Hello dear readers! Here I have the next chapter for you guys and I am particularly proud of it. Not only is it the longest chapter I have written for this fic so far but it is chock full of goodness (a.k.a. flashbacks. Hence the italicized bits.) And for those of you that have read my other fics (if you are a reader of my other fics and have stuck with me for this chapter) you should know that music plays a big part of my writing so this fic is no exception. I hope you guys enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I do not own the song lyrics later on in this chapter. They belong to Lady Gaga.
His car is packed to the roof (and then some) with all of his necessary and valuable belongings. He hoists one more bag onto his shoulder and he steps out the front door with his mother in tow.
He doesn't want to leave home. He doesn't want to leave her. But it is for the best and that's what he has to keep reminding himself.
They hesitate at the driver's side door of his 2007 Honda Pilot, staring at each other in silence, unsure of what to say. It's not goodbye, but it feels like it is. He's never been away from home for so long, nor has he ever been away by himself. He always went where she went. Now this time, he had to leave her behind.
Finally, she breaks the silence, cupping his face in her hands, smiling softly. "Anakin, I'm so proud of you."
He's leaving for a job in the Secret Service. Top security clearance. It's kind of a big deal. Obi Wan helped him out. He'd been in the Secret Service for years, serving and protecting past presidents, and now he was being promoted to serving at the White House under Ruwee Naberrie, the newly elected president of the United States.
"You can come with me," Anakin proclaims. "We can figure this out together."
Shmi Skywalker shakes her head. "This is what you're meant to do. And you're meant to do it without me."
Solemnly, Anakin nods his head.
Without another word, he opens the driver's side door and climbs in, tossing his final bag into the backseat. He shoves the keys in the ignition and his mother takes a few steps backwards. The car roars to life, excited about the adventure that awaits them. He buckles up and then glances out the window. His mother is staring back at him, calm as ever, but her eyes are glistening with tears.
He offers a weak wave to her and she reciprocates. With that, he backs out of their driveway, straightens his car, and heads down the road.
He wants to look back. He wants to turn around. But there's no turning back now.
The song has changed to some type of ballad that Anakin doesn't recognize. The growling has intensified. The aches and pains in his body have only gotten worse. But Anakin can't seem to find the energy to move, to talk, to think.
He hasn't heard from Obi Wan and he wonders if he's still alive. Or maybe he's in that state of in-between like Anakin, partially delirious, partially unconscious. It might even be the shock that has him in this weird, delirious and unconscious state.
They'd made it this far and this is how it's going to end, as dinner for the undead.
How melancholy.
He hasn't seen her in ten years and she hasn't changed in the slightest.
Him and Obi Wan are overseeing a visit from a group of local high school students. They are to be seen but not heard, and must only take action should there be an immediate threat. But Anakin can't help but keep his eyes on Padmé the entire time.
Their reunion was just as awkward as ever. The last time they had met, Anakin had been taking shelter under a dessert cart while his mother apologized repeatedly that this is not how she raised her son to act. Padmé had merely laughed it off before introducing herself to Anakin, to which he had asked her if she was an angel.
This time around was no different. She recognized him the moment he approached her.
"Ani?" she said with a grin. He stepped forward, proud that she had recognized him. "My goodness you've grown."
"So have you," Anakin said. "Grown more beautiful, I mean."
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Obi Wan shift uncomfortably.
"For the president's daughter, I mean."
More like open mouth, insert foot.
Nonetheless, Padmé had grinned shyly. "Anakin, you'll always be that little boy underneath the dessert cart."
Fuck. Friendzoned.
Now, as he stands in the corner of the room, shoulder to shoulder with other Secret Service agents, he can't help but continue to gaze upon her beauty. She's wonderful with the visiting students, almost as if they're all best friends from school. Her smile is radiant as ever and everyone in the room is enchanted by her presence.
He's only 19; she's almost 24. He's working for the Secret Service while she's pursuing her Master's degree in International Relations at New York University. She's one of the most well known people on the planet and he's just a lowly serviceman.
Even if he works his way to the top of the totem pole, he realizes he has no chance with the President's daughter.
They're gaining on them, moving in synchronicity.
Obi Wan hasn't made a sound since Anakin wrecked the car and now they're running out of time. Both of their seatbelts have buckled, making it difficult to release the strap.
You need to act, Anakin thinks to himself.
