A/N: Alrighty. I don't know how fast I'm gonna be able to update this week. I'm volunteering with a group of counselors to help children who have experienced trauma. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology so my career goal is to be a therapist and help people. Real life Padmé Amidala, lmao! Though I'm not as attractive as her, Damn.

But anyway I don't know if I'm gonna have the time to update so quickly. Forgive me.

Thanks to Venator88 and Mo Angel for reviewing. Update time!

Chapter Ten

Healing

Padmé Amidala had a comfortable childhood. She was born into a wealthy family.

She never had to watch her mother being beaten the way Anakin had to.

There was always enough to eat.

She could have anything she asked for. Any toy. If she wanted a pretty new gown she was given it.

She never had to wonder if today was the day she would die.

And Anakin had to worry whether his mother would be beaten to death. He had to worry every time Watto forced him to Pod-Race if he would crash and die from his injuries.

A grown man faced with such circumstances would find it difficult to go on. To be brave.

When he was a slave Anakin was just a little boy. A helpless child. And somehow he survived.

If it was up to Padmé no child would have to suffer the way Anakin did. No living being would have to.

Padmé had an easy life compared to so many others.

And that made her sad. That she had the luck, that she had the opportunities.

Everyone deserved that. And few had it.

She had a calm exterior. One that made her seem strong. Invincible.

But in her heart Padmé Amidala wept.

It was a quiet morning and she sat at her desk. She couldn't cry anymore.

Luke and Leia needed her. And so did the Republic.

The data-pads were scattered about on her desk. She went from one to the next without a trace of emotion on her face.

Her apartment's notification system sounded and she looked up. There were bags under her eyes. Her eyes seemed less bright and her skin had lost its usual warm glow.

She walked to the door and it slid open.

Obi-wan stood on the other side of the threshold.

"What is it?" She asked with slight alarm.

"Is something wrong with Anakin?"

"No." he said softly.

"This is going to sound odd. Especially from someone people consider to be wise."

He hesitated.

"I need your advice. I know you're not in the best shape right now. I'm not either. But I've always considered you my friend. Your help would mean a lot to me."

She smiled weakly.

"Of course. Come in, Obi-wan."

They both walked over to her sofa and sat down.

"This is something I would have asked Anakin…if he were here."

Padmé looked at her hands resting in her lap. Her eyes stung and her throat was tight.

"You know about Siri and I?"

"Yes, Ani…" She stopped at the sound of Anakin's name.

"He told me about you and her."

"I …asked Siri to marry me."

Padmé's eyes widened in surprise.

"You? You want to break the code. Of all people, you."

He smiled faintly.

"It doesn't make much sense. But neither does life, does it?"

"No. nothing ever makes sense. It's slightly infuriating."

"Especially for someone as logical as you." Obi-wan said.

She smiled at him.

"What were you going to ask me?"

"Am I doing the right thing?"

"You're asking me? I don't know if you realized, but I'm younger than you."

"You are wise beyond your years, Padmé."

She was silent and she looked around the room for a moment. Then she looked back at Obi-wan.

"Following your heart is always the best thing to do."

"Even if it is irrational?"

"Serving my people was something my heart told me to do. Sometimes what our heart wants is dangerous for us. Sometimes those things we want don't make sense. But a life lived without following your dreams is an empty one. It took me a long time to realize that. Anakin was my dream. And I've gone through a lot because I chose to be with him. But going back I would always make the same decision. We don't get good things for free. It will be difficult for you. But so much more difficult if you don't listen to what your heart is telling you."

"I just don't know how I'm going to tell the Council. I don't know how Siri is going to tell the Council."

There was a pause. "Over the centuries amendments have been made to the constitution. I don't see why the Jedi Order can't amend their code."

"That is a radical thing you're suggesting."

"If enough members of the order rallied behind it, I think the Council would have no choice."

"But would enough?"

"Who knows? I think perhaps setting up some judicial hearings where you could have members of the Jedi order serve as jurors would help. You could convince them that changing the rule about attachments is not as detrimental as they believe."

"That will not be an easy task."

"Nothing is easy, Obi-wan. You know that. You've fought in many battles and you've seen some…horrible things. I think you'll be able to handle this."

"I know."

"I'll help you. I'll be your representative. You have to be very versed in the legal system as a politician. I spent many years studying law. I'm more than qualified."

He smiled. It wasn't a bright smile. They couldn't smile like that right now. It was faint and half-hearted. But it was still a smile.

He had hope.

"Siri is the best thing that's happened to me. She reminds me a lot of you."

Padmé smiled.

"If you can even believe it, she's the more rational one in our relationship."

"Women are always more rational, Obi-wan."

"Excuse me?" Obi-wan smirked with mock indignation.

"Don't even lie to yourself. You know it's true."

"We'll have to agree to disagree."

There was a silence.

"You look tired, Padmé."

She stopped smiling.

"I am." She said softly.

"Maybe me, you, and Siri could have a little get together."

"A break from your work and everything else."

Padmé looked at Obi-wan with gratitude.

"I would like that very much."

"Tonight. You could have dinner with us."

She smiled and a tear slipped out of the corner of her eye. She hugged him.

"Thank you, Obi-wan."

"Don't thank me."

"I understand now. Why Anakin loves you so much."

Obi-wan laughed.

"For a while I was pretty certain he hated me."

"No. You aggravate each other…like brothers do. But I understand. You are impossibly kind, Obi-wan. I don't think you're told that often. And I don't think you even believe it of yourself. Thank you for being my friend."

"No need for thanking. You're helping me. I'm more than happy to help you."

She grinned. "So, am I invited to the wedding?"

He laughed.

"Of course!"

"Alright. Just checking."

"Well. I must go. The Council has a briefing they want me to attend."

"See you later."

"May the force be with you, Padmé."

"May the force be with you." She replied.

She looked a little less sad.

Obi-wan was glad he could ease her sorrows.

Padmé was a hero. Not in the same way a Knight was. But she had made the Republic a better place. And for once in her life someone could help her.

She helped everybody else enough as it was.