"Come on, come on, come on…" She begs the little piece of plastic in her hand. It must have been thirty seconds by now, surely it must have! Seated uncomfortably on the edge of her bathtub, Padme breathes a long sigh and eyes her ceiling nervously. Never once in her entire life had she pictured herself in this situation – never. She was always… Better than this, too smart to end up here. But it's gonna be alright, she knows it is. It has to be. This is just a bit of a scare, a lesson to be learned.

She has learned it alright.

Her unexpected reunion with Anakin was deliriously wonderful, they'd both lost themselves in seeing each other again, in rediscovering all the feelings they'd harboured for so long that they just forgot to think. Thinking wasn't what they needed that night in the back of his car. It had been beyond enjoyable to let go and do what she wanted for once, to take something for herself without thinking of the consequences and in a lot of ways, it paid off.

She's never been happier, since that night there hasn't been a single day where she and Anakin have not spoken in one way or another. He, unlike her, was more than willing to attempt long distance if it meant they could be together and managed to her around. It's hard, heart achingly difficult not getting to see him every day, but knowing he's hers again and she is his, just like before, makes the distance bearable.

They skipped the dating part, they already know everything there is to know about one another, and dove headfirst into the frightening grey area that is a relationship. They hadn't been in a relationship together as adults so agreeing to such commitment so quickly was terrifying, a huge risk to both their hearts. But they did it, hand in hand, together. Just how it should always be. Now they're together again, it's like everything is falling to place at last. There's a lot that has to happen, finding a way around the distance for starters, but they're happy. Elated. Joyful. Delighted. Any synonym she can think of, they're it.

Or they were. Their passionate reunion has come with an unexpected price, an ice cold splash of reality to drag her back to the consciousness that is real life. They were stupid, they took a massive risk for pleasure and now… And now she's staring at the blank screen of a pregnancy test, frozen in place and petrified. She can't be… Pregnant. She just can't. Not now. It was one mistake, one risk… Just one time. They've always been so careful since… It only takes one time.

She knows people who've taken the same risk themselves – her assistant, Dorme, did it without getting pregnant! Why can't she? Yes, if other people can do it and get away without any life changing consequences, then so can they. It's only fair.

This is the wrong time for… That. She and Anakin have only been back in each other's lives for a month! They're nowhere near prepared for a baby. Who would be in their position? Right now, they're just enjoying being with each other again, exploring this new relationship and the differences from before. They don't even live together! They've talked a little about Anakin moving to Washington but it's always agreed he'd find his own apartment… There is a long way to go before their relationship is anywhere close to ready for – for a baby.

Why is this taking so long? Do these things always take forever? She gets up; ready to snatch the packet up from the counter and reread the instructions when her apartment is filled with a horrid buzz, alerting her that someone is outside. No... Not now! Anytime but now. Maybe she can just ignore them? Surely, whoever it is can just call her and leave a message if she doesn't answer… If it was something really important, they'd call anyway.

The intercom's shrill hum resounds around the apartment again, so she drops the test onto the counter and reaches for the doorknob instead. Whoever this is, she'll get rid of them and by then, the result should be ready. Then she'll know. She already knows. There is no way she's pregnant, none. Her period is just a little late is all, it's happened before when work has turned her into a living bundle of stress. And she just had a bug before, that's what made her so sick.

That has to be it.

She storms through her apartment, furious at the interruption and tense to get rid of the intruder. Whatever this is had better be something important… She should be in the bathroom right now, worrying herself sick over nothing. Because this is nothing. Everyone has a pregnancy scare at some point in their twenties, right? Sola did… Dorme has… She's seen it in plenty of movies too. It's just her turn now.

Her fingers reach the little black button of the intercom as it rings again and she doesn't bother fighting back a scowl. Who is this?! The mailman has long gone and she hasn't ordered anything… Has she? The button pushes back slightly, allowing her to connect with whoever is outside the building with a little pressure from her finger, "hello?"

Whoever this is had better have a good reason for being here. She needs to her answer, to ease her mind once and for all. Since the possibility popped into her head, she's barely been able to focus on anything else. Getting through work today was awful, especially without telling anyone. There was no point in telling anyone – even Dorme – because she isn't pregnant. It would just be a waste of everybody's time when the result comes out negative.

"Uh, I've gotta a delivery for a Miss Naberrie." A strange male voice blasts over the intercom, making her frown. So there is a delivery… What did she order? She has no recollection buying anything. She's guilty of shopping online more than she should – it's just easier than traipsing though all the stores – but this time she's truly surprised herself. Maybe she did it at night? Another one of her guilty pleasures… Night shopping, then usually hating whatever she bought upon its arrival. That must be it.

