A/N: Hey all! I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who reviewed, favorited, and/or followed. I'm just writing this for my own entertainment, so I'm glad that other people are enjoying it as well.

Warning: The first POV change

Chapter 4

The next morning came quickly, and with it our arrival on Naboo. There was no time for breakfast, just to pack and debark. Padmé and I paused for a minute when we reached the main square of Theed, Padmé visibly relaxing as the relief of being home soaked in to her. I remembered the last time I had been there- a decade ago, and my first real battle. It was only the third planet I had ever seen, but it was not a desert like Tatooine, and not an industrial city-planet like Coruscant, it was covered in blue and green and graceful buildings of stone. It was the most beautiful place I had seen. And its queen- though I didn't know she was queen at the time- was the most beautiful person I had seen. It all seemed so long ago, yet it was clear as crystal in my memory.

"How old were you when you became queen?" I asked. "Fourteen?"

Padmé nodded. "I wasn't the youngest queen ever elected… but now that I think back on it, I'm not sure I was old enough. I'm not sure I was ready."

I was sure she had done wonderfully, but I knew what she meant. If I had the chance to do over some of my earlier missions, many of them would have gone much differently. "The people you served thought you did a good job," I said. "I heard they even tried to amend the constitution so you could stay in office."

"I was relieved when my two terms were up," she said. "But when the queen asked me to serve as senator, I couldn't refuse her."

I could see why. It was clear that Padmé cared about Naboo, about her people, about the galaxy. That was so rare in politicians, who usually sought fame, riches, or power, like Obi-Wan had said not too long ago. Padmé truly desired to do good, to make the galaxy better, to keep peace- much like the Jedi, in fact. Perhaps the people of Naboo were special that way- Chancellor Palpatine seemed similarly kind-hearted. But Padmé especially so, and it it shone through in all she did. "I agree with her. I think the Republic needs you. I'm glad you chose to serve," I said.

Padmé smiled and ducked her head. "I just try to do what is right."

And that was the root of it. She truly was an angel, inside and out.

And now I was teaching her the ways of the Force. I knew Obi-Wan and the Council would be displeased when they found out. But, like in my own case, it wasn't her fault that she was unable to join the Jedi from a young age. The idea that she would fall to the dark side was ludicrous- she was already in a position of power, and the farthest thing from corrupted by it, but she took advantage of it with natural leadership and inner strength that any Jedi Knight would be proud of… though she did become emotionally invested in her cause more than the Jedi would approve of, maybe.

Unlike me, as I was now beginning to see, in the furthest shadows of my mind, that I did have attachment, and that it wasn't good. My mother occupied my nightmares, and now my waking thoughts whenever I wasn't busy with other matters. It was becoming a distraction… but I couldn't help but worry. The nightmares held a darkness, a sense of urgency, of real-ness, that my dreams had never had before. I couldn't bear the thought of my mother in pain, possibly in danger of death… still trapped in slavery, on that desolate planet…

"Are you alright?" Padmé asked, frowning.

I shook my head to clear it. "I'm fine."

Padmé looked about to press the issue further, but we had reached the doors of the palace, and I gave a half-bow. "After you, milady."

Padmé smiled and stepped over the threshold, and I allowed her to lead the way through her former home as we made our way through the corridors to the throne room.

I stood behind Padmé as she sat to confer with the queen and her advisors, giving them the current news in the capital. Keeping one ear on the discussion, I glanced around the room as they spoke, recognizing the spacious area, elegant stone pillars, and large windows, noting the guards and handmaidens scattered throughout the room. I thought I vaguely recognized one or two people, but I wasn't sure as it was unlikely many were the same that had served Padmé, and ten years had passed besides. I wondered which of these handmaidens normally served as the queen's decoy.

"We must keep our faith in the Republic," Queen Jamillia finally finished. "The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it."

"Let's pray that day never comes," Padmé agreed, and the group stood as one. I quickly scanned the room with the lense of the Force- all seemed calm, aside from the somewhat disturbed emotions of Padmé and the concerned queen and her counselors.

"In the meantime, let us consider your own safety," Jamillia continued. "What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?"

I thought I saw Padmé open her mouth as if to say something, then close it, apparently reconsidering.

I held back a grin for a moment at being addressed as a 'Master Jedi' before replying. "Somewhere secure, defensible." Well, that was obvious. It occurred to me that though Naboo frequented my thoughts, I didn't exactly know much other than the places I had visited a decade ago. I'd been too distracted with the idea of the mission to do proper research, as my master normally did so, and felt rather silly now. The palace would probably be a secure, defensible place, but fairly obvious a hideout, and leading the assassin to the home of the queen would be a bad idea. What a way to start my first solo mission! I was lucky this time to have someone else to lean on. "Pa- Senator Amidala knows this planet much better than I, I trust her judgement on where such a place would be."

Padmé flashed me a quick smile, seemingly pleased or amused with my answer. "I was thinking we would stay in the Lake country. There are some places up there that are very isolated."

I gave a nod of approval. Problem solved. I wouldn't forget to research again.

"Perfect. It's settled then," the queen said.

