DORMITORY E - FOUR HOURS LATER

Laughing, they entered their apartment, hand-in-hand.

"Second place!" Padme grinned. "I think we could have gotten first place, but that one creature had four arms - no fair! But still - second place! Not bad for a Jedi!"

"Hey!" Anakin protested. "For a Jedi? More like - not bad for a Senator!"

They sank onto the couch, still holding each other. "Oh no," Padme groaned. "Tomorrow we start all over again, learning the Zobaa... A fast dance with lots of lifts and jumps. My feet are already screaming."

Their door chimed, signaling a visitor. Padme looked at Anakin, questioningly. Using the Force, Anakin's lightsaber flew into his hand as he stood up and pushed the intercom, "Yes?"

"Feerrrooooo!" was the response. Smiling, Anakin admitted the little droid into the room.

"Hi Artoo," Padme greeted the droid with a pat on his domed head. He wheeled himself to the middle of the room and a panel dropped down on his side. A hologram of Obi-wan started playing.

"Anakin, Senator Amidala, congratulations on your successful debut. You did very... well," he inclined his head, looking slightly uncomfortable while giving the compliment. It was apparent he was recalling the rather 'close' nature of their routine. Clearing his throat, he continued, "I wanted to give you an update on the investigation into the recent attempts on the Senator's life. We believe some recent magnetic activity on the moons of Naboo may have activated some old Trade Federation droids that were supposed to have been destroyed at the war's conclusion. We're not sure how many are left and they seem to be programmed exclusively for the purpose of assassinating the Senator. I am glad you two are safe while we complete our search. Please continue to stay alert - I'll send another communication soon. May the Force be with you."

The hologram faded out as Artoo whistled and exited the apartment.

"I'm glad to hear Obi-wan is starting to unravel this mystery," Padme commented. Anakin agreed although a feeling of unease started to permeate his heart.

STUDIO 5 - NEXT MORNING

"Master Kaide and Mistress Liri! Congratulations!" Threepio greeted them. He was as animated as Anakin had ever seen him.

"Thank you, Threepio," Padme responded. "We couldn't have done it without you."

"Yes, well..." the droid stammered, looking pleased. "We have plenty of work ahead as we learn the Zobaa. Are you ready to begin?"

After a long suffering sigh that earned him an elbow in the side from Padme, Anakin replied, "yes."

STUDIO 5 - THREE HOURS LATER

"The most difficult aspects of the Zobaa are clearly the lifts and the throws," Threepio explained. Artoo stood next to him, ready to show a hologram. "I came across this move while reviewing my new choreography programming and thought it would suit your routine."

With that, Artoo initiated the hologram. Padme looked on in horror as the man swung the woman in circles, her head nearly touching the ground at the end of each rotation. Just as she thought she would pass out from the motion, the woman was released and executed a perfect back-flip in the air before landing on her feet.

Anakin looked at Padme with apprehension showing clearly in his eyes.

"Well," she said, gulping. "If the assassins don't kill me, this just might!"