Once the ship had entered hyperspace, Anakin flicked on the autopilot and rushed into the back to see Padmé.
She lay on a small cot, breathing evenly, steadily. Anakin approached timidly, not wanting to disturb her sleep but needing to get close to her. He lowered himself to his knees beside her cot, watching her breathe, and placed a single hand on her cheek.
At his touch, Padmé's eyes fluttered open. It took her a minute to register what she was seeing, but slowly a smile spread across her face as she saw Anakin smiling back at her. "Hey Ani," she said weakly.
"Hey Padmé," he replied softly. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. The antidote is working but I still feel a bit light-headed," she said.
"Get your rest then," Anakin said, stroking her cheek with his thumb. "We'll be in hyperspace for about an hour so that's plenty of time before we get back to Coruscant."
Padmé sighed. "Coruscant," she said, "the ugliest planet there is."
"Hey, what's got you saying that?" Anakin asked, both surprised and genuinely curious.
"I already feel sick, and going back to that urban hellscape just makes me feel sicker," Padmé said. "No trees, no flowers, no lakes, skies filled with speeders, the never-ending noise…"
"Well…" Anakin racked his brain for something to say. "Do you want to go somewhere else? Naboo, maybe?"
Padmé shook her head. "No. I need to be back on Coruscant. This information is essential and we can't risk having it fall into the wrong hands. Plus the primaries for a lot of the Core World Senators are coming up and I need to be there to help oversee it. And the Banking Clan will be holding a hearing within the next week and Senator Organa needs my help drafting a bill and…"
"Padmé," Anakin said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Just relax. I don't want your condition to worsen."
"It's not. The antidote is working. I just…" Padmé trailed off and sighed. She closed her eyes and breathed deep, savoring the feeling of Anakin's hand on her. He touched her cheek again, stroking her skin with his thumb, coaxing a smile out of her.
"Padmé, wherever you want to go, I'm fine with it. The Council isn't expecting me back for several more rotations, and I know that the senate won't take issue with your short absence either," Anakin told her. Before Padmé could protest, Anakin added, "For just a day or two. You've been allotted that time anyway. So long as you're fine with it, I am too."
Padmé put her hand over Anakin's.
"I would like to go back to Naboo…" she admitted.
"I'll tell Artoo to reroute," Anakin said, standing up and walking back up to the helm.
Padmé rolled onto her side, still feeling her heart race from the poison. She put a hand to her chest and breathed deeply, slowly, trying to calm herself down. She pushed Naboo to the forefront of her thoughts, imagining the lush green landscape dotted with large lakes and criss-crossed with winding rivers, blue skies above her and fresh, clean air. Nothing but the sound of waves on the shore and wind blowing through the giant, fruit-filled trees.
Yes, she had to go to Naboo.
"We're on our way," Anakin said, kneeling in front of her cot again.
"Thank you, Ani," Padmé said.
"It'll take us a bit longer, unfortunately. I hope you're comfortable," he said.
"I am," she reassured him.
"Is there anything I can do?" Anakin asked.
"Just stay with me," Padmé said, reaching out and clasping his hand.
Anakin smiled. "Of course," he said and pressed a kiss to her lips.
xoxo
"Padmé…"
Padmé stirred, unaware that she had fallen asleep. Anakin stood over her, his hand on her shoulder again.
"We're here," he said.
Padmé sat up and her head spun. Anakin put his arms around her, steadying her. "Come on, I'll carry you," he said and picked her up, bridal style. She nestled her head into his shoulder. When he stepped off the ship, Padmé was met with the welcoming warmth of the sun. Opening her eyes, she saw the clear blue skies and lush green mountains that she'd dreamed about on the ship.
"This what you wanted?" Anakin softly asked.
Padmé could only nod.
Artoo followed them off the ship and into the house, where Anakin laid her down on the couch. "If you need anything-" Anakin began.
"Just your company," Padmé said. "And...maybe some food. I'm quite hungry."
