Disclaimer: Star Wars doesn't belong to me. blah blah blah, I'm just a geek who writes fanfiction, etc. etc. etc. None of the junk I write here is in any way a spoiler, it is all just speculation.

Okay, here's the deal. I wrote these for a site called Anakin and His Angel, which is currently on hiatus. I never meant to put them together in novel form, that's just how it worked out. Some of the first ones kind of stinketh, but they were the first things I've ever written, so you have to give me some credit. These are all Episode III speculative fan scenes.

Naboo Balcony Revisited

Padme awoke with a start wondering where she was. Comforted by the familiar background of her room at Varykino, she settled back down. Only then did she notice that Anakin's familiar, comforting form was not beside her. Again she sat bolt upright with the hope that he had not left. His life was ever-changing, and there was always the chance that he would leave her at a moment's notice. She prayed that day was not today. She took a deep breath and calmed herself enough to notice that his things were still in their places, including his lightsaber, so he must not have left.

Slowly, she lifted herself out of bed, it was getting harder and harder to do as the months past, and headed to the balcony. Anakin liked to go their to meditate, she knew. He had arrived a week ago after having been gone for a month and promised to stay for at least as long as he'd been gone. He was standing on the balcony in his usual meditative state, and so she waited for him to come out of his trance. When he did, a chill passed through her spine. Instead of the tranquility his meditation usually brought him, his face was reflective of another emotion. It emanated from his features and clouded his whole aura. She could not place it at first, but she soon recognized it. Hate. It was gone as soon as it came and he turned to speak to her.

"Did you sleep well, Padme?" he questioned.

"As well as can be expected," she patted her substantial belly," why are you up so early?"

"I received a message from Obi-Wan through Artoo this morning. The Trade Federation and the Commerce Guild, led by Count Dooku, have surfaced on more planets. Obi-Wan says he needs me." He could not hide the sarcastic tone in his voice nor could he mask that same fleeting emotion she had seen before.

" I understand. You are sworn to the Jedi. Your duty comes first." Her tone could not mask her own sadness.

"It won't be like that much longer. Obi-Wan will wish he had appreciated me more," he took a step forward, took her chin between his thumb and forefinger, and tilted her face upwards,"Soon, I'll be able to spend as much time here as I want. I've been promised that." He leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss and then said " but now, I have to go."

He turned away and walked into their room to gather his things. Putting on his utility belt he looked back at her with a mournful glance, and then walked away.

Padme could only stand there speechless. She looked down and put a hand on her belly. Talking as much to herself as anyone she said" Oh, Anakin. What is happening to you?"