Drowning In You, Chapter 1

By Adri Skywalker

Rating Pg-13

Genre Romance/Angst/Alternate Universe

Couple Anakin/Padme

Timeline Episode I – After Episode VI

Summary When Anakin and Padmé's Jedi Masters die, Padmé is assigned to be Anakin's Master. But what happens when Padmé's apprentice and love succumbs to the dark side?


The faded moonlight cast her form in an angelic silhouette. She was dressed in a feather light satin nightgown of silver and white. Standing there, the breeze blew her soft curls against her face and her eyes flashed amber. She seemed to be smiling at him, beckoning him to her. To Anakin Skywalker, Padme Naberrie was absolutely perfect.

They were standing on the beach eyes locked on one another, neither saying a word. As they began to walk, everything around them began to fade. The stars seem to smile at them and the moon sang their praises. When they reached their special spot, Padme began to cry.

She turned to Anakin, her face crystalline with tears. 'What is it, that makes us evil?'

He could not answer her question. Surely he had faced evil in combat, and had been a slave for nine years of his life, but he could not explain evil nor would he want to. Not having an answer, he lightly brushed her tears away. 'I don't know.'

Seemingly content with the answer, she began to cry even harder kissing him as she did so. As she did this, a thunderstorm began to roll over the ocean. Standing in her tears she let go of Anakin and began to sink. Anakin, frightened for her life simply stared at her in terror. 'What's happening.?'

She simply shook her head and began to sink farther. When her head was barely above the tears, she whispered 'I love you.' as a wave engulfed her completely. She was gone. He had failed to stop her death.

So he stood there, silently berating himself for not even trying. It was his fault.

He had lost her.

- - - - - - - -

Anakin Skywalker woke, flailing in his bed. When he reached for his face he had discovered he was crying. Wiping his tears, he slowly took a slip of water. Looking down inside his glass, he began to wonder.

This.dream.had been tormenting him for the past month now. He couldn't really make sense of it, whether it was a vision or simply a dream he could not tell. So he sat there, looking at the water, reminding him of Padme's tears and that he must be careful of her safety. Sighing, he lay back down and felt for Padme's Force signature, making sure she was all right.

Smiling, he stayed in that warm happy place until he fell asleep again. If there was anyone who could make him feel content, it was his Angel.

His Angel.

Padme had been his best friend the moment he arrived at the Temple. He had felt awkward being nine years old and having to be stuck with new students as young as four. It had made him feel bad about himself on numerous occasions and made him feel helpless. It was Padme who had encouraged him to keep going, to not give up and that it would get better soon. He was grateful to her, and still was, so much that he fell in love with her. He doubted she felt the same, because she was four years older, but no matter what, they had a deep friendship that Anakin was sure would last forever.

'Well well, if it isn't 'Baby Skywalker'!'

Anakin had heard their tormenting voices again and again, constantly reminding him of the fact he was just placed in a class of four-year-olds. Enraged, he threw out a punch at Ferus Olin, the source of the comments.

The two boys were locked in a fight for minutes until an angelic voice rang out, 'Stop it!'

Both separated quickly, and looked up at a beautiful young girl of about fourteen, subdued in her presence. 'What's going on here?'

Anakin and Ferus looked away, until Anakin answered timidly, 'He was making fun of me.'

Padme, looking at Ferus, asked, 'Is this true?'

'But.he's in a class of babies! They speak of him as some 'chosen one' like he special or something.'

'That is no reason to poke fun. Let him be. Now go away!'

Ferus, no hesitation, ran down the hall not even bothering to look back.

Anakin looked to Padme, gratefulness showing on every feature. 'Thank you.'

Padme smiled warmly at him. 'Don't let him get to you and it would be best not to pick a fight with him. Just be careful, okay?' She reached in her pocket and pulled out a rare stone from the planet Naboo. 'Here. It's a friendship stone. I will keep one and you the other. I hope I will see you soon Anakin.' She turned and ran toward her quarters.

Smiling, Anakin put his stone in a pocket in front of his heart. From that day forward, he promised to love Padme Naberrie forever.

Carefully fingering the friendship stone, Anakin fell into slumber, dreaming about more pleasant things.

- - - - - - -

Today, Anakin was nervous. Not because of the task at hand, but because of who he was to fight in the upcoming duel- Padme. It was just a test, but even so, he couldn't make himself beat her.

His friend Tru had told him to treat her like any other girl. Yeah right.

Obi-Wan had told him Padme or not he was to take the test. He had no choice.

It was going to be a long day.

- - - - - - -

Anakin and Padme stood in a large circle in the middle of the dueling room. They were meeting to wish each other luck. Padme launched one of her disarming smiles on him, and said, "May the best Jedi win."

Anakin, now shaking, 'What in the name of the Force is wrong with me?' went to his corner and ignited his blade. "Go!"

