright Padmè. Our child will know that we love him or her, and we will be a family." But Anakin knew that no matter who they were to each other, to the rest of the galaxy, they were Jedi and Senator. He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly.

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Padmè sighed, looking through her large closet. She had given Sabè the evening off, but she saw that choosing a gown would be a difficult task. Finally, she settled on a royal blue backless gown. The hems were outlined in silver thread, with swirls sweeping outwards and upwards towards the sides.

"You look like an angel," Anakin whispered when she put it on. Padmè smiled at him.

"In a few months I'll look like a bantha," she said dryly. Anakin grinned at her, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"You'll always be my angel," he whispered, laying his chin against her bare shoulder. His warm breath against her neck sent shivers up her spine. Padmè turned and touched his cheek.

"Ani," she said softly, but he placed his finger on her lips.

"Shh," he said before kissing her deeply. She sighed and leaned into his embrace. Until the galaxy discovered their secret and their world came crashing down around them, she was happy to just rest in his arms.

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Padmè nervously glanced around the large hall, looking at the masses of beings gathered in the Chancellor's private hall of the Senate Office Building. Palpatine was having a large gala to celebrate his fifth anniversary as Chancellor, and had spared no expense at the lavish gathering. She continued searching the room with her eyes until she found who she was looking for. Her heart fluttered as she met Anakin's eyes. He and Obi-Wan had been requested to oversee the gala, to ensure the safety of the various politicians. Padmè herself had requested the two Jedi, and the Council was not happy. She knew that it was rumored that she and Anakin Skywalker were having an affair, but tonight, she needed him to be beside her.

"Senator Amidala," a voice behind her said warmly. She turned her head to meet the face of Eiklek Pai'la from Mon Calamari.

"Senator Pai'la," she said, trying to hide her disappointment. She and Pai'la would have to debate in the Senate tomorrow, and Padmè wasn't looking forward to it.

"May I offer you some champagne," Pai'la asked. Padmè blushed. She was five weeks pregnant and was not supposed to drink alcohol, but she did not want to appear rude in front of her opponent.

"My dear Senator, I do believe it is best for us to be fresh for tomorrow's debate, rather than partaking in such pleasures. Don't you agree?" Padmè asked thinking fast. Bail Organa, who had been watching the scene, gave a hearty laugh.

"Senator Amidala, I believe your tongue is as sharp as your wit," he said, resting his hand on her shoulder. Padmè smiled politely before discreetly shrugging Bail's hand away. She looked across the room at an angry Anakin, trying to reassure him with her eyes. She turned back around, forcing her head away from Anakin's stare.

"I do believe that I have been discovered," Pai'la said jokingly. Padmè was about to reply when her face paled.

"Excuse me," she said hurriedly as she walked quickly towards the 'fresher.

Anakin looked at her retreating back feeling pangs of sadness. Since finally alerting him of her pregnancy two days earlier, Padmè's morning sickness had been merciless. Obi-Wan came to stand next to him.

"I do hope she's alright," Obi-Wan said with a frown.

"Should I check on her?" Anakin asked trying to keep the hopefulness out of his voice. Obi-Wan looked at him with a scowl.

"I will check on the senator. You will stay here and keep an eye on things," he said. Anakin's eyes darkened in anger as Obi-Wan walked towards where Padmè had gone. He felt some one next to him and turned to see Bail Organa standing with him.

"She's an amazing woman, isn't she?" Bail asked, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Padmè had basically ran to the 'fresher.

"She is," Anakin said in agreement. Bail looked around before looking at Anakin.

"I know that I probably shouldn't be telling this to a Jedi," Bail said cautiously. Anakin looked at him in confusion, but nodded his head, urging Bail to continue.

"You are Senator Amidala's best friend. I want you to tell me: what would she think if I began to court her?"

Anakin almost choked on his own saliva in shock. No one was going to court his wife. He would do anything to stop it, whether it broke the Jedi code or not.

"She, court you?" he said in a strangled voice. Bail frowned at him.

"Yes. Is there a problem?" he asked. But Anakin ignored him, his blood boiling. He had already thought of five ways to kill Organa using just his hands.

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Obi-Wan walked through the maze of hallways of the Senate Offices, before stopping at the women's 'freshers. He lightly knocked on the door. He was about to ask Padmè if she was alright when he heard the unmistakable sound of heaving.

"Senator Amidala, are you alright?" he asked queasily. He heard a muffled grumbling sound before the door opened revealing a very pale senator. She seemed disappointed that Obi-Wan had come for her, but he figured it was just his imagination. She opened her mouth to speak, only to run back into the 'fresher. Obi-Wan couldn't help but wonder how a woman of such small stature could vomit so much. A few moments later, Padmè emerged again, still pale, but overall looking like she felt much better. Obi-Wan looked at her worriedly.

"Milady, are you alright?" he asked her. Padmè smiled weakly at him.

"I'm fine Master Kenobi," she said reassuringly.

"I think I just have a touch of the stomach flu," she lied. Obi-Wan gave her a look, but nodded his head. He noticed that she was a bit unsteady on her feet, so he put his arm out for her to take. She smiled at him gratefully before shakily accepting his arm in her own.

