The Review Guest - Unfortunately, things are getting ready to pick up for everyone again. The Sith have a few plans up their sleeves that you did see in the prequels and a few you won't see coming. (*** cue evil laugh***)

Radical Dreamer 57 - It is good with the visions that Yoda has them exercise caution and that they have Qui-Gon there to balance with living in the moment.

Chapter 56

It was a warm summer night at Varykino in Naboo's beautiful Lake Country. Moonlight sparkled off the expanse of dark waters while fireflies flitted around the edges for all to see. Everyone was enjoying themselves celebrating the birthday of the planet's newly minted senator and former queen. While meant to be a small informal reception of friends and family, various planetary officials had dropped by uninvited as so often happened in politics, and the party had grown.

A lone figure stood on one of the retreat's balconies, looking down at the festivities below. The main object of his interest was the woman being honored, Senator Amidala, or Padme Naberrie to those who knew her well. Long locks of chocolate hair were pinned loosely behind her head, a casual departure from the more severe styles she wore her hair as a member of the senate. Her free-flowing gown seemed to fall from her neck in a cascade of softly colored fabric. Her observer couldn't quite decide the color of the fabric, it seemed to change with the light. It even changed when she smiled. She turned away from him. He took a deep breath, swallowing hard. Until then, he hadn't noticed that there was very little back to the dress. He briefly wondered if it was scandalous for a senator to show so much skin. Then again, she didn't seem to be uncomfortable at all. She was radiant and beautiful. He let out a sigh. Everyone was oblivious to his torment, or at least he thought so.

"She is a beautiful woman."

"Garen?!" Anakin whirled around, startled both by the knight's sudden appearance and by being caught watching Padme. "You know ... I was just going to find Obi-Wan."

Anakin turned to flee, only to run straight into Obi-Wan's aide and friend, Byram. Not sure what to do, he returned to gazing out across the small crowd, content to do anything but look either of them in the eye.

"I wouldn't bother Obi-Wan right now," Byram said. "Siri has waited all night to dance and finally got him out on the dance floor."

Anakin let out a sigh. It wouldn't be good to get Siri on his bad side. There went his excuse. He tried to avoid looking at Padme again, well aware that the pair of Jedi was watching him.

"He's got it bad, Garen," Byram commented.

"Yes, he does indeed."

"Got what bad?" Anakin scoffed.

"You're in love," Garen said, leaning against the railing.

"Shhh," Anakin said, looking around. "Don't say something like that out loud. If my master were to find out I've even thought … uh … well … you know the rules." Anakin shrugged. "Focus first on your training, Young One. Time enough there will be for love later," he added in a perfect mimic of Master Yoda.

Anakin was shocked when both men began to laugh, his discomfort only increasing. "What is so funny?"

"Mine and Auren's wedding took place two weeks after her knighting," Byram whispered in a conspiratorial tone. "You don't think I had time to start and forge a deep relationship in two weeks, do you?"

"You dated while you were a padawan?" Anakin asked in disbelief.

"We were 'good friends'," Byram said, raising both eyebrows to emphasize his meaning.

"I see, good friends," Anakin mumbled as he turned toward Garen. "Did you have any 'good friends' while still a padawan, Garen?"

"Me? Umh … no … no one special."

"Just a reputation …"

"Byram!" Garen protested.

"He has commitment issues," Byram continued.

"I do not. I just haven't found the right woman yet," Garen said defensively.

"Of course."

Anakin had barely heard them, his focus back on Padme again. Busy with training and Yoda's insistence that he maintain focus, he hadn't seen her in three years, since he was fifteen. They had corresponded, but it wasn't the same as seeing each other face-to-face. "I'm still just an awkward teenager to her," Anakin lamented. "I can't expect her to wait around until I'm knighted. Who knows when that will be?"

"If you're the right man, she will wait," Byram said softly.

"Look at her." Padme was dancing with a handsome young man and seemed to be engaged in friendly chatting. "She looks like she's enjoying … well, whoever's company there."

"I think she told Obi-Wan that the person in question was an egotistical bore," Byram commented. "She's being polite."

"Go ask her to dance," Garen urged. "It's a party, you're a friend – no one will think anything of it."

"I can't cut in on …"

"He needs help, Byram," Garen said, planting a hand on the Jedi padawan's shoulder.

"Help?" Anakin asked, half afraid of what help the pair would have to offer. He had heard horror stories from Obi-Wan of what trouble the two friends together were capable of causing.

"Sometimes those who are meant to be together just need a little nudge in the right direction," Byram clarified, placing his hand on Anakin's other shoulder.

"Oh, Obi-Wan was clueless about women," Garen said.

"Wasn't even going to take her out to formally propose." Byram leaned a little closer. "Do you think you could cut in on me?"

"This is crazy," Anakin said, shrugging away from both knights. "I mean, what do I say?"

"Just wish her a happy birthday. You haven't seen her in a while. Master Yoda can't fault you for dancing with a friend at her celebration," Byram urged.

"I mean, he allowed you to come," Garen added. "I am assuming he didn't expect you to stay in the balcony all night."

"I am going to go cut in on the senator's dance partner," Byram said, lightly slapping Anakin on the shoulder. "Please make sure to rescue me in a few moments. I really don't care for dancing."

Before Anakin could protest any further, Byram and Garen were gone. He was left looking out over the dancing guests again. He caught sight of Obi-Wan laughing as he dipped Siri back, obviously showing off. The Jedi senator pulled his wife back up next to him, and the couple shared a kiss. Anakin wanted that sort of happiness with Padme more than he could admit. Garen was right. There was no harm in letting her know he was out there, and possibly, interested. A smile crossed his face as he returned his attention to Padme now dancing with Byram, a bright smile across her face. She did look considerably happier now that the egotistical bore was out of the way.

