Ch. 3

Padme saw him approaching, and it almost broke her heart. His face was so full of hope- so happy, so ready for anything… and yet she knew the one thing he wasn't ready for. She felt like she'd be crushing his dreams- a Jedi could not be a father… 'I think I'm starting to see why they made the code' she realized ironically.

But she soon forgot all of this as Anakin embraced her. She kissed him, passionately, never wanting to let him go. As he ran his fingers through her hair, she forgot everything but being with him in that moment. She hadn't realized how much she had needed him over those months. She felt so secure again with his body against hers. She felt wrong thinking it in the Senate building, but she couldn't wait to get him alone back in their apartment.

Anakin stared at her, so happy to have her back in his arms. She was so incredibly beautiful; he really couldn't believe they were married. He had missed her touch so much. He wanted to just kiss her forever, right in front of everyone.

But he knew he couldn't. He had to keep it secret, as much as it killed him. He knew the Jedi council would never let him continue to serve if they found out he had been hiding his marriage all this time.

"Padme, I've missed you so much," he said as he stared in to her eyes.

At his words, Padme suddenly realized where she was.

"Anakin, we musn't, someone will see us."

"So let them look. Padme, I don't care if they know that we're married."

"Anakin don't talk like that." What Padme tried not to show is that his words relieved her… maybe he would give it up. Maybe they could both retire and live a quiet life with-

"Padme I have so much to tell you. This adventure was the best yet. I wish you could come with me, my separation from you is the only thing that keeps my life from being perfect."

No- she knew he loved being a Jedi. She couldn't ask him to give up his career. Plus, she certainly enjoyed being married to one of the heroes of the galaxy, even if no one could ever know. As Anakin looked at her, she knew that she couldn't keep this a secret from him any longer.

"Ani- let's go somewhere that we can be alone. I- I have something to tell you."

Anakin's heart sank. Something was wrong. He hated to see Padme upset, he had to know what was bothering her. Her behavior worried him so much. He began to fear the worst, praying that she wasn't sick or hurt.

"Padme, what's wrong. Are you ok?"

"Yes, well… please I can't tell you here."

"Let's just go home."

"Ok. But not together Anakin- we must be wise. We must take different routes."

Anakin hated that.

"I'm sick of this Padme. I hate covering up."

"But Anakin, we must."

She hated it too, but she wouldn't let them get caught. Especially not here, not by

a senator.

"All right," he agreed, "I'll see you soon."
"And Anakin," she paused, "Please, hurry."

Anakin certainly was hurrying. He couldn't imagine what was wrong but it worried him greatly. Padme had seemed genuinely upset, more so than any time he had ever seen her. His immediate reaction would have been that their secret had been revealed, but she was so adamant about not letting anyone see them that he knew that couldn't be it.

This wasn't how this day was supposed to be! Anakin had waited so long to see her, and now something seemed terribly wrong. He didn't know what to do, and was very distracted as he hurried home. He was so distracted, that he did not notice Obi Wan in front of him. He brushed past Obi Wan and was about to walk off the transport, when his master's voice brought him out of his trance.

"Well, Anakin, where are you off to in such a hurry? The Jedi temple isn't for two more stops. Certainly you aren't planning to start an evening out at this hour?"

Anakin knew he was trapped. He would have to return to his quarters at the Jedi temple with his master, and he would have no way of contacting Padme without raising suspicion. As much as he loved his master, he was deeply angry that Obi Wan of all people would have been on this transport. As he searched for an excuse, the doors closed and the transport moved on to the next stop.

'I should have borrowed a speeder.' He though. 'What the Sith am I going to do now?'

Padme rushed home trying to figure out what to say to Anakin. C-3PO could see that she was worried, and after making her some tea even the droid could tell that she was best left alone.

After waiting at least fifteen minutes, Padme began to worry. Anakin was usually very punctual, and she knew that he had been concerned about what she had said.

After a half an hour, she began to feel both angry and extremely worried. She hoped she hadn't scared Anakin away with her words- could it be that he was avoiding her?

She let a tear fall down her cheek, utterly lost about how to handle her current situation. She began to sob, and was nearly hysterical when C-3PO came to tell her she had a message.

"Mistress Padme, Master Anakin wishes to speak with you." Said the droid.

She didn't know whether to be happy or scared, but she rushed to meet Anakin's holo.

"Padme, I'm so sorry."

"Where have you been Anakin? I told you I had something to important to tell you." She said, angrily.

"I know, I was rushing as fast as I could, but in my haste I failed to notice Obi Wan sitting right in front of me. I rushed past him and he caught me. I had to return to the Jedi temple, what excuse would I have had for entering your apartment building at this hour?"
As emotional as Padme was after this day, she had to admit that that made sense.

"Of course, I understand Ani. I just need to tell you something- it's very important."
It killed Anakin to see her like this.

"Tell me Padme- what is it. No one is around me, I promise."

"No Ani- I have to tell you this in person."

"Then I'm coming over," he said determinedly.

"No, Anakin, that's far too risky. Someone will see you."
"I don't care. I'll be there soon."

He disconnected, and Padme had to admit she was relieved he would soon be there. 'Please be careful Anakin.' She thought.

She heard a knock at the door.

'That was fast,' she thought, pleasantly surprised. 'No, that was too fast.' She realized.

She opened the door and saw Jedi Master Mace Windu at her door.