Crimson Tears
Chapter 26
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!!!
Once again, Italics means flashbacks or dreams. =D
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You find it in the deepest friendships
the kind you cherish all your life
Two lone figures walked the halls of the Senator's estate. One was taller then the other, dressed in a long brown robe, a red-beard falling down his face, shortly cropped just below his chin. His hands were neatly tucked in the sleeves of his tunic as his eyes trained on the woman before him.
"Sabe and I stopped off to see the Queen. Governor Bibble said he was over here to pick up the papers."
She sighed. "Yes, he picked the papers up. I couldn't stand them, Obi-wan, I couldn't."
He embraced her, "I know. I could've taken them over there, Padme." He released her.
"Yes, I know." She paused continuing her walking, "The governor surprised me."
"You told Anakin I presume."
She nodded. "That I did."
"And his reaction?"
She let out a deep breath, "He was angry at first but he understood."
Obi-wan nodded. "All's well that ends well."
She smiled slightly, "Let's hope."
He placed his arm on her shoulder, "It will." She nodded.
"What's this I hear about Anakin and you attending a function on Alderaan?"
She laughed. "Nothing but a mere senatorial function."
"Anakin's ready?" He questioned.
She avoided his eyes. "He believes so."
He shook his head, disapproving. "I do not think it is the right turn of action Padme."
Finally, her eyes met his as they argued, "We must, Obi-wan, there is no other alternative."
"You can't put a Banatha in a Tuskin Raider's world." He shook his head again.
"Oh, I know that," Her voice changed to a whisper, "Just this is the alliance's last hope. I must be present and without Anakin it would prove inconclusive."
"And I suppose Sabe and I were added to the guest list to watch over the dear boy while his wife plays rebel?"
"Yes," She paused, laughing, "Why else?"
They turned a corner and entered her office. She nodded to her attendings and they left, shutting the door behind them. Obi-wan glanced around the room; all that remained was a desk. "What's with the boxes?"
She shook her head. "I'm sorry Obi-wan."
"When?" He asked.
She looked grimly away, as if thinking about the future – about the life they were about to leave and the new one they were going to enter. "In a couple of days, if all goes as planned. You could join us…"
His eyes closed briefly, "You know I can't."
She nodded. "Yes, you've told me before of the Jedi code."
"Padme--"
She interrupted him, "I will pray for you and Sabe everyday I live."
He nodded. "Sabe and I have some business to attend to before we meet on Alderaan tomorrow. I'm afraid we can't stay for dinner."
Padme smiled. "Understood. Shall I see you out?"
He shook his head, "No, I figured I'll go see the little rascal before I go."
She smiled sadly, realizing this quiet possibly would last time they saw each other, "I'm sure he'll like that."
"Indeed." He paused, embracing her once more. "Good day Padme."
"Good day Obi-wan."
She watched him leave through the door, knowing it could very well be the last time she saw him casually. When he was out of hearing sight, she whispered nonchalantly, "Goodbye, dear friend."
When all is said and done
all the fear and all of the lies
are not hard to overcome
"Are you sure about this Ani?"
His arm tightened around her, "As I told you before, yes."
She smiled, turning to face him. She placed her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his chest. "Why do I doubt you?"
He shook his head, hugging her back. " I don't know."
They continued to walk down the hall -- hand in hand. When they reached the dining hall, he pulled the chair out for her. "Thank you."
He flashed a smile at her. "No problem." Before he proceeded down to his end.
The first plate came; Padme picked up her fork. She took her first bite when she noticed a figure moving beside her. She looked up to see Anakin standing there smiling at her with a chair in his hands.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"I want to move my chair here."
"Why?"
He reached over, a wiped a little bit of sauce off her cheek. "So we can always talk during dinner and I can whisper sweet nothings in your ear." He leaned in, kissing her cheek. "And we'll never grow far apart."
Never met a guy like you before
You make me feel special inside
Starch dress attire; stiff neck, tight cuff suits -- just who could stand to wear these types of clothes each and every day?
He grinned. He couldn't even stand it for a night.
He straightened his suite again looking directly into the mirror. Padme looked over her bare shoulder and smiled.
Force, she was beautiful. Dressed in a fitting slim black, strapless dress she was beyond utter comprehension. He grinned once more -- and she was his.
That was the only thing good about these kinds of functions. One good-looking woman dressed up extra nice -- his woman.
Unsuccessfully, he tried to fix his tie.
Padme turned from her seat and crossed and without words took the fabric into her own hands. He glanced up at her and smiled. She smiled back.
"Force, your beautiful, Padme."
Her smile widened and she laughed. "You're not so bad yourself Ani."
He grinned; reaching over he pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "How could a man ever leave a woman like you?" He caressed her cheek with the back of her hand. "Padme…"
He leaned forward. She waited, her heart beating against her ribs, pounding against her chest. Distance became less and less. She could feel his breath caressing her lips.
They were almost there when the chime rang at her door.
Pulling away, she smiled at him. "There's our ride, Ani."
