The Ties That Bind
Chapter 6
Anakin leapt to his feet, his lightsaber coming to hand as Padmé's cry echoed through his mind. He was still in a semi-meditative state, but one thing was clear to him. Padmé was in trouble. She needed him. He raced for the door, his bare feet pounding on the floor, and tore it open with his mind. Racing down the hall, he ducked into the empty room next to hers and dashed for the balcony. It was a clear night, the stars shining in the sky, the moon illuminating the balconies clearly. A line of synth-rope was coiled around the rail of Amidala's balcony, her attacker nowhere to be seen. Without thinking, Anakin drew on the Force and jumped the 30 feet from one balcony to the other, landing in a crouch. His lighsaber was off, his tread silent as he stalked the figure cloaked in darkness.
He heard Amidala scream, felt her pain, and anger flashed through him. Without thinking he lunged at the figure from behind, slamming the open end of his lighsaber into the base of their skull, his thumb hitting the activation switch. The white-blue blade activated, killing the assassin instantly as it punctured their brain.
The main door to her apartment flew open and Obi-Wan, along with her security force, burst in. They stopped, seeing the form impaled on Anakin's lighsaber. Obi-Wan turned and motioned everyone out, Sabé taking the opportunity to duck into the Queen's bedchamber and check on her. Anakin switched his lightsaber off, the body dropping at his feet.
Obi-Wan approached Anakin slowly, feeling that his Padawan was still only half-conscious. "Anakin."
Anakin looked at him, but his eyes were glazed over, distant, as if he weren't seeing Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan stopped. The look on Anakin's face was one he remembered seeing only once on Qui-Gon's. Right before his Master had received a vision.
Anakin sank to the floor, twitching, as his mind began to whirl, the trance completely overtaking him again, and swirling sand formed in his mind, dunes of the gritty substance awash in waves of heat. A voice, a familiar voice he'd not heard in 9 years, drifted to him across the waves. "Ani..."
"Mom." He looked around, through the shimmering waves of heat, seeing a dark figure off in the distance. Pain shot through him, pain that started at the neck and drove him to his knees. Rivers of fire raced along his arms, one of them losing all feeling as something slammed into it just above the elbow. He fought to stand, couldn't find the strength. A cry, a woman's cry, echoed through the waves of relentless heat, echoing his own pain. "MOM!" he screamed, knowing the pain he was feeling was an echo of her own. "MOM! NO!" He felt her, saw her reaching for him, for something to stop the pain, but no relief was coming. He strove to reach for her-
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan's voice pierced the heat of his vision and brought him back with a physical shake.
Anakin was on the floor, tears streaking his face, his bare chest heaving. His head pounded and whirled with the revelations he'd been given. "Mom." His voice was hoarse, his eyes tormented as he looked up at his Master, "I have to help her. I have to save her."
"Anakin!" they both looked up to see a distraught looking Padmé running across the room. She slid to her knees next to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She was shaking like a leaf. "Anakin, that was terrible."
He pushed himself to one elbow and wrapped his other arm around her. He hadn't realized she'd share his visions. He met Obi-Wan's gaze, "I have to go to her, Master. Test or no test, I have to go."
"I can't let you, Anakin." Obi-Wan's voice was quiet and full of regret, "The council will be here tomorrow to test you. If you're not here..."
Anakin closed his eyes, resting his head on Padmé's shoulder. He was torn. His mother needed him now, needed him to the point where he might lose her forever if he didn't go, and yet, his Angel needed him too. "I have to save her, she's my mother."
Padmé looked up at Obi-Wan, "Please, Master Kenobi,"
Obi-Wan rubbed his forehead, "I shouldn't allow it. Both of you head for Tatooine. I'll stay here with Sabé and greet the council to explain what's happened." He looked over at the Queen's decoy, "Can you fill in for her for a few days?"
Sabé nodded.
"Good. Quickly, both of you, before I change my mind."
