Author's Note – Hi everyone! Hope you had a great weekend! Thank you for the wonderful reviews – have I told you how much I love hearing from you? Sorry this chapter is short; I hope to make it up to you tomorrow. Enjoy!
00000
"This way," Anakin called, pointing to a tunnel that seemed to veer to the left. Padme held her lightstick in front of her and winced as a shower of pebbles rained down on her head. She could hear the pounding of feet as Obi-wan and Mace continued their wild sprint above. She tried to swallow her smile as she followed Anakin into the small tunnel.
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER - TUNNEL 12
Padme regarded the line of tall, thin carts with some trepidation.
"Are you sure this is what we're supposed to do?" she asked warily.
To prove his point, Anakin pulled out the map and began to explain, "See those marks - the ones that look like small x's?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "Those represent tracks of some kind. Assuming this map is correct, they lead out of this cavern. If we keep following the tunnels, we could get lost. This is definitely the better way."
She had to admit, it appeared he was right. With some effort, she pulled herself into the cart and shrieked softly as she tumbled inside. With a start, she realized she was upside down and her legs were sticking out of the cart at an awkward angle. Seeking to remedy the situation, she brushed the hair out of her eyes, and righted herself, glaring at Anakin as he leapt in with ease. Sometimes being married to a Jedi is extremely humbling, she thought.
As they studied the track before them, there was a scuffling sound as Obi-wan and Mace rounded the corner. Raising a hand in greeting, Anakin used the other to release the brake and the cart began to move. Frowning, the Jedi Masters hurried towards the second cart and were in it in seconds, the wheels rattling as it trundled down the track, hot on their trail.
Padme felt her stomach flutter as they crested a hill and sped towards the bottom. With horror, she saw the sharp turn at the bottom and squeezed her eyes shut as the cart reared up on two wheels, almost flying off the track completely. She felt a pang of relief as all four wheels once again made contact. Her eyes flew open as she noted that they were continuing to gain speed.
"You know, there is a brake installed in this thing for a reason!" she cried. Anakin simply grinned and urged the cart on faster, enjoying every minute of the trek. Padme lowered herself to the floor, wincing at the screeching sounds that were reverberating through the dark tunnel. Every now and again, sparks would illuminate the walls, further adding to her apprehension. She added on to her earlier thought - Sometimes being married to a Jedi means taking your life into your own hands.
She braced herself as she felt their cart being bumped from behind. Peeking up from her (relatively) safe spot on the floor, her eyes widened as she saw a grinning Mace Windu and Obi-wan Kenobi, repeatedly ramming their cart into the back of hers and Anakin's. She heard Obi-wan shout, "My friend, you're forgetting the basic rules of transportation - slower vehicles should keep to the right! You're blocking traffic!"
She watched Anakin send them a withering glance as he detached the brake completely, meeting their implied challenge. Immediately, she felt their vehicle respond as it flew forward, shaking from the high rate of speed. Before they disappeared around another twisting bend, Anakin called back, "Now who's slow?"
She once again closed her eyes as she thought - Being married to a Jedi is crazy enough. But also having two friends who are Jedi? That's certain suicide! She choked back a cry as they again turned a corner on two wheels. If the four of us survive this, I'm going to kill them, she vowed with a sardonic smile.
FIVE MINUTES LATER - OUTSIDE LOPEVIA CAVERNS
Padme gingerly crawled out of the metal cart, watching as Anakin, Obi-wan and Mace congratulated each other on their stunning racing skills. With a grimace, she took a moment to orient herself and calm her racing heart. Finally, she spotted the hologram and strode towards it, waiting for the three Jedi to join her.
She didn't have to wait long.
Sensing her mild aggravation, they approached her sheepishly and came to stand behind her, every inch the stoic, repentant Jedi. Anakin bravely put a gentle arm around her waist, his eyes filled with an unspoken plea for understanding. As if that wasn't enough, she was bombarded by three telepathic apologies.
I'm sorry, my love. You know I would never do anything to hurt you or cause you injury-
Milady, please forgive my earlier behavior-
Senator, I do apologize for my unbecoming attitude in the caverns-
She burst out laughing just as the voiceover began to speak.
"Congratulations on completing the Divergence! You must now take a marked watercraft down the Utipar River where you will find your next clue."
The tension broken, they all ran side-by-side to the line of inflated watercrafts and grabbed the ones marked with their names. Padme easily hefted the front half of the lightweight boat over her head and followed Anakin to the shoreline, grabbing a pair of paddles on her way by the supply shed. Carefully, they navigated the rocky hillside before reaching the river and settling the boat into the clear water.
Padme felt the boat lurch as she climbed aboard and hurried to center her balance. She breathed a sigh of relief as the rocking subsided and Anakin gracefully entered the small craft. She could hear the Jedi Masters struggling behind her.
"Tarv, get in slowly," Obi-wan instructed. "If you get in too quickly, we will capsize-"
There was a splash, as Mace evidently tried to climb in too quickly. Sure enough, she turned and there were ripples where the men had gone under. They popped up seconds later, wearing matching frowns and rushed to right the overturned boat.
"Dake, you were supposed to steady the boat," Mace insisted, water dripping from his green head covering and streaming down his face. Their hovering camera droid zoomed in on his expression, earning it a fierce glare and an appointment with the business end of a lightsaber at a later date.
Laughing lightly as the Jedi Masters continued to bicker, she dipped the wooden oar into the water and began to paddle with all her might. Anakin quickly compensated and they began to row as a team, easily gliding through the smooth water. Behind them, Mace and Obi-wan struggled to find a rhythm for their paddling and zig-zagged from one side to the other as Mace began a lecture on efficiency.
Her arms began to tire and she rested for a moment, enjoying her time in the water. She had always felt at home there and never missed an opportunity to soak in the experience. It reminded her of the week following her wedding. She and Anakin had spent hours in the water; it had been one of the most wonderful times of her life.
She squeezed the water from her hair, watching as it ran in rivulets down her bare arms. She looked up to meet Anakin's heated gaze and smiled shyly in response. She stretched out her hands and their fingertips brushed before she felt something slimy and cold wrap itself around her legs.
With a strangled cry, she dragged in a gulp of air before she was wrenched away from Anakin and pulled under water. She heard him struggle as he was similarly captured and watched in horror as the creature squeezed him in its grip, forcing the air from his lungs.
She thrashed as hard as she could, fighting to free herself. In a surge of strength borne of love and protectiveness, she broke free, rushing to Anakin's side. With a simple touch of her hand, the creature imprisoning him recoiled, releasing him from its deadly grip.
She cradled his still form in her arms as she surfaced. His eyes fluttered open, revealing the startling blue gaze she had come to love so much. She caressed his cheek gently as she glanced around the water, her body shielding him from further harm.
Her voice calm, she stated - You will not take my love. You will not.
Leave us.
I do not fear you!
The shadow hissed and slithered away.
With a small gasp, she came back to the present, staring at her oar like she'd never seen it before. Anakin looked at her rigid back, curiosity permeating his expression. After a moment, she seemed to collect herself and began to row in earnest. He called her name gently and was startled when she turned her brown eyes towards him.
It was a gaze he recognized - filled with love, devotion, and honor.
But there was something else there. Something he had seen on previous occasions, but never with such certainty or promise.
It was the gaze of a warrior.
