She walked awkwardly into the hall. Never before in her political career had she ever worn anything like this. She had always tried to dress, modestly and professionally for any occasion. The Holonet, always criticized her for not "Staying up with the fashions of our times." For always being "Uptight." She had always ignored the gossip on the Holonet. She wasn't one to care about those kinds of things. Though that didn't mean, curiosity didn't kill the cat at times. Tonight though, she walked into the dance hall, in the long strapless blue dress, that fit tightly over her torso, but draped loosely from the waist down. Lorit had suggested she wear her hair down, and had loosely curled it. Her makeup was done lightly, so as to only "highlight" her natural beauty. That night you would have never been had guessed that Padme, was a senator, or a mother. Tonight she is just a young woman for a night on the town. Lorit had been right, all eyes were on her.

"Senator Amidala, How good it is to see here. I thought you weren't coming" Her friend Bail Organa approached her.

"I changed my mind." She said with a smile. It had be surprisingly easy for her to find a sitter for the night. Sabe had practically begged her to let her watch the kids, once Padme had explained the reason why. Padme had felt a twinge of guilt when she first decided to go. Due to their training, Padme only got the kids on the weekend, and one night a week for dinner. She valued her time with her kids and made sure to save all her work for when they weren't home. But she didn't see the harm in going out once and she had made sure that day was special for the kids. They had spend as much of the day together, getting lunch, talking about the kid's training, enjoying family time. Once Lorit showed up about 2 hours before the Gala. Luke had gotten bored rather quickly and had moved on to looking up different space ships, and speeders on the holocon. Leia however stayed by her side the whole time she was getting ready. Lorit, Force bless her, had even made a dress for Leia and had her assistant curl her hair and pinned it up so she could be "pretty like mommy."

"Well I am glad you finally made it out of the shadow." Bail teased. He was right, Padme had never been one for a social scene, however she always tried to make an effort to go to events like these. It gave her the chance to interact with her fellow Senator's in a more casual setting. However once she had the children, she had crept back into the shadows. Her main focus was the kids. That was it. She looked around, it was weird to be back in the light. For the past 5 years she had only worked professionally with many of the people in the room. She saw her old friend, Mon Mothma Senator of Chandrilla, sitting in the corner with the Mandalore Duchess Satine. . Sentors, Generals, and even a few Jedi, walked about the room. She smiled, taking a deep breath.

"Are you alright?" Bail asked.

"I, just, this is weird I am not going to lie. For some reason I'm nervous"

"Maybe we should try and calm those nerves. A drink?" Bail offered leading her towards the bar.

"Where is your wife, Senator?" She teased.

"Right over there talking with Master Kishibu." He said "and trust me, she knows better than to see you as a threat." Padme laughed. Moments later she had a drink in her hand. Bail had been right the drink did help calm her nerves. She walked about the hall, saying her hellos here an there. For the dinner she joined, Bail's table, laughing and making jokes, with Mon and Satine. Their dinner was subpurb. Fruits, meats, and side dishes that seemed to represent every corner of the galaxy. There was music, and show, theatrical readings, read during the dinner, that Padme had enjoyed. Until the very end. Of course they had to do a tribute to the war. That was why they were there after all. Flashes of destroyed cities, crying children, there brave warriors of the war. Flashes of Obiwan, Yoda, the clones, even Anakin flashed up on the screen. It was a politics at its best. Seeing Anakins face, dampened her mood but she tried to not let it get the best of her. Once the Hologram was done, the dance floor opened up. Padme was never one for dancing so instead she found herself by the bar watching. Bail and his wife danced and laughed around the floor. She watched her old friend Obiwan dance with Duchess Satine. She watched for a few minutes when she felt a gentle hand on her arm. She turned to see a man in his late twenties to early thirties like her. He was dressed in his generals suit.

"Excuse me, but what is a beautiful woman like yourself doing standing by the bar all alone." The man said. He had deep green eyes, that had fleck of gold throughout them and met her brown eyes with a deep curiosity. Padme was taken aback by how attracted she was to him from the start. She couldn't let him know that though. He was good looking that was no doubt and it was obvious that he knew it.

"I'm trying to blend in. To hide from men who think to high of themselves." She said

"Well I guess its a good thing I don't think so highly of myself then." He said with a twinkle in his eye. Padme couldn't stop staring. " My name is Darren. Darren Carcino." He held out his hand. Padme took it gently still holding his eyes.

"Padme Amidala."

"So you are the allusive and mysterious Senator Amidala." He teased

"Very allusive, yes"

"Well I guess this is my luck night. I have heard a lot about you though I must say those rumors where so wrong."

"Oh and what are those rumors?"

"Well for starters, you are not a 78 year old hag." He said casually. Padme laughed

"No, No I am not." She took a final sip of her drink.

"Do you not dance M'lady?"

"No I don't" She quickly shot him down.

"Oh, well" He paused or a moment,almost as if she had stumped him. "Well then, how many more drinks would it take to get you to say yes?" Padme was shocked. He was a determined one. She paused a moment.

"One." She finally answered. He flagged the bar tender and ordered two drinks.

"So, allusive Senator, what finally drew you out?" Casually sipping at his drink.

"I needed..." Why had she come. She didn't really know the answer to that." I needed a break I suppose."

"A break?" He asked

"You know, being a senator and a mom can be challenging." She never brought up the kids, but she knows that to tell if a man is serious or not, mention you have kids. To her surprise a smile crossed his face.

