The Secrets We Keep
Author: LVB
Summary: Back briefly in Coruscant during the Clone Wars, Anakin notices his wife is acting strangely. What is Padmè hiding?
Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to GL and LucasFilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews I got for the first chapter! Cookies for all!
Ch 2: Good Morning, Senator.
Groaning, Padme Amidala turned in her bed. Once again, it had been a long night. For the past week, she had been experiencing a terrible bout of sickness. Since arriving on Coruscant nearly nine days ago, the sickness had struck her light a bolt of lightning. One moment she had been fine and the next she was rushing to the nearest 'fresher. Reluctantly she had taken an official absence from her Senatorial duties in favour of some much-needed bed rest.
Calling in a favour from the Queen of Naboo, Padme had asked for at least one handmaiden to assist her, having released them from their duties two years ago. Fortunately, the Queen had understood and sent Dorme within two days. She had been of great help the past week, attending to Padme while she lay sick in bed. Grateful, Padme had let Dorme have the day off today.
Now why would I do such a stupid thing?
Groaning again, she managed to sit upright. Padme briefly remembered having caught this sickness before, when she was Queen. The royal doctor had told her it had been because of stress. In retrospect, he had been correct. The symptoms were similar to what she had now. These past few months had been particularly stressful. With the Clone Wars still raging on with no end in sight and the various Senatorial duties she had, combined with the fact she was seeing her husband less and less had probably just become too much for her body to handle.
Of course, that must be it, she thought to herself. Within a few days, I'll be fine.
Slowly, she managed to put herself in a standing position. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes. Taking in the décor of her private apartment, she smiled. It seemed this morning she was feeling better – much better.
Padme walked over to the large window her bedroom featured. Drawing back the curtains she took in the view that was Coruscant – the city planet, centre of the Republic. She looked in awe over the busy city which was home to billions of people. And suddenly, she felt that familiar nausea. Making a quick dash towards the refresher, Padme sighed again. Apparently fate had other ideas for her well-being this morning.
After having a quick shower, Padme put on a fresh nightgown. She was sure she wasn't going anywhere today and didn't feel the need to get dressed up in her own quarters. Casually throwing on the dark blue nightrobe that was lying on the chair next to her bed, she closed her eyes. This had been the nightrobe she had worn on Naboo, when Anakin had accompanied her home. She had fond memories of that trip to Naboo, frolicking in the meadows so carefree.
Why can't life always be like that?
Finally, she managed to make her way into the kitchen. After a week of throwing up and feeling sick, she was determined to kick-start her appetite again. And this morning, Padme had a feeling she could be in luck. The familiar hungry growls had been coming from her stomach all morning. Opening the cupboard, she noticed that the plates had carelessly been stacked.
One fell to the tiled floor, shattering. Oh no, not today.
Bending down to pick up the pieces, Padmè heard a faint shuffle in the doorway. Silently cussing, she quietly opened the drawer closest to her, feeling extremely lucky that just happened to be where her emergency blaster was. Placing it firmly into both hands, she stood up, willing to face the intruder that had broken into her home. Her heart raced as she tip-toed her way to the entrance of the hallway. Taking a deep breath in preparation she raised her blaster.
Suddenly, a voice spoke from behind her.
"Padmè Skywalker, isn't it rather late to be lounging around the apartment in your underthings?"