"Food, coming right up!" Anakin said, turning on his heel and marching towards the kitchen with Artoo right behind him. A protocol droid sat on a bench in a corner, its power turned off and its mechanical head slumped forward. He briefly wondered if he should turn it on but decided against it. It was just gonna be him and Padmé this time.
And Artoo.
He came back with a small plate of food and found Padmé asleep yet again. He sighed and put the plate down on the table, kneeling in front of her.
"Artoo, is she still okay?" he asked.
Artoo beeped in response.
"Do you think we still need the medic droid?" Anakin asked. "It said she was recovering."
Artoo beeped.
"Yeah, I guess I'd be tired too," Anakin said. "I just…" he sighed, "I hope she's alright. I don't know what I'd do without her. I can't even imagine…"
Artoo beeped, trying to comfort Anakin. Anakin smiled briefly before turning back to Padmé, a frown crossing his face.
"Please be okay," he whispered. "Please."
If Rush Clovis ended up killing her, Anakin just knew he'd return the favor. He clenched his jaw, hoping that whatever predicament Clovis was in right now was a painful one. He hoped he was being tortured, humiliated, imprisoned. He wanted Clovis's skin raw with electrocution and-
"Ani," Padmé said, pulling him back to reality. "Do you have any food?"
"Yes, right here," Anakin said cheerfully.
Padmé took a bite of the fruit, struggling to get it down. "You're doing it again," she said between mouthfuls.
"Doing what?"
"Grinding your teeth," Padmé said. "It's not healthy."
"Forget about me. You're the one who I'm worried about," Anakin said.
"I just need a nap and I'll be fine," Padmé said.
"You said that five naps ago," Anakin shot back.
"I did not!" Padmé protested. "Besides, it's not like we can do anything else. I've taken the antidote and there isn't any more of it. All that's left to do is wait."
"Nothing else we can do…" Anakin mumbled, turning her words over in his head. He clenched his jaw even harder, hating just how true they were. There was nothing more he could do to save her; he could only wait and hope that she healed. He hated feeling so powerless.
"May I have another?" Padmé asked.
Anakin offered her the whole plate.
xoxo
Padmé slunk lower into the warm waters of the bath, sliding down Anakin's chest as she did so. The invigorating scent of the bath oils was beginning to clear her head, and the three moons visible just outside her window gave her a sense of peace she hadn't had in a long time. Probably not since the war began.
Anakin's hands stroked up and down her body and he pressed little kisses around her neck and hair. She moaned in contentment.
"I love it when you make that sound," Anakin whispered. His thumb flicked at her nipple until it hardened, and then he let his hand roam back down to her stomach.
She merely smiled in response, craning her head to look up into his eyes. The passion in them was unmistakable, but she sensed something else. A sense of foreboding in them that spoke of something deeper and darker. She didn't want to search them though, so she closed her eyes and parted her lips instead, inviting Anakin to kiss her. He did, softly at first and then deepening the kiss, his hands pushing her against him and his tongue in her mouth. Padmé moaned as he did so.
"You are so beautiful," Anakin whispered. "Not even the moons of Alderaan could rival you."
Padmé blushed and said, "I don't think Alderaan has any moons."
"Oh, well...right…" Anakin said. "Not even the moons of...Naboo...could rival your beauty."
Padmé chuckled and pressed more kisses to his lips. Any awkwardness he might have felt instantly melted away as he pulled his wife into his embrace, wrapping his arms around her and making her moan.
She felt him hardening up against her leg and she broke their kiss. "Anakin, I don't think I can tonight…"
"Just ignore it," Anakin said with a blush. "It'll go down eventually. It's fine."
"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Padmé asked with an arch of her brow.
Anakin smirked and kissed her again. "I could get drunk off of you," he said.
"Uh huh," Padmé said. "I think I've figured it out."
"Figured what out?" Anakin asked.
"Where you get your flirting techniques. From poems and Old Republic romances. Am I right?" Padmé asked.
"Well...you're not exactly wrong per se," Anakin replied. "Is it that obvious?"
