Chapter Two

Padme sat at her vanity and delicately brushed her long hair. She set the brush down and twisted a tendril in her finger absentmindedly. No matter what she did, she couldn't get her mind off of him. After he had left to rejoin Obi-Wan, she had only managed to steal glances of him from across the ballroom. That definitely wasn't enough for her. She wanted to see him again, Code or no Code. And he wanted to see her again too.

It had been five years since she had seen him and she couldn't believe how much he had matured. Gone was the awkward, lanky boy and a confident, handsome young man was the replacement. Granted, she had liked Anakin when she first met him, but he was different now. Maybe she wasn't ready to have those feelings, but she was feeling them now. She couldn't think of anything else and her face seemed to take on a continual flush. He just did something to her…she couldn't find a name for it…but it was there, and she knew it wasn't going away.

She looked up and frowned. Who would be coming to see her at this hour? It certainly couldn't be Sabe…

She quickly got up, forgetting her attire and flung open the door in exasperation. Her mouth opened slightly as she saw the Jedi standing in her doorway. His eyes widened with shock and surprise as he took in the sight of her in a clingy, almost transparent black nightgown. He had never seen anything even close to that before in his entire life and he found himself unable to control the inevitable reaction.

Padme realized that his eyes were now traveling the length of her body and she immediately gestured for him to enter, then took off in search of a robe. Anakin smirked as he watched her leave then seated himself on one of the sofas in her room. He took a moment to survey his expensive surroundings.

Theed was one of the most beautiful places he had ever visited. He often dreamed of it, even though Padme was in all those dreams as well. For some reason, he felt drawn to it like a moth to a flame. There was no stopping it. And he knew the very reason for this was walking back towards him.

He frowned slightly, now aware that the robe concealed the view he had feasted on several moments ago, but his heart began to race as he look into her eyes and realized for the first time that night that she wasn't wearing her ceremonial makeup. She was his Padme, not the regal Queen Amidala that she was for her people. For him, she was just Padme.

She gestured for him to join her on the balcony and they walked outside to breathe in the Nubian night air. They leaned against the railing and they found themselves inching closer to each other with each passing moment.

"You know Anakin, when I agreed to see you again, I wasn't aware that you meant tonight." She looked up at him with laughing eyes, but that quickly faded when she saw the look on his face.

"Well, I don't know how long my Master and I will be here. The Council gave us a four day vacation to be here, but we could get called back anytime."

She nodded in somber understanding and decided to change the subject. "Anakin, I have a secret."

He looked back at her, the sadness now replaced with plain curiosity. "Really?"

"Uh huh. Promise not to tell anyone?"

He shook his head quickly and she smiled before continuing.

"When my term as Queen is up in several weeks, I'm going to retire."

His eyebrows raised with shock and surprise. "What will you do?"

She smiled softly. "Be a girl, I suppose."

He moved a little closer to her and placed a hand gently on hers. "Haven't had much time for that?"

"No, but I was thinking you could help me with that. You know, make up for lost time."

His heart race quickened even more than he thought possible as he felt her move closer to him. He swallowed nervously. "Yeah?"

"Of course, Anakin. Now that you're back in my life…" She gazed up at him expectantly, almost allowing herself to think that maybe she was jumping to conclusions. That he wasn't really that interested in her.

"I'm back in your life and I'm not going anywhere, Padme."

She exhaled slowly and found his intense stare. She was breathing heavily now and she was barely aware that Anakin was fighting the same battle. She watched him lick his lips lightly in anticipation and he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. It wasn't what she had been expecting, but perhaps it was too soon for that.

Anakin, on the other hand, was inwardly berating himself. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She had wanted him to kiss her, that was obvious. And what did he do? He got scared and nervous. He could be kissing her now…her sudden movement sent him flying back to reality and he turned his eyes back to her form.

She had moved slightly away from him and he wanted physically hurt himself for his own stupidity. Smart, real smart.

"So tell me, Anakin, when will you take the trials?"

He swallowed nervously and decided it was best if he answered her. "I'm not sure. I'm ready though."

"And how do you know that?"

"I just do. I can feel it. It's my time."

She tilted her head to the side and cast him a wary glance. "Oh really?"

He nodded and surprised himself by smiling at her. "Yes. The Force is strong with me."

"I know. I've heard some spectacular stories about you. No wonder all those girls wanted you all to themselves."

He smiled wistfully at her. "That may be true. But you're the one who has me all to herself."

A soft smile slowly crept on her face and Anakin's heart leapt at the sight. Maybe he hadn't lost her after all.

Padme glanced inside her rooms and her face fell. It was getting very late and she worried that someone would come looking for Anakin soon.

"Anakin…maybe it's time for you to go."

He frowned, maybe he had been wrong, maybe his chance had flown out the window...

"I just don't want you to get in trouble, Anakin. Can you imagine what would happen if Obi-Wan found out you were here?"

"That's not really something I want to think about. I think you're right."

He followed her back into her room and felt her heart pounding. It was now or never.

Her hand fell to the doorknob and just before she could turn it, she turned back to look at him.

"Anakin, I'd really like to see you again before you leave."

"Of course."

She turned back to the door but before she could open it, she felt his hand on her back. He turned her back towards him and he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

It didn't last very long, but it was the sweetest kiss either of them had ever experienced. It held so much promise for the future and at that moment, they were the only ones who existed. However, all good things must come to an end, and Anakin pulled away reluctantly and silently exited her room with a quick smile in her direction.

Padme watched him leave and as soon as he was out of sight, she found herself missing him already. She knew that her life had been forever changed, but in more ways that she could ever possibly know.