Authors Note:

Hello everyone! We'll here is the next chapter! Please stay with me on this one! I do apologize for not getting this up sooner! Please review!!!

Just for the record I OWN NOTHING!! The lines that I have used from Revenge of the Sith are NOT my own! Again I OWN NOTHING!


Chapter Six

Reunited

Padme brushed her hair and gazed in the mirror. Today was the day! After almost three long months her husband was coming home! She had so much to tell him! If only she could see him now! It wasn't like he was on the other side of the galaxy; in fact he was just outside of Coruscant now. As fearful as she was for the dangerous situation he was in, she was glad that once it was all over she would be able to see him. She took a shaky breath in and out.

He must return safely. I have to tell him about our child that will be. Please, Anakin come back safe.

Once she had her hair tucked into two side buns she stood and walked over to a window in her apartment and looked out into the sky. Part of her wished she could see through the clear blue sky, through the atmosphere, and into space. She longed to see what was happening. Anakin had to be alright, he just had to be. These three lonely months had been hard on her. With Anakin on a mission with Obi-Wan to the Outer Rim planets, Padme was forced to act happy and not hint at how lonely she truly felt. Of course, she had spent a great deal of time socializing with her friends in the Senate, but none of them matched the company of her Anakin. It didn't take long for her to realize that they truly tested her patience! She soon found herself thinking about what Obi-Wan had said when they had lunch together before he left with Anakin. When he said about staying polite around senators must be difficult, she hadn't realized how right he truly was! She so found that she would rather have dinner alone in her apartment than go out to some fancy restaurant with a group of them and suffer through their gossip and senseless prattle. She clung dearly to the memories that she had when she saw Anakin last, when they enjoyed dinner together after Obi-Wan left, and that night had been the night they had conceived the child that she was now carrying. How foolish she felt to know that she had been contemplating if she had feelings for Obi-Wan when she was carrying Anakin's baby. Padme placed her hand on her belly instinctively. It calmed her to know that inside her a few inches under her hand, there was life and it was growing stronger every day.

Padme felt like she needed to do something to get her mind of the dangerous battle her husband and friend were locked in just outside of her reach. Perhaps a walk would help her clear her mind. She took one last glance out the window, praying almost foolishly that she would see a ship landing and her husband running over to sweep her off her feet. Alas, no such luck. Tearing herself away from the window, she turned and walked out of her apartment and into her speeder. Within a few minutes, she reached the Senate building where a group of senators were standing on the steps, staring at the same part of the sky that Padme had been staring at earlier from her apartment window. Some of their eyes fell upon her, as she strode past them to greet a friend near the top of the steps. As she walked past them she was also able to catch bits and pieces of conversations that the senators were having.

"There is no way that the Jedi are still alive. I heard that they were unable to defeat the kidnapper, that Count Dooku…," one senator said to his friend who was looking at the sky and shaking her head in disbelief.

"I hear that the ship that the Chancellor was on even exploded… No way could anyone have survived that," a female senator boasted as her friends listened in awe.

"I hear that the kidnapper killed the Jedi as soon as they boarded his ship. He is now deciding a ransom price to offer the Senate in return for the Chancellor," someone said quietly but Padme couldn't make out who said it.

"That's not true!" An angry voice objected from the small group.

Padme hurried up the steps. Her heart could no longer bear the thoughts of such tragic news! At the top of the stairs she smiled and greeted her good friend, Senator Organa, with a friendly embrace.

"Padme! Good to see you! How have you been? I missed seeing you at Senator Aak's dinner gathering. Unfortunately, I had some last minute business and I was unable to make it," Senator Organa said warmly.

"Well you wouldn't have seen me even if you did show up; I didn't attend either," Padme looked down at the senators on the steps below her and said in a slightly softer tone "Have you heard any word on what is happening?"

Bail Organa shook his head and said "I'm sorry Padme but I know as much about the situation as everyone else, which, unfortunately, is very little. What have you been hearing?"

"Just some rumors really, but I suppose that is all that anyone really has to say on the matter. I heard that the Jedi have failed and that the ship exploded! Surly that can't be true!" Padme added sounding breathless.

"I would hope not, but as I said before I have no idea what has happened. The only thing I know was that the Jedi did arrive and board the ship that the Chancellor was on," Bail Organa studied his friend carefully, "Padme, are you alright? You look a little pale. Are you feeling well?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine," Padme said faking a smile. "I just didn't sleep well last night, that's all."

Bail Organa nodded slightly "I understand that you must be worried. People that you care about are in a very dangerous situation! Our friend, Chancellor Palpatine, has been kidnapped and his rescuers are your Jedi friends, Master Kenobi and Jedi Knight Skywalker. All three of them are in great danger. However, the Jedi are very skilled. I have no doubt that they will return soon with the Chancellor safely."