Anakin smiled thankfully at his Master and forced himself to his feet. Padmé was already walking back to her sleeping quarters issuing orders and instructions to her handmaiden. Obi-Wan caught Anakin by the shoulder, "Be careful."
He nodded, racing from the room, and threw the door to his room open. Two minutes later he was back in Amidala's room, dressed and packed, a small bag at his feet. She was just closing her bag as he entered. By the look of the clothes strewn about the room, Obi-Wan and Sabé had helped her pack.
Obi-Wan pulled Anakin to the side, "Be careful, Anakin. You're not a Jedi yet, remember that."
"Yes master."
Obi-Wan tightly clasped his shoulder, "Protect the Queen, Sabé and I will try and ensure that no one believes she is gone, but her safety is your priority. May the Force be with you."
"And with you, Master," Anakin turned away, looking at Padmé. She'd turned into the handmaiden he so remembered in just a few minutes and, a part of him, found that comforting. Shouldering her bag, he motioned for her to leave the room first and followed quickly on her heels.
Obi-Wan turned to look at the Queen's Handmaiden, "So the danger is now ours. Thrilling, isn't it?"
She smiled quickly, but her concerned gaze was on the closed door, "I will worry, Master Kenobi, until they return safely. I think I will set her chamber in order and retire. Good night."
Obi-Wan watched her leave and then turned to the balcony and stepped outside. He missed the longing look she shot him, but caught the surge of her emotions. "Sabé."
She paused in the doorway to the bedroom, "Yes?"
He looked back at her over his shoulder. Whatever he'd wanted to say died on his tongue as he watched her. A feeling of resignation filled him, "Good night."
She nodded and disappeared, her emotions betraying her disappointment that he'd not said something else. Obi-Wan turned back to the balcony and kept watch as the Queen's handmaiden slept.
Anakin started up the Nabooian starship as Amidala settled into the co-pilot's seat. "This is going to be a quick trip," he told her, "I'll be pushing this thing to its limits. I have to get to her and soon."
Padmé reached over and gently touched his forearm, the hole in her hand covered by a fast-healing bacta patch, "I know, Anakin. Do what you need to."
He smiled greatly at her and blasted off the landing pad almost as soon as the board registered ready for flight. His gaze was focused on the stars above, his thoughts on a woman with brown hair, gentle eyes and the strength to let him go.
Anakin landed the spaceship 16 hours later in Mos Espa's space port. Using Amidala's political credentials to gain them access. Anakin stepped off the ship into a world he remembered clearly. The sun beat down on them, sucking the moisture from their skin as they walked from the spaceport. Watto's shop wasn't far, and Anakin was too anxious to find the junk dealer to bother with flagging down some kind of public transportation so they rented a speeder and sped off into the streets.
A few minutes later Anakin parked the speeder next to the shop he'd grown up in, the shop where Padmé and he had first met. Despite the seriousness of his errand, a small smile found its way onto his lips. Did she remember? He helped her down from the speeder and headed into the shop. Pit droids were now in abundance, lifting heavy objects and keeping the place clean. There was no sign of Shmi.
The blue junk dealer was cursing and throwing something at one of the droids as they entered. Anakin glanced at Padmé. *Are you an Angel?*
She smiled softly at him, catching his thought, *Only in your mind, Ani*
Anakin spoke to the junk dealer in huttes, "Hello, Watto."
Watto looked up from the droid he was dealing with and froze. His eyes widened. "Whatever it is, whoever said I cheated, I didn't do it!"
Anakin stepped forward, his lightsaber clearly visible on his hip, "I'm looking for someone."
Watto flew over, "I deal in junk, Jedi, not in information."
Anakin glared at him, "I'm looking for Shmi Skywalker."
Watto settled onto his counter, looking at the man critically, "Why's a Jedi looking for a slave?"
Anakin found it darkly amusing that Watto couldn't place him, but he didn't have time for this. "My mother, Watto, where is she?"
Watto nearly fell off the counter. "Mother? Ani?"
Anakin took a menacing step towards the junk dealer, his hand unconsciously going to his lightsaber, "My mother."