"You do have a tendency to be far more...lyrical...when you're with me," Padmé said. "Not that I'm complaining. I actually kinda like when you soliloquy like that."
"You'll have to teach me what that means later," Anakin said.
Padmé laughed. The first laugh he'd heard from her in so long. He beamed, loving the look of pure happiness and peace on his wife's face. He couldn't help but kiss her again.
They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped in each other's arms as the moons slowly sank down towards the horizon. Finally, with the water starting to turn cold, Padmé said, "It's late. We should turn in for the night."
When he tried to carry her to bed, she said, "No. I can walk now. See? I'm getting better by the minute."
Anakin smiled again and said, "So you are."
xoxo
When Anakin awoke the next morning, Padmé was already up and about, preparing their ship for takeoff. She had changed into one of her more comfortable dresses and left her hair down, not being bothered to do much else. Artoo was with her, helping her to prep.
Anakin ran downstairs in nothing but his breeches and undertunic and said, "Padmé! What are you doing up? You shouldn't be moving around like this in your condition."
"My condition is stable. Just ask Artoo," Padmé replied. Artoo beeped in confirmation. "We need to leave. I should have never gotten us off course. We need to deliver this information to the Republic as soon as possible, otherwise this whole mission was all for naught."
Artoo rolled up right next to Anakin and beeped in agreement. Anakin couldn't argue against the both of them.
"You're right," he said. "We need to get this information to Coruscant as quickly as possible. But I don't want you exerting yourself anymore," he said, pointing to Padmé. "I'll be back down in a minute. Just let me get cleaned up and dressed. Don't push yourself."
Padmé didn't argue; though she felt almost back to normal, there was still a cold feeling inside her blood that was hard to shake. As she loaded the last bits of Nabooian food onto her ship, Anakin rushed back down, back in his normal attire with his hair and face freshly washed and brushed, and they took off.
When they entered hyperspace, Anakin spun his chair aside to face her. A moment of silence passed between them before he said, "I wish we'd had more time. You still don't look like yourself yet."
"It's not a big deal, Ani," Padmé said. "I'm well enough to travel and we need to get this to Coruscant. Besides, Coruscant has some of the best medic droids in the Core Worlds. If I need any more help, they'll give it to me."
"But Naboo is your home," Anakin said.
"Coruscant is my home now, too," Padmé said. "Whether I like it or not. I'm safe and comfortable there and it's where I can best help my people."
"I beg to differ," Anakin retorted.
"What do you mean by that?" Padmé shot back, spinning her chair from the window to directly face him.
"On Coruscant, you've had four assassination attempts already. I hardly consider that safe," Anakin said.
"Oh, that," Padmé said, calming back down. "Look, I survived them, and this job comes with risks. I know the risks, and I've accepted them. You can't keep me locked in a cage just to protect me."
"That's not what I'm asking for," Anakin said. "I just wish you'd be more careful."
"Careful. Right. Like how you're always careful in battle, making sure that you never try anything too risky or potentially suicidal?" Padmé said.
Anakin looked down at the ground and put his head down, not wanting to admit that she was right.
"Ani," Padmé said, leaning forward and putting a hand on his face, guiding him to look at her. "It all worked out. Let's not spend our last couple of hours alone arguing. Who knows how long before we have another chance like this?"
"You're right," Anakin said, forcing himself to smile. He sat up straight and unclasped his hands, taking a deep breath while he did so. "So, what do you want to do before we arrive at Coruscant?"
"I can think of something," Padmé said, standing up and walking over to him.
Her body was just an inch away from his. He looked up at her as she stood over him, taking his hands in hers and putting them on her hips. Anakin stoked up and down her thighs and hips before he realized…
"You're not wearing underwear, are you?" he asked.
"No," Padmé said.
Anakin dropped his gaze from her eyes down to her hips. He gripped her harder, feeling the smooth transition from her hips to her knees and back up again without any seam or crease from underwear. He swallowed and glanced back up at her eyes. Her eyes narrowed as a sly smile spread across her lips.
