Disclaimer: In no way at all do I own any of the original character, locations, ships, or anything else mentioned in Star Wars. They are all owned by George Lucas. I only own my OC. Any similarities between this story and another are purely accidental.
randomness: I'm thinking about it, but I'm not too sure if I can pull it off. Don't worry, if I can, I definitely will!
Sica Meni: Welcome to the story! I'm glad you like it.
Masked Masquerader: I enjoy writing these updates as much as you enjoy reading them, so no worry whatsoever of me quitting the story!
Anwinn: I'm glad you think it's funny (although when I was writing it at that time I don't think I had it in my mind to make that funny).
---
That night, Anakin and Lyra stayed in the living room of Padmé's quarters. He was in a meditative state, while Lyra was stretched out on the couch and reading. All was quiet, save the muffled noises of the speeders outside.
Anakin opened his eyes and stared at Lyra. His older friend seemed serene, yet he could see it on her face that she was anything but. Unease radiated from both her and his Master, particularly when they were around each other.
Finally, he dropped himself on the couch beside Lyra. "What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. "You seem so…upset lately. Is something the matter?"
Lyra lifted her gaze from the datapad she was reading. "I'm just…worried about the Senator," she said jadedly. "It's nothing, really."
"No," replied Anakin, taking the datapad from Lyra's hands. "It's not nothing. Your distress is increased when Obi-Wan is in the room. And I can feel his unease too."
"We both worry for Padmé then."
Anakin continued to stare at her. "Something happened between you two," he said quietly. "Back on Naboo, before you left, he did something to you." It was not a question.
"No," was Lyra's response. "Nothing happened. Nothing at all."
"Lying was never your strong point," Anakin said, mimicking what Lyra had said earlier. "I can tell."
"I'm not lying, Ani. Nothing happened."
Anakin let out a heavy sigh, standing up and returning to the middle of the room to meditate. "You know," he said as he sat down on the ground, "I won't turn you over to the Council or anything if you tell me the truth." As if I was any better…
Lyra chuckled sadly. "Your discreetness is admirable, Ani, but I'm sorry." She shrugged. "There's nothing to tell."
A few moments later, the two heard footsteps in the corridor outside the apartment. The door to the room slid open, revealing Obi-Wan.
"Captain Typho has more then enough men downstairs," he reported as the door slid shut behind him. "No assassin will try that way. Any activity up here?"
"Quiet as tomb," said Lyra, standing up from the couch and moving to the window.
"I don't like just waiting here for something to happen to her." Anakin looked worriedly at the door leading to Padmé's bedroom.
Obi-Wan pulled a palm-sized scanner from his utility belt, looking at the image in it. It showed R2 by the door, but no sign of Padmé on the bed.
"What's going on?" Obi-Wan asked.
Anakin shrugged. "She covered the cameras." A sheepish look worked its way up on his face. "I don't think she liked me watching her."
"What is she thinking?" muttered Lyra under her breath.
"She programmed R2 to warn us if there's an intruder," explained Anakin.
"It's not an intruder I'm worried about," said Obi-Wan concernedly. "There are many other ways to kill a Senator."
"I know," replied Anakin, "but we also want to catch this assassin, don't we Master?"
Obi-Wan looked up from scanner in surprise, folding his arms across his chest. "You're using her as bait," he said.
"Anakin!" shouted Lyra, turning away from the window, her tone clearly indicating she was not pleased. She marched towards him, stopping directly in front of him with her hands crossed over her chest. "What were you thinking? If your plan works, there's a very big chance that Padmé could die!"
"It was her idea," he said sheepishly. "Don't worry; no harm will come to her. I can sense everything going on in that room." He looked at Obi-Wan and Lyra. "Trust me."
"It's too risky," commented Obi-Wan. "Besides, your senses aren't that attuned, young apprentice."
"And yours are?"
"Possibly."
---
Lyra exited the small living room, going out on the balcony. Speeders whizzed by, creating a loud cacophony of noise that was muffled by the transparasteel.
Nothing happened, nothing at all. Way to lie, Lyra. Way to lie. She leaned against the railing, looking out over the amber city-planet. She hated lying to Anakin, but that kiss back on Naboo would never be acknowledged by anyone. Not even by her.
I should forget it, she thought to herself, because it's never going to go any further than that. We are both Jedi, we have a Code to follow.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Anakin and Obi-Wan moved onto the balcony with her, continuing their conversation.
"You looked tired," Obi-Wan commented, seeing Anakin's gaunt eyes.
"I don't sleep well anymore," he muttered.
"Because of Shmi?" asked Lyra.
He nodded. "I don't know why I keep dreaming about her now. I haven't seen her since I was little."
"Dreams pass in time," said Obi-Wan calmly.
Anakin ran a finger on the railing of the balustrade. "I'd rather dream of Padmé," he said. "Just being around her again is…intoxicating."
"Be mindful of your thoughts, Anakin. They betray you," said Obi-Wan. "You've made a commitment to the Jedi Order, a commitment not easily broken."
If you weren't willing to do so, thought Lyra. Not only were we willing, we wanted it.
"And don't forget she's a politician. They're not to be trusted."
"She's not like the others in the Senate, Master," retorted Anakin.
"It's been my experience," said Obi-Wan, "that Senators are only focused on pleasing those who fund their campaigns. And they are more than willing to forget the niceties of democracy to get those funds."
"Not another lecture, Master. Not on the economics of politics."
"I have to agree with Anakin there," said Lyra, joining the conversation. "Padmé's not like that. She's a decent person." And she was. Probably the only one in the whole Senate.
The three moved back into the room. "Lyra's right," said Anakin. "You're generalizing. The Chancellor doesn't appear to be corrupt."
Are you kidding me? Palpatine's the most corrupt politician I have ever had the displeasure of serving in my entire life!
"Palpatine's a politician," said Obi-Wan firmly. "I've observed that he is very clever at following the passions and prejudices of the Senators."
"I think he's a good man," said Anakin. "My instincts are very positive about…" He trailed off, looking stunned.
"I sense it too," said Obi-Wan.
The three Jedi burst into the room, seeing two worm-like venomous creatures in front of Padmé, who had woken and was staring at them with fright. Igniting his lightsaber, Anakin threw himself in front of her, slicing the deadly creatures in half.
"Where did they come from?" muttered Lyra.
In response to her question. Obi-Wan's gaze swept around the room. It alighted on a probe droid, floating around outside. He ran towards the window, flinging himself through the glass and at the droid. He grabbed onto the deadly machine, which sunk under his weight. The droid managed to right itself and flew away, with the Jedi hanging on for dear life, a hundred stories above the city.