Watto backed away, "She was bought from me years ago. Some moisture farmer out beyond Mos Eisley by the name of Lars. I dunno what happened to her after that."
"Are you sure that's where they are?"
Watto pulled up his computer database and turned it so Anakin could read the sales number and location. Anakin stepped back, "Goodbye Watto."
Watto watched him go, wiping sweat from his brow. The boy had grown up. Grown up into a Jedi and, from the looks of him, a dangerous Jedi. Vowing to steer clear of anyone with the name of Skywalker in the future, he quickly went back to his shop.
Sabé shook her head, frowning at the display, "I'm sorry first minister, but the Queen is unavailable. She's been quarantined due to an illness. I'm afraid she's abed and will be for an undetermined time. I will make sure she receives your message. Good day, first minister." She clicked off the display before the man could complain and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Did he accept your story?"
She looked up, smiling slightly at the stoic Jedi behind her. "I think so. I don't know how Padmé does this, my neck is killing me."
He stepped towards her, rolling his sleeves back and motioning to her neck. "May I?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Do Jedi give massages?"
"Only this one. Skills from my misspent youth."
She laughed softly, facing forward. His hands slid against the heated skin of her throat, almost caressing. She suppressed a shiver, closing her eyes as her head fell forward and his hands began to gently ease the tension from her neck. It was heavenly, his strong fingers fire and lightning, sending her pulse skyrocketing even as he turned her into jelly.
"Mmmmm." She moaned in pleasure, "If this is a skill from a misspent youth, are they any more I could exploit?"
He laughed and she froze. His chuckle was soft, scratchy as if he didn't use it much, but music to her ears.
"So you do know how to laugh."
"Yes, Sabé, I know how to laugh. It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity or inclination to do so. Training Anakin... well, he's a prankster and a misfit. It didn't leave a lot of time to laugh while I was doing damage control."
She smiled as his hands kept soothing the tension, firmly imprinting his flesh against hers as if he belonged. She swallowed hard. "So, do you have any other skills I can exploit? My back is killing me."
His hands stilled on her neck and he took a step back. She bit her lip, wondering if she was being too presumptuous, but braced herself before turning to look at him. He was looking at her strangely, almost as if assessing the validity of her claim. She offered a small smile. "I'm serious. My back is as wound as tight as your control. I promise I won't take advantage of you if that's what you're worried about." As if she could.
He smiled slightly, his response softly intense. "It's not you I'm worried about."
She froze, staring at him in shock. Had she just heard him correctly? "You mean you would take advantage of me?"
He searched her features before taking another step away from her. "Good night, Sabé."
"Oh no you don't, it's early yet." She stepped towards him, grabbing his hand and tugging sharply before he could escape. "What did you mean by that remark?"
"Nothing, handmaiden."
She drew back as if stung. He'd retreated into his Jedi mask, as if shielding her from something he didn't want her to see. "Fine. Good night. Oh, and Obi-Wan, you owe me a backrub!" Turning sharply on her heel she stalked from the room and shut her door with a sharp bang.
Obi-Wan's sad eyes watched the door for several moments before he turned away. He had a job to do and, as attracted to Sabé as he was, he was a Jedi and there could never, ever, be anything between them.
Anakin drove the rented speeder back to the hanger in silence. Padmé finally spoke as they were settling back into their seats for the flight to Mos Eisley. "Would you have hurt him?"
Anakin's thoughts were troubled as she voiced his own silent question. "I don't know. I'd like to think not."
She nodded, "Well, how about we go find your mother?"
He kicked in the engines at her words and sent them hurtling across the planet. They sped across the barren planet towards Mos Eisley, Anakin's hands tensely grasped the controls. He could clearly feel every concerned look Padmé shot him. They were silent for the first few minutes, checking instruments, gauging wind speeds and environmental changes. Padmé unbuckled her crash webbing and went to check the instruments to adjust the atmospheric shields. "What will you do when we find her?"
