DORMITORY E - EARLY MORNING

Padme paused, hairbrush in hand as she watched the latest HoloNet report. She sighed as the reporter recounted the continued in-fighting among the many Senate members. Shutting down the viewer, she turned... and came face to face with a pair of boots as they slowly floated towards the bedroom.

"Anakin!" she gasped, indignant. "Talk about lazy!"

"Hey!" came his muffled response. "You try throwing a person around for three days and see if you feel like making unnecessary trips to the main living room."

"Well, okay - maybe," she relented, laughing quietly, "The costume droid is going to be here momentarily, so you're going to have to make those trips normally after it arrives."

Just as she finished speaking, the door chimed to announce the visitor's arrival. The pace of the floating boots suddenly picked up and disappeared into the bedroom.

Shaking her head, Padme opened the door to admit the quiet droid.

"I'm here for the last round of measurements for this week's costume, Mistress Liri," the metallic voice intoned.

"I'm happy to oblige," Padme replied.

Moments later, the measurements were over and the droid stood nearby, silently tabulating the calculations. Anakin finally emerged from the bedroom, dressed in his casual practice clothes.

"Are you ready for another Zobaa lesson?" he asked Padme, watching her braid her hair. "I think Threepio said we'd be working through the last part of the routine today - and we're back to the regular dance floor."

"I know. I should warn you," Padme began, pointing to her feet. "I'm also back to the regular shoes. My feet are already scheduling organized protests!"

Apparently satisfied with the measurements, the droid turned and exited the apartment.

"It should be interesting to see what type of costume you're given this week," Anakin mused. "I wonder if we'll get bonus points if they put you in a dress for the Throw."

All the blood drained from Padme's face as she considered the implications of his statement. Quickly, she spun and flew out of the apartment, hollering for the costume droid. Moments later, Anakin could hear the urgent tone of her voice as she caught up to it. He couldn't quite make out all the words, but he did hear "pants" mentioned repeatedly and emphatically. Laughing to himself, he headed towards the Studio.

STUDIO 5, SIX HOURS LATER

"Well done, Master Kaide and Mistress Liri!" Threepio cheered. Artoo whistled in agreement. "Now you just need to do those steps about twice as fast."

Leaning against the wall, their breath coming in short gasps, Anakin and Padme glared at the droids from across the room.

"If I had the energy, C-3PO-" Anakin glowered, emphasizing the droid's full name. "I would come over there and singe your circuits!" For once, Padme felt like she agreed with him.

"Oh my," the golden droid commented, hiding behind Artoo.

The final segment of the routine had proven to be the most challenging. Complicated and quick, it tested Anakin and Padme's physical and mental endurance. The steps involved a lengthy series of precise footwork, a few sharp spins and concluded with a dramatic lift. Even standing alone as a mini-routine, it was difficult - but when combined with an already strenuous lead-up, it felt nearly impossible. And to find out they needed to do it twice as fast, well - that was just disheartening.

Padme absently reached up and secured a few strands of hair that had fallen out of her braid. Impossible, she thought. Just the kind of odds she and Anakin were used to. She smiled, feeling a renewed rush of energy surge through her heart.

With Anakin by her side, the impossible always became possible.