Padmé froze. What would she answer? She was wearing a white dress and holding Anakin's hand. It was obvious that something was going on...
"Ah, Obi-Wan, so nice to see you again", Anakin said smiling. Obi-Wan bowed respetfully.
"Thank you, m'lord. Padmé, I'm waiting", he said turning to Padmé. She was going to say something, but Anakin interrupted her before she could speak.
"We're just arriving from a party in a friend's house. I couldn't leave without Padmé, so I took her with me. That's why we are dressed like this", he said. Padmé smiled and nodded to Obi-Wan, who frowned.
"Oh, I see...", Obi-Wan said disbelieving Anakin's explanation. He tried to read his thoughts, but he was strong minded, and whatever he was hiding, he was doing it well. "Padmé, that dress..."
"Doesn't she look beautiful?", Anakin said spinning her around. Obi-Wan nodded.
"Yes, she does", Obi-Wan said giving her a hard look. Padmé lowered her head. "Senator, would you mind leaving us alone? I have to talk with my Padawan". Anakin smiled.
"Of course. It's great to have you here, Obi-Wan", he said shaking his hand. Obi-Wan couldn't help to smile in return. After that, Master and Padawan were left alone. Padmé played with a lock of her hair, as she always did when she was nervous.
"Now, Padmé, please tell me the truth". There was an awkward silence. Padmé lifted her head and looked at Obi-Wan.
"We were on a party", she said.
"But that dress...", Obi-Wan pointed.
"I know what you are thinking, Master. I shouldn't have dresses like this, but I had to wear something else than my Jedi robes to go to a party as formal as the one we just went, I had no choice", she said shaking her head. Obi-Wan smiled.
"Don't play the victim here, you love to wear dresses". Padmé smiled: her Master bought every word she and Anakin said.
*
Dinner went ok. Anakin made all he could to avoid any awkward silences or disturbung topics, like the 'party', the relationship between Padmé and Anakin, the Sith, and stuff like that. Padmé kept silent, she didn't talk unless somebody asked her something. Obi-Wan noticed this and grew curious.
"Padawan, I thought that maybe after dinner we could talk about that very important thing you wanted to tell me", Obi-Wan said. Padmé swallowed hard and Anakin almost choked with his food when they heard the Jedi's words. Padmé looked at him and nodded.
"Yes of course, Master".
*
After dinner, Anakin retired to his chambers while Padmé and Obi-Wan talked in the living room. Padmé was very tense, and she kept tugging her hair and robe. Obi-Wan acted as if he didn't notice this and asked:
"So tell me, my young Padawan, what's this all about", he asked waving his hands in the air. Padmé decided to cut straight into the point. She took a deep breath and looked at Obi-Wan, who was staring at her expectantly.
"Master, darkness is haunting me, and apparently, it will stay in me for good", she said. Obi-Wan frowned.
"Explain better", he said, thinking that Padmé meant another thing than the one he feared.
"I feel the dark side sourrounding me and taking over control. It's playing with my mind and feelings, it's blinding me. I'm afraid, frightened, and no matter how hard I try, anger always overcomes. What can I do, Master? help me, please", Padmé said, her voice shaking. Obi-Wan kept quiet for a minute and sat in front of Padmé.
"For a start, you don't have to be afraid, we both know that fear leads us to the dark side, right?". He spoke softly to let her know that she wasn't alone in this. Padmé gave him a weak smile and nodded. Obi-Wan returned the smile and placed a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"We have to work on this together, Padmé. I'm glad that you came to me first before telling this to anyone else". Padmé lowered her head. "Who else knows, Padmé?", her master asked reading her eyes.
"Senator Skywalker knows. I had to tell him, he was beggining to notice. He was the one that made me realize what was going on with me", she explained. After a while, Obi-Wan nodded.
"Yes, you did the right thing. Besides, I think we can trust him", he said. Padmé just nodded. "Well, tomorrow we'll talk more about this. I'll go to my room now, the trip from Geneosis to here was very tireing", Obi-Wan said standing up.
"Where's your room, Master", Padmé asked standing up as well. Obi-Wan raised a brow and smiled.
"Across the hall from yours, why?", he asked. Padmé smiled back and shook her head.
"It's just good to know where you are, Master, that's all", she said. Obi-Wan frowned and sighed.
"Young women...", he whispered as he walked to his room. Padmé sighed in relief and sat on the couch. She lifted her head when she noticed that someone else was in the room besides her.
"Who's there?", she asked. Anakin appeared from behind a column and stepped into the moonlight.
"It's me. is Obi-Wan gone, now?", he whispered. Padmé nodded and rushed to his arms. Anakin returned the embrace with a very serious expression on his face.
"What are we going to do with my Master here? He can't know about our marriage", Padmé said a little worried.
"We'll just have to pretend while he's here. Did he tell you when he was leaving?", Anakin asked curious. Padmé nodded.
"Yes, after dinner he told me that the council expected him back in Courasant in a couple of days, maybe less. He'll probably leave tomorrow in the evening", she answered. Then she lifted her head and smiled at Anakin. "Then we'll have our wedding night", she said grinning. Anakin smiled and kissed her. They kissed for a while, until they were interrupted.
"Padawan!!", Obi-Wan yelled from the door. Padmé pushed Anakin away and froze. There was no excuse she could make up now, at least not a believable one. She was going to say something when Anakin stepped to the front.
"Obi-Wan, I'll explain this to you", he said. Obi-Wan nodded.
"Yes, I'd like that", he said in a hard tone. Anakin turned to Padmé with a pleading look in his eyes.
Padmé gave him a puzzled look and he reasured her with a smile.
"Alright", she said. When she walked by Obi-Wan, he gave her a hard look. When she was out of the room, Obi-Wan made sure that she wasn't behind the door listening.
