Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. It's George's sandbox. I just play here.

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

Never Gone

Chapter 14: The Chancellor's Gala

Padme groaned as they entered the ball room. As she suspected, the entrance was crawling with holonet cameras and reporters. The reporters spotted her and began firing questions at her, while their cameras began rolling.

"Senator Amidala, rumor has it that Nute Gunray has increased the bounty on your head. How do you plan to deal with this threat?" one reporter asked.

"My security and the Jedi will see to my protection," Padme answered shortly.

"Senator, who is your handsome escort?" a female reporter asked, while eyeing Anakin up and down. And Padme then remembered why she loathed the holonet gossip reporters.

"Hands off you prowling nexu," Padme growled to herself. She gripped Anakin's arm tighter and gave them the truth, an answer which they wouldn't be expecting. She had often been portrayed as a cold, business woman with no time or want for a personal life. While that was the impression she may have given off, this would be one reputation she would enjoy changing.

"This is my fiancé, Anakin Skywalker. Now, if you'll excuse us," Padme said, as she and Anakin headed into the ballroom, leaving the buzzing reporters behind. Anakin looked perplexed by the entire spectacle.

"Don't worry Ani, you'll get used to this too. It's all a part of being in the public eye," she replied, easing his nervousness a bit. Padme and Anakin, along with Lea and Obi-Wan began making the rounds to greet some of Padme colleagues. A while later, Obi-Wan and Anakin stood off to the side while Padme and Lea conversed with some of Padme's friends. Obi-Wan gulped down the last of his third drink and decided it was time to talk with Anakin.

"Geez Obi-Wan, how do you drink this stuff so fast and not get drunk?" Anakin asked, as his drink was refilled only for the second time. Obi-Wan chuckled.

"Experience, my very young friend," he replied.

"So, what did you want to talk to me about earlier?" Anakin asked.

"Anakin, since we met again, I've sensed how strongly the Force imparts to you. I realize that a lot of that has to do with your extremely high midichlorian count. But that still doesn't explain how you knew how to do some of the things I've seen you do," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin shrugged.

"I don't know, I just listen to the Force and do what it tells me to do," Anakin replied.

"You say that like you're actually hearing a voice," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin looked at him nervously.

"I am," he replied.

"What are you so nervous about telling me?" Obi-Wan asked.

"You're not going to like what I tell you, that's why I'd rather not," Anakin replied.

"Anakin, I'm not going to be angry with you for telling me the truth," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin took a deep breath.

"Okay then. I hear the Force through Master Qui-Gon. He's the one that's been guiding me all these years and he's the one that instructs me on how to use the Force," Anakin told him honestly. Obi-Wan's face betrayed no emotion, but Anakin could tell that the news was shocking to Obi-Wan.

"Anakin...I don't really think that's possible. Qui-Gon Jinn is dead. I saw him murdered before my own eyes," Obi-Wan replied, carefully controlling the emotion in his voice.

"I know...I didn't think it was possible at first either, at least since I wasn't a Jedi. Doesn't...doesn't he speak to you too?" Anakin asked hesitantly.

"No," Obi-Wan replied coldly. Anakin winced. He had been afraid of this and he wasn't really sure why Qui-Gon had chosen to speak to him and not Obi-Wan.

"I'm sorry Obi-Wan, I don't know what to say. I didn't ask for this. But the powers that I've used have helped me save Padme, so I'm not sorry for that," Anakin replied.

"But you are not a Jedi and you should be very careful about using such powers that you do not understand," Obi-Wan replied.

"But I am learning to..." Anakin started, but Obi-Wan cut him off.

"No, you do not understand. Using the Force the way you do takes years of careful training, which you have not had. It is dangerous for you to use such powers that you do not fully understand. You've answered my questions, but if you'll excuse me now, I need another drink," Obi-Wan said, as he walked off. Anakin stared after him, wondering what he had done. Lea had watched the whole exchange with much interest and excused herself to find Obi-Wan. She found Obi-Wan outside on the terrace downing what was probably his fourth or fifth drink.

"Careful Kenobi, or you'll be in no condition to perform security if you keep downing those," Lea warned.

"Excuse me Lea, but I'd like to be alone right now," Obi-Wan replied.

"And I'd like a million credits," Lea replied sarcastically.

"What in the world did Anakin say to you that could make you so upset?" Lea asked.

"It's nothing Anakin did, it's not really his fault," Obi-Wan replied.

"Well, from the crestfallen look on his face, he sure thinks it is. He may be marrying my cousin Obi-Wan, but he's still young and impressionable. Don't you see how much he looks up to you?" Lea asked.

