Giggling the whole way, the couple finally made it to the gardens.

"Should we use a glow unit?" Anakin asked, stopping in the middle of the garden.

Padmé looked around. It was dark, very dark. "Yes, I think we kind of. need it." She said.

Anakin hooked up the glow unit, and the two sat on a bench. "How have you been since we last parted?" Anakin asked.

Padmé casually picked petals off a flower. "I've been fine. It is very nice seeing you again."

Anakin smiled and nodded, "Funny, you're a Senator. I'm a Padawan Learner. I'm sure you have to be on Coruscant sometimes! How come we have never run into eachother?"

"I think it's because we're not really allowed in the Temple without a special reason. You guys live there, and whenever you're not there, you're on a mission." She said, putting her flower down and looking at Anakin.

"Yes, it is really to bad that our paths have not crossed until now." he said, placing his hand upon hers.

His words brought chills to her spine. If they had met before, than what would have happened? Perhaps she would have fallen in love with him instead of Amaraki.

She jerked when she felt something touch her neck. She looked down and realized that Anakin was looking at her engagement necklace!!

"This is very pretty." He said, a hint of sadness in his words.

"Thank you." Padmé said, not sure what else to say.

A bit of awkward silence passed, and finally, Anakin stood up.

"We really ought to get going. I have a meeting with the Council really early."

"So do we." She replied.

"We?" Anakin asked, confused.

"Oh, Amaraki." She said.

"Oh, okay. Shall I escort you back to where you belong?" Anakin asked, holding a hand out.

Giggling, Padmé accepted his offer, and took his hand. The two set off for Padmé's quarters.

***

Oh the way back to the Jedi Temple, Anakin finally figured out who the guy with Padmé was!

When she had said that she and Amaraki had a meeting tomorrow, it must mean that Amaraki was a politician as well!

And Amaraki must be that guy with her!

Satisfied, Anakin quickened his pace. Now that he's figured it out, sleep would come much easier than it had before!

***

A sudden sound awoke Obi-Wan from a deep sleep.

He was up and standing, lightsaber ignited before he opened his eyes.

Once he did open his eyes, he was face to face with a startled Anakin.

"um.. Master.. I can explain. just. put the lightsaber down." Anakin said, pushing the button on his Master's lightsaber.

"Anakin, what are you doing up so late?" Obi-Wan asked, absently putting his lightsaber down.

"I was just in the gardens." Anakin replied, hanging his robe up.

"with whom?" Obi-Wan asked dryly.

"Master! Are you assuming because I was in the Temple Gardens that someone was with me?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

"So, who was it?" Obi-Wan inquired again.

"Padmé. We were just catching up on things. I'm off to bed." Before his Master had a chance to say anything more, Anakin had wandered into his room.

***

Early next morning, Padmé found herself being shaken awake. She opened her eyes, expecting to see Sola's teasing smile.

But instead, she found herself staring at Amaraki.

"Amaraki!!!" she said, pulling the blanket up.

He looked at her, perplexed.

"What? It's not like you weren't decent!"

"It's not proper for anybody to see a lady in her bedclothes!" Padmé said, running to the 'fresher with her blanket wrapped around her.

"Padmé, my Love, we're going to be married!"

"I know that! But we aren't yet!"

Amaraki's eye's widened, and then narrowed. "You're having regrets, aren't you?" he demanded, glaring at the door.

"No, it's not that!" Padmé exclaimed, "I am just a proper lady!"

Exasperated, Amaraki turned around. "Fine! Just. just hurry up! We have a meeting!"

"Really? With whom?" she asked.

"Strangely enough, the Jedi Council!" he said, turning around again.

Did she sense some sarcasm in his voice? Wait.. this must have something to do with Anakin!

Oh no, Anakin and Amaraki in the same ship? That could result in conflict!

***

Anakin and Obi-Wan stepped before the Council, and bowed. There was another Padawan Master team along with them.

Anakin recognized the Padawan as his childhood rival, Ferus and his Master, Siri.

