Coruscant, Landing Pad reserved for the Queen of Naboo, 32 BBY

Palpatine looked towards the sky, anxiously awaiting the woman that was, in theory at least, his superior. He shouldn't have been here just as she should have been back on Naboo, signing the document that would legalize their homeworld's surrender to the Trade Federation. And to think I helped her get that fancy throne, he thought. He had campaigned for her, convinced her parent's to allow her to run, made her feel secure about her chances of winning. He believed that all of his bases had been covered but… But it is what it is. As much as he had fussed about this turn of events in private, the truth was that he enjoyed these little challenges, the spanners in the works. They usually allowed for interesting possibilities to blossom. He took a brief look to his left, where Anakin straightened his tunic. The boy's willingness to adopt his style of clothing was rather amusing. It suited their assumed identities as well, those of the adoptive father and son. The boy saved from the Outer Rim's clutches and brought to the light of civilization and so on, as the Holonet had portrayed him for a few months after they were first seen together.

His apprentice wasn't supposed to be here as well. Just as Palpatine had to work within the system of the Republic in order for his plans to succeed, so did Anakin. At great cost, Palpatine had enrolled him at the Tarsus Valorum Prepatory School, the perfect place to be educated as well as make connections to the Republic's future elite. The Paradox of the Apprentice. Trained to replace the Master but also immensely useful to him. When the time was right, Anakin would contribute to the Grand Plan in a major way, in a way that Palpatine couldn't.

It wasn't the time though and it wouldn't be for a good while.

The arrival of the Royal Yacht of Naboo, gently gliding through the air just as Chancellor Valorum was approaching him, flanked by his Senate Guard, brought him back to the issues of the present. The Chancellor looked tired, as he usually did during the last year. The issues with the Trade Federation and the slow rise of Separatism were taking their toll on his "friend".

"Good morning, my friend", said Finis Valorum as he leaned close for a half embrace before shifting his attention to his apprentice. "Anakin, shouldn't you be at school? You'll have plenty of time to rub shoulders with Senators and Royals when you reach our age. I can assure you of that." The Chancellor gently tussled Anakin's hair affectionately. He liked the boy ever since Palpatine introduced them. Hold him close, my friend, Finis had told him once. Children tend to keep us honest and, most importantly sane. Perhaps he has a point but not with this child. Just like I was in his age, this child is different.

Anakin smiled at Finis' touch. "I haven't met a Queen before, Uncle Finis. I was curious." Palpatine beamed with pride at Anakin's answer, genuine pride this time as opposed to the one that came with the trained ease of a master manipulator. Calling the Chancellor Uncle had been Anakin's idea, meant to lull Valorum into an even deeper sense of security and Palpatine wholeheartedly approved of it.

"Thank you for coming to greet my Queen, Finis. It is important to show your support against such illegal and barbarous actions", the Palpatine said after the Chancellor had turned his attention back to him, his voice laced with the right amount of concern. Valorum simply nodded, too tired to exert any more energy than it was necessary. Don't you worry Finis, you will soon rest. I'll take on your burdens soon enough.

The Royal Yacht's occupants began streaming out of the craft. The first people to come down the ramp were the reason that his plans were kept at bay. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, followed by his apprentice, strode with the misplaced air of superiority common to the Jedi. It was a walk made comical by the fact that they couldn't see their real enemy, just a breath away. When your enemy makes a mistake, never make haste to correct them. Behind them came the Queen, flanked by her handmaidens and the few remaining bodyguards that managed to escape with her.

Or should I say that the handmaiden is flanked by her Queen?, he thought. They might have deceived the majority of onlookers and even some Force practitioners with their little ploy but Palpatine had been in Padme Naberrie's presence before. He could tell who she was easily but afforded the imposter ever courtesy that a Senator afforded to his Queen. He introduced her to the Chancellor and quickly filled her in on the situation. The Senate would convene to hear her reports from their embattled homeworld. It was all very official. All very stiff, all very proper, all very predictable. The only thing that rubbed him off the wrong way was the look on the Jedi Master's face. Qui-Gon Jinn was known to be far more perceptive than the average Jedi. Could he perhaps feel Anakin? No, it is impossible. The Jedi had been blind to their machinations for a millennia. Even their connection with the Force was seriously impaired, the result of ceremonies and Dark Rites perform ever since the days of Darth Bane as well as the placement of their Temple over a Nexus of the Dark Side. He decided to act naturally, continuing to explain to the "Queen" on some matter of parliamentary procedure or another as they made their way to the awaiting speeder.

Senator Palpatine's apartment, 500 Republica Arcology

Anakin Skywalker caught himself gawking. He knew that such behavior was impolite. He knew and didn't care.

