Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars (Ep. I, II, III, IV, V, VI…)…

Author's Notes: If you like it please review.

* *

"Anakin let up," a nude Padme pulled back the bed covers, "come on, I really have to go now."

"No, you must not leave me M'lady, you have not satisfied my needs. Come back here," Anakin grabbed the sides of the sheets tangled around her waist and pulled her back towards the center of the bed.

"Oh, really. Let me help," she leaned back to plant a long and sensuous kiss on his full lips. She scraped her nails along his smooth back, stroking the muscles in his arms, and whispered in a sexy voice, "later."

He groaned. She jumped up and ran toward the wash room, halfway Anakin tumbled her from behind, pinching her bottom. She squealed.

"Ow!" in her most dignified tone of voice asked, "What may I ask was that for?" Padme played as she nibbled kisses along his jaw.

"For being my everything," Anakin cuddled the words into her throat, "and I just wanted to delay you because…I get the bathroom first!"

They both made a mad dash…it was a tie.

* *

"Will you stop that already, you look fine," a frustrated Anakin moaned. He walked over to her nightstand grabbing a detailed mirror, studying the craftsmanship. A mermaid swam up one side and a dragon crawled down the other, it suited Padme's personality precisely Anakin thought. He spun it between his fingers to idle away the time, in his head he sang a tune one that he was not even sure of the words. He twirled it one last time and placed back next to the matching brush. Anakin rubbed his fingers along the bristles as he dragged his hand back to his side. Clenching his fist he turned back to his love a perfect smile of content on his face.

"I want everything to be perfect," Padme smiled at her reflection in the mirror, making eye contact with Anakin behind her, "just perfect. I need this to work…and I hope you feel the same. I've been in this room for what seems like forever, I need to leave this place before I tear down the wall coverings."

Anakin rolled his eyes at her attitude. She had been under house arrest for the past few days and with each passing moment he had noticed her confined state getting to her. The Padme that stood before him was a bundle of nerves both tensed and keyed up. Anakin knew that she was more than eager to get out into the real world. He grasped her hand pulling it to him. She willingly went along, resting her head on his lean shoulder. Padme

pushed in closer kissing his tanned neck. Anakin nuzzled his head with hers grinning at their reflection in the armoire mirror.

"Haven't I kept you busy enough Senator? I don't recall you complaining before… And besides you and I both know that whenever we try to do something it never ends up as good as we originally thought it would," Padme sent a blushing glare at Anakin, who couldn't help but smirk. He loved to taunt her every now and then. She would get offended and pinch her face in distaste, he loved it when she was indifferent, and he thought it became her as everything else did. Padme. His Padme. She only shared those special smiles with him. Who would have thought, the stoic Senator to have such a devilish expression stretched across her perfect face?

All innocence Anakin poked, "What?"

"What do you mean---What? What? I have been trying to organize this for a while and I hoped you would give me enough support…and…oh…that's it! You just laugh, I'm leaving. My handmaidens are much better company," Padme turned to leave when Anakin caught her arm.

"Why because they hardly say a word?" Anakin saw the ominous air swell her temper and changed his tactics, "Now, now Senator, temper, temper."

The finger Anakin waved in front of her face as he mock-scolded her was nearly bit off. Padme was both tired and stressed. Another attempt at assassination was made merely days ago and this was the first time all week that her guards were allowing her to leave the premises. Of course even then, Anakin would be by her side, no doubt he would scare everyone with an evil scowl…Oh, well…she had learned a long time ago to take whatever was available. She hadn't slept much, that she supposed was mostly Anakin's fault, not that she minded too overmuch. After everyone went to bed she and Anakin would find time to talk. Just talk. No inquisitions from power hungry political opponents, no devastating issues that needed to be well thought out and given a solid solution…just talking. What was her favorite food? Did she like red or blue better? Who was her idol as a child? Anakin never ran out of questions. He would ask them in such a serious manner---like he was savoring a fine wine, one that was soon to expire into the air. He would stare into her as if he could feel all the fibers of her being, smell the essence of her…it frightened her to acknowledge that perhaps he could.

"Did you not just her the buzzing? Hello, Padme? The buzzing? It's time to go, come on. Let's get this evening over with," Anakin smiled at the dazed Padme, who sat stock-still trying to fasten a latch on her cloak. She was wearing red today. He like her in red, it made her skin look ripe like an exotic fruit…he wanted a bite. Dropping to his haunches he leaned forward and grabbed the hook snapping it into the hole. He straightened the large hood that was spread in disarray around her supple shoulders, enjoying the contact with any part of her. He plopped a kiss on her forehead, and before she could issue any protest, he swooped her into his arms and spun around in a quick circle.

Somberly the young man explained his feelings, "I do not want you to leave the vicinity. Can it not wait one or two more days? I'm rather worried about this whole ordeal. We still haven't deciphered who was behind the attempt on your life. Doesn't it bother you that you are at a high risk of being killed? Do you know what would happen to me if I lost you?" Anakin swept his hand through the air his eyes crackling with tension.

"Annie, you shouldn't open your heart so easily to every problem. If you aren't careful, you won't have anything left," She lifted her hand to stroke his smooth face a reassuring look on her face, " and anyway, the pain you would have from the loss of me would be nothing compared to the anguish I would suffer if I lost you."

Padme frowned after she muttered the last. Her eyes lowered to the ground and the arms encircling Anakins neck fell lax.

"Why so glum M'lady?" Anakin said as he lowered her to the ground. Padme's dress trailed the floor, but she didn't place her feet down, instead she turned her face towards his.