"Thank you for that." Padme smiled. "I know that you are right. Sometimes rumors are so easy to believe."

"Try hard not to," Bail Organa advised patting Padme on the shoulder. "Pardon me. I have a few friends at the bottom of the stairs that I have to speak with now. I'll see you later, Padme."

Padme watched him descend the steps to his friends then averted her gaze to the sky again.

Oh Anakin what is taking you so long? Where are you?

It was not long before Padme's prayers were answered. A giant blazing object, resembling a meteor, was rocketing through the sky. The senators gasped and pointed and shouted. Padme held her breath as she watched the object head in the direction of a landing bay. The last thing on her mind would be that the fiery object would attempt to actually land in such an area or that its passengers could even possibly be alive.

To her great joy, within the hour a speeder arrived. Chancellor Palpatine was the first to exit and was immediately swarmed by the senators who crowded around him, all yearning for a story. Her heart pounded rapidly against her chest as she saw her husband exit and smile as he talked with someone inside.

He is alive and unharmed! Oh Anakin!

Her heart was filled with joy and excitement! Her Anakin was home at last! She had to hold herself back from running to him and kissing him right there in front of all of the senators! No, she would wait her turn. Smiling, she walked into the Senate building.

In a few minutes later, she heard his voice from behind the pillar she was hiding behind. Her heart seemed to beat to the rhythm of his footsteps as they drew closer and closer to her at last! She saw him walk past her hiding spot now with Bail Organa.

Oh no what if he doesn't realize I'm here? Will I have to wait for him to return from talking to Bail before I can see him?

Then she heard Anakin's voice offer a different possibility.

"Excuse me," Anakin said raising his hand up to pause the conversation.

"Of course," Senator Organa said walking on.

Padme felt butterflies in her stomach as she saw Anakin run towards her. He smiled, lifted her off the ground, and twirled her around like she was a small child. She felt weightless! Her whole body tingled with excitement and happiness.

When her feet were once again planted firmly on the ground she kissed him on the cheek and ran her hands through his wavy hair. "Oh Anakin," she sighed.

"I've missed you Padme," Anakin said with longing in his voice.

"There were whispers that you'd been killed," her eyes studied his face looking for any changes that may have come from battle; however not a cuts or wound could be found. She was lucky. Her husband was alive and healthy.

"I'm alright," Anakin grinned. Why did he sound pleased? Did it please him to see her so worried about him? Perhaps he was just happy to see her once more for he added, "It feels like we have been apart for a lifetime. It might have been if the Chancellor hadn't been kidnapped. I don't think they would have ever brought us back from the Outer Rim Sieges."

Anakin began kissing her lips softly. As much as she longed for his kiss, Padme objected "Wait not here," She knew that they had too much to lose if they blew their cover now.

"Yes here," Anakin objected stroking Padme's hair "I tired of all this deception. I don't care if they know we're married."

"Anakin don't say things like that!" Padme said alarmed.

It seemed to have worked, for Anakin settled for a hug instead which made Padme tremble. Just being near him again, hearing his voice, feeling his touch on her skin, it was more than she could've dreamed of. She had waited so long and to think that if the Chancellor hadn't been kidnapped she would have to wait longer! Why did this life have to be so hard for them? Soon she would have to tell him about a new threat that sought to destroy their secret and this may yet prove to be the hardest one to cover up.

"Are you alright?" Anakin asked pulling away from the embrace "You're trembling. What's going on?"

So she would tell him now. Her mind was filled with excitement and uncertainty. He was going to be a father! Surely he would be thrilled! The circumstances that would surround her pregnancy would be difficult and deceptive, but in the end this new life would bring so much for them. Surly he would see it.

"Something wonderful has happened," Padme said searching Anakin's eyes. She knew this announcement could change everything. What if Anakin is unhappy? What if he doesn't want the baby? Taking in a deep breath she stated bravely "Ani, I'm pregnant."

His response wasn't sudden. He exhaled slowly as he saw the truth in her eyes. Then he shook his head. Padme watched him. Please be happy Ani. Please don't leave me or tell me not to keep the baby. Please say you are happy.

Anakin shook his head again. "That's…" was all he could manage to say. Again he shook his head.

Was he hoping that shaking his head would make all of this go away? That's what Ani? That's great? That's horrible? That's bad? That's good for you, now I'm leaving goodbye? Anakin you are going to be a father and you don't know what to say?

A small smile appeared on Anakin's face as he stuttered "That's… well that's- that's wonderful." Then he did something that sounded like a laugh but not one that Padme had ever heard.

"What are we going to do?" Padme asked, hopefully.

