Next update... my apologies for it being short, but I wanted to end his stay and continue on to other things. Next update will be after the weekend.

Thank you for your reviews. More are welcome.

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Part VIII

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It was just after dawn when the ship took off. Anakin stood behind the pilot, his stance held wide, his eyes not really seeing, but remembering.

He had asked Padmé not to come. It would be too difficult for her to realize the danger he was about to embrace. It would be difficult for her to say goodbye to him. It was difficult enough for him to say goodbye to her. And that had been less than an hour before.

She had been standing by the table, distractedly turning over a pineapple in her arms. She was wearing a soft blue slip that came to her knees, smoothly filling out her body. Her eyes were cast over the horizon, unseeing. It was clear she had more on her mind.

Anakin embraced her from behind. She nearly jumped, and set the pineapple aside, lowering her gaze and melted into his embrace. "I wish you didn't have to go."

"I do," he said, his voice shaking a bit as they hugged, tightly. Next to him were his robes and a single bag he had taken with him back to Naboo. "I love you."

She didn't reply for a moment, staying tucked comfortably in his arms. She could feel the golden hand brush her bare skin lightly and smiled, enjoying the sensation. "Ani," she whispered, pulling herself away from him. He looked stunned to see tears sparkling in her eyes. "Don't get killed."

"I won't," he said, trying to keep his own voice level as he kissed away her tears. "I know how to take care of myself."

"Because now you have another to care for," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. He let go of her as she walked around the table, placing miscellaneous items on it. "Take this fruit, I have no use for it," she said, adding a clay jar of water.

He watched her move uneasily. Certainly, she was nervous. He was too. He was about to leave her for the first time in the longest while, and the thought of leaving her behind was enough to put an ache in his heart. He reached out while she moved behind him and took her hands.

She raised her teary gaze to him as he pulled her into his arms, his lips silencing her thoughts. After a moment, they pulled back to breathe, their lips twisted into their own ironic smiles.

"I love you, Anakin," she said gently, touching his face. His lips found the edge of her hand and delicately kissed it. She still had tears in her eyes, but her voice was stronger now. "Promise me you're coming back. Promise me."

Anakin took her hand in his. "I promise," he said, trying to keep the tears from his own eyes. When, where, he didn't know. He was needed on Geonosis with his Jedi mentor. By then, Naboo might have entered the war. As he looked at Padmé, he could see her strength shining through the tears in her eyes. She was the strongest woman, aside his mother, he had ever known. No matter what danger he was in, she was sure to be in more. The Trade Federation was still after her. "Please be careful. Your life is in as much danger as mine."

Her smile flickered on. "I will," she sighed with a nod. "I'll be living with the rest of the politicians at the Consulate. If it gets worse, I'll just move into the palace."

Anakin smiled. "As long as you're safe," he said, touching her hair with his prosthetic arm, her dark strands mingling between gold fingers. "I want to remember this moment."

Padmé looked like she was about to cry again. "When are you going?"

"I need to go now," he said, but this time the tears wouldn't stop. She rushed forward into his arms and clung to him, as though he were nothing more of a life preserver. He held her back, their tears mixing in the devestating promise they both held.

He finally stepped back. "I love you, Padmé."

She echoed his words as he stepped back, taking his bag, the fruit, even the jar of water.

"Ani..." she whispered, reaching after him, even as he disappeared from view. Then she turned, a yawning emptiness filling her. She returned to their bed, sat down quickly, and closed her eyes, trying to prevent the tears from flowing.

An hour later, Anakin waited until the transport had set down before springing forward with his now stuffed bag. As he stepped off, his mind began to wander. How was he going to explain the new glow to Obi Wan now? Was Obi-Wan going to know that Anakin had committed the greatest sin of all - he had found love?

There would be time for questions later.

The transport ship that would carry him to Coruscant was waiting. He quickly had the communications equipment send word to Obi-Wan and Coruscant he was returning.

A moment later, his ship took off from the planet. Glancing behind him, he could feel the sorrow and concern grow deep in his heart. Forcing himself to put those feelings aside, he flew away from Naboo.