Anakin's mind fought for a solution, this couldn't be her. it must be a relative of hers!

Satisfied with his logic, he relaxed.

Padmé walked over to Obi-Wan, recognizing him immediately. The two bowed.

"It has been a long time, Jedi Kenobi. My planet is still grateful for your heroism." Padmé said, embracing the Jedi Knight in a hug.

Anakin removed his hood, and Padmé nodded at him, "This is your apprentice?" she asked, recognizing the Learner's Braid.

Anakin's mouth dropped open, and he couldn't cover his shock.

Obi-Wan smirked; didn't Anakin realize that he had grown over the past eleven years? "I do believe you two know eachother." He said, stepping aside in order to allow Padmé a better view of his shocked apprentice.

She shook her head, "That's impossible! The only Padawan I have ever known was you, Jedi Kenobi!"

Anakin shook his head, disgusted and heart broken. "It's me!" he said, hoping she would be able to at least recognize is voice.

But, once again, she failed him, and only shook her head.

"I'm sorry!" she threw in helplessly.

"Does the name 'Anakin' ring a bell to you?" he asked, trying to control his anger.

Padmé stepped forward, astounded. "Anakin, little Ani?" she said, slowly tilting her head up to look at him.

"Please, it's 'Anakin.' I haven't been called 'Ani' since I was fourteen!" Seeing her face, he immediately regretted his choice of words.

"Padmé. I'm sorry. It's just that." he took a deep breath, "I was looking forward to seeing you, and you.. You didn't even recognize me."

She smiled, and said, "I'm sorry, Ani-.can.. Anakin." He smiled down at her, and the two hugged.

***

Amaraki watched the two hug and felt a twinge if jealousy.

He told himself to calm down, the Jedi before him was a mere child, obviously no older than twenty.

Jedi, he knew, were not allowed to love.

All his life, Amaraki had wanted to become a Jedi.

He had been tested at four, and failed.

For years he looked up to Jedi, and studied the ways of the Force.

But then he was to old.

So, with no other dreams left Amaraki turned to the closest thing to a Jedi he could find; a Sith.

***

As she sat on her bed, Padmé found her thoughts wandering to Anakin.

Ani. How could he hate a name filled with such sweet memory?

"Why am I thinking about him.." She groaned to herself, closing her eyes.

Was she becoming attracted to the Padawan? Padmé shook the thought out of her head.

She had Amaraki, and he was all she needed and wanted!

.Wasn't it?

A knock at the door startled her. Figuring it was Amaraki, she quickly straightened herself up and ran to the door, a genuine smile on her face.

But once she opened the door, her smile faltered.

It wasn't Amaraki, it was Anakin.

***

"A.A.Anakin!?" She stuttered.

He smiled and nodded matter-of-factly, slight smirk dancing across his handsome features.

Padmé stood in the door way, just staring at him. Noticing his broad muscles, intense blue eyes, his height, his shaggy blonde hair.

"May I come in?" Anakin said, interrupting her thoughts.

Unable to speak, she only nodded and stepped back. Anakin left her breathless.

He sauntered in and looked around. "I hope you will be comfortable in your quarters." He said, noticing that there were two beds.

What!?! Were she and the other guy sharing a room? Must be room shortage.

Padmé nodded, and looked up at him. "How did you get so tall?" She asked.

Anakin looked down at her and chuckled. "No, the correct question is, Milady, how did you get so short?"

Trying to keep a straight face was impossible, so Padmé gave up, and they laughed together.

Once their laughter tapered off, Anakin started at her deeply.

Padmé found herself slipping, loosing herself in his powerful blue orbs.

Suddenly, without any warning, she surprised herself by leaning up and kissing him.

Embarrassed and ashamed, she ran out of the room and into the 'fresher, leaving a befuddled Padawan standing in the middle of her quarters.

***

"Padmé?" Anakin said, knocking softly on the 'fresher door.

"Go away!" a tearful voice shot back.

He stepped away, and shook his head, confused. One minute she was kissing him, and the next, she was in the bathroom, crying!

He knocked on the door again, "Okay, I'm just. going to be in my quarters if you need Me."

Silence.

"Okay. bye."

More silence.

Then a timid voice piped up, "Don't go, Anakin."

The door opened, and Padmé walked out, tears drying on her cheeks, makeup smeared.

"Anakin. I. I'm sorry. b-but."

she was cut off by his comlink buzz.

It was his Master, calling him back to their quarters.

Dismayed and angry, Padmé retreated, watching Anakin turn around and head for the door.

He started to walk out, but stopped, and slowly turned around, and walked back up to her.

Without a warning of any type, Anakin Skywalker embraced Padmé Amidala, and they began to kiss.

But a terrible feeling of immense sadness caused Anakin to break the kiss.

He slowly turned his head to the right.

