Author's Note: Hopeless4Life – Thank you! I'm so happy you liked it! Sorry the updates haven't been as frequent, but real life is out of control! Hellish Red Devil – I'm so glad you like how I'm working all the characters in, it's tough when you have a pretty large cast. Thanks for the kudos – it really means a lot! Meandmysharpie – I'm so glad you're on the road to recovery! Hooray! I appreciate the review – glad you like TX-306. She's kinda hard to write, but there's a lot of comedic opportunity so she's worth it! Hope you all enjoy the next chapter! Let me know!

APARTMENT OF DAKE AND KAHLA, EVENING

"Oh my," Siri fretted, taking in the scene before her.

There was Obi-wan, continuing to fill Anakin's glass even as it overflowed, the excess liquid forming a bubbly puddle on the elegant table. The Jedi Master dutifully ignored the spill and took another gulp from his tall glass.

"Wouldn't Master Windu be scandalized?" Padme commented lightly, retrieving a towel from the kitchen. Tossing it into the living room, it landed squarely on Anakin and he jumped, completely surprised by its appearance.

"Scandalized doesn't begin to cover it," came Siri's honest response as she plucked the towel off Anakin's shoulder. "If Master Windu were here, those veins would be popping out on his forehead." She shuddered, wiping up the mess. "When that happens, you know it's over."

Padme laughed as Anakin launched into a defense of his attire on Dancing with the Star Wars.

"No, Master! I did not choose to have those sparkles on my costumes," he insisted passionately. "The costume droids did that - but I went in there with my light saber and I set them straight. They wouldn't dare try that this time."

Turning away from the escalating argument, Padme shook her head. "See what you've missed by being away the past few years?" she teased wryly. She caught a look of sadness on Siri's face before the Jedi forced a grin and drained the remaining contents of her glass.

"Good thing I'm here now," Siri retorted. Standing up, she shook her head at the two drowsy Jedi. "I think they'd better get some sleep. Tomorrow morning is going to arrive awfully quickly."

Padme nodded and winced as Anakin gestured with the towel, nearly taking out the lamp on the corner table. "Who knew learning how to skate backwards would be such a cause for celebration?"

With a snort of laughter, the two women headed into the living room.

APARTMENT OF LIRI AND KAIDE, SOMETIME AFTER MIDNIGHT

She was standing on a planet of fire, chunks of molten rocks raining down around her pregnant form. Her tear filled eyes drew upward, finally coming to rest on the face of her husband. She took in his appearance: windblown hair, parted lips, straight nose. All were features she had come to know so well. And yet, it wasn't quite the face she recognized. Not really.

She started to move towards him, but was halted by the change in his eyes. Once a beautiful blue, they now seared her into silence with a yellow glare. The realization caused something in her to bloom to life, something she never thought she'd feel. Not from her Ani.

She felt threatened.

He raised a hand towards her, drawing his fingers together menacingly. She immediately began to choke, her lungs straining for a breath of the acrid air. Bewildered and frightened, she stumbled forward, seeking the location of her executioner.. just as it slammed into her with deadly certainty.

Her Ani was doing this.

It was him.

ANI!

With a gasp, she sat up in bed and pressed a hand to her chest, drinking in gulps of fresh air. Her fingers flew to her throat, massaging the sensitive area as she probed it for damage. Nothing.

It was just a dream.

She repeated the mantra in her head until she calmed down. Just a dream... An unfortunate side effect of the wine. She swallowed painfully, realizing her ragged breathing had left her parched. Careful not to wake Anakin, she eased out of bed and threw a robe over her shoulders, knotting the ties securely around her mid-section. She cast a glance over her shoulder and saw Anakin burrow further under the covers, his arm clutching the pillow. So peaceful, so serene...

Still shaken, she twirled a curl of mahogany hair in her fingers and let the door slide closed behind her. She headed for the kitchen and poured herself a large glass of water, taking it onto the balcony where she studied the lights in the distance.

"You know, it's not too safe for you to be out here by yourself, Senator," a voice whispered.

Her heart leaping into her throat, Padme turned to find Siri sitting on the adjoining balcony.

"Siri!" she cried softly, sinking onto a bench. "Force! You frightened me!"

"You should be frightened," Siri admonished. "You shouldn't be out here at this late hour, unprotected."

"I know. I just needed some air. Couldn't sleep."

There was a moment of silence while Siri searched Padme's feelings through the Force. There was apprehension there, along with a fierce sense of protectiveness. She was going to have to tread very carefully.

"I was awakened by a disturbance in the Force," Siri offered quietly. "Obi-wan and Anakin would have been here, light sabers blazing, had I not blocked them from it. Of course, it also helped that they had polished off a full bottle of wine."

Padme gave her a wry smile before admitting, "It was a dream." Then, more forceful, "A silly nightmare, nothing more."

"It was clearly powerful if it was enough to send ripples through the Force."

"Aren't all nightmares powerful at first?" she wondered. "It wasn't like the other times - those horrible visions Jarrick sent me. Honest."

