Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. Nor do I own the lyrics to the song, Never Gone, by BSB.

AN: Thanks for all the great reviews everyone! Enjoy the chapter!

Never Gone

Chapter 3: Fireplace Confessions

After dinner, Anakin and Padme retired to the sitting room before the roaring fireplace. The room was lit only by the fire and they curled up on the couch together. Padme rested her head against his shoulder and enjoyed the feeling of his arms around her. Anakin looked down at the woman in his arms with something akin to awe. He didn't know what he had done to deserve her, but he never wanted to let her go. He was in love with her and he realized that this was the perfect setting to tell her how he felt.

"Padme?" he asked. She lifted her head from his shoulder and turned to face him, as he took her hands in his.

"What is it Ani?" she asked. He reached up and caressed her cheek softly.

"You're so beautiful. Do you know how amazingly beautiful you are?" he questioned. Padme blushed and looked down.

"Ani," she protested.

"That was the first thing I thought, all those years ago. I knew you had to be an angel. Only an angel could be that beautiful. From the moment I first met you, all those years ago, not a day has gone by when I haven't thought of you. And now that I'm with you again, I never want to be apart from you. I...I love you Padme, I always have. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I...I don't have much to offer you. I know you probably have tons of suitors lined up. They can probably offer you wealth and prestigious names. All I can offer you is my heart and my undying love for you. And the promise that I'll cherish you forever and spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy," Anakin confessed. By now, Padme was trying very hard to keep the tears from falling down her cheeks.

"Oh Anakin, your love is all I'll ever want or need. Wealth and family names mean nothing to me, but you mean everything to me. You always have, ever since I met you. I love you too Anakin," Padme confessed, thoughtfully twirling the charm bracelet around her wrist. One of the charms on it caught Anakin's attention.

"You still have this?" Anakin asked, as he examined the japor snippet that was attached to the bracelet.

"Of course I do Ani, it's very special to me. Like you," she replied, as she kissed his cheek.

"I truly, deeply, love you Anakin," she told him, as she gazed into his eyes. Anakin lowered his lips on to hers and kissed her gently.

"Padme..." Anakin said nervously.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Will you...will you marry me?" Anakin stuttered. This time, she couldn't stop the tears from falling. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

"Yes, I'll marry you," she said, as she broke the embrace momentarily. Anakin smiled and resumed kissing her over and over again. Their kisses became more heated, as the passion between them began to surface. It overwhelmed their senses, taking control. They broke the long, heated kiss. Both breathed in air with ragged gasps, as they pressed their foreheads together, their lips red and swollen. Padme smiled and giggled a little. Anakin smiled.

"What?" he asked.

"You're an amazing kisser for someone who's never kissed anyone before," she giggled. He blushed slightly.

"Well, you're not so bad yourself. Besides, kissing someone as beautiful as you isn't exactly hard," he retorted.

"You're sweet," she replied. Her face fell slightly into a frown and Anakin looked at her with concern.

"What is it Padme?" he asked.

"I don't know, I guess the reality is starting to catch up to me. A...a few days ago, when the attempts on my life were happening, I wasn't really too worried. All that mattered to me was doing my duty to the Republic," Padme said.

"And now?" Anakin asked. She smiled slightly.

"Since the moment you walked back into my life, I've realized how much was missing from that life of duty. I've finally found love...and I guess now I'm afraid," she replied.

"Afraid of what angel?" he asked, as he stroked her cheek. She blushed slightly, as he called her that.

"I'm afraid that we'll be torn apart...if another attempt on my life is successful," Padme replied, as a few tears escaped her eyes. Anakin gently wiped them and pulled her into his arms.

"I won't let anything happen to you Padme. I couldn't bare to lose you," Anakin said in her ear, as she buried her face in his chest. She looked up at him and he pressed a tender kiss to her lips.

"No harm will come to you Padme, I promise," he told her. Padme hugged him tightly and they stayed that way for a long while. Reluctantly, they broke the embrace, as it began to get late.

"We should get some sleep if we're going to see my parents tomorrow," Padme said. Anakin nodded and escorted Padme to her room, where they parted with a goodnight kiss. Anakin went into the room next to hers and retired for the night.

