Anakin drifted to sleep with Padme lying within the curve of his left arm and her head on his shoulder. She watched him breathe deeply and evenly, happy that he was there with her. She had no desire to sleep, herself, only to watch him, touch him, be with him. Her fingers lightly traced a path across his muscular chest, traveled up to his face and caressed his cheek. He briefly opened his eyes and turned his head toward her. The corners of his mouth went up into a sleepy smile, and he promptly fell asleep again.
She lightly touched his long, beautiful eyelashes, and marveled at how handsome he was, and how much she loved him. Sadly, she knew he would have to leave before the morning light. How wonderful it will be to spend time as husband and wife on Naboo, she thought to herself. I'll tell him about our plans before he leaves. She started to drift off, herself, thinking about the time they would be having together.
A light tapping at the bedroom door awoke Anakin; he felt Padme on his arm and turned to kiss her on her forehead. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "Dorme?" she asked him quietly. He nodded, and she said, more loudly, "Thank you, Dorme. Thank you for waking us." No answer; she knew Dorme had slipped away.
Anakin rolled to his left and took Padme into his arms. Looking down at her with his incredibly blue eyes, he kissed her tenderly over and over again, moving his lips from place to place on hers. He lay back on his side, pulling her towards him. "Can we stay here all day?" he half-jokingly asked. She chided him, "I wish we could, but we both—" "—have our duties, I know," he said with a smile.
"You're such a responsible person, senator," he teased her. "How did you ever fall in love with an irresponsible person like me?" She laughed, and said, "Now, you know you take your Jedi responsibilities seriously. If you didn't, I don't think I could have fallen in love with you."
She touched his face. "I think you'd better leave now, my love, before it gets light. You'll be here tonight?" she asked.
"I'll be here every night, my darling," he replied, hugging her tightly. He released her and rolled out of bed.
As he began dressing, she told him of the coming Senate recess and her plans for them to spend some time together in the lake country on Naboo. "Will you be able to go, as long as you stay in contact with the Council?"
"I don't see why not, I'm not a padawan any more. I'll try to think of a reason to go somewhere without Obi-Wan, for a change, though I don't know what he'd do without me," he said, chuckling. "Or perhaps you could ask for me to accompany you. You know, say that your family insists, or something."
"Actually, they probably would. I'm sure they'd like to see you again. Oh, this is going to be wonderful, like a retreat for just the two of us. It will be the first time we will truly be alone, and not have to hide our feelings." She was filled with happiness and it showed in her eyes. She watched him finish dressing, and then followed him out to the veranda. He took her in his arms, and murmured, "I'll miss you until tonight." They kissed one final time, and then Anakin got into the speeder.
He looked up at her and said, "Good-bye, my love. I'll be back tonight." She watched him until the speeder was just a tiny speck approaching the Jedi Temple. Then she walked back to the bedroom and lay down where he had been sleeping; she was pleased to feel that it was still slightly warm. She snuggled into his pillow, and went back to sleep.
True to his word, Anakin was there every night for the next six nights. During the daytime, Padme toiled to finish her work at the Senate, attacking new items as soon as they crossed her desk. Anakin passed the days in meditation and exercise, occasionally meeting with Obi-Wan for a meal or to discuss the Council meetings. Obi-Wan said nothing of Count Dooku, and Anakin didn't ask; he preferred not to know anything about the war, he was tired of being in the middle of it for over two years. He wanted nothing more than to be with Padme every night.
"My beautiful Padme," he said softly, while relaxing in the sunshine in an outdoor contemplation area. Realizing he'd spoken aloud, he quickly looked around to see if anyone was near enough to have heard him; there was no one. He leaned back and closed his eyes, taking in the warmth of the sun. He hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time.
"Master Skywalker! Wake up, please!" Startled out of his reverie, he turned to the young padawan and said, "Sikka, do you have to shout? I was—". "I'm sorry, Master, but I was told to come and find you. You're wanted in the Council chamber, right now," she said quietly, fearing she had upset him.
"Ah, well I guess I'd better go, then. Next time, just don't shout, okay?" he said, smiling at her. She brightened somewhat, and replied, "Yes, Master Skywalker."
Anakin made his way to the Council chamber and stepped just inside the door. He saw that only Obi-Wan and Masters Yoda and Mace Windu were there. Mace noticed him. "Ah, Anakin, come in and sit by Master Kenobi."
Anakin lowered himself onto the chair beside Obi-Wan's; Obi-Wan nodded, giving Anakin a small smile. Yoda turned his head to Anakin and nodded once, as well. Anakin waited quietly to hear why he had been summoned.
Windu looked at Anakin and said, "We have reliable informants in many systems, Anakin. Some of those in the Outer Rim systems have informed us that both General Grievous and Count Dooku have been seen there. Apparently, Grievous is replacing losses in his droid army, and Dooku is attempting to enlist more systems to join the Separatist movement. We believe they are working together to divide the Republic."
"Stop them we must, before more systems join them and before the trail grows cold," Yoda said, looking from Obi-Wan to Anakin.
A small knot began forming in Anakin's stomach. He forced himself to be quiet.
"We are sending the two of you to the Outer Rim systems before that can happen," Mace said. "We will spare as many clone troops as we can to accompany you."
Anakin was about to speak, when Windu said, "You will leave tomorrow, in one of the clone transport starships. Your starfighters are already on board. The clones will be ready by tomorrow morning."
