Come Undone
Chapter 13
Padme' sat on the couch, watching her husband pack a few remaining items into a small kit bag. As usual, he was packing light, taking only a few essentials.
"Ani, I don't think you should be doing this," she sighed, stirring a cup of sweet tea. "If the Jedi council finds out you've been leaving the planet with out their knowledge..."
"The Council doesn't have to know anything, Padme'," Anakin interrupted her, perhaps a little more sharply than he intended. "Besides, I have to do something. The Chancellor needs to know exactly what's going on and can't always do it through 'official channels'..."
"That's another thing," Padme' started back, a little angrily. "There's something that's just, it's just not right any more... and I don't like it when you go away on these 'missions'..."
Anakin sat down next to her and tenderly stroked the side of her arm, obviously intent on changing the mood that she was in.
"What beloved? Are you afraid of my not coming back to you?" his tone became light and teasing. "You shouldn't fear after all, these aren't fighting missions, more like… information gathering. On the quiet, so to speak..."
"Spying you mean." Padmé sighed, reluctantly giving in. "Ani, I don't like this..." She looked deeply into his eyes and continued, almost carefully. "No," she said at last. "It's just when you come back… for a while you seem... well, different."
He stopped and pulled back for a moment, his face darkening. "What do you mean… 'Different'?"
"Like that!" snapped Padmé, exasperated. "You come back and it's like you've brought a Nubian thunderstorm with you! You have to go and hide for a while and sometimes even then..." Her voice trailed off considering.
He raised his hand again, and putting his arm around her, started to stroke her side this time. "I'm sorry Angel…" He leaned closer in and sighed himself. "I didn't realize that I was taking things out on you..."
Padme' shook her head sadly. "You're not... but there's a feeling.... as if you loose part of your soul each time you run one of these 'errands' for the Chancellor." She looked at him, eyes wide in earnest as she pulled away a little. "Ani, it scares me..."
"And me too," he thought but he wouldn't dare voice such opinions aloud. Instead, he offered her a disarming smile and snuggled closer to her again. "Padmé, I'm thinking of us... of our little one." He nuzzled her throat suggestively, "and any future additions to the Skywalker family...".
"How?" She demanded absently, yet returning his touch. "What does that have to do with anything?",.
"Everything, beloved." He smiled, and then took his free hand and gently moved her hair away from her face and then nuzzled her softly on the cheek. "The Chancellor has hinted that there may be positions to be filled after the conflict is over.". He traced a line of soft kisses to her ear and whispered suggestively, "Positions to be filled here and now if you're up to it."
Padmé pulled away and tried to hide her smile with limited success. "You're trying to change the subject Mr. Skywalker! Now stop it..."
He kissed her again and moved his other hand up along her side. She gasped when he gently stroked her breast with the back of his hand and she quickly pushed it away.
"Anakin!" She cried and stood up suddenly. "It's not going to work this time. What do you think the consequences will be if the council finds out?"
"I AM thinking about those consequences Padme'" Anakin snapped, his ardor all steam and ashes now. "Being a Jedi doesn't mean we are exactly rolling in Republic credits now. What will happen at the end of your senatorial term?" He softened considerably as tears began to well up in her eyes and stood up taking her into his arms again. "I just want us to be safe and happy Angel. I don't want our baby to grow up like I did, so unsure about the future. My mom and I, we lived with the knowledge that Watto could sell either one of us at a whim..."
Padmé shuddered and pulled him closer. "I can't, I don't even want to think that could happen."
"Can you imagine, Padmé? What if..."
"No!" She buried her face into his chest. "Alright, I won't argue with you about this anymore. You must do what you think is for the best. I'm just afraid, for all of us."
Anakin held her closer still, gently rubbing her expanding belly, "It's only for a couple of days," he whispered softly, "and I'll contact you as soon as I can..."
"Love me..." She said suddenly. "Love me Ani, so I'm not afraid anymore... at least for a little while."
He cupped his hand under her chin and raised her face to his own and they shared a lingering kiss. "Feeling up to the challenge love?" He teasingly leered at her. "You do realize that I do have a few HOURS before I have to go..."
He pulled away slowly, taking her hand in his own.
Padmé smiled at him, blinking away the last of her tears. "Are you challenging me Jedi Skywalker? I can assure you that I am quite capable of holding my own, but if you need PROOF..."
They both dissolved into glorious fits of laughter as they headed into the bedroom together, their troubles and fears set aside for the moment, but not forgotten.