"Alright, come on up." With one press of a button, she grants the delivery guy access to the building and reaches for her front door. He could take at least a minute or two to get all the way up here… She might have time to peak at the test if she hurries… No, just wait. Signing for whatever this is should only take a few seconds – a minute at most – she can handle waiting. Then she can take her time looking at the test without rushing.

It takes less than two minutes before she hears the telltale ding of the elevator doors opening down the hall. Good, she doesn't want to be rude, but the sooner she can get rid of this man, the better. The result should be ready by now, just waiting for her to look at… One glimpse at the little plastic screen and her worries will be gone. Then she can go call Anakin and tell him what happened. There's a lesson to be learned here, and he has to learn it just as badly as she does.

As the quiet thump of heavy footsteps make their way toward her door, she disappears behind it to make room on the little table for whatever this package is. Opening it is the furthest thing from her mind tonight. Maybe after she gets done talking to Anakin, she can open it in celebration – along with a very large glass of wine. When this is all over, she'll deserve it. "Well," the very last voice she expected reaches her ears and the surprise almost makes her drop the small lamp in her hands. "Have you missed me?"

"Ani?" Her body spins so quickly, it's a wonder she doesn't feel dizzy and her jaw slackens at the sight of him… He's here! He's here. Here. Thankfully, her feet move of their own accord, guiding her into his waiting arms. It's only when she's in his embrace again that her mind finally begins to work, snapping her out of the surprised fog and her arms snake around his neck, clinging to him. It's been two weeks since she saw him… Not very long, but still far, far too long for her tastes. She's missed him terribly – but he isn't supposed to be here. Not today! "What're you doing here?"

He lets her pull back, and she's treated with the sweetest smile lighting up his handsome face. He looks so happy to be here with her again, and it's contagious. Of course she's happy, but this… This isn't what she expected at all. She has to work tomorrow morning! His hands squeeze her waist tightly, and gently slide up and down her sides, sending a small wave of shivers crawling across her skin. "I missed you." He admits, and her heart swells.

How did she get so lucky? So few people get to find someone to truly love them, wholly and truly and she has found him twice. The thought leads her to cup his cheeks and draw his soft lips to hers. Oh, she has missed him… So much… Even if it only has been two weeks. She intends the kiss to be gentle, chaste even and it begins that way, but it doesn't last long. They've missed each other far too much for that. It turns hot, deepening as his tongue drags wetly across her bottom lip, making her shudder against him. Her kiss becomes his as he takes over and the world falls away. Nothing else matters, not even the burn in her lungs for the air she's depriving them of.

His hands wander, along her spine, cupping her backside tightly, slipping into her hair… She feels him everywhere and it's utterly enticing. Fourteen days is a long time to last without the touch of your beloved, it feels as if a lifetime has passed since she saw him, which is ridiculous. They've survived ten years apart… Two little weeks is nothing in comparison to that!

When at last, they pull apart; it's slow, gradual, reluctant even. If she could live without air, she'd kiss him for the rest of her life without stopping. "Padme…" It rolls off of his tongue in a whisper, each letter prolonged and unhurried, as if his mouth wishes to savour the taste of her name. Her heart flutters madly in response as his hands return to their original spot on her hips.

"I've missed you so much…" She murmurs with a content sigh, stroking her hand across his cheek and then down, over the dark shirt covering his chest. They've been so caught up in each other, neither has thought to shut the door behind them, but she doesn't care. The worst outcome is the sweet elderly woman across the hall stepping out to speak to them, retelling the same five stories over and over again. She's a nice lady… Just slightly irritating at times.

Anakin's only response is to hoist her up, into his arms, and she instinctively wraps her legs tightly around his waist to keep herself steady. His mind is clear enough to remember to kick the door closed before walking them further into the apartment, stepping over his black duffle bag to do so. Their lips collide again, offering her body the addictive dose of warmth she's craved so dearly in his absence. His kiss destroys every worry, every thought until there is nothing but Anakin, the taste of him, the irresistible masculine scent he wears… Only him.

