Chapter 4

Their arrival on Coruscant in the early hours of a new day went unnoticed by the majority of those that called the city planet home. Dawn was just beginning to spread its light over the city and the seemingly endless traffic lanes were practically empty. The Jedi were taken home to their temple and the clones were being housed in cheep accommodations near the staging area. Padmé had been the only one truly out of place among them and hand been swept back to the Jedi Temple with the promise of transportation back to her apartment. Even the droids had been taken away to be serviced and cleaned.

That had been nearly two hours ago and she was growing increasingly frustrated with their ability to essentially ignore her as she waited in the grand hallway outside of the Council chambers. An emergency meeting had been called an hour before and both Anakin had been ordered to join the meeting, leaving her entirely alone in an unfamiliar place filled with practically emotionless Jedi glancing at her as though she had grown a second head. She stood next to a large window, gazing out over the city now bustling with life, and tried to ignore the fact that for the first time in over a month she felt completely alone.

She tried not to think about Anakin and what they had been doing for most of the day it had taken them to reach Coruscant. Not that they had done anything beyond kiss and talk until they had nothing more to say and then kiss some more until they fell asleep. But the dreams that followed her had been far too pleasant for their own good and they only seemed to reaffirm her realization that she wanted him as much as he apparently wanted her. She felt certain Anakin's presence was now so thoroughly wrapped around hers that whatever bond they shared was pointless to try and sever. They were inexplicably tied together and she had a feeling they always would be.

"M'lady, may I have a word?" Obi-Wan's accented voice asked from behind her, startling her out of her thoughts about Anakin.

"You're supposed to be in the healer's ward," she retorted.

"They let me out for a walk," he replied dryly, "Something about needing to stretch my leg muscles."

"Of course," she said, turning her attention back to the city. "What did you need to speak with me about Master Kenobi?"

"Perhaps this conversation would be better suited to a more private setting."

"If you insist." She followed him into a small meditation chamber not far from where she had been waiting impatiently for Anakin to reemerge. "What is all this about?"

"The Council is insisting that Anakin continue to serve as the head of your security, they feel the threat has not completely passed yet."

"And you do not agree with their decision?"

"It is not my place to disagree with the Council."

"But you still feel their decision is incorrect."

"I have made a request to the Council to allow Anakin to take the trials and every day that he spends away from the Jedi will make it that much harder for him to pass whatever tests lay ahead of him."

"What are you trying to say Obi-Wan? That I'm a distraction?"

"Yes. Surly you know he's infatuated with you and has been since he was a boy."

"I have noticed, yes."

"He is a Jedi, Senator, he cannot have any emotional attachments."

"I am well aware of that rule. Is it the same thing you constantly told Anakin when he was concerned with his mother's safety?"

Obi-Wan visibly blanched in the dim light and seemed to falter for a moment. "You were on Tatooine with him before Geonoisis."

"We were," she confirmed.

"What happened?"

"His mother died in his arms moments after he found her."

"And Anakin?"

"You will have to ask him yourself. It is not my place to tell you any more details."

"Of course."

"What is this all really about?"

"Anakin cannot become a Jedi Knight if he is distracted by his irrational attachment to you. The Council will find away to use it against him in his trials when he faces them."

"I find it hard to believe that you were granted the same rank that Anakin wants more than anything for defeating a Sith Lord on Naboo and he has to face trials when he did the very same thing."

"Anakin is different from the other Jedi."

"He stopped a full scale civil war from breaking out across the Republic, surly that would secure the rank of Jedi Knight for anyone other than Anakin. What more does he have to prove to the Jedi?"

"If it were up to me he would be granted the rank of Jedi Knight."

"He has faced more than his far share of trials over the last few weeks, certainly the Council could be persuaded to see it that way at least."

"And yet he failed on his first solo mission."

"Failed? I was under the impression that he was ordered to keep me alive. I am still breathing am I not?"

"He was told to keep you out of danger and yet somehow you ended up on Geonosis in the middle of a battle."

"Because I made him go to Geonosis."

"You chose to go to Geonosis? Why would you do such a thing?"

"Anakin was prepared to stay on Tatooine, just as Master Windu had ordered him to do but I thought it would help him get his mind off of his mother's death," she explained. "He wanted to follow the orders Master Windu gave him but he could not let you die, not after what happened to his mother. I made the decision for him and if my decision could affect his chances for being Knighted then let me explain it to the Council."

"You very well may have to."

"Is there anything else you need?"

"Senator, please consider the fact that there is no future for you with Anakin. He has made a commitment to the Jedi Order and by doing so he has committed himself to the life of a Jedi. You can never be anything more than friends and to think otherwise would be a dangerous road for both of you."

