She stood awkwardly in front of her friend's door. A fist was balled up, lingering over the metallic surface for a knock. Ahsoka wasn't sure what she was doing there, but she couldn't talk to her master about her feelings. So there she was standing in front of Barriss's door, hoping that her friend would not judge her for what she was about to tell her.
Ahsoka let out a long sigh and knocked on the door. The metal clanged against her fist. She waited for what seemed like hours but in reality was mere seconds, her foot tapping anxiously against the ground. In the bit of panic, Ahsoka tried to walk away; changing her mind about asking Barriss for some much needed wisdom. Before she could take that first step, the door slid open revealing Barriss with her dark hood over her face.
"Ahsoka, how good it is to see you." Barriss said with a smile and a bow. "What brings you to my quarters?"
"I wasn't sure who to talk to, but I am in need of guidance." Ahsoka said with her head turned down, almost ashamed to look anyone in the eye. Barriss moved out of the doorway and gestured for Ahsoka to follow her into her quarters.
Her room was very plain, just like every Jedi's room. Without possessions, all that took up space in the room was a flat mattress in the corner and a small nightstand to the side. Placed near the only window in the room was a small round ottoman for meditation.
Ahsoka walked in and plopped herself down on the ottoman. Barriss followed and leaned herself against the windowsill. She pulled her hood down, revealing her face. "Is there something troubling you Ahsoka?"
"There is." Ahsoka replied. "I'm just not sure how to say it."
"You know I'm here for you. I am your friend." Barriss said, trying to get Ahsoka to open up.
"I know. It's just hard to talk about, mainly because of the strict rules of the Jedi." Ahsoka looked up searching for a reaction from Barriss. Barriss just nodded, wanting Ahsoka to continue. "The Jedi code forbids Jedi from attachment, and this is something I think I am struggling with."
"Isn't this something that you should be discussing with your master?" Barriss asked. "I think he would have a better idea of how to help you."
"I can't talk to Anakin about these things." Ahsoka said flatly. "See, I've been having these feelings. One's of attachment." She tried to clarify. "I think I like someone." She paused. " Like more than a friend."
"My master told me that such feelings are natural and that we must look past them in order to be at peace with oneself." Barriss chimed in. "Hasn't Master Skywalker taught you the same?"
"He's mentioned something like that once or twice."
"And why can't you talk to him about this?"
Ahsoka sighed once again. "Because I have these feelings for Anakin."
Barriss wasn't sure how to respond after that revelation. She was shocked to hear about her friend's feelings, but at the same time wished she had more wisdom to share. The truth was, Barriss had never felt anything like love for anyone. She had only heard descriptions of it from other people.
"I'm sorry Ahsoka, but I'm not sure I know how to help you. I think that even though it is hard, you should talk to your master about this. While you may have grown overly attached to him, I think he would have a solution on how to look past the forming attachment. After all, he must have had to look past those feelings himself."
"But there is no way to be certain."
"Ahsoka, he is a guy. I've heard rumor that all they think about is women, whether they let you know it or not."
"Yeah, maybe your right. " Ahsoka smiled. She felt slightly better but was still unsure on whether or not she would bring this up to Anakin. Perhaps she would find someone else to ask, seeing as the Jedi temple was filled with other masters who would have the answers she needed. Before she had time to finish that thought, her commlink on her wrist began to buzz. She tapped the glowing circle and heard Master Kenobi's voice resonate from it's speakers.
"Ahsoka, please tell me Anakin is with you." A hint of panic waved through his voice.
"No, I haven't seen him much since we got back from Maridun."
"He isn't answering his commlink. His presence is needed at the Briefing room as soon as possible. If you could go retrieve him, I am to brief you two on a new mission."
"Yes master." Ahsoka responded before the communicator went silent. It was now up to her to find her master on the largest city in the galaxy. She was hoping this impossible task would end quickly.
Anakin could feel the warm morning sun touching his bare skin. He laid still in the bed for what seemed like a long time, enjoying the peace of the new morning. He turned to his side, facing the window so that the warm rays touched his whole torso. He slowly slid his eyelids back, revealing the most beautiful angel laying next to him amongst the soft sheets. He took his flesh hand and slowly traced his fingers over Padme's bare shoulder. Her skin was so smooth to the touch; the contact making Anakin's own skin boil. It was moments like that that kept Anakin sane through the war.
He leaned his head down to kiss the shoulder he had just been caressing. His arm looped through her arm and torso, wrapping around so his hand could cup one of her perfect breasts. Padme began to stir from her slumber. Instead of pushing Anakin away, she pushed her whole body back. Every inch of their bodies were touching one another. She cocked her head back allowing Anakin to plant kisses along her neck. Her body tingled wherever his lips touched her skin. "Good morning angel." Anakin breathed into her hair.
"I always think that mornings like these are dreams. Reality could never be this good." Padme smiled as Anakin gave a slight squeeze to her breast.
"If this is a dream, then I never want to wake up." He said.
Padme turned her whole body to face him. She ran her fingers through his hair, playing with the soft ends. A hint of sadness crept up into Padme's face as she moved her hands down towards his chest. She brushed across the healing burns from Anakin's past mission. He had saved so many people, but almost at the cost of his own life. Padme had almost become a young widow. She couldn't bear the thought. Anakin winced from her touch and she pulled away. "Sorry." Padme said quickly.
"It's alright, I'd rather feel the pain than be absent from your touch." He said as he grabbed her hands in his and brought them up to his mouth for another kiss.
"I'd rather you not be in pain." She muttered. "I'd rather you be right here with me always."
"I'm always with you." He cupped his hand around her jaw and brought her closer to him. Their lips locked and Padme melted into Anakin's passionate kiss. His warm tongue entered her mouth and dominantly stroked her own. She could feel herself filling with desire. But just as he pulled her underneath him, they both heard a buzzing from the nightstand. Anakin collapsed his body over hers, his head falling in between her breasts.
"That's the fourth time this morning your commlink has gone off." Padme said, slight disappointment in her voice.
Anakin sighed and grabbed the commlink from the nightstand. Still laying on top of Padme he answered. "What do you want Obi-wan?" He said reluctantly.
"Anakin, I've been trying to reach you all morning. Where are you?" Padme ran her fingers through Anakin's hair as he continued to talk to Obi-wan.
"You know master, around."
"Actually Anakin, I don't know. But I suggest you get around to walking through the briefing room door. Your presence was called for hours ago."
"I'll be there as soon as I can, Master."
"And Anakin, try not to be late in the future."
"I will master." It was just like Obi-wan to scold him for being late.
Anakin placed the commlink back on the nightstand and turned to look at Padme. "Looks like I have to take my leave M'lady." He said.
"Come back to me in one piece, Ani."
"As you wish." He kissed her forehead quickly before darting around the room for his Jedi robes. Padme just laid in bed watching as he pulled the clothing over his muscular body. Before he left, Padme stood up on her knees on the bed and crawled towards her husband. The sheets fell away from her exposing her perfect body to him. He drank in the sight, not knowing when the next time he would see her.
He moved quickly to embrace her, giving his wife one last kiss before he had to depart. "I love you Ani." Padme whispered to him, almost as if saying it too loud would expose their secret.
"I love you more." He whispered back, cracking that boyish grin of his. And with that sentiment he turned and left, dreading each step he took leading away from his angel.