Across the Stars: A Cinderella Story

By Serena Kenobi

Author's notes: THANK YOU so much for all of your wonderful reviews!! Can we hit 200? I believe it can be done! I had a muse and needed to update this Ani/Padme story after reading some Ani/Padme fics. But I'm in a bit of a dilemma. Should I write the Pocahontas story after this, or should I do Beauty and the Beast? Either way I'll do both, but I'm not sure which one to do first. Feedback is much appreciated!

I will have some Ani/Padme wallpapers coming up soon on my website, so feel free to check that out.

Disclaimer: If I owned Star Wars... well, it's just wishful thinking.


Chapter Nine

Anakin and Padmé strolled around the empty halls of the Jedi temple, chatting amiably.

"…So when I got there, we went into aggressive negotiations," he continued, telling her about a battle of his.

"Aggressive negotiations, what's that?" Padmé questioned, frowning thoughtfully.

"Well," he continued, "Negotiations with a lightsaber."

Padmé laughed. "Oh," she said, giggling in spite of herself. Anakin looked down and smiled at her as she went on, "Well, I would've preferred a diplomatic solution, but I wasn't there. Anyways, I need some formal training before I can go into politics. Someone to show me the ropes about everything, you know. I just don't know who would be trustworthy to teach me; there are so many corrupt politicians."

"I know what you mean," Anakin replied, "Obi-Wan was the closest thing I had to a father… but now he's more like my brother. He was an excellent teacher and guardian… I never had a real father."

They finally came to a beautiful room, filled with plants, stone walkways, and huge, grand fountains spread throughout.

Padmé gasped in awe at the magnificence of it all. "It's beautiful," she breathed, taking in the scenery.

Anakin glanced at her. "Yes," he quietly said, gazing at her awestruck face, "Very beautiful."

Padmé slowly met his startlingly blue eyes and quickly looked down, blushing. What had gotten into her? She wasn't supposed to like him. Yet here she was. He's an annoying… idiotic… handsome… STOP IT, PADMÉ!

Anakin took her hand, apparently not noticing the way she gasped sharply at the contact, and led her through the walkways until they reached the largest fountain in the center.

"Jedi come here for relaxation and healing," he told her. "I like to come here for peace, after a really hard mission."

"I know what you mean," she answered in understanding. "My place of comfort is actually in an underwater city. It's calm and peaceful down there… away from the outside world." Suddenly she laughed, a sound which Anakin drank in, eager to hear her lovely voice. "Except when there's a particularly clumsy person around," she continued. At a quizzical look from him, she explained, "I have a friend in the city who... well... causes a lot of trouble. He's not exactly graceful." Turning towards him again, Padmé looked up and said, "Thank you, Anakin. I'll never forget this."

"Neither will I," Anakin answered huskily, gazing down at her with adoration.

Their faces grew closer to each other's, and Anakin slowly moved down and was just about to press his lips to hers when…

Padmé! Aayla's voice shouted in her mind. Padmé quickly pulled back, wide-eyed. Anakin stared at her, confused.

"What's wrong?"

Your stepmother, she's getting ready to leave! You have to go, now! Before she goes back and finds that you and the dress aren't there!

Padmé stared into the distance before glancing at a bewildered Anakin. "I have to go," she said sadly, turning quickly to go.

"No, please!" Anakin called after her, grabbing her arm. "I don't want you to leave, Amidala." His voice brought her to tears, but she pulled herself out of his grasp.

"I… I can't…" she whispered brokenheartedly, and darted off.

"Pad – er, Amidala, wait!" Anakin cried, racing after her.

Hot tears streaming down her face, Padmé ran through the halls of the Jedi temple until she came to the entrance. The Nubian ship was waiting for her, but Anakin was hot on her heels. She was running so fast, one of her glass slippers fell off. Knowing that she couldn't go back and get it, she hurried on, running up the ramp of the ship as it took off into the Coruscant night sky.

Anakin stared forlornly after the ship, crushed. He had finally found someone he could actually talk to and really enjoy it. He had understood her; she had understood him. Why did she leave so fast? Gathering up some strength, he instantly became determined to find her.

In other words, he was head over heels in love with Padmé Amidala.


Padmé ran into the palace, tears still running down her face. Artoo followed behind her, whistling sadly. He wished that he could do something about it, but he didn't know what. Padmé quickly took off the dress and put on her regular work clothes, heading back up to her turret. She fell on her bed and wept her heart out, knowing she would never see Anakin again.

Artoo rolled by her cot, letting out a low beep. It didn't make him very happy to see his mistress sad.

"Why... does this have t-to h-happen to m-me?" Padme sobbed, curling up into a protective ball. "All I wa-ant is to f-fall in lo-ove... and now I'll ne-ever see A-Anakin ag-again..." She buried her head in her hands, crying even harder.

When she had cried for over an hour, she finally managed to calm herself down. The moon was bright and shining into her bedroom, and she gazed up at it, her eyes red from crying and dried tears still on her face.

"I love you, Anakin Skywalker," she whispered to the moon.


Back on Coruscant, Anakin walked back into the ballroom, miserable. He found Obi-Wan talking to Yoda, Mace, and Aayla Secura.

"Why the long face, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked him, concerned. Aayla shifted uncomfortably.

"I have to go after her," Anakin said firmly, holding up the glass slipper, "I want to know where Padmé is currently living."

The Jedi looked at him blankly.

"Did she tell you her last name?" Mace asked. "It will be impossible to find her if you don't."

Anakin shifted, uncomfortable. "Well, she said her last name was Amidala, but I don't think that's her real name. I'm not sure what her real name even is! That means I'll have to search the entire planet of Naboo."

"You really love her, don't you?" Aayla said quietly.

Anakin nodded desperately. "She's amazing!" he exclaimed, "Beautiful, smart, funny…"

Yoda put his hand to his chin thoughtfully. "Use your feelings you must, Anakin," he told him, "and find this Amidala, you will." He hovered off again, with Aayla in tow.

"Why don't we just tell him that she's the Princess?" Aayla whispered.

"Find her on his own, he must," Yoda explained, "To uncover another plot."

Aayla gave him a confused glance. "Another plot, master?" she echoed. Yoda nodded.

"Yes," he said. "Dealing with the Trade Federation, Queen Naberrie is. Defeat her own her own, Padmé and Anakin must, or else leave Naboo in great debt, the Queen will. Stop her, they will."

Aayla thought that over. "Dealing with the Trade Federation? Why?"

"Unwise and cruel Queen Naberrie is," Yoda continued patiently, "Not care about her people, she does. "Anything she will do, to keep herself rich. Using up Padmé's inheritance, she is. Padmé's battle, this is. Help her, Anakin will."

"But how can he help her if he doesn't know who she is?" Aayla pressed on.

Yoda gave her a stern look. "Reveal itself, the Force does," he chided. "Mediated on this I have. The right thing to do, it is."


Ooh, and the plot thickens!! Looks like the meanie Queenie is stealing from poor Padme!! Ah, well, I'm sure everything will turn out all right in the end. Maybe...

Once again, don't forget to review!!

-Serena Kenobi