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Kyler has fallen. His last cry echoed and died just as his life force seeped out of him. Finn was older, far more trained in the ways of the Force. The cloaked figure, Kyler's murderer, pierced her with its icy gaze. She instinctively reached for her waist and drew out a lightsaber. The lightsaber in the cloak figure's hands murmured murderously, while her red saber answered with equal ferocity.

"Bring it on!" she challenged him. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Her every muscle readied itself for attack and defense. At last, she will have her revenge. Nevertheless, the cloaked figure seemed to shake his head under the concealing hood. He was drawing away, disappearing into the darkness.

"No!" she could not let this happen. "The Jedi will pay for this!"

The last statement in her dream echoed in Finn's head, until she finally shifted on the pillow to be out of the sunlight's way. The Jedi will pay for this? She thought dreamily. That made absolutely no sense. Her dreams were growing more and more obscure and nonsensical. Her naked back was bathing in the warm sunlight while she hugged the pillow closer to her body. She still didn't know who Kyler's killer was, nobody knew, not even her father. Her father, another unpleasant thought surfaced in her head. Whatever he was doing, it left an unpleasant taste in her mouth. Of course, he could argue that Dooku was growing out of hand. That he was only acting in the best interest of the Galaxy. Et cetera. Et cetera. Nonetheless, it still left a sour taste in her mouth. She pressed the soft pillow closer to her cheek and relished the smell of it. It smelt clean, comforting, and manly. It smelt like Ben. Her mind chided her gently: of course, this is Ben's pillow, and you're lying on his bed.

With that in mind, Finn suddenly jerked herself fully awake, only to be forced down by a pair of strong arms and a larger and heavier body on top of hers. "Mmm?" he murmured abstractedly, "going somewhere?"

"What time is it?" she said business-like, trying hard not to relish the tingling sensation his beard caused on her back and neck. Almost by impulse, she reached up a hand behind her and curled his hair around her fingers. They stayed like that for a few minutes, lost in the sensation of one another and lost in the moment.

Absentmindedly, he began planting random kisses on her back. Suddenly, he paused. "These were not here before you went to the Academy." Finn flinched with self-consciousness. He was asking about her battle scars. Instead of being repulsed by them, he kissed the light patches of pink skins like they were tattoos of delicate flowers. He kissed her upper right back. "I got that near the Rings of Geonosia," she explained. He kissed lower. "That was from the attacks on Hoth." He trailed toward her waist. "I don't remember about that one. Outer Rim, perhaps?" Obi-Wan softly traced a thin line along her left shoulder. Finn shuddered unconsciously, "I got that on Alderaan, when I nearly lost my arm."

Obi-Wan snapped out of his erotic reverie. He had felt Finn's body convulse involuntarily with dread. The experience had not been pleasant for her, as much as she had been used to bloodshed and days in the infirmary. He lowered his head to look at her face-to-face. His boyish face tinted with worries. "I won't let something like that happen to you again, ever," he promised.

Finn laughed at his earnestness. He was just too adorable. Obi-Wan thought that she was mocking him and he pouted at her. "I love you so much," she exclaimed and cradled his head in her embrace.

A series of knockings literally knocked them out of their daydream. "Oh, shoot!" Obi-Wan exclaimed as he rolled out of bed and put on his pants. Finn wasn't sure if she should get dressed and put the bed into order, or if she should just go hide in the closet. Before she could decide, she heard Anakin's voice stumbling over words.

"Master, the Chancellor is staging a celebration over our recent victory and you are invited. You should go." She heard the pleading in the young man's voice.

"Uh-hem, well, I," Obi-Wan scratched his head in confusion. For the first time, he was caught in such a situation where he had something to hide from his former padawan.

"It's just a small picnic near the pond and a gathering afterwards."

"Alright, alright." Finn smiled as she imagined him throwing up his hands, finally giving in. "As much as I hate these social pomp, I suppose I should indulge you, Anakin. You shall be the death of me," he said it for the hundredth time and shut the door, shaking his head hopelessly. Anakin must want him there to justify his own presence. The lovely senator from Naboo must be present in the party. Obi-Wan was afraid of Anakin's intense attachments to Padmé Amidala at times. Nevertheless, he knew the result of a head-on confrontation with Anakin.

"So, what was that all about?" her eyes twinkled mischievously.

Obi-Wan cocked a haughty eyebrow at her sneering face, "don't make fun of me, you are coming, too."

Her face dropped, "what? You know how I hate social functions."