"Why do I act so different now? What have you done to me? Duty…duty has always been so much more to me. I can't remember a time when it hasn't been there. Now that I think about it, perhaps it was duty that kept me going, even when times were bleak. But you showed me I don't need to live by protocol. If I want to shout, or dance, or even read a book; I have the time and right to do so. You make me unafraid. Unafraid to die, to live, because with you I've already experienced it all. I know it sounds, well, childish, but you make me…I live through the glint of passion in your eyes. When I first saw you again, I mean just a couple of months ago, that was the first thing I noticed about you…that is otherwise than your new found height. You have this ambition in your gaze that just brings me into…awe. Sometimes you scare me, really scare me. You don't seem to care about much, that you might do something irrationally…" Padme trailed off, not knowing exactly what to say. She broke out of the circle of his arms and opened the door where a tall Jar Jar stood, his finger nanometers away from the buzzer.

"Meesa glad to seeya! Meesa justa rang da buzzer. You cominn now Annie, okiday?" Jar Jar's eyes flicked between the two oblivious of the words that were still hanging in the air. He had come, prepared to accompany the couple outside. He had taken the time out of his busy schedule with the senate to do this for two old friends. He made anxious motions with his hands, ready to leave.

"Yeah, we'll be right down. Tell Typho that we will only be a moment longer," Anakin stated.

* *

"Do you think it's worth it? I mean would it fit right? It looks like it might be a little tight, what do you think?" Anakin shrugged his shoulders as answer to Padme's questions.

"I don't really want to waste my time and money on an outfit that I'm never going to wear," Padme held the green dress in front of her, an uncertain expression on her face. Before the shop viewing screens she did a slight dance, hips moving shoulders pivoting back and forth, with the clothing draped over her rounded shoulders.

From where he stood behind her, Anakin inhaled deeply, this was the third store and the umpteenth purchase. The vivid green brought to his mind the waving grasses of Naboo, a perfect contrast to her dark complexion. Her honey-toned eyes practically dripped tears of happiness, her long eyelashes the perfect frame for the perfect day. She looked good enough to eat he fancied. A mental image of himself kissing her rosy lips brought color to his cheeks and a tightening in his---

"What are you blushing for? It's not that bad on me is it?" Padme whispered to him from over her shoulder. Her lip was curled and her nose wrinkled, Anakin leaned forward and kissed any doubt from her mind.

"So, you like it? Or me?" Padme giggled, brows raised, "Let me just try it on and you can tell me exactly what you think," Padme ran to the nearest droid employee directing it the row of fitting cubicles that lined the magenta and neon swirled wall. From its oblong middle the droid extended an arm with a key-shaped tip, to unlock a stall. Padme smiled at the droid and waved it off, bouncing into the room.

While she was dressing, Anakin decided to look around. The shop was a bit too colored and bright for his tastes, but the atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming. He leaned against a sales rack, his arms crossed stiffly in front of his chest. Across the room a young mother and her much younger son entered the shop. The boy practically jumped with curiosity and enthusiasm, his alert eyes darting around the clothes, scents, shoes, and druids that made up the store. His mother, hair frazzled and eyes bloodshot, fought to keep her son's hand while simultaneously asking a droid fro something or other. The corners of Anakin's mouth twitched with humor, rising to a complete grin when the boy's gaze locked with his own. Would he ever have a son like this kid? Would Padme make such a stressed mother? Or would she remain as solid as the woman he was now with? Would his son be like this one, bursting with life and joy? Would he be a good father? Anakin raked his trembling hands through his hair, he had never had a father so what kind of father would that make him? On a sigh, he turned away from the boy, hoping to dispel his line of thought.

Padme did that on her own. The screen that to Padme's dressing room scrolled sideways. Padme now stood before him wearing the pale green outfit like a second skin. She leaned forward, bending at the waist, to erase invisible wrinkles. When she stood again Anakin felt this heart plummet somewhere into his stomach. To him she looked radiant no matter what, but in this particular outfit she looked like a flaming green ember, one that Anakin felt intoxicated to stare at. He pulled away from his stance against the wall.

"I've never seen you," Anakin began, his tounge lay in his throat like an iron weight.

"You mean, I hope, seen me wear something this," she played with the fabric of her skirt, "risqué, huh?"

She got the dress. And they both agreed that she would wear it and that it was worth buying.

* *

Downtown Naboo was most definitely crowded. The streets were lined with small vendors looking for a willing customer; the businesses and city lights were blazing with advertisements for this or that. For the most part, the city appeared pretty harmless, but to Anakin everything was a threat. The Gafardak with the umbrella shaped shade mounted onto his head could be hiding a weapon under his flower-patterned shirts. And quite possibly the human girl with the doll in her hand might have some ill will toward Padme. Anything could happen---and that was why Anakin wouldn't let go of her hand. At least that was what he kept chanting to himself. If he really were to admit his true feelings he would have to say her hand was pretty soft.

"Let go already, I'm not going anywhere," Padme jerked her hand a little. She really didn't want to leave him, she just didn't like being under someone else's control. She tugged and when freed danced away in the throng of fellow shoppers around her. Anakin dashed to follow her path, but he couldn't keep up.

* *

From hundreds of stories above where Padme and Anakin walked, a young man lugged a long body bag along the edge of a commercial building. The figure unzipped the bag, pulling out an arm. He readied himself and his baggage for the drop towards the ground, yanking a smoking bomb out of his coat pocket.

* *

A loud thud sounded if front of Padme, a strong hand grasped her throat. Padme twisted her head as far as she could to bring Anakin into vision, the mere sight of him would solve nearly everything she thought. Unfortunately she couldn't find him. And it was getting harder to breath, harder to see. A haze fogged the area around her. Just then it hit her. And it hurt. Vaguely she heard Anakin's shout. But it was too late.

Before she fell unconscious she weakly mouthed, "Anakin," but he didn't hear her, didn't save her in time.