**Author's note – this chapter contains M rated content – you've been warned!**

Chapter 40

Anakin returned to the gala, and headed straight for the bar. After getting a drink, he returned to the auction, determined to make some bids on things he didn't really want. Ahsoka had seen him leave with Padmé, and now saw him return alone. She frowned, worrying that the two of them had had words. Deciding to check on her friend, she went outside to find Padmé.

"Padmé? Are you okay?"

Padmé looked over to see Ahsoka. "I'm fine," she said, wiping the tears from her face.

Ahsoka frowned. "No, you're clearly not fine," she said. "What's happened? What's wrong?"

Padmé shook her head as more tears started. Ahsoka grew alarmed.

"Come on," Ahsoka said, putting an arm around Padmé's shoulders. "Let's go somewhere private where you can pull yourself together."

Padmé nodded, and allowed Ahsoka to take her to her office, away from the gala.

"What happened between you and Anakin?" Ahsoka asked. "I saw you and him leave the party and go outside."

Padmé sat down and took a moment to collect herself. "I made a huge mistake," she said finally. "And accused Anakin wrongly. And now he's saying that we have no chance of reconciling because there is no trust between us," she related, as tears rolled down her face.

Ahsoka frowned, hating that two of her dearest friends were in such pain. "Can I ask what you accused him of?" she asked.

Padmé nodded, and related the incident involving Julie to Ahsoka, and then the conversation she'd just had with Anakin.

"Julie again," Ahsoka muttered. "I don't understand why Anakin doesn't just tell her to get lost already. She's caused so much trouble for you two."

"I know," Padmé agreed. "I think maybe he's finally had enough, he did tell her to get out," she said. "But that isn't really the issue, Ahsoka; I assumed the worst of him. Despite everything he's done to show me that he's trustworthy, I still assumed that he could do that. I feel horrible," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "I've hurt him so deeply, the look in his eyes…" she stopped, unable to continue.

Ahsoka sighed. What could she say? Anakin had every right to be hurt, to be angry and upset. She knew how hard he was trying to get along with Padmé, if for no other reason than for the sake of their children. What was more, she knew that he loved Padmé deeply.

"I'm sorry, Padmé," Ahsoka said at last. "Give him time to cool off, that's my advice," she went on. "You know how he is. Give him time to cool off, and then talk to him again. He loves you, Padmé, you know he does."

Padmé nodded. "I know," she said. "But is that going to be enough?"

Ahsoka didn't know how to answer her question, and so she said nothing and simply stayed with her friend while she collected herself.

At the gala

"Drinking your troubles away, Skywalker?"

Anakin looked up from the item he was examining a painting he was trying to decipher. "Excuse me?"

Palo gave him a denigrating smirk. "I haven't seen you that you haven't had a drink in your hand all night," he said.

Anakin frowned. He was in no mood to bandy words with the likes of Palo. "Is there some reason you've been observing me all night?" he asked.

"I haven't," Palo was quick to point out. "But each time I have seen you, you've had a drink," he commented. "I didn't think Jedi were allowed alcohol."

"You clearly don't know much about the Jedi, clearly," Anakin said. "So perhaps you should keep your observations to yourself," he said.

"Fair enough," Palo said. He had noticed Anakin examining one of his pieces. "Are you putting a bid on this?" he asked.

"I don't even know what it's supposed to be," he admitted.

Palo laughed. "Well, it's abstract, Skywalker," he said. "You do know what that means, right?"

Anakin was starting to grow angry. "I do, believe it or not," he said. "It means nonrepresentational," he said.

"Very good," Palo said. "There's hope for you yet."

Anakin frowned. "Lucky me," he said.

Palo watched him. "Well? What do you think of it?"

Anakin looked back at the sculpture. "It's ugly," he said. "I wouldn't hang it over my toilet."

Palo's cheeks reddened. "Well, I suppose I can't expect you to appreciate it," he said. "You're clearly not intuitive enough to understand its nuances."

Anakin had reached the end of his tether. "No? I'm quite intuitive, actually," he said, turning and looking at hm straight on. "I can clearly see what's in your mind, Jamabie," he went on. "And I have to say, it's even uglier than your art."

Palo looked up at him, too obtuse to recognize how thin the proverbial ice was under his feet. "I beg your pardon?" he replied.

"I've had enough of your condescension for one night," Anakin said. "So, keep your malicious tongue behind your teeth."

Palo observed Anakin for a moment, and then had a thought. He wasn't bright enough to keep it to himself. "I think I know where all this hostility is coming from," he said. "You're jealous! You saw me dancing with Padmé and you're jealous."

Anakin didn't reply, and simply turned away from the odious little man. But Palo, not being terribly intuitive himself, didn't let it go.

"Admit it, Skywalker," he taunted, following behind Anakin. "You're jealous because she'd rather be with me than with you."