Anakin made to stand up, but Padmé put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back down into his seat. He didn't resist.
Padmé climbed onto the seat with him, straddling him with her knees, sitting down onto his lap and encircling her hands behind his head. Anakin wrapped his arms around her. Padmé captured his lips in a kiss, her hands curling into fists, her nails scratching at his scalp and tangling in his hair. Anakin moaned, clutching her dress in his fists, pushing her body up against his.
Padmé slipped her tongue into his mouth and made him moan, his hips shifting up against the seat as he did so. She slowly ground herself back and forth on his lap, feeling him get hard between her legs.
Artoo beeped out, suddenly reminding them that they weren't completely alone.
"Artoo!" Anakin shouted. "What-uh-what are you doing up here?"
Artoo beeped in response.
"Can't this wait until later?" Anakin asked, gritting his teeth.
Artoo beeped and shook its domed head and Anakin groaned. Padmé got up off him as he went to go take the transmission The Council was beaming him. Padmé stayed up front, turning back to look at the blue vortex of hyperspace as she waited for Anakin to get back.
"Anakin," Obi Wan said when he stepped into view. "Where are you?"
"We're in hyperspace on our way to Coruscant now, Master," Anakin replied.
"Do you have what you were looking for?" Obi Wan asked.
"Yes. Senator Amidala was successfully able to secure evidence that Clovis was conspiring with the Separatists in the construction of a new droid factory. Artoo has the disk with him and we'll deliver it to The Senate as soon as we arrive," Anakin said.
"I hope it wasn't too much trouble?" Obi Wan asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Not at all. The plan went off without a hitch," Anakin said.
"Really?" Obi Wan said.
"Well, there was one hitch. Senator Amidala was poisoned and we had to have a medic droid take care of her, but that's about it," Anakin said. "She's still trying to recover now."
"Is that why you haven't been answering our transmissions?" Obi Wan asked. "I called you last night twice and you never answered."
"Sorry, Master," Anakin said. "Padmé needed me and…" He cringed when he realized his mistake.
He shouldn't have said that!
He should NOT have said that!
Obi Wan stroked his beard and said, "I understand. Just get back here in one piece. And please, make sure there are no more hitches."
"Yes Master," Anakin said and switched off the transmission. "Any more interruptions I should be aware of?" Anakin asked Artoo.
Artoo beeped and shook its head.
"Good. Now if you don't mind, I'll be up front with Padmé. Try not to interrupt," he said, walking back up front, the doors sliding shut between him and the droid. It was just him and his wife now.
"Should we be expecting any more distractions?" Padmé asked him.
"Only if we're attacked by a giant space worm," Anakin joked.
"Don't jinx it," Padmé said.
Anakin sat down in the chair next to her and Padmé immediately got up.
"What-?" Anakin tried to ask, but he stopped short when Padmé grabbed his shoulders and pushed him back down into the pilot's chair. She straddled him again, grinding against him as she pressed hot and heavy kisses to his lips, jaw, temples, neck; everywhere she could get ahold of she raked with her hands and caressed with her tongue.
Anakin could only close his eyes and moan at the sensation, his hands wrapping around her waist and his hips shifting up against the seat as she had her way with him. "Padme…" he groaned.
Slowly, Anakin's hands crept underneath the hem of her dress, sliding up her thighs with her dress traveling with them. The cool air of the spaceship met Padmé's skin and she bucked hard up against him in response. He groaned again, the pleasure building inside of him.
He pulled his gloves and sparse armor off, letting them clamor to the floor. When he touched her thighs again, the warmth of her skin sent him wild and he captured the side of her neck in a kiss. He pulled away before he could leave a hickey and as he did, Padmé undid the belt around her waist. It clamored to the floor along with his armor.
Anakin's breath caught in his throat. He rubbed small circles on the sides of her hips, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched her pull the loose red dress over her head and discard it on the floor. There were only her shoes and shift left to lose.
"Get undressed, Ani," Padmé told him.
