Crimson Tears

Chapter 24

By aznJEDI13


Disclaimer: George Lucas owns Anakin and Amidala and everyone else. Heck, he owns just about everything in the story. This is purely for fan enjoyment.

Notes: This takes place during the Clone Wars. I must warn you right now that I'm not a big fan of Anakin turning into Darth Vader so it probably won't end with anything like that. I hope you like this; I've been reading too many ami/obi ones I was sooooooooooooo mad. That was completely random and I'm going to write a bunch of stories to rebel against them!

Thanks to everyone who left a review! Please continue to do so. I was so shocked, I've never had so many reviews and I enjoyed reading them over and over again so please continue! I like long reviews too!!!

Sorry I've been so absent. It's been really hard to get back into the swing of things and school doesn't help.

Once again, Italics means flashbacks or dreams. =D

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Could it be true that this is what God has meant for me


"What do you think?"

His mouth had dropped millimeters open. She tightened the hold her arm had, loop around his hold. He smiled slightly, eyes dancing at the surrounding.

"It's beautiful," He breathed, then turned to face her, "But it's beauty pales next to you."

She flushed red, her cheek growing red by the minute. She laughed, placing a tender hand on his cheek, "Why thank you Ani."

She stroked his cheek lovingly, feeling the blond stubble against her the soft and gentle tips of her fingers. She gazed into his cerulean blue eyes and smiled slightly. He smirked back.

She released his arm and walked towards the ocean. He did not follow. She turned to him, laughing, "What's wrong Ani, its just water!"

He swallowed hard, "Yeah, lots of it."

She laughed again; smiling at him as the water receded up and down her feet. She smiled as the cold sensations enveloped her.

He looked on and then glanced at his bare feet and the sand beneath his toes. He enjoyed the grainy feeling of bits and pieces of small rock and other sands scrapping against his rough feet. One new sensation was enough.

Padme sigh, splashed water at him, which he happily drew far away from the shore, "Oh come on Ani," She paused briefly, "It's great!"

He backed away some more.

She ran towards him. Her feet kicking water up as she went. He bit back his laughter, as sand hit her face and landed soundly on her cheek, while other parts found their way into her hair and down her back.

She smiled, reaching him and placed a cold hand on his arm, "Come Ani, it's not bad."

He shook his head gallantly, smiling brightly; "I don't think so Padme,"

She crossed her arms, "Why not?"

"As much as I like new experiences, I have to draw the line somewhere."

She sighed, "I suppose your right." She glanced at him, "Well I think I'll take a shower before dinner."

She began to walk back towards the estate, he grabbed her arm softly, "Wait," He whispered.

She turned and faced him. Wood brown met blue intensely. A tense moment filled the air as he gazed into her eyes. She pushed forward unconsciously, as did he. She was so close she could feel his uneasy breath and hear his awkward heartbeat.

Her own heart pounded out of her chest, as tenderness filled the air, waiting for sweet kisses on gentle lips.

He leaned forward, his hand reaching up and softly, using his thumb, wiped her cheek, breaking the moment, "You have some sand on your cheek."

She relaxed, letting a light smile slip, "Thank you." She whispered.

He smiled back a little tense though, his eyes danced, "No problem." He turned and looked out over the ocean, "Can I stay here for a while? Alone?"

She nodded her head absently, "Yes of course," She bit her lip, "I'll have a guard wait here…"

He nodded, taking her hand in his, "Wait for me for dinner?"

She nodded again, leaning forward and kissing his cheek, "I will always."

She released his hand and began to walk down to her estate. He turned and sat down on the sand, his long legs bent in front of him as he rested his arms on his knees. He scrunched his brows in consternation, "I remember this place." He called not looking at her.

She turned and looked at him, biting her lip. Her face was sober, "You do?"

He smiled, "Yes," He took a deep breath, "We use to walk the shore and watch the sunset."

She smiled, "Yes we did," She turned to walk some more.

"I spent the last day before I went to war on this beach." He called, looking at her briefly before turning back to the ocean.

She stopped, and walked toward him, "Yes you did," Her eyes narrowed.

"You tried to convince me not to go."

She nodded, "That I did."

