"If I were to go through the world, I could not meet with a better. But I have always observed, that they who are good-natured when children, are good-natured when they grow up; and he was always the sweetest-tempered, most generous-hearted boy in the world." Mrs. Reynolds to the Gardiners and Elizabeth about Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

Chapter 9: The Dreaded Dance Lessons

Wondering if he was going to explode and throw things at them, the young ladies apprehensively followed the tall figure down many hallways, and even Eirtaé was silent. He continued to walk, not even bothering to look back to see if they were following him.

Padmé had a really bad feeling about this, especially since she knew who her partner was going to be at the ball.

"Padmé!" a voice called out, causing Padmé to instinctively cringe.

Running towards them was a flustered Palo who did not notice anyone but her, even when Anakin turned around and glared at the intruder. In his hands were numerous brushes and, even as he ran towards them, paint dripped all over hands and onto the floor. To make the sight even more amusing, he wiped his sweat-covered face with his hands and smeared green all over it.

"Who are you?" Anakin asked suspiciously, giving Palo one of his notorious glares.

"I am Palo," the man said breathlessly, immediately turning his attention back to Padmé.

"Why are you interrupting?"

Startled, Palo turned back to him. "That is between Miss Padmé and myself."

Blushing, Padmé looked away from Anakin's penetrating gaze and to the floor as all the young women, with the exception of loyal Rabé and Sabé, started to giggle and whisper.

"Well, since Miss Padmé," Anakin sneered, "is in my class at the moment, she answers to me."

A little stunned, Palo didn't say anything for a moment, but when he did, it seemed that he had totally forgotten his intimidating nemesis. "So, where are you going?" he asked Padmé cheerfully, causing her to inwardly roll her eyes.

"We are going to dancing lessons for the ball this Saturday," she said quietly, knowing very well that Master Skywalker was not going to move until the annoying man had left. All of the women around her groaned as they just stood there in middle of the empty hallway.

"Terrific," he said, wiping his dirty hands on his pants. "I'll join you." Palo then eagerly told her all about his accomplishments in dancing.

"It is for Jedi and our young guests," Anakin said in a menacing tone. "Uninvited artists are not allowed."

Surprised, Palo seemed like he was going to challenge him for a moment but, sadly shaking his head, he walked off.

For the briefest of moments, Anakin studied Padmé's red face before striding down the hall once more.

When the reached the sparring room, they found that there was already a huge line before them. All around the room, the bleachers had been pulled out and hundreds of Jedi and Nubian students crowded onto them. Excitement was in the air, but as to why, Padmé knew not.

"What are we doing?" Rabé asked them both, standing on tiptoes as she strained to see what the people in the front of the line were doing.

"Ask Master Skywalker, he's tall enough," Padmé said loudly which was rather asking for it, for she was so close to him because of all the pushing and shoving that she was almost smothered up against his back.

The tall man turned his head and looked down over his shoulder at her. "We are putting our names in the Goblet so they can be drawn."

"For what?" Sabé curiously asked.

His tone was much more civil as he addressed Obi-Wan's girlfriend. "So we can pair off for the lessons." By his dark undertones, Padmé could tell that he was just about as thrilled as she was.

Padmé could only pray that she would have an ounce of dignity when she left the room.

Finally, they reached the front of the line, and there it was- the Goblet. Large and covered in rare jewels, a blue flame emitted from the top of it. When they had all written their names down on a slip of paper, they all handed it to Master Skywalker who, because of his height, easily dropped them in the Goblet.

Everyone cheered upon seeing their hero put his name into the drawing, something which baffled the young women. They silently followed him over to a nearby row on the bleachers and sat down. Padmé made sure that she was sitting as far away from his as possible.

This continued on for about an hour as more and more people filtered in. At one point, even Masters Obi-Wan and Mace Windu stepped forward and put their names in.

A few minutes later, something rather odd happened.

"Oh gods, no," Anakin suddenly moaned, covering his face with his hands.

Seeing that they were not going to get an intelligible response from him, all the women looked up at the Goblet and saw the source of his distress- standing there were two young boys. About sixteen years old, they stood outside the prescribed ring that was marked around the floor surrounding the chalice. Laughing and giving each other high fives, they snuck covert looks at the Masters, who were not paying any attention, before stepping across the line and putting in their names.

Before anyone could even blink, they were suddenly lifted up in the air and hurled away several feet as they landed in a heap.

"What happened?" one of them cried out, immediately standing back up and rushing back at the Goblet only to be propelled backward again.

Standing behind them was Master Skywalker. "How old are you two again?"