Even though he bowed and wore a polite smile, Anakin's heart tightened.

What were they waiting for, anyways? Was there somebody else meeting them?

Apparently, there was. The door opened, and Padmé and Amaraki ran in.

"Sorry we're late," Padmé said, bowing breathlessly, "We got a little. lost."

"Okay, listen you must. Like this mission, Skywalker will!" Anakin cocked his head curiously, but did not interrupt his Master.

"Conflict has arisen on Tatooine," Master Mace Windu began.

"A drought, there is. Awful, it is. Little water they have, already." Yoda said thoughtfully.

Mace said, "People are attacking each other. Taking anger out on the slaves."

Anakin flinched slightly, and felt his Master reassure him with calm Force waves.

If the Council sensed Obi-Wan's sue of the Force, they didn't say anything about it.

"There is fighting and fires. Your guy's job will be to bring water and help resolve conflict." Ki-Adi Mundi continued, "You have one hour to get ready, you ship will depart in one hour. All the supplies you need will be on that ship. May the Force be with you."

***

As she packed her bags, Padmé couldn't help but wonder how Anakin would react to being on Tatooine.

She knew he would want to free his mother, see his friends, and watch a podrace, but they had an important mission!

Oh, and why was she always on the go? She and Amaraki had just finished unpacking this morning, and here they were packing again!

Padmé let out an exasperated sigh, and threw the now-packed suitcase down. Amaraki stepped up behind her,

"Are you alright, my Love"" he asked, gently placing his hands on her shoulders.

"I guess so," she said, looking at him, "I'm just sick of all this moving around all the time! I feel like a Bantha being herded!!"

Amaraki laughed at Padmé's imaginative metaphor, and she looked back defensively at him,

"What is so funny?" she demanded angrily.

"Just imagining you as a Bantha, you're much to beautiful!"

Padmé rolled her eyes. "Ha-ha" she said sarcastically, "Are you ready? We don't want to be late again!"

Without another word, Padmé turned and walked out of the room, leaving Amaraki to carry their luggage.

With a groan, he lifted her luggage and followed her out the room.

***

Anakin paced around his room. He had originally come in here for some private meditation, but when he had Padmé on his mind, he just couldn't concentrate!

The door opened, and Anakin jumped, and immediately ignited his lightsaber.

Obi-Wan came in, laughing. "A little.. tense, my young apprentice?" he commented, as Anakin sheepishly put his weapon away.

"Relax." Obi-wan said.

"um. yes, Master." Anakin replied, bowing.

Obi-Wan turned to leave, "be out in the main room in ten minutes." He called over his shoulder.

"alright." Anakin responded.

Once alone, he sat on his bed, and began to randomly throw clothing in his bag, and debating.

He was wondering whether he should propose to Padmé or not.

***

"Master?" a small voice called out.

Obi-Wan turned to see Anakin come out his quarters, carrying a small luggage bag.

"Yes, Padawan?"

"Well, I was wondering. I mean, I have a question."

Obi-Wan sighed, "Do we need to discuss the birds and the bees again?" he commented sarcastically, knowing how much Anakin hated that talk.

"No, no!!" Anakin said quickly. "I just.. am curious, how do you propose?"

"Well, first, you get on one knee, like this. Are you watching, Anakin?" Obi-Wan said, as he got on his right knee.

Anakin nodded.

"Okay. Then, you get out an engagement necklace, and you make a little speech."

Just then, the door opened, and Mace Windu walked in.

Obi-Wan didn't notice, and continued, "I love you. I always have. I always will. Will you marry me?"

Mace coughed, and Obi-Wan quickly turned around, and fell over in the process.

Mace stared at them for a bit, and then shook his head, "No. just. no!" with that, he quickly turned and fled the room.

Obi-Wan glanced at his sniggering apprentice, and stood up. "You know, if it wasn't against the Code, you'd be the first person I'd hate." He said, laughing.

"I know, Master. Now, shall we leave?" And the two left the room, laughing all the way down the halls.

