AN: TroySharpay: Thank you! Always happy to hear from you xo

On My Mind

With your feet in the air and your head on the ground
Your head will collapse
But there's nothing in it
And you'll ask yourself

Where is my mind?

Maybe I didn't treat you quite as good as I should
Maybe I didn't love you quite as often as I could

But you were always on my mind

Anakin tossed and turned in his bed at the Jedi temple. It wasn't easy to fall asleep during the clone wars but it was even harder now that he hadn't seen or spoken to Padme in days - unable to get any time away to contact her.

Anakin walked along a pier leading to the water. The sky was dark but as he made his way closer to the edge, the stars brightened up the area. Once he reached the end of the pier, it became clear that this was no pier at all. Instead it was Padme's lake retreat balcony on Naboo.

He walked along towards the railing, noticing he wasn't alone. He turned to either side and spotted the faces of all the people he watched die or killed during the war. As he kept getting closer to the rail, he saw the people closest to him and they all had something to say.

Their voices echoed in his head, talking over each other.

Mace: You have disobeyed almost every order the council has given you.

Yoda: Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.

Obi-Wan: Anakin, be mindful of your thoughts.

Anakin finally reached the railing and found a figure appear over the water.

"Mum!" He cried, running up to her.

"Ani? Oh you look so handsome, my son! My grown up son. I'm so proud of you, Ani. . .Now I am complete. . .I love-"

His mother began to drop into the water. He looked over the railing, trying to reach for her. "Come back."

Just before his mother went underwater, she turned into Padme.

Anakin's eyes widened as Padme's body lowered into the water. She then spoke softly, "You can't stop the change." and disappeared underwater.

"Padme!" Anakin cried as he woke up in a sweat, heavily breathing. He sat up, waiting for his heartbeat to settle, trying not to engage with any thoughts or fears that the dream conjured up.

Dreams turn into nightmares.

Anakin heard the voice in his head and he knew the monster within him was awake.

You're obsessed with escapism. With a life you will never have.

Anakin got up abruptly, silencing his mind. He rushed to get dressed and head out.

Anakin headed straight for Padme's apartment. He needed to see her and know that everything was alright.

Once he arrived, he called out her name a few times but there was no answer. He began pacing around the apartment from room to room - but no sign of her.

As he circled her living room, he glanced at her desk. There, he spotted the necklace he gave her. He picked it up and let out a deep breath.

His thoughts were interrupted by the click of his communicator.

Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you
I am so happy that you're mine
If I made you feel second best
I'm so sorry I was blind

Where is my mind?

You were always on my mind

Anakin arrived at the Chancellor's office, where the Jedi already were. They all glanced at him as he entered the room - he was the last one to arrive as usual.

They began informing him of what was going on. He didn't know which was worse: the fact that Padme went off on another mission with Clovis or the fact that the man let her wind up in Jail.

"In Jail?" He repeated. "Where the hell is Clovis?"

"We don't know." The Chancellor replied. "But luckily, senator Amidala is to be released in our custody. You can be the one to go pick her up." Palpatine smiled at Anakin, knowing Anakin would appreciate the strings he pulled.

Once the Jedi left the room, Anakin stayed behind with Palpatine.

"Remind me to thank you." Anakin began.

"That won't be necessary." Palpatine assured. "Truthfully I agree with you. I can't believe the council would put the senator in this position - especially considering her history with Rush Clovis."

"What history?" Anakin crinkled his forehead

"Well, it's no secret that they were, at one time, close." Palpatine paused. "The Jedi should know better than anyone that personal relationships can cloud one's judgment . . . make them vulnerable."

Anakin tensed up and began to glare at the Chancellor. The roughness of his voice was palpable. "What did you say?!"

Anakin was fuming as he flew over to pick up Padme. Charging over to the prison guards who led him to her cell.

They slid open the heavy door and a tired Padme sat upright.

"Anakin!" She gasped. "I am so glad to see you."

Anakin stood there with his arms folded, glaring at her.

"You were in a relationship with him?" His tone was low. And when Anakin talked that calmly, it was never comforting.

Padme sighed, lowering her head. "It's not what you think."

"Oh no?" He was sounded colder by the minute.

"It wasn't like that." She shook her head slightly.

"What was it then?" He said harshly.

"He was interested. I . . . flirted with the idea once... -but nothing ever happened!"

"Did you sleep with him?" He clenched his jaw, not wanting to even utter those words.

"No." She assured. "It never got that far."

"So you kissed him." He concluded with a growl that cut through her.

Padme was quiet, trying to find her words. "It was long before anything ever happened between us!" She huffed

"Why didn't you tell me?" He hissed.

"Because, well, I knew you'd react like this. And I didn't want you to worry." Padme paused, lowering her head again. "I'm sorry. Next time, I'll-"

"Next time?" He growled, "What? The next time you go flying off with this guy? 'Cause you forgot to mention that too."

"Anakin, this mission is important for the republic."

"Why is it that whenever the subject of Clovis comes up, your excuse is you're doing this for the republic?" He scoffed

"I am, Anakin. This is strictly business." Padme huffed. Anakin glared at her before reaching into his pocket.

"Is that why you took this off?" He threw the necklace on the floor.

She looked down at it and proceeded to pick it up - a sympathetic look on her face as she looked back up at him.

"That's the closest thing you have to a wedding ring!" He snapped.

"Anakin-"

"-You know what, I should just leave you in here." He roared, interrupting her.

"Anakin..." She pleaded as he stepped outside and slammed the door.

Leaning back against the door, he took a moment to catch his breath. She rushed up to the other side of the door, banging on it for him to open it - which he ignored. She then leaned the back of her head on it. Looking down at the necklace in her hand, holding it in her fist before placing it back around her neck.

Once he attempted to calm his temper, he finally reopened it.

Now standing before her, Padme's hands cradled his face, her fingertips twisting his hair strands on either side of his face, trying to calm him down. "Anakin, listen to me."

He let out a shaky exhale.

"There is nothing going on between me and Clovis." She insisted. "But I have to act interested, Anakin! And I can't do that wearing this." She gestured to the necklace that she now had on. "I wear this to keep you with me. And I can't do this job with you on my mind."

"Come on, before I change my mind." He groaned, as he headed out of the jail cell.

Little things that I should have said and done
I never took the time
Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me one more chance to keep you satisfied

Where is my mind?

You are always on my mind