Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, keep them coming!

They both entered the sitting room at the same time, she from her room, he from the fountain room. He took her in, appreciating her simple yet beautiful dress. The color was very flattering on her, and her hair flowed freely down her shoulders. Just as he liked it.

"Hello, Anakin," she said warmly. He nodded, a mischievous smile on his face.

"Hello, Senator," he mocked in a serious voice, making her shake her head. "You look lovely," he complimented. Padmé smiled softly.

"Thank you. Why don't you sit down? I'll get you something to drink," she offered.

"Thank you." He walked around the couch and sat down. He scoffed softly when he realized it was the same couch Padmé had sat on when he first saw her again after ten years. He remembered how nervous he had been that day and how much he had to repress his feelings for her on the days to come.

He looked up when he saw Padmé entering the room carrying two drinks. She sat next to him and offered him one, her legs crossing. She couldn't help but notice his hungry gaze staring at her calve.

"Thank you, milady. You're a wonderful host," he said cheekily.

"Why do I always feel like you're making fun of me?" she asked. She wasn't annoyed, though. It didn't bother her at all. If anything, it was refreshing.

"I'm just being silly to make you laugh," he shrugged. Padmé smiled and raised her drink to her lips.

"You're good at that." Before she could have a sip however he held her wrist.

"Let's make a toast first," he suggested.

"Alright. Here's to…" she raised her glass, searching for something to say.

"A night off," he finished. She smiled again.

"A night off." They clinked glasses and drank, looking at each other. Anakin swallowed hard, feeling the hard liquor burning down his throat.

"That's strong."

"It's not that strong; don't be such a crybaby," she teased, feeling more relaxed. She downed the whole glass in one gulp and set it down on the table almost as a challenge. Anakin looked wide-eyed at her. "See?"

"Are you trying to get us drunk?" he chuckled, taking another sip. It wasn't that bad, actually. And the aftertaste was delicious.

"I figured a Jedi could hold his liquor," she reasoned. Anakin smiled and finished the rest of the drink, putting the glass next to Padmé's. "Would you like another one?"

"Sure," he said huskily, trying not to look at her lips. Padmé suppressed a smile.

"I think I better bring the bottle," she smiled, taking off again to bring the alcohol.

Anakin took a deep breath and wiped his palms on his thighs, trying to relax. In seconds Padmé came back with a purple bottle that almost matched her dressed. He wondered if it was accidental or previously planned. Women were weird like that, he thought. She refilled their glasses and brought hers to her lips.

"So how've you been?" she asked.

"You know. War is war," he replied simply, having a sip of his drink. "How's the senate?"

"It's been a little crazy lately. We can't agree on anything," she lamented.

"Maybe you should leave things to the chancellor," he suggested.

"What do you mean?" she asked confused, leaning on the backrest.

"All the debating in the senate takes time; time that could be used in making things better. The chancellor is a wise man; I'm sure he could handle everything by himself," Anakin said calmly. Padmé regarded him with a skeptical look and had another drink.

"I don't know, Anakin. That sounds like a dictatorship to me," she said carefully, not wanting to start any fires.

"No, it doesn't. When you were queen you were in control of everything, weren't you?" he asked.

"Yes, but I had advisors," she countered.

"Well, so does the chancellor in the senate. But you can't have thousands of advisors, it simply doesn't work," he insisted.

"Naboo is a small world. It's easier to have one leader. The Galactic Senate has to take care of every world that compromises it. That's why each planet has a representative; so everybody's needs are known. We're all in this war together. The chancellor shouldn't act on his will alone without first consulting everyone involved," she pressed.

"I disagree," he shrugged, "but that's okay."

Padmé was astounded. He couldn't possibly feel that way, could he? Still, she was glad that he had ended the conversation there. This was supposed to be a relaxing evening. It was a while before either of them spoke. Her because she was still processing his political leanings and trying to figure out what to make of them, him because he was enjoying his third glass of alcohol.

"This is so weird," he said suddenly.

"What do you mean?"

"A few days ago I was sleeping in a tent with four other Jedi – none of them big fans of personal hygiene, I'm sorry to add – " he paused when she laughed, "and now I'm having a drink with a senator in Coruscant's most exclusive building," he explained.

"I hope you find this better," she said.

"I don't know, I'm still trying to decide," he replied in jest, bringing out another smile from her.

"Anything I can do to get your vote?" she teased back.

Before she could react, he held her face and kissed her. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the fact that he was so close to her again, but at the time it felt like the logical thing to do. He was surprised when she immediately responded, her mouth opening under his and welcoming his seeking tongue. "Are you sure you wanna –?"

"Absolutely," she said breathlessly.

Anakin twisted his body so he was facing her, his hands moving down to her breasts. Padmé broke the kiss at the intimate touch and his mouth latched to her throat, burning her skin with open-mouthed kisses while his hands hastily pulled the delicate straps of her dress down her shoulders, letting the garment pool around her waist. He pulled her to his lap and his lips quickly wrapped around one of her exposed nipples.

"Oh, yes…" Padmé sighed, trapping his head against her breast. Anakin's hands pushed at her dress, hunching it around her hips. He almost came in his pants when he felt nothing but skin underneath the skirt. He met Padmé's eyes and she smiled naughtily. "Surprise…"

"You're gonna kill me," he managed to say, so out of his mind with lust he couldn't unbuckle his utility belt. She eagerly assisted him until together they finally removed the constricting accessory, their lips fused together in a passionate kiss. She reached into his pants, pumping his engorged shaft.

