Deceptions
Chapter 10
Anakin summoned a speeder cab and they entered it in an uncomfortable silence, neither knowing what to say.
The driver looked over at his passengers and uttered an exclamation.
"Say, ain't she the..."
"Nice young lady you gave a ride to earlier." Anakin overrode him irritably, with an absent wave of his hand. "The one that reminds you of your sister..."
"You still look like my sister... if I had one..." the cabbie trailed off absently.
Anakin rolled his eyes and gave another wave of his hand. "Not that it was important anyway..."
He offered Padme' a wry smile and she shyly returned it, slowly reaching for his hand.
"Not that it's important anyway," the cabbie repeated obediently. "Where to sir?"
Anakin gave the man the directions and leaned back against the seat. Padme' moved closer to him and rested her head against his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Ani," she began softly but Anakin just shook his head.
"No, let's just let it go Padme'," he smiled again, but uncertainty flickered in his eyes. "We don't have a lot of time together; I'd rather just enjoy it for what we have." He pulled his arm out slowly, watching for the smallest sign of disapproval from her. Seeing none, he put it around her waist and pulled her closer to himself, gently, as if she were a fragile ornament. She settled deeper into his embrace, resting her head against his chest and listening to the steady beat of his heart. Reaching across for his other hand, her fingers brushed lightly against his thigh and she felt, rather then heard his immediate reaction. His breath came in a quick gasp and his heart speeded up for a just a few beats. Just as quickly, he was under control again, and he took her hand in his as if nothing had happened. She looked up at him and smiled and he returned it, still a little unsure. Slowly she released his hand and reached up to his face, caressing his cheek and hesitantly, he bent down closer to her. Padme' closed her eyes and let her lips meet his in a soft gentle kiss. After a moment, she pulled back away and rested her head against his chest again.
"Perhaps you should sleep a bit Padme'," Anakin said softly, stroking her hair. "It's a bit of a journey at this time of night. I'll wake you before we get there. It'll be alright"
"I love you," she said in a voice barely above a whisper, already drifting into a contented sleep. "I don't know if I told you that."
"Yes you did, I do like to hear it though. Rest now beloved, it won't be long till we get there."
Anakin continued stroking her hair, and watched the Coresaunt traffic as they passed out of the main part of the city and into the more urban part of the planet. Padmé's presence made him feel comfortable and at last, finally, he allowed himself to lightly doze as well.
They arrived at the platform an hour or so later. Anakin offered his hand to Padme' and helped her out of the cab. This time, the silence between them was comfortable and he led her down a corridor to a small alcove and a non-descript doorway.
Anakin handed her a strange looking key card, and smiled again.
"Don't let the Captain see that," he advised with a chuckle. "He'll wonder where in the Republic you got a 'Huttese' fresher room key."
Padme' looked at him in shock, the realized that he was joking and laughed along with him. Anakin pulled out another key and hesitated.
"I wanted this to be a special place," he said, suddenly serious. "as this is your first view of it, I..." Anakin paused, unsure of how to continue. "I mean, what I said earlier," he swallowed hard. "Don't think that you... WE.... we have to..."
Padme' silenced his protest with a small kiss.
Encouraged, Anakin continued, "Cover you eyes," he invited. She did so and he passed the security key over the lock. The door slid open with a quiet pneumatic noise and he gently put his arms around her waist.
"Alright, open your eyes then...."
Padme' did as she was told and gasped. The room was small but comfortable, a bed large enough for a full grown Hutt in one corner, a couch on the other side of the room. A door, presumably leading to the fresher, was discreetly off to the side. Unseen light sources gave the room a soft, dreamy look and the smell of exotic spices only added to the effect. On a small table, next to the bed; there was a setting for two, bottles of Naboo wine and other delicacies.
Padme' felt overwhelmed, she turned to Anakin, a wondering look on her face.
He only smiled and shrugged, "as I said, I wanted it to be special..." Hesitantly, Anakin kissed her forehead. "No Security cameras...", and kissed her again."No bodyguards," and again. "No Obi-wan...."
Suddenly, with out warning, Padmé pulled Anakin close and kissed him hard, passionately. She ran her hands down the front of his chest and just past his waist, teasing… Just as quickly, she pulled away, leaving him standing there wide eyed and open mouthed.
Padmé sauntered away towards the bed itself. "Now, either you can stand there and tell me all about how much privacy we have, or...."
Anakin needed no further prompting, and he practically threw himself after her and they tumbled on to the bed, giggling like a pair of errant school children.
"Oh Force woman, you are impossible sometimes!" Anakin cried, gasping with laughter and after a few moments, Padme's giggles began to subside.
"I love you Anakin Skywalker", she whispered softly. Anakin gently stroked the hair away from her face.
"And I love you too Mrs. Skywalker," he whispered as he nuzzled her ear. "And if you'll let me," he continued, punctuating each word with a small kiss, "I'll show you. Just...how... much...."