They both gulped before running out of the room, their faces bright red as everyone laughed. Even Anakin seemed to think that it was funny. Off to the side, even Mace Windu had burst into laughter, but everyone suddenly became quiet as they saw a large shadow approaching the room.

Much to her surprise, Padmé found that it was Yoda. Huffing as he slowly made his way across the room, he eventually came to stand before the other Masters. "An announcement, I have," he said, his gravelly voice ringing through out all the room. "Unfortunate news, have I. Unable to come, our dancing teacher was unable."

A mixture of groans and delight spread throughout the room.

"Busy with her new show, Ms. Parky has become," he continued, his large eyes sleepily blinking at the crowd. "Found a substitute, I did."

An even bigger shadow filled the doorway but this time, Padmé had a good reason to be concerned.

It was Madame DesLauriers.

"I'm finished," she gulped, dreading the moment her name was drawn. Knowing the boisterous headmistress, there was sure to be a scene when she found out who Padmé's dancing partner was to be.

The large woman waved her bangle covered wrists as she gave the Jedi what was supposed to be a warm smile. "Such happy faces!" she exclaimed.

"Oh no," Sabé groaned.

Everyone turned their attention back to the Goblet at which Master Skywalker now stood. Suddenly, the lights went dimmed, causing his golden hair to become a bluish color in the odd light. The flames flickered, instantly silencing everyone.

"What's going on?" Eirtaé asked rather loudly only to be shushed by a multitude of annoyed beings.

Out of the Goblet flew a small piece of paper which Anakin patiently snatched. Soon, another piece fluttered up and he read what was on it.

"Sabé and Obi-Wan!"

Applause filled the room as everyone cheered on their favorite couple. From across the room, the lovers shyly smiled at each other as they were clapped on the back and hugged by their friends.

The process repeated itself.

"Siri and Garen!"

Anxiously, Padmé looked across the room to see Ferus' master. As he had described her, she was a kind woman who was obviously with child. Trying to not grin, she held hands with the roguish man sitting next to her.

So it continued for the next hour. Most of the time, the couples were excited but a few, in particular when Eirtaé's name came up, caused quite a fuss as one of the members threw a fit about their partner. Smirking, Padmé watched as Miss Talek was paired off with an interesting looking alien. By far, the most surprising pair was Madame DesLauriers and a disgruntled Mace Windu.

An hour later, the Goblet stopped spitting forth names but Padmé still sat at the edge of her seat. All of the Masters shared uneasy looks as they waited to see if it was over. Anakin's face had gone rigid as he stared at the lessening flames.

Perhaps she was going to be fortunate and the Goblet hadn't considered Anakin worthy of her attention.

Or maybe not.

A gasp rang throughout the room as two last slips of paper burst out from the flames.

Clutching the edge of her seat, Padmé closed her eyes so she would not have to see anyone's reaction.

There was silence.

"Padmé!"

If anyone had been shocked by some of the matches, that was nothing compared to the horror everyone showed upon hearing her name being called. Over the past few months, the nemesis' had become notorious for their fighting, but to have them be couples at these lessons… why, it was disaster waiting to happen.

Only opening her eyes when Sabé forcefully pinched her arm, Padmé looked at Anakin to find that he was giving her a hard look. He stood there motionless with the two hot pieces of paper in his hand.

"And Anakin Skywalker!" At this, his voice came out more as a hiss.

Numbly, Padmé just sat there as everyone gaped at her.

"Absolutely not!" a shrill voice called out, causing everyone to jump. It was Madame DesLauriers and she was already marching towards the peeved Master. Snatching the paper from him, she read it for herself. With a 'humph," she tore the paper into shreds and tossed it onto the floor. "I will never let you touch one of my students, Master Skywalker," she sneered. "Only gentlemen shall."

"It is part of the rules," Mace Windu sighed, sizing up his own partner rather reluctantly. "If the Goblet says it's meant to be, we have to accept its decision."

"Well, I say no!" the woman yelled. "This man has done nothing but cause misery for my student and I will not stand to see him stand up with her!"

Wishing that she could disappear, Padmé boldly stood up. "I will be his partner," she announced bravely, aware of the fact that hundreds of surprised eyes were watching her. "I might as well set the standard for maturity," she said in a quieter voice. Before she knew what she was doing, Padmé had stepped down from the bleacher and was making her way over to the shocked Master Skywalker.

Saché, this is for you.

Hesitantly, she stood beside him, challenging anyone to make any more rude sounds.

"Padmé!" Madame DesLaurier's hissed. "What are you doing?"