Anakin glanced at her, "I don't know yet. This Lars had better not have hurt her."
She twisted two knobs and pushed a couple of buttons, "I have to reset the shielding manifold, there is too much drag. I have to shut them off so it will be a bit of a bumpy ride for a few minutes."
He nodded, feeling the sluggish pull of the stick as he fought the ship to stay steady. His mind was almost completely on the task at hand but he found the presence of mind to ask a question he'd been keeping hidden from her since they'd met again. "Padmé."
She turned to look at him, "Yes?"
"Are you going to be Queen forever?"
She smiled, "No, Anakin. On my birthday, which is in two days now, I will be resigning my station. The people will now elect a new ruler. 9 years is long enough to be ruling a planet."
He chuckled, "So what do you-" he cut himself off, feeling a sudden danger flash through the Force.
He started to call to her to hit the shields when something slammed into the ship's hind section. Spinning out of control, the ship plummeted towards the sand like a rock. Anakin lunged for Padmé as it began to spin, slamming into the console in front of her and absorbing the impact of her body with his. Wrapping himself around her, and drawing on the Force, he protected her from injury as his own head slammed into the console. He heard her cry out for him, feeling something warm sliding down his face. He tried to respond through the whirling maelstrom, but found he couldn't force the words past his lips. Blackness closed in on his vision, and he never felt the impact as the ship hit the sand.
Padmé groaned, her body aching, her head splitting from the impact. She froze, feeling a sudden yank on her arms as they were pulled behind her. Biting back a surge of nausea as she was lifted from her cramped position, she forced her eyes open. A scream of fear lodged in her throat. A strange, alien face stared back at her, oblong eyes, a dark circular mouth, horns sprouting from strange angles. Tusken Raiders. The most feared group on Tatooine. How did she know...? Her gaze flew to Anakin. He was lying in a pool of dried blood, his chest not rising. "Anak-"
She was clubbed in the back of the head sending her back into oblivion. Her last conscious thought was that, if Anakin was indeed dead, she no longer wanted to live either.
Chapter 6
Anakin leapt to his feet, his lightsaber coming to hand as Padmé's cry echoed through his mind. He was still in a semi-meditative state, but one thing was clear to him. Padmé was in trouble. She needed him. He raced for the door, his bare feet pounding on the floor, and tore it open with his mind. Racing down the hall, he ducked into the empty room next to hers and dashed for the balcony. It was a clear night, the stars shining in the sky, the moon illuminating the balconies clearly. A line of synth-rope was coiled around the rail of Amidala's balcony, her attacker nowhere to be seen. Without thinking, Anakin drew on the Force and jumped the 30 feet from one balcony to the other, landing in a crouch. His lighsaber was off, his tread silent as he stalked the figure cloaked in darkness.
He heard Amidala scream, felt her pain, and anger flashed through him. Without thinking he lunged at the figure from behind, slamming the open end of his lighsaber into the base of their skull, his thumb hitting the activation switch. The white-blue blade activated, killing the assassin instantly as it punctured their brain.
The main door to her apartment flew open and Obi-Wan, along with her security force, burst in. They stopped, seeing the form impaled on Anakin's lighsaber. Obi-Wan turned and motioned everyone out, Sabé taking the opportunity to duck into the Queen's bedchamber and check on her. Anakin switched his lightsaber off, the body dropping at his feet.
Obi-Wan approached Anakin slowly, feeling that his Padawan was still only half-conscious. "Anakin."
Anakin looked at him, but his eyes were glazed over, distant, as if he weren't seeing Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan stopped. The look on Anakin's face was one he remembered seeing only once on Qui-Gon's. Right before his Master had received a vision.
Anakin sank to the floor, twitching, as his mind began to whirl, the trance completely overtaking him again, and swirling sand formed in his mind, dunes of the gritty substance awash in waves of heat. A voice, a familiar voice he'd not heard in 9 years, drifted to him across the waves. "Ani..."