He smirked back at her oddly disappointed.
They rode in silence, each contemplating what had and hadn't happened.
You look at her and she looks at me
She's got me thinking about her constantly
"You're getting better Anakin." He smiled proudly, holding her waist loosely as his feet moved to an unnamed ballad.
Her arms were woven around his neck, as she rested her head against his chest. She closed her eyes, relishing in the feel of his strong arms around her and the rhythm of his heart beating in tantrum with her own. His soft, earthly scent running through her nostrils to remind her this was not a dream, but a reality.
She held him loosely, knowing very well he would not slip away nor disappear.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Obi-wan and Sabe. She smiled lightly and turned her head to look directly at the Prince himself and his wife Sache. His eyes narrowed down at her. She nodded.
She pulled her head away from his chest to glance into his cerulean sky blue eyes. She had never seen a finer shade of blue in her life and she had never seen sweeter eyes before.
Eyes that once again held the key to her heart.
He smirked again, looking at her, a wave of confusion passed over his face and then certainty remained.
She wanted to kiss his lips then. But the repercussions and the responses were too much. With all the turmoil in the galaxy she did not need a distraction or another priority. However, as much as her mind was ready, her heart was not. A kiss that holds the entire galaxy is not to be wasted. She was not ready to put the old Anakin, the young boy that had called her an angel, who had claimed her body, mind, and soul away for this new, sweet and tender Anakin who knew nothing of the galaxy.
She was not ready to bury that Ani, not ready at all. Her heart would crush, she was sure.
She ran her hand up his cheek, caressing it lovingly, "I love you Ani."
He nodded. "I love you too, Padme."
She pulled at his collar, bringing his forehead down to meet hers, "I will always love you."
He nodded. She pushed forward and kissed his cheek, and then leaned her head on his shoulder. "I will find you Ani. Remember the rendezvous."
He nodded again. "I will be there."
She pulled away, resuming the royal protocol distance for a dance. She talked in her normal voice, loud enough for people close to her to hear. "I'm going to go fresh up, Ani, why don't you go get us some punch or something?"
He nods, "Are you sure you're all right Padme? You don't look to well."
She smiles, touching his arm lightly, "Just let me freshen up, Ani."
They part. Him one way, she the other.
Now, there is no turning back.
There's nowhere left to fall
When you reach the bottom it's now or never
An exhausted looking Anakin clumsily falls into a seat at the bar. He runs his hands in his hair nonchalantly. Glances over his shoulder to be sure no one is there. He shakes his head. He's being paranoid.
Without words, the bartender passes him a drink. He takes a sullen sip and glances around and then at his chrono.
Ugh.
It was so early still.
He watches, slowly and carefully, Bail Organa exits and then he turns back to his drink. He thinks. He misses Padme already and it had been like what two minutes?
A long slender hand lands on his shoulder, he shakes his head, holds out his hand. "I'm married."
She laughs, a loud and shrilled sound, piercing his eardrums. "Never stopped you before, Anakin."
"We've met before?"
Another hand lands on his other shoulder and entwines with the fingers of her other hand. She leans her body against his. Her head pulls forward to meet his ear. She kisses it slightly, "Many times."
He shuffles in her embrace. His heart pounding out of his chest. He clears his throat, "Where?"
"You don't remember. In Malastare, where you were stationed or on Kessel?"
He shakes his head, blinking his eyes to be sure he's awake. "No, I've tried to forget."
She shakes her head; her fingers leave his neck, she moves to stand beside him. "I understand Anakin."
He nods his head and stands. Though as soon as his feet come into contact with the ground, his vision distorts and his head feels like he's spinning in different directions. When it stops, a migraine now pierces his head. "We had an affair?"
She smiles seductively at him. "You have to get it somewhere, don't you?" Her brows knit in consternation, "You don't remember? When you weren't doing it with Padme, you were doing it with me."
"So we screwed a few times?"
"Yes, until you admitted it was the biggest mistake of your life and that you didn't want to ruin your marriage to Padme."
His eyes narrowed, "I love Padme."
She turns to leave, "Does that mean anything to me?" She pushes towards him and kisses his lips he pulls away astonished. "It never did. It never will." She pauses and blushes. "I will miss your hands Anakin."
He calls. "Wait," She turns to look at him, he speaks again. "How could I have been so horrible?"
She shakes her head. "You weren't horrible. You just weren't yourself."
He nods, "I'm sorry."
She smiles, "It's all right. I wasn't looking for love. Neither were you."
"Ani…"
He turns knowing the voice before he sees the face. Padme is standing there, worry washed over her placid porcelain face. He looks at her apologetically.
She shakes her head.
His eyes narrow, "Who was that?"
"That's Aurra Sing. She's was a bounty hunter sent by the Emperor for your head."
"I had an affair."
She nods her head, tears on the brink of her eyes, "I know." She bites her lip; "It was really all right. I understood partially when he told me."
His brows knitted in consternation, "How's that?"
"I almost had one of my own."
To be continued…
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