"What's wrong?" Padmé asked, following his gaze.

Her mouth fell open.

Standing in the shadows of the doorway was a grief-stricken Amaraki.

***

Anakin watched as Amaraki's eyes diverted between him and Padmé.

Through the Force, Anakin felt Amaraki's heart breaking.

Refusing to believe that Padmé and Amaraki were in love, Anakin decided that Amaraki must be her over protective relative, or bodyguard.

He smiled meekly, "I really should.. go now.."

With that, he hurried out the door, leaving Padmé and Amaraki alone.

His comlink buzzed once more, and Anakin rushed to his quarters.

***

Obi-Wan stood in the quarters, waiting angrily. Anakin should have arrived by now!

His head snapped up when he heard the door open, and a red-faced Anakin walked in.

Obi-Wan noticed that Anakin had some reddish marks on his cheeks and lips. lipstick?

"Anakin!" he said, bringing the Padawan out of a daze.

"Wha.. did you say something?" Anakin responded, sounding confused.

Obi-Wan shook his head, "What took you so long?" he said accusingly.

Anakin's eyes widened guiltily, "Oh.I..eh. I stopped to..uh. to.. Get a drink of water!" he said, smiling innocently.

"Anakin!" Obi-Wan said again, reminding his apprentice that Jedi were telepathic.

His Learner grinned sheepishly, but bluntly refused to say anything more.

Obi-Wan sighed. His Padawan could be so stubborn! "We have a meeting with the Council tomorrow morning, we must wake up earlier than usual."

Anakin frowned. "Is that all you called me for?"

Obi-Wan shrugged and nodded.

Anakin shook his head and turned to walk out again.

"Hold up a minute, where are you going?" Obi-Wan asked, grabbing Anakin's arm.

Anakin pulled his arm away and glared at his Master.

"It's getting late, Padawan! We must have a short dinner, then it's off to bed."

"Fine. I'm a little hungry anyways."

Smiling, Obi-Wan led his apprentice into the kitchen.

***

"Hello, Amaraki!" Padmé said, grinning sunnily.

Amaraki didn't reply. Instead, he focused his attention to a chair behind her.

Finally, his eye's, clouded with tears, met hers. "Why did you do that?" he asked, voice cracking.

"I.I don't know. it just, happened!" she said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I thought you loved Me." He said, crying freely now.

Padmé lifted his chin up, "I do love you, Amaraki. Anakin is just a friend. You're the only one for me, and I mean it."

"Really?" He asked, sensing her heart was true.

Padmé nodded. She did love Amaraki.

Then why did her heart dwell on Anakin?

***

Meanwhile, Anakin and Obi-Wan had their dinner, and were now meditating.

Jedi were required to meditate, but sometimes, Anakin found it pointless.

Obi-Wan opened one eye, "You're not concentrating, my young Padawan. What's on your mind?"

Anakin's eyes flew open, and he attempted to stand up, but he moved to quickly and ended up falling back down.

Laughing, Obi-Wan stood up and held a hand out to help his apprentice stand.

"I was just. distracted." Anakin said, chuckling nervously.

"About what?" his Master said, looking sternly at Anakin.

"I was just. nervous!" Anakin protested.

"I'm going to sleep, Anakin. And for Force's sake, don't stay up too late! I don't want you to fall asleep in front of the Council again!" Obi-Wan said, heading towards his room.

"Hey! I only did that once!" Anakin whined.

"Relax, Padawan! I was only kidding. Sleep well, and May the Force be with you."

Anakin stood in the living room for awhile, and finally decided to follow his Master's advice.

As he headed to his room, something caught his eye.

His Padawan Journal was the coffee table.

He picked it up, and flipped to a random page. That page he happened to look at was a picture of Padmé he had drawn when he was nine years old.

***

Padmé awoke in the middle of the night with an urge to take a walk.

Quickly throwing her shawl on over her nightgown, she quietly snuck out of their room.

After wandering a bit, she found herself at the Jedi Temple.

"What?" She said, louder than she meant to.

A light came on in the room to her right, and she heard footsteps.

She pulled the shawl tighter across herself.

The door opened, and a tall figure stood in the doorway.

It was shadowy, so she couldn't tell who it was.

"Who are you?" the Jedi asked drowsily.

"Anakin!?" she asked, startled.

"No, you can't be Anakin.. I'm Anakin!" said the obviously half-asleep Padawan.

Padmé laughed, "It's Padmé!" she said, grabbing his arm and pulling him out into the hallway.

"What're you doing here?" he asked, more alert, "You can get in big trouble if the Council catches you!"

"I know.. I felt like taking a walk, and this is where I ended up!" she said, looking around.

Anakin looked around to make sure nobody else was out, and then grabbed her hand.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Shh! Somewhere where we can talk!!"

With that, the two headed for the Temple gardens.