Author's Note: This story takes place when Padme, Qui-gon, Jar Jar, and R2D2 are offered to stay the night at Anikan's home on Tattooine.
Disclaimer: I Don't Own Star Wars.
Qui-Gon spotted the young queen lying down nearly ten feet away, eyes closed, and shivering.
A small smile graced his lips, and he slowly rose from his spot on a stool, making his way over to her.
He took a seat next to her on the short bench she occupied, and gently brushed her forehead with the back of his hand. Her eye-lids fluttered open at the contact, and her lips formed a tired smile.
"I never thought I'd find myself cold on Tattooine..." She mused sleepily.
"Yes," Qui-gon agreed, smiling down at her affectionately. "It's hard for one to imagine with the two suns beating down on you overhead in the earlier hours, isn't it?"
"Yes, much so..." She yawned quietly, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
Qui-gon gave a short, quiet laugh, before allowing a solemn expression to wash over his face when he sensed that Padme was distressed.
"You're worried?" He asked, though it was more of a statement than a question.
"I can't even sleep." She admitted sheepishly.
"What's troubling your thoughts?" He inquired softly.
"The queen has a lot to deal with, and I'm not sure if she'll be able to pull through if we don't."
"Ah," He smiled once more, knowing full well that she was referring to herself despite the fact that her masquerading as one of her handmaidens was supposed to be a secret. "I'm certain she will, if we just give her some time."
"But she doesn't have time!" She protested (much louder than she'd intended), springing up into a sitting position.
"Our queen is quite resourceful," He said, gently patting her on the shoulder, and easing her back down on the bench. "I'm sure everything will find its right balance in the end."
"How can you be so sure?" She asked, brows raised in concern.
"I may not know the queen personally, Padme, but I do know that she is very intelligent. Very brave, very strong. And most definitely admirable. So if the queen is faced with a hardship like the one she is now, I have faith that she will be able to sort it out."
"Really?" She sighed, slowly relaxing her stiff limbs in an attempt to get herself to sleep.
"Yes, of course. And the last thing we need her doing in a time like this, is doubting herself. So I appreciate your own faith in her Highness, even when she is not present, I do hope you'll never lose it."
Her brown eyes searched his blue ones, looking for some kind of answer or explanation for his actions, but finding nothing more than a simple 'you're welcome' to cling onto.
"Thank you Qui-gon...I won't. I promise..." And with that the young queen drifted off into a peaceful sleep, and all worries of the day slipped away from her.