"Gods, Padmé!" he gasped, barely hanging on. She moved off his lap and knelt in front of him, her actions confusing him for a moment. "Oh, FORCE!" he screamed when her mouth closed around the head of his shaft. Her hand continued to stroke him up and down while her glorious mouth suckled him. He watched in awe as her head bobbed back and forth on his lap, her groans vibrating around his length. All the blood from his body traveled to his member and he panicked for a second, his hips moving away from her. Nothing could have prepared him for this. "I can't wait any longer!"

Padmé released him and pulled him over her as she collapsed back on the couch. "Me neither," she said breathlessly. He settled into the cradle of her hips and positioned himself at her wet entrance, not even bothering to remove the rest of his clothes. Eyes on each other, he pushed into her.

"Anakin…" she whispered, her heart skipping a beat. Her hands slid down his back to his muscular behind and she dug her nails into it, pushing her hips up to meet his thrusts. "I want all of you."

Anakin sank deeper into her and smiled when her head snapped back in pleasure. He felt so big, as if she hadn't felt him inside her in months. He leaned on his hands and moved faster, his powerful thrusts turning her pants into helpless whimpers. Padmé raised her legs higher around his waist, changing the angle of penetration and causing them both to groan in pleasure. What a picture they must have made, both still partially dressed and mating like a pair of wild animals on the couch, making the springs bounce with their efforts.

Neither of them cared.

Anakin moved off her and knelt by the couch, his hands rearranging her so she was bending over in front of him. He pushed into her again and her head ducked in delight, her hands gripping the backrest. Anakin closed his eyes to savor the new sensations of taking her in this position. It was a first for him but his body knew exactly what to do. He followed his instincts and held her hips firmly, letting her cries guide his rhythm. Looking down he saw himself disappearing into her flesh over and over again, the visual forever burned into his mind.

"Yes, Anakin… Yes!" she encouraged, pushing her hips back to meet his thrusts. The erotic sound of their bodies slapping together urged him to move faster, harder. "Ung, it's so good…" she moaned, loving the fact that he was being so dominant. She'd never been this wet before, and the tightness this position gave them made his cock twitch inside of her.

"Force… I wish I could… live inside you," he grunted. His fingers reached between them and circled her engorged nub, her eyes closing at the double sensation. He slid in and out of her with such ease; their bodies fit together so perfectly she had to wonder if they had been made for each other.

Her muscles closed around his thick shaft and she gasped. "Anakin… I'm going to…" she warned, her body trembling in anticipation. He leaned over her, her behind pressing into his stomach. The pace became slower, gentler, his breath warming the side of her face. He made sure to accentuate each thrust by rubbing against her, making her whimper.

She teetered on the edge for another moment, completely surrounded by him. It was everything she had dreamed about for weeks. She was almost there when all it took was him biting her neck to throw her over the edge. She thrashed against him and he straightened again to grip her hips, prolonging her climax by pumping frantically into her, chasing his own sweet ending.

"Anakin, yes, yes!" she repeated over and over, her back arching and her knuckles turning white from gripping the backrest so tightly. Her body erupted into another orgasm, light shining behind her eyelids as spasms took over her body.

"Padmé!" Anakin roared, emptying himself inside of her. He pulled her hips against his and shook against her, anchoring his body to hers. His eyes shut tightly and his jaw clenched right before he let out a final grunt, collapsing on Padmé's back.

His head rested on top of hers, his face half-buried in her hair. They panted, both completely spent. Anakin's hand covered hers and his thumb rubbed her knuckles back and forth. Padmé smiled inwardly at the gesture, which seemed so sweet and innocent after such a wild coupling, and cradled his head, pulling him down for a kiss.

"Did you take some kind of seminar while you were away?" she whispered against his lips. Anakin laughed low in his throat, sending shivers down her spine.

"You could say that," he replied, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I had some… interesting dreams." Padmé giggled and he lied back on the floor, his arms wide open as he caught his breath. She stared at him, an amused expression on her face. He looked like a mess.

"You know, you were right…" he said between gasps.

"I was?" she asked, having no idea of what he was talking about.

"Obi Wan is probably doing what we're doing," he chuckled. Padmé laughed.

"I told you. It's unnatural to go through life without having some fun," she replied, turning to straddle him. She leaned down to kiss him and opened his tunic. "Take this off," she urged. He obliged and then assisted her in removing her gown. Sitting up, they held each other and she sighed when she felt his skin against hers. The scent of their intense lovemaking was imprinted on his skin, and she had to fight the impulse to run her tongue along his shoulder to taste him. Instead she settled with leaning her cheek on it.

"Hmm…" he hummed. He closed his eyes when she started drawing tiny circles on his back, her soft touch lulling him into a dazed state. "Padmé…" he whispered.

She pulled back enough to kiss him, their lips perfectly molding together. His tongue traced her lower lip and she welcomed it into her mouth, massaging it with hers, still able to taste the alcohol. Her hands came up to cradle his head, her fingers sifting through the soft strands of his hair, making him groan.

She opened her eyes and broke the kiss, their lips still touching. There it was. The loving look that he had tried to hide since he came into her office that afternoon. He didn't need to say it. He wasn't going to, either. He knew she could see it. In a way he was telling her that even though she didn't return his feelings he still wanted to be with her in any way he could. If all she wanted was his friendship and sometimes a little something else, it was fine. War was too hard for either of them not to have someone to call a friend, someone to embrace, someone to take them away from it all if only for just a moment.

"Are you hungry?" she finally asked. Anakin smiled and nodded. She moved off of him and stood on wobbly legs. Anakin watched as she reached for his cloak and slid her slender arms into the almost comically oversized sleeves. He'd never seen anything sexier in his life. "I'll bring dinner to my room. Then you can show me what else you learned at that 'seminar'," she said with a sly smile.

Anakin watched her walk away and exhaled heavily. Before he could stop himself, he laughed in disbelief. Life was pretty good right now.