"Mom." He looked around, through the shimmering waves of heat, seeing a dark figure off in the distance. Pain shot through him, pain that started at the neck and drove him to his knees. Rivers of fire raced along his arms, one of them losing all feeling as something slammed into it just above the elbow. He fought to stand, couldn't find the strength. A cry, a woman's cry, echoed through the waves of relentless heat, echoing his own pain. "MOM!" he screamed, knowing the pain he was feeling was an echo of her own. "MOM! NO!" He felt her, saw her reaching for him, for something to stop the pain, but no relief was coming. He strove to reach for her-
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan's voice pierced the heat of his vision and brought him back with a physical shake.
Anakin was on the floor, tears streaking his face, his bare chest heaving. His head pounded and whirled with the revelations he'd been given. "Mom." His voice was hoarse, his eyes tormented as he looked up at his Master, "I have to help her. I have to save her."
"Anakin!" they both looked up to see a distraught looking Padmé running across the room. She slid to her knees next to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She was shaking like a leaf. "Anakin, that was terrible."
He pushed himself to one elbow and wrapped his other arm around her. He hadn't realized she'd share his visions. He met Obi-Wan's gaze, "I have to go to her, Master. Test or no test, I have to go."
"I can't let you, Anakin." Obi-Wan's voice was quiet and full of regret, "The council will be here tomorrow to test you. If you're not here..."
Anakin closed his eyes, resting his head on Padmé's shoulder. He was torn. His mother needed him now, needed him to the point where he might lose her forever if he didn't go, and yet, his Angel needed him too. "I have to save her, she's my mother."
Padmé looked up at Obi-Wan, "Please, Master Kenobi,"
Obi-Wan rubbed his forehead, "I shouldn't allow it. Both of you head for Tatooine. I'll stay here with Sabé and greet the council to explain what's happened." He looked over at the Queen's decoy, "Can you fill in for her for a few days?"
Sabé nodded.
"Good. Quickly, both of you, before I change my mind."
Anakin smiled thankfully at his Master and forced himself to his feet. Padmé was already walking back to her sleeping quarters issuing orders and instructions to her handmaiden. Obi-Wan caught Anakin by the shoulder, "Be careful."
He nodded, racing from the room, and threw the door to his room open. Two minutes later he was back in Amidala's room, dressed and packed, a small bag at his feet. She was just closing her bag as he entered. By the look of the clothes strewn about the room, Obi-Wan and Sabé had helped her pack.
Obi-Wan pulled Anakin to the side, "Be careful, Anakin. You're not a Jedi yet, remember that."
"Yes master."
Obi-Wan tightly clasped his shoulder, "Protect the Queen, Sabé and I will try and ensure that no one believes she is gone, but her safety is your priority. May the Force be with you."
"And with you, Master," Anakin turned away, looking at Padmé. She'd turned into the handmaiden he so remembered in just a few minutes and, a part of him, found that comforting. Shouldering her bag, he motioned for her to leave the room first and followed quickly on her heels.
Obi-Wan turned to look at the Queen's Handmaiden, "So the danger is now ours. Thrilling, isn't it?"
She smiled quickly, but her concerned gaze was on the closed door, "I will worry, Master Kenobi, until they return safely. I think I will set her chamber in order and retire. Good night."
Obi-Wan watched her leave and then turned to the balcony and stepped outside. He missed the longing look she shot him, but caught the surge of her emotions. "Sabé."
She paused in the doorway to the bedroom, "Yes?"
He looked back at her over his shoulder. Whatever he'd wanted to say died on his tongue as he watched her. A feeling of resignation filled him, "Good night."
She nodded and disappeared, her emotions betraying her disappointment that he'd not said something else. Obi-Wan turned back to the balcony and kept watch as the Queen's handmaiden slept.
Anakin started up the Nabooian starship as Amidala settled into the co-pilot's seat. "This is going to be a quick trip," he told her, "I'll be pushing this thing to its limits. I have to get to her and soon."
Padmé reached over and gently touched his forearm, the hole in her hand covered by a fast-healing bacta patch, "I know, Anakin. Do what you need to."
