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Finding An Old Friend



~Dinner Time~

Padmé sat infront of her mirror and brushed out her wet hair. She was wearing black Jedi-issued leather pants and a white Jedi-issued top. She looked at her reflection and thought how much she looked like another Jedi. Smiling at her new attire she pulled her wet long hair back into a half ponytail and tied a white bow around it. A sudden beep made her jump 'till she realized it was only the door. Walking to the door, she looked at the holo-vid. It was Darien and another man with his back to the camera. Grinning she opened the door and greeted them.

Darien gave her a hug and put his arm protectively around her waist. "Padmé, I want you to meet my friend...." but he was cut off as the other man turned around and revealed himself to be the annoying man who she bumped into--twice.

"You agian!" she said cutting off Darien.

"Well, well, well. YOU are Dar's new girlfriend? Nice choice, man." the other man said chuckling.

"Ease up on her, Skywalker..." Darien said in a serious tone.

"Okay, okay.. Truce?" he said with his hand out.

Padmé rolled her eyes but shook his hand, nonetheless. "Truce." she said quietly.

Her and Darien walked hand in hand down the long halls to the dining hall. Anakin walk

ed beside Padmé and grinned down at her. She's a force to be reckoned with...I'll have to see what I can do... He thought to himself. They finally reached the dining hall and started their own table. Darien sat across from Padmé while Anakin took a seat next to her.

"Hey Padmé!" said a familiar voice.

Padmé turned around and smiled at her three friends. "Hey guys! Want to join us?"

The three girls nodded. Serena took a seat next to Darien while Tinga and Lita fought over who sat next to Anakin. It ended with Lita sitting proudly beside him with Tinga frowning at her on the other side. Anakin was oblivious to the two girls bickering but instead kept his concentration on Padmé. Darien was right, she is really beautiful. Why didn't I see it before?

~*~

They began eating and Serena started a conversation with Darien. Anakin nudged Padmé and started a convertation with her as well. Tinga and Lita talked amongst themselves and shot an angry glace at each other whenever Anakin would come into the conversation.

Padmé nodded politly as she listened to Anakin tell her a story of how he broke his arm once. At first she was cold to him and didn't say much when he asked her something, but gradually as time passed she warmed up to him and smiled as he told his story. She glanced once over at Serena and Darien talking. He made a comment about her hair calling them "meatballs". Serena immediately gave him a cold look and 'the evil eye'. He backed away but smiled never the less. He laughed at her sudden change of mood and said,

"Oh come on Meatball Head, they suit you!"

"They're NOT meatballs!" she yelled back at him.

He still laughed and shook his head. "Whatever you say, Meatball Head."

She balled her small hands into little fists and shook with anger. "Oh, Padmé HOW can you stand him?!"

Padmé giggled and replied, "He doesn't make fun of MY hairstyle..." With that statement, Darien leaned over the table and pulled her to him. She gratefully leaned over as well and kissed him softly.

"Okay, you two! Get a room!" Lita said, pretending to be disgusted. Tinga also scrunched up her face but smiled after.

Anakin however looked at them jealously then lowered his head. He made a fist with his hands then stood.

"Where are you going, Skywalker?" Darien said when he saw his friend stand to leave.

"I'm really tired. Obi worked me pretty hard today I think I'm going to go to bed early," he lied.

"It's only 9:30. You NEVER go to bed early, let alone at 9:30! Are you sick?"

"No! I'm fine. I'm just really tired. Goodnight everyone. See ya tomorrow, Dar," and with that he turned around and left the room. Padmé was still caught up in Darien's eyes to hear what Anakin said.

Lita and Tinga watched him leave with sad eyes.

"Well, I'm going to go then. I don't feel that great either," Lita said getting up. She wanted to follow Anakin and see what was wrong with him.

"Okay. Bye Lita!" everyone said as she left.

"Tinga?" said an older voice. They all looked up to see Tinga's master standing by their table.