It was evening when we finally reached the lake retreat where we were to stay, after stopping briefly at Padmé's parents' house for a meal and to pack different clothing. Her childhood home was somehow how I always would have pictured it- beautiful yet humble, with a feeling of comfort and home.

This place was beautiful in a different way- vast, clear lakes, mountains draped in green, vibrant blue skies, and the Force, emanating from the life everywhere- it was like no other place I had seen. My eyes roamed the landscape and the building itself, gracefully carved from stone and adorned with flowers, taking in every detail, as I took deep breaths of the fresh air.

"We used to come here for school retreat," Padmé said, joining me at a railing overlooking the lake. "We would swim to that island every day." She nodded to a green mound rising from the water not far from us. "I love the water. We used to lie out on the sand and let the sun dry us… and try to guess the names of the birds singing."

It was a true paradise. A further contrast from the planet where I spent my own childhood could not be found. "I don't like sand," I said, recalling my first home. "It's coarse and rough and irritating… and it gets everywhere."

I turned away from the lake and looked at Padmé. "Not like here." She met my eyes, and I stared back, mesmerized. "Here, everything is soft… and smooth…" Hardly realizing what I was doing, I reached out and stroked her arm. She didn't object, only staring deeper into my eyes. I leaned in closer, falling, losing myself in the warm brown depths of hers…

Our lips met, and as she kissed me back, my heart sang, I could stop in this moment, stay here forever, if I could make time stand still-

All too soon, Padmé turned away. "No. I shouldn't have done that."

I blinked and faced the lake. She was conflicted and disturbed. "I'm sorry."

But still… she had kissed me back. I knew I shouldn't have done it. She was right. I probably never could again, the angel could never be mine to have… But I would treasure the memory for the rest of my life.

After going to our separate rooms and taking time to unpack and settle in, some of the tension between us had eased.

I so wanted to become a great Jedi, I had dreamed of it since I was a child, but if there was some way we could be together, I would fight for it. For her. I thought she at least cared for me in return… She was one of the few that had always cared for me, never seeing me as a slave, the Chosen One, or the padawan who came in late…

I met her again in the main room, a light and airy place that made me feel relaxed and at ease, but still I stood silently, not knowing what to say. I didn't want to ruin the friendship that we had only just rediscovered, but it might be too late already.

Ever the diplomat, Padmé broke the silence. "Well," she said, glancing at the windows to note the just-darkened sky, "I'd guess we have a couple of hours before bed. What do I have to learn next?"

I gave a grateful nod and pondered her question, relieved that she didn't seem to hold earlier against me. "I'd like to teach you how to use a saber, but maybe now isn't the best time." I thought for another minute. "Obi-Wan and the council will be after my head if I don't teach you the most essential light-side technique- releasing your emotions into the Force- so we'll do that."

We knelt facing each other on some thin decorative cushions from a couch and sank into meditation. I was pleased to see we took nearly the same amount of time, my experience and close connection to the Force almost matched by her apparent propensity for meditation.

I couldn't help but smile when I sensed her Force presence flare in joy once she had joined me. Naboo, this part of Naboo especially, was so rich in the Force and full of life and serenity, it filled me with energy and washed me over with calm at the same time as the surrents swirled around me. It was beautiful, reminding me of Padmé- and it probably felt to her like home.

After taking a minute to enjoy the light and peace, I beckoned toward her, and she focused her attention on me, though somewhat unsteadily.

Now, focus on your fears, your anxieties, your negative emotions, I instructed. Start with something small. Bring it to the front of your mind, face it, and let go. Release it into the Force.

I caught a sense of acknowledgement from her in return and she withdrew.

I observed for a minute- she seemed to be doing fine- before turning inward. I should probably do the same to set a good example. What could I do? My mother- my fear for her- loomed in the back of my mind. I couldn't let it go. Not now. It was too painful. Something else- my apprehension for my first solo mission, then.

I realized with amusement that I had done more willing and self-driven meditation in the past few days than perhaps the past few years of my training, then focused again.

Why was I nervous? Because I was without my master's guidance completely for the first time. Because I was afraid of failing Padmé. Because I was afraid of disappointing the Council. Because I wanted to show them that they were right to train me.

These emotions, fear and I suppose pride, wouldn't help me. I could do better and be more focused without them. I didn't need to fear, our fate was in the hands of the Force. My pride would only cause me to fall. I slowly released my emotions, one by one, letting go, and watched them float away and dissipate into the current of the Force.

As I came out of meditation, my mind clear from being immersed in the Force, an idea started to grow. Once we had stopped, I asked Padmé if she knew where any spare blasters were.

She gave me an odd look. "I think there are a couple on the ship we used to get here… but that's across the lake…" She was thoughtful for another moment. "Sabé might have packed a few spares. I'll check."

She left to her rooms and returned a few minutes later holding some cheap-looking blasters, ones that wouldn't draw attention if our luggage happened to be searched on the transport.

"You aren't particularly attached to these, are you?" I asked, turning them over in my hands.

"No… Why?"

I grinned. "You'll see."

She gave me a look, then said goodnight and returned to her rooms.

I gathered what spare parts I could, found a table and set to work. With the help of Artoo, a few hours later, I finished. I briefly tested my creation out, and pleased with my work, I went to bed.