***

Once on the ship, Padmé paced. She knew that she would have to tell Anakin about Amaraki sooner or later, before anything happened between them!

She couldn't just go on being in love with both of them, she couldn't leave Amaraki for Anakin, because she was engaged.

There was only one solution.

She had to tell Anakin that she and Amaraki were engaged before she hurt either of them! But was the damage already done?

***

Amaraki couldn't help but notice his Padmé's distress. She had been sighing a lot, and she was constantly tense.

At this point, she was pacing around the room!

Feeling the need to comfort her, he walked up and gently put a hand on her shoulder.

Padmé jumped and spun around. "Ah, Amaraki, it's just you! You scared me!"

Amaraki laughed, "So sorry, Love. You seem a little tense, is there anything wrong?"

Forcing a smile, Padmé looked at him. "Nothing at all!" she said quickly.

"Are you sure?" Amaraki replied, looking worried.

"I'm fine, okay?" she responded, slightly irritated.

He didn't answer, but only looked worried.

"I appreciate your concern, Amaraki." She said, moving closer and kissing away his worried look. He happily welcomed the kiss.

***

They heard a throat clear behind them, and Padmé looked over Amaraki's shoulder to see an embarrassed Obi-Wan standing on the doorway of the cockpit.

Padmé blushed deep scarlet, and quickly moved away from Amaraki.

"S-s-sorry.. Master Kenobi" she said, managing a feeble bow.

Amaraki just looked shocked. "yeah. sorry!" he said, smiling a confused grin.

Anakin walked in. "Hello." He said, casually taking the pilot's seat.

"Hey. you are piloting?" Amaraki asked, more confused than ever, "Shouldn't your Master be the one to pilot?"

Padmé grimaced, and looked over at Anakin, whose back had tensed.

Before Anakin had a chance to blow up, Obi-Wan cut in,

"Anakin is the better flyer." He said.

"If you say so. He looks a little young."

Anakin growled, and automatically felt for his lightsaber.

***

"Enough!!!" Boomed Obi-Wan's voice.

Startled, Anakin and Amaraki turned to Obi-Wan. Anakin's angry scowl became a look of guilt.

"Now," Obi-Wan began, satisfied, "I am sure you are both excellent pilots. Don't try to be the best, but your best."

Not convinced, Anakin looked away, an expression of remorse playing on his features.

Amaraki, lowered his head in shame. "I know, Master Jedi. And I apologize."

Obi-Wan smiled, and then walked over to his Padawan.

"Anakin, you should know better. A lightsaber is used for self defense, never attack." He whispered in Anakins ear.

"Yes, Master." Anakin agreed monotonously.

The door opened once again, and everyone turned to the door to see Ferus and Siri come in.

Ferus gave Anakin a Look, and Siri got right to the point,

"What was all the commotion?" she asked.

"Just a little problem with my Padawan and Amaraki." Obi-Wan said, simply.

Ferus raised on eyebrow at Anakin. Anakin did nothing in response.

He had been humiliated, but that didn't mean he should get angry. After all, he could sense that his next trial would be on Tatooine.

***

Anakin paced nervously around the ship. He had made up his mind to propose to Padmé. But he had nothing to offer.

Nothing, that is, except the necklace that his mother had given him when he was a boy.

It was small, meager, inexpensive, but it had personal values, and she knew of them, too.

With a sigh, the boy sat on his sleep couch and grabbed his datapad.

Over the years, he had been planning many ways of proposing to his Angel.

But now, none of them seemed right.

He couldn't use his Master's speech, because it was too boring, too blunt.

And what if she rejected him?

And now, he was letting his fears take over!

So Anakin decided to meditate.

He walked over to a quiet corner, and began to quietly meditate.

Strange and confounding visions clouded a clear picture of Padmé.

These included himself, Amaraki, the sparkling star that Padmé always wore around her neck, and visions of children running in the backyard.

Then there was lightsaber clashing.

Blood.

Screams.

Anakin's eye's popped open, and he was breathing rapidly. He started to meditate to calm himself, not confuse himself!