"I understand that Obi-Wan, but you must understand that the feelings I do have for Anakin are nothing more than platonic. I have known him longer than you," she reminded him. "He has never been anything more than a friend to me."

"I would expect nothing less from you Senator. Please make sure that Anakin is as well informed about your feelings on the matter," he said with a slight bow. "Now if you will excuse me, I must be getting back to the healer's ward."

She nodded her understanding and followed him out of the room. They parted ways politely and she went back to stand impatiently outside of the Council chamber. Obi-Wan's words replayed over and over in her head but the need to see Anakin again was growing stronger with every passing moment and even if she had intentions to let him go, she doubted she would be able to act on them, not now that he held her heart. At last the Council door hissed open and she pushed all thoughts of Anakin to the back of her mind. That effort proved to be in vain as Anakin emerged from the chamber. Something had changed over the course of the hour he had been sequestered with the Council, he looked as though the weight he had carried on his shoulders had been lifted and he now stood even taller than she remember.

"Senator," Anakin said his head bowing slightly as he greeted her. "I apologize for making you wait."

"Duty first," she replied. "I trust everything went well."

"Jedi business," he said. "The Council has decided that, despite the capture of Nute Gunray, I should still oversee your personal security. They feel the threat may not be completely nullified."

"I understand."

"If you are ready, we can return to your apartment immediately."

"I would appreciate that," she said, nodding her head with regal grace as she fell into step beside Anakin. He took her through the halls of the Jedi Temple and in only a matter of moments they arrived at the hangar. His enthusiasm for the various types of speeders and fighters was obvious and she found herself smiling indulgently when he stopped at an open top speeder painted yellow and silver.

"I've been working on her for the last few of months when I've had time to myself," he explained as he helped her into the passenger's side. "I've updated her fuel take as well as her speed capabilities. She's easily the fastest speeder in the Temple." He took the driver's seat and started the ignition with a grin that reminded her of the little boy she'd known all those years ago.

"If it's all right with you, I'd rather not die on my first morning back home," she teased.

He laughed and gunned the speeder out of the open doors of the hangar. "You don't trust me," he joked, making the speeder dive with alarming speed and then pulling it up quickly to cut into a lane of traffic.

"Anakin," she laughed.

"I like making you laugh," he said, his head turning to look at her. "You don't laugh enough."

She didn't want to look at him, not wanting to agree with his assessment but knowing what he said was true, instead she kept her attention on the speeders that were buzzing around them. "You sound like my family," she admitted softly. "They think I'm too serious all the time."

"They have a point," Anakin said as he weaved through the traffic with surprising ease.

"I know," she replied.

He could sense her desire not to continue the conversation and let silence fall over them for the rest of their trip through the city. He managed to get them there in record time and parked his speeder on her designated platform. The silence continued during their ride up the lift to her penthouse apartment.

"I'm sorry about what I said," he said gently, his attention focused completely on her. "I didn't mean to bring your family into any of this, it was just me being stupid… I guess that's a habit I've picked up somewhere."

"I know Ani," she said, her voice soft and far away.

She glanced up at him, suddenly finding his mere presence so close to her intoxicating in a way she could not quite name. He looked as handsome as she had ever seen him in the shimmering morning light, his face softened and his eyes shining. Without even thinking about it she reached around his neck as she rose onto her toes and pulled his lips down to hers, claiming them with a gentle passion that bespoke her longing for him. His body tensed in surprise but quickly relaxed into her touch, his own arms winding around her to hold her close as he eagerly returned the kiss. She wanted to remain lost in the moment forever and briefly reflected on the realization that this need for him was growing and not lessening but she pushed that thought aside in favor of deepening the kiss.

Anakin's ability to sense things before they happened urged him to pull away from the sweet haven of her lips, his eyes sparkling with something primal as he tried to steady his breathing. "We're almost there," he explained, noticing the disappointment that lit her eyes for a brief moment before she pulled out of his arms and began straightening the tunics she had been loaned.

And in the next instant the chime sounded and the lift came to a stop. The doors slid open with a soft hiss and they stepped out into the cool air of her apartment.

Dormé was waiting just within the apartment when they arrived, her frantic pacing coming to an end with a small sound of joy seconds before she hurried forward to give Padmé the briefest of embraces, her cheeks stained pink with embarrassment when she pulled away. Padmé smiled weakly at her handmaiden's breach of decorum and stepped further into her apartment, eyes looking around the sparse room as though to acquaint herself with unfamiliar surroundings. Anakin followed behind at a professional distance, earning a small smile from the handmaiden and a frown from the head of Padmé's security.

"M'lady," Captain Typho greeted with a formal bow, his eye never truly leaving the young Jedi that hovered behind her.

"We were worried about you, M'lady," Dormé offered tentatively. "We heard about your involvement in the battle on Geonosis."

