Author's Note: Hello, dear readers! Thank you again for all the wonderful reviews – they really mean a lot! Here's another chapter – I am slowly setting up for the big finale so bear with me. We still have several chapters to go though, so I hope you enjoy the ride! Please keep those reviews coming!

STUDIO 5, NEXT MORNING

Anakin frowned as he pulled the dark slippers back onto his feet. The Shahyo was turning out to be a lot more complicated than he had originally thought. Guess that's what I get for laughing at Obi-wan, he thought grimly.

Turning to face Padme once again, he felt a flicker of guilt stab his heart as he saw the expression of anxiety on her face. Here he was frustrated over merely having to learn the couples' part of the dance, while she had the added pressure of also learning the solo portion. Smiling at her encouragingly, he moved into the starting position and resolved to keep his aggravation in check

Tightly returning his smile, she took the hand he offered and they resumed the steps that were proving so difficult to follow. It was the repeated change of direction that continually caught them off guard. Padme was afraid if they didn't master it soon they were going to go hurtling off the stage during the competition.

Once again, they fell out of step and she swore softly. Calling for a break, she made her way over to the beverage table and poured herself a glass of cool liquid. She could sense Anakin's frustration with himself, but she knew it wasn't strictly Anakin who was having trouble.

Her concentration just wasn't there. She couldn't focus or give herself over to the dance like she had been. No matter how hard she tried, her thoughts kept drifting to the solo routine she'd be learning later that day. The thought of that spotlight singling her out while she engaged in an age-old dance of courtship was paralyzing. But she knew she could conquer those fears. After all, it was a performance, done strictly for entertainment value - she could put aside her anxiety for that. No, what was truly causing her terror was the fact that the Jedi Council would be witnessing this intimate spectacle.

What if the Masters were able to see the undeniable bond between she and Anakin?

What if their feelings were laid out for all to see?

What if they found out the truth?

She sighed, as Anakin came over and gently massaged the kinks out of her shoulders. She could feel his concern for her, washing over him in waves.

"What is it?" he asked quietly.

"This dance," she confessed, after a moment's hesitation. "What will the Jedi Council think? The past two performances have been regular dances - this week's style goes much deeper. What if they see through us?"

"Padme, you worry too much," he soothed. "It is a performance. They will think we are playing our part, as we were instructed to do - by them, no less! Please, try to relax. It will be all right."

Nodding, she saw the logic in his words. But the gnawing worry wouldn't leave her mind entirely. Pushing it aside, she headed back to the dance floor and with a flourish, extended her hand to her husband. She would try again and again - until they got it right.

DORMITORY E, FIVE HOURS LATER

Sweating, Anakin doused his lightsaber and leaned against the wall trying to catch his breath. He had spent the past two hours engaged in strenuous exercises, trying to calm his racing mind.

This week's style goes much deeper... What if they see through us?

His wife's worried voice echoed through his mind, over and over again. Agitated, he ran a hand over his face, wondering if he was being naive in predicting the Council's rationalization.

"Padme," he whispered, her name bringing a smile to his lips. Almost as if she had been summoned, her soothing presence flooded his heart.

He knew the time would likely come when their secret had to be shared. If this was the time, then so be it. He loved being a Jedi, but that was nothing compared to his love of being Padme's husband. He cherished every moment he was able to live out both his dreams simultaneously but given the choice, his wife would prevail every time.

Bringing his lightsaber back up, he gave his worries over to the Force.

STUDIO 5, SAME TIME

"But Threepio," Padme argued as the hologram blinked off. "Don't you think that looks a little... goofy?"

"Goofy?" the droid responded, confused. "Milady, my programming tells me this is commonly found in the Shahyo. So yes, I'm afraid you must be barefoot. It's very important for the overall effect."

"Very well," she replied, resigned. Mentally, she added the move to the routine and slipped out of her footwear. Pausing for a moment, she felt a wave of anxiety wash over her.

Anakin? She could somehow sense his apprehension as sure if he was standing next to her. Closing her eyes, she tried to tune into the feeling a little more acutely. Suddenly, she could feel the dread start to lift away and a feeling of peace settle in its place. Taking a deep breath, she refocused her gaze and found Threepio waiting patiently for her.

"Are you ready to try it from the beginning?" Threepio asked.

With a renewed sense of determination and calm, she nodded and waited for the music to begin. After a moment, the soft notes filled the room, evoking a sense of romance and hesitation. Letting the music wash over her, she began to move. Her feet carried her lightly around the floor, her slender arms giving her moves an incredible sense of grace. As the music changed to a more sultry tone, she started to stalk towards the center of the floor where an inactive droid stood in for Anakin. Reaching the mark, she turned and executed a series of spins around the machine, her hands reaching out to barely graze the metallic surface at the conclusion of each spin. Hearing the music once again slow, she backed away, echoing the quiet beat with the smooth flow of her shoulders and hips.

"Splendid!" Threepio clapped. "I do believe we've made enough progress for one day. If you'd like to retire, I'll be happy to see to my maintenance."

"That sounds good to me," she agreed, tiredly. "Tomorrow, Anakin will join us for the entire session. He needed a break this evening. We'll come back fresh tomorrow - I know we have a lot of hard work ahead of us."

"Certainly, Milady," the droid acknowledged. Turning stiffly, he left the studio.

Dimming the lights, she cued the music and slowly walked through the steps once more, trying to ease her troubled mind. She just couldn't shake the feeling that the next competition was going to be so important - in more ways than one.