Disclaimer: It's George's sandbox. I just play here.
AN: Here's chapter 18! Thanks for all the great reviews!
Never Gone
Chapter 18: Return to Naboo
Jobal and Shmi sat in the living area, filling out invitations for their youngest children's wedding. Both women were enjoying themselves immensely, when they heard a commotion out on the veranda. They and Sola quickly got up to see what was going on.
"What in heaven's name is the matter?" Jobal asked, as Lea and Obi-Wan came rushing in, with Anakin and Padme behind them. Padme's security began darting around in different directions at Captain Typho's orders.
"There was another assassination attempt on Padme during the session," Lea informed her. Jobal looked as if she wanted to faint.
"No, not again. Oh Padme, when will you leave this life?" Jobal asked her daughter, who was still clinging to Anakin.
"Please mother...I can't talk about this right now," Padme replied, her voice shaking. Lea and Sola came to her and gently pried her from Anakin's arms.
"Let us help you out of this dress and get you relaxed," Sola said.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Anakin asked. She smiled slightly at him and nodded.
"I'll be okay Ani," she replied. But her eyes told him not to go far, for she needed him badly right now. He nodded and watched her go.
"Tell me the truth master Kenobi, how close was it this time?" Jobal asked. Obi-Wan sighed.
"If Anakin hadn't been in the pod with her, I don't know if she would have made it," Obi-Wan replied honestly.
"The assassin killed the hover engine in her pod and it was dropping fast. I was able to slow it down using the Force, but it was falling fast. Anakin used a grappling cable to hook onto the railing and swung them out of the pod," Obi-Wan told her. Jobal buried her face in her hands.
"Oh I do wish Anakin would try to talk her into retiring from this life," Jobal fretted.
"I'm afraid that it might not matter whether or not Padme stays in the Senate or not Mrs. Naberrie. I have a gut feeling that the bounty hunter was probably hired by Nute Gunray. He doesn't seem to care where she is, he only wants revenge on her for what happened ten years ago. I must go brief the council on what has happened," Obi-Wan said, as he excused himself and left in a speeder for the Temple.
Shmi touched her son's shoulder, as he stared out at the Coruscant skyline.
"I don't know what I'd do if I lost her mom," Anakin said, tears pooling in his eyes. Shmi took her only son in her arms and hugged him tightly.
"You won't lose her Ani. You're holding onto her far too tightly for that to happen," Shmi assured him.
"Terrible this is. A great advocate for us in the Senate, Senator Amidala is," Yoda said.
"Obi-Wan, are you certain that the bounty hunter was Aurra Sing?" Mace asked.
"Yes master, I'm positive. She masked herself well also. I believe that she has obviously been hired by Nute Gunray," Obi-Wan replied.
"It is curious that Anakin was able to sense her at all. Don't you find this a bit peculiar?" Ki-Adi Mundi asked.
"At first I did master, but the Force is extremely strong with Anakin, even though he is untrained. His senses were also acutely tuned to Padme, so it does not surprise me that he picked up on the danger directed at her," Obi-Wan replied.
"The Senator's safety must be taken into account. Visit with the Chancellor, master Windu and I will. May have to send her back into hiding, until caught the assassin can be," Yoda said. Obi-Wan nodded and proceeded to return to the Senator's apartment.
"Is she okay?" Anakin asked, as Sola and Lea came out.
"She's starting to calm down, but she's asking for you," Sola told him gently. Anakin went to their bedroom and let himself in. He saw her sitting on the padded window ledge where he usually saw her curled up reading a book. But now, she was curled up there, hugging a pillow and staring out the window. Lea and Sola had helped her out of the heavy senatorial gown and into a lighter royal blue dress which was sleeveless with a lower neck line. It looked much more comfortable then the gowns she had to wear to the Senate and he had to admit that he preferred her in the simple dress rather than the elaborate Senate costumes. He sat down beside her and she climbed into his lap, holding onto him, as if she were afraid he would disappear. She rested her head on his chest and he kissed her forehead.
