Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews -they are appreciated so very much! I didn't realize I wasn't accepting anonymous reviews originally, but I've fixed that (I think!). So,if you're a lurker and would like to comment, I'd love to hear from you. As you can see, we're winding things up here. Only a few more chapters to go! Enjoy!

DRESSING ROOM, MOMENTS LATER

"Anakin, how could you let this happen?" Obi-wan questioned. "You know attachments are forbidden."

"It's not just an attachment, Master," Anakin defended, resigned. "I love her."

"Love? Anakin, come to your senses! She is a Senator with tremendous responsibilities," the Jedi Master pointed out incredulously. "You are a Jedi!"

"We are much more than that-" Anakin began. Before he could continue, the door slid open and Masters Windu and Yoda entered the room. Suddenly, Anakin was overwhelmed with a chilling rush of apprehension and fear. Swallowing painfully, he realized the feelings were coming from Padme. Preparing himself for the long discussion ahead, he did something he would regret for the rest of his life - he shut her out.

BACKSTAGE, SAME TIME

Padme winced as she heard the murmur of raised voices coming from her dressing room. For the tenth time, she started towards the door, only to stop short and retreat to the secure area Obi-wan had insisted she inhabit before he had ushered Anakin into the room, locking the door behind them decisively. At least she had Artoo with her.

"Yeeeeeewoooooo!" the small droid warned as she gravitated towards the door.

"Yes, I know Artoo," she replied, pulling Anakin's cloak tighter. "I won't interrupt."

Suddenly, the events of the past few weeks caught up to her - the attempts on her life, the Jedi Council, Anakin's uncertain future - it was all too much. Lowering her face to her hands, she bit her lip to keep the sobs from escaping her throat. Suddenly she could feel several presences and raised her tear-stained face to watch as Masters Windu and Yoda passed by, giving her a respectful, but distant nod. Unable to even incline her head in response, she watched in horror as they too entered her dressing room. They knew. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain as Anakin's loving presence withdrew from her mind completely. So, it was already starting, she thought. Dully, Padme stared at the grey surface of the locked door until the image started to blur.

Standing up abruptly, she strode down the long corridor, desperate to get away from the dressing room and what that locked door obviously signified. If the Jedi wanted to talk to her, they could come to the dormitory. She had spent some of the best days of her life there with Anakin and she needed to go back, to draw strength from those memories.

Rolling along quickly behind her, Artoo struggled to keep up with his Mistress' brisk strides. He tried to question her about the wisdom of leaving the safety of the Jedi, but she didn't appear to be listening. Keeping pace, he ran a full system check on the tracking device and was satisfied to see that it was working properly.

Padme was solely focused on getting to the apartment and barely noticed when a towering droid stepped into the corridor. Turning sideways to brush past it, she hardly felt the needle he jammed into her neck before she slumped to the floor. As Artoo prepared to issue an alarm, the attacker sent a destructive energy pulse his way.

"Wooooooooooo!" Artoo screamed. Immediately, the small droid activated a small shield, deflecting the bolt back at the assassin. Mildly, he noted the hissing sound the jolt made as it found its mark. Feeling the blast begin to interfere with his Protocol programming, the imposing droid roared in aggravation

Backing up slowly, Artoo raised his amplifier to signal Anakin, leaving himself open to the second blast of energy. The bolt effectively scrambled his circuits, slammed him into the wall, and cut off the warning. Satisfied, the droid assassin grabbed his victim by her arm, and dragged her down the hall, knocking over the smoldering R-2 unit on his way.

DRESSING ROOM

"Unsettling, this news is," Master Yoda declared.

"I'm sorry, Masters," Anakin apologized, his head bowed. "I know I've broken the Jedi Code and I've disappointed you. But you have to understand, when we are together... I'm so much more than when we are apart... I- I can feel her every emotion, her thoughts-"

Turning, Master Windu faced the small, green Jedi. "Is that possible? Is Senator Amidala Force-sensitive?"

Shaking his head, an expression of bewilderment spilled across Yoda's face. Closing his eyes, he reached into the Force, trying to determine the possible meaning behind this explanation.

And what he found would someday become a legend.

Where Anakin's Force signature had once wavered on an uncertain path - it was now strong and nearly doubled, interwoven with a ray of light. Pushing deeper, Yoda felt his chest tighten in recognition as he saw the source of the light - Padme Amidala. Their connections were joined from start to finish, each strand feeding off the others. An attempt to separate them would be disastrous.

Opening his eyes, his forehead wrinkled in comprehension.

"Young Skywalker and Senator Amidala, merged their Force signatures have," he explained slowly. "A rare occurrence, this is. Much care, we must take."

Before the Jedi could discuss the news any further, the Force whispered a warning - one that was so powerful, it was easily able to overcome Anakin's mind shields.

"Padme!" Anakin choked, his hands going to his neck.

Springing up, the three Jedi Masters opened the door and looked into the corridor, fearful of what they would find.

It was empty.

LOCATION UNKNOWN, NEXT DAY

Slowly, Padme opened her eyes, her entire body screaming with the effort. She gradually became aware of the cold, hard surface beneath her and struggled to stand. A wave of dizziness forced her to remain flat to alleviate the spinning images before her. Moments later, the feeling passed and she sat up, examining her surroundings. The room was small and contained only a chair and a tiny, barred window. It was not a room designed to hold long term prisoners, she thought, a strange feeling of detachment coming over her. She closed her eyes in resignation, her hands coming to rest in the folds of Anakin's cloak.

Anakin... Oh, love, I'm so sorry...

COURSCANT, JEDI TEMPLE - SAME TIME

Trying to still his shaking hands, Anakin rushed to replace the core of the severely singed wires in R2-D2's main system, trying to get the tracking device on-line. After three failed attempts, he bowed his head, tears threatening his vision... and felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Master Anakin," Threepio said gently. "Please, sir... Allow me."

Running his hands through his hair, Anakin gave the faithful droid a small smile before stepping back. Efficiently, Threepio went to work. Throwing his head back with a sigh of frustration, he felt Obi-wan approach.

"Anakin," the Jedi Master greeted. "How is it coming?"

"Not fast enough," he replied, his eyes wild. "Padme is out there, kidnapped by a droid assassin and I'm wasting time because I can't replace a simple set of wires!"

"I know it is difficult, but you must relax," Obi-wan advised gently. "Use the Force. Let go of your troubles and clear your mind. See where it takes you, my young friend."

With a deep breath, Anakin tried to do just that. Calling to mind all the recent memories of his shared dances with Padme, he felt her light once again penetrate his soul.

Anakin... Oh, love, I'm so sorry...

His eyes flew open as he cried, "Padme! Where are you?"