Chapter Two

Anakin sighed and rolled his eyes. Gods! Must his master be so slow! He was getting really hungry!

"Hurry up, Master! I'm getting even hungrier!"

Obi-Wan snorted,

"Yeah, is that even possible?"

"Gosh, Master. You're so mean." pouted Anakin.

"Ah, but only to you."

Anakin pouted somemore,

"Whatever, Master. Anyway, you any closer to me yet?"

"Yes, padawan. Almost." and just as Obi-Wan said that, he rounded the corner and walked to Anakin.

Anakin smiled and almost whooped from excitement,

"YES! Thank the Gods you're here. Now, LETS GO!"

He turned and slipped on a patch of mashed potatoes that were on the floor. He feel and banged his head on the door of Padmé's quarters, rather hard I must admit.

"Ahhh! HOLY MOTHER GODDESS! Owwwwwwwww...!" Anakin groaned. Obi-Wan covered his mouth with his hand to try and stifle the the smile that threatened to turn into a laugh. He couldn't help himself.

Obi-Wan burst into laughter.

"I'm sorry Padawan, you should have seen your face!" Obi-Wan said laughingly.

Anakin grunted and rubbed his head.

"It isn't that funny, Master!"

Inside her quarters Padmé peeled her eyes away from the book that she had been reading, that is, until the loud bang she had just heard. Now she heard laughing...What was going on out there?..The laughing peaked her curiosity. she had to go see what happened! Padmé, still holding her book, got up and opened the door. She stared in shock. Obi-Wan was standing in the middle of the hallway laughing his Jedi butt off and Anakin...well..he was laying on the floor, looking rather bemused. What's he doing down there? Padmé moved to take a step over him but the next thing she knew she had tripped, dropped her book, and now was falling. Suddenly a pair of strong hands were holding her around the waist. She looked up to see Obi-Wan's face very close to hers. She blushed and opened her mouth to speak --

"SON OF A BANTHA! Stupid book! THAT WAS MY EYE!"

Padmé blanched - That was not what at all I intended to say! As a matter of fact, that wasn't even my voice! Obi-Wan let go of her waist and they both turned to see Anakin sitting up, holding a book with one hand and rubbing the right side of his face with the other hand. He scowled and stood up infront of Padmé. He handed her the book.

"Here Padmé, I think this is yours."

She took the book and looked at him, trying not to laugh.

"Are you sure you're alright Ani?"

He snorted and rubbed his head. He looked at his boot which was covered with mashed potatoes.

"Oh yes, just peachy."

Obi-Wan smiled and looked down the hallway to see several people looking at them. Once they noticed the Jedi had noticed them they scurried back to their business.

"Well, Anakin, you still hungry?"

Anakin looked shocked. He opened his mouth, then closed it, and then opened it again.

"Ya know...I STILL AM! COME ON! LETS GO!"

He turned to go, walked a few feet but then turned around and looked and Padmé. He smiled sheepishly.

"Um...well...", he scratched the back of his head in embarassement, "which way is the cafeteria?"

Padmé laughed and started walking down the hall. She turned her head and called behind her back,

"Come on, just follow me. It isn't too far.

Soon they entered the cafeteria, with Anakin immediatly moving to the counters full of food. He stared at them, almost drooling right there in public. He quickly grabbed a plate and filled it high.

While he was doing this Padmé and Obi-Wan sat down at one of the tables. They looked at eachother.

Padmé tilted her head slightly,

"You know, Obi-Wan. I really find it highly unneccessary that you are here. I'm not saying that I don't want you here, quite the contrary, it's just..I can take care of myself. I see no reason for you to be here."

Obi-Wan smiled.

"I'm glad that you like me being here, but, we are here to protect you, m'lady, and that is what we shall do. All of us, even Anakin."

Obi-Wan smiled and rolled his eyes. Padmé mockingly scoffed at him. She folded her arms on the table.

"Oh shush, Obi-Wan. I believe Anakin can do extraordinary things when he puts his mind to it." she said smiling.

Obi-Wan just winked.

It wasn't until the next day that Padmé saw anything of her three Jedi protectors. Incidentally she was just getting dressed when Sabé opened her bedroom door and hurried in.

"M'lady! One of your Jedi protectors is here to see you."

Padmé, thinking it was Obi-Wan, hurried into her long dress of pale yellow, with the Royal Crest on the sides of the arms. She quickly hurried out into the living room, her steps slowed though as she saw Anakin , not Obi-Wan sitting on the couch waiting for her. She attempted a smile and stepped foreward.

"Hello, Ani. It's good to hear from your again."

Anakin stood up and bowed, he smiled.

"Yes, it is. I just came by to see how you were doing. I must admit, you look beautiful in that dress, Padmé" he said, with a loving smile.

Before she could sit down though, he stood up and took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.

"Padmé, I can't bear it anymore. I must tell you. I love you. Everyday, every hour for the last 10 years, I have thought of you. I can't get you out of my head."

And before she could muster an answer he moved his head down and kissed her. Padmé was so shocked, the only thing she could think of was kissing him back. Suddenly she pulled back and stared at him, eyes wide. She sputtered turning a shade of red, looking for words.

"Ah..I - I don't know what to say...I can't believe you did that, Anakin! I mean - I thought it was forbidden for a Jedi to love."

Anakin opened his mouth to speak but Padmé held up a silencing palm.

"No, Anakin. Please, just get out. I - need time to.."

TO THINK! I need major time! I can't believe he did that...

Anakin just shut his mouth, his lips going into a thin line. He bowed stiffly.

"Alright, m'lady. I'll leave. We shall see eachother soon." and he looked at her with a meaning in his eyes that she couldn't quite define. Padmé shuddered. Anakin left. She sighed and sat down on the couch in disbelief. She ran a hand through her hair. She was so shocked!

What am I going to do? He loves me, but..I only like him...Gods, I am so confused.

Obi-Wan and Siri were in their quarters sitting and laughing and talking when Anakin entered. He stormed in, his face set in an angry frown. Immediatly Siri and Obi-Wan stopped talking and stared at him. Anakin just kept on walking to his bedroom.

"What's your problem, Anakin?" Obi-wan asked.

Anakin opened his bedroom door, he turned his head.

"Nothing, Master."

And if sliding doors could slam, Anakin's would have as he shut it. Obi-Wan and Siri stared at eachother, each in mild shock. Obi-Wan shrugged carelessly.

"Eh, no worries, he'll get over whatever he's mad about."

Siri smiled.

"I'm not going to worry, unless it gets into something big." she frowned a bit.

"Ah, but you're worrying right now, I can tell from your frown." Obi-Wan said, teasingly.

Siri scowled and she punched his arm.

"Shut it, Kenobi."

The two Jedi laughed.

Anakin sat on the floor, his room was pitch black. He could hear his master and Siri laughing. He scowled. Suddenly his thoughts went back to Padmé, although he willed them not too. His eyes narrowed. She fears me, I can feel it. She doesn't like me. I'll find a way. I'll make her love me. I swear, I will.