One Last Encounter

AUTHOR: Abigail

SUMMARY: There was only one way that Anakin and Padme could have stayed together…Twists the plot from RotS.

CHAPTER 13: Paradise

RATING: T

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything that was created by George Lucas.

NOTE: Another mushy gushy chapter! I just had too, perhaps because my love life is constantly lacking, or because this story has had enough darkness...who knows? Just read it. (smiles innocently...)

I watch you while you're sleeping

Messy hair, chest bare, moonlight on your skin

I wanna breathe you in

In the silence, words come easy

I can tell you now just how simple it's been to let you in

Don't move, this mood is a painting

We'll never find the same thing...

-Jewel

Night fell quickly, its dark cloak covering the beautiful landscape of the lake retreat gently. Serenity drifted over the calmlake and it was a night that whispered of love. The small village nearby had gone to sleep, yet the night was alive. Birds softly sang to each other and crickets quietly chirped. The tranquil water of the lake gently lapped against the shore. Two children were soon sung to sleep by a nursemaid. And two lovers stood on a balcony, soaking in each other's presence.

Anakin rested his elbows against the balcony railing. He sighed, as the cool, crisp air tingled against his skin. The mixture of exotic flowers and clean lake water gave the night air a smell that reminded Anakin of long ago. He turned to Padme, who was standing next to the balcony railing as well. She had found her clothes, and looked stunning in her beautiful chiffon nightgown. Her hair was combed and washed, and it lay in soft ringlets on her shoulders. Her head was titled up towards the sky, her eyes searching the heavens.

"Beautiful..." Anakin whispered. Padme sighed, continuing to look at the stars.

"They are, aren't they?" she said, her voice light and airy. Anakin smiled and gently reached for her hand, grasping her attention.

"No, Padme. I was talking about you..." he said, staring into her beautiful eyes. Padme smiled back, gently squeezing his hand. Anakin pulled her into his arms, letting her back rest against his chest. Their voices were silent again, as they gently listened to the soft lap of the water, gently ebbing and flowing against the shore. Padme voice broke the silence.

"Anakin..." she gently called, turning her face towards his.

"Yes," he said, bring his hand up to her cheek, softly caressing it. Padme started to speak, but stopped herself. Anakin watched her eyes shift, back and forth, searching for something...

"I just wanted to tell you, that I'm not scared anymore. At first, I felt like this was all a dream. But it isn't. And even though it hurts sometimes, I've always loved you, and I always will. I promise you that..." Padme said. Anakin watched Padme, his eyes taking in every little detail of this moment. Every scent, sound, touch, and feeling. He closed eyes, not wanting to loose it.

But he opened them, and wrapped Padme in his arms, holding her close to his heart. He wanted her to surround him, to enter his soul, fill his lungs, and become one with him. Anakin wanted to stay, to remain in that one spot in time and not think about anything else. But he knew that he had to tell Padme how he felt. It was only fair...

"Padme..." he whispered, pulling her away from him. "I'm sorry, about everything. All of this that I've put you through. I never meant for any of it to...I thought I was doing the right thing, but I wasn't. And all I have ever wanted for you was..." Padme placed her fingers against his lips, stilling his words. Anakin had never been one for pouring his heart out and expressing his feelings through words, yet he had done so anyway.

Padme placed a small kiss on his lips, telling him everything that he needed to hear. "That time in our lives is over, Anakin. We need not speak of it anymore," she said, placing her head against his warm chest. Anakin ran his fingers through her hair, and placed a kiss on top of her head. She sighed against his chest, breathing in the familiar smell of her love that made her weak in the knees. "I love you..." he whispered.

A sudden splash and flap of wings interrupted the moment, and the two of them quickly returned to the balcony, peering over the edge. Below them, floating in the lake, were two swans. Their graceful necks would dip into the water, and then return. Anakin and Padme watched in silence, until the two swans disappeared under the grove of trees next to the sandy shore. Anakin was struck with an idea, but kept quiet, waiting for the perfect moment. Padme continued to lean over the balcony edge, until she was suddenly grabbed from behind and scooped up into Anakin's arms.

"ANAKIN!" Padme screamed, grabbing around his neck for dear life. Anakin only laughed, as he traveled down the stairs with Padme kicking and screaming the whole way.

"Keep your eyes closed!" Anakin yelled above Padme's shrill screams. Padme finally calmed down, and kept her eyes shut, wondering what the force Anakin could be doing. She felt him stop for a moment, and then he continued, walking more slowly. Padme suddenly realized where she was when she heard the splashing of water. She screamed again, especially when the cold water began to creep up her legs, until she was fully immersed. Anakin let go of her in the water, and Padme sprang up for air. Her eyes flew open, hunting for Anakin. Her wet nightgown clung to her body, causing her body temperature to drop two degrees.

