The next morning, I awoke very early. Being careful not to awaken Padmé, I rolled out of bed and got dressed. I kissed her cheek, then climbed down the side of the building. I hurried over to the Temple, the early morning air riffling through my mussed-up hair. I went up to Obi-Wan's quarters and found that he was still asleep.

"Anakin," he said when he saw that it was I who had woken him up, "what are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry I woke you, Master, but I just wanted to tell you something strange that happened last night."

"Come in, come in, Young One."

"Well," I started, following Obi-Wan to a couple of chairs, "last night, I was standing out on the balcony after Padmé had gone to sleep. I was feeling the night air on my face and I heard a faint voice on the wind. It was singing a haunting melody, and all of a sudden, I just burst into song. Except, it couldn't have been my voice because it was so beautiful, as were the words."

"What was it you sang?"

I sang it for him, proving to him that I could not sing.

"You're right," he said, "that is beautiful. I cannot explain what it was." He paused to ponder the thought for a moment, then looked back to me. "While I am thinking about it, would you like me to finish the story I started yesterday?"

I nodded.

"All right. Well, I gestured that Kaya should sit down on the bed, so she did and gave me a questioning look. All of a sudden, I burst into song. Oddly enough, Padawan, it was the same song you just sang to me. I think that the Force sent you what I had sung so long ago. I can think of no other explanation. But getting back to the story . . .

"She started to talk again, but I could restrain myself no longer; I sat down and leaned in to kiss her passionately. I tingled all over with the feeling of being so close to such an attractive woman and also because this was my first kiss. She pushed me away after a few moments, looked at me with an incredulous look in her eye, and said, 'What are you doing, you strange man? Did you think that I was attracted to you? The only reason I came with you was because I thought I was in danger. I cannot believe you thought that I . . . '

"Her emotions got the best of her and she screamed. I tried to quiet her, but the guard was there in moments and asked what was going on. Running behind the large, dark human for protection, she said, 'This man tried to have his way with me!'

"The guard looked at my wardrobe and hair and said, 'Come on, Jedi,' pulling me up from the bed by my braid. He dragged me back to Qui-Gon and my dwelling and told my Master the story as he had seen it. I was looking down at the floor the whole time, but I could feel Qui-Gon's glares at me. When the guard left, he told me to sit down and lectured me as calmly as he could manage.

" 'Obi-Wan, what was going through your head? How could you make such advances on a woman? Obi-Wan, I . . . I cannot talk to you right now. I am afraid of what I might say, and I do not want to say something that I will regret. Just go to sleep and think about what you have done. Maybe you will realize the reason that Jedi are forbidden to have personal attachments.'

"He walked back to his bed, turned off the light, and went to sleep. I sat awake for a while, angry at myself for not controlling my emotions like I knew I could have. I vowed to myself and to the sleeping Qui-Gon that I would never again let my emotions get the better of me. I am glad to say that I have never fallen in love again, nor made any advances on a woman, but my emotions have gotten the better of me in other ways, as you saw yesterday. So, that was the first, and last, time I fell in love."

"That's a sad story, Master. I am sorry you had such a bad experience with love."

"So am I, Padawan. So am I." His eyes stared into nothingness. After a few moments, he snapped back and looked at me, smiling. "Well, I must be getting ready," he said, getting up from his chair.

I followed suit. "Yes, Master. I will leave you alone."

I left Obi-Wan's room and wandered down the hall, thinking deeply about the memories that had come to me last night; I began getting angry once again. I did not see the man in front of me until I ran straight into him, causing him to drop the stack of durasheet he had been carrying. I instinctively knelt down, apologizing for my clumsiness, picking up the papers, without even looking at who it was.

"Why, young Skywalker, I was just about to go find you. I have something I want to discuss."

I looked up at hearing the familiarly smooth voice and into the face of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.

"Supreme Chancellor," I said in recognition, awkwardly attempting a bow while bending over, and failing.

He smiled, his pronounced nose flaring slightly, and he held out his hand to help me up. Once at my full height, which was a few inches taller than he was, I handed him the durasheet he had dropped. He put his free hand around my shoulders and led me down the hall, as if we were old friends.

Over the years, we had become more than acquaintances, but I would not have considered us "friends," in the sense of the word. He was the leader of the entire Republic and I was but a Padawan learner. He often took time to ask me into his office to discuss trivial things, as well as a serious matter or two every now and then. It was nice that this powerful man paid such attention to me, but occasionally I had a slight sense of foreboding when I was sitting in his grand office. I usually thought nothing of it and continued listening intently.

Once inside Palpatine's office, he sent the guards out, which he did when he wanted to talk about something serious. I sat down as he put the papers on a shelf behind me as he came around and sat behind his desk as usual. Steepling his fingers, he looked at me and began.

"Young Skywalker, I want to discuss a matter of some importance with you. As you are aware, most people of power have a selection a personal aides who help them with certain things. For example, you know of the small band of handmaidens of Senator Amidala's." Was it the light, or did his eyes twinkle when he said that?

I nodded that yes, I knew.

"Well, I have recently had an opening in my small band of aides. The gentleman and I had . . . differing views on many serious matters, so I had to let him go. I wanted you to be the first one I offered the position to. With it comes power and perhaps a little money. As time goes on, you will undoubtedly receive more money and power.

"You would still be able to train at the Jedi Temple, of course," he added, answering my paramount unspoken concern. "However, you will be spending the majority of your time away from training with me, and we will be getting personal with each other. I want us to be as open and honest as possible. If you are open with me, I will be open with you.

"So," he said, leaning over his desk, "what do you say?"

"Well, Supreme Chancellor -- "

"Please, my boy. Call me 'Palpatine.' "

"Palpatine . . . " It felt odd to address him so informally, but he did insist. "It's quite an offer."

"You don't have to answer right now, of course."

"Oh, it's not a question of whether I want the position or not. It would be an honor."

He stood up beaming. "Good! Good!" He came around his desk and clasped my hands in his and shook, as if sealing my fate. "When would you like to start?"
"Would tomorrow be all right? I'd have to run this by my Master."

"Er . . . " he said, shifting as if uncomfortable and glancing away. "I'd rather you keep this quiet for now. I don't want people to know about my personal aides. There are so many lifeforms out there who resist the Republic and my leadership. I don't want to put your life in danger. There is no telling what they would do if they knew you worked so closely with me. You understand my concern."

"Of course, Supr-- . . . Palpatine. I won't tell Obi-Wan. But how will I explain being with you so much?"

"I'll handle that," he said in a deeper, quieter voice than any voice I had previously heard him use.

He had not yet let go of my hands.