It's only when he drops them to the couch, her back landing on the soft leather while he hovers over her, his hot breath spreading fire across her skin, that everything comes rushing back, draining all the desire and elation of his surprise and replacing it with the same worry from before. The test! The result is waiting for her! She can't continue with this until she knows the answer, her mind will never focus on him with the dark cloud of uncertainly hanging over their heads – one he has no idea even exists! But his lips feel so good against her neck, kissing a wet trail along her skin, working his way up towards her ear…

No! She has to stop this… She has to… Oh… His hand slips beneath her dress, caressing the silky skin of her inner thigh as his sharp teeth gently tug her earlobe, pulling a soft moan from her unwilling lips. He really knows what he's doing… But she can't… Not right now… His lips find her sweet spot, where her jaw meets her neck and gets to work, nipping at the sensitive skin then laving it with his tongue to soothe the sudden sting.

This is ridiculous. She need only tell him to stop and he will – without a moment's hesitation – and she can have the confirmation she needs to relax. But asking him to stop requires him stopping, and that isn't something she wants. Not after being apart. For a moment, it's as if he senses her thoughts, as he tears himself off of her, panting. She'd be worried something is wrong if his eyes weren't raking across her breasts as they heave with each breath. Typical.

"Ani?" She murmurs, lifting a single hand to run through her hair but all he does is grace her with an aroused smirk and his face vanishes. She's forced to lean up on her forearms to see his head buried between her thighs, dragging his lips along the soft skin. Oh… Oh no… She – she can't let him… But –ugh. The pleasurable sensation of his hot breath against the damp barrier of her panties is abruptly replaced with the sharp sting of her panties torn off of her body mercilessly. He's never been a patient man. "That's eight pairs you've ruined now!" She mutters slightly bitter; it's a trivial matter at best, but still annoying.

"I'll buy you new ones." He nips at her thigh, "I promise."

"You said that last time. Her underwear drawer is slowly becoming emptier and emptier with his every visit. She has to be unmatching more often than not these days… A girl doesn't feel very confident with a yellow bra and bright pink panties. "I'm starting to think you have something against my choices in underwear."

She hears his chuckle from between her legs. "I've wanted to do this every day since I left…" The words make her stomach clench as arousal floods her body, heating her blood to boiling point. He's going to be the death of her… She can't let him… Not until she's looked… "I dreamed of you moaning my name," she whimpers wantonly, against her own will for his words alone. She shouldn't be enjoying this – she has to tell him to stop! And she will… She just needs a second… "I've thought of tasting you the whole way here." He gives her one last smirk, and then disappears between her legs before she can stop him. A second later, his tongue reacquaints itself with her clit.

Her teeth automatically sink down into the unprepared softness of her bottom lip, near bursting it open to hold back the violent moan that almost bursts out of her mouth. Anakin shows no mercy, barely giving her a chance to breathe much less anything else. He treats her to languid but broad strokes of his tongue, drawing pleasured sighs from her mouth. The touch is too gentle to do anything more than feel good – and he knows it. She's never going to come from this alone… But, it's enough to have her trembling beneath him, one hand reaching down to tangle her fingers in his curls tightly, holding to her – he can't stop, not now, not ever.

Normally so skilful in this act, he becomes experimental, sampling delicious patterns across her needy little bundle of nerves and listens closely to what sounds fly from her lips in response. The louder he makes her cry out, the faster he moves, harder even sometimes. He grunts against her suddenly, when she tugs a little too roughly at his hair, but continues anyway much to her desperate relief. She's too worked up to think of anything else but his tongue and his lips… Oh, nothing else crosses her mind as she's washed away in the sea of pleasure he gives her

And then he sinks his finger inside her.

Any hope he had of drawing this out must die as she flutters madly around his finger, hips jerking upwards to meet his amazing, talented mouth. She can tell he knows this when he pulls her tortured clit into her mouth and curls his finger inside her, moving faster, and sucks hard. "Oh my God… Anakin… Oh, yes…" She's so close already; he has her right there, dangling on the edge… She just… She needs something.

His mouth releases her, and her head falls back to lean back against the arm of the sofa, grateful for the support as her thighs shake by either side of his head. It only takes a little more, the combined sensation of him adding a second finger and his teeth scraping across her clit to make her fly off that edge of bliss, practically sobbing his name over and over and over again as he pleasures her, enduring her fingers tightening painfully in his hair, pulling at it slightly as stars explode behind her eyes. "Ani… Yes, Anakin… Oh God – that's it… Uh… Anakin!"

As she recovers from the fantastic explosion of pleasure, his hands rub soothing patterns over her quaking thighs. Every inch of her is trembling beneath him…She hasn't come that hard since… Well since last time he was here. She is a very lucky woman.