He smiled greatly at her and blasted off the landing pad almost as soon as the board registered ready for flight. His gaze was focused on the stars above, his thoughts on a woman with brown hair, gentle eyes and the strength to let him go.
Anakin landed the spaceship 16 hours later in Mos Espa's space port. Using Amidala's political credentials to gain them access. Anakin stepped off the ship into a world he remembered clearly. The sun beat down on them, sucking the moisture from their skin as they walked from the spaceport. Watto's shop wasn't far, and Anakin was too anxious to find the junk dealer to bother with flagging down some kind of public transportation so they rented a speeder and sped off into the streets.
A few minutes later Anakin parked the speeder next to the shop he'd grown up in, the shop where Padmé and he had first met. Despite the seriousness of his errand, a small smile found its way onto his lips. Did she remember? He helped her down from the speeder and headed into the shop. Pit droids were now in abundance, lifting heavy objects and keeping the place clean. There was no sign of Shmi.
The blue junk dealer was cursing and throwing something at one of the droids as they entered. Anakin glanced at Padmé. *Are you an Angel?*
She smiled softly at him, catching his thought, *Only in your mind, Ani*
Anakin spoke to the junk dealer in huttes, "Hello, Watto."
Watto looked up from the droid he was dealing with and froze. His eyes widened. "Whatever it is, whoever said I cheated, I didn't do it!"
Anakin stepped forward, his lightsaber clearly visible on his hip, "I'm looking for someone."
Watto flew over, "I deal in junk, Jedi, not in information."
Anakin glared at him, "I'm looking for Shmi Skywalker."
Watto settled onto his counter, looking at the man critically, "Why's a Jedi looking for a slave?"
Anakin found it darkly amusing that Watto couldn't place him, but he didn't have time for this. "My mother, Watto, where is she?"
Watto nearly fell off the counter. "Mother? Ani?"
Anakin took a menacing step towards the junk dealer, his hand unconsciously going to his lightsaber, "My mother."
Watto backed away, "She was bought from me years ago. Some moisture farmer out beyond Mos Eisley by the name of Lars. I dunno what happened to her after that."
"Are you sure that's where they are?"
Watto pulled up his computer database and turned it so Anakin could read the sales number and location. Anakin stepped back, "Goodbye Watto."
Watto watched him go, wiping sweat from his brow. The boy had grown up. Grown up into a Jedi and, from the looks of him, a dangerous Jedi. Vowing to steer clear of anyone with the name of Skywalker in the future, he quickly went back to his shop.
Sabé shook her head, frowning at the display, "I'm sorry first minister, but the Queen is unavailable. She's been quarantined due to an illness. I'm afraid she's abed and will be for an undetermined time. I will make sure she receives your message. Good day, first minister." She clicked off the display before the man could complain and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Did he accept your story?"
She looked up, smiling slightly at the stoic Jedi behind her. "I think so. I don't know how Padmé does this, my neck is killing me."
He stepped towards her, rolling his sleeves back and motioning to her neck. "May I?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Do Jedi give massages?"
"Only this one. Skills from my misspent youth."
She laughed softly, facing forward. His hands slid against the heated skin of her throat, almost caressing. She suppressed a shiver, closing her eyes as her head fell forward and his hands began to gently ease the tension from her neck. It was heavenly, his strong fingers fire and lightning, sending her pulse skyrocketing even as he turned her into jelly.
"Mmmmm." She moaned in pleasure, "If this is a skill from a misspent youth, are they any more I could exploit?"
He laughed and she froze. His chuckle was soft, scratchy as if he didn't use it much, but music to her ears.
"So you do know how to laugh."
"Yes, Sabé, I know how to laugh. It's been a long time since I've had the opportunity or inclination to do so. Training Anakin... well, he's a prankster and a misfit. It didn't leave a lot of time to laugh while I was doing damage control."
She smiled as his hands kept soothing the tension, firmly imprinting his flesh against hers as if he belonged. She swallowed hard. "So, do you have any other skills I can exploit? My back is killing me."
