Stay

There was something so… Dull about the Senatorial parties Anakin was invited to. They were less parties and more… Social gatherings to debate quietly with a glass of wine in hand and expensive platters of food smaller than his pinky finger being served. Weren't parties supposed to be fun? That's what Anakin had heard at least. He'd never been to any before joining the Jedi. What little his neighbouring beings had on Tatooine wasn't worth celebrating over. Truthfully, he only attended the things so as not to insult Chancellor Palpatine, who did so much for him already, and as Obi-wan so eloquently put it, the Senate needed the Jedi's poster-boy to show face.

Poster-man.

But Senate parties did have their advantages. Just across the crowded chamber, stood Anakin's beloved. He watched her without any guise of subtlety as she raised the thin-rimmed glass of blood-red liquid to her lips and took a gentle sip. Tonight she stood out amongst the rest in her white gown with curved, shelled sleeves that graced her shoulders, leaving her arms bare to his eyes. His wife was beyond beautiful. Every so often, Padme's eyes would carefully travel the room only to lock onto his, with a small secret smile that spoke of her excitement that he was here. But they hadn't had a chance to speak yet, and impatience was boiling his blood. They'd been apart six weeks and interrupting Senators were getting in the way!

He'd been biding his time and practising patience in every way Obi-wan had relentlessly attempted to impart upon him all these years, but finally, Anakin saw his chance. The night was nearing its end by the time he'd arrived, due to a never-ending war committee with the Council, and the musicians were preparing for the final dance of the night. No one would think anything of two old friends dancing together, would they? The Jedi almost punched the air in victory. It was logic not even Padme could dispute.

As Anakin's eyes took a quick scan of the room, he recognised faces belonging to Bail Organa, Mon Mothma, the Chancellor and several others he'd had interactions with throughout the war. Many of the guests were friends of Padme's, people she worked with regularly on bills and legislation. The Duchess Satine was also there and part of the Jedi sniggered that maybe Obi-wan should have come along after all. But he quickly pushed such thoughts aside as the first upbeat notes drifted from the instruments and several of the guests took to the dance floor, partners in hand.

With the slight commotion, it was more difficult than Anakin would have liked to cross the floor without resorting to using the Force to simply move beings out of the way, but he managed somehow, weaving between bodies and once or twice treading upon expensive robes and gowns. By the time he made it, Anakin grimaced to see another where he should have been him standing, the very same Senator who just a standard year ago had been caught inside the Senate bathroom with his junior legislator partaking in some aggressive negotiations… The sight of the lecherous man dressed head to toe in expensive silks and jewels made Anakin tense.

"Senators." He greeted stiffly, though his eyes never left Padme's. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Senator Amidala promised me a dance…"

A playful light came into her eyes as the other man reluctantly stepped aside to allow the Jedi to cut in. Padme's radiant smile inspired Anakin's own grin as she carefully placed her palm atop his own and they walked toward the crowded dancefloor. Surprisingly, once they made their way through the crowd, there was plenty of room to sway around a little. He wanted to pull her delicate knuckles to his lips but decided against it, this was supposed to appear platonic after all.

Palm to palm they circled one another slowly just as everyone else did. He'd learned a few of these dances from attending so many of these galas over the past few years but mainly Anakin had learned from Padme when she'd giggled and demanded to teach him in their apartment. He supposed most men might have found it tedious or silly, but he'd enjoyed their lessons. And enjoyed what usually followed them even more so… Gracefully, their hands switched to the opposite as the small circle they'd stepped in was repeated. She was so close… Suddenly, Anakin found himself aching for her. It felt as if they'd been apart for a lifetime…

Padme smiled at him again, wide and true and his heart skipped a beat. She was stunning. She'd always been an angel in his eyes but tonight she was practically glowing in the lights with her white dress. He could have looked at her forever and never grown tired of it. His heart beat faster in his chest when her eyes lowered to the floor shyly for a moment before meeting his again. Suddenly, it didn't matter who saw them or how their actions appeared, neither husband nor wife cared. They were together again and Anakin would be damned if anything came in the way of that ever again.

It was as if the air had been robbed from his lungs and she'd returned it to them. How had he managed this time without her?

Padme's long hair had been left in its natural state for tonight, bushy curls falling to the base of her spine and he didn't resist the urge to wrap a ringlet around his finger gently. He loved her like this… Natural, no cosmetics or decorations, she was just herself, just Padme. The woman he loved. She was by far her most beautiful when she was like this, without competition but Anakin was surprised she'd come to a party in this way. Usually, her true self was hidden away in the apartment, just for him to see when they were alone.

