Title: Rumors
Author: VA-Parky
Characters: Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala
Timeframe: Between AotC and RotS
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. Honest!
Genre: Romance, challenge response
Author's Note: Another quick challenge response. Can you believe it? An angst-free vignette from VA-Parky! Ha! Hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading!

I entered the ballroom, immediately noticing that the band had returned from a well-deserved break.

Then again, on this night it was my duty to make such observations. I was heading up the security team and a successful report would go a long way towards garnering some recognition with the Council. I finally had an opportunity to prove myself and I was going to take it.

It also didn't hurt that my wife was hosting the event.

The band members grasped their instruments with a grace that underscored their expertise. After addressing the crowd, they smiled through a round of applause and launched into a slow, elegant melody. It was one I recognized immediately... the first song Padmé and I had danced to as husband and wife.

My eyes sought her, quickly finding her familiar form across the room, clad in a beautiful emerald gown. Thus far, I had only dared to pass by her once but the way the garment clung to her hips had certainly stuck with me the entire evening.

Unable to stay away any longer, I moved towards her. Unfortunately, several Senators stood in my path and I had to greet them one-by-one, engaging in small talk I had no patience for. When I did finally reach my destination, I was offered a hand and a glance full of warning.

I responded by bowing and brushing my lips against the soft skin of her wrist.

"Anakin," she murmured. I took pleasure in the way her normally-composed voice trembled. "It's a pleasure to see you. I trust your rounds were performed without any trouble?"

"Yes, Senator." Though I was aware of the eyes boring into our backs, I decided to take a risk. "In fact, everything is so calm that I've decided to take this opportunity to claim my dance."

"Your dance?" Her entire body stiffened, her thoughts clear even without my mastery of the Force: What are you doing?

"Yes; it is a Jedi's duty to the hostess; to thank her for the hospitality."

She tried – and failed – to suppress a delighted grin. "Well, I mustn't interfere with your duty. After all, the Senate strives to promote full cooperation with our Jedi protectors."

I offered my arm and she took it without further hesitation. We stepped onto the floor and the rest of the world seemed to disappear, lost in the face of the music. Other couples moved aside, silently awed by our seamless movements.

"You know, our song is already halfway over," Padmé whispered.

"That just means we have half a song to give them something to talk about," I retorted with a shrug. "The rumors about us have been flying for years. Maybe it's time we gave them something worth discussing."

"Anakin," she admonished quietly. "You shouldn't talk like that. You're the poster boy for the Jedi." Catching sight of my grimace, she teasingly amended her statement. "Sorry, poster man… And you know how much the public looks up to you."

I changed the subject by lowering her into an effortless dip. For a brief moment, her throat was exposed and I nearly kissed the slender column of flesh.

"Ah, very smooth, Skywalker," she purred. "Are you sure you haven't been practicing without me?"

"Never."

I tightened my embrace as the last notes of the song began to fade. The gesture would not go unnoticed by the biggest gossipmongers but I found I no longer cared. Let the rumors fly.

"Someday," I whispered. "I'll find a way to keep the music playing forever; just so we'll have an excuse to never leave each other's arms."

Sadly, it was a promise I could never fulfill.

But the rumors?

Those persisted to become the stuff of legends.

-FIN-