He shakes his head, as if to ward off all the wooziness, and then reaches over to Obi Wan. He presses two fingers to his neck. He feels a pulse, but it's weak. He knows he can't carry Obi Wan while fending off a herd.
He needs to act and he needs to do it fast.
It's the first time he's allowed to go off by himself, without Obi Wan by his side. To Anakin's surprise, he's been assigned to protect Padmé while she's away at school.
He'd never been to New York City in all his years that him and his mother had moved from place to place. But now he was here, babysitting the President's daughter.
Padmé talked his ear off the entire car ride but Anakin didn't mind one bit. He could listen to her voice all day. She's excited about the new journey. She'd taken a year off after graduating from Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science to teach English to grade school students in France. Now that she's back in the States, she's ready to tackle a new challenge.
They arrive outside the townhouse that Padmé will live in during the semester. It's a beautiful brick townhouse located in the heart of Greenwich Village. Green vines snake up and around the rod iron windowpanes and around the railings on the front porch. It's a three bedroom, two-and-a-half bath townhouse with a kitchen, living room, dining room, and study. It's more than enough for a first year graduate student.
They start to unload the car and Padmé insists on helping but Anakin refuses. It's absolutely unnecessary. Plus, he insists.
Padmé merely shrugs and mounts the front steps to the townhouse with her backpack and handbag in tow. He watches her disappear into the townhouse before looking at the sight in front of him. Suitcases, boxes, duffle bags.
How much could one girl possibly need?
He acts quickly, reaching for the knife in Obi Wan's boot. Carefully, he cuts his own belt first and lowers himself onto the roof (technically, now the floor) of the car before helping Obi Wan down. Obi Wan moans in discomfort as Anakin hoists him onto the ground.
Shards of glass crackle under their weight. Anakin shifts in the tight space, positioning Obi Wan near the passenger side door for an escape. He reaches inside his jacket and his fingers curl around the cold, rough metal of his only hope.
Every day was the same routine. Wake up, follow Padmé, eat, sleep, repeat. He was almost always up hours before her, ready for the day long before her alarm clock goes off for the first time. She typically hits the snooze button three times until she actually drags herself out of bed.
Her classes are boring. The material for discussion nearly puts Anakin to sleep. But the look of pure fascination on Padmé's face entices Anakin. This is what brings her happiness, and that's enough to make Anakin happy.
She doesn't have very many friends at school, and she claims that it doesn't matter, that the education is what's most important. Yet somehow, Anakin finds himself escorting her to study groups, coffee dates, and group project meetings. He hadn't exactly anticipated this journey being all about work.
Every so often, Padmé would ask him to join her for dinner, which meant eating from Chinese take-out boxes on the floor of the study while Padmé studied her notes intently. It wasn't exactly ideal for Anakin, but he settled for it.
However, after a while, Anakin realized that this routine they had was something unlike any other. Despite their lack of communication, they were finding out minor yet interesting details about one another. For example, Padmé had a habit of twisting strands of her hair around her finger while she studied. He wasn't sure if it was a nervous habit or just something she did mindlessly. Either way, it was pretty adorable.
Though he figured Padmé only had eyes for her studies, he was quite wrong. When he wasn't looking, she'd catch a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye to study him. After a few nights of studying Anakin, she figured she was in the wrong academic program. What the hell was she doing in International Relations anyways? Based on her studies of Anakin, she figured psychology could've been a better fit for her.
She had told herself not to lose focus. She was here for school and only school. However, it was a little difficult with Anakin always staring, protecting, and hovering over her. Even though he was only doing his job, it made her feel uncomfortable.
And she wasn't exactly sure why.
He's dragging Obi Wan out of the passenger side window. He had dumped their last bottle of clean water on him and now he was slowly regaining consciousness. He hoped he would be fully awake by the time they had to run. Anakin could only support him so far.
The herd was almost near the car, which was serving as a flimsy barrier between the herd and Anakin and Obi Wan. Their moans were growing louder and Anakin could've sworn he heard the crack of one of the zombie's bones. The sound was sickening and it nearly sent a shiver up Anakin's spine.
A moan escaped Obi Wan's lips as his eyelids fluttered. Anakin crouched down next to Obi Wan and gently tapped Obi Wan's cheek.
"Obi Wan, I need you to wake up," Anakin whispered. Obi Wan moaned again. "I'm not kidding," Anakin added. "Just for five minutes, until we can find shelter."
