Wow…back! Sorry about the long break everyone, I've been moving and my internet has been down, but now it's working so I'm pretty glad to be writing again. Reviews are always appreciated Thanks for the support everyone.
CHAPTER 6 – Of Importance
Anakin, having just gotten out of the shower with Padme, was covering himself with the last layers of his Jedi robes, when Dorme entered the room unexpectedly.
"Master Skywalker? Getting an early start guarding Senator Amidala?"
Anakin nodded slightly, the smile on his face growing ever so slightly as he saw the subtle hints of Dorme's confusion as to why his hair was still damp, and why he was putting on the black leather vest of his Jedi garments, in the Senator's apartment. She giggled slightly, shrugging off the awkward moment.
"Protection at it's finest I take it? Alright than Master Skywalker"
Dorme took her leave, attending to Jar Jar, whom had just entered the Senator's home. Anakin felt a warm embrace encircle his mid section, and slowly turned around to see Padme with a soft smile on her face. She was still in her bath robe, her long brown hair flowing softly down her back, still wet from the shower.
Anakin pulled her into his own embrace, and pressed his lips to hers.
"Master Jedi I do believe you have a meeting with Master Kenobi this morning?"
"Padme, from now on, please refrain from mentioning Obi-Wan in the same breath as our kisses"
Padme giggled, and Anakin pulled her closer, pressing his face against her neck, groaning slightly at the remembrance of his meeting with the council.
"And I do believe you have a meeting this morning also, Chancellor Palpatine left a holo this morning with Jar Jar, and he wanted to speak with you".
Anakin felt Padme begin to tremble slightly at the mention of Chancellor Palpatine. Immediately, Anakin pulled back from her.
"Is something the matter?"
Anakin stated, almost taking offence to the shudder at the mention of the man he had a deep respect for.
"No, no Anakin, I just don't want to be put into another game of 21 questions, especially now that the council knows of my encounter with Paulo".
Padme sighed heavily, turning her back to Anakin.
"I should make myself look somewhat presentable, and you, my love, should get to where you're needed".
A smirk immediately played on Anakin's handsome features.
"You do not need me, my love?"
Alright, now he was just pushing it.
"Anakin, that's not fair"
Padme giggled as she spoke those words, and her mind immediately began to wander as to how she needed, wanted him. Anakin paced to her turned back, and brought his mouth to her ear.
"Tonight, my love" he whispered.
"Tonight what?"
Padme laughed, desperately wanting Anakin to continue what he was doing to her senses.
"Don't be late, but until than….I should go where I am needed"
Anakin finished with a light kiss on her neck.
"Anakin Skywalker you get back here right now and tell me where we're going!"
Padme playfully turned immediately to attack him, and force him to tell her, however by the time she turned, Anakin was no where to be seen.
…………………………………………………………………
"As you are all aware, Chancellor Palpatine is meeting with Senator Amidala this afternoon, in order to try and convince her to leave the capital."
Anakin immediately sat straight up in his placement at the Jedi Temple.
"Why is it that Palpatine must convince her to leave? Is she causing an inconvenience to anyone?"
Anakin, sounding slightly frustrated at the Jedi council's decision, wanted more than just an excuse. He wanted a valid reason as to why they were sending the most stable part of the council, his love, out of Coruscant.
"A group of separatists have gathered on Naboo, and request a negotiation with our Council, and quite frankly Anakin, we want this war to end before it really starts. Senator Amidala is the Senator of Naboo, therefore we found it appropriate that she be the one to handle their negotiation tactics".
Master Windu continued to speak of their terms.
"Senator Amidala will need to be accompanied on this trip to Naboo, and we have placed her care in that of Paulo Hans, one of the Separatist leaders. However, one of our own will also be traveling with the senator…"
PAULO! Anakin stood and nearly yelled at the top of his lungs.
"WHAT?" Anakin could not believe his ears.
"Did I not in fact, the day before yesterday, report an assault attempt on Padme's very life, carried out by Paulo?"
"The council has found no reason to believe that Senator Amidala was assaulted, when in fact Paulo wasn't even in the capital until yesterday night".
Master Windu rambled on, and Anakin could not believe what he was hearing.
"Excuse me, Master Windu, but Paulo was in the Capital since nearly a week ago? Had he not come to negotiate the terms before regarding the separatists?"
"Anakin, Paulo was no where near the capital; in fact he was on Alderaan until just recently, even reports have shown that".
Master Kenobi finished.
At that moment, Master Yoda interrupted the conversation, clearly wanting to bring the misunderstanding and the meeting to an end.
"Accompanied by Paulo, and Master Skywalker, The Senator of Naboo will be. Master Skywalker, look into such reports, and research such information, before such accusations you decide to make".
Master Kenobi than took the floor.
"Anakin, you and the senator will leave tomorrow at dawn, meeting master Hans on the planet of Naboo, and this meeting is now adjourned".
One by one, the Jedi filed out of the room. All accept for Anakin.
'How could this possibly be? How could this possibly happen!'
Anakin pondered his thoughts.
'Oh god, Chancellor Palpatine is breaking this news to Padme….'
Anakin than got up, and quickly made his way out of the Jedi temple, returning to the building where Padme, by now, had received the disturbing news.
"No."
It was as simple as that. Padme refused.
"My lady you don't quite have a say in this matter, you are the Senator of Naboo….and Master Skywalker will be accompanying both yourself and Master Hans".
"Chancellor Palpatine, with all due respect, I know what happened that night, and I'm not going to let you, or anyone else deny me that".
Palpatine was not taking a liking to her stubborn attitude, however, he looked upon her with pity, as if he worried for her safety, yet he knew that whether he wanted her to or not, she would have to go.
Padme turned her back to the Chancellor, gasping as she heard the doors to his office slam shut.
"Am I interrupting?" Anakin strode through the doors, his cloak flowing behind him, and a look of sheer disappointment on his face.
"Actually Anakin, Padme was just pondering over the idea of leaving the Capital…"
"With Paulo, I know."
"And yourself Anakin, don't leave that out, I'm sure you'll be able to handle anything if something is to go wrong on this trip, however she is to be negotiating with Separatists, and there is a risk factor at any cost. Master Hans is a highly respected general on their side, he will be anything if not gracious to your requests, I'm sure."
Palpatine glanced out the window, looking out to the skies of Coruscant.
"Why we are arguing over this notion, I don't know, because My Lady, Master Skywalker, this is not up for negotiation. You leave tomorrow, and you should be back by the end of this week. Now, go and retire yourselves, as it will make for a tiresome mission".
Anakin turned immediately, letting himself out of the Chancellor's office. Inside, he was dying to hold Padme, tell her everything will be alright. However, he knew even the slightest grasp of her hand, would show that he had emotional attachment to her, and that couldn't happen.
As Anakin made his way down the corridors up to the top floor of the building, Padme was only paces behind him. He tried to drown the sound of her footsteps out, until he made it to the elevator, however, when he turned to glance at her walking form, he saw tears welling in her eyes, as they threatened to spill down her cheeks.
Using the force, he sent soothing thoughts to her as he continued walking sternly to the elevator.
'Templa Ni Quensa Cola Padme….'
Anakin's gentle thoughts flooded her mind, how she admired his dialect from Tatooine. Even when half of the time, she didn't know for sure what he was saying, she could feel it. Finally, both Anakin and Padme made it to the elevator, and the doors closed.
Stopped there for now ! Let me know what you think , and I should update soon, no worries :)
Take care everyone!