"I'm frightened Anakin," she whispered.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you angel. They'll have to go through me first," he told her. She looked up into his eyes.
"All I've ever tried to do was serve my people Ani. Why do they want me dead?" she asked, tears threatening to fall from her brown eyes.
"And you do a wonderful job Padme. Your people couldn't ask for better representation. As for Gunray, he still seems to hold a grudge against you for what happened ten years ago. But we'll stop him angel and make sure that he is put in prison where he belongs this time," Anakin told her, trying to comfort her, as he held her tightly in his arms. He leaned down and kissed her deeply, letting her know that he no intention of leaving her side.
"I love you Ani," she said, as she snuggled deeper in his arms.
"I love you too angel," he replied, as he stroked his fingers through her long curls.
As predicted, Chancellor Palpatine suggested that Padme be moved into hiding on Naboo again. He set up a meeting with the Senator to discuss it with her the following morning.
Dorme finished zipping Padme's gown up and Padme thanked her. She was dreading this meeting. She knew that the Chancellor would give her an executive order to leave Coruscant until the assassin was captured. She joined hands with Anakin, as they were informed that the Chancellor was waiting for them in the sitting area. Upon her entrance, the Chancellor and his guest stood up to greet her.
"It warms my heart indeed to see that you unharmed after that awful ordeal yesterday," Palpatine said.
"Thank you Chancellor," Padme replied.
"And you Anakin. It seems that we owe the Senator's well being to you again. Your rescue was gallant and it was so fortunate that you were with her," Palpatine said.
"I'll never be anywhere else," Anakin replied.
"Forgive me, allow me to introduce my colleague. You've met him before when you were queen milady. This is captain Willhuff Tarkin, a very old friend of mine," Palpatine introduced. Tarkin raised Padme's hand to his lips and kissed it.
"It's is wonderful to see you again milady. We on Naboo are all relieved to see that the assassin was unsuccessful in her attempt," Tarkin said.
"Thank you captain," Padme replied.
"And you Skywalker. They're calling you a hero. It is good to finally meet the lucky man who has won our Amidala's heart. You are a verylucky man," Tarkin said, as he shook Anakin's hand. Anakin had been studying this man for the past few minutes and already didn't like him. He gave off the same vibes Anakin was always picking up from Palpatine and the Force was assuring him to keep Padme far away from this man. Anakin smiled and nodded.
"Nice to meet you too. And yes, I am very lucky, thank you," Anakin replied, taking Padme's hand in his own. Anakin's icy stare, however, did not match the warm words coming from his mouth. Tarkin received the silent message, telling him that he would be watching him, especially if it concerned Padme. The four of them sat down, so the Chancellor could discuss the situation with them.
"Padme, I know that it will deeply troubling to you to leave the Senate again. But we must think of your safety first. It just is not safe on Coruscant for you with such a large bounty on your head," Palpatine said.
"I suppose I have no choice then. You're giving me an executive order to leave?" Padme asked.
"I'm afraid it is in your best interest my dear. That is why I have brought Captain Tarkin along. His knowledge of politics is only second to mine. I will be placing him in the Senate to fill your position until that awful assassin is caught. He will communicate with you over the holocom on a daily basis to keep you up to speed with all the Senate dealings. You two will discuss motions and issues that need to be addressed and so forth," Palpatine explained. Padme fumed.
"Chancellor, no offense to Captain Tarkin, but I thought I would be allowed to choose who would stand in for me," Padme said.
"Oh, you've had so much to worry about milady. I simply believe that Captain Tarkin will serve Naboo the best in your absence," Palpatine replied. Padme fought down the urge to scream.
"Very well Chancellor. Captain Tarkin, I look forward to working with you," Padme replied politely, as the stood. Anakin and Padme saw them out. Padme let out a frustrated sigh and Anakin placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Tell me this isn't happening Ani," Padme said, nearly crying.