"I'm setting the example," Padmé said coolly, "one you had best take notice of."

The headmistress angrily opened her mouth to say something but immediately shut it. "Master Skywalker, I will be watching you," she finally said in her best attempt at a threat.

"If I were you, I would be paying more attention to that young lady over there," Anakin said coldly, pointedly looking at the giggling Eirtaé. "She could learn a lot of lessons from Padmé… I mean, Miss Padmé." Furiously blushing, he realized his blunder.

Seeing that things were starting to get out of hand, Mace Windu flicked his hands and slowly turned on the lights. With another nudge of the Force, the dais on which the Goblet stood slowly shifted into the corner. "Okay everyone!" he called out, trying to ignore the large, glowering woman that stood at his side. "Find your partners and find a spot on the floor."

Not looking at him nor saying anything friendly, Padmé walked away from Anakin and moved to the opposite end of the room where it would be less likely for them to draw more attention.

To her surprise, she soon found him at her side, also silent. Next to them, their peers stared at them but the tried to not notice.

Still miffed at having lost, the Headmistress swept to the middle of the room, gesturing for Mace Windu to come to her side. When he refused to do so, Yoda soundly whacked the Korun Master with his grimer stick and laughed. Embarrassed, he came to stand next to her, the annoying badge he wore flashing in a distracting way.

"First," the Headmistress called out, glowering as she spoke, "we are going to master the basics. How many here can waltz?"

Only the guests raised their hands.

"Okay, what you do is face each other."

Instantaneously, the partners moved to face each other. Still refusing to look at him, Padmé focused on the dark lapels of Anakin's tunic.

"Then, ladies place your left hand on your partner's shoulder."

Blushing, Padmé leaned up and placed her suddenly small hand on Anakin's broad shoulder.

"And gentlemen, place your right hand on your partner's waist."

In the center of the room where he was suddenly going through the same motions with Madame DesLauriers, Mace Windu cried out, "What?" before she firmly clamped his hand against her ample waist.

Laughing, Anakin quickly turned his head before Mace could see him.

"You aren't going to let him forget this, are you?" Padmé knowingly asked him.

"Never."

Still, he had not placed his hand on her tiny waist.

"Master Skywalker!" a gravelly voice called out. It was only then that the noticed the small Jedi Master that was looking up at them from where he stood just a foot away. "Why not putting your hand on her waist, are you?"

Starting, Anakin just stared at Yoda, but as the little alien raised his grimer stick, he hastily clamped his large but firm hand on Padmé's waist.

Butterflies filled Padmé's stomach as she felt the unfamiliar touch of a man. Turning her head away so that he could not see her pink cheeks, Padmé wished the torture would end.

"Not standing close enough, you both are," Yoda said, waving his grimer stick about in an intimidating way.

Instantly, Anakin groaned and pulled Padmé up against him so that there was no room between them. Waists snuggly together, his belt dug into her stomach, but Padmé did not say anything. The feeling of his strong arm looped across her back and onto her waist had knocked the breath out of her. Forced to look up into his face, Padmé saw that he was furiously blushing.

"Better, that is," Yoda said approvingly as he hobbled off.

As soon as Yoda was gone, Anakin loosened his grip on her but still held Padmé close enough that both felt quite uncomfortable. Slowly, they began to sway back and forth as Madame DesLaurier's suggested.

It was quite some minutes before Padmé felt comfortable enough in his arms to speak. "Did you love her?" she asked quietly so no one would overhear.

Due to their close proximity, she felt his chest rise and fall as he sighed. "I did," he confessed. "Very much so."

"Did she love you?"

He nervously bit his lip. "She did. Saché was a wonderful woman, wife, and would have made a great mother…" he trailed off.

"I'm sorry," she said slowly, looking away from his troubled face. "I just can't imagine the two of you being married. You two are just so very…"

"Different?"

"Yes," she smiled. "Saché was the most quiet and gentle woman I ever knew. You are much more…"

"Don't bother."

Silent once more, Padmé was surprised to feel his heart pounding underneath the hand she hand moved to his chest. "Master Skywalker, why is your heart pounding like a young schoolboy's?"

Muttering something under his breath, he gripped her hand in his once more. "Must you always be so darn disagreeable?"

"Well, at least I am kind and generous."

He snorted and looked off in the direction where Sabé and Obi-Wan were dancing. Heads close, they were intimately talking about something. A scowl appeared on Anakin's face.

"One would think that you would be much happier for your master," she said dryly.

Anakin turned his harsh gaze on her and seemed like he was about to say something, but at that moment, Madame DesLauriers clapped her hands loudly and caused the partners to bolt out of each other's arms.