A strange noise caught the Jedi's attention, stealing his focus for a moment. It was distant and oddly familiar. Something about it tugged at his mind like a hook becoming snared in the throat of a fish about to be plucked from the waters. What was it? No one else seemed to react as it echoed once more. Anakin wasn't given another moment to dwell upon it however, he felt Padme's hand cup his cheek and gently guide his gaze back toward her warm, welcoming eyes.

"Just keep your eyes on me." She smiled softly and he relaxed into her touch, letting his eyes drift closed for a moment.

"I've missed you." He muttered low enough that only she'd catch the words beneath the sway of the music.

Her lovely smile grew at his words and she nodded. "I've missed you too, Anakin."

He lifted their arms and carefully spun her around, watching as the layers of her shimmering dress sparkled in the light. She was a vision. There was nothing he wanted more than to whisk her out of this party and to his ship. It would be a tight fit but he could pilot them back to the apartment just fine from here. He wanted to be alone with her. Wanted to kiss her and hold her and relish in being together again. He wasn't sure how much longer they had before he'd leave again.

"I can't believe you're really here…" She whispered making Anakin frown.

"What do you mean?"

"I just –" Her mouth opened and then shut itself again in indecision. It was strange watching words fail Padme of all people; she was the best talker Anakin had ever met. There wasn't a cause she couldn't sway people to her side on… This made him smile proudly for a moment. She was truly the most amazing person in the entire galaxy. She didn't bat his hands away when they came up to cup her face and so Anakin pulled her close, leaning down to taste her lips with his own softly. It'd been so long since he'd kissed her… Too long since they'd been this close to one another. He was finally home.

When they pulled apart again, Anakin found the music had slowed and quietened so that he could barely hear it anymore. He turned to look at the musicians with a frown but once again Padme shook her head. "No, don't."

"What's wrong?" He asked, sensing a strange sadness come over her. One that was familiar and yet it felt like he'd experienced it so long ago that the memory was faded… Only half-clinging to his consciousness. What in the Force was going on?

"Nothing." She smiled up at him but there was no hiding the tears that welled in her beautiful eyes. "I just… Stay with me, Anakin. Just a little longer."

What? Of course, he was staying with her! They were going home together so he could hold her in his arms and pretend they'd never be parted again. He pressed his forehead against hers without care for the others around them and pulled her body closer to his. "I'll stay with you forever, Angel."

He felt more than heard her whimper as her arms came around him too. "I'd like that." They were quiet for several long moments before Anakin felt her fingers sift through his hair and sighed contently. "They're so beautiful, Anakin." He heard her whisper and pulled back to meet her eyes. "I wish you could have seen them."

"Seen what?" What was beautiful? He couldn't make any sense of this… Everything felt… Hazy suddenly, as if they were underwater and his consciousness was slipping. His thoughts were clouded and slow. He didn't feel like himself. "Padme, I don't understand."

The strange echoing noise resounded throughout the hall once again and this time, Anakin tore his eyes away from Padme before she could stop him. What was that? It definitely sounded like a voice… A familiar one. Someone he knew. Maybe Obi-wan had decided to join them after all? But as the Jedi looked around he realised there was no owner of the voice nearby. The other guests had vanished wordlessly leaving only Anakin and Padme alone in the hall. He turned back to his wife, disorientated and bewildered. Where did everyone go? The music was still playing… Why would they leave?

Padme's hands ran up and down his arms and her smile turned sad. "Not yet, Anakin, please… Please just stay with me."

The tears in her eyes were more obvious now and a sense of panic began to creep through Anakin's head. "Padme…"

Her hand caressed his cheek lovingly as a tear slipped onto her skin and created a wet trail. "It's not too late, Ani. Come back to me."

It felt suddenly as if cold water had been thrown against his face and he awoke with a start, flailing and choking as splashing and whirling filled his ears. Slowly his eyes peeled open to see a slim figure approaching him as water droplets clung to a sheet of transparisteel before him. They came closer until the shadow that had masked their identity lifted to reveal an irritatingly familiar face.

"Lord Vader." Grand Moff Tarkin nodded his greeting from beyond the bacta tank. "The Emperor has arrived and wishes to speak with you."

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