AN: This is a story I wrote a long time ago for a challenge on the Jedi Council Forums, and I decided I would post it here. This is a rewrite of the scene in AOTC when Padmé confronts Anakin after his mother dies. I hope you enjoy this! :)

Hurt

There he was, Anakin Skywalker. No longer was he the small boy Padmé met years ago, but instead he was Jedi and a man. Since the moment Anakin came back into her life she tried to ignore the feelings she was having for him. The kiss they shared on Naboo haunted her as much as him, but she could never admit that.

He looked so innocent there just sitting there and working on a small farm device. Yet he was also vulnerable right now; torn apart by his anguished feelings. Padmé was no Jedi but she could tell by his posture and his facial expressions that he was working hard to keep those raging moments at bay. She was torn between wanting to rush up and comfort him and leaving him in peace.

Suddenly he noticed her presence. Padmé set the food down on a small table. "I thought you might be hungry," she said hesitantly.

"I'm not," he said blandly, his focus absolute on the task at hand.

"Ani," she said slowly drawing closer. "I'm here for you."

He looked up at her, and Padmé flinched. There was so much hurt there and was that regret?

"I know," he replied, turning back to his work.

"Please," Padmé said. "Open up to me."

"I've tried," Anakin answered frustrated. "The results haven't been the best."

Padmé felt a blush rising to her cheek as she remembered their discussion by the fire. "Anakin…You know that's not what I meant. What happened out there?"

The transformation was instantaneous. "They killed her," he said sobbing.

Padmé moved over to Anakin's side and put an arm around his shoulder. She didn't speak, letting him take his time.

"I promised her I would free her one day...And I broke my promise. She died in my arms!" he exclaimed throwing the hydrospanner across the room.

"You couldn't have done anything," Padmé said gently.

"I should've been able to, it's not right!" He shouted frustrated. "I'm a powerful Jedi, I could've prevented it!"

Suddenly Padmé realized that he was keeping something back. "So what did you do?" she prodded gently.

All at once Anakin's face went white and stony as he took a deep breath. "I... I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead, every single one of them," he stated with conviction.

Padmé nearly drew away; he was a murderer. But in her heart she knew this wasn't something he took lightly. Anakin had been sorely provoked in the most horrible way possible and his murdering had been a response to his grief.

"I've failed," he said sadly. "I should've never left Tatooine."

Padmé was flabbergasted. "Failed? You are no failure Anakin Skywalker," she stated with conviction.

"Jedi don't kill those who cannot protect themselves. I didn't just kill the men…but the women and children too." Anakin replied.

"Even Jedi make mistakes," Padmé said gently. "And if you didn't make one once in awhile them you wouldn't truly be human."

"I can't forgive them," he answered, a trace of anger on his face.

"In time I know you will," Padmé replied with a gently smile.

"Why do you say that?" he asked, baffled.

"Because you are becoming a wiser man with everyday and I know you'll make the Jedi proud," she answered.

There! He finally smiled, but it ended all too soon. It was replaced by a thin line as he fought the tears threatening to fall again. "Mom said she was proud of me…Just before…" and with that he buried his head into his hands and his body shook with his sobs.

It would take a long time for Anakin's emotional wounds to heal and Padmé knew that that night would haunt him for years to come. She knew one thing however, the healing process had begun. He would grow wiser and stronger with each day he would defeat his grief. And deep in Padmé's heart she hoped that she would be there to see it.