"Okay children," she said, causing most everyone present to glower at her. "For this ball, we shall have a separate dance for the select few that have been chosen." She then gave Anakin an evil glare. "Would those who will be participating please step forward."

Unsurely standing still for a few moments, Anakin and Padmé hesitantly made their way over to the headmistress.

For the next ten minutes, they were bored out of their minds as Madame DesLauriers continued to explain the intricacies of the dance. "See," she said excitedly when she was done, "it won't be so hard."

Practically gaping at her, Anakin didn't seem to agree. "Why must I dance so… intimately with a complete stranger."

"Hopefully Miss Padmé won't be a complete stranger for too long- you will be escorting her to Naboo for the ball," Mace Windu said, not blinking as Anakin glared at him.

"Thank you for your… concern."

By then, most of the other people had been ushered out of the room, leaving only them, their instructor and her partner, and a few other couples. Among the selected were Sabé and Obi-Wan, but they seemed much more excited than anybody else.

"Okay, we'll start from the beginning," the headmistress announced, clapping her hands.

Though Padmé did not want to admit it, she was glad that her partner was a strong Jedi, for some of the moves they were required to do were quite daunting and she was sure that anyone else would surely have dropped her. During the practice, Anakin said nothing but quietly went about the routine with a furrowed brow as he concentrated.

That is, until the dance became a little more personal for them both.

The new part required Anakin to spin Padmé around in the air as he held her up by the waist. It wasn't the fact that he was going to be touching her- it was how she was going to be hanging over his head.

Or, more importantly, how she was going to get there.

"Okay, gentlemen," Madame DesLauriers called out, "placing your right hand on your partner's waist." Scrutinizing Anakin's movements, she waited before continuing on, "place your left hand on her leg and use this leverage to raise her up in the air."

Face going bright red, Padmé defiantly looked into Anakin's bemused eyes. "Don't you dare even think about touching my leg," she hissed after having gotten over the horror of what they were supposed to do.

"You know, I think you are the only lady in the entire galaxy who does not want to be touched by me," he said, his eyes momentarily twinkling. The light in his eyes eventually flickered out but his hands remained at his side.

"I am sure a certain woman would have been delighted to have heard that."

"Why do you mock the dead?"

"It is not mockery," she snapped, "it's the truth!"

"Anakin and Miss Padmé, listen to Madame DesLauriers you must! Talk about personal affairs later, you can!" Yoda called out, roughly banging his stick against the floor.

Instantly, Anakin's hand left her waist as he fumed.

"I'm going to have to touch you," he said in an exasperated tone when he finally turned back to face Padmé.

"No," she protested but, by then, he had already effortlessly swept her up into the air. "Let me guess, you're enjoying this."

"Oh, it has always been a dream of mine to do this," he said through gritted teeth, his peeved face looking up at her. "What man could ever resist your charms?" A mischievous look spread across his face as he continued to hold her up. "Certainly not Palo…"

"That will be enough!" Mace Windu called out abruptly. Why he wanted to stop could have been caused by two probable reasons: he was both exhausted and embarrassed at his own performance or he could tell that Anakin was contemplating dropping Padmé onto the hard floor. "Anakin, put her down before you drop her."

Gladly, Padmé rushed out of the room the moment her feet touched the ground, the others soon following her suit.

Even Madame DesLauriers seemed glad to leave- after huffing at Anakin and Yoda and giving Mace Windu a small wink, she too left.

"Need your sleep, you do," Yoda told Anakin as he prodded him with his stick. "Need to spend time tomorrow with your new friend, you need."

Grumbling rather loudly, Anakin left.

"Did he just say something about the Dark Side?" Mace asked uncertainly after the other Jedi had left.

"Working well, our plan is," Yoda told his companion. "Take only time, it will."
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Spoiler for the next chapter: "He's Not My Boyfriend!"

"So, where did you two meet?" she asked sweetly, obviously approving of the handsome Jedi who sat across from her.

"Actually, she's a pupil of mine and we met…"

"On the first day of classes," she said hastily, only to well remembering their first encounter.

"Oh, how sweet Ruwee," Jobal exclaimed, lovingly squeezing her husband's free hand. "They're even finishing each other's sentences!"

Glowering at their plates, Anakin and Padmé became silent.

"And what do you teach my daughter?" Ruwee asked.

Swallowing his bite of food, Anakin replied, "Piloting."

"My Padmé is an exceptional pilot, is she not?"

"Ah…" Anakin said hesitantly.