Anakin made his way down the spiral staircase, slipping past other guests. When Padme and Byram came into view, he took one final deep breath before approaching. He reached out and tapped Byram on the shoulder.

"Byram, I haven't had a chance to wish Padme a happy birthday. I was wondering if I might cut in for a little while, that is, if Padme doesn't object," he added hesitantly.

"Anakin?" Padme asked as though finally recognizing him.

He felt heat seep into his cheeks. She had noticed him and seemed genuinely happy to see him. "Would you like to dance?" he asked.

She nodded as Byram slipped away. Anakin wasn't sure where his fellow Jedi went, but he was glad to be as alone with Padme as he could amidst the other guests. As he went to take her in his arms, he fidgeted, suddenly wondering where to put his hand when faced with a backless dress. He settled it on the small of her back, finding with relief that the pale fabric came up high enough to keep him from meeting bare skin.

"You've grown up," Padme observed.

"So have you," he replied quickly, squeezing his eyes shut as a confused expression twisted her face. "Grown more beautiful, that is," he quickly added, trying to dig his way out of an awkward moment.

She smiled. He saw the hint of a blush staining her cheeks and decided he didn't want the moment to end. They danced, Anakin oblivious to other guests, the other Jedi in attendance, even the music playing. They seemed to be dancing to their own music, and he was more certain than ever before that he was meant to love her forever.

Anakin sat back on his heels, staring down the landing ramp of Padme's ship. The vantage point made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, the Force whispering a continuing warning to him. He closed his eyes, quickly falling in tune with the Force as only the Chosen One could and meditated on exactly what it was trying to tell him. Master Yoda had never successfully answered his inquiries on why the Force had to be so blasted obscure about things.

"I am considering not sending her on this ship and using a decoy instead."

Anakin smiled, opening his eyes to see Captain Typho, Padme's head of security, looking up at him from the bottom of the landing ramp. "Sometimes, Typho, I swear you are Force-sensitive. I was just coming to talk to you."

"About?"

"The elders want to offer Jedi assistance in Senator Amidala's security. Senator Kenobi is in agreement."

"I will be glad for the assistance, especially if the Jedi think the senator is in danger as well." The dark-skinned man offered a curt nod, giving Anakin a hint of a smile. "Seeing as this is a Jedi matter, I will allow you to be the one to tell the senator."

"Thanks a lot." Anakin grimaced as he left the hangar. Padme did not like feeling obstructed in any way in her routine. She certainly wouldn't welcome additional security. Hopefully, the choice of escort would soften her protests just a bit.

Sunlight warmed the balcony of the room Padme often stayed in at the Theed palace. Cheerful flowers climbed along the railings, each bloom of bright color clamoring for attention. Padme sat drinking a warm cup of tea, still dressed in a white gown, covered in a heavy blue velvet robe. She was reading a datapad, going over the upcoming vote in the senate in her mind.

"Come in," she called at a knock on the door.

A smile graced her face as a tall, handsome young man stepped onto the balcony. Anakin. Her life had been changed by one dance that swept her off her feet, where friendship had been forged into something new, something she hadn't even realized she wanted, and something she unfortunately still had to wait for. They were 'good friends' and could be nothing more than that, at least until Anakin's padawan training was completed.

He quickly pulled a bouquet of delicate violet blooms from behind his back, offering the lop-sided grin that always made her heart beat three times faster. Handing the flowers to her, he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.

"They're beautiful, Anakin." She paused worriedly. "They aren't from the palace gardens, are they?"

"Padme," he said with mock hurt. "You know I wouldn't do something like that … again. Besides, my mother is here, and I wouldn't mortify her by creating a situation where someone questioned my upbringing."

Padme inhaled the sweet fragrance of the blooms as she looked for a vase, her face soon twisting into a frown. "Why do I get the feeling your master plans to interfere in my affairs again?"

"That's not the only time I bring you flowers," Anakin protested, a little too quickly.

"Ah, but he does want to interfere," she teased, making sure her untamed mane of curls fell right into his face.

"It was my suggestion, Padme," Anakin admitted, ignoring the attempt at flirtation. His concerned tone caught her off guard. "Obi-Wan and I both had horrible visions last night. Unfortunately, the Force is mysterious as usual. We are not sure who is really in danger."

Padme slumped back down in her chair. "I understand. I just don't want someone interfering too much."

Anakin knelt down in front of her, taking her hand in his. "I promise, my presence will be as invisible as you want it to be, Milady," he said before pressing a kiss to her hand.

"Your presence?"

"My master has assigned me to escort you to Coruscant."

"Your master assigned you? I thought Coruscant – anywhere in the Core Worlds, for that matter – was off limits."

"I am getting older, Padme." Anakin slipped up into the chair across from her, still keeping his hold on her hand. "Master Yoda is very protective of me, but he knows as well as I do that I will never be tested as long as I stay on Dantooine. At some point, I have to see if I can make any sense of this crazy destiny the Force has for me."

Unease settled into the pit of Padme's stomach. He had always been honest with her. Destiny for Anakin meant someday facing a Sith master, someone more powerful than the Sith that had nearly killed Qui-Gon Jinn. She had to admit that a part of her didn't want Anakin to come to Coruscant. She wanted him to stay on Dantooine under Master Yoda's watchful eye where he wouldn't be facing such a dangerous destiny.

"You said that you weren't sure who was truly in danger," she said softly, concern flooding deep brown eyes. "Be careful, Anakin."

"Don't worry, Angel." He reached up and stroked a hand down her cheek, brushing his thumb across her lips. "I am supposed to stay with Qui-Gon once I get to Coruscant. I won't be alone."