He lay awake for hours afterwards, just watching her breathe, her chest rising and falling in an almost hypnotic rhythm. Her hand caressed the swell of her stomach, almost as if in a subconscious gesture of protection for the new life she carried. He stared at her, simply amazed by the wonder that was his wife. It was hard for him to believe that he could love someone so much, and to know that he was loved the same way in return. He felt his heart beat in nervous excitement as he thought about their impending parenthood. He didn't know anything about being a father, never having one himself, and all he could worry about was being able to remain on Coruscant for his baby's birth. He again looked at Padmè's stomach, a whole new list of worries flooding his mind. What if something happened to Padmè, or to the baby? He wouldn't be able to handle it. It wasn't just that, but more 'normal' worries plagued his thoughts. He couldn't let Padmè know just how terrified he was at being a father. He had seen the consequences of Padmè's hormones, and he couldn't worry her any more than she already was.

"Oh Padmè," he murmured, lightly kissing her forehead. She let out an un-ladylike snore, and Anakin could barely keep from laughing.

"You're absolutely perfect," he whispered, moving his hand over Padmè's that covered her stomach. He could just make out a tiny flutter of movement, and he smiled. He could ignore his worries for now, at least for a few more weeks. He wouldn't let anything else consume the already limited time they had together. He wrapped his arms around her, before drifting into a restless sleep.

-----------------------

She opened her eyes, the harsh sunlight making her wince. She sat up quickly, dislodging herself from Anakin's protective hold when she realized what time it must be. She hurriedly ran to the closet, picking the first gown she saw.

"Force!" she shrieked when she saw the chrono on the wall. Anakin, who had been silent, looked at her sadly.

"I was hoping you would stay home today," he said softly. Padmè halted her rant and turned to face him.

"Ani, I can't just abandon my work. If someone suspects anything-" she said, stopping when she saw the look of disappointment on her husband's face.

"I told you, I don't care if we're found out," Anakin replied. Padmè sighed in frustration.

"Well I do. We both have duties to fulfill, and I will not let the Republic down," she said.

"Besides, if any of our decisions were to affect our baby's chances for a normal life in any way, I could never forgive myself. I have to ensure the safety of my child," she finished.

Anakin stood and went over to her, his height towering over hers. She was eye-level with his chest.

"I'm worried about you. Why can't you accept that?" he questioned.

"Ani, I do. But we can't let the fact that I am pregnant get in the way of what we must do. I've pledged my services to politics, and you've given yourself to the Jedi Order. It's the way things are," she said softly. She turned from him and hastily began readying for the day again. Anakin's eyes darkened.

"Could this have anything to do with Bail? he spat. Padmè's stomach turned with disgust, and her dark brown eyes clouded with hurt.

"Anakin, how can you say that?" she asked him quietly. Anakin knew he had gone too far, and he tried to take a step towards Padmè. But she pulled away, and he could see the sparkle of unshed tears in her eyes.

"I better get going," she whispered, and she turned and walked out of the apartment. Anakin's heart beat with guilt, and he sighed, angry with himself for losing his temper with her. She had a lot of stress, even more so now that she was pregnant, and that the Council was watching them. He knew he could do nothing more until later tonight, so he put on his Jedi robes and headed out the door.

She was walking down the Senate hallway when a hand grabbed her around the waist, and slammed her against a wall. She tried to scream, but an unseen hand covered her mouth with such force it pushed her neck back. She opened her eyes to see her attacker and she gasped.

"Bail?" she whispered, but he ignored her, and ripped her gown, detaching the bodice from the skirt. His face took in the sight of her softly curving stomach, and realization crossed over his eyes.

"Skywalker," he whispered menacingly. He glared at her, one of his hands moving back up to cover her mouth. He hit her face, and her eyes welled with tears of pain.

"I'm sure you and that pompous Jedi will be very happy together," he rasped.

Padmè gaped in a mixture of shock and terror.