When at last, her body slumps, sated and relaxed, Anakin climbs over her again, head ducking down to catch her lips in the sweetest of kisses, brushing their lips together softly. It's exactly what she needs. Still thrilled beyond words at his sudden appearance, and now that… She can only hum quietly, drawing an amused chuckle from him as he pulls back slightly, leaning his forearm on the arm of the sofa above her head.

She loves him… She loves him. There is no such thing as a perfect love, of that Padme is sure. He is far from perfect, as is she… But they're perfect for each other and that's what matters in the end, isn't it? Loving each other not in spite of your flaws, but because of them. Anakin is the only one ever willing to love her so unconditionally, so openly and intensely. It's what she'd missed those ten years without him. She can only hope to make him even half as happy as he makes her. This is what she wants, them, together again and never parting. He said before, in the back of his car that night, that he wasn't letting her go again, but she plans to cling to hold onto him just as tightly this time. They're already bound together, souls mated by something pure, elemental even… He always said they were meant to be. And now…

Now, she may be pregnant.

The thought has her poor lip tugged between her teeth in worry. Love isn't enough sometimes… People in love are driven apart all the time by real life issues, by the stress of kids… People who've been together longer, married people, soul mates. If it can do that to those people, what could this do to them? They aren't ready. Loving each other doesn't prepare you for the truth of parenthood; it takes much, much more. Financially, if she is pregnant, they could manage. They have good jobs – he has a business… But personally, emotionally, they aren't ready.

"What're you thinking about?" He asks as free palm fills with her cheek, stroking the rough, calloused pad of his thumb against the bone softly and strange, irrational tears spring to her eyes. She can't be pregnant. Not now. They need more time for themselves; to forge something durable together, to make a life together before a family comes along. She just doesn't want to rush this, they're finally together again, and she wants slow. They need slow.

"Nothing, I'm just… I'm just happy." It's surprisingly easy to lie to him about this… It's not even a true lie. She is happy. But it's currently being overshadowed by the unanswered question in her mind. There's only one way to settle this, she has to see what the test says. Once she knows the reality, she can think – she can make a plan. They can figure out what they need to do.

But she isn't pregnant. She can't be. This is just a scare… A terrifying moment.

"You don't look very happy, Padme." No, she can't imagine she does. But she should… For Anakin's sake if nothing else. Her arms snake around him, letting her hands wander up and down his back, exploring the hard muscle beneath his shirt for a few moments until she slides one hand up, into his hair. She can show him how happy she is.

Their gazes hold for several moments, blue meeting brown, clashing intensely as, with her encouragement, he leans down again. Just like before their lips meet, so gently, barely brushing against each other until his tongue licks at the seam of her lips and she parts for him. They don't need to talk, it was always in the silence their passion burned brightest, where they can relax against one another and just forget that the world stretches beyond them. Right now, Padme isn't afforded the pleasure of forgetting, but he is… That's what matters.

It's only later, when all is said and done, while he sleeps by her side, naked and sated after a long session of vigorous love making that she allows herself a moment to not worry, but simply imagine, that Padme thinks to herself, he'd make a good father. Ready or not, he'd be wonderful with a child. Though it's not the right path for them now, maybe one day, it could be. She watches him sleep for several minutes, equally as naked and sated as he, but her mind can't rest. Not until she has the answer she needs.

One last glance at Anakin, and she slips out of bed, reaching for the lavender robe draped over her chair and pulls it onto her cooling body. He doesn't wake as she steps into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her, and for that, she's grateful. This has to be done on her own; she needs the quiet to be brave enough to look. How can one little glance at something made of plastic have the power to be so massive? Life altering! Fear holds her in place by the door for a few moments, as her nerves betray her at the sight of the test exactly where she left it on the counter. She thinks part of her would have been relieved to come in here and find it gone.

One deep breath, then another and she can't hesitate anymore. The answer is right there, waiting for her. An entirely different life awaits her if the screen shows a plus, a confusing, unexplored area of life she'd be entering much too soon… One she isn't prepared for in the slightest. She's never even been very good with kids in the first place.

Bravely, she takes the three small steps toward the counter, heart pounding in her chest. The little screen faces downwards, slammed against the marble in her haste to reach the intercom earlier and it gives her a final moment of unknowing terror. Negative, it's going to be negative, and then all of this will have been for nothing. That's for the best; it's the answer she needs to see because it makes sense. It's logical. Trembling fingers take the small white stick into her hands and fumble slightly to turn the screen in the right direction to at last clear this mess up.

Positive.