He nodded and stood up, forcing her to her feet as well. She kicked off her shoes before stilling Anakin's hands, pulling his tabard and tunic off for him. He pulled her in for another kiss as they stood there, Padmé pushing his pants down as they made out. Once they got past his hips, they slid down easily and Anakin stepped out of them, standing completely naked before her.
Padmé took his penis in her hand, stroking him slowly as they kissed.
"You too," he said suddenly, dropping down and pulling her shift up off of her, his hands on the hem.
She didn't resist and raised her arms for him. He tossed it away to some unknown corner; she didn't know nor care right then and there. She only cared about the fact that they were now both naked, alone, and aroused.
The metal floor wasn't inviting, though, and the pilot chairs weren't much better. Anakin sensed her thoughts and smirked at her. Without a word, he picked her up in his arms and she wrapped her legs around him to steady them. He held her just above his erection, his hands on her ass, her hands looped around his neck. He kissed her greedily, lewdly.
"Guide me in," Anakin said, lowering her down a bit. His cock was trapped in between their bodies, rubbing against the two of them as he shifted her a bit, up and down, savoring the feeling.
Securing one arm around Anakin, she reached down in between them, positioning his penis between her legs perfectly as he slid her down onto him. They both moaned as he did so, pure pleasure racing through their bodies as he thrust up into her.
'Yes…" Padmé breathed as Anakin began to thrust into her.
He held her tightly as he rode her, Padme's grip tightening along with his. She rocked her body up and down against him, desperately chasing climax. She groaned, wanting him so badly that she was nearly biting down on his shoulder to keep herself from crying out his name as he pounded into her.
"Don't hold back," he groaned into her ear. "No one's here to hear us. Be as loud as you want."
"Ani!" Padmé said, giving into the temptation. Her voice probably echoed, but she was too far gone to hear it. All she could hear was their ragged breath, their moans and groans, their names falling from each others' lips like mantras, the smack of skin on skin. She loved how raw and frantic and lewd it was; it felt like she was finally with her husband, rather than with her Jedi friend.
Anakin stopped thrusting and lowered himself down to his knees, still holding onto Padmé as he did so. He laid her down on her discarded red dress. It was still warm from her body and soft enough to protect from the unforgiving floor. On his knees in front of her, he grabbed her hips, pulled her close, and began thrusting into her again. Padmé's hands went to grip his wrists as he did, unable to help herself. She needed something to grab onto as tremors of pleasure went through her.
Anakin lowered himself onto his elbows above her, kissing her and slowing his pace.
"Don't stop," Padmé told him. "I'm nowhere near close yet."
"I'm not stopping," Anakin said. "Just taking a moment to admire the beauty in front of me."
At Padmé's sheepish smile, he gave a hard thrust into her, making her gasp and cry out. He thrust hard again and again, making her cry out each time. He loved the look that crossed her face; one of helplessness and ecstasy.
Eventually he found his rhythm again and her face relaxed. She gazed at him through half-lidded eyes, her lashes barely concealing the passion evident in them.
Anakin groaned. "I'm close," he told her. "I'm so close…"
"I need more time," Padmé said desperately.
Anakin froze and put his forehead in the crook of her neck, fighting off the urge to ride her to completion right then and there. He took deep, steadying breaths and waited.
And waited.
Padmé's groan and roaming hands let him know that she wanted him to move.
"Ani," Padmé said, "please move. I need you so bad. Do me. Ride me hard."
He couldn't say no to that. With a growl, he plunged into her again, his hips smacking up against her thighs as he let himself get lost in her body. He felt Padmé's lips and teeth on his neck then and he trembled, knowing what was coming. With a feral moan he came hard, pounding into her as she cried out his name.
Anakin slowed to a stop on top of her as Padmé felt the warmth of his seed spreading inside her. She panted, still needing her own release and knowing Anakin would need a couple of minutes to recover. He stayed wrapped around her, holding onto her as his head nuzzled into her neck. She ran her nails down his spine.
