SkywalkerStory

"Padme?!" Anakin smiled from ear to ear as Padme pulled down her hood and exposed her soft brown eyes and curly brown hair. "I can't believe it's you!"

"And I can't believe it's you! I hardly recognized you!" Padme replied as she leaned over and gave him a small hug.

Anakin could have died. Here, one of the most beautiful girls he had ever met was hugging him, a regular old padawan from Tattooine! Her scent filled his nostrils, she smelled beautiful. Like wild flowers. She looked beautiful.

"What?" she asked, noticing his stare.

"Nothing, it's just great to see you!" Anakin smiled, turning a little red.

"It has been too long," Padme agreed. "It's really packed in here."

"Yeah, come on, let's get outta here," he said noticing more people coming through the door.

"Where should we go?" Padme asked replacing her hood atop her head.

"I don't know, we'll find a place. Some where quiet at least," Anakin replied, taking her hand. Together, they walked past the crowded tables and out the door. There was a waiting line outside the door, so again they pushed past the waiting customers.

"Do you wanna go to the Jedi Temple?" Anakin suggested.

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Padme said quietly.

"Why not?" Anakin asked.

"It's a long story."

The turned around the corner, onto a desered street. As they walked it got darker and darker.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Padme said nervously.

"The street lights have blown out," Anakin pointed above their heads, but it was too dark to see.

"So we meet again sweetheart," a hoarse voice said from the shadows. Slowly a tall, dark, and dirty thing emerged, and stepped in front of them. Padme couldn't tell if it was a human or a creature, or maybe both. Whatever it was, it wasn't alone. Three of his buddies emerged behind him, just as dirty and foul-smelling as the other.

"You know, we never were truly introduced, for we were rudely interupted," the thing continued. "But why don't we go into the bar and have a few drinks hmm? Come on, whadaya say?"

"Back off, if you want her, you're going to have to go through me," Anakin threatened as he stepped in front of Padme.

"Well well well, look what we have here boys. We got ourselves a hero. Why don't we show him what we think of heroes."

The two followers from the right shuffled over to Anakin as the one on the left grabbed Padme's arm and dragged her to the side. She struggled and wriggled her arm but his grip was strong, and it was useless. Within seconds a blue light flashed before their eyes and one of the followers was dead. Anakin had been holding his lightsaber and caught his opponent off guard. The other was now fighting the padawan, and knocked the lightsaber to the ground. Both were throwing punches left to right and fighting to keep their balance. Padme, on the other hand, elbowed the goony holding her arm in the stomach and broke his nose. He let go and staggered to the floor, groaning with pain. Padme whipped out her royal pistol but it remained unfired. The leader of the gang had an arm around her neck and a blaster next to her head. Padme froze.

Anakin finally managed to knock the last follower unconscious. He quickly grabbed his lightsaber and faced Padme and the leader. Padme could hear her heartbeat louder, pounding in her head, with each passing moment, making her breathe at a fast pace. She looked at Anakin pleadingly, hoping he would do something. Thoughts raced through her mind. What if he kills Anakin?! What if I'm forced to go with this horrible creature?! What if he kills me?!

"Drop your weapon!"

"Let go of her, your fight is with me," Anakin said calmly as blood dripped of his face. He took a step forward.

"One more step and I'll blow her brains out. Now drop your weapon!" the leader yelled, pushing his blaster closer to her head. Anakin threw his lightsaber to the side. He had an idea.

"What if we fight for her. No weapons, just skill against skill. Whoever wins gets the girl, the loser…dies, it's as simple as that."

Is he crazy?! Padme thought to herself. He's going to get himself killed?!

The leader looked skeptical at Anakin, pondering his proposition. "Well," he said after a few moments. "I accept. May the best man die."

Padme was thrown aside along with the blaster. Anakin looked over at her and nodded. Padme gave him a puzzled look. What did he expect her to do? Then she noticed her pistol still in her hand. The battle was about to begin. Padme tip-toed quietly behind the leader and raised her pistol. Her hand started to shake. Could she kill another living, breathing thing? Stop it's life force? She stood there not knowing what she should do. Anakin looked at her and sensed her confusion. What was she waiting for?

"Get ready to die boy," the leader hissed and flashed a grin. He had started to charge. Padme closed her eyes, not wanting to look. There was a blast, then a thud. It was over. Anakin dropped the blaster and ran over to Padme. Her eyes were shut tight and her pistol unfired and shaking along with her hand. He lowered her arm and wrapped one of his own around her shoulders.

"It's okay," he whispered. Padme opened her eyes and saw the body, oozing with blood, on the cement. "But…how?" she asked not taking her eyes off the body.