Anakin stopped in his tracks and turned around. "What did you say?"

"I said, you're jealous because Padmé doesn't want you…" were all the words that he was able to utter before Anakin's fist connected with his face. Palo hit the floor, as people around them gasped in shock.

"You bastard!" Palo squealed, holding his bloodied nose. "You broke my nose!"

"Consider yourself fortunate," Anakin said.

Obi-Wan, who had observed the altercation, came to Anakin at once and escorted him away before security could do so.

"What the devil is wrong with you?" Obi-Wan asked as he escorted Anakin out of the room.

"He had it coming," Anakin said.

Obi-Wan could see that Anakin had been drinking, and frowned. "I'm taking you home before you really get into trouble," he said.

Anakin didn't object. He'd had enough of the gala by now anyway.

At Anakin's apartment

"Thanks, Dormé," Anakin said, as he said goodnight to her.

She was surprised that he was home relatively early, but said nothing. She also said nothing about the fact that he seemed somewhat intoxicated.

"You're welcome," she said. "Goodnight."

Anakin walked into the living room and sat down heavily on the sofa. He ran his hands through his hair, trying his best to quell the storm of emotions that had beset him. Kicking off his boots, he lay back on the sofa, covering his eyes with his forearm, and, eventually, drifted off to sleep.

At the gala

"The man is a menace, Padmé," Palo complained as she sat with him. His nose was not broken, but he had made quite a fuss nonetheless, holding an ice pack his face for all to see. "I can't imagine why you invited him here tonight."

Padmé sighed. "Anakin isn't a menace," she said. "You must have done something to upset him for him to react like that."

Palo frowned, wincing in pain as he did so. "We were having a conversation about a piece of my art," he replied. "He was rather insulting about it, to tell you the truth."

Padmé wasn't surprised: Anakin had never been one to mince words. "And how did that end up with him punching you?" she asked.

"I simply pointed out that his hostility towards me stemmed from jealousy," he said. "He must have seen us together, and it made him jealous. Clearly, he has some unresolved feelings where you're concerned, Padmé. Were you aware of this?"

Padmé said nothing, his comments giving her pause. Anakin was jealous of Palo? Jealous enough to punch Palo in the face?

"I'm sorry, Palo," she said, not answering his question. "Perhaps you ought to get a medi-droid to have a look at your nose."

"No, I'll be fine," he said bravely. "I don't want to let this spoil the night. I can't tell you how wonderful it's been to see you again, Padmé," he said, taking her hand. "I have missed you terribly."

Padmé gave him a tepid smile. Oh dear, let's not go there, Palo. "It's been nice seeing you too," she said.

The gala wrapped up close to midnight, having raised a great deal of money for charity. Padmé had done her best to enjoy the festivities, but given what had happened with Anakin, she found it difficult to do so. She had managed to shake off Palo by introducing him to a local gallery owner, and had slipped out without any fanfare. She didn't want any, she'd had enough attention for one evening.

As she flew home, her thoughts turned to Anakin. She checked the time, seeing that it was close to midnight. Is he still up? Has he gone to bed? She wondered. I need to talk to him, I need to make sure he's okay, she thought.

The apartment was quiet when Padmé arrived. There was a light on in the living room, however, so she decided that Anakin was still up.

"Anakin?" she called softly, not wanting to wake up the twins. She received no answer, and so she walked into the living room. There, on the sofa, was Anakin, fast asleep. She smiled, and sat down on the sofa opposite from him, not sure what to do. He was snoring softly, as he often did when he slept on his back. Deciding to let him sleep, Padmé went into his bedroom to fetch a blanket, knowing how he hated to be cold. She returned to him, and placed the blanket over him. But as she did so, he suddenly awoke. His eyes snapped open and looked up at her, startling them both.

"Oh!" she said, stepping back. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
Anakin, who was discombobulated for a moment, simply stared at her. "Padmé? Wha..what are you doing here?" he muttered.

Padmé sat down across from him. "I just wanted to check on you," she said. "I saw what happened with Palo, and I was worried."

Anakin frowned as he sat up. "Oh, you saw that did you," he said, running his hands through his unruly hair.

"I'm afraid so," she said.

"Yeah, well, he asked for it," Anakin said as he turned to face her with a yawn.

She smiled. "I don't doubt it for a minute," she said. "He claims you were simply having a conversation about his art."

Anakin scoffed. "Art? Is that what you call it?"

"That's what he called it," she said. "And by the way, hour donations raised more money than anyone else's, so thanks again."

"No problem," he said. He looked at her, trying to determine her real reason for coming here so late at night. "Why are you here, Padmé?" he asked. "I sense that there is more to it than simply me punching Palo in the face."

Padmé looked down at her hands in her lap. "Something Palo said," she told him, deciding to be totally upfront within him. "He claimed it was the reason you punched him."

"What did he tell you?"

