[Disclaimer: None of these characters, planets or other things not created by me are owned by me. George Lucas and LucasArts are the wonderful gods of creation in this instance :P]

[This is the second of four chapters released at once to make up for being away. I have had writer's block for a long time as well as trying to find a new job and getting settled into a new relationship and seeing all the rollercoaster dips, turns and jumps in this, so my life has been anything but smooth :P If anyone has any ideas that you think would be cool to read in this story, let me know and I'll see if I can factor it in. If not, I'll have a look into fitting it into another of my stories or even a whole new story. As always, thanks so much for your feedback. Some days, I live for your words of encouragement and criticism.]

I continued walking the way I was before Master Koon interrupted me. I watched the other Jedi and the way they looked at me. I didn't notice any difference, but I was sure that my marriage wouldn't be a secret from the other Jedi for long. Someone would talk.

"Kenobi...protect the Core from Dooku...I...Perhaps...you were right...about me..."

As I walked, I mused over an old enemy's last words. Asajj Ventress: one of Dooku's acolytes. He had been exceptionally proud of her. Although, when Obi-Wan and I watched her die, she returned to the light. We probably should have listened to her about Dooku then. It doesn't matter now. I killed Dooku. I wish I hadn't, but I remembered that he hurt Obi-Wan and he caused the deaths of all of those Jedi, not to mention that he cut my arm off.

"Anakin!" I heard Obi-Wan's voice. I turned and smiled.

"Hi, Obi-Wan."

He walked over to me and we continued down the hallway. "Anakin, do you know if Padmé is busy today?"

"I think she is. Why?"

He looked back at me. "I need to talk to both of you alone. I can't tell either one of you without the other, I'm afraid. Master Windu has given me a specific order."

I frowned. "Master Windu doesn't usually give orders."

"I know. That's why I'm going to follow it. Could you talk with Padmé and find a time as soon as she can, so I can talk to you two?"

"Of course, Obi-Wan. Could you wait here a second?"

He nodded. I turned and walked away a little. I pulled out my comlink and entered Padmé 's designation.

A few seconds later, she answered.

" Padmé, Obi-Wan needs to talk to us alone. Can you clear something in your schedule? It's very important."

She hesitated. "I-I think so. Annie, can you come over now? And I'll call Obi-Wan soon to tell him that I'm not busy for the rest of the day. But..."

" Padmé, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. But I'm a little scared."

"I'll get there as soon as I can. I love you and don't worry."

"Okay..."

I put my comlink back in its pouch and walked back to Obi-Wan. "I've got to get going. Padmé 's going to let you know when she can talk to us."

"Okay, is everything alright, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.

I nodded. "Yes, I'll talk to you later." I ran off before he could say another word. I skidded to a halt before I ran into a speeder and jumped in.

The entire way to Padmé 's apartment was agony. What's going on?,I hope Padmé 's alright and I can't live without her kept running through my head like it was a broken record.

As soon as the speeder was safely docked to her top floor, I was out of it and looking around for Padmé.

" Padmé?"

"Master Annie, come this way please." Threepio appeared from the shadows and led me inside. He led me into our bedroom and shut the door behind me.

I looked around and couldn't find any sign of Padmé. I heard a whimper and I kneeled. Sitting beside the bed as close to the floor as she could, was Padmé.

I rushed over to her and hugged her. " Padmé, what's wrong?"

"Did you see the blaster marks?"

I looked down at her. She was shaking. I didn't understand: Padmé was such a strong woman. "What blaster marks?"

"Someone fired at me earlier. They hit Artoo by mistake. I was afraid they'd come closer and try again, so I hid here. Threepio came in a few minutes later and told me they'd gone, but I was still scared. Then you contacted me and..."

I held her tighter. "Shhh. Did you see them, or where the shots came from?"

"No. Threepio might have."

I looked at the door. "Threepio!" I yelled.

"Hold me..." Padmé whispered.

I pulled her closer and felt the fear from her and our unborn children. Threepio opened the door.

"Yes, Master Annie?"

I looked at him. "Threepio, did you see who shot at Padmé?"

"No. But I saw that they were flying a speeder not unlike that bounty hunter woman from a few years ago."

I frowned. "Bounty hunter woman?"

"The changeling, sir. The one that attempted to kill Miss Padmé before your wedding, Master Annie."

Zam Wesell...She's dead. I watched her die. I looked back down at Padmé. She looked up at me, fear clouding her beautiful brown eyes.

" Padmé, they're gone now." I looked at Threepio. "How's Artoo?"

"I've tried repairing him myself, but it is beyond my skills, sir. I've contacted Master Kenobi and he stated he would be here soon," Threepio replied through his lifeless face. I nodded.

Padmé squirmed. I looked down at her. "He can't see me like this..."

" Padmé, it's Obi-Wan. He won't care."

She nodded, but still tried to get up. I shook my head with a small smile and let go of her. She stood, straightened her gown and walked over to her wardrobe.

"Threepio, wait near the turbolift for Obi-Wan, please." She glanced over at him.

"Yes, Miss Padmé." He turned and walked out, shutting the door behind him.

I watched her choose an entire new outfit and adorn it. She then moved over to her dresser and redid her hair.

She looked over at me as she was reapplying her lipstick. "You seem completely fascinated by me, Anakin."

"It's...well, you're sitting down here, scared as a little mouse. But when you hear that someone other than me is coming, you jump up, change your entire outfit, redo your hair and reapply your makeup."

She shook her head. "I can't just jump out of bed and into a tunic like you can. I'm a Senator, anyway. I need to keep up my reputation."

"You keep doing that and men will try and flirt with you." I stood and walked over to the door. I opened it slightly to check if anyone had arrived yet.

I heard her stand to straighten her dress. "You mean, they'll continue."

I stopped. I looked over at her. " Padmé..." I walked over to her and turned her around. "Who's been fl"-

"Annie, it's nothing. Thus far they've thought I was single and available. As soon as the Council makes its decision, I'll be able to introduce myself as Mrs Skywalker and they'll stop." She replied. She smiled as she stated her legal name.

I sighed. "Just-just don't say things like that. I'm insecure as it is, with the Council asking us questions and keeping me in suspense with their decision."

"Don't worry, I won't. And Annie, in case you didn't know, I love you and only you." She reached up and stroked my cheek.

I smiled and pulled her up into an embrace. I felt her feet rest against my shins and heard someone clear their throat at the door. I reluctantly put her down and looked over.