Author: Elizabeth

Email: coffman1623@adelphia.net

Rating: PG-13

Setting: AU - about the same time period as AOTC...

Authors Note: This just popped into my head one night and I had to write it. If you like it, please give me some feedback because I'm not sure if I want to develop it further... Thanks! [pic]

Prologue: "Reflections"

Padmé Amidala was lonely.

She stood alone on a simple balcony at her house in Naboo and stared out into the night, reflecting on her life, on the eve of what some could call the most important decision in the History of the Galactic Senate.

The longer she stared out at the stars, the lonelier she felt.

It wasn't that she was ever alone, a statement far away from the actual truth. She was constantly surrounded by Guards, Handmaidens, Advisors and whatnot. However, none of these people ever really talked to her, or talked to her like she was an actual person, with other thoughts rather than Senatorial Debates. True, it was rare that Padmé had time to think of other things besides Senatorial Debates, but she still longed for some company. Padmé felt much older than her 24 years of age and she couldn't help but feel that she had lost a little bit of her childhood somewhere along the line between Queen and Senator.

Now, she didn't feel remorse about the current direction of her life. She was proud that she had risen so far in the ranks of Politicians, proud that she had made such a difference in the Senatorial Democracy. Despite the lengthy list of her accomplishments, Padmé couldn't shake the deep rooted feeling that something was missing in her life.

If only she could figure out what it was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anakin Skywalker was restless.

He silently sat against a rock and looked out over the dark skies of Malastare and subconsciously tapped his long slender fingers against the sides of his legs repeatedly.

It wasn't that he didn't have anything to do. He was a Jedi after all and a Jedi's life was never quite dull. However, as he accompanied his Master Obi-Wan Kenobi on mission after mission, the more restless he became. The Force was all knowing and through his beginning mastery of it, he knew that he was missing out on something. He knew that a part of his restlessness came from missing his mother, Shmi and to a lesser extent, Padmé Amidala, a woman that haunted his memories and thoughts everyday since that fateful afternoon when she fell to her knees and proclaimed herself the true Queen in front of Boss Nass. He longed to be with both of them – but that was forbidden.

Anakin chalked his rampant emotions all up to his dedication to the Jedi Order. One wasn't supposed to have a fun time as a Jedi, he mused to himself, but he still longed for some… fun and someone to share it with. Despite his lack of "fun," Anakin truly appreciated the tremendous opportunity to become a Jedi Knight. It sure beat living a slave life on Tatooine and he felt that through his work as a Jedi, he was actually helping the galaxy.

In fact, he could almost say that he loved being a Jedi, except for the fact that both Obi-Wan and the Jedi Council seemed unable to come to a decision about his fate and that on some level, they didn't seem to trust him. Anakin knew he was ready to take the infamous and grueling Jedi Trials, but the last time he mentioned it, Master Obi-Wan seemed very hesitant to let Anakin go on his own. His ascent into the Jedi Order wasn't orthodox, with Master Qui-Gon Jinn storming in and declaring Anakin his Padawan Learner all those years ago, and Anakin wondered if some of the Council Members were still reserved at his presence.

Deep down, Anakin wondered what they were all afraid of.