A/N: I'm so excited! You know why? Because I'm back and going to be fully committed to this story for at least 3-4 chapters. That's a promise! I've got so much planned and I can't wait for you guys to read it! Thank you for being so patient with me. I hope you enjoy this little chapter – I just really wanted a Dorme and Padme centric chapter, because I feel like they need some girl time.

And… Then… You'll see :D


It had been two years since the last time Padme had been in a relationship on Valentine's Day. So, it was terribly ironic, that now that she was in a relationship with Anakin and completely besotted with him, they were apart on such an important day.

Well, really, it wasn't that important, but to Padme, it was. Being single on Valentine's Day, especially at college, was absolutely awful. Everywhere was decorated red and pink and covered in hearts and cupids and flowers, and the entire campus was suddenly swarming with couples acting all lovey-dovey, and it had been enough to make Padme sick. She'd been rather cynical about it over the years, refusing to leave the house because she just couldn't bear being swamped by such grotesque displays of affection, and so, she and Dorme would order a pizza, drink wine, and watch action movies in their apartment. It became their own Valentine's tradition, as if they were thumbing their noses at the romantic hoopla all around them.

But, now? Now, everything was different. Now, she had Anakin. Now, despite her previous cynicism, she wanted to go and do grotesquely affectionate things with him – buy each other chocolates and flowers, go out for a romantic dinner or take a slow walk hand-in-hand in the park, watch a soppy romance movie while curled up together in bed and then make passionate love all evening. She wanted to spoil him and be spoiled in return. Only, he was in Chicago, so any chance of such things was absolutely impossible.

It was cruelly unfair.

She woke early that morning and immediately reached over to check her phone. No messages. The knowledge made her frown sadly, but she soon shook her head, appalled at herself. What had she expected? It was 5 am in the morning in Chicago. Anakin would probably still be asleep – honestly, he could sleep until midday. She knew that fact very well. Of course, he hadn't tried contacting her yet. Yawning, she rubbed her eyes and sent him a quick message before going to have a shower: Good morning, Ani. Happy Valentine's Day. Call me when you can. Love you xx.

Dorme was already in the kitchen when she got out of the shower and headed out for breakfast, looking extremely pleased about something. Which was a puzzle in itself, because the only thing Dorme ever looked before 10 am was disgruntled. Or hungover.

Something was certainly up.

"Morning!" She greeted Padme cheerfully and promptly set a plate of poached eggs, bacon, toast, sautéed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and spinach before her. The delicious aroma made Padme's stomach growl in appreciation, and it was only then that she realised just how hungry she was.

Still, as delighted as she was by the idea that her roommate had made her breakfast, she eyed it suspiciously. Yes, something was most definitely up. Dorme, though the primary cook in the household, never, ever went out of her way to make a breakfast like this on a weekday, and especially not for Padme.

What was going on?

"Morning…?" Her voice drifted off in a questioning tone as she set about putting the kettle on for some English Breakfast tea to go with breakfast.

"What?" Dorme asked, immediately going on the defensive, though there was a little tremor of impatience in her voice that Padme knew all too well. There was something she wanted to say, even though she was trying not to make a big deal of it.

Padme rolled her eyes, amused. She'd known Dorme for far too long to know when something was up. "Okay. Why are you so happy this morning?"

Suddenly flustered, Dorme shifted her gaze towards her own mug of coffee and tucked a lock of brown hair behind her ear. "What do you mean?"

With a smirk, Padme shook her head, poured her tea, and returned to her seat at the counter. Of course, Dorme was going to drag this out for as long as possible. It was always the case. Sometimes, Padme couldn't help but notice how similar Dorme and Anakin were – both so melodramatic. "You made me breakfast," she pointed out wryly, as though that explained everything.

Dorme flashed her a frown. "So? I'm not allowed to make my best friend, whom I love dearly, breakfast in the morning?"

"Of course, you are," Padme rolled her eyes. "But, don't give me that crap. You only make me breakfast like this when you're really happy about something. Did you sleep with someone last night?" she asked, fed up with dancing around the subject, and instead, getting straight to the point.

Her roommate's brown eyes widened in horror, and she almost spat out her coffee. "W-what?! No! You know I didn't…"

"Then what is it? Come on. Spill."

She sighed and then swivelled around on her barstool to face Padme, pulling her left leg up, so that her right leg hung toward the floor. "Okay, fine. You know Trey, right?"

