Chapter Seven

Anakin stood on the shuttle platform. The shuttle was the only way to get around Corusant if you didn't own a speeder. Unless you wanted to walk around, that is. And who would do something like that? He had just finished an errand to the Senate building and was headed back to the Jedi Temple to rest. Lately he felt completely drained. He was so tired.

The shuttle made slight whirring sounds as it settled upon the platform. Anakin waited for the passengers to disembark before boarding. As he waited he began to watch a young lady. She stood slightly apart from the rest, but that was likely by design of the big man who held her luggage and stood protectively between her and the crush of people. Her braided and looped brown hair and simple tan garments reminded him of the first time he had seen Padme. She had been posing as one of her handmaidens at the time. As he tried to get a glimpse of the girl's face, she looked up. Padme! Why was she on Corusant? She was supposed to be hiding on Naboo! She noticed him just as he reached her side.

"Anakin." She breathed softly. Before he could say a word she turned to the man beside her. "Kran, this is Anakin Skywalker. He's. an old friend. Anakin, this is Kran Solo. He escorted me here from Naboo."

Anakin looked at her questioningly before extending his hand toward Kran, "Hello."

Kran's eyes were disturbingly penetrating. He seemed to be probing the depths of Anakin's soul to find him either wanting or worthy. He nodded slowly, but the look of distrust did not completely leave his eyes.

Padme noticed the exchange and spoke up. "Thank you for helping me, Kran. I'll be fine from here."

Kran put his hands on Padme's shoulders and turned her to face him. "You remember what I said and take care of yerself, little lady."

"I'll be fine, Kran."

For a moment he looked back and forth between her and Anakin, then he gave a tight smile, released her shoulders, and tapped her nose lightly. He turned and walked back onto the shuttle.

Anakin walked toward Padme and put his arm around her waist as they watched the shuttle leave. "He's a wonderful man," Padme said softly. She turned and saw the slightly jealous look in Anakin's eyes. She threw her arms around him. "I've missed you."

He hugged her tightly and said nothing. She pulled away all too soon for him. "We shouldn't do this out here. Someone might ask questions that we can't answer."

A shuttered look came over Anakin's face. "Of course, milady."

"Anakin, don't be like that. We knew it would be this way when we decided to get married."

He nodded and the tense moment passed. "Where to?"

"There are some secret chambers in the Senate building. I can stay there and no one will know."

Anakin protectively put a hand to the small of her back and led her toward the imposing Senate building. When she realized he was headed toward the main entrance Padme pulled back. "Anakin, if I go in here I'll be recognized and it will be no use to try to remain secret."

He smiled mischievously and looked into her eyes. "Then we'll have to be sure no one recognizes you."

She raised her eyebrows. "What did you have in mind?"

"We could pretend you were a part of my harem."

"Anakin!" She squealed in protest, but he was laughing and she couldn't help but join in. "Jedi don't even have harems!"

"I know." He said, still laughing. "If you could have seen the look in your eyes!!"

When they reached the entrance the guards saluted her, "Senator Amidala." She looked nervously at Anakin.

He looked into their eyes and waved his hand slightly. "This is not the Senator."

"This is not the Senator."

"You didn't see anyone come in."

"I saw no one."

Anakin and Padme walked into the entrance hall and turned left down a long hallway. Padme opened a door on the right. It was an empty chamber except for five large mirrors on the wall. "Well?" Anakin asked. She smile and walked to the center mirror, pressing a hidden switch in its intricate scrollwork frame. "Impressive." He said.

"Thank you." She said as the mirror slid into the wall revealing a stone staircase. The original idea behind these chambers was to protect witnesses who needed to testify to the Senate. Sometimes there are people who would rather not let those witnesses be heard."

He followed her into the dark recess. As soon as they were on the top of the stairs the door slid shut and glow panels lit the walls. They were unadorned bare stone. At the bottom of the stairs was a door. It was fashioned so that it would open into three pieces. Padme entered a code into the controls and the door opened until they were in, then slid shut with a finalizing hiss. Anakin looked around the apartment. He had for some reason expected a single bare room with a cot, but in reality it was quite comfortably furnished. The room they were in held a couch, table, and a few chairs. Off to the side he could see a food preparation station complete with dining table and chairs. Other doors he assumed led to sleeping chambers and "fresher." But one thing did bother him. "No security?"

"To be sure that no one knew about the witnesses, there are no security monitors or sound detectors. For all practical purposes, these "secret rooms" don't exist. No one will know I am here unless they decide to use this room. But I don't think that will happen."

"And why not? The Senate is still in session, anytime someone might need to hide-"

"Anakin, it's okay. There are only two other people who know that this center chamber exists."

"Oh?"

"Once Senator Palpatine came into power, he had this chamber created in case the queen ever needed a place to hide like when the Trade Federation had us under siege. It's one of the perks of the Supreme Chancellor being from your home-world." Kran's accusations against Palpatine surfaced, but she pushed them down.

"Why didn't you just come here when you were threatened?"

"Well. If I told the Jedi Council this place existed, too many people would know about it and that would destroy its purpose. Besides, " she said with a side glance toward Anakin, "Someone was in such an awful hurry to get me away that I didn't even think of it."

He smiled at her softly and sat on the couch. She sat close beside him, enjoying just being near him. "Padme, why are you here? You were much safer on Naboo."

She sighed and looked at him. "Anakin, I can't just sit and wait for things to happen. We're in war, it's one of the most important times for a senator. I have to be here."

"Oh, well that's a great way to blow your cover! You could just go right in and vote or-"

"Don't yell, Anakin. I am well able to make decisions for myself! I made plans. Dorme will-"

"And if I think your plans are too dangerous?"

"Does it matter?"

"As your husband? Does it matter if I think you're putting yourself in danger."

She looked away for a moment. "Fine, I'll stay out of sight. I'll try to do things by proxy."

He nodded. "Good. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you." She smiled at him, "How have you been, Ani?"

"I'm tired."

"You miss your mother."

He nodded and looked at her with a half smile on his face.

"Don't look at me like that." She said softly

"Why not?"

"It makes me feel uncomfortable." Even softer.

His lips were a hairsbreadth away from hers when he said, "Haven't we had this conversation before?"