Disclaimer: Star Wars isn't mine.

Padme smiled as Anakin rushed inside her apartment. She rarely got to see her husband because of his duty to the Jedi. The war was ruining everyone's lives.

"Hey," Anakin said, placing a tender kiss on her lips.

"Hey, it's been a long time," Padme commented.

"I know, honey. I'm sorry."

"I'm not blaming you, Ani. I knew it would," Padme caressed his cheek, "How long?"

Anakin looked sadly at her with his ice blue eyes, "I need to meet Master Obi-Wan tonight."

Padme nodded, "I almost wish another assassin was after me so we could go far away."

"I'll always protect you, Padme," Anakin kissed her again, "I love you." Padme watched as Anakin hurriedly left her quarters. They had kept their marriage a secret for almost a year. Padme didn't want to get her hopes up, but she hoped Anakin could stay with her for their anniversary.

She missed him. She treasured each stolen moment with him close to her heart.

Padme groaned to herself as she walked home from another meeting with the Senate. They couldn't agree on anything. Anakin had left on another mission several weeks ago. She hadn't heard from him since.

Padme walked inside her building, taking the turbolift to her floor. She wasn't paying much attention as she walked in the door.

Two arms wrapped around her, crushing her in a hug.

"Anakin!" Padme started laughing, "you scared me!"

"Sorry, sweetheart," Anakin responded. He tilted her chin up and kissed her, "I've got great news."

"What?" Padme asked. Inside, she was nervous. Anakin may be sent away for an even longer time.

"Master Obi-Wan is leaving with Master Windu on a mission in a couple of hours. They won't be back for awhile. Unless I'm called, I have the time off till his return."

A smile broke out on Padme's face, "Won't they get suspicious if you disappear?"

"There are so many coming and going, nobody should notice. I'll go there when you are doing your senator stuff," Anakin answered. He smiled softly at her, "You look absolutely beautiful."

Padme blushed slightly. She pulled him close, just glad to have him with her.

"Your Padawan has disappeared on us again, Obi-Wan," one of the Jedi Masters told him a week later.

"You haven't seen him at all?" Obi-Wan responded, slightly surprised. He had called to go over some mission details.

"He shows up every once and awhile. No one sense him nearby."

"Hmmm," Obi-Wan thought. He had noticed strange behavior coming from his Padawan since he returned from Naboo after the Battle of Genosis. He had thought that it was because of the war and death of his mother, but he wasn't sure. Anakin would disappear for long periods of time and come back in a very good mood.

"I will look into it once I return," Obi-Wan resolved and the connection ended.

Anakin looked up from what he reading when his master entered the room. Obi-Wan had just arrived that morning.

"Hello, Anakin," Obi-Wan greeted.

"Hello, Master," Anakin replied. He sensed that Obi-Wan wanted to discuss something with him.

"Anakin, the Council has noticed, as have I, that you have been behaving strangly, almost like you are hiding something. Is there anything going on I should know about?" Obi-Wan's gaze pierced through him.

Anakin tried to calm himself. He hated lying to Obi-Wan, "Nothing, Master."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure?"

Anakin squirmed under Obi-Wan's stare. He knew he was going to have to tell him soon, "Uhhhh."

"Anakin, just tell me," Obi-Wan prodded.

"Did you know that Senator Amidala was married?" Anakin began.

"No, I was not aware of that," Obi-Wan responded, puzzled. Why would Anakin act like this just because...

It clicked. Obi-Wan's eyes widened, "You MARRIED Senator Amidala."

Anakin nodded nervously, "Uh-huh."

"That is against the Jedi Code, Anakin. You could be expelled from the Jed Order! What were you thinking?"

Anakin cast his eyes down, "I know I went against the Jedi, Master, but the rules are old! I'm still the same Jedi I would be!"

"Anakin, you have to tell the Council," Obi-Wan told him.

Anakin nodded. He knew he was right. He had to face this, "Yes, Master."

Obi-Wan smiled at his dejected apprentice, "Anakin, go home and see your wife."

Anakin looked up at Obi-Wan in shock, "What?"

"That's an order. Go," Obi-Wan pushed him out the door.

Obi-Wan sat down in the chair Anakin had vacented. He knew that something had happened between Anakin and Padme. He had hoped that they would not go down that path, but they did. Obi-Wan was upset, yes, but he couldn't help but feel happy for his Padawan.

Obi-Wan left the quarters. Tomorrow would be a busy day.