Siri still had her suspicions, but understood Padme's reluctance to voice her fear. Whatever had frightened her was something she didn't want to relive. At least not yet.

"I'll let it go this time, Padme, but you have to promise me something."

"Yes?"

"If you get any other weird vibes or dreams, you come straight to me," Siri insisted. "I know you don't want to trouble Anakin, but we can't have you hiding things. We need to know what we're dealing with, okay?"

Closing her eyes, Padme remembered Anakin's brush with the Dark side - how easily he had thrown off the effects of Jarrick's weapon, just by letting his fear for her overcome his senses. No matter what happened, she vowed to never let it come to that ever again.

Still, she couldn't keep it from everyone. That type of deception could prove even more dangerous.

Determinedly, she fixed a firm stare on Siri and promised, "Okay. I will."

"I have your word?" At Padme's nod, she continued. "Well, you'd better get back to sleep. I know Threepio has a big day planned for us tomorrow. I can only imagine what that droid of yours has in store."

"Oh, don't get me started," she replied, putting a hand to her head.

Siri smiled at her friend warmly. "Sleep well."

"Thank you. You too."

PRACTICE RINK B - NEXT MORNING

"This morning's objective: learning the couples spin. Please observe," TX-306 ordered, flicking on a step-by-step teaching hologram.

The couple soared across the ice, their movements perfectly timed and choreographed. As they entered a turn, they slowed their speed and the woman looped her leg around her partner's waist, the resulting momentum initiating the spin. Their bodies were pressed together seamlessly and the effect was breathtaking. Just as gracefully, they released each other and skated away.

Anakin made a gruff sound as the image blinked off, earning him an elbow in the side from his wife.

"Behave," she warned, her laughing eyes belying the stern tone of her voice.

"The arena is spinning enough already," he whispered fervently. "I don't want to make it worse."

Giving him a sympathetic look, Padme nonetheless took his hand in hers and began to skate, forcing him to keep up. Side-by-side, they glided around the rink, slowing up slightly as they had been instructed. As the chime echoed through the arena, Padme brought her leg up, locking it around Anakin's waist.

For a brief moment, their bodies moved in a tight circle, the technique perfect in its synchronization. Anakin felt a surge of pride as the world swirled around them. Beautiful. Sensing the spin was drawing to a close, Anakin released his grip...

And sent Padme hurtling across the ice, her arms flailing in an attempt to regain balance. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful and collided with TX-306's hoversled, the impact sending her to the ground.

"Error!" TX-306 shrieked. "Critical mistake: slamming Liri into hoversled. Correct action: Skating past hoversled and continuing routine."

"Liri!" Anakin cried, ignoring the agitated droid. "Are you all right?" Extending his hand apologetically, he thought he saw a flash of fear flood her gaze. But when he blinked, she was only looking up at him with a sardonic smile.

"Guess we'd better work on that release," she suggested, accepting his hand and getting to her feet.

A stirring of unrest permeating his heart, Anakin scanned the surrounding area before returning to Padme's side.

PRACTICE RINK C - SAME TIME

"Come on, Dake!" Siri trilled, smiling inwardly as Obi-wan cringed.

"Really, Kahla, must you be so loud?" he groaned, massaging his temples.

"Who me?" she asked innocently. Then, more boisterous, "Of course!"

Threepio eased forward, his manner even more nervous than usual. Timidly, he began to speak, "Today we will be continuing the routine. Perhaps we should have you get in your starting position."

Slowly, Siri faced Obi-wan and laced her fingers with his. She felt the familiar warmth sink into her skin and she shivered slightly, caught off guard by the sensation.

"Siri?" Obi-wan whispered, squeezing her hands gently.

Breathless, she replied, "Yes?"

"You could heal me, you know," he prompted. "Ease this headache a little bit."

"Oh, but where's the fun in that?" she joked, hiding her disappointment.

"Siriiiiiii," he begged, knowing she could never resist his pleas.

"Fine," she relented. "Close your eyes."

Immediately, he obeyed. She used the opportunity to her advantage and studied his face freely, thrilling at the sight of him so unguarded and relaxed. He's so handsome, so calm.

So bloody noble.

That last thought came through harshly and she pushed it aside, giving herself a stern talking-to. Get a grip, Siri! What's done is done. He did the right thing, you know that!

Finally, she let her own eyes close and reached into the Force. Obi-wan's signature shone brightly and she went towards it, wincing sympathetically at the dull pain that consumed him. As she had done so many times before, she bound herself to him, replacing the discomfort with her soothing presence. His relief was immediate and palpable, yet she still hovered, basking in their connection. Force, I missed him. She gave one last sigh and withdrew, returning to her senses with a snap.

He was looking at her in surprise and she felt her cheeks flush in awareness. Oh no. Clearing her throat, she backed away and dropped his hands as if they burned her.

"Threepio, I think I need a few more minutes to warm up, okay?" she called. Hearing the droid's acknowledgement, she skated away, her movements so quick Obi-wan could feel the breeze brush his cheek.

He glanced down at his hands, startled by how empty they felt.