Hello everyone….phew….Finally got some time to sit down and write. Enjoy! Reviews are always welcome.

Anakin awoke the next morning, to darkness. The sun had not yet come up, and he turned his attention to the clock next to his sleeping angel. 5:12 am. Padme's back was pressed against his chest, and he felt her soft breathing. His arms wrapped around her waist, his thoughts trailed back to the night before. It had been the first time they'd made love, and the fact that another man had touched her before he had, a man whom hadn't loved her, a man whom was out for nothing more than hearing Padme suffer, had been with her first. Anakin wondered if Paulo had succeeded in raping his angel of her innocence, or had he just abused her as if she was his slave. All of these thoughts were driving him mad, as it was now only 5:13. One minute had gone by. Usually he would have slept far past the break of dawn, however his mind was keeping him awake. Anakin pressed a soft kiss to Padme's shoulder, and decided that he needed to go for a walk. However, as he slowly began removing himself from beside Padme, she began to murmur softly.

"Ani…"

Anakin froze as Padme's hand reached to feel the spot where Anakin had fallen asleep. Alarmed, she quickly sat up, covering herself with the sheet she slept in.

"Padme it's alright, I'm just going for a walk".

"Please don't go".

Anakin observed the soft fear that still covered her eyes. He took her hands in his, and gently slanted his lips over hers, running his tongue along her soft lips. His heart was aching, dying inside to ask her if Paulo had taken her that night.

"Padme, that night…when I came back to Coruscant, did Paulo take you?"

Padme was confused at what exactly he was asking her. 'Had he taken me….oh Anakin…'

"Anakin, Paulo….he tried. I wouldn't let him be inside of me, I couldn't…"

Soft tears threatened to flow from Anakin's eyes, as he remembered the bruises left on Padme.

"Anakin, he hurt me, he…he hit me. He pushed me against the wall, and he bruised me, his hips…violently demanded that I let him, and all I was thinking about was you. YOU Anakin, my mind wasn't even registering at the fact that it was Paulo assaulting me. I knew someone was hurting me, and I wanted YOU".

Anakin pulled his angel to his chest, thanking god that Paulo hadn't taken her from him. He ran kisses down her neck, and violently began sobbing into her chest. Padme held him against her breast, rubbing her hands over his back, soothing him gently. She had never seen Anakin cry so roughly, so intensely. She meant the world to him, and he to her. He pulled himself back into the sheets beside her, and caressed her cheek with his finger tips.

A few hours later, the two lovers awoke from sleep that had taken them in around 6:00 am. Padme was the first to remove herself from the bed, only to start a warm, shower. She felt the warm droplets hit her body, and began to close her eyes, enjoying the steam, and the silence. Still bothered by the bruises, she had decided not to look down on her body. As she coasted deep in thought, she felt two strong, hands grasp her shoulders. She quickly spun around, only to see Anakin joining her. Anakin looked down at Padme's body, however his gaze was quickly forced to meet her own when she lifted his chin. He gave her a look of confusion.

"Anakin please don't". She began to shudder softly.

"Padme, what…I don't understand?" Anakin gently moved forward, her back pressed against the shower wall.

"Please…it reminds me of…" Padme was quickly cut off as Anakin pressed his lips against hers. His hands moved to her hips, and down to her backside. Padme moaned, appreciating the tender touching he was providing her with. Anakin's words immediately turned serious.

"No more talk of Paulo, starting now. He hurt you Padme; I want you to forget him".

His hands quickly lifted her so that her back was pressed against the shower wall, and her legs were wrapped around his waist. Anakin stroked her thighs, withdrawing a moan from her lips.

"Anakin please…please…stop…" Padme began to protest.

"I rather like hearing you beg, my lady". Anakin had a smirk playing on his lips, and heard her whimper at his words.

Padme was delirious. Anakin's presence filled all of her senses, touch, taste, scent, every where. She slowly lowered herself back to a steady, standing position, and gently pushed Anakin away from her. Turning off the shower, Anakin wrapped a warm, white towel around Padme, and than himself. Pulling her into his embrace both still wrapped in towels, he rested his chin on top of her head, moving his hands over her shoulders. Padme rested her hands on Anakin's chest, marveling in the muscle and tone the cruelty of war had blessed him with.

The two lovers basked in each others presence, waiting for the day to start.