Padme thrust forward and both sapphire blades clashed. Anakin blocked her with a parry and brought his blade down upon hers, kicking her ever so slightly so as not to harm her. "Say Ani, you're pretty good." Padme smiled again. Oh how he loathed those smiles.In the midst of his thoughts Padme caught him off guard and brought her blade down next to his neck. The crowd standing near by gasped. Anakin stood shocked. What had happened?

"It was a good duel." Padme said sympathetically.

All Anakin could do was sit there and nod, cursing himself. He hadn't lost the battle to Padme oh no- he'd lost it to love. An emotion he shouldn't be feeling. He should've won, why didn't he? It would be named as the shortest battle in Jedi history!

However any anger he felt was gone instantly as Padme kissed his cheek and whispered "Better luck next time."

Anakin stood there watching her leave, knowing that there would be no such luck- if there was a next time. He had to do something about these feelings, and he knew just what.

- - - - - - -

In the shadows, lurked a dark figure. It followed Padme with hated eyes as she proceeded to her Master's - HIS master's room.

"Soon."

Revenge would be sweet.

- - - - - - -

When Padme reached her Master's quarters, she was greeted with open arms. Siri, now a Jedi Knight had taken Padme under her wings when her former Padawan, Ferus Olin, died during the Battle of Naboo. Padme and Siri had felt a connection because of their bond to Adi Gallia. Ferus had led Adi astray, killing her and himself. Adi had been Siri's former Master as well as Padme's, and the loss to both was great.

"I saw your battle today. Very impressive."

"Thanks Master.it wasn't a good win however. Anakin was just caught off guard."

"Sigh.well, if you say so. Anyway, it seems you have a letter here. I saved it for you." Siri reached over and handed Padme two envelopes. The first one was from some unknown person, just courting her. Sighing, Padme threw it aside. The next was address to her in a very neat print which read:

My angel,

Please meet me at the entrance to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. Please don't dally.

Love always, Anakin.

Padme's heart soared. She'd waited ten years for something to happen. Running to the lavatory, she quickly freshened up, and then ran down the halls, leaving her Master very confused and worried. "Just be back by nine!" Siri wasn't overprotective, but the recent threats on the Temple worried her. Fearing danger, Siri quickly contacted Obi-Wan.

- - - - - -

Anakin met Padme at the door of the Room of a Thousand Fountains just as he'd requested. Anakin quickly blind folded her and lead her to a place behind the biggest waterfall.

"You can open your eyes now."

When Padme finally opened her eyes, she was breathless. There was a light mimicking a sunset just behind a window of stained glass. The waterfall sprayed a light mist creating rainbows amidst the light. "It beautiful."

Anakin agreed, then sat down on a blanket he'd brought along with a small basket. He opened it up and inside he pulled out a gallon of ice cream. Padme had to giggle, but stopped when she saw Anakin was serious. Sitting down next to him, she took her spoon with a smile and dug right into the ice cream, mimicking her thanks with a series of mmmm's.

Anakin was so glad she was happy. She'd been grieving ever since her Master died, but more importantly, about the death of her parents. When he'd very first known her, he'd gone with her to Naboo to discover her heritage. She' heard rumors about her, saying she was heir to the throne. Padme had gone there with Anakin despite her Master's warnings. She'd went anyway, and they'd all been caught in a battle, and Adi had given her life to save Padme and Anakin's. Padme left feeling responsible and foolish, and with no more knowledge than she started with. Padme still carried those scars today.

"This is really good! Where'd you get it?" But as she asked, Anakin stared at her intently, gently pulling the spoon from her.

Padme felt goosebumps up and down her body. She shouldn't being doing this- Siri was in favor of independence, but was still pretty strict. She succumbed to Anakin's touch anyway.

Anakin, sensing her apprehension, leaned over and gently kissed her. He could kiss her for hours, days, years. "NO!"

Padme pulled away quickly, knowing it wasn't right. "We can't do this.we'll be in so much trouble!" Anakin looked away, hurt. She certainly didn't reject the kiss before it happened.

She couldn't bear to look at Anakin's hurt face. She simply turned her head and whispered "I'm sorry." But before Anakin could look twice, Padme was swept away by an unknown person, a blue lightsaber blade held at her throat. Enraged, Anakin screamed. "Let her go!"

"I don't think so. She stole my place and my Master!"

Angry, Anakin began to climb toward his love and her assailant. "Tsk tsk." It taunted. "Come one step closer and I'll have my proof Angel's don't live forever.and don't bother asking for help." The voice sounded familiar some how. "This room is locked up tighter than the Senate's file cabinet! It's just you, me, the girl, and a lightsaber fight to the death!"

- - - - - -

So what do you think? I revised it from the first version I had of this story. Like it better or worse. Please tell me ( @ siritachi@fanforce.net Thanks! -Adri