They made their way back into the hall. Padmè was surprised to find Chancellor Palpatine waiting for her.

"Good evening Chancellor," she said, a little confused as to why he had been anticipating her arrival.

"Hello my dear. Are you alright? I saw the way you hurried out of the hall, and I was most worried," he asked her kindly. Padmè forced herself to smile at him.

"I'm very well Chancellor, just a hint of the flu," she said. Palpatine gave her a knowing smile and looked down towards her stomach. She instinctively stepped back from his stare and placed her hands around her stomach.

Thank Gods I'm not showing, she thought. Palpatine smiled at her once more before turning away. Padmè nervously searched for Anakin, and she found him fuming by a table of assorted drinks.

"Ani," she started, but he took her hand and hastily led her away from the vast hall. He stopped behind a large pillar, and it was then that she saw the look of pure hatred in his eyes. Before she had a chance to speak, he crashed his mouth down to hers. She at first returned his harsh kiss, before forcing herself to step back. She placed her hands on the back of his neck.

"Ani, what happened?" she whispered. She had rarely seen Anakin like this, and it scared her.

"That bastard Organa wants to court you," he snarled. Padmè's stomach churned in disgust.

"I will kill him for even thinking of touching you. He will pay," he finished, holding her closer to him. Padmè looked into his eyes.

"Ani you can't. He doesn't know about us. Please," she pleaded. Anakin's eyes flashed as he grinned evilly.

"Then shall we go and show him that you are mine?" he asked dangerously. Padmè's heart began to beat wildly. She knew that her husband would indeed bring her to the middle of the hall and declare his love for her. Some days, Padmè couldn't help but wonder if Anakin had married her merely for the thrill of it. That and the fact that he wasn't supposed to.

"Anakin, we can't," she said, but he didn't seem to hear her, as he was feathering kisses along her jaw.

"Why not?" he asked, moving his lips towards her neck. Padmè took a deep breath in an effort to keep from shuddering.

"Because…Because it's not just ourselves we have to think about now," she said.

Anakin froze.

"Oh Padmè, I'm so sorry I…" he stuttered. Padmè gave him a small smile.

"I know you are Ani. I just don't want our baby to suffer as a result of something we did," she said, bringing his chin to meet her eyes. Anakin nodded solemnly.

"There's nothing that I wish for more than being able to tell the rest of the galaxy that my beloved wife and I are having a baby," he said softly, leaning his chin against her head.

"I wish that too Ani," she said, the palm of her hand resting against his chest. Anakin fell to his knees, resting his head against Padmè's still flat stomach. He kissed it through the fabric of her dress. Padmè sighed, running her hands through his hair.

"Can we leave?" he asked hopefully. Padmè sighed and shook her head.

"I have to at least stay until after the Chancellor's speech. Besides," she said with a coy grin at her husband as he stood up.

"What would dear Obi-Wan say if he found us in such a state?"

Anakin grinned back at her, taking her hand in his.

"Should we find out?" he asked her teasingly. Padmè playfully smacked him on the arm. Anakin heaved a disappointed sigh, and Padmè couldn't help but giggle. They walked out of the darkened shadows back towards the hall. Anakin gently rested his hand on her stomach, smiling at her once more as he turned back to the gala. Padmè took a moment to lean against the pillar, watching him. He was probably the tallest person in the room, though a few beings almost reached his six-foot-three height. He looked more handsome than she had ever seen him, and her heart swelled with pride that he was her husband, even if she couldn't let the rest of the galaxy know it. He was her everything, and she was his. She was so enraptured in looking at her husband that she didn't notice that someone had come up behind her.

"Good evening Senator Amidala," Bail Organa said, bending down to kiss her hand. Padmè forced a smile.

So it begins, she thought wryly. She pulled her hand away from Organa's lips, discreetly wiping the back of her hand on her gown.

"Senator Organa," she said politely. Bail looked over at what she had been gazing at, and rolled his eyes.

"Skywalker," he spat. Padmè glared at him.

"What is wrong with Anakin?" she asked, daring him to oppose her husband. Bail met her eyes.

"He's over-protective, he's arrogant, and he's extremely rude," he said confidently. Padmè felt her anger boil.

"What has he done to make you think such things?" she said angrily. Bail looked at her in confusion.

"Why do you border such an attachment to Skywalker? He is a Jedi, and such feelings are not allowed," he said. Padmè looked at him haughtily.

"He is my dearest friend. We've known each other since we were children," she replied defiantly. Bail grinned at her slyly.

"You are too wild for your own good. Maybe I can tame you," he said taking her arm. She looked over at Anakin, who looked like he was ready to kill Bail.

"No, Ani," she mouthed. She took her arm away from Bail.

"No thank you Senator Organa," she said regally before she strode away from him. She gave Anakin a small smile, and he grinned at her. Unfortunately for them, Bail saw the entire exchange, and he glared at the two. He had always had a feeling that there was more going on between them, and now he had proof.

"you will pay for rejecting me Senator Amidala. You both will," he whispered bitterly.