"I don't like him either angel. I got a really strange feeling from him," Anakin replied.
"That's because he's one of Palpatine's closest friends. Originally, Tarkin was from Eriadu. He and Palpatine met many years ago during Palpatine's time as Senator. Tarkin came to Naboo shortly after that and decided to stay, applying for citizenship shortly after. He and Palpatine share the same ideals. He'll support Palpatine one-hundred percent," Padme fretted.
"But you're still the Senator of Naboo. All decisions he makes have to be approved by you," Anakin replied, trying to comfort her. She nodded and laid her head against his shoulder.
The next morning, Obi-Wan and Lea were seeing Anakin and Padme off at her apartment. Chancellor Palpatine had made arrangements for them to travel on a vacationing yacht as a young husband and wife under an assumed name. The yacht would be making several stops, before reaching Naboo in three days. Once in Theed, they would be taking a Gungan sub through the core of the planet into an even deeper into the lake country this time to the lake palace of Ceres, which was Queen Jamilla's personal resort that she rarely used. It was even deeper and more secluded than Varykino. Lea, Shmi, Sola, and Jobal would be returning to Naboo aboard Padme's ship and Obi-Wan would be accompanying them in his star fighter. They would arrived at Ceres before Anakin and Padme.
"Well, we'll see you both in a few days. Be safe," Lea said, as she hugged them both.
"Well, Mr. And Mrs. Starkiller, we'll be seeing you both soon. Be mindful of the Force, Anakin," Obi-Wan told him.
"Starkiller?" Anakin laughed.
"What's wrong with it?" Obi-Wan frowned.
"Nothing Obi-Wan, it just sounds funny," Anakin replied.
"Well, I had to come up with something off the top of my head and that's what I came up with," Obi-Wan replied. Anakin and Padme waved goodbye, as they stepped into the air taxi and it took off.
Anakin and Padme boarded the luxurious yacht and it departed from Coruscant. They settled in the modest quarters assigned to them and curled up together on the sofa.
"You okay angel?" Anakin asked.
"I guess. I'm just worried Ani. I don't trust Palpatine and I don't trust Tarkin," Padme replied.
"I know, I don't either. But everything will work out. And who knows, Master Windu is looking into the capture of the assassin personally, so she could be caught any day now," Anakin replied. Padme nodded, as Anakin's hands moved up to massage her shoulders. She moaned, as he kissed her neck.
"How do you do it?" she asked.
"Do what angel?" he asked, still nuzzling her neck.
"Make me forget everything else, but this," she replied, as she kissed him passionately.
"Because this," he paused to kiss her lips again.
"This, meaning us, is the best thing that's ever happened to me," he replied. She smiled and kissed him again.
"Me too Ani," she replied, as they cuddled together.
Three days later, Anakin and Padme arrived in Theed. As they departed the yacht, Anakin opened his senses to the Force, sensing for danger. They arrived at the marina, where captain Typho awaited them. They boarded the sub and Typho piloted them through the core. Several hours later, the sub surfaced in the deepest parts of the Naboo lake country. The beauty and nature was even more lush and vibrant than that of Varykino. Anakin marveled at the sights, as he had done in Varykino. He knew that his mother was probably enjoying this new scenery immensely as well. They could see a large lake house in the distance and they knew that was there destination. They saw their family waiting for them on the dock. They smiled at each other and joined hands, both eager to see them...
"Senator Amidala has arrived safely on Naboo," Tarkin reported.
"Good, Gunray's assassin has come in handy. With her absence in the Senate, things will go much more smoothly," Palpatine said.
"But I thought I was to appear to uphold her views?" Tarkin questioned.
"You will for the time being. The time has not come yet, but it will. When it does, you will turn Naboo's support to me," Palpatine replied Tarkin nodded, as he stood next to Palpatine, looking out at the Coruscant skyline...