Disclaimer: All characters belong to George Lucas, But Khariya is all mine so every one back off! I make no money of this so don't sue and all this is for the bored girl with two months of nothing to do.

Notes: Sequel to 'If Only You Loved Me' Seriously. Read it first... You wouldn't understand a bit of this. AND... I'm forever marking this AU. VERY AU. I mean Jedi are celibate in my fictional little world. I know GL said they weren't but his whole spiel on how they're not celibate; allowed to have sex but aren't allowed to attach isn't very Jedi to me. I don't know! Yoda does not have one night stands, damn it! So please deal? It is just a story though I go against canon in more than a few ways... Meh, I never liked canon anyways. LOL

Chapter 1:

"Anakin, this is a serious transgression," Mace chastised the alleged Chosen One. "One that the Council CAN overlook but since you've had so many in the past, we don't know anymore..." Anakin's eyes rolled, in agitation... In his head, mind you. He's not so stupid as to actually roll his eyes at the great Master Windu.

"I see no real importance in what is already done and have I the ability to change it, I wouldn't," Anakin Skywalker replied. "With all due respect, I believe that these rules for the Jedi to live by are older than Master Yoda himself!"

"Just because it is a rule old enough to be your grandfather a hundred generations over does not mean you can just break it," Obi Wan Kenobi snapped at his former Padawan. It had been a year since the great battle in Geonosis and Anakin had received his full Jedi status recently but it seemed like, to Obi Wan, that he was still a child.

"Relations to Senator, most inappropriate," Yoda interrupted, ignoring Anakin's comment about his age and Obi Wan's affirmation of it. "Such things, a Jedi should NOT be doing! It is neither safe nor promoted."

"Padmè and I..."

"SENATOR AMIDALA..."

"Fine! Senator Amidala and I were just... talking."

"More like fraternizing at the local bar," Obi Wan sneered.

"We were not at a bar. We were at a decent restaurant and I have no inappropriate relations with the Senator," Anakin declared. "I had several faulty decisions in my past but I am a full-fledged Jedi now and I would never jeopardize that no matter what."

Anakin looked at Obi Wan in the eye. 'And I'd never do that to Khariya,' he thought feeling Obi Wan read it.

"I know," Obi Wan sighed, looking away.

Anakin had told Obi Wan about Khariya and their relationship before she... Obi Wan was disapproving, of course, but what could be done now that she was... At least, he had kept the story between them. Both had a feeling that Yoda knew but he knew everything so it wasn't made out to be such a scandal. And since the relationship was over, there was no point in doing anything anymore now that Khariya was...

... Gone.

The thought still twisted Anakin's insides but he was coping better than before and he couldn't think about that now. He had to still defend his position.

Obener, Padmè's old bodyguard, had seen them at a restaurant 'canoodling', was the man's words. He reported it to Obi Wan, who in return reported it to the Council. Now, here was Anakin being chastised for having friends especially a politician friend.

"It is true there is a code against marriage for all Jedi knights…" Anakin started.

"No, there is a code against attachment," Plo Koon interceded. "Anakin, you know this. You know that such emotional attachments can only end badly in the positions that a Jedi Knight puts himself in especially in these darker times."

"A fine point,"Anakin replied trying to keep his frustration from his voice. "But please understand that I do not have the conventional upbringing of a Jedi. I NEED my friends to keep me sane and that is all Senator Amidala is to me: a friend," Anakin said.

Mace still looked unenthusiastic about the Chosen One's choice of friends or the fact that he had any but he looked at him in defeat. "We shall let this go, if only by technicality that you are not disobeying our way of life. We have the highest regard for Senator Amidala. Do not mistake that. We think very highly of her character but when the fondness between the two of you becomes more than what is tolerable... We just remind you that your relationship with Senator Amidala is discouraged and looked down upon."

Anakin nodded.

"You may leave."

Anakin turned to leave and, at the safety beyond the doors, he breathed a sigh of relief. Padmè was right when she said that this life of lies would grow tiresome, but, at least, Anakin had been forewarned and was ready to take on those lies. He just wished that he didn't have to use Khariya in his lies as he just did with Obi Wan.

Not Khariya... her memory still lay fresh in his mind. Everything from her smile, her insecurities, her taste, and her charm had its own section in his mind... He never wanted to tarnish that memory but every time he had to use her in a lie... He could see her memories, a stainless white dress and, with every lie, a drop of red wine would dribble down the fabric, scarring it forever. He tore his mind away from those thoughts and went into his speeder, racing to a familiar apartment. Upstairs, someone was waiting for Anakin, impatiently, and when he stepped in, she threw her arms around him.

"Are we safe?" Padmè asked.

"As we'll ever be," Anakin answered leaning down to kiss his wife. His hand went down to her belly and felt a lopsided grin fall onto his face. "How's my baby?"