"You're a mother? How many kids do you have?"

"Well don't you know that? You said it yourself you had heard many rumors about me?" She poked back.

"Ok you got me. I've spent most of the last 5 years helping with things in the Outer Rim. I haven't had much time for rumors and to be completely honest, I had no idea who you were when I walked up. I was just struck by your beauty and decided I had to talk to you." He said warmly. Padme couldn't help but blush. She quickly looked away, finally breaking their intense stare down. She felt a sudden need to finish her drink faster. She felt a need to have him close to her. To close the gap and much as possible. What was wrong with her?

"So, what do you want know about the mysterious Senator?" She said sarcastically. Darren paused for a moment thinking this over.

"I want to know everything. But for now I'll settle for a dance and you are finished with your drink." That she was. Darren stepped in front of her and held out his hand. With a slight bow and a handsome grin, he asked "May I have the honor?" She paused for a moment. She was scared, but then she locked eyes with those green with gold flakes, and suddenly all her fear was gone. All her anger and frustration was gone from the day before was gone. For a moment, nothing else mattered. Darren lead her out to the dance floor. A slow song was playing but Padme could barley hear it. She kept her eyes locked with Darren's. Darren respectfully places one hand high on her waist, and placed his other hand in with her hand. Padme scooted closer, relaxed and comfortable. They casually talked while they danced.

"How many children do you have?" He seem genuinely interested.

"Two, twins, a boy and a girl." She gleamed with pride.

"Twins? That must be a handful!"

"Ha! They are almost 6, so yes. Absolutely, they are a handful."

"I have a few nieces and nephew's. Family gatherings are always interesting."

"No kids of your own?" She prodded. Was there another woman? Someone she might have to compete with. But what did that matter? This was just a one night thing right? Just a few hours dancing then nothing.

"No, as I said, I've spent the last few years working. Its hard to have social life when you are helping to try and sew up the damage done by the war." There was a slight hint of regret in his voice.

"I see, guess I can see that. I have done the same thing, between the kids and work."

"Not alot of time?"

"Not really." There was a moment of silence between them. They continued to stare at each other.

"By the Stars, you are beautiful." He said completely in awe. Padme didn't say anything. She still felt lost, but it was a good kind of lost. A type of lost she hadn't felt in a long time. "Tell me, Do you think I'm pretty?" He asked then winked. Padme laughed. They continued to dance the rest of the night. She did't want the night to end. Surprisingly she was having a good time. Darren was funny and smart. He asked questions like he was genuinely interested in her life and he was very willing to answer any of her questions. She had lost all track of time and barely noticed anyone else around them. For a moment, she took the chance to look around them. The dance floor was full. If people weren't dancing they were talking cheerfully at a table or by the bar. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. That is except for one individual that stood in the corner. He was tall, had sandy blond hair, in a dark black Jedi tunic. She would recognize him anywhere. The smile on her face melted away as she saw his face, the look on it was something of a confused mix of, jealously and coldness. She quickly looked away, desperate to be lost in the green eyes again. But despite her best efforts, she couldn't completely lose herself again.

"Is everything alright?" Darren asked his face showed his confusion.

"I, I'm sorry Darren, but its getting late." She said weakly

"No, I understand." He looked a little disappointed. "Can I at least walk you to your speeder?"

"I would like that." Padme smiled, desperate to get out of that room, but not wanting to truly leave. More than anything she wanted to be away from Anakin's cold stare. Once again, he had managed to take away her happiness. Frustrated she walked out of the room, trying to calm herself. Darren was right behind her. Once outside, Padme felt the cold chill of the night hit her. She hadn't thought to bring cloak, and she had come in late to the gala, so her speeder was parked farther down. She shivered.

"Here, take this." Darren offered her his jacket.

"Thank you." She said quietly. They walked together quietly.

"M'lady?" Darren finally said.

"Hmm?" She mumbled.

"M'la, Padme did I, did I say something wrong?" He looked at her scared.

"What? Oh, no." She said looking at him. "No, it wasn't you."

"Oh, ok." He said looking down, slightly ashamed. They continued to walk until they finally were at her speeder. "Padme?"

"Darren?" She said

" I had a lot of fun with you tonight. and I." He paused for a moment, then suddenly he pulled her close, pressing his lip against hers. The tenseness and anger, melted away again. She felt herself pull closer to him, until there was no space between them at all. She felt his tongue slide into her mouth. She felt her hands pull up around his neck. She knew it was happening but at the same time her mind was blank. She kept kissing him. She felt his hands slide down her back. Finally she had to take a moment to come up for air.

"I had fun too" she breathed.

"Good. Cause I was hoping we could do it again?" He said hopefully.

"Yes, but I have to warn you, I very busy, it might be a challenge."

"Well I am up for the challenge."

"Good." She smiled.

"Your kids are probably wondering where you are." Darren said longingly and still had his arms wrapped around her.

"Probably." She said, she leaned in for another kiss. This one lasted longer than the first. Padme finally had to snap back to reality. "I should go." Reluctantly he let her go.

"When can I see you again?"

"Monday?"

"Its a date." He reached around her and opened the door to her speeder for her. She silently handed his coat back to him and climbed into her front seat. " I am glad you came out of the shadows tonight, M'lady." He kissed her on the cheek on last time.

"So am I. Good night Darren." She said taking one last look at his green eyes. She sped way in the night, heading back to her children, with the nights event still playing in her mind.