"But I went anyway, I sold my soul that day." He paused, looking away; "I'm sorry Padme. None of this would have happened…"

Now mere feet from her, she leaned forward and placed a finger on his lips, "You had to go, just like everyone else."

He reached up and pulled her finger away from his lips, planting a small kiss on it as he did so, he whispered, "Do you ever wonder what life would have been like if I hadn't gone that day? If I hadn't you know…"

"Yes," She sat down next to him, "I do, but then I wouldn't know this wonderful person that I know now."

He smiled, reaching to hold her hand in his, "I remember something else Padme." He paused, "I remember you wouldn't tell me you love me. I begged you to tell me, but you never did."

She reached up and pressed her palm against his cheek, "I loved Anakin, I did with my whole heart. It was just difficult to say those three words he said so easily. I said it though, once he was almost out of sight, I said it. I never felt more alive. It wasn't the last time we were together of course. It took a long time for me to say it, but Anakin held out until I could. I was afraid…"

She paused, sniffling slightly, "I was afraid that one day I would wake and he would be gone, that's why I didn't. I didn't want him to slip away I couldn't bear it. But I realized that it happens." She paused again wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, "My biggest regret is not telling him more."

He reached out and wiped a tear away from her face, "I love you Padme."

Tempted to say 'I know', she smiled, "I love you too Ani."

They walked back hand in hand.

Knowing for the first time that if they did let go the other would not slip away.

Give me one more chance, to give my love to you
'Cause no one on this earth loves you like I do



She clasped her arm around his. Walking the long, torturous halls arm and arm, chatting impersonally and running into several different people, all whom eagerly curtsied and bowed, bantered and boasted with the Senator and her consort. Anakin enjoyed it, by the third person he was walking around with his nose in the air feeling highly important.

That is until the third person elbowed him in the ribs. "Sorry, milord, I forgot."

He simple shook his head, "No need to apologize," He furrowed his brows slightly, "Sabe."

The figure smiled, planting a light kiss on his cheek. "I'm glad you're getting better, Ani."

"We all are," Padme laughed, gathering Sabe in a hug, "Oh, I missed you," She breathed.

Sabe pushed her away teasingly, "I didn't miss you," She paused, "I was too busy playing you. I've left the remainder of the paper work on your desk and informed the High Chancellor of your return."

"Very good," Padme hugged her again, "Thanks."

Sabe nodded, hugging her back, "I afraid I can't stop for dinner, Pad. I'm meeting an old friend."

Padme's brows knitted in consternation; "He just got in -- already?"

"He's suppose to."

Padme nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow night then."

Sabe smiled, "Tomorrow night it is." She kissed his cheek, "Goodbye Ani."

Anakin nodded watching her leave. Padme clasped his arm again, planting a kiss on his cheek. "What do you think so far?"

He smirked, "I could get use to this."

She laughed, "Come," She pulled his arm, "We're late for dinner."

They approached the dinner hall with an exceptionally fast pace. Anakin looked wistfully from one end to the other, trying to determine, without asking, where exactly he was suppose to go. As soon as they had reached the hall, servants had swamped Padme, leaving him alone with his thoughts, though her arm was still tightly clasped around his. He swallowed hard and shot a long, confusing glance at Padme, who began to nudge him towards one end of the table, while she took the other.

A rather amused servant, forcefully pushed him down into his seat, asking whether or not he wanted the usually. He shrugged, looking nervously at Padme, who in turn began to order the way dinner was to be served. His attending shrugged lightly, looking rather glad he had not gotten a beating.

Once the servants had ushered away, he spoke quite loudly, not sure his voice would reach the other end of the table, "I don't understand this seating."

Padme's eyes narrowed as she drank her water, "Why not?"

"Why do I sit here and you sit down there?"

"Royal protocol, I suppose."

"Yes, of course," he grimaced, "But during royal functions. I could be sitting here, but some attractive and rich man, could be down there, hitting on my very beautiful wife and you two could be doing some kind of foreplay. Whoever thought of this arrangement must have been an old fag."

Padme laughed, allowing him to hear distant music in his eyes. He smiled in return. She smiled then, "I wouldn't do foreplay with anyone but yourself of course."