Nodding her head, Padme grinned slyly over her tea and then popped a mushroom in her mouth impishly. "Your…what do you call him…Fuck buddy?" Yes, she knew Trey quite well. He and Dorme had a rather unconventional relationship that had been going on for almost a year now. Whenever either of them were feeling lonely, they'd call each other and meet up and have sex.

Padme had been the unfortunate witness to some of their more brazen escapades, not that she could really complain too much, when, on the flip side, Dorme often had to listen to her…intimate reunions with Anakin when he came to visit.

Despite what she insisted otherwise, Padme knew that Dorme was absolutely smitten with Trey, but kept her feelings to herself for the sake of their…friendship? It was a difficult situation to be in, and Padme didn't envy her one bit. At least she knew, withouta doubt, how Anakin felt about her.

Dorme scowled. "Yes. Thank you, Padme."

"Your words, not mine," Padme reminded her sardonically, quirking an eyebrow. "Anyway, what about him?"

"He…" She broke off, a fierce blush decorating her cheeks, and Padme leaned closer in her chair, suddenly eager to find out what exactly had happened. "He's asked me…Well...we're going out to dinner tonight."

Padme blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected that. If anything, she truthfully thought that her best friend deserved better than some guy who only thought she was a piece of ass to use at his own pleasure, but from the way Dorme was blushing and how her eyes were wide and sparkling, waiting on Padme's approval, she quickly rearranged her features into a pleasant smile. "That's wonderful, Dorme," she said, truly happy for her friend. "It's about time he saw you for the amazing woman you truly are." Padme reached over and patted Dorme's hand.

Dorme smiled sheepishly, nodding her head and traced her finger around the rim of her mug. "Do you think he wants to be exclusive? I mean, it's Valentine's Day. You don't take a girl out for dinner on Valentine's Day unless you want something serious, right?" Her voice was soft, timid, dripping with uncertainty, and all Padme could do was reach out again and grasp her hand this time, giving it an affectionate squeeze.

"I don't know," she replied honestly. "But, it's definitely a positive sign."

Her reassurance, regardless of how unsure, seemed to be enough for Dorme, and she shifted in her seat, sitting up a bit straighter and a large grin broke out on her face. "Yeah," she said, nodding her head, confidence returning. "It is, isn't it? But, this means we won't be able to have our usual date with pizza, wine and Captain America," she smirked.

Laughing, Padme shook her head. "I wouldn't be able to make it anyway," she explained with a sigh. "I've got that function with my professor tonight. You know, that Women in Politics thing I was telling you about. There's going to be guest speakers and future possible employers there…So, the good Captain will just have to wait," she said with a dramatic sigh, making Dorme burst out laughing. It was a tradition of theirs, watching Captain America – partially because it was a great movie and Dorme had a massive love for superheroes, and partially because of Chris Evans. Padme grinned wickedly at the thought. Anakin might have a thing for Claire Danes, at least in Romeo and Juliet – but, Padme definitely had a thing for super hot, blonde-haired, blue-eyed men.

"That's a little rich, putting something that important on Valentine's Day," Dorme mused, furrowing her eyebrows. "I mean, what if you had plans?"

"It was originally going to be Tuesday, but they had to postpone it. I forget why. Anyway, today was the only available day, or something." Padme responded with a shrug. "Besides, I don't have any plans, do I?" There was a hint of bitterness in her voice that Dorme didn't fail to pick up.

She flashed Padme a sympathetic smile. "Have you heard from your lover boy yet?"

"No," Padme shook her head, miserably, and continued eating her breakfast. "I sent him a text, but he hasn't replied yet."

This time, it was Dorme who was doing the consoling, and she squeezed Padme's shoulder affectionately. "Don't worry," she insisted with an optimistic smile. "I'm sure he's just asleep. Or busy. You know how much Anakin adores you. I wouldn't be surprised if he even had flowers delivered here."

The thought perked her up and made Padme smile. Yes, that sounded exactly like something Anakin would do. He was ridiculously affectionate with her, far more so then she was with him, and it definitely wouldn't be out of character. She'd just have to be patient and wait to hear from him.

With a smile, she nodded and took another sip of her tea. "Yeah, I know. I'm just being silly."

Dorme smirked and patting her hand. "Well, yeah, but it's natural," she assured her. "You just miss him."

It was always amazing how Dorme seemed to know exactly how she was feeling without Padme having to say a single word. Padme gave a sad sigh and drank her tea, not wanting to dwell on just how much she missed Anakin. It was a constant ache, and it would only make her sad. Of course, their conversations were still very frequent, but it was now almost 2 months since they'd last seen each other over winter break, and it was taking all of Padme's strength to remain optimistic. Their longest separation to date. She tried not to let on how much it was killing her, but her best friend could see right through her brave face.