Anakin's answer wasn't exactly what Padme had expected when he responded with, "We're not going to worry about anything right now. Alright?" The grin that he seemed to fake when he was attempting to tell Padme how he felt about her pregnancy was showing up again. It was making her somewhat uncomfortable also. "This is a happy moment, the happiest moment of my life."

He said that he was happy, but why couldn't she believe it? His smile looked so faked and his words sounded so unconvincing. What would become of them when news of her pregnancy spread, and she and Anakin had no plan to deal with such talk? Padme didn't want to "worry about anything" either, but her worry wasn't going away just by Anakin telling it to so.

He smiled and kissed her again. Maybe he was right. Maybe she shouldn't worry and just let everything work itself out. After all, isn't that what she hoped would happen?

Without even thinking Padme blurted out, "Is Obi-Wan alright too?"

There was no way to disguise the surprise in Anakin's expression. He raised an eyebrow and blinked before he finally said, "Yea he's fine. Why wouldn't he be? Why do you ask?"

"I don't know I was just wondering. I mean I didn't see him arrive and I didn't know if he was well or not," Padme said sounding indifferent.

Anakin relaxed a bit and said, "Well, my angel, shall we meet up at home? I have a few things I need to attend to but I won't be long I promise."

"I'm so glad you're home safe Ani," Padme said receiving his goodbye kiss.

"I'm glad that you are safe and we are together again. I had forgotten just how incredibly stunning you are. I will see you soon. Goodbye my angel." Anakin said smiling as he turned and walked off.

The next morning…

When Padme woke up the next morning, Anakin was getting out of bed. The cool air from him shifting the blankets made her shiver slightly. Anakin had just finished putting his sleep pants back on when he realized he had woken his wife. Anakin walked over to the other side of the bed and kissed her gently on the forehead then passionately on the lips. "Go back to sleep," he whispered softly.

Padme sat up wrapping blankets around her body as she did so. "Where are you going?" Padme asked confused as she blinked away the last of her sleepiness.

"I have to see the Chancellor today. He insists on having some sort of ceremony for rescuing him," Anakin said as he began to dress in his spare Jedi robes he kept in Padme's closet.

"Oh," Padme said slightly disappointed. "I was hoping that we could spend some more time together today. After all, we haven't seen each other in three months…" Padme said as she rose from the bed and wrapped her bathrobe around her naked skin.

Now combing his hair in her mirror he responded, "Well now that I'm back we will have plenty of time for that."

Padme frowned. Did he think that just because he was back in town she was suddenly was free of plans? She had another important meeting with the Senate tomorrow and Anakin hadn't even asked about it! "Well Ani I have a meeting tomorrow and then the day after I have-"

Anakin walked over to her and cut her off with another passionate kiss. "We aren't going to worry about this. We will have plenty of time to… catch up and be with each other. I really do have to leave soon though. I love you Padme."

"Why?" Padme asked, stopping Anakin in his tracks as he was walking towards the door.

"What do you mean why?" Anakin asked bewildered.

"What do you love about me?" Thoughts of Obi-Wan's question filled her mind.

"Is this some kind of a joke or game?" Anakin asked as gave her a half smile.

"No it shouldn't be," Padme said seriously. "We say that we love each other. What specifically do you love about me?"

Anakin's grin was gone. "Are you implying that you don't love me anymore?!? I'm gone for three months and this is what I get? Why are you questioning our love??"

"Anakin, please calm down!" Padme said seeing frustration in him rising. "I was just asking a question. I didn't want to make that big of a deal out of it. If you can't answer than… well I guess that's fine."

Why was her husband so upset with her? Had she really asked too much of him when she asked why he loved her? More importantly, why couldn't he answer it? Was their love really not all that she had thought it to be? Something wasn't right. She could just feel tension and nervousness. It echoed in his voice. Something had changed since he left. It almost sounded like he was having more nightmares or that something was eating at his conscience.

"Why are you testing me like this? Who have you been talking to while I was away?" Anakin vented.

"Anakin it's just a question! It was only a-a game you were right. It was silly and I shouldn't have asked it. I'm sorry. I'm keeping you from your celebration," Padme said with lowered eyes.

Anakin relaxed, "Please don't do that again," Anakin said seriously "You know that I love you and that I think you are beautiful. You are everything to me Padme."

With that he smiled and walked out.

Padme watched Anakin leave and then sat down on the sofa in her living room, worrying. Why was he so nervous? Was he hiding something? What had happened to Anakin while he was away? It seemed like he was carrying a burden of some kind, perhaps some sort of secret or guilt. Oh how she hated when Anakin hid things from her! It was at that moment that realized she was aching for something. Deep down in her heart, she knew that out of everything in the galaxy, there was one thing more than all else that she wanted. She sighed, knowing that this one thing was one of the only things that she shouldn't want and couldn't have. Sadly, she admitted to herself, I wish Obi-Wan were here.