Disclaimer: This story includes excerpts of the movie Star Wars. The characters and idea of Star Wars is property of George Lucas. I'm borrowing the characters as respectfully as possible, simply to entertain myself and anyone willing to read this fanfiction.
AN: just a short thing I'm afraid. But something that makes me feel all warm and tingly on the inside, so I think it's kinda special. I just thought that waking up by the hum of a lightsaber could rattle your cage a little :) Yes, it is taking a while before the two come together, but anything really good is worth the wait, remember that! I hope I'm portraying Padme as a good character, not some weak woman who'll break down at anything and rushes to her jedi protector. Comments, praise and flames, are all welcome!

Peace of Heart

Night of the assassins

Ever since the weight of Anakin on her bed and the hum of his lightsaber had woken her from a rather pleasant dream about Obi-wan Padme had been wide awake. A little adrenaline was still flowing through her veins and it made her feel nervous and on edge. She had been shocked when Anakin had killed the two kouhuns. No, strike that, she had been terrified for a second. Anyone would be severely shaken when roused from their sleep by a deadly weapon hovering over their face, just a split second after killing two poisonous creatures creeping up their body. And to top it all off she had the sensation her heart had jumped out of her chest when Obi-wan jumped out that window. She didn't even know there was a droid hovering outside at the time!

A shiver went through her. Her two jedi protectors were still not back and she was extremely worried. Nervously she paced up and down the room. Captain Typho and her two handmaidens were present, and had already asked her to calm down and sit. But how could she when Obi-wan and Anakin were out there? They could be in danger, hurt even. She froze. Maybe even killed…

She started pacing even faster. No, no, no, she thought, they can't be dead, he can't dead! I'd know if that would happen. Force sensitive or not, I'd know!

When behind her the elevator announced someone was here her heart skipped a beat and the knot in her stomach twisted painfully. She quickly turned on her heels and sighed in relief when the two jedi stepped out. Obi-wan came right at her and a welcome numbness came over her. He was here now, unharmed and looking healthy as ever. The knot disappeared and her heart calmed down. She was staring at him, she knew, but really didn't care at the moment. She had thought of scolding him for recklessly jumping out windows unto unknown droids, but just couldn't find her voice to do so.

"Milady"

Obi-wan stopped in front of her and bowed. She could only look at him and resist the urge to reach out and touch him. The comfort of his touch was something she really could use right about now.

"We tracked down the bountyhunter responsible for this attack."

Padme just nodded. Captain Typho stepped forward and asked Obi-wan a few questions. Stunned she listened to Obi-wan's summary of their adventure. Two things stood out clearly to her. These bountyhunters were taking things extremely far with amazing resources, and the duo of jedi before her was incredible.

"Milady," Obi-wan said turning back to her, "I think it would be best if someone keep guard in your bedroom for the remainder of the night, along with R2."

For a second she was frozen, unable to think straight

"Do you think the bountyhunter will make another attempt, master Kenobi?" asked Captain Typho.

Obi-wan looked thoughtful for a moment. Then he sighed. "I don't know. Perhaps not, but it's not a risk I'm willing to take right now."

Personally she didn't think the bountyhunter would make another attempt, not after this failed one, but she felt rather exposed and a little scared. Stepping over her pride and she accepted Obi-wan's suggestion.

"If you feel it's necessary, master Kenobi."

The look in his eyes told her he most certainly did, and it gave her a warm feeling of security he was so protective about her. She knew it was his assignment, but somehow it felt personal to her.

"I can guard her personally," Captain Typho offered.

But there was only one person she wanted close at this moment. She tried to make her voice sound as business-like and unaffected as possible.

"Thank you Captain, but given the extraordinary circumstances I'd feel better if one of the jedi could watch over me."

Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Anakin's head shoot up and look straight at her. His eagerness and excitement were clearly in his eyes. But she hadn't disengaged the cameras in her bedroom only because she had foolishly wanted to draw out her attacker. No, she really didn't like him watching her. Dormé had told her she had seen Anakin watching the monitors when she had gone to the fresher. Padme was thankful he had not noticed she had been out of bed that night, especially when she had gone to see and talk to Obi-wan. Somehow she thought he would not react kindly to that. As he probably will not react kindly now, she ruefully thought. Shielding her emotions carefully she turned to Obi-wan.

"Master Kenobi, I would appreciate your surveillance greatly."

She hoped he would catch the look in her eyes and understand her wish. Fluently Obi-wan bowed again.

"I'm here to serve, milady."