"How long you will be gone, we do not know," said Yoda. "A long time it may take to find and arrest Dooku and Grievous. Escape they must not."
Obi-Wan sensed distress in his former pupil. Both Obi-Wan and Yoda directed their gaze toward Anakin. He looked at the floor; what could he say? Why do we have to go? Couldn't you send someone else? He knew nothing would change the fact that he would not be able to accompany Padme to Naboo. He composed his features and returned Obi-Wan's gaze.
"A concern you have, young Skywalker?" asked Yoda.
"No, Master Yoda," Anakin replied evenly. "We will be ready tomorrow."
"Very well," said Mace. "We won't keep you any longer."
Anakin left the chamber. Leaning on the window sill outside the chamber, he closed his eyes and tried to deal with his mounting anger. After several deep breaths, he opened his eyes and looked out at the Senate residential complex. Poor Padme, he thought. She'll be so disappointed. How can I tell her? He turned from the window and headed for his quarters.
-
"Yes, Mother, we will be there in four days," Padme said to the holographic image of her mother. "The Senate recesses the day after tomorrow, and I have lots to do before we leave. I'm very excited to be coming home."
"We are all very happy that you will be here soon!" her mother replied. "Your father and sister are already thinking of things to do while you're here. And you're bringing that nice young man you introduced us to; I can't remember his name, but he was very nice and concerned for you."
"His name is Anakin Skywalker, Mother, and he is a Jedi Knight," Padme said, smiling. "Please don't plan all of our time there. We plan to spend some time in the lake district for some peace and quiet."
"All right, I understand. We'll see you soon. Good-bye, sweetheart."
"Good-bye, Mother." She watched her mother's image fade and shook her head, knowing her family would have the whole trip planned for them. She would just have to put her foot down and insist that she and Anakin have some time alone.
-
In his quarters, Anakin prepared what little he would be taking with him to the Outer Rim. He looked out his window and saw that there were perhaps two hours of light remaining in the day. Sitting on his bed, elbows on knees, he placed his head in his hands and tried to think how he would break the news to Padme. Well, he thought, I can't think of any way other than just to tell her. Clasping his hands together, hanging his head down, he remained in that posture until he realized it was dark outside. He straightened, let his head fall back and breathed a long sigh. It was time to go.
-
Padme heard the speeder arrive; her heart seemed to swell with love until she felt it would burst. She looked expectantly toward the landing area, and was surprised when Anakin did not appear. She walked to the veranda and looked over the wall; Anakin was not moving from the speeder. He was sitting quietly, apparently deep in thought.
"Anakin?" Padme called softly.
He turned his head and looked up at her.
"Are you all right? Is there something wrong?" she asked worriedly.
Stepping out of the speeder, he replied, "No, I'm fine. I was just thinking." He climbed the veranda steps and moved over to her. "Of what?" she asked. "A Council meeting that was held today. It's nothing to worry about."
He placed his hands on her arms and looked down at her. Softening his brow, he smiled. Padme hugged him warmly. "I'm so glad you're here. It's a beautiful, clear night; I thought we might sit here on the veranda and enjoy the stars for awhile."
He looked into her eyes for a few seconds, then leaned down and lovingly kissed her. Taking her across the veranda, he answered, "Of course." He sat in the corner of the sofa with his right arm across its back; Padme leaned contentedly against him and gazed at the night sky.
"You know," she said, "on Naboo we can see so many more stars than here. This city is too bright."
Anakin took her left hand in his and, breathing in the scent of her freshly-washed hair, murmured, "Mm-hmm." He kissed her temple lightly, saying, "I love you, Padme..., I..." He couldn't finish what he was going to say, what he didn't want to say.
She sat up and turned to look at him, seeing the look of pain in his eyes.
"What is it, my love?" she asked, taking his hand.
He looked down, took a breath, and raised his head and said, "Count Dooku and General Grievous have been seen in the—" Padme dropped his hand and inhaled sharply. "—Outer Rim systems. The Council is sending Obi-Wan and me to find them and arrest them. We're—"
She backed across the veranda, turned and gripped the top of the veranda wall. She couldn't believe this! Not after they had just returned, not so soon! Her eyes began filling with tears as she stared out across the city. She felt his hands on her arms, and shrugged them off, angrily.
Surprised, Anakin backed away a step, dropped his arms by his side, and waited. When she said nothing, he spoke, "I'm so sorry, Padme. I know you were so happy about our trip to Naboo, but—"
"Naboo?" she said, whirling around, her tearful eyes flashing anger. "You think I'm upset about Naboo? That's nothing! That's not important, it was just a way for us to spend some...wonderful—"Her voice broke and she turned her head to the side. He reached for her and she pulled away. She looked at him. "I almost died the last time, wondering if you were hurt somewhere, or were dead! I think so much about you when you're gone on these missions; I try not to imagine horrible things, but it's so hard..." She lowered her head and her tears ran down her face. He waited, silently, pain in his heart.
Finally, she went to him and they embraced. Anakin held her tightly and said nothing, while she wept against his chest.
After a time, she turned her head to the side and asked, "You're leaving-?"
"Tomorrow," he replied.
She closed her eyes and whispered, "For how long?"
He leaned the side of his head on her hair. "We're not sure; it will be hard to find them, even with the information we have. It may be a very long time."
She said nothing more.
Anakin turned, keeping his right arm around her waist, and said, "Let's go to bed, now." She allowed herself to be walked to their bedroom, where they spent their last night together in each other's arms.