Futures Past
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Chapter 2- Desire
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Anakin lay, propped on one arm (the robotic one), the other tracing circles on Padmé's creamy skin.
"Anakin. I fear you will have to leave me soon. The Jedi council will become suspicious." Padmé murmured, enjoying the tingling sensation of Anakin's strokes.
"Let them suspect, I am in no hurry to leave this." He smiled bending over and catching Padmé's lips in his own, his arms enveloping her slight form.
How beautiful she was. The way her mouth pouted slightly at the corners, the way her eyes danced when she laughed. The feel of her silky skin under his fingers. She really was an angel. To hell with the council and the Jedi training, Obi Wan was holding him back anyway, afraid to let him take the trials, in case he outclassed him, which Anakin knew he could. Obi Wan may have the Force but Anakin had something Obi Wan could never have, Padmé.
Anakin placed fleeting butterfly kisses up Padmé's exposed stomach, and he worked his way up to her mouth, their lips finding each other again.
Who would have the Force if they could have this?
*
"Ready do you consider him?" Master Yoda leaned forward to address Obi Wan. The twelve senior members of the council were assembled and were discussing Anakin's future, and a great many other problems besides.
"I have my doubts Master, he is becoming arrogant, and his temper is quick, but he has proved himself on Geonosis, I am willing to allow him to attempt the trials, with your consent."
"Answer my question that does not, Master Obi Wan."
Obi Wan paused before saying, "Yes Master, I consider him ready."
"Then on his arrival, he will be informed and given time to prepare. Speaking of which, shouldn't your Padawan be back by now Obi Wan?" Mace Windu questioned.
"Yes he should Master. I don't know what's keeping him." Obi Wan felt uneasy as his young apprentice's absence. His bond with his Padawan was strained and distant, they had always had a mental link that kept them joined, as is normal for Masters and their apprentices, but Anakin was distracted from the Force, Obi Wan could not feel his emotions easily. But he sensed they were focused on Padmé.
"Linger elsewhere your thoughts do Obi Wan, share them with us will you?"
"I'd rather not Master, as I would only be guessing, and I would not wish to embarrass my young apprentice if I were wrong."
"Very well Obi Wan, dismissed you are, unless more to say have you?"
"No Master, but I will attempt to make contact with Anakin and ascertain what is keeping him."
He bowed and strode out. Anakin would get him into serious trouble one day, if all that had happened wasn't taken into account; otherwise, Anakin had got him into enough trouble already and would be the death of him.
Anakin, can you hear me? Anakin…
Anakin lay with an arm around Padmé, she was exhausted from the days events, and slept deeply, a small smile playing on her lips.
Anakin…
Anakin ignored his Masters mental prodding, getting lost in the sight and smell of his new bride.
Anakin, I must speak with you…answer me.
Anakin growled under his breath, his Master was not as stupid as he had thought. He kissed Padmé lightly on the forehead and heaved himself out of bed, pulling on his tunic and a loose pair of trousers. He made his way on to the balcony, welcoming the cool breeze on his warm skin.
I hear you Master, what is it?
What took you so long?
I was sleeping.
Obi Wan knew this was a lie but didn't acknowledge it.
Why are you not back at Coruscant, the Council wishes to address you.
Im sorry Master, Padmé wished me to stay a little longer, to help her…settle, she was a little unnerved at the recent events, I was here to reassure her.
Well, I want you to leave for Coruscant in the morning, you have had plenty of time, and your training comes first, you know that.
Yes master, I will tell Padmé when she wakes, she is exhausted.
Obi Wan pondered briefly what had exhausted her so greatly, but decided not to dwell on it. He felt a flash of anger, and a pang of jealousy, but quickly dispelled the feelings. It was not acceptable to think of the senator that way, no matter what he felt in the past.
I expect to see you as soon as possible tomorrow, we have much to discuss. Now get some sleep, you have a busy day ahead of you.
Yes Master.
May the Force be with you.
And you Master.
Anakin made his way back to bed. Padmé tossed in her sleep and Anakin brushed her chestnut hair from her face.
I am sorry to be leaving you so soon Padmé. He thought sadly. Maybe he should leave now to arrive earlier tomorrow?
No, Anakin wanted to savour the presence of Padmé while he could, he didn't know how he would live without her beside him at the Temple, he had thought of her every day since the day they'd met and now all he would have was his dreams.
"Ani?" Her voice broke into his thoughts like the serenade of the 200 trumpeters of Naboo, a heavenly melody to his ears.
"Padmé, I'm sorry did I wake you?"
"No, I woke myself I'm afraid, since the attempt on my life with those horrible creatures on Coruscant, I am a little wary of sleeping."
"While I am here you are safe Padmé, you know that."
Padmé nodded reassured.
"Which reminds me. I have to leave."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
Padmé nodded, silently. "Why?"
"Obi Wan has requested my presence, he said the council wishes to speak to me."
"Ani, isn't that good news, maybe they want you to face the trials."
"It is terrible news if it means leaving you."
"I expect I shall be required on Coruscant soon enough Ani. We will see each other soon, and then you will be a proper Jedi!"
"Not soon enough for me Padmé, but I will become a Jedi, I promise you that, the most powerful Jedi ever. The I wont have to take orders from Obi Wan, and we can be together all the time."
Padmé nodded at this outburst. She didn't understand why Anakin did this to himself, worked himself up with dreams of grandeur. She knew he felt he had to prove something to everyone, that he was the Jedi in the prophecies who would restore balance to the Force, but he got so uptight about it, blaming everybody else for his faults, especially Obi Wan.
Obi Wan Kenobi, the name gave her heart a slight flutter, goodness knows why. Once, about ten years ago, when Obi Wan himself was a Padawan learner, he had caught her swimming in the palace pools in Theed. Although she was embarrassed at having a Jedi in training see her in just simple undergarments she felt at ease with him. And although he hated politics of any kind, they found much to talk about, his views were not so different from hers. And in one moment their hands were interlocked and their eyes had met. He had leaned in close, so that their noses were almost touching, then pulled her hand gently up and kissed it tenderly. He had then left, and Padmé was so confused about her feelings that she didn't know what to think. Then he had left back to Coruscant, and that was the last she'd seen of him for ten years.
She knew in her soul that her destiny was with Anakin, but tucked deep inside since that day, had been a desire for Obi Wan, burning quietly inside her, that had never quite burnt out.
"Padmé? Doesn't that sound good?"
"Yes Anakin, it does."
"Alright then, lets get some rest, I need to attune myself to the force."
"Night Ani."
Padmé felt a wash of guilt flood over her, here she was thinking about one insignificant encounter with her new husband's mentor, what sort of thinking was that! She mentally scolded herself for her momentary weakness and laid her head on Anakin's bare chest and settled to a world of dreams.
*
