Chapter: Hot and Heavy
Author's note: For those of you who read the previous version of Chapter 26, it has been completely re-written along with Chapter 25. I did receive tremendous backlash (on theforce dot net) and seems some of FF readers have the same opinion... Which is fine, it shows that readers are paying attention to the story. Because of the backlash, I decided not to do the twist (even though I loved it) because it doesn't completely gel with the earlier chapters and plotholes galore have abound as mentioned by some of the readers. I may pursue this angle as a different alternate story. At any rate, your reviews do matter, so feel free to share your opinions, whether critical or praise. The new version of this chapter is below.
As always, Thanks for reading. -CG aka HKY
The celebration saw citizens of Coruscant lined along the streets, a major fireworks display, and music. Street vendors had even dragged their sales carts onto the sidewalks after dark.
Senators and Jedi milled about, laughing merrily amid talk of current events. Luke and Leia whispered to one another in the corridor of the Jedi Temple, and Han Solo leaned against his ship with Chewbacca, nursing a glass of rum.
Padme saw Obi Wan and Dorme, and was surprised to see his hand resting casually against the curve of her back. He turned and looked at her, having sensed her eyes upon them, meeting her curiosity with a smile.
Padme's personal space was soon under assault by a man who introduced himself as Tar Squeen, last seen near the Jedi temple having followed Anakin into the subway with a proposition to convince the courts to execute Luke.
Embarrassed, the man smiled. "Ah, Senator Amidala. I am so happy to see you. SO many of us are. We were under the impression that you were dead. Such tragic news. There was a universal day of mourning implemented by the emperor, y'know. But we are so glad you're alive. Though, some may be unhappy about the withdrawal of a universal holiday. It is likely workers will no longer have the day off."
"Perhaps," said Padme with a smile, "The emperor may consider an alternative holiday to celebrate my return. Not that I should think myself so important. But it would help to even things out."
"Ah! Still the diplomat!" Tar exclaimed. "It is truly a pleasure to have you in our midst again. I'm sure the emperor is very happy about your return."
Padme only smiled. She looked across the garden and found Anakin among the crowd… staring at her.
"Tis' strange," Padme said. "I'm sorry, but I don't quite remember you."
"Well, I've been a member of the senate for several decades now. We were members of the same board. The League of 10,000. But I should not be offended though, time does diminish the memory sometimes, though not often in a woman so young."
If only, Padme thought… the man could lasso his tongue and zip his mouth closed. His commentary was inappropriate and tiring.
"I'm sorry. The past few years have been quite stressful."
"Indeed, indeed," said Tar, nodding his head. "I've recently become aware that you have a son and daughter. And that your son was put in prison by the emperor."
"Yes, a misunderstanding," Padme said, turning around.
"Oh, if only I had known! I would not have embarrassed myself. Will you be staying at the Temple as an honorary guest? Or staying in the senatorial complex?"
"I'm not sure. The emperor and I haven't discussed that yet."
"OH, I'm sure you'll be quite fine in your old apartment. The emperor kept it exactly as you left it. A very sentimental man, for someone with so strong an iron fist. We've enjoyed many years of peace as a result of the emperor's directives. He is very good at what he does, but not much the diplomat. You shall probably balance him quite nicely in that regard."
"It was very nice to meet you again, Senator Squeen. But I must excuse myself, I am very tired. It has been a long day, and I've had a very long trip."
"Oh. That is odd. I heard the pirate who escorted you here used light speed. Such a fine feature isn't it, for a ship? I should like to travel often by such a means."
"Oh very good, Senator. I must go now," Padme replied.
She then turned and quickly escaped, and hurried toward some of the cruisers parked outside of the temple. After looking around, and feeling a bit confused about the newer models, she recognized an older vehicle. One she was sure she knew how to drive. She wasn't lying when she told Tar Squeen how tired she was. If Anakin had left her old apartment as it was, then it was unlikely that her security code had changed. The code they used was the numerical date of their secret wedding.
The ship started with some trouble at first, and chugged and gasped as it lifted toward the sky. And she was off. Happy to have a night's rest. She would call the children, who had already been placed at the temple when she got there.
The cruiser landed on top of the senatorial apartments and Padme took a freight elevator two floors below her own, and took the stairs up. She had not been in the apartment since the children were born. Before they were born. She typed the security code into the door and walked inside. To her surprise, it had not been changed, just as Tar had said.
She shrugged out of the sheer blue cloak and walked across the living room. The apartment seemed so much smaller now. But it was hers. It was j ust as she remembered, only the furniture had been covered in white sheets which had been coated with dust.
She yanked a sheet off of the sofa and gasped with delight at seeing her old furniture. Then walked around, removing the sheets from the tables and lamps.
When she was done she opened the refrigerator and found nothing inside.
Nothing to eat, but it was fine. She'd eaten enough at the party.
She thought about Master Windu and Master Yoda. She was worried about them.
But would Anakin free them? Or were they considered a threat? Two dwindling old men?
Deep in thought, she traveled absent-mindedly to the patio which overlooked the city. She could see the party from clear across town, from where she stood. The lights, the smoke, and even hear the music.
She hugged her arms to herself and sighed. This is only the beginning, she thought. 'My life is mine to keep…'
After a few moments of solitude, and trying to adjust to the changes, she gave up. It was just too strange. The apartment, how tiny it looked to her now. The children… The Republic… all of her old friends and padawans gone. The apartment left her feeling hollow as she reminisced the past.
'Things change,' she told herself. But despite everything that happened, her love for Anakin and Obi Wan remained the same.
She wandered to the bedroom and looked around. Her vanity had not been covered, and was coated with dirt. She wiped a smudge of dust from the mirror and stared at her reflection. The gentle lines in her face, her hair, which was much longer than it used to be. She stared for so long, and stood so still, that she shrieked at the sudden movement behind her and the reflection that appeared.
Anakin had come into the apartment so quietly that she didn't hear the door or open and close. She spun around, gazing at him with an alarmed look in her eyes.
"How did you know I was here?"
"Where else would you go?" he answered.
She shrunk as he walked toward her then drifted away from to the side of the bed.
"I'm tired, Anakin. I don't want to fight with you. And I don't want to talk about my time on Dagobah."
"I didn't come here to talk about that," he said, unclipping his light saber from his belt. He sat it on the nightstand.
"Then what do you want?" she asked.
He walked slowly across the room, each step deliberate, melodic, and teasing, one foot crossing over the other. His smoldering countenance reducing her to a clumsy fool. She knocked a vase over from a nearby shelf onto the floor. Anakin stopped then stood directly before her and held her gaze as he reached over her shoulder and unzipped the back of her dress.
Padme exhaled, and wondered how she might catch her next breath.
"I have a surprise for you."
Taken off guard, she instantly smiled. "What is it?" Padme asked.
"I'll show you in the morning," he whispered.
She chewed her bottom lip then released it as he drew close to her face and licked her lips with his tongue. She tried not to breathe so hard, but her heart was beating through her flesh.
"Anakin?" she protested. But her voice was weak, even to her own ears. He swooped low and lifted her high, her dress rising above her thighs. He laid her on the bed.
His hands were hot on her skin.
He ripped his shirt open and the buttons flew hither and thither. She ran her fingers through his long wavy dirty blonde strands as his lips coursed up and down her thigh ,and hands rose to her breasts. Her legs shook with anticipation.
He unbuckled his pants. His body was hard against her. Hard and muscular.
She let out a moan of rapture. And didn't miss her dress as it was flung across the room, landing across the top of the vanity and its mirror.