"I don't know how you do it, to be honest," Dorme continued quietly, sensing that Padme didn't feel like reciprocating conversation. "I mean, when I don't see Trey for a few weeks, I get all pent up and so frustrated, and then we attack each other like animals the next time we're together." A smirk played at her lips, and she raised her eyebrows at Padme. "I can't even imagine what it must be like for you."

Laughing at her friend's bluntness, Padme grinned slyly over the rim of her mug. "It's not like we don't… I mean… there's the phone and… well… Skype…" her voice trailed off and a fierce blush heated her cheeks at the memory of the last time she and Anakin had participated in such… conversations. After their first time, she'd gotten more confident and far less timid, even opening up and talking, which had elicited very, very pleased reactions from Anakin. A nervous giggle slipped past her lips and she glanced at Dorme, who looked just as embarrassed as she felt.

Clearing her throat, Dorme looked away, biting her lip. "Yes… er, I know how well you make use of… that."

Padme blanched. "Oh… god…" Dorme could hear that?! Hear them?! She thought she'd been quiet. She'd definitely tried to be. Of course, it was always difficult to remember to do so when Anakin was so… well, Anakin – bold and brazen and sexy.

Dorme chuckled sheepishly, toying with the ends of her hair. "Yeah… I heard it… everything." Then, with a smirk, she added, "I never thought I'd hear such words from you, Padme. I mean, Anakin, sure, but you? He's turned you into quite the little vixen, I must say."

If possible, her cheeks flushed even darker, and she hit her friend on the arm. "Oh, shut up! You can't talk! I've walked in on you and Trey in some rather compromising positions before, so don't you judge me."

Raising her hands in surrender, Dorme grinned impishly at her. "Not judging. I'm proud, actually," she puffed up a little, like a clucky mother that only made Padme roll her eyes. "Just…let me know next time Anakin comes to visit, so that I can be sure to...vacate the premises. I mean, if you two are that vocal on Skype, I do not want to be around for the real thing!"

With a sly grin, Padme merely hummed, her mind automatically recalling the last time they'd reunited after a month apart. Anakin had been… wild – unlike anything she'd ever seen before and the memory, even the thought of how painfully delicious his lovemaking had been caused her to squirm in her seat.

Deciding that she needed to change the subject before she had to resort to a cold shower, she put her mug down and took a bite of her toast. "So, where is Trey taking you tonight?"

Dorme bit her lip, her fingers tapping idly against her drawn up knee as she rested her chin against it. "I don't know…He didn't tell me."

"Ooooh a surprise! How exciting!" Padme beamed at her. In her limited dating experience (a total of three boyfriends in her entire 24 years), going on a surprise date was always fun. It usually involved dinner and some sort of activity; be it bowling, or mini golf or even just a movie, it was always nice to have someone plan something for you.

Unfortunately, her roommate was decidedly less enthusiastic about the idea. "I really wish it wasn't," she complained with a huff. "I don't know what I'm supposed to wear! What if we're outside? Will I need a coat? Or will a jacket be enough? Should I wear heels? Or flats? Or boots? Jeans or a dress? What if I do my hair all nice and then we eat by the river and it's really windy? What if we…" Her list of what ifs went on and on until Padme had had enough and stopped her with a hand on her knee.

"Dorme. Relax. It's just a date. Stop overthinking. Besides," she quirked her lips into a smirk, "he's already seen you naked, so it's not like you have anything to hide."

Groaning, Dorme made a face that expressed how unimpressed she was. "That's not the point! Normally, when Trey and I get together, it's sweatpants and messy hair and no makeup, because we're not in our clothes very long so it doesn't matter. But this…" she cried, clearly distraught. "I want to look good, you know? I want him to see a different side to me." She sighed and sipped her coffee, before regarding Padme curiously, tipping her head to the side. "What did you and Anakin do on your first date?"

The question took Padme by surprise. First date? She didn't ever recall actually going on a first date. Their relationship had basically started the night they confessed their feelings to each other and slept together for the first time. There wasn't any dating, at least, not in the formal sense of the word. They had hung out over the summer break, but it hadn't been anything fancy.

