Ch. 11

"You certainly are a lucky one Master Jedi," Padme emphasized, smiling at her husband. She kissed him lightly on the lips. "This night could have ruined your career, and somehow, out of luck, it bolstered it!"

"I can't even believe it Padme. It's like a dream come true, I… I never expected…Although, this will certainly make matters even worse when they find out about us and our child… a Jedi Master, having a wife and baby- it will certainly be shocking." Suddenly, he turned to his wife. "But Padme, angel, I'm so sorry… You must just be, you must be…"

"Devastated, yes," Padme responded. "Everything for which I fought has been destroyed…" She began to cry. "How can I raise my child in a universe at war, a galaxy under tyranny…where the troops," she sobbed, "kill their own people, innocent people." She was really a mess now. The more she thought about the events of the night, the worse it got. Her whole life, as she knew it, gone…

Anakin wrapped her tightly in his arms, "No Padme, the ideals you fought for still exist. Nothing you have done was in vain- the Jedi, we share those ideals. The good people we met tonight- they are living proof that the Universe, the Force, does not want evil in the galaxy. We will fight to our deaths to bring peace, and I will do everything in my power to keep our child safe and protected, and you as well. I would let nothing happen to you, Padme," He said.

"And the chancellor? I mean, he could be dead now, Anakin," cried Padme.

"That would be a shame. He was a dear friend," Anakin paused. "The council never trusted him though. They'll be sorry when they see he died fighting for democracy. Just like I fought for them tonight- they didn't trust me either!" Anakin was suddenly fuming, forgetting the ultimate trust that Master Windu had just placed in him.

Padme stared at her husband, suddenly cold and scared.

"Anakin, don't talk like that. Can you hear yourself? You were just made a Master. They trust you… Anakin please, you're scaring me." She had never seen him like this… although, when she thought about it, she had. She knew he had a lot of anger inside him - he had faced a very difficult life, and she had always tried to ignore his fits of rage. She had never seen what the Jedi Masters were talking about, his 'willingness to hate' but she saw it now, and it scared her to death.

Anakin suddenly caught himself, and realized he had let his emotions loose. He began to control them, calming himself with the Force. He reminded himself, as Padme had, that he had just been made a Master, had fought for democracy. And he knew that he chose that path- fighting alongside the only father he had ever known, Obi Wan, and fighting for his wife and child. He realized what a monster he had seemed in the past few months, always his mind in combat, always fuming because his powers weren't recognized.

"I'm so sorry Padme, I don't know what came over me," he reassured her. "I realize I've been difficult lately… but that's over now, I promise. I know that I fight for justice in the world… and love." He looked in to her eyes, and felt that her faith in him was restored.

"Oh, and Padme," he began, "Why did Mace Windu want you to talk to me?"
"About your recklessness," Padme said, and she pointed a finger at him to tease him. Anakin kissed her finger in front of him

"I see," he said, more amused than annoyed.

Padme felt warm again, knowing that Anakin had seen a lot of death and destruction, and understanding that sometimes it became too much for him. She was just happy to have her loving husband back to help her deal with these difficult times.

"Well, m'lady, here we are," Anakin smiled at his wife. "I realize that it will be strange for you, sleeping in a Jedi's apartment," he joked. "But I assure you, I am here only to protect you. I am your bodyguard."
"Oh, Master Jedi, please," Padme laughed. "I'm not uncomfortable at all, I know that you wouldn't try anything inappropriate with me."

They entered Anakin's apartment at the Jedi Temple. Anakin cringed, realizing how messy it was compared to Padme's beautiful home. His robes were, well, everywhere, and there were even some traces of dinner from two nights ago on the table. Oh well, if she loved him, and he knew she did, she would forgive the mess.

"I'm sorry Padme, its rather unkempt. I don't have a lady's touch here to help out."

"Well I'm certainly glad there aren't any other women in your life, Anakin," She joked. "You know I've never been here before, don't you?"

"What?" Anakin said, actually surprised.

"Well it's not as if I can go sneaking into the Jedi Temple, now can I?"

"Well then," he smiled mischievously at her, "I think it deserves a christening."

He picked her up, and carried her over to his bed. He lay her down, kissing her everywhere, feeling her soft skin against his own. He loved her so much; he loved every part of her. He couldn't believe the stroke of luck that had led her to his house. And now she was here with him, and no one would come to disturb them…

Padme sighed, almost annoyed at how much she loved Anakin when he was in this mood. She felt so awful, enjoying a night with her husband when half of her friends were probably dead or suffering. This night was not a time for romance; it was a time of sadness. She couldn't believe she was giving in to this, but the smile on her face was betraying the sadness in her mind.'Sith,' she thought, as she lost herself to Anakin's touch.

"Sith Anakin… this is no time for…" She couldn't talk anymore, lost in pleasure. She still felt wrong, but this comforted her, made her believe in love again. She needed this closeness, to be with someone, on a night such as this.

"Shut up," her husband told her. He began to undress her, slowly and lovingly, and before she could even think anymore, they were together, one soul, and all thought of the terrors of the night was gone from Padme's mind.