THE RESCUER
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Most of the Senators in the Republic were not from the Outer Rim, so they had no clue that podracing even existed, let alone what it was. Senators from Malistare knew what Podracing was, seeing Malistare hosted the Malistare Classic, the first jewel of Podracing's Triple Crown.
Padme had seen only one race, and it would always hold a special place in her heart. She knew the pilots risked their lives every time they raced, and it was that part that made Padme pray that Anakin would be safe during the race.
Anakin and his mother arrived on Coruscant twenty four hours before qualifying was to begin for the Coruscant Open. Anakin wanted to use this time to look for Padme, but his mother was against it.
"Anakin, you should really get in some practice laps on this new course. No one has raced this course before, so knowing when and where to turn is going to make the difference between winning and losing this race."
"Mother, we just flew here from Tatooine, I just want to go to the hotel and get some rest."
"No you don't. You want to look for Padme! This is the first race of the season. I would think you would want to send a message to the other races that this is your year, seeing you lost the Podracing Championship to Gasgano last year,!"
Anakin sighed. His mother was right, of course. And he wanted to start the new season off with a win, more so because he figured that his friends from ten years ago would be watching. But then again, if he fell asleep at the controls of his podracer, the whole arguement was moot!
"Mother, what happens if I fall asleep during practice? What happens if I crash?"
Shimi had to admit that either of these results were not very good.
"Okay, Anakin. I know you're not going to the hotel. Just be in the hotel at a decent hour so you can at least get a couple of practice laps tomorrow before you have to qualify."
"Okay mother, see you later!"
And with that, Anakin left the landing area of Coruscant, in search of Padme. Shimi ordered their pit droids to unload Anakin's podracer, and take it to the track.
MEANWHILE SOMEWHERE IN CORUSCANT'S SHOPPING DISTRICT
Padme Amidala was having a hard time picking a dress to buy, to wear to the race. She wanted to look good, but not like it was a official Senate proceeding! Finally settling on a simple yellow dress that also had blue stripes. Padme smiled remembering these were the colors of Anakin's podracer, nine years ago. She paid the lady the credits she owed for the dress, and walked back to her private ship, to fly back to her apartment.
On the walk back, she noticed that two young men had taken an interest in her. She tried to speed up her pace, so she could get back to her ship, before they caught up with her. But,
it was too late. The two men shoved Padme into a long alley.
"Hand over your purse lady, and we'll let you walk out of this alley!"
"NO! Your breath smells like bantha poo doo!"
Padme wished she could take that last line back, but she couldn't. One of the men, slapped her square on the face!
Padme was already scared, but now she was terrified! One of the men trapped her from behind, and covered her mouth. Acting sheer on instint now, she bit down on the man's hand,
and yelled at the top of her lungs!
"HELP! HELP! ANYBODY HELP!"
The man covered her mouth again after checking if he was hurt.
Down the street, Anakin heard the yells of a young woman screaming for help, and started running towards the sound. By the time that Anakin had reached the place where the screams were coming from, one of the men had Padme, pinned against the wall looking for her credits.
Anakin picked up the nearest rock and threw it square at the man trying to rob Padme.
WHAP! The rock hit the man square on his back, and immediately got his attention, as well as the attention of the other man's partner.
The two men rushed after Anakin. Anakin not having a weapon of any kind, picked up the nearest thing he could find and that was a piece of a pipe.
"Don't try to be a hero, boy. Just go the other way and we won't hurt you!"
The would be robbers gave the wrong answer! Anakin swung the pipe at both of their feet, both men falling flat to the pavement! Picking up the pipe again, Anakin hit both men in their chest with the pipe, to make sure they stayed down!
Assured that the men were not going to be getting up any time soon, Anakin turned his attention to the young lady to see if she was hurt. When he saw the face of the young lady,
his breath caught in his throat. He knew here face anywhere!
"Padme?"
Padme was ready to get up and run for her life! Why would a complete stranger call her by her real name!
"Who are you?"
Anakin thought it was best to tell her slowly.
"Ten years ago, you met a little boy in a junk shop on Tatooine. He won a podrace so you and your friends could leave the planet."
Padme was staring into the deep blue eyes of her rescuer, her heart for some reason was beating faster. Not because she was almost robbed, but now because she thought she knew who this kindhearted young man was.
"I was that little boy, Padme Amidala. I am Anakin Skywalker."
Padme's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Thank you for saving me, Anakin."
The two of them kept inching closer to each other, as if The Force was willing them to kiss,
but Padme finally came back to her senses.
"I hear you are on Coruscant for the podrace."
"That's not the only thing I am here for, Senator."
"You don't have to call me Senator, Anakin."
"Okay Padme, why are you in this area of town anyway?"
"To buy a dress to wear to the race. I guess I will have to have it washed now, before I can wear it."
Padme went to the bag and showed Anakin the dress. Anakin smiled thinking that she would look beautiful in it, shaking his head, he came back to his senses.
"Yellow and blue. Ironic that is still the color of my podracer."
"It is? How did that happen?"
"Watto bought my podracer back after you, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan left Tatooine."
Anakin took the bag from Padme
"I don't need you to carry the bag for me, Anakin. I can manage myself."
"You couldn't manage yourself aganist the two robbers!"
Padme playfully punched Anakin in his ribs, but surrendered her bag to Anakin, as they continued the walk towards her ship, the two of them talking, catching up on the last ten years of their life.