When her wet body was hit by the chilly night air, she sunk back down into the warmer water, continuing to look for Anakin. She knew she found him when a hand grabbed her leg, pulling her down into the water again. Arms and legs thrashed about underneath the water, until both of them came up, gasping for air. Padme laughed, splashing Anakin right in the face. Her laughter died away when Anakin growled, splashing her back. Thus, a full-fledged attack was launched on the both of them.

Anakin clearly won, when he finally grabbed Padme by the arms, trapping her in a deathlike grip. She struggled against him, but Anakin's strength wouldn't budge. "Are you going to cooperate, my captive?" Anakin whispered in her ear. Padme lightly laughed as she responded...

"It appears I have no choice, my kidnapper..." Anakin laughed menacingly at this and let her go. She started swimming out into the open water, leaving behind a dumbfounded Anakin. "Where are you going?" he called.

"Just follow me!" she replied, pausing as she quietly peeled her nightgown and undergarments off, letting them sink down to the bottom of the lakebed. "I'll race you!" she screamed, flashing a mischievous smile. Then, she dived under the water, speeding off toward the island that was planted in the middle of the lake. Anakin struggled to disrobe himself of his attire, and then hurriedly swam towards the island as well.

Anakin had almost reached the island when he'd lost track of Padme. He stopped, waiting for her head to appear above the water, but nothing happened. And for a split moment, Anakin stopped breathing. But all fear vanished when Padme appeared in front of him; wrapping her arms around his neck and dragging him back down into the water. She swam away again, until she reached the shore of the island. She floated in the water, soaking in the amazing feeling of being back at the secret oasis that was hers as a child.

Anakin fell down into the sand next to Padme, letting the cold air nip at his wet skin. He closed his eyes, exhausted from their trek to this hidden paradise. The soft sand felt wonderful against his aching body, but Anakin gasped when Padme crawled over to him, resting her wet body against him. He opened his eyes, staring into the eyes of his angel. How much he had missed her touch, her soft words, and her very presence. She placed a soft kiss against his cheek. Then they laid there, motionless, speechless, but their eyes and earsremained alive.

The Nubian Moon shed its beautiful light on their naked bodies, enhancing every feature that the both of them already knew too well. The clear water lapped against the soft sand, creating its own heavenly sound that tingled their ears. Everything about the moment was perfect.

Padme turned to Anakin, her body barely grazing his skin. Her fingers traveled through his wet hair, as he leaned toward her, kissing her velvety lips. Anakin's hand then traveled down her slick arm, emitting a soft moan from Padme. She then let her other hand travel up Anakin's muscled chest, then back down, just as the water reached their ankles then retreated.

Anakin continued to kiss Padme, his lips and tongue exploring her eager mouth. Her hands gripped his shoulder, inviting him closer to her aching body. Anakin's ministrations shifted to Padme's neck and collarbone, where he gently sucked at her soft skin. Padme moaned again, arching her back and pressing her fingernails into Anakin's shoulders. Their soft touches continued, until Anakin slowly lifted himself above Padme's body. They stared into each other's eyes, as every question was answered, every fear calmed, and every loving word said with their gaze.

Anakin's heart melted when Padme said, "I love you." At that moment, the two lovers became one, in body, mind, and soul. They became a supernova, colliding, and combing, until the colors mixed and took the shape of one flame. The flame was strong, resisting all outside forces. And both of them knew that no one could ever keep the flame from burning out...

Throughout out the evening, their lovemaking was interspersed with quick swims in the lake, or a small walk around the island. They owned the night, and didn't dare release it until they were fully satisfied. After reaching complete exhaustion, they laid on the sandy beach, holding hands and staring up into the night sky. A small glimpse of the nearby sun began to peek above the edges of the horizon, to the dismay of Anakin and Padme. But the night was not over yet, as they once again renewed their promise to each other one final time.

Anakin was the first to speak, as they lay next to each other, their breathing slowing. "Back on Tatooine, I used to wonder what else was out there. Each night, I would sit outside and watch the stars, imagining in my mind what other worlds were like." Padme quietly listened to him speak, watching his chest move with each word. "And now, I've been everywhere there is to go. I've seen all there is to see, experienced all there is to do...yet, I only want to be right here. In this moment, in this place, with you...I don't want to move or breathe...because, maybe...just maybe, we can capture this moment, and save it forever. For those dark times that..."

Anakin stopped talking, as the two of them watched the sun appear above the mountaintops. Its rays lit up the island, finding its way through the leaves that sheltered them. Their dream world had disappeared, and they couldn't hide from it. Padme squeezed Anakin's hand and kissed his closed eyes. She wiped away the tear that had formed in the corner of his eye. "Let us go before someone finds us in this state..." she said lightheartedly, trying to cheer Anakin up.

Reluctantly, he slipped into the water after Padme, swimming towards the opposite shore. Their trip back was done in silence, as they both reflected on the night's events. Soon, they would both be thrown back into the reality that they were able to hide from for one night. Padme smiled, hoping in her mind that their would be more of those nights to come for her and Anakin.