Ch. 4

"Master Windu, um… what a pleasant surprise." Padme said, clearly not pleased.

"I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour Senator, but I have a matter of grave importance that I wish to discuss with you," the Jedi Master said sternly.

'Uh-Oh,' thought Padme, 'This can't be good.' Master Windu's words worried her greatly. She had always shared a mutual respect with Mace Windu, and she considered him a good friend and knew he felt the same. Now suddenly, he seemed rather displeased with her for some reason, and there was only one reason she could think of.

"Um, may I come in?"

Padme suddenly realized she had left him standing at the door.

"Of course, please sit down."
The Jedi sat on the couch and stared intently at Padme for quite some time.

"I wish to discuss with you a matter concerning Anakin Skywalker."

'Oh my God, Anakin,' thought Padme. He would be arriving any minute. She had never wished to be Force sensitive more than she did in this moment. She tried as hard as possible to reach to him with her thoughts, but felt it was useless. 'Anakin, don't come in here. Please Anakin, stay away.' She thought as hard as she could. She knew if Mace Windu found Anakin entering her apartment at this hour, an excuse would be rather difficult to find. She prayed that Anakin would be able to sense that Master Windu was here and have the intelligence to stay away. But she knew that if he sensed that she was distraught he would only move more quickly to get there.

"Of course, what's wrong Master Windu?" Padme asked, genuinely concerned now.

"I have a mission that I need Obi Wan to go on alone, and I know that Anakin will not take that news well at all."

So far, this news was far better than anything Padme had expected.

"Yes, he certainly doesn't like to be left behind," She agreed. 'But I'll certainly be happy to have him around,' she thought.

"He already feels as if we don't trust him, which I'll have to admit to you is partially true. The boy is so spirited that it often manifests itself in anger and fear. No doubt you can sense his extreme passion for whatever he's doing."

'If only you knew,' Padme thought, amused.

"I know what you mean," she said, still unsure of where this was going.

"Padme, I'll be frank with you. I don't want Anakin on this mission because he is reckless. I am in no way trying to downplay his skills- he is very talented, and has the capability of being one of the greatest Jedi ever."

Padme had to agree, but Master Windu seemed to be trying to evade his point, and she didn't really understand what this had to do with her. It was as if he knew that they were involved, but he clearly didn't.

"I'm sorry to interrupt Master Windu, but just exactly what does this have to do with me?" She hoped that this would secure the fact that she and Anakin weren't involved for at least a few more weeks with the Jedi council.

"Well Padme, you and Anakin are close, everyone knows it."

"Yes, he is a good friend of mine," She dodged the truth expertly.

"I don't want to interfere with your Senatorial duties, but I was wondering if you could spend some time with him and try to understand where his anger flows from. We don't understand it- he has the respect of the galaxy, and his skills certainly have the respect of the council. But he's an adult now, and his recklessness and want of power worry us. He is so ready to hate, and we don't understand it. We thought you might be able to help."

Padme couldn't believe her ears. She was actually being asked to spend more time with her husband. This was too good to be true.

She suddenly realized her face was showing too much excitement at this prospect. She calmed herself down.

"Certainly, I can try to fit him in," she stated, stifling laughter. She was happier than she'd been in at least a month. She worried that Mace Windu would take her apparent amusement disrespectfully, but he smiled too.

"It's nice to see you smile Senator. You've been so serious lately- it's a shame that you've had to deal with these serious times in the senate. I know news has been bad lately, but we all share your hope that things will start to look up. Obi Wan and Anakin are doing well to turn the tables."

Padme smiled, and suddenly saw Anakin's face at the door. She looked at him, trying to make her eyes tell him to go away.

'Master Windu?' Thought Anakin. He felt stupid for having not sensed his presence. He had been so distracted with the thought of seeing Padme, and had certainly not expected that anyone else would be there at this hour. He looked at Padme, and almost started to laugh out loud at her expression. She clearly was ready for Master Windu to be on his way, but he could tell that the Jedi Master had no idea. 'He should be more sensitive to her thoughts as a Jedi Master,' he thought to himself. He gave Padme a mischievous smile, and, as she shook her head at him, knowing he was going to do something risky, he used the Force to make an open door down the hall slam, loudly.

'Oh no Anakin, no,' thought Padme, sure that he would be caught.

Anakin ducked out of sight just as Master Windu turned his head.

"What was that?" he shouted.

"I think it was just a door slamming," Padme said quickly, "nothing to worry about I mean, you don't need to go out there."

"I'm very nervous about anything out of the ordinary lately. We all fear for your safety especially senator."

Anakin screamed now, as if he was scared, and Padme shrunk down in her chair, horrified.

"I'd better go see what's going on. Thank you for your time Senator." And with that, Mace Windu walked out of the door.

He passed within inches of Anakin hiding in the shadows, but Anakin tried as hard as he could to block his presence. As Windu went down the hall, Anakin slid into Padme's apartment and shut the door.

The young couple burst out laughing, but Padme soon stopped to reprimand her husband.

"Anakin how can you be so attractive to me when you're so immature."

"Oh, I'm just having a little fun Padme."

"You know I don't like close calls when it comes to us."

"Oh, but I do."

"I know you do, but you can't take so many risks, I just can't…" Anakin cut her off with a kiss. "Anakin…" She whined, but then she let him kiss her, and as they sunk on to the couch Padme forgot completely why she was upset. Anakin broke the kiss but kept his hands on her, and she stared up at him, speechless.

"Still mad?"

"Shut up." She said, pulling him back on top of her. He ran his hands over her whole body, and both were lost in the moment.

Anakin was so happy to finally be alone with her. He had missed her so much. He had been waiting for this moment ever since he had gotten back. But suddenly, Padme stopped him.

"Anakin, I have to tell you this now, I just can't keep it from you any longer."

"Of course, I've been worried," Anakin said, clearly disappointed about stopping what they were doing.

"Anakin, I…" Padme looked into his eyes, unsure of how to tell him this.

"Padme, you know you can tell me anything. I love you," he said sweetly.

This gave Padme the reassurance she needed.

"Ani- I'm pregnant." She said. He looked at her, speechless.