"Master Kenobi, please come to the terrace with me", Anakin asked seriously. Obi-Wan nodded and followed him. Once outside, Anakin spoke up.
"As you know, Padmé is being tempted by the dark side", he began.
"Yes, but how does that has anything to do with what I just saw in there?", he asked a little annoyed.
"Everything", Anakin replied. This only made Obi-Wan's confusion to increase. "Padmé and I are in love, Obi-Wan, and that's the only thing that's being keeping her from giving into her anger. She is so much different when we are together, she's happy and calmed".
"Wait a second... are you telling me that you and Padmé are having an affair?", Kenobi asked in disbelief. Anakin shook his head. "Then...?"
"We are married", Anakin answered firmly. He noticed that Obi-Wan was going to say something but he cut in before he could say anything. "Our marriage is to make her feel safe, to let her know that she isn't alone. Right now, it's the only thing that's keeping her on the light side", he explained.
"Does she know the reasons of your marriage?", Obi-Wan asked. Anakin shook his head. "How do you think that she'll react when she realized this? She's not stupid, senator. And did you think that something like marriage would keep her from turning to the dark side? Yes, braking the Jedi Code is a great idea to stay in the light side, m'lord...", he said sarcastically. Anakin rolled his eyes.
"You don't get it. It's the Jedi code that's making her anger grow. She needs someone to comfort her, to be by her side, and that person..."
"Is going to be you?", Obi-Wan interrupted. Anakin nodded.
"Please, Obi-Wan, don't tell anything to the council, not unless Padmé is in danger. I'll let you know if anything happens. Please, let me help her", Anakin pleaded. After a long silence, Obi-Wan sighed.
"Alright... I'll not say anything about this to the council. But what if Padmé is safe, what will happen to your marriage?", he asked. Anakin sighed.
"We'll keep it a secret". After seeing Kenobi's reaction, he continued. "Please, Obi-Wan. There's nothing else to do".
"Fine, I shall retire now", he said walking back inside.
"Sleep well", Anakin said politely. Obi-Wan turned around.
"I'm leaving tonight, so we'll not see each other in a long time. I'll make up some excuse to the council so that Padmé can stay here as long as possible", he said. Anakin smiled.
"I appreciate it". Obi-Wan nodded.
"Take care of her", Kenobi said before leaving Anakin alone.
*
Padmé was confused. Why was Obi-Wan's shuttle leaving so soon? She decided to find out with Anakin. Just as she was walking outside her room Anakin was walking inside.
"Anakin, what happened? Why is Obi-Wan leaving, what did you tell him?", she asked nervous. Anakin placed his hands on her shoulders to calm her down.
"I told him the truth, he was fine with our marriage and promised not to tell anyone, not even the council. Don't worry, we'll be fine", he said as he wrapped his arms around her. "He also told me that he'll speak to the council so that you can stay here as long as possible". After hearing this, Padmé smiled and looked at Anakin.
"Really, I can stay here with you?", she asked in disbelief. Anakin smiled at her childish reaction. He simply nodded, what made Padmé's smile to widen even more. Anakin smiled and kissed her. "I love you", she whispered.
"I know", Anakin replied dryly. Padmé smiled.
"That wasn't the answer I was expecting, you know?", she said. For an answer, she got a possesive kiss from her husband. Anakin was her husband now, and she was his wife. This thought disturbed Anakin somehow. He had married Padmé to protect her. He loved her too, but mostly the marriage was about protection, safety. Suddenly, Padmé pushed him away. Anakin embraced her but she pushed him once again.
"Padmé, what is it?", he asked confused. Padmé's eyes were spitting fire.
"Protection? Is that what this is all about, Anakin?", she said in a hard tone. Her voice was full of anger, but mostly, she was hurt.
"Padmé, listen to me...", he started.
"No, you listen! You married me not because you loved me, but because you were afraid of me and my temper. I can't believe this...", she said turning to the window, trying to hide her tears. Anakin sighed and lowered his head. He had no excuse, he had nothing to tell her, except for the truth.
"Padmé, if I married you was because I needed to protect you, I need to be sure that you are alright. That's because I love you. You may think that I made a mistake, you are allowed to, but please don't hate me", he said.
Padmé bit her lips to keep her sobbs for herself. She didn't know what to think, because she loved Anakin, but what he had done to her was horrible, almost unforgivable. Padmé's thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of Anakin's arms around her waist. She tensed and didn't move an inch.
"Padmé, we are married now. Please, let's overcome this and start our life as a husband and wife with the right foot" ", Anakin said almost pleading.
"How do I know that you'll never lie to me again?", she asked in a hard tone.
"You'll have to trust me, just like I trust you", Anakin answered. Padmé gave an ironic laugh when he finished.
"If you trust me, then why did you married me? You told me that you did it because you wanted to protect me. That means that you don't trust me". Anakin sighed when he realized she was right. He released her and walked to the door.
"I want you to know that I'm really sorry for what I did, and that I love you". When he finished, he left the room. Padmé closed the door with the force and brought her hands to her face. She lied on her bed and cried hopelessly. What could she do now? Anakin had lied to her, and she couldn't even look at him at that moment. But they were married, and there was nothing that she could do to avoid him.
Padmé felt a weigth on her bed. She raised her head from the pillow and saw Anakin sitting next to her, looking straight into her eyes. Anakin wiped Padmé's tears away with his fingers and caressed her cheek. Though Padmé tried to avoid his touch, he didn't move his hand.
"It's alright, Padmé", he whispered. Padmé sighed and gently grabbed his hand. Anakin smiled and leaned down to kiss her. Padmé wrapped her arms around him and returned the kiss.