Author's Note: Hello dear readers! Thank you for all the sweet reviews. I'm so glad you seem to be enjoying the story! Here's another chapter for you!

SHIP OF LIRI AND KAIDE

Padme swept into the cockpit and settled into the chair. Punching in a few buttons, she watched as the ship's messaging system blinked on. Anakin took his seat next to her just as the voiceover began: "You have successfully completed the Blockade. Well done! Teams must now travel to Sector 129-A, the location of the Greatest Show in the Galaxy. Once you have landed, you will receive your next clue. Hope you don't mind a crowd!" With that, the device blinked off.

Consulting the detailed map of Terraro, Anakin found the appropriate sector and fired up the engines. Within moments, they were streaking across the landscape towards their next challenge.

SECTOR 129-A - ONE HOUR LATER

As the landing gear touched down, Padme glanced out the window and took in the gigantic tent that seemed to sprawl for miles. Swallowing painfully, she reluctantly walked down the ramp and drew even with the hologram. Anakin stood behind her, his chin resting on her shoulder in an unconscious display of affection and support.

With a low beep as it turned on, the voiceover said, "You have reached a divergence and must choose your path - Catch or Fetch. In Catch, teams will perform during this evening's show in one of the exclusive Center Rings. There, they will be tasked with catching five babops, fragile ovals that explode if they are not caught with the utmost care." The image changed to show delicate ornaments falling from the ceiling and shattering into someone's hand, a green goo oozing out. "The task is fairly simplistic, but learning to handle the babops could take some time."

The picture switched to depict a large beam suspended from a pair of thick cables as the metallic voice continued - "In Fetch, teams will also perform during this evening's show in an adjacent Center Ring. Contestants must balance themselves on a thin beam while making their way across the ring to retrieve a gemstone. Once they've navigated their way safely back to the starting point and dropped off their stone, they will receive their next clue. Balancing on the thin beam can be difficult but if done successfully, teams could finish quickly."

"Whick one do you think we should do?" Padme asked. "I don't really have a preference."

"I think 'catch' is a better option," Anakin mused. "Fetch could be difficult if you get too many people on the beam."

Gauging it to only be sometime in the middle of the afternoon, they settled in for a lengthy wait. Padme leaned into Anakin, sighing as she felt his arms wrap around her. I love you. She felt safe - at least for the moment.

MOMENTS BEFORE BEGINNING OF EVENING SHOW

Apparently, we weren't the only ones who thought 'catch' would be easier, Anakin thought as he glanced around at the other teams. They had all drawn even now, making the quick completion of the task even more important than usual. His eyes came to rest of the Jedi Masters who seemed to be devising some sort of strategy. Once again, Mace appeared extremely serious while Obi-wan merely looked mildly interested.

Everyone's heads jerked towards the cloaked entrance as they heard a round of thunderous applause. Suddenly, the fabric was cast aside and the spotlight illuminated the revealed pathway. The announcer's voice boomed through the large structure, "Welcome to the Greatest Show in the Galaxy! It has been our honor to entertain you for generations with acts from across the Star Systems! Tonight is no exception. We are happy to bring you the remaining teams from the hit HoloNet show, Racing Through the Stars!" Again, the crowd roared in excitement. The announcer waited for the noise to fade away before he continued.

"They have been brought here tonight to participate in a challenge before they can receive their next clue. I know you'll give them your undivided attention - whether they want it or not! Now, let's give a warm welcome to our contestants! First up is Holad and Duley, a rugged team who has managed to squeak through many close finishes..." Padme watched as the couple ran out and headed towards the center ring. She remembered them from the first leg of the race, when she had to trudge through all that mud. Enthusiastically, the announcer continued his roll call.

"Next up is a team that has kept us talking for hours after each show. They're famous for their quick quips and the fact that they're still speaking after several rough legs - Dake and Tarv!" The Jedi Masters froze for a moment and Anakin had to give them a shove to get them moving. Finally, they slowly jogged into the spotlight amid cheers and laughter. Padme found herself smiling despite their mortified expressions.

