Chapter 22. Promises

So this was the woman.

Tech Andros observed her with interest as she introduced herself and stated her business. A Senator and former Queen. One would think that she would behave more responsibly and take more care with her reputation. Of course she wanted to know the status of Kenobi and the Padawan. He explained what he could in layman's terms. Kenobi would recover, in time. The Padawan's status was uncertain. Only Jedi healers would be able to determine the long-term effects of his actions.

He was most interested in her Force presence. It was indeed strong, although of course undefined. She was after all untrained. But the signature was definitely hers. The boy had really done it. Whatever he had given her had become her own. Tec was fascinated.

"Master Andros," Padmé was saying, "the medical staff is under orders not to allow Master Kenobi or Anakin to receive visitors. They tell me that those orders came from you. I would like to see them."

Tec turned his attention back to the matter at hand.

"I don't think it is a good idea, Senator," he said coolly. "They are both very weak and require uninterrupted rest."

"Surely you can make an exception for me."

Tec thought she was the last person for whom one should make an exception.

"When Master Kenobi is stronger and asks to see you I will of course make the arrangements. But the Padawan is being removed to Coruscant as soon as possible. I'm afraid there won't be an opportunity for you to see him."

Her eyes glittered. "Not even to say goodbye?"

"No, Senator," Tec said firmly. "Not even to say goodbye."

She stood silent, frozen. Tec could feel the pounding waves of fury coming from her, but she held herself firmly in hand. Remarkable.

"Very well," the woman finally said, mildly enough. "I will not bother you again."

Tec was surprised that she had given in so easily, considering how furious she was. That was not her reputation. He resolved to watch her carefully.

She turned to leave without another word.

"Senator!" Tec called, before she had reached the door. "When you are in Coruscant we will need you to come to the Temple for evaluation. The healers must study the effects of the Padawan's…action…on you."

Padmé turned around.

"You are asking for my cooperation."

"Yes."

"In return for none of your own."

Tec was taken aback. "Be reasonable, Senator. Haven't you done enough damage already?"

The Senator from Naboo turned on her heel and left him without a backward glance.

* * * * *

Anakin woke up the moment he heard Padmé's voice.

"Get out, all of you," she was saying. "Now."

"But My Lady," someone protested, "No visitors are allowed in here except Master Andros."

"Clear the room. Now." Padmé said in a tone that brooked no argument. Anakin could not see that she had brought a contingent of the Queen's Own Guard, in full dress uniform. "Queen's business!" Through a haze of pain he heard the sound of scuffling and of heavy boots. "Guard this door and don't let anyone in until I come out. Especially Master Andros." A door closed.

Anakin's face didn't respond very well but he smiled inside.

He loved it when she got fierce.

Her hand touched him and his vision cleared enough to see her.

"Padmé," he tried. Nothing much came out. "Padmé," he tried again, and his breath managed to carry the sound of her name.

"You look better," she said softly, all her fierceness gone. Anything was better than the corpse on the mountainside.

"…Love you," Anakin managed, after a struggle. He was far too tired to attempt to say anything that wasn't very, very important.

"I know." How could she not know? Master Andros' brief explanation of what had happened to Anakin had made it clear enough what he had given up for her. No one knew what the long-term effects of his actions would be. He might well have relinquished his ability to use the Force.

But he was alive, and seemed to be improving a little. That was all that mattered to her.

Padmé stroked his forehead and found that his skin was clammy and cold. She tucked the blankets around him more securely and found his hand. Anakin's fingers tried to grasp hers and failed. She wrapped hers around them firmly.

He felt so much better in her presence. The pain was beginning to subside a bit.

"How is…Master Obi?" he asked after a while. That was important, too. He had only been informed of his Master's condition a short time ago.

"He is better. Furious with you, of course. It was a Force-disruption, so he probably feels as bad as you do. But it wasn't as...damaging…as what you did." She stopped to fight back tears. "Master Andros only leaves his side to come see you." Or to put me in my place.

Anakin had a dim memory of a shadowy figure that might have been Master Andros hovering over him. He associated it with warm, wonderful energy surging throughout his body. He must remember to thank him.

He was beginning to feel rather warm and wonderful now, too. For a while he enjoyed floating in her presence.

"Anakin, can you hear me?"

"Yes." He tried again. "Yes."

"Anakin, you gave me a gift. A gift I don't really understand. But whatever you gave me…I'm well now. It's staying with me." Well was an understatement. She was vibrantly healthy. She had boundless energy. It was a tiny glimpse of what it must have been like to be Anakin.