"Well," he caught her in his arms and rolled over her, hugging her very tightly, "if I am going, you have to, too."

Finn groaned.

She put her arms through the sleeves of her maroon jacket and then attempted to calm her wild curls down with her fingers. Obi-Wan was washing his face in the fresher. The sound of the splashing of water came to her ears. Looking into the mirror, Finn paused. She lightly placed her fingers on her chin and grazed the frame of her face. She had pale creamy skin and her green eyes looked stunning in contrast to her maroon outfit. Her face, without any makeup, looked innocent and almost sweet. But she sighed. She was not beautiful like the great ladies of Coruscant. They were regal and carefully dolled up. Their smoldering eyes knew the crafts of seduction well. Nonetheless, Obi-Wan hugged her from behind and nuzzled into her head.

"What are you looking at?" he laughed and placed his cheek by hers.

"Oh, nothing," she felt so stupid. Considering her, a military officer in full honors, thinking about how to pretty herself up for her lover.

"Look," he whispered into her ear, "they look so happy." He meant their reflections.

"Yes," Finn smiled sadly, "but will it last?" They both knew their stolen moments were fleeting and forbidden, but they did not ruin their time by dwelling on it too much. She kissed his tousled hair lightly, looked back at the reflection of his eyes and smiled.

Finn sighed contently, letting the warm afternoon sun comfort her skin. She sat on a large piece of white cloth laid on the grass. Some official's children ran around and chased each other in game and laughter. Finn smiled at them. She would give anything to be young again.

"The younglings at the Temple don't enjoy life as much," a sad voice shook her out of her thoughts. Anakin sat himself down and crossed his legs. He grinned at her politely. Finn looked at him intently and nodded. "They were chosen by the Force to bear the load of a lifetime of service," she recited. But it was not her own opinion. Finn had often wondered how it might have been, if, she had a normal childhood. A normal childhood, with loving parents and a few quarrelling siblings. She shook her head at herself and drew her knees under her chin.

"It's a pity," Anakin responded, "that they don't know familial love and the joys of being innocent." Finn regarded him intently. She knew perfectly well what he meant. They had both been thrust out of their childhoods too soon and into the line of duty. Worst of all, both of them had chosen their paths, up to a degree.

"Anakin…" she began.

"I will not let my child grow up in a bleak existence," it was as if he read her exact thoughts.

"Then," she pleaded earnestly, on the verge of tears, "take Padmé away. Leave Coruscant. Leave politics and the Jedi, both of you. Before it's too late." She had seen his first steps toward the Dark Side when he killed Count Dooku. She could not bear it if he sank any lower.

Anakin's head turned slowly toward her. All of a sudden, she was afraid, as if this was not the same Anakin who sparred and joked with her just a few months before. "You were there on the ship with us that day, weren't you? I could sense you. I heard your plead. You didn't want me to kill him, didn't you? Why?" his eyes were dangerous, "why?" he asked her again.

Are you on the side of the Sith? Finn almost jumped as she heard his voice inside of her head.

I am on the side of the Republic, she declared. Search your feelings, you know it to be true. He did not responded, so she added, Something is troubling you though, Anakin. You don't sleep well anymore. You've been having nightmares.

I've been having visions. He corrected her.

Like the ones you had before your mother died?

Yes.

"And they are of Padmé," Finn's lips trembled as she read his thoughts. She looked over at him, her eyes filled with fear as his were filled with determination I want the best for you and Padmé and your child, Anakin. You have to leave before it's too late.

"I can't," he spoke out loud, "the Order and the Republic are now in a delicate balance. The war is not yet over. I am needed here. Your father and the Order need my service." He was surprised to see her face sunk with despair. Anakin was about to inquire further, when he was interrupted by his secret wife.

"Annie! Fina! Try these cakes, they are amazing," Padmé walked over with a large platter. Her silky brown hair grazed the air and her alabaster shoulders tenderly. The navy blue dress hid her pregnancy and showed off her beauty.

"I'm not hungry," Finn got up looking irritated and brushed a few stray blades of grass off her trousers. "I'm tired of this war. A war that shouldn't have happened in the first place."

What did she mean by that? Anakin wondered.

"You know," Padmé munched on the cake and then licked her fingers clean, "Fina reminds me a lot of Master Jinn at times." Anakin took a piece of cake in reply and regarded the young woman coolly. She was speaking with her father with a serious face. True, she was no Jedi, but she had the same resourcefulness and strength of mind that had elevated Qui Gon far above the ranks of the normal Jedi. But she was no Jedi, he reminded himself, nor shall she ever be one.

