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: Another update! I've finished my assignments and I'm rather happy this evening. I'd like to say a huge THANK YOU to all my reviewers: I nearly fell off my chair when I saw I had made 50 reviews. This is the stuff writers dream about, although I want to make it clear it's not about the reviews. You guys all ROCK.

Padawan Sydney Bristow: Your reviews always lighten my day! I still think that's embarassing but no way do I think you're stupid. You rock! And in response, I'm 18 but have the mindset of a twelve year old :P So to everyone, I rarely take things seriously, so don't worry!

I've been getting lot of questions about the ending. There are only a few chapters left after this one and all will be answered. Thank you for submitting your opinions about how you want the story to go, I'm not giving anything away however :)


Ch 9: What's wrong, Padmè?

Anakin had quietly re-entered Padmè's apartment. He had spent most of the day attending to Jedi business so he could at least spend some time with his wife tomorrow. It had been a long day. He could sense through the Force that Padmè was asleep in their room. He could tell it was a light, restless sleep.

He removed his cape and left it next to where her nightrobe was. He removed his shoes and took of his belt. Entering their room, he took in the sight before him. Coming home to his wife. His heart began to race and he smiled.

He carefully positioned himself on the bed as not to wake her. She stirred.

"Ani?"

"Sorry, Padmè. I didn't want to wake you." He kissed her shoulder.

Turning around to face him, he noticed her tear stained face. Seeing the look on Anakin's face just made her start again. The tears began to trickle down her face.

"Padmè, angel. Tell me, what's wrong?" He stroked her face.

I can't, Ani.

"I just…I guess the stress has really gotten to me you know."

Not a complete lie.

"The war keeps raging on. We might be fighting a losing battle – the Jedi are going fast."

Anakin simply nodded.

"And I'm afraid I might lose you, Ani. I'm afraid of the day you won't come back to me."

Also not a lie.

She began to sob. All Anakin could do was hold her.

"Padmè, you know I will come back to you. Each and every time. I love you, angel. Some pesky war isn't going to keep me from you. Nothing will."

She just continued to cry into his chest.

And he let her cry.

So this was it, he thought to himself. She was worried about me.

Yet, something else nagged at him. Something that wasn't from his Jedi sense but that of a husband. Padmè had just told him what was bothering her, yes. But he felt there was more to it she was letting on. His wife was never the type to think so negatively.

She had been through this for two years and she had never cried like this before. There must have been another motivation for it.

"Anakin?"

"Yes, angel."

Was this it?

"I've got another appointment tomorrow. For a last check-up before I go back to Naboo." She nestled back into his arms.

It was quite clear to him that she wasn't going to tell him. Whatever else that was making her hurt so terribly was going to be kept a secret.

As his wife fell asleep in his arms, Anakin made a resolve. Tomorrow, while she was at her appointment, he would take it into his own hands to find out what was wrong.

Even if it meant doing a little snooping.