The next morning, Anakin was up at sunrise. He was used to getting up very early on the moisture farm and it had become a habit. He heard soft footsteps behind him and turned to see Padme, clad in a silk, white nightgown and a blue corded robe. He smiled at her.

"You're up early," Anakin said.

"I'm usually up by this time getting ready for early morning meetings," Padme replied. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a soft kiss.

Later, Anakin was waiting for Padme to finish getting ready and come join him for breakfast. Soon, he heard her voice in the kitchen. She was talking with someone and she sounded upset. He quickly went to see what was wrong.

"I am sorry milady, but we cannot change our location without approval from the Jedi Council," Sev insisted.

"Well, you had better get approval. We're going to my parents' house for the day and we'll be returning here this evening. Anakin and I have something very important to tell them," Padme insisted.

"I'm sorry Senator, but you must remain here until further notice from the Jedi Council. Master Kenobi has yet to find the one behind the assassination attempts on your life," Sev replied.

"Master Urkin, I assure you that going to visit my parents will be very safe. I've kept my personal life very secret in order to protect them. Not many know much about my family," Padme insisted.

"Yes, but they live rather close to Theed and it is not safe," Sev argued.

"I think we'll be safe Master Urkin. It's been a very long time since Padme's seen her family," Anakin added, as he came into the kitchen and stood beside Padme.

"I am in charge of security boy and I will decide where we go and where we stay. Now, if there is anymore discussion, I may be forced to contact the temple and tell them that you need another executive order telling you to do what I tell you," Sev barked. Padme grit her teeth and then quickly quelled her temper, before storming off. It had taken years for Anakin to learn to keep his temper under control like Padme. In his early teen years, he was notorious for losing his temper and even got into a few fights because of it. So, Shmi began to come up with creative ways to teach Anakin not to act on his anger, for she knew that he would always regret doing or saying anything he did in anger. For every time Anakin lost his temper, he was given a chore that his mother knew that he particularly hated. After Anakin built up enough chores, he began to realize that learning to control his temper was much easier than spending hours doing menial tasks instead of working in his garage, where he wanted to be. But now, this guy was pushing it. He didn't like they way the Jedi spoke down to him, but he really didn't like the way he spoke to Padme. Giving the Jedi a hard stare, Anakin left to find Padme.

"Padme?" Anakin called, as he stepped out onto the veranda. He found her by the railing, where they had shared their first kiss.

"Angel, are you okay?" he asked, as he put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine Ani, just frustrated with this whole situation," Padme replied.

"I know. Do you think your family would come up here for the day if you asked them to? We can tell them that we're engaged at lunch and then we can spend the whole day with them here," Anakin suggested. Padme smiled and gave him a tender kiss.

"That's a great idea Ani, I'll go call them right now," she said, as he went to use the holocom. She came back about ten minutes later with a big smile on her face and she wrapped her arms around Anakin's neck.

"They're coming! They'll be here in a couple hours. I told them you were here and they can't wait to meet you," she smiled, as he dark curls, which were held back by a blue headband, swayed in the breeze.

"I can't wait to meet them either," Anakin replied.

Two hours later, Anakin and Padme waited by the dock to greet the Naberrie family. Anakin was secretly nervous about meeting them. What if they thought he wasn't good enough for their Padme? What if they didn't like the idea of her marrying someone who used to be a slave. A dozen other ridiculous ideas ran through his head, until he felt Padme squeeze his hand.

"They're going to love you Ani, don't worry so much," Padme said. Anakin's mouth dropped open.

"How did you know what I was thinking?" Anakin asked. She giggled.

"Because I know you. When you're nervous, you fidget and run your hands through your hair. You keep fidgeting with your belt and you just ran your hands through your hair three times in the last five minutes. Relax baby," she said, as she wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him passionately for a moment.

"You're amazing. I have to be the luckiest man in the galaxy," Anakin replied, as she broke the kiss. Padme smiled and was going to kiss him again, but a female voice interrupted their tender embrace.

"Padme!" Jobal Naberrie exclaimed.

"Mom!" Padme said, as she ran to hug her mother.

"Oh, we've missed you so much Padme," Jobal said.

"I know mom, I've missed all of you too," Padme said.

"Well, there's my youngest daughter. It's about time you came home," Ruwee Naberrie said from behind.

"Daddy!" Padme exclaimed, as she hugged him. They broke the hug and Padme hugged Sola next.

