DORMITORY E - DAY OF COMPETITION

The morning dawned overcast and dreary. Anakin hoped it wasn't a sign of the way the day was going to play out. Trying to ignore a surge of nervousness, he rolled onto his side to gaze at Padme's sleeping face. He knew she was exhausted - they had been practicing non-stop for the past four days. She had been amazing - so positive and strong. He reached out and ran a hand down the side of her face. She didn't stir.

Closing his eyes, he went over every step of their routine in his mind. Reaching into the Force, he let it sharpen his vision to the point where he felt like he was actually going through the motion in real time. After a few moments of concentration, he relaxed and opened his eyes. As much as he hated the fact, it was time to get up. Threepio would be waiting and they needed to squeeze in one more rehearsal before tonight's show.

"Padme," he coaxed. Nothing. Reaching out, he nudged her shoulder, but that only caused her to burrow further into the pillow. Sighing, he leaned over and whispered in her ear:

"Senate vote in five minutes..."

That did it! She leapt out of bed, reaching blindly for her robe and hair brush. She stumbled around, grabbing various articles of clothing before reality gradually creeped into her consciousness.

"Anakin!" she cried. But he was already heading for the other room, narrowly escaping the pillow she threw at his retreating back.

STUDIO 5 - NEARLY THREE HOURS LATER

"Master," Threepio called to Anakin. "I believe it is time for you and Mistress Liri to head for the dressing room. Your costumes will be waiting there."

"Very good," Anakin replied. Quickly, he and Padme finished their final walk-through of that night's routine. Shooting him an anxious glance, Padme finally nodded. "Okay. Let's go."

As they made their way to the turbolift, Anakin kept his hand joined with Padme's. With the exception of their arrival, this would be the first time they would see anyone else. He wanted to make sure Obi-wan's claim of complete safety was dead-on and he wasn't going to take any chances.

"I do wish you the best of luck," Threepio said seriously. "I will be watching the show with the other choreography droids in the charging chamber."

"Thanks, Threepio," Padme smiled.

"We'll see you later," Anakin added.

3RD FLOOR - DRESSING ROOM

"There you go, Milady," the woman stepped back to admire her handiwork. "You look very lovely."

Turning to face the mirror, Padme was startled to see her reflection. Blond strands had been woven into her dark hair and the effect was very dramatic. Her eyes had been lined with a dark pencil which made her eyelashes look lush and full. Her lips and cheeks gave off a rosy glow and the overall look was very romantic and alluring.

Stage make-up indeed, she thought. Perhaps Obi-wan was right.

"And now your costume," the woman continued. "You may change in that room right over there."

Padme gently took the soft material and crossed the room. As the door clicked behind her, she heard Anakin's protests as he saw his costume for the first time.

"But it has sparkles on it," he noted, clearly agigated. She could hear the droid's calm response and smiled to herself as she envisioned the look on Anakin's face.

It was going to be quite a night.