He was glad.

"Anakin, I want to give you something in return."

Give? He tried to focus. What was she talking about? He had done harm. Had to help.

Silly.

"Anakin?"

There was a pause while he drifted back. "Here."

"I want to give you something. I want you to come away with me for two days. Just two days."

It all came flooding back to him. His pledge. His promise to Master Jinn.

He was silent for a long time.

When Padmé looked at him more closely she saw that his face was soaking wet with tears that he was too weak to wipe away. She quickly looked around for a cloth to wipe his face before he drowned.

"I…I have to…leave here. I promised…Master."

"I know," Padmé said, assuming he was talking about Obi-Wan. "I know you have to go. I just want two days. After that I won't interfere with what you have to do. I promise." Despite recent events, Padmé still understood duty well. Besides, she wanted to be sure that he received all the healing the Jedi could give him.

"Anakin, I love you," her heard her say.

He felt torn in pieces.

"Padmé. Hold me," he asked, shivering.

He felt her slide under the blankets and wrap herself around him. He started to feel warmer and happier immediately. The Force is strong with her, he thought briefly, having momentarily forgotten just why that might be the case.

Padmé held him as though she could stop him from ever disappearing again.

Sabé had been right, of course. With her usual sharp perception she had understood that everything had changed for her mistress that night on the mountain. Everything that Padmé had thought and felt since then had been colored by the memory of her wild grief when she thought that Anakin was gone.

Who was this strange, mercurial, passionate, gifted boy who loved her unconditionally and had laid siege to her from the first moment he saw her?

How long had it been since he had reappeared in her life? Hardly any time at all. And during that time she had hesitated and pushed him away and doubted him and herself and acted as though they had all the time in the world. And all because she had been afraid to follow him down a new path.

Then she had lost him, only to get another chance.

And now the Jedi were claiming him back.

Padmé could not endure losing him again. She would not allow it.

"Anakin," she said, her breath warm on his cheek,  "I think we should get married."

If he hadn't been lying down already he would have fallen over. There was a long silence while he struggled to understand.

"Married?" He tried out the word. She had his full attention.

"No one needs to know. In fact, no one should know. Not my staff. Not Obi-Wan. No one." This is how far I've come, Padmé acknowledged inwardly.

Anakin shifted unhappily. "I…have to go."

"I know. But think. If we get married, you can still go. But we won't be apart. Not really." Padmé pulled herself up on her elbow so she could look into his eyes. "You'll have a home. Someone to come back to. You'll have me."

Anakin swallowed, wishing he had the strength to reach up and touch her. "You are…my home."

Padmé smiled. "I know. It's so clear. We'll get married. And no matter what happens, they'll never be able to separate us."

It was so simple, once he understood what she was proposing. He wondered why he hadn't thought of it himself. Hope started to dawn in him, and swiftly grew brighter.

Still…he wondered.

He searched her face.

"You…want me?"

Padmé knew exactly what he was asking. Do you want me like this?

"You're mine," she said, possessively tracing the lines of his face with her fingers. Smoothing his hair. Straightening his braid. Some of the fierceness had crept back into her voice. "You belong to me. I will not let you go."

It was enough to reassure him. He had heard that tone of voice before.

"Married," Anakin said again. He pictured it. Having her. Belonging. His heart was filling up with sunshine.

After a while another thought floated into the bright picture.

"Balé?"

Padmé kissed him gently, making him shiver all over again. "You'll have to help me raise her."

Family. The sun in Anakin's heart became hot enough to melt ice.

"This is…your gift?" He finally grasped it.

"This is why I need two days."

Anakin pictured Obi-Wan's response to a request for more time together.

"Master…won't…let."

"It doesn't matter," said Padmé. "We will find a way."

"Married." Anakin said for the third and last time, burning brightly with something that felt like pure joy. "Yes."

The sound of voices outside the door made Padmé slip out from under the covers and back into her chair. Anakin sighed and shifted, trying to find the warmth she had taken with her.

The door opened and Master Andros entered the room like a dark cloud. The Queen's Own must be weak-minded after all.

Padmé smiled at him from her chair.

"He looks better, doesn't he, Master Andros? It is comforting to know that he is receiving such good care."

"I think this visit is over," said Tec shortly. "He needs his rest."

Padmé stood up gracefully, bent over Anakin and said, "I'll see you soon."

Without another glance at the scowling Jedi Knight she brushed past him and left the room.