"The force is a very powerful ally," he explained, flashing his boyish grin.

"You had that all planned didn't you?" she asked as he picked up his lightsaber.

"Yep," he replied shyly. "You know, Jedi are always prepaired," he explained.

Padme just looked at him and said, "You Jedi are far too reckless." Hand in hand they left the street.

When they reached the Senate building the two friends had to say good-bye once more.

"Thank you Anakin, you saved my life," Padme smiled.

"Anything for you," he replied, kissing her hand.

"Good night," Padme blushed and opened the Senate door.

"Padme?"

"Yes?" she said turning back around.

"Can I come and see you tomorrow, your highness?" he said, half bowing. Padme laughed. "Yes, I'd like that."

"Really! I mean…uh…until tomorrow then?"

"Until tomorrow," Padme smiled and disappeared behind the door.

Anakin smiled to himself and turned to go home. He strolled down the streets, which were now half empty. Wait until I tell Master. Master! Oh no! He's going to kill me! Anakin turned his stroll into a run, back to the Jedi Temple.

Padme stopped before entering her quarters. She was bracing herself for Sabe, who was probably fuming. She sighed and opened the door. At least Sabe wasn't waiting to bite her head off at the front door, but Padme could see a soft glow coming from behind her bedroom door. She slowly walked to the door and opened it, expecting the worst.

"Listen Sabe, I'm really sorry about staying out so late but…" Padme trailed off as she saw her friend, fast asleep in one of the chairs. Sabe was no longer in Amidala's dress, instead she was wearing her night gown and the make-up had been washed off. Padme smiled as she gently tapped Sabe's shoulder. The handmaiden stirred, but was still asleep. Padme shook a little harder. "Sabe wake up," she whispered.

Sabe opened her eyes. "Where have you been?! I've been worried…" Padme covered Sabe's mouth with her hand. "Be quiet or you'll wake the whole Senate!"

"Sorry, but you weren't the one sitting in a room worrying, while your friend's off gallivanting alone in the city!! You could have been lying dead somewhere for all I know!!" Sabe whispered angrily.

"I'm sorry. I know it's really late, it's a long story," Padme apologized. She changed quickly into her nightgown and told Sabe about meeting Anakin, meeting the gang in the street, and how Anakin saved her life. Sabe listened horrified, then relieved. But the best part was saved for last. "He's coming to visit tomorrow," Padme said, finishing her story.

"I think you like him," Sabe teased.

"What! No, no it's not like that. We are just friends, that's all," Padme blushed.

"I don't know it sounds to me you two would make a cute couple."

"I think it's time for you to get to bed, you're being delusional," Padme said pushing Sabe to the door.

"Come on admit it!"

"There's nothing to admit, we like each other…" Padme tried to explain but Sabe cut in. "I knew it!"

"As friends! Nothing more than that! So there!"

"That'll do for now, but just you wait, I'll chase it out of you," Sabe laughed as she headed out the door.

"Good night Padme, sweet dreams……of Anakin!!" she called before Padme shut her door. Sabe giggled to herself about how gullable her friend was. Always took everything seriously, a side affect from being a queen.

Anakin quietly walked up to the door and opened it slowly. He had hoped his master had gone to bed but he was sitting on the couch reading, what looked like a letter. Uh-oh, I'm in for it, the padawan thought, as he braced himself for a lecture. "Hello, Master."

Obi-wan looked up at his apprentice standing at the threshold. "Hello Padawan, how was your evening?"

"It was…interesting," Anakin said relieved. No lecture, yet.

"Really? It must have been, because it's awfully late isn't it?"

"Master, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean…" Anakin began apologizing.

"It's alright Anakin. You're a young man, you can take care of yourself. Come, tell me, what was so interesting?" Obi-wan asked.

Anakin couldn't believe the luck he was having. He sat next to his master on the couch and told him about the events of the evening. First meeting Padme, then the whole ordeal about the gang, how he saved the day, and finally Padme agreeing to see him tomorrow. Obi-wan listened quietly and waited for the tale to end.

"I suppose that would explain the blood on your face?" Obi-wan asked pointing to his lip and his nose. Anakin had forgotten about his injuries, he only cared about protecting Padme.

"Yeah I guess," Anakin smiled. He didn't care. He had had worse injuries during his training, this was nothing.

"Tomorrow, go to the infirmary and check nothing is broken, I would send you know but I think you'll live for another night," Obi-wan chuckled as he got up off the couch. "Now it is time for bed."

Anakin nodded and walked to his bedroom door.

