Chapter 3.

Padme's footsteps echoed as she walked down the dimly lit hallway in the Jedi Temple. It was very late. She had been sound asleep when Sabe woke her and informed her that she had been summoned to the Jedi Temple. No explanation was given, except just to report to the medic center immediately.

She wrung her hands together as she quickened her pace. Something isn't right, she thought. Why would they call me down in the middle of the night? Immediately? Why so urgent? If nothing's wrong, why immediately? That must mean something is wrong. Anakin. Her heart beating, she began to run. She could see the medic door. The corridor seemed to be stretching longer and longer with every step she took. She wanted to see Anakin, but at the same time dreading what she would find.

And then something happened. A sudden feeling of nausea swept over her. Stumbling a bit, she clutched her stomach. She began to break into a sweat. Her insides writhed and before she knew it, she threw up. All the energy drained from her and she collapsed to the floor.

Obi-Wan stood at the foot of the bed where Anakin lay in a deep sleep. He had been put into anesthesia because the medic droids were working on his arm, which he knew from his padawan's experience wasn't pleseant and did not wish for him to go through it again.

"How much longer do you think it will take?" he asked the droid.

"Not much longer, sir," he responded politely.

"Good," Obi-Wan said, looking back at Anakin, who was starting to stir.

"How much did you give him when you put him to sleep?" he asked, noticing how Anakin was sweating. "Surely he shouldn't be waking now."

"No, we definitely-" the MD started, but Anakin had now begun mumbling.

"Padme, no, no, NO!" Anakin shot straight up knocking the poor little MD over. He grabbed onto his not fully mended arm and shouted in agony.

"Where is she!" Anakin yelled.

"Anakin, you have to calm down. Your arm-" Obi-Wan urged him trying to soothe him.

"Where is she!" he repeated with a force that startled Obi-Wan.

"Who?" "

"Padme!"

"I sent for her, just as you had asked me to," Obi-Wan said. "Although, it has been awhile. Perhaps I should- Anakin NO!"

Anakin had jumped out of bed and almost collapsed. His leg may have been patched up, but the pain certainly had not gone away. Stumbling to the door, Obi-Wan stopped him.

"Anakin, don't do this," he said practically holding him up. "Let me go. I'll find her. Just-"

"NO!" Anakin growled pushing him away. Openning the door, he limped out of the room, with Obi-Wan following close behind. He didn't have to go far though. There in front of him lay the crumbled body of Padme Amidala and next to her must have been her own pool of vomit.

"Padme, oh Padme," Anakin said hoarsely dropping down next to her. He scooped her up into his arms and brushed her hair from her sweaty face. Her body felt small and fragile in his strong arms. At his touch, she slowly openned her eyes and stared into his eyes.

"Anakin!" she cried tearfully, burying herself closer to his chest. "I was so worried. I thought-"

"Shhh..." he whispered craddlig her trembling body in his arms. He didn't want her to say anything they would later regret infront of Obi-Wan and he didn't wish to hear the rest of her thought.

"Perhaps, I should go tell the medics to make up a bed for her," Obi-Wan said, almost reading Anakin's mind.

"Yes, please," Anakin said softly, watching him turn away. "And master, I'm sorry."

Obi-Wan smiled at him and nodded. Anakin sat there holding Padme in silence for a short moment until he finally asked, "What happened my angel?"

"I don't know," she said looking up at him. "I just went all cold and then you came. Oh, Ani, I was so scared. I thought I lost you."

"Everything's alright," Anakin said kissing her lightly on her forehead. "I'm right here."

"Please, don't ever leave me," she whispered. "Just hold me."

"Don't worry," Anakin said buryig is face in her sweet scented hair. "I'm not going anywhere."