"I thought I asked to be alone," Obi-Wan replied.

"Well, we don't always get what we want, now do we?" Lea responded shortly, as she shivered from the cool night air.

"You're freezing, you should go back inside," Obi-Wan insisted.

"I'm fine," she replied.

"At least take my cloak then," Obi-Wan replied. She looked at him and then nodded, allowing him to place it around her shoulders.

"Thanks," she replied, as she took the drink from his hand and gulped it down. Obi-Wan looked at her incredulously.

"Force, slow down, or you'll be drunk in no time. That's pure Corellian brandy," Obi-Wan said. Lea scoffed.

"Please Jedi, I bet I could drink you under the table," Lea replied. Obi-Wan smirked.

"I doubt that. I hold my liquor well," Obi-Wan replied.

"As do I, master Jedi," she replied slyly. The way she said master Jedi sent a shiver up Obi-Wan's spine. Before he knew what was happening, her lips were inching closer to his. He did nothing to stop it when her lips brushed his. He started to kiss back, when he suddenly realized what was happening. He pulled away quickly and stepped back.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," Obi-Wan replied quickly, as he fled from the terrace, leaving a confused Lea behind...

Anakin sighed and finished his second glass of wine. He looked over at his angel, who was looking back at him, pleading with her eyes for him to come save her. She was trapped talking to a human senator, at least twenty years her senior. Anakin watched the man's eyes roam over Padme's body, while he carried on some inane conversation with her. Anakin set his glass down and stalked over to them.

"You look very beautiful tonight Senator. Can I interest you in a drink with me outside on the terrace," the other Senator asked smoothly. Padme smiled, as she saw Anakin approaching.

"I'm going to have to decline that offer Senator," Padme replied shortly, as Anakin came up beside her, sliding his arm around her waist.

"Senator Turles, have you met my fiancé Anakin Skywalker?" Padme asked innocently, enjoying the look of disappointment on the man's face.

"No, it's nice to meet you Anakin," the man faked a smile, as he shook Anakin's hand. Anakin stared into him with his piercing blue eyes and squeezed his hand, trying to intimidating him. It worked, as the senator tried to release his hand from Anakin's vice-like grip.

"It was nice meeting you Senator," Anakin replied, as he led Padme away. Padme giggled, once they were out of earshot.

"I don't think he'll be bothering you again, angel," Anakin replied, with a smile. Anakin pulled her out onto the dance floor and pulled her close, as they began dancing. Padme was vaguely aware of the holonet cameras that had been following them all night, but she didn't really care if they saw this new side of her anymore. The man who held her in his arms had turned the stoic, cold Senator Amidala into a passionate, hopelessly in love Senator Amidala and Padme liked the new change.

"What's bothering you Ani?" she asked.

"It's Obi-Wan, I upset him and I didn't mean to," Anakin replied.

"How did you upset him?" Padme asked.

"Well, you remember how I told you about Qui-Gon?" Anakin asked. She nodded.

"Obi-Wan asked me some questions about how I was able to use the Force so well, so I told him," Anakin replied.

"And he didn't take it well," Padme finished. Anakin nodded.

"Ani, you didn't do anything wrong. Obi-Wan will come around," Padme assure him.

"I hope so," he replied, with a sigh.

"This boring gala is winding down. I think we should be able to slip out now, if you want," Padme said, biting her lips playfully.

"Please. No offense angel, but these parties are pretty boring," Anakin replied.

"I know, I hate them too, love. So what do you say we go home...and make a party of our own?" Padme asked, her eyes locking with his. Anakin saw the hunger in her eyes and felt the heat spread through his body. They met up with Obi-Wan and Lea at the door. Both noticed the thick tension between them, but neither seemed to want to talk about it.

The ride home was silent and the tension between Obi-Wan and Lea thick enough to slice with a light saber. Padme wondered what in the world could have happened between them to cause this, but her cousin was very distant. Padme knew she would open up when she was ready, so for tonight, she decided to focus on the handsome man standing next to her. She smiled and took Anakin's hand, leading him into the bedroom...

Lea changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed. She couldn't stop thinking about that kiss. It was still burning on her lips. He had started to kiss back, but then pulled away so suddenly. She tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable, but her eyes refused to close and she laid wide awake, knowing sleep would not come easy tonight. Little did she know, she was not the only one having trouble sleeping...

In the spare bedroom down the hall, Obi-Wan laid wide awake as well. The kiss she had given him had impacted him much more than he wanted to admit. Jedi were not supposed to feel like this! He tossed and turned some more, before finally giving up on sleep and going out to the terrace. Perhaps some meditation would help him clear his thoughts...and feelings...