A/N: I apologise for the last chapter being so dark. Thank you for all the support though. If you haven't guessed... I love writing angst. And Anakin is possibly my favourite character to write out of the dozens of characters I adore in the dozen of fandoms I worship. He's just so... complicated and I love him. Writing him through Padme's eyes gives it a sweet touch I think.

And yes, I know nothing about the law or the ins and outs of university politics and being excepted and what not (especially in America because I'm an Aussie gal), but I suppose that's why this is called fiction, because it's not true to life. Not exactly, anyway.

I don't think Padme would turn away from Anakin after he revealed all those horrible things to her. In SW, when he told her he had slaughtered an entire population, include women and children, she forgave him and stood by him and supported him. She's just that sort of person. She always wants to see the good in people.

This chapter is full of phone conversations, because Padme needs to talk to people and those people don't live near her. So, I'm sorry about that, but it's integral to the story. And who doesn't love Sola, am I right? Thank you to all my faithful readers and reviewers. Please stick with this story. I know it's slow, but it's building up to something great, I assure you. Baby steps, my lovelies. Baby steps.

Enjoy xx


Padme couldn't stop thinking about Anakin. They had left each other rather abruptly, and she hadn't heard from him since. It worried her. Was he alright? Was she alright? What was going to happen now? Never had Padme felt so conflicted in her entire life. The knowledge of Anakin's dark past was more than she could cope with. It haunted her dreams; horrifying images of Anakin taking out his rage on an unconscious individual; darkness shrouding him. It was this dangerous side of him that had Padme troubled. She knew he was emotional; she had known that all along. But this was different. There was a darkness inside him, a darkness he had clearly tried to suppress without luck, and she was concerned that it would slowly consume him. Padme couldn't let that happen. He was a good person. She needed to heal him. It was her duty.

No matter how much she wanted to see Anakin, she couldn't build up the courage. It ached. She needed someone to talk to. Someone wiser. She needed her older sister.

Resolved to tackle this emotional whirlwind than Anakin had stirred inside her, she decided to ring her sister. Sola picked up the phone after three rings, muttering a distracted greeting before shouting at Ryoo to stop hitting her sister. Padme waited patiently.

"Sorry. Kids, y'know," Sola groaned on the other line.

Padme laughed. "Uh, no, not really." She could practically see Sola rolling her eyes.

"What did you call for, Padme?"

"What?" Padme asked, innocently. "I can't just call my beloved older sister because I miss her?"

Sola snorted. "Well, some could, but you don't. You want something, dear sister. Spit it out."

She knew her too well, Padme smiled. She had never been able to hide anything from her sister, face to face or even over the phone. Swallowing, she struggled to figure out how she would address her current situation. Just as she was mulling over the words, fresh on the tip of her tongue, Sola interrupted her thoughts.

"It's about that Anakin Skywalker, isn't it?" Padme blinked, shocked. How had she known? When she confessed as much, Sola simply replied, "You're predictable. So, what is it? You're not pregnant or anything are you?"

"What? No! That – that's ridiculous! We've never - " She felt her cheeks redden and she suddenly grew very hot. Not that she'd ever admit it to anyone, least of all Sola, she had fantasised at least once about Anakin in… well, that way. She felt guilty and dirty about it, but she was a woman after all and she had desires that needed fulfilling.

"Good. That's good. I think dad would murder him, and probably you too, if you were. So, what's the problem, then?"

With a reluctant sigh, she told Sola everything; from Anakin's revelation to her confused feelings. Sola listened patiently, never interrupting, absorbing the information with careful deliberation. Once she was finished, Sola whistled. "Well, shit."

Smiling at her reaction, Padme nodded her head. "Yeah."

"Do you want my honest opinion?"

"I wouldn't have called you if I wanted lies."

"I think you need to let it go. That boy… he's got a lot of emotional baggage, and, honestly Padme, I don't think you can handle that right now."

