Padme thought carefully about Cloud's words . Cloud was like a sister to her , and the senator trusted Tee with every bit of trust bottled up inside of her .

She wanted to tell Anakin so badly . She wanted to be in his arms , to be comforted , and to be told that he was just being human , not the type of the dark side .

" Anakin , " she thought to herself .

Padme glanced at the frown on her face in the mirror . Why did she fear to tell Anakin what Cloud - tee had said ? After all , they were husband and wife now . To be together forever ..

She looked in the mirror once more , to see Anakin's husky figure in the reflection .

" What's wrong Padme ? You look sad .. " asked Anakin curiously , " I would have welcomed Jedi Cloud to stay a little longer , but she was in such a hurry . "

" Oh , it's not that , Ani . You trust Cloud - tee , right ? " responded Padme .

" Of course ! A friend of yours is always a friend of mines too , " he ran his fingers through Padme's hair and continued , " Why ? Did I say something wrong ? "

" No , it's not that .. Tee' s worried about us , Anakin . And especially you , " Padme paused to hold Anakin's hand , " She senses the dark side in you . "

" I .. I don't know what to say .. I know love is forbidden for a Jedi , and - - my mother ? I can't help it , Padme . She was my .. my mother . " said Anakin longingly .

" I know . Cloud's worried about our marriage . She thinks the Jedi Council will find out soon , but she promised not to tell them , " said Padme gripping Anakin's hand slightly tighter .

" They're bound to find out , and I'm ready for them . I'll - " he paused to put his arms around Padme , " I'll do anything for you .. even if it means giving up the life of a Jedi . "

" Ani .. " That was all she could get out , for at that moment , Anakin leaned closer to lovingly embrace her with a gentle kiss .

Padme loved Anakin so much . Not only because of those words he had said a minute before , but everything else . Sometimes , he could be a little angry at times , but never at her . Cloud had said she sensed their love .

Cloud . She thought . I really need her right now . Not to be a Jedi , but just to be there when I need to talk.

Just as the thoughts crowded her mind , the doorbell rang .

" M' Lady ! It's Cloud - tee ! " called one of her handmaidens .

Padme looked bewildered . How ? Why ?

She looked confusingly at Anakin , who said , " Heh , go ahead . You must've been thinking of her . She's a Jedi too you know .. must've been some kind of best friend thing . "

" Cloud ?! What are you doing here ? I thought you had to tell the Jedi Council something .. " asked Padme eagerly .

Cloud's familiar face smiled , " Remember when I said I would be here for you through thick and through thin ? Well , the Council can wait . This is one of those thick times , and I read your thoughts . You really need me to talk to . "

Padme smiled warmly , " Cloud , you always come through for me ! "

* * *

The next evening , Cloud joined Padme for yet another " slumber party " . Anakin slept soundly in his quarters .

" So , Padme , what is it you wanted to talk to me about ? " asked Cloud .

The senator fiddled with the good luck charm Anakin gave her so many years ago , " I'm confused Tee . Everything 's so complicated . To think that any minute now the Council might call to talk to Ani about us . I want him to be with me , he has a way of letting me forget all my problems , to drift .. I told him . About what you said . He said he would give up being a Jedi for me , " she looked straight at Cloud , " I can't let him , Tee . He worked so hard to become what he is now , I don't want him to give it all up for - for me . " Cloud nodded understandingly . She looked away from Padme's stare , and then back again . " Padme , the Council will find out no matter what . I'm not sure what they'll do , but I believe .. I believe Anakin will do as he says , to leave the Jedi Order . His love for you is far stronger than any love I have seen . It's unbreakable . His choices can not be controlled , not by the Council , you , me , or anyone else . And from what I sense , he'll pick you . There's nothing you can do .. he loves you too much , Padme . "

The senator , at that moment , was powerless . The words that had come out of Cloud's mouth were too much . She believed in Tee , but even though she was a Jedi , it didn't seem right . Predict Anakin's choice ? She looked away from her friend , and back at the treasure in her palm .

" What's that ? "

" This ? Oh , it's nothing .. Anakin carved this for me ten years ago . He said it was a good luck charm , but it doesn't seem like it is right now , " replied Padme .

Cloud was surprised . So , Padme kept that for ten years .. " You're relationship with Anakin is almost too much for my Jedi senses . You know , I was in love like that once .. "

" Really ? Then you know how it feels . How did you get away with it ? "

Get away with it ?

Cloud - Tee chuckled softly . Anakin was rubbing off a little on Padme .

" It was before I was a Jedi padawan . I was about 12 . We liked each other , everyone could tell . He was my first love .. When we had to separate , my heart was broken . I decided it would be better not to love anymore . I didn't want to feel that kind of pain again . This was part of the reason I decided to become a Jedi . "

Jedi . Thought Padme . How could someone live like that ? At that moment , the senator didn't want to hear the word . She wanted Cloud to be her friend for a second , not her Jedi friend . Just a regular friend .

Apparently , Cloud heard her thoughts . She could feel Padme's agony . So this is how much she wants Anakin to be with her . She smiled , " Padme , I will always be your friend . And don't think I didn't hear your thoughts ! If you don't want me to be a Jedi right now , just ask ! Besides , I am a little like Anakin . I still get a little angry . You're my best friend , Padme , and I love you . You are like a sister to me ! "

Padme was so touched . She smiled widely , " Oh , Tee . "

They shared the biggest hug a best friends could give .

" Remember when we were ten ? We used to trick the neighborhood boys into walking into the clubhouse . And then we splashed them with water , " said Padme happily .

" That was so funny ! Then they would splash us with water . We would all jump in the lake after that in our best clothes , " smiled Tee .

" And our parents would get angry with us .. but we would still do it ! " chuckled Padme .

They shared a warm laugh . They hadn't laughed together like this in a long time . The two wanted to laugh , but they knew they needed to talk about something much more important .

" Cloud .. I don't know what to do . I love Ani with all I have . "

Cloud sighed , " That's exactly what you'll have to do . Love him with all your heart . This is how it has to be from now on .. Love him , cherish your relationship , and don't take it back . "

Padme bit her lip . Her friend was so much better off without the Jedi rules controlling her every move . She could let go , and not have to worry about getting the Jedi look on things .

" I like you better as a .. a non - Jedi , " she told Tee a little embarrassed .

" I know , " she smiled .

The senator wondered , how could someone younger than herself give such good advice ?

Cloud looked down at Padme's hand . She could hear her thoughts , but she refused to mention it . Was her advice that good ? She grinned widely and asked , " Do you plan to have children , Padme ? "

Padme raised her eyebrows . She looked up at Cloud sitting on the chair . This was a question she thought about many times , but never really answered . This time , though , she had to answer . She pouted in a childish way , and said truthfully , " Maybe .. Yes , I do want children . Why , Tee ? "

Cloud - Tee laughed warmly , " I think children are the most precious thing in the world .. They have a mind of their own , a world of their own . And I want to hold them . I've never actually held a child before . "

Padme couldn't believe that a Jedi wanted to hold a child . Cloud was a little like Anakin . Unpredictable , and special ..

" You and Anakin will have children . I can sense - - I mean .. I can feel it . "

The senator laughed . Would they really have children ?

" Padme .. I have to go . I promise I'll come right back after I visit Yoda . And remember , love , cherish , and don't take it back .. "

She looked at Cloud sadly , " I understand , I'll be waiting for you .. Bye Cloud . "



You like ? HAHA . I'll try to write another chapter ..