I don't own Star Wars, Anakin, Padme or other characters. All rights are reserved by Lucasfilm, I write stories to entertain you and for free.

Rated: M….so much Sex… because we didn't get enough from George Lukas

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This story takes place long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away ...

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Sentinel , Chapter 10

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Coruscant 20bby

After less than a week, Padmé started to work as father's assistent. Her father was pushing her to the limit, she thought. She was new to the world of politics, yes she studied political science, but she didn't know the day-to-day business, she had to be trained. She worked three hours a day, but they were so demanding, she had to lie down first when she got home.

Anakin didn't miss that. He decided to talk to his father-in-law...like that, man to man and without Padmé's knowledge, for now.

He kept Padmé working for another month and when he saw that she still had all her energy put into the day-to-day business, he sought out Ruwee after leaving the military headquarter. It was already afternoon, Padmé already gone home.

Ruwee was in a committee meeting, according to his secretary it shouldn't be long now as he had an appointment coming up. Anakin chose to wait. After about fifteen minutes, Senator Naberrie entered his office in surprise.

"Anakin, what brings you to me...did something happen?"

"Nothing what you can't explain to me."

"Oh, that doesn't sound good... but we'll work things out. So what do you want to know?"

"From the first day Padmé started her job, she's been exhausted from work. She comes home and lies down first. I want to know what she's doing here, what it is, what's so demanding that it drains all her energy. She's not fully recovered, Ruwee. She has two little children who need her, who also need some of her time. They don't need a mother who lies tired on the couch and can't play with them... and finally I'm also here, I need my wife, I don't want her to fall asleep totally exhausted before their head hits the pillow . I'm a young man, if you understand what I mean."

"With the plain text already….yes. Well, I didn't get the impression that she was overwhelmed. She was a top student, always the best of the year, she is intelligent, perceptive and a quick learner. I do not give her tasks that she is not up to. She has to learn fast because….." he made a break.

"Because... what?"

"I intend to run for election as Supreme Chancellor. If I win, Padmé should be able to take over as Senator from Naboo...if the Queen asks, but you know how...politics works."

"Oh! You have great plans for her and as in the past, and by tradition you don't give her a choice. First, you married her to the Prince of Scipio, you wanted to force her into the role of a showpiece for House of Clovis and now that she is finally my wife and can enjoy her life, you force her to take on this daunting task for House of Naberrie. I do not agree."

"You should let her to make the choose."

"But you not ."

"She's a Naberrie!"

"She's a Skywalker!"

"Really?... and that's why she's supposed to sit at home, give birth to one force-sensitive child after another and support your turbo career? Look at yourself Anakin, you're already a Jedi Master, a General, and in the military staff. What's more, when you've replaced Master Windu and General Tarkin... won't you strive for more? Supreme Chancellor at that…. perhaps? Can't be ruled out, right? Such tensions are known in your family. The Force is an addiction, Anakin."

"I've never seen it like that... and you think my wife has to stop me."

"Or rule the galaxy together..."

"...if Padmé could hear us..."

"...if she weren't thrilled..."

"Okay, Ruwee, how do we make it?"

"Talk to her, ask her what's so difficult for her and then we'll see."

"Greetings to Jobal, see you."

"Have a productive afternoon at the temple."

It sounded like... well, Anakin was leaving.

In the Temple he was entrusted with some important duties, dealing exclusively with the analysis of military intentions and actions. He should fathom the connections. He just asked for more time, because recognizing it requires thorough research and observation. High Council knew he would need time, this is to be his long term assignment. Weekly reports should still be made.

Some skirmishes with Hutts in the Outer Rim were almost a daily occurrence, the only worrying thing was the increasing frequency and violence of the fighting. Nobody thought about it except Anakin. The Hutts were evil, that was known, they only defend their interests. Anakin kept thinking. After the fall of the Empire, the Hutts were at first willing to compromise, not wanting to join the new Republic, but now, he saw a tendency to get even worse than the old Republic. He thought he recognized the systematology. As conflicts grow and become more serious, the importance of the military will need to be recognized so that General Tarkin can carry out his plans. Anakin shared his thoughts with the High Council, and many of the Masters felt it was entirely possible for the military to consider a coup. The decision was made to send the military to the Outer Rim to settle the conflict. Since the Jedi were considered keepers of the peace, three Jedi Masters were to come along as observers. That should count as a minor test, but close observation from General Tarkin.

