A/N: Alright, just to answer a few questions first. A Hypospray is the Star Wars equivalent to an injection, the drug they need is loaded into the spray, the device is then placed on the neck or on the arm depending on what drug it is and the drug is introduced into the blood stream. I currentyl have no idea how it works, ask Anakin he might know. lol. Also, I didnt actually know Bant was Mon Calamarian, opps. The rest of my chapters are all paced on her being human...urm...can you all pretend she is human for me? please? If not tell me and i'll change the chapters.

One final point, if you place anonomous reveiws, it makes it harder for me to respond to your reveiws. Therefore it is preferable that you leave signed reveiws but if not then dont worry. You just might not get a reveiw response thats all.

Alright, enjoy this chapter and May the Force be with you. xx

I should have known I wouldn't be able to lie to him. I should have known that he would have been able to sense my injuries long before I could tell him about them. He's looking worriedly at me, treating me now as if I'm made of glass.

"Anakin my love, I promise you it's nothing to worry about. I'm fine its you who needs my help not the other way round right now. Let me help you this time."

"But Padme...there is something you..."

"ANAKIN! Listen, if it was something you needed to worry about I would tell you, but it isnt so just be good and accept my answer for a change!"

I expect much more of a fight from him at my answer, but am relieved when he sighs and seems to drop the conversation, obviously too tired to deal with arguing with me right now. It scares me to see him so weak and vulnerable; it's not an Anakin I'm used to. He pulls me back into him again, gently running soft fingers up and down my spine as his soft lips gently caress my neck, reaching up to find my lips again. It's a kiss that I will treasure for the rest of my life, because it's a signal that my Ani truly is returning.

Eventually he pulls away again, bringing his hand up to stroke my cheek.

"I'm sorry my love…I just worry about you. I can't lose you you're…you're the only thing in the world I have left."

"Oh Ani you know that's not true. You have Obi-Wan, the Jedi, Owen and Beru…"

"But none of it means anything without you. Through my toughest missions with Obi-Wan, do you know what kept me alive? The thought that if I die, I would never get to be with you, to love you. My life depends on you Padme….you are my life."

"You must stop worrying about me and concentrate on getting yourself better again. You still have to escort me back to Naboo remember."

His hand stops and falls to his side. I grasp it firmly in my hand, smiling as his radiant, lop-sided smile spreads slowly across his face in a mix of joy and disbelief.

"Back to Naboo…you really mean it?"

I laugh, elated that Anakin's boyish charm and warm tone have sprung up from the depths of his despair to present themselves so amazingly.

"Yes Anakin…back to paradise where you can yell sweet loving words to the tallest mountains and no one would either hear or care."

"Back to holding you close and rolling around in the meadow."

"mmmm…but you have to get better first mister. And that means co-operating! Just do as Bant says and you'll be back with me on Naboo before you know it."

"I can't wait."

He runs his hand down my back again, and I gaze lovingly at him as he does so, taking in everything about him I thought I had lost. He leans up to my ear and whispers softly into it….something that makes me jerk in surprise.

"What….what did you say?"

"Marry me Padme….a life without you is something I cannot bare to think about. You said you would give your life for me…instead, give me the ultimate promise…make my dreams come true. Make the promise that you will always be mine."

"Anakin…being lovers is one thing….marriage is….harder to conceal….I…"

"Please Padme…I know it will be difficult and…I know that it is a big step for you and it is for me too. But there is something that is telling me this is right."

I sit back, looking into azure eyes where I try and find some hint that this is a big joke, that what he has just said is one of his pranks. But he is deadly serious, watching me back, waiting for my answer. But it's an answer I cannot give. Not right now, not when I start to think about everything our marriage would be founded upon. Betrayal, Deceit, secrets, lies, all things that I feel so strongly against.

But as I look Anakin over again and take in all his injuries, hear his shallow breathing haunting me from the medical bay, feel him collapse in my arms in the cave, I realise exactly how close I had come to losing him, and how much pain my worry and concern had caused me. And I realize that….I love him, that being kept apart from the funny little boy I knew 10 years ago, and seeing this grown, handsome Jedi Padawan lying helpless in front of me has altered my feelings and given me space for the one thing in my life I have denied myself since Palo. The chance to have a family, to have someone who cares so deeply and loves me so passionately beside me for eternity. My head is screaming at me to get a grip, but Anakin's warm gaze and soft touch melt the screams down and my heart can finally have its say.

"I feel it too. But there'll be risks. If the council finds out you could be expelled from the order! I don't want you ruining your future for me Anakin."

"I don't care. I would leave the order right now if you wanted me to."

"You're going to be away on missions all the time, you could die….you might never come back."

"I will always come back as long as you're waiting for me. Wild Nexu's and Bantha's couldn't keep me away, let alone a few battle droids and a sith lord or two."

"Ani….I love you so much…..I accept."

He gives a small laugh and hugs me tightly and I swear I can feel warm tears slipping down my shoulder. But I don't care, I hold him just as tightly, being careful of his burns and wounds, stroking his hair and laughing along with him.

"Padme Naberrie Amidala Skywalker….it has quite a ring to it."

"I can't believe I'm going to do this….where shall we get married?"

I see his eyes light up as he pulls away, obviously having this planned from the very moment he asked me….maybe even before hahhds.

"Naboo, away from prying eyes, safe in the lake country where no one can interfere."

I nod, picturing the scene in my head, but becoming slightly saddened at the thought that my family would be absent from my big day….the biggest day of my life. I instantly shake myself however, reminding myself that even if Anakin were allowed his family there he couldn't anyway. But something bothers me.

"Anakin…what about witnesses? We can't invite family or friends, but we can't invite strangers."

"Don't worry angel, I'll sort everything. You just concentrate on being beautiful….not that you need to try very hard."

I groan playfully and roll my eyes. I lean in so my head is resting on his brow, my lips just inches away from another tantalising kiss that makes me tingle with a new found excitement.

"Ani, that is one of the oldest lines in the book! Surly a Jedi can think of something better."

"Not really, seeing as most Jedi don't go around flirting with beautiful, impressionable senators. And besides, that line is better than the old 'Wanna come home with me so I can show you my lightsabre line."

I laugh gently and teasingly deliver the smallest of touches to his trembling lips. He tries to grab at them again, but voices and footsteps down the small hallway spring us apart, me kneeling on the floor, sliding my hand gently into his human one. And just in time as Obi-Wan and Bant re-appear, laughing and joking, Obi-Wan having changed into fresh Jedi tunics, the bruises on his face fading rapidly. Bant heads over to us, looking Anakin over.

"Well Anakin, I can see Senator Amidala has managed to perk you up a little. Now, I would rather we got some nutrients and fluids into your system before we start your physiotherapy, for the simple reason that you need them before we can begin anything remotely strenuous. It's dangerous running solely on adrenaline…Obi-Wan's been telling me how weak you've become after moving around. But of course it is your decision, if you still feel you want to begin now we can do."

I can see the flash of determination pass behind Anakin's eyes, but it rapidly disappears as I give his hand a small squeeze and a re-assuring smile. I will stick by him through whatever he decides to do, but I don't want to see him hurt again, and I mentally plead with him to take things slowly and easily.

He sighs and gives in to my pleading gaze that only he can see, murmuring some kind of acknowledgement to Bant who flashes a slight thankful smile in my direction. But as she leaves to get some medical equipment from the medical bay, she whispers in my ear. A whisper that at first makes my heart leap for joy…but then makes my blood run cold.

"I hope you and Anakin will be very happy together."