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500 Republica

After another long day in the senate, Padme entered her apartment with a heavy sigh. She collapsed on the couch and gave herself a brief moment of respite.

Padme Amidala was a busy women, no question about that. She did whatever she could to help end the war in the Senate. But she longed to be Padme Skywalker again, to spend time with her wonderful husband. She adored him as much as he adored her. He always told her how he felt guilty not being able to buy her expensive jewellery or lavish clothing. However, she never wanted any of those things. He gave her the most precious gift in the universe, his heart. As the clone wars raged on they saw each other less and less. At first, Anakin was thrilled about fighting in the war. He often told her about his dreams of travelling around the galaxy and saving lives. She often discouraged him as she thought he wanted the war to last longer so that he could be a hero. She remembered how distraught he was at her accusations and that led to a few cold nights in her bed. It was only then she realised that it was his compassion to help others, not the thrill of being a hero that drove him. He was a true hero, one that doesn't care for the applause or the fame.

It's been 5 months since she last saw him. She missed him! She missed him dearly. But at last, he can come home to her. She had just received news that his last mission to Dathomir was a success and that the Resolute will be landing soon. The vital outpost on Dathomir was a big win for the Republic and Chancellor Palpatine had ensured the senate that the war has died down momentarily. Once, Anakin arrived, she will drag him straight to her ship and off they go to Naboo.

Padme smiled as she recalled the last time they were there, shortly after his knighting.

Flashback

Naboo retreat- Varykino

Sunlight shone through the curtains and caught Padme in the eye. She rolled over, hoping to snuggle up next to Anakin's warm body but empty cold sheets met her. She sat up and covered her naked torso with the blanket. It had been a night full passion as they surrendered themselves to each other after a long month of separation. She pulled a robe around herself and ventured off to find her passionate lover. She looked out of the balcony to see his from sitting on a rock by the lake, watching the sun rise. She smiled and went downstairs to meet him.

Anakin felt slender arms wrap around his waist from behind and smirked as he felt a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Good morning, beautiful.", he said huskily.

"Good morning, handsome", she whispered as she kissed him on the lips.

"What's that?", she asked, looking at the drawing pad in his hand as she leaned her chin on his bare shoulder.

"Oh, nothing", he smiled slyly.

"Ani, c'mon",she pouted.

"Oh ok, here", he opened the pad to reveal a beautiful sketch of a family of swans swimming in the lake. Padme was amazed, Anakin's array of talents never seized to amaze her.

"Anakin, I didn't know you could draw. Oh, this is beautiful."

Anakin shrugged, a small blush creeping onto his cheeks. "I learnt how to do prison sketches when I was a padawan but I drew less as the war started. I guess old training doesn't die hard."

"Ani, you are amazing!", as she kissed him passionately.

A small quack interrupted the kiss and they broke apart to find a baby swan waddling towards them. They laughed as it came closer to Anakin. Anakin held out his hand and it immediately hopped on and snuggled in. It was an adorable moment for Padme as Anakin's large but gentle hand held the chick with such care and tenderness. Anakin smirked and held the baby swan out to Padme.

"For you, milady."

"Aww, thank you Ani but I think you should bring it back to its family.", she chuckled as she caressed the fuzzy head.

Anakin smiled and stood up, dipping his hand in the lake. The swan swam out if his hand, quacked at Anakin one more time before returning to the small group of swans. He wrapped an arm around Padme and they watched together as the group of swans swam of into the distance.

End flashback

Padme smiled as she looked at that very same sketch that hung on her bedside wall. She fingered her japor snippet as she gazed fondly at the picture on her vanity. It was after their wedding and they were in each others tight embrace, with heart warming smiles on their faces as threepio took a picture of them. She knew it was risky having a picture of them their but she realised that she needed to be more committed to their relationship. Anakin was always there for her when she needed comfort. Whenever she complained about the war or the senate, he reminded her that he will leave the order any time for her. "Just give the word", she remembered him saying. But she was resolute and always declined even though it brought a frown onto Anakin's face. She wanted him to accomplish his dreams of becoming a master but Anakin reminded her that she was more important than that.