After the session, Anakin went home. It was already evening, the twins should bathe and go to bed. Anakin took over, Padme was tired. The lullaby worked wonders and the children quickly closed their eyes.

Anakin showered and went into the bedroom, wanting to talk to Padmé about the property they were being offered as well as ask a few questions about their work. When he got into bed, Padmé was already asleep. He wondered what to do now. Tomorrow won't be any better, so she gets woken up.

"Padmé Angel, wake up, we need to talk...Padmé..."

He shook her, gently at first, but when she didn't respond, a little less gently."

She woke up.

"What is it, Ani? Do I have to get up already?"

"No, you fell asleep first…..but so quickly that I didn't even finish my shower. I'm sorry Angel, but we need to talk."

"Oh, Ani...I'm tired."

"Yeah, that's one of the things we need to talk about."

"How so?"

"Your tiredness has become permanent since you started your job. What kind of tasks did your father give you, that challenge you so much? You come home dead tired from three hours of work. What are you doing exactly?

"Oh, Ani…. what gets me so tired is the day-to-day business. It's so much and my father won't let me see through it. He's either not letting me know everything, or he's testing me by expecting me to find out. I'm new and can't see the spun threads clearly."

"You have to act yourself, try to take on some things that suit you."

"Does he let you work on the committees?"

"The preparations in all, but I already stand in for him in three of them."

"In which?"

"Committee of Commerce, Intelligence and Military Security Committee."

"Especially the important ones. Intelligence and Military Security Committee are of great interest for me."

"But you don't expect me to pass on what's being discussed and how bills are being prepared."

"Not in detail, but yes."

"I can not do this."

"Of course you can. You know how the political situation is at the moment. Everyone wants to play out the opponents, soon there will be chaos, or putsch, or civil war. I need all the information I can get."

"For who, Anakin? For you or for the Jedi?"

"Jedi are the supreme authority of the moment. They need to know if someone wants to play nasty with them."

"Mace Windu had better set a date for the general election, it's time to hand over government powers to the new Supreme Chancellor and the Senate."

"I told him the same thing and received a nasty reprimand. Besides, if I have told you about my work, my fears and shared my opinions with you, asked your advice, I expect the same from you."

"I don't know if I can."

"Then, I see our goals and interests collide."

"But Ani..."

He got up, put on his robe and left the room. Padmé didn't know why he was so upset at the moment, she said she wasn't allowed to reveal the information about the work of the committees…..on the other hand, they were just drafts going to the Senate for voting. But...if an outsider knows the process, he could try to influence the final draft through the members of the committee.

Trade Committee was of minor importance to the Jedi, but not without it, but knowing what to give or cut to intelligence and military was vital. That was one of the reasons she worried so much about having to face confrontations with her husband.

She didn't want a confrontation, but she didn't want his interference in her work either. She couldn't and didn't want to talk to her father about it, she had the feeling that she wasn't privy to everything. Anakin said she should act on her own and do what's good for her, but he wanted to know everything and maybe to take control? Are other members of the committee controlled or influenced? Certainly, but by whom and for what purposes? She had yet to find out. At least she knew that if she listened to Anakin's suggestions, everything would benefit the Jedi, and that was the right side.

Despite her tiredness, she got up and followed him. He sat on the stool with both forearms on the counter and a glass of water between his hands.

"That will have to change, Padmé."

"Ani, I don't want any tension between us."

"Then think twice about which side you're on."

"I know what you mean. Other committee members allow themselves to be swayed by money or favors and not playing fair, even though the fate of the galaxy is at stake."

"Exactly and it's good that you see it. Our interests must be the same. Jedi must be a priority, not the military. The Jedi have always served and supported the Republic, the military wants to rule. Military junta is always a dictatorship, no better than the empire that Palpatine wanted to establish. We must counteract this together."

"Actually yes, Ani."

"So, we agree with each other?"

"But I won't blindly represent your opinion on the committee."

"I don't ask that. We will decide together what is to be represented."

"And will you let me in on Jedi secrets?"

"Not as far as Jedi Order is concerned, but as far as we are all concerned, yes."

"Okay, then I can go to sleep, I'm tired."

"We also have to get your tiredness under control. The kids need you...and so do I. We haven't had sex since you started your job...I need you, Padmé." he kissed her.

"I know and I have a guilty conscience. Come to bed. I will mobilize my last reserves to see my husband fall asleep satisfied."

Best regards from Germany