Padme scowled, suddenly defensive. "What do you mean I can't handle it?"

"Don't get shitty," Sola consoled her, remaining firm. "You told me yourself, you still aren't fully healed from that bastard Clovis. The last thing you need is to get involved with someone so... complex. It'll only break you."

She was right. Of course she was. Sola had always been so wise and thoughtful. It was why Padme had turned to her. She needed advice. Rush had hurt her badly, and Anakin was so, damaged… she couldn't handle that. Not until she was completely healed.

"Are you saying I shouldn't be friends with him?" She didn't know if she could do that. She was emotionally invested now; he had opened up to her and she was now a part of it. She had promised Anakin that she wasn't going anywhere. And Padme Naberrie was a woman of her word.

"I'm saying that you need to be careful," Sola reasoned. "You have a habit of reaching out to damaged people. I understand that Anakin is a challenge for you, a charity case of sorts, and you want to help him, but you need to be careful. Your heart's in the right place, but there are something things even you can't fix."

Padme pondered her words. Charity case? Is that what she thought of Anakin? Is that why she wanted to help him? Because she pitied him? Sure, it wasn't the main reason, but she did pity him. Quite a lot.

"Thank you, Sola," she sighed, grateful for her counsel.

"That's what I'm here for. Take care, sister."

While her conversation with her sister had eased some of her worries, she was still terribly conflicted. Needing to clear her mind, she changed into some light-weight running shorts and a tank, slipping her feet into her sneakers. It was a grave situation indeed, if Padme was exercising, for she never went jogging. Ever. She tied her hair back from her face and went outside. The air was sticky and humid, but it was fairly quiet in the neighbourhood, something she was grateful for.

The burning in her legs after a few minutes made her laugh at how unfit she was. It had only been a kilometre, and her breathing had become extremely laboured, but she pressed on. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her upper lip, dripping down her neck as she continued to run. She needed to think.

Perhaps, if she was able to help Anakin, find a way to assist him in going to university, her confused feelings would go away? But how could she help him? He had a criminal record, after all, and that didn't exactly put him in a good light, not even with his exceptional talent. Surely, though, people with criminal records could study? Anakin had only been sixteen; he wasn't even an adult. They had to make exceptions right? Padme sighed; Sola was right. She had a habit of seeing the best in everyone, but that was a unique quality. Many people would judge Anakin – many people probably already had, which was why he kept it tightly bound up inside him, letting the guilt and shame eat away at him.

But how could she help him? Yes, she went to Harvard, but she knew not the first thing about mechanical engineering. She wouldn't know where to start. If only she knew someone who understood the politics of college life.

Dad.

Her father. Of course, that was the simplest answer. Her father was a Harvard professor; he was sure to have contacts at other colleges. Perhaps, if she contacted him, she could ask for some advice. About Anakin. Yes, she grinned, proud of herself for finding a reasonable solution. Maybe I should go running more often.

"Padme?"

She turned to see Ahsoka running towards her, a young friend by her side. "Ahsoka, it's nice to see you again," she smiled at the young girl.

"I didn't know you were an athlete," she quipped with an easy smirk, eying her up and down.

Padme laughed. "Oh, believe me, I'm far from it. I just needed to clear my head, I suppose." It was then she noticed the slightly guilty look on Ahsoka's face. "What are you doing?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

The girl and her friend, a young Muslim girl, exchanged mischievous glances. "Uh, nothing," Ahsoka replied quickly, though her eyes continually flashed to the left. Padme followed her stolen glances to see them directed at a young boy, who was reading on a park bench. She grinned.

"Does nothing involve spying on a boy?"

Ahsoka blushed. "We weren't spying, were we Barriss?" she nudged her friend, who failed miserably to play along.

"Definitely not spying. The opposite of spying, actually."

Padme shook her head at them, unable to keep the smile on her face. "So, who is he? You'd better make sure Anakin doesn't find out. I don't think he'd take it very well that you have a boyfriend."