Obi Wan moaned again and Anakin's heart began to race. He looked up and saw that the herd was about ten feet away from the totaled Escalade.
Shit.
He catches her sneaking out one night in mid-October.
It's midterms week and she's been studying non-stop. She's holed up in her bedroom or the study and she eats dinner alone. The only sign that Anakin has that she's still there is the occasional page turn or the click of her pen.
However, on this particular night, she's unusually loud. She's slamming her dresser drawer and opening her closet door constantly. When the noises cease, Anakin decides to investigate. He mounts the stairs and turns the corner at its peak but finds her bedroom empty. He rushes down the stairs, only to find her slipping out the window of the living room.
"Where do you think you're going?" Anakin presses.
"Out," Padmé simply replies.
"Not without me."
Padmé scoffs. "I'm going out whether you like it or not. And quite frankly, you're not coming with me."
"Where exactly are you going to go?" Anakin inquires.
"Out," Padmé answers simply, sarcastically.
Anakin sighs. "I can't let you go alone."
"Well you're not bringing the whole gang with you either," Padmé says, folding her arms across her chest. She's straddling the windowsill, one leg in and one leg out. She's dressed in a pair of dark jeans with a dark purple peplum top. Her hair is curled to perfection and she's wearing just a hint of makeup. Not that she needs it.
There are Secret Service agents positioned at every entrance, but the window that Padmé was attempting to escape from was in the perfect blind spot. She's smart. Too smart.
"They don't have to know," Anakin answers slyly. This is his chance. "Now go," he says as he gives her a light shove. She slides out the window gracefully and he follows. His feet hit the ground and she puts a finger to her lips. He nods in understanding and follows her down the sidewalk. They keep their heads low as they head down the street, in search of an adventure for the night.
Obi Wan's awake now, but he's not necessarily alert. He says his head is a little woozy and he's having trouble focusing his eyesight. Either way, he's awake and Anakin can at least guide him down the road until they're far enough away from the herd.
He instructs Obi Wan to stand and so he does and prepares for the worst. Anakin reaches into his coat once more and pulls out his last grenade. He'd been saving it since they left Pittsburgh. Now was the right time to use it.
He looks at Obi Wan and he nods in understanding. So he pulls the ring, tosses the grenade, and they both run.
They find themselves at a bar in Midtown after hailing a cab three blocks from the townhouse.
Anakin isn't old enough to legally drink yet but Padmé says they don't card so he's in the clear. He orders a beer and she orders a mojito, as well as a round of tequila shots for the both of them. Padmé interjects when Anakin insists on picking up the tab but he's not having any of it. If this is by any chance a date, he's not letting her pay.
They both take their shots at the bar before finding a booth to sit and nurse their respective drinks. They mostly sit in silence, sipping their drinks while scanning the bar for familiar faces or immediate threats. When they're both finished, Anakin offers to get her another drink while he's getting another beer. She asks for a tequila sunrise and he nods.
He returns to the bar and orders Padmé's drink, as well as another beer. The bartender eyes him suspiciously and Anakin fears that he knows he's not 21. Nonetheless, he prepares their drinks, slams them down on the counter, and asks for the name on the tab.
Anakin returns to their booth just as Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" starts blasting over the sound system. He sets Padmé's drink in front of her but she's out of her seat in a flash.
Without a word, she's pulling him onto the dance floor, grinning mischievously. He hates dancing. He hates today's popular music. It's all garbage. But he can't deny her. Her enthusiasm is rather adorable.
I want your ugly,
I want your disease.
I want your everything,
As long as it's free.
Love, love love, I want your love.
He has no idea how to dance. To be quite honest, he thinks he looks silly. But in the throng of people, he knows no one else is watching except Padmé. So what if he makes an ass out of himself in front of Padmé? It most certainly wouldn't be the first time.
I want your drama,
The touch of your hand.
I want your leather-studded kiss in the sand.
I want your love,
Love, love, love
I want your love.
She grabs his hand and he pulls her close to him. She shouts something; he can't quite hear. He thinks she says she loves this song but he's not sure. She grins from ear-to-ear. Anakin figures this is the most fun she's had in a long time and he's glad he's here to witness it.
I want your love,
And I want your revenge.
You and me could write a bad romance.
I want your love,
And all your lover's revenge.
You and me could write a bad romance.
He lets her do a twirl before she comes reeling back to him, slamming against his chest. She takes his breath away in the process, literally and figuratively. She giggles and Anakin thinks the alcohol is hitting her already.
