Chapter Two
There actually is a benefit to getting injured during a mission.
Down-time.
The council has granted the team of Kenobi-Skywalker a two ten-day leave, which is perfect because that particular length of time will include the solstice season. And now, there's no excuse for Master Obi-Wan not to take him to the celebration.
There's only one thing left to do, and that's to make sure Senator Amidala attends as well.
When Anakin left the Temple this evening, his Master was following his usual at-home routine – which consists of hiding out in their apartment, his nose stuck in some stuffy datatext. This evening it was the exciting adventure about the foundational identities of early Core Worlds.
Anakin could care less. He completed his studies last cycle. The real lessons of life were learned out in the field. In the short seven years since coming to the Jedi Temple, he's learned at least that much. Only experience will teach him what he needs to know and the Force will guide in him what to do.
As it's doing right at this very moment, when his feet step off the public transport and carry Anakin across the walkway to the building where Padme Amidala lives.
He's unexpected, but the few times he's visited, never has he been unwelcome. Senator Amidala has always been nothing but kind to him, ever since they met on Tatooine when he was nothing more than a slave.
That's why he isn't nervous at all about showing up at Padme's apartment just before curfew. Okay, maybe just a little nervous. He's not sure how she's going to react to his request, or even if she'll be interested.
What if she's totally against the idea? What if she doesn't even like his Master?
Hey, it's possible.
Anakin's hand activates the visitor chime, and he swallows hard when noting a slight tremor to his digits. This might not be such a good idea after all. What if Padme ends up liking him instead? And this is how their tragic future begins in the first place?
Bad, bad idea, Anakin decides, but he doesn't have time to reconsider. The door whisks open and Padme herself stands there, a wide smile spreading across her face.
"Ani? What are you doing here?"
"Good evening, Padme. I, uh, have a favor to ask."
"A favor? Okay. Come on in. Don't just stand out there gawking in the hall."
Padme's apartment is so much different than the Jedi Temple, and especially more so than his home back on Tatooine. The colors, the fabrics, the carpet his boots sink into. It makes him....uncomfortable.
"Would you like something to drink? Perhaps you're hungry?"
Famished, actually. Maybe just a bite....no! Stay focused, Skywalker!
"No thank you. I was wanting to ask, you know since it is the holiday season coming up and all, if you, perhaps, if you were planning on, you know, going to the Celebration this year?"
Smooth. Not intentional, but that should keep her from being attracted to him, Anakin thinks. However, just before Padme turns to walk to the sofa, her small grin has widened into a rather large smile, and Anakin's nervousness goes to warp speed. It takes a moment, but Padme turns, and motions with a hand for him to sit. Anakin doesn't want to sit, but he doesn't want to be rude. He sits.
"Ani, it's awfully sweet of you to ask, but I don't think it would be a good idea for us to attend together. I mean, you're still rather young and I'm..."
Him? She thinks he's asking her out? "No! I mean, no ma'am. I wasn't asking you to go with me. I just didn't want to be there, without a friend present."
"Isn't Obi-Wan going to be there?"
Obi-Wan? Did she just mention his Master? Anakin quickly studies Padme's posture. She appears comfortable, no heightened sense of interest. No dilation of her pupils, no increased pulse rate.
Too bad. She's just curious apparently.
"Yes, but you know my Master. He's doesn't really enjoy these types of functions. He'll probably spend the evening grazing the buffet."
Something happened in Padme's eyes, but she looks down so quickly Anakin can't be sure what it was. Is she blushing? Personally, he couldn't be more embarrassed, and he's ready to call it a night.
"Sorry for barging in on you, Senator."
"You're not going to run off so soon, are you? And stop calling me ma'am and Senator. It's Padme."
"Yes Sen...Padme." Anakin smiles, but then remembers. Not too friendly. "It's almost curfew," he states, quickly rising from the sofa.
"I see," Padme follows him, but not too close. "We wouldn't want Master Kenobi to worry, would we?"
Was that sarcasm? Hard to tell.
"Thanks for the invitation. Don't worry, Ani. I'll be there."
Big relief, until Padme moves closer. She's going to hug him, isn't she?
Quickly, Anakin thrusts forth his hand. Padme looks surprised, but graciously accepts the offering, smiling generously. "I'll see you at the Celebration."