He blushed beet red, "Yes of course," then smirked, "You never know though."

She was about to retort something in return, when a rather smaller servant approached her. Handing her a slip of thin white paper, Padme sighed. Slowly getting up and placing her napkin on the chair, she walked towards him as the servant moved to the vacant hall, waiting for her. "I have a little business to attend to, Ani." She smiled, planting a kiss on his cheek; "Will you be all right for the time being?"

Taking her hand, he planted a small, feather-light kiss on the inside of her wrist, "I'll manage."

She smiled, "I won't be long."

He smiled back a little uneasy. She caressed his hair lovingly before leaving down a long hall, her servant quickly following.

Once out of Anakin's hearing range, she asked sternly, "He requested my presence now?"

"Yes, milady," The servant paused, "I tried to tell him you were busy, but he refused. Said it was important he see you before he leaves."

She approached the door, glancing in the mirror her servant held up. "At least I don't look like an old hag." Padme exclaimed.

She entered the door, the man in the room turning around, bowing slightly, "Senator Skywalker."

Padme turned to her servant, silently telling her to wait outside. In turn she curtsied, "Governor Bibble. What a surprise, still in office I see."

"Don't act so surprised milady, you weren't gone long enough for me to die."

Padme laughed, "I didn't mean it that way."

"I know," he paused, "A little humor never hurt anyone. How is Lord Skywalker?"

"Recovering as expected."

"That is good news," He smiled, "Very good news, milady."

Padme laughed quietly, "Have you come for dinner? I can have the chief set out another place."

"No, I'm afraid not. I must return to Theed as soon as possible." He held up his hand, a light brown folder of unwrinkled papers in it, "I came to take these back. Your secretary found them for me."

Padme nodded, quickly taking the folder to check and make sure all was there, "I wanted to burn these, but I thought you wanted to save the trees."

He laughed, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Why do I tease you about your humor again?" He sobered, "I'm glad," he paused, "When you two filed for one, I was shocked to say the least. You had only been married a year or two."

"The war tore us apart though," Her face grew forlorn and melancholy, "We loved each other, no doubt about that, passionately in fact. Yet as the war continued on, when we did see each other we were so distant and cold to each other. I felt like I was sleeping next to a ghost. He changed so much."

"War does that to one."

"It wasn't just that of course. We quarreled and we fought, well it was mostly he yelled. Fussing over everything and I just sat there and watched. We didn't want to try to make it work anymore. We married in haste, not considering the long-term effects. Suffice to say I'm happy we never got a chance to go through with it. When he died, I knew I couldn't live without him. I only hope Anakin realized the same. I'm glad I realized it before it was too late."

The governor smiled, "I'm glad too." He grew solemn, "I know my heart, along with many others, would have been devastated. I still remember that day you came in all upset because your opposition against the clones was declining and your marriage was falling apart." He paused, his eyes narrowing, "You two had been so in love."

She placed her hand lightly on his arm, "We still are."

He smiled slightly, "Yes of course," He paused, glancing at his chrono, "Well I best be going," he laughed, "Duty calls."

She softened, "You'll make sure nothing leaks?"

"Of course," He nodded, "Death must be a breach of contract somewhere, that or amnesia." He teased.

Her face grew solemn, her voice was sad as she spoke, "I'm glad you came to take them back. I don't know how I could bare having to take them to you. I would have done something to them on the way to Theed. They're a living nightmare." She smiled, "Tell her majesty I send my greetings."

He nodded, embracing her. "Fate has given you a second chance my girl. Don't waste it."

She nodded, "I'll see you out."

He shook his head and held out his hand to stop her. "No need," he smiled, "Your young husband awaits you. We can ignore formalities for a while longer."

She nodded, "Thank you."

When she returned Anakin was looking melancholy at his food, his fork absently playing with it. He glanced up when he heard her steps. She took her seat at the other end. "What was that about? He asked.

She shook her head, taking a bite. "Ask me later, Ani." She replied.

He nodded and resumed playing with his food. They continued eating in silence. She smiled inwardly, silently thanking fate for giving her a second chance.

She would not waste it.

To be continued…

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