Disclaimer: Disney owns Star Wars, not me. All the characters and places (except for my OC Analise Joy) belong to them.

"aaaa"-talking out loud."aaaa"-talking through a holo or com. 'aaaaa'-inner thoughts. aaaaa-talking through a Bond

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Chapter Thirty-Five

Padme lifted her face to the sun letting its warmth and light bath her skin. It was a sharp contrast to the cool, gentle mist being created as the aqua-speeder flew across the calm lake.

As a Naboo Padme loved being on or near water. Their villages and towns may be built on the plains, but there was always a source of water nearby.

She let out a soft sigh that was lost in the wind rushing by. As nice as it was being back on Naboo, Padme still thought of it as running away. It simply was not in her nature to hide from her problems...Even if that problem was someone trying to kill her.

'No...I'm not hiding...I'm a forced vacation.' Yes. That's what it was. She wasn't hiding. She was on a forced vacation. There would be no meetings, no Senate hearings. No fake smiles or fake words. No headdresses pressing into her skull and giving her headaches. No dresses and robes made of heavy fabric and tight to the point where she had trouble breathing.

Padme loved her job. Loved being a Senator and finding ways to help others...But the rules, the fakers, the tricks...At times it was just too much and she wanted to throw it all away. Throw it all away and find a way back to Naboo for good.

At least she wasn't alone. Honey-brown eyes warmed by the sun peeked out of their corner to the male figure seated next to her. Strong, tall, and proud. Every inch a warrior.

His eyes stared ahead, not moving right or left. His mind was focused on reaching out with the Force, scanning for any threats to his charges. Both meant more than the galaxy to him. His sister and the woman he loved.

Padme sighed again, silently so as not to alert him. Anakin was so close, so near. She could reach out a hand to touch his arm, entwine her fingers with his...Rest her head on his shoulder. It would be all too easy to give in.

She shook her head and shifted her gaze to her second companion. Analise sat ahead of them, the wind blowing loose strands of her hair from her face. Padme frowned as she took a second look at the younger woman. When they had arrived Analise had seemed to brighten and appeared stronger. Now though the fragile Padawan was looking pale, the only color on her face a red created by the wind blowing against it.

"Anakin..." The young man stirred from his contemplation and turned to the Senator.

"Yes Padme?"

"Look at Analise...she reminds of a flower that was blooming in bright sunlight that is now fading as the seasons change." Anakin turned and saw his twin. She had been happy when they had reached Naboo. A happiness that had only grown when they had been able to talk to Obi-Wan, Da, and Ahsoka. Now though she was quiet, fading indeed like the flower that Padme called her. Frowning he reached out through their Bond.

Ana?

Yes Ani?

Are you alright? You're worrying Padme and I...

I'm just so tired... Anakin's frown grew and he sank deeper into their Bond. She was tired. Exhaustion mental, physical, and emotional leaked from her. He hadn't sensed it till then because she was keeping her blocks up.

You're too far from Obi-Wan and still weak from healing. I'll share some energy with you later alright?

You don't need to...

Don't fight it or I'll tell Da and Che! Anakin withdrew from the link and turned to Padme. "Analise is weak because she is healing and Obi-Wan is too far away."

"Their Bond?"

"Yes. When one of them is injured it is best for them to stay together as they naturally share energy now between them in order to heal. I'll meditate with Analise later and share some of my energy. It will have to do until she is back with Obi-Wan."

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There was nothing like it.

Oh Coruscant had many fine views of the bustling city from many different vantage points. Theed offered peaceful views of a quiet city built from ancient stone with water for roads.

But for Padme all those views paled with the view she best remembers. That of the lake from the veranda of her family's estate. Her summers spent there were always so happy.

"You know even as a child I would fight when we first came here for the summer. I didn't want to leave my lessons." She and Anakin strolled to the stone railing running along the edge of the veranda. Analise had gone inside to rest and let Qui-Gon know they arrived. "Once I was here though it was all different. We rose early, stayed up late. We would swim out to that island." Padme pointed to a distant speck of land. "It was a race. Once there we would lay out on the sand to dry out and rest before swimming back though normally our parents would send a speeder for us."

"I don't like sand." The statement didn't shock Padme. After all she understood him. "It's rough and gets everywhere. It hurts when it scratches you...Here though the sand is different. Like everything here its soft...smooth..."

He couldn't help it. She was there...She was real. He slowly drew his knuckles up her bare back, savoring the soft smoothness of her flawless skin. Padme arched a little, just a little into his touch. It felt good and sent sparks racing through her body. She turned her head to his, surprised to see him so close.

Faces flushed. Eyes brightened with hope, darkened with desire. Faces drew closer to each other as though magnets that had found their match. Breathing quickened, deepened. Mouths parted. Lips met.

It was perfect. Souls and hearts sang as the two fell into a passionate kiss. A kiss they had been denying themselves. It was so right...so amazing.

Padme thought she was drowning in Anakin. His taste, his scent. It drove her nearly crazy.

A fresh thought broke through. A scolding voice. Padme gasped and broke free from the kiss though every inch of her screamed at her to give in...To keep going. "No...we can't..." Her heart broke at Anakin's face. It was heartbroken, filled with longing. The same longing she knew that was running through her. Still he made no move to kiss her, to touch her again.

"Anakin? Senator?" Analise stepped out on the veranda, hugging herself. Anakin stepped up to her frowning.

"What is it? Did you get through to Da?"

"Yes...Obi-Wan isn't at the Temple anymore." Padme joined Anakin, standing on Analise's other side.

"Where did he go?"

"Da said he went to someplace called Kamino..."