"Yes, Master Gaea?" she asked guiltily.

"I need a word with you," she said sternly.

Tinga gulped and stood. "Bye guys. See you tomorrow, hopefully!"

After she had gone Serena said, "Wow, everyone's leaving tonight..."

"Nice observation, Meatball Head!" Darien chuckled, his long black bangs falling into his eyes.

Serena stuck her tongue out at him. Padmé just laughed at them. "Do you two always fight like this?"

Darien and Serena looked at eachother. "Kinda..." Serena said.

Just then a small Jedi Master hobbled over to their table. "Make new friends, I see." said the little green creature.

Padmé turned to see Master Yoda smiling at her. "Hi Master Yoda! Yes I have made new friends. This is Serena and my boyfri-- I mean other friend, Darien." she giggled nervously.

He nodded and took a seat next to her. "Know them I do. Always in trouble, Padawan Darien is." Yoda smiled at Padmé then winked at Darien.

"Oh really?" Padmé said curiously.

"Yes..hmm?" Yoda replied. Then he laughed a raspy laugh. He hopped out of his seat and hobbled around the table to Darien. "Care for her you must. Watching you I shall be.." Yoda whispered tapping Darien's knees with his gimmer stick.

"Uh..Yes Master Yoda!"

Padmé looked at the little man in confusion, "What does that mean?"

He coughed and simply said, "Expecting you I shall be in a few minutes. Something important must be discussed with the Jedi Council tonight."

Padmé stood and looked at Darien. "Sorry I guess I gotta leave as well. You two going to be alright together?" she said to Darien and Serena.

Serena nodded and Darien grinned. "Well be just fine, won't we Meatball Head?" he said teasingly.

Padmé laughed as she walked away in search of the Council room. Before she was completely out of earshot she heard Serena yell, "Oh shut up Darien!"



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~Two Hours Later~

Padmé walked out of the Jedi Council room and rubbed her temples. She had a terrible headache after that long meeting. It was very dark as she walked briskly down the halls to her room. She walked past the door to the main balcony but stopped.

"I need some fresh air..."

Walking out onto the balcony she looked out onto the busy world of Corusant. Starships and speeder of all kinds buzzed before here. The sound was not as loud as she expected it almost seemed muffled. Walking down in the direction of her room, she caught sight of a dark figure leaning on the railing. She walked closer, careful not to let the person know she was there.

Gradually she found herself three feet from the figure, hidden only by a nearby pillar. It was a man, no doubt, but his face was blocked by the shadows. She squinted to see his face and features, to find out who it was out here at 11:30 at night. Sucking in a breath, she leaned forward ever so slowly, when suddenly the man spoke.

"You think I can't sense your presence?" he said in a low tone.

Padmé opened her mouth to speak, say something, anything, but her voice caught in her throat. He had his back to her and she still couldn't quite figure out who it was.

"Why are you here anyway?" his voice seemed deeper still.

She cleared her throat and tried to speak, but it only came out in a whisper. He turned to her but kept his face in the shadows.

"What did you say? Speak up."

"I..I said that I was just taking a walk. I needed some air." she replied, almost frightened.

"I see," he said in a whisper. She took one step forward, her face was now luminated by the moonlight, but his face was still in the shadows. He looked up and she could have sworn to have heard a gasp.

"Who are you?" she said taking a step closer. He took a step back. She sighed in frustration and clenched her teeth. "Look I don't have time for this. Who are you? A Jedi? What's your name?"

When he didn't answer her, she turned her back on him and looked back out onto Corusant. "Fine. Whoever you are....you can hide yourself pretty well...."

She stood there looking out onto the flying ships and speeders for what seemed like hours until she heard him speak again.

"My name is Anakin."

She stopped breathing for a breif moment, trying to figure out if he had just said what she thought he did. He had. He was Anakin. She turned around to see him, but he was no where to be found.

"Anakin......" she whispered into the night. But no one answered her. "Oh, Anakin....it's been so long......"



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