Deceptions
Chapter 9
They had arrived at a small café in Coco town, secluded and anonymous, and they sat facing each other, fingers interlaced. To the casual observer, they were just another young couple in love, cooing endearments to each other but Anakin seemed on edge. He was perpetually looking around, as if he were in fear of discovery. Frustrated, Padmé gently cupped his chin in her hand and met his gaze, which softened almost instantly.
"Ani..." she said tenderly, and he smiled. Suddenly, he shot to his feet, a stranger approaching their table.
"Coona tee-tockey malla?" Anakin snapped at the Rodian. "Keel-ee calleya ku kah! Ting cooing koo soo ah!"
Padmé understood at least SOME Huttese, but she couldn't understand WHY Anakin was asking this 'person' why it had taken him so long, and why did he need credits?
"Ma lorda Jeedal..." the visitor began."Sir..."
"Kee toupee Basica?" Anakin interrupted him, and the alien nodded, not taking his eyes off of Padmé.
"We can speak freely in front of her," Anakin said relaxing a bit, but marinating a cold demeanor. "She is my Pateessa... my friend."
"I am Dreggo," the Rodian told the couple. "Sirra sent me... I have the keys and the directions... Also, everything is as you requested. It is two hours journey by air taxi..."
Anakin merely nodded and dismissed him, handing Dreggo a small bag of Credits. Dreggo bowed and backed away, eager to take his leave.
Padmé stared at Anakin, incredulous. "What by all the stars was THAT about?" she asked, a little shocked at this seemingly heartless stranger who occupied the space where her loving husband had been moments before.
Anakin turned to look at her again, his countenance warming to her.
"I'm sorry beloved..." he smiled disarmingly. "I guess you're not used to dealing with the underside of things...
"Anakin..." she started, getting a little angry.
"How long do you have tonight? I mean... before you absolutely HAVE to go back?"
Padmé blinked, a bit confused. "Well, actually until sunrise really... Dormé is..."
"Do you love me?" he asked her suddenly.
"What?"
"Do you love me?" he repeated in earnest. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course..."
"Then have a little faith and come with me..."
Padme' sighed, and then took a deep breath. "Anakin, Ani." she began hesitantly. "How much longer are we going to have to do this? I hate sneaking around, trying to dodge my security or your masters. When are we going to tell them? They're going to find us out, they already must suspect. I can't live like this for much longer Ani, I just can't." She looked away from him; and pulled her hands away, bowing her head.
"Do you think I like this?" He answered her, his words hard and clipped. "Do you think I ENJOY not being able to be with my wife? Not even allowed to, to SPEAK to her as my wife but instead as a politician, a superior? I can't even KISS you Padmé, much less make love to you without fearing that the whole damn Jedi Council will have their collective noses up my..." He trailed off, suddenly aware of the soft sobbing sounds coming from his wife.
"Padmé?" he asked, all traces of anger gone. Why was she crying? The very presence of her tears frightened him. "Padmé... are you all right? Force I'm sorry beloved." He reached for her hands but she pulled farther away beginning to rise.
"I'm sorry," she choked. "I should j-j-ust go back."
Anakin stood up and crossed over to her, he tenderly tried to take her hand again and pull her close. She resisted for a moment, then stiffly allowed him to embrace her.
"Please, stay." Anakin whispered to her. "I'm so, so sorry. I just want to be with you all of the time and because I can't..." He trailed off and started rocking her gently, back and forth. He held her closer, feeling the muffled sobs rack her body. Tears began to well in his own eyes. "Padmé, Padmé, Padmé..." he repeated over and over. "I'm so sorry. I would never want to hurt you... please don't cry..."
After a few moments, her sobs subsided and she looked up at him. "I'm sorry too; this has been hard on both of us." For the first time, Anakin saw the dark shadows under her eyes. "There's so much I
need to tell you, and I can't, not yet."
Anakin pursed his lips but said nothing for a moment, considering.
"I have a surprise for you," he began again slowly. "Something I hope you'll like. I found a place for us. A safe house, of sorts..."
Padmé looked at him, saying nothing.
"It's an apartment... a sort of way lay for smugglers at times... quite safe, and very, privet. That is what the Rodian, Dreggo, was bringing... the key. One for you and the other for myself."
She turned from him again, unsure. "Ani, I don't know if I can..."
"Padme' please," Anakin bit his lower lip, choosing his words with great care. "Padme', I love you; I just want to spend some time with you." He swallowed hard. "I would never ask anything of you that you would not wish and I would never force myself on you.... you know that...." he trailed off, unsure how to continue, his tears glistening in the early false evening light of the city skyline.
Padmé looked up at him and met his eyes which were glowing with a mixture of sadness, concern and sincerity. She lay her head back on his chest and sighed.
"Alright," she relented. "Show me this place... I don't know how long... or... or..."
"It's enough," he whispered hoarsely. "Just stay with me Padmé, I promise, everything will work itself out....." He kissed the top of her head in a lovingly familiar gesture. "I promise..."
Padmé nodded, and they slowly made their way to the platform where Anakin hailed a cab...