Author's note: This is my first Star Wars fan fiction so please forgive me for any problems, etc.
Setting: This is set just as Padmé falls off the ship after the battle of Geonosis in 'Attack of the Clones', everything after that is AU, although there may be some dialogue that is the same.
I would like to thank my incredible beta reader REVO42175, who if I were in her position would have been pulling my hair out.
"Padmé!" Anakin yells, terrified. He runs as fast as he can to the edge of the ship, making it in time to see her roll roughly down the side of a sand dune. She appears to have been knocked unconscious by the fall. "Put the ship down!" he orders the clone pilot, his fear and anxiety showing clearly in his voice.
He can't bear to lose her after what she told him in the Geonosis arena, and the events that happened afterwards.
"Anakin, Don't let your personal feelings get in the way!" Obi-wan shouts at him. When he receives no response he thinks Anakin has accepted his decision to leave Padmé. He knows Anakin has feelings for her, but believes he will see reason. Turning to the pilot, "Follow that speeder!" He points at Dooku whose speeder continues to head into the distance.
Anakin stays close to the edge of the ship and very worriedly looks to where Padmé lays in the sand. Finally it seems he can take no more. "Lower the ship!" He yells at the pilot.
Obi-wan looks at him and implores, "I can't take Dooku alone! I need you! If we catch him, we can end this war right now!" He pauses slightly before continuing "We have a job to do!" He thinks Anakin will put duty first, as he himself always has done. But he should know Anakin has been governed more by personal loyalties than duty, Anakin is defiantly not like him and he should except that.
"I don't care! Put the ship down!" Anakin tells the pilot, determined.
He is not listening to reason, he is thinking with his heart. Obi-wan is shocked and tries to show Anakin the seriousness of the situation. "You will be expelled from the Jedi order!" He feels Anakin's shock through the force, but Anakin is resolute.
"I can't leave her!" He yells fiercely at Obi-wan, wondering why he can not see this.
"Come to your senses!" Obi-wan shouts trying another strategy, "What do you think Padmé would do were she in your position?"
Anakin seems to take this on board at last. His Padawan says nothing and actually appears thoughtful. Anakin is obviously conflicted and does not know what to do, his brain is telling him one thing and his heart another. Finally making up his mind, he turns towards Obi-wan who is impatiently waiting for an answer.
"I love her!" He pleads for his mentor and friend to see his point of view, "Please Obi-wan."
Obi-wan is shocked. His fears about Anakin's attachment to Padmé have been confirmed. He sees that Anakin will not be reasoned with and is determined to go after her, no matter the consequence. Anakin is his brother and its heart breaking to see him so determined to do what he feels is right, something which also happens to be against his orders as a Jedi. "Is this feeling reciprocated?" Obi-wan asks, trying to calm himself and not let the situation spiral further out of control. The look though on Anakin's face is all the answer he needs, Anakin looks truly happy, but most importantly, completely in love. There was one more delicate question he had to ask, just to make sure, "Do you truly love her?"
"Yes, with my heart and soul." Anakin tells him softly, thinking back to their time together - in the magical lakeside retreat - on Naboo.
Obi-wan takes a deep breath and tries to gather himself. He knows that he will need Anakin if he wants to confront Dooku, but Anakin is likely to do something rash and reckless since his focus is solely on Padmé. He looks back at the clone troopers and an idea forms in his head. "Fine," he finally acquiesces.
"What?" Anakin is clearly confused at what he means by this outburst.
"Try and comm the clone who fell and get him to search for Padmé." Obi-wan instructs.
A smile spreads across Anakin's face. He immediately grabs his comlink, trying to make contact with the clone. He is desperate for news about Padmé. As soon as he gets a response he asks about Padmé, only to be told she is with the clone at the moment. She takes the comm from the clone and her voice fills the air.
"Anakin!" she sounds worried, "Anakin, are you alright?"
Anakin's smile lights up his face and Obi-wan knows instantly that he has done the right thing.
"I'm fine, I was worried for you." Anakin replies, the anxiety dripping from his voice.
"I'm okay. You need to concentrate on stopping Dooku; we will get a transport and come to find you." Padmé advises, as always, being the voice of reason in any situation.
Obi-wan steps over and tells Anakin they have arrived where Dooku landed. "We are going in, I will see you soon." Anakin couldn't help beaming. "I love you, be careful." He adds, almost as a second thought, as he breaks off the comlink.
Obi-wan senses the instantaneous change in his apprentice. He is calmer and more in control of his emotions now. More importantly, he is focused. "Let's go." He waves at Anakin as he steps off of the ship.
Anakin looks back the way they came and gently sighs, he feels better now he knows Padmé is safe.
A.N. There we go. How did you like it? Please review and tell me what you think, I will accept ideas for the future, plain old responses, constructive criticism, but no flames please as it is very demoralising.