"I don't know…" She replied with a frown. "Ani and I didn't really date. We just sort of…Got together. Kinda like high-school, I guess." She chuckled a little at the memory of their beginnings, over the summer, when they'd both been so into each other and yet so stubborn in actually admitting it. If only they'd confessed their feelings sooner, they could have spent most of the summer exploring their relationship, exploring each other, making the most of their time together before they had to go off to college again. With a nostalgic smile, she shook her head. It seemed like so long ago that Padme had been reunited with Anakin again that summer, watching him from her window as he worked on his motorbike. She wished she could go back to that moment, when it had felt like they had all the time in the world to be together.

"Wait, you never went on a date?" Dorme asked, slightly incredulous.

Shrugging, Padme shook her head. "Not really. We saw each other almost every day, but it was never an official date. I didn't even wear makeup most of the time, and we hardly ever left each other's houses." She paused as she tried to remember everything that had happened that summer. "I suppose our first date was his mother's wedding. He asked me to go with him, and he'd been so adorable and nervous about it," she beamed at the memory. "But…That's totally different. That's a wedding. The dress code is a lot more formal."

"Hmmm," Dorme nodded her head and closed her eyes for a bit, leaving Padme to her reminiscing. She missed that summer. Everything about it – from watching Anakin in his garage, to going to the lake and kayaking together, to lazing about her room watching T.V. It had been so easy back then. Once gradation was over, Padme hoped that they could go back to that simpler time, just doing life together. The thought instantly brightened her mood.

"What if I wear my new jeans – the tight black ones, and my boots?" Dorme mused suddenly, eyes widening. "And then a nice top and my jacket and a scarf? I could do my hair in waves and leave it out with my beanie. That'd be nice, right? Casual but nice?"

Padme nodded with a smile. "That sounds perfect. Though, you know, you could probably rock up in sweatpants and still look hot." It was true. Her best friend was about 5 inches taller than Padme and had far longer legs. Her chest was considerably bigger as well. She was one of those people who could rock messy buns and yoga pants and baggy t-shirts and look like a supermodel. It drove Padme to distraction.

Dorme just rolled her eyes. "Alright. Outfit sorted. What time do you have classes today? Wanna go shopping? I need some new lingerie. Trey's seen everything I own."

With a bemused smirk, Padme just shook her head. She'd been on one of those shopping trips with her best friend before, and it had certainly been an...eye opener. Some of the things in those shops definitely didn't look comfortable. But, then again, some of that stuff wasn't meant to be worn long enough to be comfortable.

"As tempting as that sounds, I can't," Padme sighed. " I've got class at 9 – a three hour lecture, then a two hour lunch break, then another two classes after that. And, then my function this evening. Full schedule today."

"Well, damn," Dorme frowned. "I guess I'll just have to go on my own then. Three hour lecture?! Ouch! That's rough!"

"It's definitely not my favourite class," Padme conceded. "I mean, I love all my classes, but three hours is a really long time." Her eyes drifted over to the microwave, and she saw that it was already 8 o'clock. "Shit. I need to get ready!" She had class in an hour. Quickly finishing her breakfast, she hurriedly washed up her dishes and went into her bedroom to get dressed.

Though it was winter, the weather in Boston had been exceptionally colder of late, and there was still snow on the ground from the last storm they'd had 2 weeks ago, and so Padme dressed accordingly, in her light-wash jeans, her thick burgundy sweater, pastel scarf and her long black boots. Her curls were messy from her sleep, so she pulled her hair into a loose, thick braid that rested over her shoulder, to keep it out of her face and yet still look presentable. She plopped her cream beanie on top of her head, and then she packed her satchel with her laptop, textbooks, and grabbed her purse, before heading into the kitchen to grab her keep cup – Dorme had given it to her last year for Christmas, and it was perfect for her takeaway vanilla lattes she bought religiously from the coffee cart next to the library.

"Have you seen my house keys?" She called to Dorme, who was in the bathroom, as she searched the countertop. She couldn't for the life of her remember where she'd put them yesterday when she'd gotten home from class. It was just her luck that she'd put them in one of her 'safe spots', which pretty much guaranteed that she'd never find them. Perfect. Just perfect.

"No!" Came Dorme's muffled response, which only made Padme groan.

Just as she began to open the cutlery draw, she heard a knock on the door. With a confused frown, she sceptically made her way over to the front door. Who was that? At 8:30 in the morning?! She wasn't expecting anyone…Unless it was Trey, maybe? Padme sighed…This was certainly an early booty call, even for Dorme. Surely, even she could wait until they saw each other that night.

"She's in the bathroom," Padme said as she jerked open the door, not even really looking at the person in the doorway and turned to go back into the kitchen, when a very familiar and amused voice stopped her dead in her tracks.

"That's not a very nice way to greet your boyfriend, Angel."