His hands stilled on her neck and he took a step back. She bit her lip, wondering if she was being too presumptuous, but braced herself before turning to look at him. He was looking at her strangely, almost as if assessing the validity of her claim. She offered a small smile. "I'm serious. My back is as wound as tight as your control. I promise I won't take advantage of you if that's what you're worried about." As if she could.
He smiled slightly, his response softly intense. "It's not you I'm worried about."
She froze, staring at him in shock. Had she just heard him correctly? "You mean you would take advantage of me?"
He searched her features before taking another step away from her. "Good night, Sabé."
"Oh no you don't, it's early yet." She stepped towards him, grabbing his hand and tugging sharply before he could escape. "What did you mean by that remark?"
"Nothing, handmaiden."
She drew back as if stung. He'd retreated into his Jedi mask, as if shielding her from something he didn't want her to see. "Fine. Good night. Oh, and Obi-Wan, you owe me a backrub!" Turning sharply on her heel she stalked from the room and shut her door with a sharp bang.
Obi-Wan's sad eyes watched the door for several moments before he turned away. He had a job to do and, as attracted to Sabé as he was, he was a Jedi and there could never, ever, be anything between them.
Anakin drove the rented speeder back to the hanger in silence. Padmé finally spoke as they were settling back into their seats for the flight to Mos Eisley. "Would you have hurt him?"
Anakin's thoughts were troubled as she voiced his own silent question. "I don't know. I'd like to think not."
She nodded, "Well, how about we go find your mother?"
He kicked in the engines at her words and sent them hurtling across the planet. They sped across the barren planet towards Mos Eisley, Anakin's hands tensely grasped the controls. He could clearly feel every concerned look Padmé shot him. They were silent for the first few minutes, checking instruments, gauging wind speeds and environmental changes. Padmé unbuckled her crash webbing and went to check the instruments to adjust the atmospheric shields. "What will you do when we find her?"
Anakin glanced at her, "I don't know yet. This Lars had better not have hurt her."
She twisted two knobs and pushed a couple of buttons, "I have to reset the shielding manifold, there is too much drag. I have to shut them off so it will be a bit of a bumpy ride for a few minutes."
He nodded, feeling the sluggish pull of the stick as he fought the ship to stay steady. His mind was almost completely on the task at hand but he found the presence of mind to ask a question he'd been keeping hidden from her since they'd met again. "Padmé."
She turned to look at him, "Yes?"
"Are you going to be Queen forever?"
She smiled, "No, Anakin. On my birthday, which is in two days now, I will be resigning my station. The people will now elect a new ruler. 9 years is long enough to be ruling a planet."
He chuckled, "So what do you-" he cut himself off, feeling a sudden danger flash through the Force.
He started to call to her to hit the shields when something slammed into the ship's hind section. Spinning out of control, the ship plummeted towards the sand like a rock. Anakin lunged for Padmé as it began to spin, slamming into the console in front of her and absorbing the impact of her body with his. Wrapping himself around her, and drawing on the Force, he protected her from injury as his own head slammed into the console. He heard her cry out for him, feeling something warm sliding down his face. He tried to respond through the whirling maelstrom, but found he couldn't force the words past his lips. Blackness closed in on his vision, and he never felt the impact as the ship hit the sand.
Padmé groaned, her body aching, her head splitting from the impact. She froze, feeling a sudden yank on her arms as they were pulled behind her. Biting back a surge of nausea as she was lifted from her cramped position, she forced her eyes open. A scream of fear lodged in her throat. A strange, alien face stared back at her, oblong eyes, a dark circular mouth, horns sprouting from strange angles. Tusken Raiders. The most feared group on Tatooine. How did she know...? Her gaze flew to Anakin. He was lying in a pool of dried blood, his chest not rising. "Anak-"
She was clubbed in the back of the head sending her back into oblivion. Her last conscious thought was that, if Anakin was indeed dead, she no longer wanted to live either.