"Yes, I suspect that news has spread rather quickly," Padmé replied, her mouth turned down in disgust.

"We had been informed that you were injured by some kind of beast," Dormé pressed. "And that you were there when they captured Count Dooku."

"My injury has been treated and is nothing to worry about," she answered. "Now if you would please help me prepare for the day, I would very much like to get to the Senate building before the session starts this morning."

"Yes, M'lady," Dormé said, falling into step behind her as she made her way back towards her bedroom. "Oh and Captain, please accompany Jedi Skywalker as he performs his rounds this morning. The Jedi have seen fit to have him continue protecting me and I would very much appreciate him being brought up to speed on the changes you have made."

"Of course, M'lady," Typho said with a bow. He kept his face pleasantly blank until the women had left the room and then he glared at the young man he had been left alone with. "You had no right dragging her to Geonosis. You ought to be kicked out of the Jedi for disobeying your orders to keep her safe."

"She was the one that dragged me to Geonosis, Captain," Anakin replied. "I had no intention of going but she insisted on trying to help Master Kenobi."

Typho hated to admit that the boy's story made sense, Amidala had a knack for ignoring what was expected of her when it came down to the misguided belief that she could actually make a difference. "Either way, allowing her to step foot on that planet was a mistake on your part."

"I already know that," Anakin said. "And if I could have kept her from going I would have. I'd rather die than see her in danger."

Typho waved off the boy's claim with a dismissive hand, his own anger evaporating now that he had gotten it off of his chest. "We've doubled the security team that surrounds the apartment complex," he said, making his way over to the lift. "There are a dozen more security cameras around the apartment and twice as many motion sensors."

"That's a start," Anakin said as he followed.

Padmé was glad to finally take a real shower with her own soaps and scrub away the grime that still lingered on her skin from the battle and her bacta treatment. The gashes on her back were already healing and the wounds were no longer open and swollen. When she felt thoroughly cleaned she dried herself and slipped into her undergarments before she exited the fresher to find her dutiful handmaiden ready to assist her into an elaborate deep blue gown.

With every layer added she felt more and more of Padmé Naberrie slipping away to be replaced by Senator Amidala. The duality between the two halves of who she was hand never really bothered her before, but now the thought of facing Anakin as Senator Amidala was enough to almost make her physically ill. It had become nearly impossible to be around him without touching him, tiny touches punctuating conversations and soft smiles to remind him that she loved him. Now she couldn't do that, not as the stoic Senator the rest of the galaxy expected her to be.

When the transformation had been completed and she stood before her mirror as Senator Amidala she had to remind herself that as the Senator she could not be ruled by emotion, no matter how much she might long for Anakin. She let the stoic mask fall into place and found strength in its familiarity. It was time to get things done in the Senate and she was ready to face the trials of what lay ahead, her determination as strong as ever.

Padmé nodded and turned from her reflection. She squared her shoulders and walked with all her regal grace out of her bedroom. She ignored the way her heart insisted upon speeding up at the sight of Anakin waiting beside Typho to accompany her to the Senate, she could not allow herself to be distracted by the love she felt for Anakin as she went to face the Senate.

Their journey to the Senate building was quick, the traffic lanes practically empty in the early morning hour. The small group made their way through the halls, already bustling with droids and aids, and arrived at her office. Anakin made a quick sweep of her office, using the Force to search for anything that could cause her harm and found nothing.

She worked for an hour, doing her best to reverse some of the votes made by Jar Jar in her absence and reviewing the transcripts of all that had transpired. She found a part of herself wishing she could revoke the Gungan's position and send him back to Naboo where his well meaning but usually disastrous choices could not affect the entire galaxy.

At last the chime sounded that announced the start of the session. She found a small amount of comfort in being able to slip back into such a familiar routine as she joined the mass of Senators and aids hurrying to the main Senate hall. Dormé met them there, carrying all the data pads the Senator would need. Padmé chose to ignore the looks her fellow Senators were giving her, as well as the over eager greeting from Jar Jar.

Once the session was called to order and the useless formalities were taken care of Padmé decided to make a motion to speak to the assembled body of representatives. She got the feeling the Chancellor's aid was trying to ignore her request but she was finally given permission to address the Senate after almost an hour. Typho maneuvered the pod into the middle of the vast hall and she waited to be announced.

"Senators, it is with great pleasure that I welcome back our esteemed colleague Senator Amidala," Palpatine announced formally. "The floor is yours Senator."