"I've missed you little sister," Sola said.

"I've missed you too," she replied. She released Sola's hand and walked over to Anakin, taking both his hands in hers. She led him over to her family.

"Mom, dad, Sola, this is Anakin Skywalker," Padme introduced.

"It's wonderful to meet you Anakin," Jobal said, shaking his hand.

"It's wonderful to meet you too Ms. Naberrie," Anakin said.

"Good to meet you Anakin," Ruwee said, shaking his hand.

"It's nice to meet you too sir," Anakin replied. Sola was next and she decided that a handshake was not enough. Instead, she hugged him. Anakin smiled and hugged back, taking this as a gesture of immediate acceptance.

"It's nice to meet you Anakin. Padme has told me all about you," Sola smiled. Anakin blushed a little.

"Where are Darred and the girls?" Padme asked.

"He took them to visit his parents for a few days," she replied.

"Well, lunch should be ready, so how about we go eat," Padme suggested.

"Sounds good to me. It'll give us all a chance to talk and get to know you a little better Anakin," Jobal said.

"So Anakin, Padme tells us that you're excellent at fixing things," Ruwee said. Anakin glanced at Padme and smiled.

"Yes sir," Anakin replied.

"I have this trusty old speeder that I'm about ready to scrap. I really love that old speeder, but no mechanic will touch her. Padme insists that you could fix it," Ruwee said.

"I would love to give it a look," Anakin replied. Ruwee smiled. So far, he really liked this boy. That Jedi Knight that was guarding his daughter was a different story, however. He remained silent in the corner of the room with a frown on his face. Padme glanced at Anakin for a moment and he nodded.

"Anakin and I have something to tell all of you," Padme announced.

"What is it Padme?" Jobal asked. Anakin gave her a half smile and she smiled back.

"Anakin and I are engaged," Padme beamed. Sola and Jobal broke into grins and were immediately out of their seats hugging both Padme and Anakin. Ruwee smiled and patted Anakin on the back.

After lunch, the women went into the kitchen, while Ruwee and Anakin continued to talk.

"Master Jedi, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?" Ruwee said.

"Go ahead," Sev replied, his voice devoid of any emotion.

"I am very concerned for my daughter's safety. I believe the situation is more serious than she is letting on," Ruwee said.

"There have been two assassination attempts. Master Obi-Wan Kenobi is leading the investigation. All other information is classified," Sev replied.

"I am her father, I would like to know," Ruwee insisted.

"I'm sorry mister Naberrie, but I can't divulge anymore information. Now, if you'll excuse me," Sev said, as he left the room.

"I didn't get much out of him either. It's like talking to a stump," Anakin said. Ruwee chuckled.

"I think I would prefer the stump," Ruwee joked. Anakin laughed.

"I had that speeder towed. What do you say we go look at it?" Ruwee said.

"Sounds great," Anakin said, as he followed Ruwee outside.

"I can't believe it, you're finally going to get married. We wondered if we were ever going to see this day," Sola said.

"I know, I'm still adjusting to the feeling. It happened so fast, but I love him so much," Padme replied.

"Well, that's all that matters little sister. And it's obvious he loves you. I can tell just by the way he looks at you. And he certainly is nice to look at," Sola giggled, as Padme blushed.

"He is handsome, isn't he?" Padme smiled.

"Oh definitely little sister. You're a lucky woman," Sola said. Padme nodded with a smile, in complete agreement.

Something was wrong...very, very wrong with this picture. That's what was running through Obi-Wan Kenobi's mind, as he watched the clones go through their daily regimented programming. This was so very wrong. An army for the Republic commissioned by a Jedi. It certainly sounded preposterous, but he sensed no deception from the Kaminoans. What they were telling him was true, or at least they truly believed what they told him was true. He was very interested in meeting this Jango Fett. He quietly followed Taun We, who was taking him to do just that...

"There's a Jedi here, you need to leave. Tyrannus has informed me that the Senator is on her home planet of Naboo. Don't fail this time Zam," Jango ordered. She nodded and took her leave. Zam had failed in her attempt to kill Amidala last time, but she would not fail this time. She had almost been caught by Kenobi, but she was able to easily evade the other Jedi that was with him. Zam Wessel boarded her ship and left Kamino setting her coordinates for Naboo...