"How did you…?" she asked. Bail laughed bitterly.

"I've been watching you, Senator. I wanted you for my own, and he took what should have been rightfully mine." He looked at her before continuing.

"I should inform the Jedi Council of their 'Chosen One's' illicit encounters. But," he said, "I shall wait. I will take great pleasure in Skywalker's downfall," he said with an evil grin. He stopped and peered at Padmè closely.

"If you tell anyone, especially that hot-headed lover of yours, about what has transpired here today, I will kill you both." He waited for her nod before shoving her back into the hallway. She ran down the hall, crying hard. She desperately wanted to return to Anakin, but she knew that it would look suspicious if she were to leave now. She entered the Senate arena and sat down shakily. All she needed to do was make it through the meeting, and then she could leave and rest in the comfort of Anakin's arms.

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Anakin walked down the halls of the Jedi Temple, looking for Obi-Wan. His former master had comlinked him, asking Anakin to meet him when he could. He saw Obi-Wan by a large pillar, looking, as usual, very worried. Anakin rolled his eyes and made his way to the pillar. Obi-Wan sighed in relief.

"Anakin, we must speak." He looked around the hall before continuing.

"I know that you and the senator are close, much closer than the other masters suspect. But Anakin, you must let go of your attachment. These types of relationships are forbidden, as you well know." Obi-Wan hesitated before continuing.

"If the Council continues to suspect that you have an attachment to Padmè, they will send you to oversee security at one of the prison worlds. They will not expel you, for you are too valuable to the Order."

Anakin stared at Obi-Wan.

"How can they justify doing this to me?" he asked angrily. Obi-Wan shrugged.

"It is in the Jedi Code. They will do what they must to ensure that it is followed."

Obi-Wan looked his friend in the eye.

"It is in your best interest Anakin. Think of the senator's safety as well. Your enemies may target her as a way to get revenge."

Anakin hung his head, defeated. He knew his master was right about his enemies, but he was still angry at the masters for attempting to keep he and Padmè apart. He nodded grimly, and Obi-Wan smiled, patting his friend's shoulder before disappearing down the hall. Anakin glared. The Council would pay for what they were doing to him. He would make sure of it.

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He left the Jedi Temple just as dusk was falling over Coruscant. He was just closing the door to the apartment when Padmè ran into his arms, almost knocking him over. He was about to ask what had gotten into her when he realized she was crying.

"Padmè, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly. But she just held on to him tighter. She finally looked at him, allowing him to see the large, discolored bruise that covered her left cheek.

"Who…who did that to you Padmè?" he asked, his voice shaking with rage. Padmè looked at the floor in shame.

"Bail," she whispered, before flinging herself into his arms once more. He held her tight, caressing her softly as his rage mounted. When her sobs gradually faded into occasional sniffles, he gently took her by the shoulders so he could look at her.

"What did he do, Padmè, tell me," he said through clenched teeth. Padmè couldn't look at him.

"He knows about us Ani. Everything. He knows I'm pregnant, and that it's yours."

Anakin felt his heart clench in anger.

"I'm gonna kill that son-of-a-bantha," he whispered. Padmè looked at him in terror.

"No Ani! You can't! He told me that if I told anyone about what happened, he would kill us both. Besides, they're probably watching my apartment. If you leave, they'll know I've told you, and they'll come after me" she said softly. Anakin shook his head.

"I'm not going to stand by and let this man get away with what he's done to you. He could have seriously hurt you and the baby," he argued. Padmè looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Please Ani, just this once. I don't want you to leave me," she said as the tears began to fall. Anakin took her into his arms and held her tightly.

"Alright," he said reluctantly. "But if he hurts you in any way whatsoever, he's a dead man." Padmè nodded. He kissed her lips, hoping to calm her a bit.

"Oh, Ani, I'm so scared," she whispered into his chest. Anakin took a deep breath.

"So am I Angel, so am I."