Sooo... Who's ready to see how this goes down? *Raises hand* Guys, I've been waiting to get to this scene ever since I decided to make this more than a one shot. So, here we go! Cheers! (Not mine, italics are quotes. I cut some of Dooku's monologue though.)

Anakin had scarcely shut down the engines before Padme lept from the co-pilot's seat, reaching for her wrap. "Hey," he snapped. "Where are you going?"

Padme did not so much as spare him a glance. "To find Obi-Wan."

In a few long strides, he was across the ship and grabbed hold of her arm. "No, you're not!"

She jerked her arm back. "Let go of me!"

"I'm not letting you go out there. It's too dangerous."

"Ani, you cannot be serious!" she fumed.

"It's my job to protect you," Anakin reminded her, squaring his shoulders and using his full height to his advantage. "I said it's too dangerous. You're not going, and that's final!"

If Padme had been angry before, she was livid now. How dare he? Every moment they spent having this ridiculous conversation was a moment they could be using to save Obi-Wan. She whirled on him, dark eyes blazing, "You do not give me orders, Anakin Skywalker! I am a Senator of the Galactic Republic, not a child. You have no authority to contain me, restrain me, or direct me! You will remember your place, Anakin."

Wisely, Anakin held his tongue, though she could tell he had more to say.

"Now, you can come along and protect me, or stay here," she commanded, wrapping her shawl around her shoulders and waist. "It's up to you." She stormed past him and out of the cockpit, not waiting for his reply. After a few moments, Anakin followed behind her.

The city was empty. The quiet had Padme on edge. When they reached the square, four Geonosians emerged from the stalagmite pillars and grabbed for Padme and Anakin, who drew his lightsaber.

It's then Padme sees the twenty more winged and armed Geonosians descending upon them. "Wait!" she calls to Anakin, who gives her a look of confusion, until Count Dooku emerges from the crowd.

"Senator Amidala," he crooned, opening his palms as though offering peace. "I've heard so much about you."

Padme nodded. "Count Dooku, I assume."

He smiled, and the Geonosians released her as he stepped forward to kiss her hand. She felt more than saw Anakin bristle. "I'm delighted to meet you at last," he said. "We have a great deal to discuss, Senator. I hope you can keep your young Jedi under control."

She returned his diplomatic smile. "I make no promises, Count."

They were lead to a large conference room with Padme sat at one end of the table and Dooku at the other. Behind Padme, Anakin stood guard, with four Geonosian guards standing behind him. Behind Dooku was a bounty hunter and six more Geonosian guards. If the intent was for her to feel intimidated, Dooku was in for a disappointment. Padme had grown up in situations like this. She was confident and cool as she spoke. "You are holding a Jedi Knight named Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am formally requesting you turn him over to me. Now."

Dooku sighed and shook his head, as if his words pained him. "He has been convicted of espionage, Senator, and will be executed. In just a few hours, I believe."

Her heart jumped into her throat. "He is an officer of the Republic, you can't do that!"

"We don't recognize the Republic here, Senator. But… if Naboo were to join our Alliance, I could easily hear your plea for clemency."

"And if I don't join your rebellion, I assume this Jedi with me will also die?" she asked, her blood boiling. She would not tolerate being threatened.

"I don't wish to make you join our cause against your will, Senator, but you are a rational, honest representative of your people and I assume you want to do what's in their best interest. Aren't you fed up with the corruption, the bureaucrats, the hypocrisy of it all? Aren't you? Be honest, Senator."

Padme answered him sharply. "The ideals are still alive, Count, even if the institution is failing."

"You believe in the same ideals we believe in!" Dooku argued. "The same ideals we are striving to make more prominent." He lowered his voice, staring intently with cold eyes across the table at Padme. "Are you willing to betray your Jedi friends? Without your cooperation, I can do nothing to stop their execution."

"What is to happen to me?" she asked without fear. "Am I to be executed also?"

"I wouldn't think of such an offense. But, there are individuals who have a strong interest in your demise, m'lady. It has nothing to do with politics, I'm afraid. It's purely personal, and they have already paid great sums to have you assassinated. I'm sure they will push hard to have you included in the executions. I'm sorry, but if you are not going to cooperate, I must turn you over to the Geonosians for justice. I've done all I can for you."

In a corridor leading to the Geonosian arena, Padme and Anakin were tossed into a cart, their hands bound to chains near the front. Padme felt tears burn her eyes.

She'd failed. She couldn't save Obi-Wan. For all she knew, he was dead already, killed just minutes before in the very same arena. To make matters worse, she'd led Anakin to his death as well.

Anakin saw the tear roll down her cheek. He nudged her shoulder with his. "Don't be afraid," he whispered.

She huffed a bitter laugh. "I'm not afraid to die." She shook her head and stared down at the cuffs binding her wrists, wrapping the chain around her hand until it turned white, and said under her breath, "I've been dying a little bit each day since you and Obi-Wan came back into my life."

Anakin frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing," she reassured him. She met his stormy gaze and gave him a small smile. "It doesn't matter now. I'm sorry, Anakin."

For a moment, Anakin looked away, trying to compose himself. "I know what we decided," he said, hardly able to meet her gaze as he forced the words from the deepest part of himself, "that it would destroy us, but… I think tour lives are about to be anyway, and before we die, I need you to know… I love you, Padme. I always will."

Padme's heart cried for him. Losing his mother, his mentor, and now this. Would it be so terrible if the last thing he heard in this world was that he was loved? And she did love him, just not in the way he wanted her too. But if she could choose, she would have Obi-Wan telling her how much he loved her as she breathed her last. After everything, if they were set to die, wasn't that the least she could do for Anakin?

The driver cracked the whip over the orray harnessed to the cart. Just before it jerks into motion, Padme smiled sadly at Anakin. "I love you too."

Anakin had no chance to respond, for at that moment, they were both struck by the blinding sunlight and the roar of the crowd that had gathered to watch them die.

Padme turns from Anakin, surveying the arena. A sandy pit with steep walls of seating, three pillars, and…

"Obi-Wan!"

Thoughts? Stay tuned!