Padme frowned as she recalled his last meeting with her. Whenever he returned home he would usually still have loads of energy but he had collapsed on their bed in exhaustion, scratches covering his face and torso. It is only now she realises that the war was wearing him down and that he didn't need to be a jedi to save lives across the galaxy. He also told her that he was starting to loose faith in the council.

On his last mission to Bandomeer, republic forces were losing badly and in a desperate measure to reclaim the planet they had to blow up an entire valley where the seperatist outpost was being held. Anakin had relented saying a scout had spotted a little girl in the valley but the council refused to listen to him. Anakin told her how he ran into the valley, brought the girl out in time and went to see if there were any more survivors but got caught in the shock wave of the explosion. He sustained a fractured skull and broke his leg and was reprimanded by the council for his recklessness. It was two days after the explosion he found out that there was an underground orphanage housing a family of refugees. They were killed by the bombs the republic had sent!

Threepio's voice interupted her toughts. "Milady, great news! Master Ani's cruiser has just landed on the surface!"

Padme's face broke into a smile and she said, "prepare dinner in time for Anakin's arrival."

"Of course, mistress Padme", he trotted off.

Padme looked back at their holo and decided that if Anakin wanted to leave the order, by the Force she was going to let him! She realised that the jedi were changing, she wouldn't want Anakin to be caught in that drift. 'I was being selfish all this time. I knew Anakin could still fight for justice if he left the order but I kept telling him not to. What if next time he was killed in battle? I can't live without him. And he is hurting in this terrible war.'

Padme left the room and went to the veranda, where she will be waiting for her beloved Ani. 'Just give the word, Ani', she tought to herself. If there was one thing she always knew about Anakin was that he was a compassionate, brave, kind-hearted soul. He was her angel and that would never change.


Coruscant- Docking Bay 7

"Remember troopers, always keep yourselves a good distance from the prisoner", Windu ordered as they boarded off the cruiser. 6 clones had a cable wrapped around Anakin tightly and his wrists were restrained behind his back. His hunger had returned and he was struggling to control himself. He couldn't break the restraints as he hadn't fed in a while. He snarled as Mace fit a muzzle over his mouth to keep him from lashing out with his fangs. Obi-Wan tagged behind and watched with sad grey eyes as Anakin was forced into a transport set to leave for the jedi temple.

Obi-Wan kept a scrutinised gaze on Master Windu as he has never seen the master act so cruelly. 'How does he know what to do? Did he know that Anakin would heal from the lightsaber wound but would be weakened by it long enough to restrain him?'. All those questions ran through his mind as he boarded the transport.


Republica 500

Padme stared off into horizon of Coruscant's city scape and watched as the gunships flew towards the jedi temple. He insides felt jittery as she knew Anakin willbe back soon.

"Oh dear!", she heard threepio say as he looked towards the holonet.

"Threepio, what is it?", she said as she walked back into the apartment.

"Milady, I think you'd want to look at this."

She looked at her holoscreen that was broadcasting Coruscant's reporters as they swarmed around the jedi temple waiting for the republics heros to arrive.

"We are here at the jedi temple, waiting anxiously for none other than the Negotiator, 'Obi- Wan Kenobi', and the spectacular 'Hero with no Fear' himself, Anakin Skywalker. We hope to congratulate them on there success on Dathomir.", Padme heard the reporter say.

"Oh, here they come now- Oh my!"

Padme gasped as she watched Anakin being dragged of a gunship in restraints and muzzle with a company of clones surrounding him. He was shirtless and he looked in terrible shape. His chest was scared and blood covered his hands and arms but it didn't looked like his own blood. Padme stood there mortified as reporters and cameras surrounded Anakin and the clones. She caught a glimpse of Anakin's blood-shot eyes as he faced the camera. He quickly turned back in shame, his head bowed as the clones brought him inside the temple. The reporters tried to get closer but was forced back by the temple guards.

"This is an unexpected turn of events people. 'The hero with no fear' in chains! We hope to get of this story bac-", Padme turned of the holoscreen and sat on the couch, not believing what she had just witnessed.