Blanching, blue eyes rounder than normal, Ahsoka shook her head. "Lux is not my boyfriend!" she protested aggressively. "And if you tell him - " she scowled at Padme, who laughed at her reaction.

"Alright, alright, he's not your boyfriend. I won't say anything to Ani, I promise."

Relieved, Ahsoka relaxed her defensive posture, clearly not comfortable talking about love interests with Padme. "Are you going to see Ani?" she asked, a devils smirk on her face as she used her nickname for him.

"No, I'm not," she smiled down at her.

"Oh," Ahsoka grumbled, looking disappointed. She was certainly a difficult girl to understand. There was something in her tone that concerned her a little though.

"Why, is he alright?"

"Yeah, he's fine," she assured her. "I just thought, seeing as you spend so much time with him…" Barriss giggled beside her.

Padme rolled her eyes. She supposed she would just have to get used to this teasing from Ahsoka if she was going to remain friends with Anakin. She's like his little sister.

She wished the two young teenagers well on their spying escapades and then continued to run home, feeling lighter than when she started. Running therapy seems to work. Once she was home, she stripped out of her sweaty clothes and showered, letting the hot water soothe her sore muscles. She wrapped her wet hair up in a towel, draped her silk robe around her slender waist, and rang her father.

"Padme, how are you?" he asked when he answered, his familiar, deep voice bringing her comfort. Even if he and her mother were no longer married, and he had very high expectations of his daughters, she still loved him, and missed him. He was a man of principle, and stood by his values, even if they were different to Padme's, which was something she admired. And he had always encouraged her to strive for success, especially at Harvard.

"Dad, it's good to talk to you again. I've been keeping well."

"How's your mother?" The question was polite, but Padme felt awkward all the same. The forced communication between her parents was something she hated to take part in; being that messenger back and forth for most of her childhood had been quite painful.

"She's fine," she replied shortly. "Dad, I need your help."

"What is it Padme?" he asked, growing concerned at the change in her voice. "Are you in trouble?"

She shook her head, which was pointless because he couldn't see her anyway, but it was simply a reaction. "No. It's not about me. It's…" she paused. Her father was a very proper, conservative man. He wouldn't like what she was about to tell him at all. "See, I have this friend, and he desperately wants to go to university. But, well, he had a bit of trouble when he was young and he's got a criminal record."

She could hear her father breathing heavily on the other line as he listened to her, remaining silent for a time. "Is this a friend of yours Padme?" he asked sharply, "or a boyfriend?"

"A friend, dad," she assured him immediately.

"Good. I don't want you getting 'involved' with someone like that, Padme. I forbid it." She grit her teeth. Her father had very high standards for his daughters, in all facets of life. He preferred men with generous aspirations, and bank accounts, who could take care of his little girls. When Sola had run off to Sweden and married Darred, it had enraged her father immensely, even though Darred himself, was an engineer. He had enthusiastically approved of Rush Clovis, bragging about him to his friends, insinuating that his future son-in-law was going to be an esteemed lawyer. Of course, that enthusiasm had turned quickly to outrage when he found out about his discretions, but Padme knew that a man like Rush was what her father wanted her to marry. Successful. Rich. A gentleman.

"I'm twenty-four dad," she reminded him firmly. "Hardly young enough to be 'forbidden' to do anything."

"We are not having this argument now," he warned her. "What exactly did you want my help for?"

She sighed. "Is there a way to get accepted into a university even with a criminal record? My friend, he's… he's got a brilliant mind. His work is incredible and he's so talented, I don't want to see him lose everything because he made a bad choice when he was sixteen."

"Padme you never change," he said sadly. "Always trying to help. I suppose this friend of yours in another one of your charity cases?"

She frowned. There was that word again: charity case. "Can you help me, or not?"

It seemed like an eternity before he responded, "I'll see what I can do."

That was all she could hope for.