"Thank you, your Excellency," she said with a regal nod of her head. "My noble colleagues, I stand before you today bruised but not beaten. The Separatist leaders have tried to silence the voices of those that stand against them and in these times fear is the greatest weapon wielded against those that would stand up for truth and justice. I know there are those individuals in the galaxy that would seek to provoke fear and spread chaos. We have a responsibility to challenge those that threaten the safety of our people. We are the defenders of truth. We must support diplomacy to bring an end to all the needless deaths. Only through unity can the Republic recover. We must stand together in this pursuit of peace. We must not allow the voices of only a few to dictate the future of the Republic. It is only through justice that we can make things right. The leaders of the Separatists are not the only voices that must be heard.

"The battle of Geonosis could have been the start of a full scale civil war but because of the bravery of the Jedi Order and the sacrifices made by this new clone army, the Republic was able to escape that threat. We must now rally together and push to restore peace. We must stand together to regain the peace that has stood for thousands of years. We cannot let petty bickering rule the choices made by the Senate. Our people have chosen us to represent them and they expect us to unify our great Republic, I would hope that it would be your goal to not let them down. We have come out on the other side of a conflict that could have torn apart the very fabric of our Republic and now we must strive to regain peace."

The reaction to her speech was mixed, as she had expected, but she was relieved to have gotten that off of her chest. She bowed her head to her fellow Senators before she took her seat as her pod was maneuvered back to its station. The debate that followed lasted the entire duration of the morning session and Padmé found she was pleased for the most part by what she was hearing. Many Senators were in favor of laying down arms and opening new negations now that the Separatist leaders were in custody.

It was early afternoon when the session was finally called to a halt by the Chancellor. Nothing had been decided but Padmé felt hope that peace would soon come to the galaxy. She nodded politely to a few of her fellow Senators as they filed out into the hallway.

"M'lady," Dormé said softly, "the Chancellor is requesting your presence as soon as possible."

One of Palpatine's aids had appeared out of nowhere to usher them through the halls of the Senate, refusing to answer any questions and insisting they would get their answers when they spoke to the Chancellor. Padmé was surprised to find Masters Yoda and Windu already seated in the Chancellor's office when he greeted her with his typical warmth and ushered her to take a seat. Anakin followed them into the plush office and stood at attention behind her seat.

"News you have on the trial, hmm?" Yoda asked once the pleasantries had been finished.

"Actually yes, but first, let me officially request that Count Dooku be placed under constant Jedi supervision," Palpatine began. "He is far too powerful and could quite easily overpower the guards at the facility he is being sent to."

"Of course," Mace replied with a subtle nod of his head.

"Excellent. Now, their first hearing will be within a week," Palpatine said. "They will all be tried separately for their varying crimes against the Republic and its people. I expect the trials to go quickly, the amount of evidence you have managed to collect from Geonosis will be enough to put all of them away for a very long time."

"Chancellor, if I may," Padmé requested respectfully.

"Certainly my dear," Palpatine said with a fatherly smile that made her skin crawl.

"The Separatist council has a great deal of money; they will be able to buy their way out of the charges placed against them. Many of them will likely escape with only minor charges and only those without the financial backing will be charged to the full extent for their crimes," she said.

"I understand your concern but I'm afraid that is where you are wrong Senator," he replied. "The Republic has been able to freeze their assets and place a hold on all of their financial dealings. None of them will be able to afford to pay for a top defense attorney and they will all face their just punishments."

"I wish that I could believe that your Excellency," she sighed. "But the Trade Federation alone will be able to foot the bill to release all of their leaders."

"The Trade Federation will not be legally allowed to do such a thing. I assure you that this time Nute Gunray and his flunkies will finally be charged. The amount they still owe for their damages against Naboo far outweigh anything they would willingly pay for a defense team."

"I do hope you're right, Chancellor."

"Trust me Senator, I will see to it that they all face the maximum sentence for their crimes," Palpatine assured her.

The meeting went on for another hour as they discussed the events on Geonosis and the evidence they had been able to collect. Palpatine went out of his way to assure all of them that he would make sure the law was upheld completely during the trial that the Separatist leaders faced in the coming weeks.

"Thank you all for taking the time to speak with me. I feel certain that we will find a way to right the wrongs and restore peace in the very near future," Palpatine said as he walked his guests to the doors. "Anakin, my boy, might I have a word in private?"

Anakin glanced briefly at Padmé, catching her nod of approval. "Certainly Chancellor," he said.

"I will return to my office," she told him and he bowed, his eyes catching and holding hers for a single, intense moment before she took her leave.

"I want to thank you for everything you did on Geonosis," she heard Palpatine say as she walked away.

"I was only doing my duty," Anakin replied humbly.

She felt a sense of relief wash over her that she could not hear the rest of their conversation Palpatine's interest in Anakin was beginning to unnerve her, something lurked beneath that fatherly exterior, she was certain.

"Well, look at this, Senator Amidala fresh from battle," a sarcastic voice droned from behind her. "And here I thought she was against such acts of violence."