With some effort she managed not to show her relief and calmly she walked back to her bedroom. Captain Typho and her handmaidens left as well. Before the door closed behind her she could hear a short discussion between Obi-wan and Anakin. She couldn't hear the actual words, but she could imagine Anakin wasn't very happy with her request and was now trying to convince Obi-wan to let him do it. She closed her eyes in a prayer it would not come to that. Not that she hated Anakin, far from it, but there was only one person that could calm her frayed nerves at this moment. Luckily she didn't need to worry because a few moments later Obi-wan entered her bedroom, looking a little upset. When the door closed he pointed his index finger at her.

"Next time the cameras stay on."

She took a few steps towards him. "I'm sorry, Obi-wan. I just wanted to know how was after me. I didn't realize it was going to be this dangerous."

"Let me the judge of that. Padme, please, I thought the explosion would have made you realize how grave the situation is."

A shiver crept up her spine. In a quick flash the memory of Cordé dying right in front of her passed before her eyes. A wave of sadness swept through her, painfully squeezing her insides again. She averted her gaze.

"I know…I'm sorry," she whispered.

She heard Obi-wan sigh. "I know it must be difficult for you, waiting for these attacks and not being able to do anything about them. But please realize that the Senate needs you. Don't risk your life just to prove you are courageous enough to stand up to these threats, we all know that."

His words caused a lump to form in her throat. It was created by his honest praise and a great feeling of guilt. She had let her pride endanger herself and especially Obi-wan and Anakin. Out of the corner of her eye she looked at him.

"I'm sorry…," she whispered again.

Obi-wan nodded and walked to the right side of her bedroom. He sat down on the small couch there and crossed his legs into a meditative position. Padme realized he was going to sit like that all night till morning. Slowly she stepped back to her bed, but she didn't want to lie down. Dormé had immediately refreshed the sheets but it didn't feel right to her. For a split second she considered asking Obi-wan to join her, but knew it was highly inappropriate. And he wouldn't go for it, so why set yourself up for the disappointment?

Then a brilliant solution entered her mind. The cameras were still off after all. Quietly she grabbed the blanket off her bed. Slowly but with resolve she walked to the couch Obi-wan was sitting on. She stopped next to him, her knees brushing his. He looked up to her.

"Got room for another?" she whispered.

For a second he searched her face before he wordlessly scooted over to the end of the couch. She sat down next to him. For a second she hesitated, wondering if this was the right thing to do. But the pain in her heart urged her on to go through with her plan. Before Obi-wan could move or say anything she quickly laid down and put her head in his lap. Drawing up the blanket she instantly got comfortable.

When her head touched Obi-wan's thigh he had raised his arms in surprise and one of his hands was hovering right above her head. She reached up with her right hand and moved his hand down to his leg in front of her. She took hold of it with both of her hands. Just as she'd hoped the warmth his calloused hand was giving her chased off all the negative feelings that had been assaulting her the past hour and gave her the comfort she needed.

For a minute they sat like that, both silent and not moving. Padme started to question her move.

'Perhaps it was too bold, too assuming. I pushed him too far and—'

She didn't have to finish her thoughts because Obi-wan's right hand softly squeezed her hands and his left started stroking her hair. His touch was soft and gentle, almost reverent. She closed her eyes and soaked up every bit of the feeling his touch was creating. When his soft laugh reached her ears she didn't open her eyes but stroked the palm of his hand with her thumb.

"What?" she softly asked.

Obi-wan didn't stop his caresses. "I can remember a time Qui-gon did exactly the same for me."

This certainly piqued her interest. "Tell me."

Obi-wan paused for a moment. Then his hushed voice filled the darkness.

"It was the first time the Darkside appeared in my dreams. Qui-gon woke me, said I was tossing and turning in my sleep, even mumbling."

She moved his right hand and interlaced her fingers with his, holding his hand in between hers.

"I told him of my dream. He didn't tell me it was just a dream and I should go back to sleep. No, he told me in a soft voice the Force would always show us images, visions. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. But they could never hurt us, and were nothing to be afraid of. He held me close and stroked my hair until I fell asleep again."

Padme's image of Qui-gon changed and her respect and admiration for the late jedi master grew a little larger.

"Do you still dream of the Darkside?"

Obi-wan's voice was nothing more then a whisper. "All the time."

Padme held his hand a little tighter. Now she had some idea of what the Darkside meant to him she could imagine how dreaming about it would scare him so. She marvelled at his strength for a moment, thinking if she could stay strong under such feelings. Her mind told her she was strong, but she couldn't feel but a little scared. She had come this close to dying tonight because of her pride. And although she was already recovering from the shock she couldn't help but rethink her situation.

After a long silence she asked him the question her fragile and helpless side urged her to ask him. It was only in the absolute dark and in his comforting presence she allowed it to surface. She hated to appear weak, but felt she needed his answer. Her voice sounded small and a little afraid.

"Protect me?"

Obi-wan's answer instantly soothed her and not moments after she fell asleep, worn out by the shock, adrenaline and worries.

"Forever"

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