She looked up at him. "That you were jealous of him," she said. "Jealous of the time he and I spent together."

Anakin nodded. "Yeah, I think that was when I punched him," he said.

"Is it true, then?" she asked. "Were you jealous?"

Anakin said nothing for a moment, trying to determine why she was asking, why she even cared.

"Does it matter?" he asked finally.

"Yes, it does," she replied readily.

"Why?"
Padmé sighed. "I'm tired of playing games, Anakin," she said. "You know how I feel about you. I've made it very clear that I love you, that I want you. So, the fact that you were jealous, if indeed you were, does matter. It means that you want me too."

Anakin was surprised by her forthrightness. "I'm tired of playing games too," he said.

She looked at him, the look in his eyes making her heart start to beat faster. "Then let's stop," she said. "Let's admit how we truly feel once and for all." She stood up. "Be honest me, or I'll leave."

Anakin looked up at her, and then slowly stood up. He stepped over to her, and took her by the hands. "I want you," he said simply and ran his hands along the length of her arms. "Seeing Palo holding you in his arms drove me crazy," he said, the alcohol in his system having loosened his tongue and lowered his inhibitions.

Padmé looked up at him, the feel of his hands on her bare skin driving her need for him higher. She took his face in her hands and pulled him closer, bringing her mouth to his. Anakin wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as their kiss intensified. Padmé felt his hands move to the zipper of her dress and slowly lower it, his hands pulling it from her.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered into her ear as his hands roved over her. His mouth moved to her neck, nuzzling it in the way she'd always loved. Padmé closed her eyes, lost in the sensations as he manoeuvred her back onto the sofa. She sat down as Anakin stood before her, removing his tunic. She reached forward and started to undo his trousers, smiling when she noted how aroused he was.

"Lie down, Padmé," he told her once he was nude. She lay back, and watched as he moved between her legs, pushing them apart as his mouth drove her to pinnacles of ecstasy. She moaned softly as he pushed into her next, the sensation of him inside of her after so long nearly bringing tears to her eyes. She took his face in her hands and kissed him again, as their bodies moved as one, as the bodies of lovers do.

"I've missed you so much," she whispered into his ear as his mouth moved to her neck. "I've missed this so much."

Anakin looked down at her and smiled. "So have I," he said, and brought his mouth to hers again.

A few hours later …

Anakin and Padmé ended up his bed, and eventually fell asleep in one another's arms. Padmé awoke first, and turned to look at Anakin as he slept, spooned up behind her. She smiled, and kissed him softly before getting out of the bed. She reasoned that the twins would be up soon, and needed to find something to put on before they did. She found a tunic in one of the dresser drawers that was large enough on her to be a short dress, and brought it into the bathroom with her. After showering, she put int on, smirking at her reflection in the mirror.

Luke and Leia were just waking up when she entered the nursery. They were both delighted and surprised to see their mother.

"Good morning!" she said, kissing each of them in turn. "I'm so happy to see you!"

Anakin entered the room at this point, wearing his shorts, his hair all askew from sleep. "Good morning," he said. He picked up Luke as Padmé picked up Leia to change their diapers. "I haven't slept that well in a long time," he remarked to her with a smile.

Padmé smiled. "Neither have I," she said. "Looks like we both needed the same thing."

Anakin nodded. "I guess so," he said. Truth be told, he'd started to have nagging misgivings about what had happened. The sex had been great – and it had been a very long time since his last time. But things were still very complicated between he and Padmé; was making love going to make things even more so?

"You're quiet," she observed as they sat the twins in their highchairs. "Please don't tell me you regret what happened."

"No, I don't think regret is the word for it," he said as he prepared the twins' breakfast. "I guess I'm just hoping we didn't make things even more complicated than they already are between us."

Padmé watched him, his words deflating the happy mood she'd woken up in. "How? How would admitting how we feel for one another, and expressing those feelings complicate things?" she asked. "If anything, I think last night was the first time we've been totally honest with each other in a very long time."

Anakin smiled. "Honest? Is that what you call what we were?" he remarked.

Padmé blushed. "Among other things," she said. "Ani, I know things aren't perfect between us, and I know that one night spent together isn't going to solve all of our problems. But it was a beautiful night, a night we both, very obviously, needed. Can we just enjoy it and not over analyze it?"

Anakin considered her words as he set the bowls in front of Luke and Leia. "Yes, you're right," he said. "Funny, you're usually the one overthinking things. Never imagined I'd be on the other end of this conversation."
Padmé laughed. "I was thinking the same thing," she said. "Now, let me make you some breakfast," she said standing up.

Anakin watched her. "What are you wearing?" he asked in amusement.

"Something I found in your dresser," she said, opening the refrigerator. "I don't know how I'm going to explain myself to Dormé when I go home," she said.

Anakin laughed. "I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that conversation," he commented.

"Thanks a lot," she said with a smile.