They laid there like that for what felt like forever and what felt like a minute. Finally, Anakin propped himself up on his elbows, looking down at her.
Padmé still needed him.
He kissed her on the lips before his head dove between her legs, his strong hands holding her legs wide apart as he pleasured her with his mouth. Padmé writhed against the floor as he face-fucked her, unable to control her body. All she could do was let it overtake her, send her spiraling away from reality to a place where the only thing that mattered or existed was Anakin's tongue on her clitoris.
She grabbed Anakin's hair and moaned his name as she came, and he lapped her up greedily. Her whole body shook as he did, drawing out her orgasm and coaxing the most beautiful sounds from her mouth.
When she finally stopped shaking, Anakin crawled back up and laid down on her, encircling her in his arms and pressing sweet kisses to her wanting lips. They stayed like that for a long time, petting each other's hair and running their hands along each other's bodies, mumbling sweet nothings into the quiet around them and giggling at absolutely nothing; only the beeping words of Artoo brought them back to reality.
They had just come out of hyperspace and Coruscant lay dead ahead.
"We need to get dressed," Padmé said, pushing her husband off of her and reaching for her shift. Anakin scrambled right alongside her. As Padmé held up her red dress, she noticed to her horror that some of Anakin's seed had gotten on the dress. And it was quite obvious.
"I need to wash this off!" she said, running for the refresher.
Before Anakin could call after her, a hologram popped up on the dashboard. "Identify yourself," said the Flight Master. Anakin thanked The Force that he was fully dressed.
"Senator Amidala's ship requesting landing at The Senate," Anakin said, his voice surprisingly calm.
"You are clear to land," said the Flight Master and the hologram flicked off.
Padmé rushed back in, wearing the red dress. "Does it look okay?" Padmé asked. "Any obvious stains or wet spots? I tried cleaning it up as best I could." She spun around as she talked so Anakin could examine her.
"You look fine to me, though your hair is a bit messy," he said.
"So is yours," Padmé replied.
Anakin quickly ran his fingers through his hair and said, "See? All better."
"Promise I don't look conspicuous?" she asked.
Artoo beeped excitedly beside her and she smiled at the droid. "Thanks Artoo, but I really need his opinion."
"You look perfect," Anakin told her, handing her her belt. "Now strap in. We need to land."
xoxo
Chancellor Palpatine, along with a couple of senators and Jedi, were waiting for them when they stepped off the ship.
"Master Skywalker. Senator Amidala. I trust your mission went well," Palpatine said.
"Indeed it did, Chancellor," Padmé said. "I've the evidence here with Artoo of Clovis's plans for a new droid factory. It should be sufficient enough for a conviction."
"Very good. I trust this droid kept it safe during your flight back?" Palpatine asked.
Artoo happily beeped.
"That's good to hear. Senator Amidala, will you now join us to review the evidence?" he asked.
"With all due respect, Chancellor, I still feel rather sick and I feel I must go lay down. However, Artoo will go with you; he knows everything I do about this betrayal," Padmé said.
Palpatine nodded in understanding and turned and walked away, most of the crowd following him. Artoo rolled up beside the Chancellor, excitedly beeping, telling him how brave and clever Padmé had been. Only Obi Wan stayed behind.
"Something wrong, Master Kenobi?" Padmé asked.
"Not at all. I just wanted a chance to congratulate the two of you myself, without the entire Senate standing around. If it wasn't for your heroics we never would have known about Clovis. You've both done a great service to the Republic," Obi Wan said.
"Thank you, Master Kenobi," Padmé said
"And you, Anakin? I trust you were able to stay out of trouble on this mission?" Obi Wan asked.
"Of course, Master," Anakin replied. "The only trouble is the trouble that Clovis is in."
"Good. I'd hate for the Senator to be…inconvenienced…by your actions," he said. With that, Obi Wan turned and walked away.
The couple looked at each other nervously.
"Do you think he suspects…?" Padmé asked.
Anakin snorted. "What? Obi Wan? No way!"