"And now, the team that clearly needs no introduction. We've loved them since Dancing with the Star Wars and we're showing no signs of stopping. My dear friends, let's welcome Liri and Kaide!" Anakin grabbed Padme's hand and they made their way to the center of the tent, overwhelmed by the noise and size of the crowd.

Finally, the last remaining teams were announced and the audience quieted as the Entertainment Director came forth with a bell. Speaking into an amplifier, she explained, "All teams have selected "catch." The babops will be released from above when this instrument sounds. Teams must catch and bring five to me, fully intact. Then, and only then, will they receive their next clue. I wish you all good fortune." With that, she stepped back and brought the bell above her head. Seconds later, a loud ding sounded throughout the tent.

Padme looked up as several shimmering orbs dropped from the ceiling. Reaching up, she felt one land in her hand and grimaced as she immediately felt it break. Globs of slime ran down her arms and splattered onto her face. Turning towards Anakin, she heard him sputtering with laughter at her predicament and watched in glee as one landed on his foot and oozed all over his favorite boots.

The crowd was fairly coming out of their seats as they watched the humorous scene play out before them. Trying to concentrate, Padme once again stretched out her hands to try to capture an elusive babop. Again and again, they fell apart in her hands. The ground was quickly becoming slippery with slime and her boots were having trouble finding purchase on the slick surface. Flailing blindly, she came into contact with a solid body and gripped the stranger's tunic to keep herself upright. Swiping a hand over her eyes, she cleared away a film of slime and realized she was holding onto Mace Windu - who was covered in even more slime than she was. Mumbling an apology, she swallowed her grin and skidded back to Anakin who was putting two babops in his rucksack.

"Good job!" she yelled over the din. He smiled crookedly as a trail of slime dripped onto his shoulder. Catching sight of another babop, Padme lunged for it and cried out as she lost her footing. Sliding across the slick surface, she juggled the elusive orb, sighing in relief as she finally came to a stop. Gingerly, she got back on her feet, ignoring the mess that was now covering the front of her tunic and tucked the precious item into her own rucksack. The crowd roared as it cheered her on.

"Dake, how many have you captured?" Padme heard Mace call. She couldn't hear Obi-wan's response, but it must not have met with Mace's approval because he made an angry gesture with his fist. As another babop splattered on her arm, she returned her gaze to the ceiling and tracked an orb with her eyes, intent on adding this one to her inventory. She moved forward, then back and finally felt it land in her hands just as she sat down, her slow fall cushioning the impact. Grinning at her accidental success, she tucked it away with the first one and started towards Anakin. His eyes were narrowed in concentration, contrasting comically with the bright green slime that was oozing down his face and soaking through his clothes.

Suddenly, the slime turned red - blood red - and Anakin stumbled, his face going slack. He looked at her longingly before he collapsed. Gasping his name, she started towards him and watched in horror as the slime built higher and higher until it finally blocked him from view. She cried out in despair as he vanished and the substance turned towards her, coming up to her throat, choking the very air from her lungs. She caught a flash of white as colors began to dance in front of her eyes.

White... The color of the dress she had been wearing on her wedding day. It was beautiful, trimmed in the finest lace and ribbons. Her hair had been down and curled in graceful spirals to the middle of her back. Anakin had been wearing his formal Jedi robes, his Padawan braid resting gently on his shoulder. He was so handsome, his expression serious as he repeated the holy vows. She had never been so content in her life.

Suddenly, she was jerked back to the present, still splattered with goo, the sensation of a retreating shadow slipping from her mind. She could feel its searing anger at its temporary defeat and knew it planned to return. Putting a trembling hand to her head, she made her way towards Anakin, teetering between fear and a feeling of victory.

She had a feeling she was right to feel both.