They dance to the song a little longer, never quite crossing paths. She's stretched out as far as their arms can reach before she lets go and sways her hips to the beat. He offers his hand to her and she takes it. He gives her another twirl before releasing her yet again.
Gaga sings the bridge and Padmé stomps towards him, determined. He's not sure if she's too into song at this point, too drunk, or a combination of both.
I want your love,
And I want your revenge.
I want your love,
I don't wanna be friends.
She sings it into his ear but it's almost like she means it. Her palms are on his chest and his hands find their way to her waist.
Je veux ton amour,
Et je veux ta revenge.
Je veux ton amour,
I don't wanna be friends!
And then they're kissing in the middle of the dance floor. It's electric. Their bodies mold into one while their lips move in sync with the other. It's like they're the other half of a whole, two pieces of a puzzle.
They've tuned out the rest of the song until Gaga is shouting "Want your bad romance!" for the final time. The song switches to Rihanna's "Disturbia" and the crowd has switched to a new rhythm, one that Anakin and Padmé aren't in sync with.
They pull away from each other and stare into each other's eyes for a second. Anakin smirks and Padmé looks away sheepishly. They're caught in the middle of the fray so Anakin leads Padmé out of the crowd, locking fingers with her as tight as possible.
They emerge from the crowd and head back to their table. But out of the corners of their eyes, they notice something. Or more like someone. They freeze, paralyzed with fear.
Standing at the bar, with his hands on his hips and a disappointed look on his face, is Obi Wan Kenobi.
Busted.
The grenade detonates and Obi Wan and Anakin stumble for a second. The explosion has rocked them a bit, but they don't stop. For a second, Anakin glances over his shoulder to see the Escalade and half of the herd in flames. They've slowed them down for a second but they'll come for them and there will be more. No doubt their little act will attract more.
They barrel down Broad Street. Anakin is a few feet ahead of Obi Wan, who is limping but highly alert nonetheless.
"Anakin, there!" Obi Wan shouts as he points to something off in the distance. Anakin looks up and notices the historic Divine Lorraine in the distance. He'd visited it with Obi Wan the last time they'd been in Philadelphia. Anakin had thought it was such a shame how such a beautiful building had been reduced to its ramshackle state. Now, it was one of the last buildings still in top form.
It is then that Anakin pushes himself harder. His feet pound the pavement. His heart pumps faster. He needs to make it to the Divine Lorraine before he becomes the herd's dinner.
Padmé and Anakin are seated on the couch as Obi Wan paces in front of them, scolding them like schoolchildren. The rest of the Secret Service agents have congregated in the living room as well but remain stoic and expressionless.
"What were you two thinking?!" Obi Wan exclaims. He poses it as a question but Anakin and Padmé know he doesn't want an answer. "Padmé, I'm disappointed in you."
Padmé hangs her head, defeated. She never exhibits this type of behavior and she never will again.
And then, Obi Wan turns to Anakin. "And you!" he exclaims. "How unprofessional!"
"I'm sorry, Obi Wan," Anakin mumbles as he hangs his head as well.
"You're lucky I can save your ass. The agency is not happy but they're going to let you off with a warning," Obi Wan says. "But do not step out of line – and against my orders – again."
"Yes Obi Wan."
He hangs his head as Obi Wan turns on his heel and storms out of the room. The rest of the Secret Service agents follow with the exception of one. Once they're alone, Anakin reaches over and slips his hand into Padmé's but she doesn't reciprocate. Instead, she stands from the couch, announces she's going to bed, and marches out of the room.
So much for progress.
They bust open the last window that's intact on the Divine Lorraine's ground floor. They both moan in discomfort as they hoist themselves through the window but successfully enter through the window nonetheless. Once they're in, they board the window up and erase any traces that they've been there to throw the herd off of their trail.
Anakin produces a flashlight from his backpack and shines it throughout the dark and dank room. They're standing in a bathroom, as if they couldn't already tell from the smell. They press the collars of their jackets to their noses as they cross the room to the exit.
Obi Wan is about to open the door when it suddenly flies open. Anakin drops the flashlight and reaches for the handgun in the back pocket of his jeans. Obi Wan does the same. They're blinded by their opponent's light but they don't falter in their defense.
It's only when someone steps forward does Anakin lower his weapon.
"Ani?"
Oh boy, who could it be?! Let me know what you thought of this chapter in a review. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. :)