"Oh and Anakin?"

"Yes?" he asked, before entering his room.

"Try and get home a little earlier next time."

"Yes Master." Anakin smiled.

His room was pitch black, but Anakin didn't feel like using his light. He unhooked his lightsaber and put it on his nightstand, and started to undress out of his tunic, which was now covered in drops of blood. He climbed into bed exhausted. His back was a little sore from being pinned on the ground a couple times, but he was too tired to care. The only thing he cared about was Padme.

Anakin smiled, remembering how beautiful she looked and how wonderful she smelled. He didn't have a crush on her, but he used too. Now he just liked her as a friend. She probably wouldn't have liked him anything other than a friend. After all she was a queen, she didn't have time for boyfriends. He was surprised she even made room for him, the had only been together for a short while. He was also surprised she was here, on Coruscant. Why wasn't she on Naboo? Maybe she was in trouble or danger and had to come here. No…he would have heard about it, if she was in trouble. She was just probably here for business. She had said she hardly recognized him, well…that wasn't hard to believe. He had grown up a lot after ten years. He was taller, stronger, and not a little boy any more. He wondered whether she wouldn't like him now. Ten years can change people, but she still had the pendant he gave her. That had to mean something…didn't it? Anakin would see her tomorrow, and there they could catch up on things, and be friends again. He started to doze off, it was really late. The last thing he saw before drifting off to sleep was Padme smiling at him.

"Wow!!" Jacen said. His were wide and his mouth dropped open. "You mean, the padawan killed all three of those guys?!"

"He must like the queen an awful lot to risk his life for her. He must love her," Jaina sighed and smiled.

"Jaina! He did it 'cause he it was his job, not because of love! That's gross!" Jacen disagreed, wrinkling his nose.

"Sabe, who's right, me or Jacen?" Jaina asked.

"Yeah Sabe. Tell her I'm right."

"You're both right children, he did it because the he loved the queen as a friend…"

"Ha! I told you!" Jaina laughed.

"And because it was his duty," Sabe explained.

"Ha! I told you too!" Jacen said, sticking his tongue out at his sister.

"Sabe…tell more pease," young Anakin spoke for the first time.

"Good idea Ani," Sabe smiled.

Obi-wan woke and saw the early sun beams shining through his window. He could still sleep for another hour, but he got up anyway. He stood in the middle of his room and blinked, forcing his eyes to stay open. While Anakin was out, a letter was delivered at their door. Mace Windu had given it too him. He had opened it and read the details. It had been from Chancellor Palpatine. Now where did I put it? He spotted the white paper on his nightstand, and re-read it. The chancellor wanted to meet with him that afternoon. He had a feeling it would have something to do with Queen Amidala. His feelings were right, she had been on Coruscant. But it wasn't her the two nights ago. It must have been one of her handmaidens, they all looked alike.

He started to get dressed. He would have to wake Anakin soon and send him to the infirmary. Anakin practically had his own hospital bed. He was never sick, but Anakin always got into trouble and always got injured somehow. The list was endless. Each trip, he would always say, 'Anakin, you are going to be the end of me.' Obi-wan was surprised his hair wasn't gray by now. He picked up the letter and slipped it into his pocket. He hooked his belt and slipped on his cloak, like he did every morning and left his room.

He walked across the common room and over into Anakin's. He opened the door and slipped inside. It was a mess as usual, clothes strewn over the floor and his boots lying in the middle of the floor. Obi-wan looked over at the bed and saw his padawan curled in a ball with a sheet. He sat on the bed next to sleeping beauty and shook his shoulders.

"Anakin?"

"Mmm," Anakin grumbled quietly.

"Time to wake up," Obi-wan said.

"No, already?" he said quietly.

"That's the price you pay for going to bed late."

Anakin sat up and rubbed his eyes, while Obi-wan walked back towards the door. "Go to the infirmary, someone should be there. I have some business to attend to, so you won't have lessons for today."

Anakin looked back at his master sleepily. "Okay," he said between a yawn.

"What time are you going to visit Queen Amidala?"

"I dunno. I'll give her a buzz after I get out of the infirmary."

"Alright, I'll see you later padawan."

Once his master left Anakin plopped back on his pillow and closed his eyes.

::Don't you dare go back to sleep:: Obi-wan's voice echoed in Anakin's head.

::Fine! Have it your way!:: Anakin sent back. He sat up and untangled himself free from his covers. He looked around his room. Boy what a mess.

::I was thinking the same exact thing::

::Master get out of my head!::

::Just making sure you're up::

::I'm up! I'm up! Now get out of my head!::