Anakin Skywalker had a feeling that this day would be a good one ever since his Master had told him that he wouldn't attend school that day. He hated the overbearing formality of the prepatory school and the lessons weren't as satisfying as whatever his Master decided that they had to do together. It was either more training or an especially interesting excursion on the Lower Levels of the planet. The Republic's rot was in full display down there, with a few gambling dens housing more Senators than the usual attendance on the Senate Floor. This time though their excursion was supposed to be strictly clean and proper. Anakin hadn't met any Queens before and especially the one from his Master's world. He had enough insight into his machinations to understand that he wasn't happy that she made it here. Naboo had to be brought low if their plans were to progress. Still, it was a great opportunity to socialize him and advance his agenda. His Master didn't miss those. Anakin too was curious to meet this girl, five years his elder, that had managed to vex Sidious so much.

And so, here he was, transfixed by the sight of one of her servants. Yet they are so similar… If it wasn't for that delightful mole on her cheek and all that white makeup that the Queen is wearing they would be practically the same. She reminded him of how he imagined the Angels of Iego, the most beautiful beings in the Galaxy according to the spacers back on Tatooine, looked like. Anakin wasn't sure what words to use to describe her accurately but his tutors had taught him a few that might fit. Delicate, ethereal, irresistible.

When she excused herself, leaving the living room of his Master's apartment, heading to the guest rooms set aside for them, Anakin made up an excuse himself. He would follow her. She walked through the hallways of the luxurious home, stopping to marvel at piece of art here, smell a freshly cut rose from the Senate Gardens there, exploring an area that was new to her but so familiar to him. That familiarity allowed him to follow her silently as if he was a scientist, studying a beautiful animal in the wild. She must have a gentle soul, he surmised quickly, judging by what items caught her eye. A gentle soul for a beautiful angel.

At that moment, she turned around, catching Anakin off guard. He threw himself to the wall and ducked hoping to hide behind a medium sized stand that carried a vase, yet he was sloppy. The vase on the ornate piece of furniture begun tumbling precariously. How did this happen, I am better than this!, he thought angrily. Stealth and subterfuge were supposed to be easier for him, with his small stature but no…

"You shouldn't let that fall down", the Angel spoke. "It's priceless." Anakin acquiesced, leaving his hiding place and steadied the vase quickly. He didn't turn to face her immediately, embarrassed at being caught. He could feel his cheeks redden which only served to heighten his embarrassment. An uncomfortable silence fell between them, only broken by her light footsteps coming closer to him and then her hand was on his shoulder. "Relax, I've played hide and seek before, Master Anakin"

"How did you know my name?", Anakin blurted out as he turned to face her. She was so close now that he could smell the perfume she wore, similar to one of the fragrances that Danil preferred and under that, there was something else, something very faint but instantly recognizable. Mos Espa… How in the… Is this one of my Master's tricks?

The Angel chuckled, a wide smile forming on her beautiful face. Great, she thinks I am fool now. "Your father introduced you to us on the landing platform. Don't you remember?", she asked him, the question being no doubt rhetorical. Definitely a fool. Think damn it, think.

"I… wasn't paying attention…"

"Oh, so we are beneath your attention?", she retorted, that wonderful, damned smile never leaving her face.

"No! I simply was… Oh stop it!", he suddenly shouted back. You insolent girl. I am the son of a Senator, the inheritor of a thousand years of Sith legacy. WHO ARE YOU?, he thought, his embarrassment quickly subsiding as anger was beginning to take its place. The Angel seemed determined to prove herself a villain. If she pushed it, she would find out that there were false villains and true villains in the Universe. He knew which one he was and she would know it too.

"Ok, ok… I am sorry", she said, her hands flying up as if she was surrendering to him. "Let's try this again." The Angel extended her hand to him. "I am Sabe." Her smile beamed once again. Anakin found it easier to reign himself in when he looked at it. Alright, Angel. Just this once. Anakin took her hand in his own and shaked it twice just like he had been taught at his etiquette classes.

"And I am Anakin Skywalker. Delighted to make your acquaintance."

Author's notes: -And so, they meet for the first time, both of them under false pretenses. I wasn't sure if I could handle Anakin and Padme's first meeting well. For a moment, I wasn't sure if I should have them meet in general. But their story is central to the mythos of Star Wars. I couldn't pass it up and it opens a few interesting story opportunities. Without the hurdle of being a Jedi, the trajectory of their relationship will be quite different.

-I delegated the "Are you an Angel?" line into a thought. I couldn't omit it entirely of course, it would have made him unrecognizable but this Anakin is taught how to be crafty but he is still essentially a child with a crush not Casanova

-After his latest display, Palpatine is slowly, yet still unconciously coming to the realization that Anakin will become uncontrollable far quicker than he expected. I like this balancing act between self interest and long term gains that every Sith of Bane's line has to deal with and it will play a big role as the story moves forward. There is a reason that Palpatine didn't reveal who Padme was besides not being alone with his Apprentice...

-Till we meet again