Padmé adjusted the heavy shawl around her body. It allowed her to hide her pregnancy under piles of cloth without seeming to be doing so. She felt a dizzy spell, which passed by quickly. Thank the Force, she exclaimed silently. She was afraid another surge of sickness was going to hit her. The dinner party was much larger and grander than the term implied. Royalties and emissaries of many worlds gathered in their elegance and finery. The Chancellor knew how to celebrate alright. Padmé blushed, knowing that her secret husband was the star of this gathering. The death of Dooky meant new beginnings and perhaps, peace at last. Her unconsciously began to bite her lower lip. There was much to do. Yet, her friend, Finn Palpatine, had urged her again and again to leave Coruscant to raise her child.

Finn had been extremely attentive of Padmé ever since she returned with Master Kenobi. She had a feeling that Finn knew most than she told. Anakin's night visions sometimes worry her. But, she knew that she was among friends, who would never let anything happen to her. Finn had spotted her in the crowded ballroom and smiled. She looked enchanting in her emerald silk dress that rustled delicately. Finn looked amazing, Padmé grinned to herself. Many men, young and old, rich and powerful, had glanced repeatedly and rather longingly at this green-eyed beauty. No one associated her with the stern-faced soldier who had fought for them just months before.

Even the Jedi are not above impunity, Padmé recalled once or twice catching Master Obi-Wan Kenobi staring blindly at the young lady. Of course, it might just have been a hopeless romantic's daydream (when was she, Padmé Amidala, twice queen of Naboo, a hopeless romantic?). She was just being silly. As far as she could remember, Master Kenobi was the perfect Jedi, even Anakin remarked so, when he wasn't angry at him over some petty incidence. He was dutiful, capable, and practical… and… and handsome. Padmé watched in amusement as a couple of Twi'lek females giggled and stalked the unknowing Jedi master . It was obvious that Obi-Wan was bored out of his wits at the social function. After hordes and hordes of people congratulated him again and again for raising such a promising Jedi knight as the Great Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan couldn't help but began to pace in circles around the room, pretending that he had urgent businesses to attend to. In reality, he was just trying to avoid these people.

"It is amazing how the Chancellor could even use his daughter to his advantage," a cool male voice came from behind Padmé and made her jump. Tarkin, a representative from Eriadu, sipped his wine quietly.

He was a middle-aged man with thinning hair and a gaunt, impatient face. Padmé had treated him with due civility as a colleague within the Senate. Nonetheless, she had always disliked his sly face and underhand political tactics. She smiled politely at him, without eliciting a further conversation.

But he either did not notice or did not care, but continued, "of course, many would argue that the social position of Lady Palpatine is a delicate one. It would prove much to our advantage if she marries wisely." Padmé turned to follow his gaze. Finn was standing in a circle of lively young men, many of whom Amidala realized as royalties of their own worlds. She was sociable and gracious as the Supreme Chancellor's daughter. She could play the charming hostess if she had to. Finn had always been a good actress, Padmé smiled to herself. But the smiled disappeared as Tarkin continued to speak to her, even began to pry into her private affairs.

"Now, tell me, Senator. How can a young and beautiful woman such as yourself remain unmarried for so long?" Tarkin was advancing toward her. Padmé didn't know whether to draw back or say something sour in return.

"Pardon me, Representative Tarkin. May I borrow Senator Amidala for a brief moment?" Anakin's strong and calm voice came as a much needed rescue.

"Of course," he said tartly, eyeing the young couple with unkind looks.

"Whew, that was close," Padmé held her husband's arm closely and sighed. She leaned affectionately against Anakin as they walked to the terrace, away from prying eyes. Once outside in the cool evening breeze, she felt much better. She had not notice what an effect the overcrowded stuffy room had on a pregnant woman.

"How's the little one?" he reached down a strong hand and caressed her stomach gently.

"It's fine," she whispered with a smile and raised her face to kiss him. "Oh," she looked out into the garden, "it's so beautiful in the moonlight."

"Yes, it is," Anakin's eyes seemed to fix on a spot in the darkness. He appeared to be very far away from a moment. He grew tense as his jaws tightened. "What?"

"I said what is it, Annie? What are you looking at?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Come, it's cold out, let me take you back inside." He began to pull her on the arm, a little too hastily. They rushed back in.

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