Republic Ship Valiant- Medical Ward

On route to Coruscant

The ship's medical ward was cold and brightly lit, white covering every speck of surface. Padmé was startled awake by the piercing unnatural blaze, her eyes aching and stinging as she endeavoured to recover her vision. It took her a couple moments to somewhat come around and determine where she was. Judging by the room, the rough turtleneck off-white gown she now wore, the bleak horizon of the single window in front of her and the collection of beeping monitors on the walls, she must be aboard one of the Republic's cruisers medical ward. She was glad so escape the arid and gruesome planet of Geonosis. The coarse atmosphere swarming with dust and sand. Her lungs had been invaded by the it, now she truly caught a glimpse as to why Anakin distained it so strongly.

-Ani!

Abruptly sitting up on the bed, she looked frantically across the room. The gesture caused Padmé to let out a faint shout of pain. Her back, bone bruised by the fall and mutilated by the Nexu's claws hadn't fully healed. She could feel that under her large medical gown her entire back and torso had been tightly bandaged. The throbbing sensation she felt at every breath also indication that she probably had broken ribs. Even her head felt sore, her vision barely capable of catching a brief glimpse of a medical droid attending to a man floating limply in a bacta tank.

Indicating she was awake; the droid came forth. Padmé could not resist as the droid firmly took hold of her arm and interjected something via a small tube placed inside her wrist. Suddenly, it was as if she could no longer feel the cuts on her back or her laborious breathing. From the overwhelming dizziness and fluttering impression of floating away into space, it was clear the droid had administered a powerful sedative.

It was useless to resist, although her mind protested vehemently. Every fiber of her being desperately clung to awareness only to be defeated by the effects of the potent drug. When she could no longer fight it back, she let herself slowly succumbing to sleep…

The second time Padme awoke, she was in a completely different setting. No longer in a ward, but a small chamber, dully lit and far warmer. Her bed was decidedly more comfortable, and the rough gown had been replaced by a one of her own linen night gowns.

From afar, she could hear the bustling of traffic and erupting activity. The familiar sound comforted her; this was Coruscant. Yet, this was no typical Republic medical chamber… The atmosphere of the chamber was oddly soothing and natural. The walls weren't stark white, but a copper like hue. She'd only ever been in one place with this distinctive colour of wall, the Jedi Temple… Padmé had heard the praises bestowed to the Jedi's healer on Coruscant, the difference was that now she was a witness. Her body on longer felt sore or craving immobility. She could no longer feel the many bruises that previously coated her entire body or the gashes of the Nexu's claws. She was safe, healed and under the protection of the Jedi. After such emotion and turmoil, she relished in the sensation of the warm, soft linen and pillows. She desired nothing more then to let her body fall back into slumber, enjoying the stillness and peace…

However, this was cut short by the memory of the man floating the in that bacta tank she'd briefly perceived aboard the Republic medical ward. Her mind logically indicated to her that it was or could be none other then Anakin. Almost as if the realization sprung her up, a surge of energy travelled through to her legs as they flew to the other side of the bed. Rising hastily to her feet, springing towards the door she froze as she became aware of another presence within the room.

Someone was watching her, sitting close by, partly hidden in the shadowed corner of the room. Possibly startled by the sudden burst from the normally poised and distinguished Senator Amidala the figure continued to fixate upon her as she turned her body to face him. Embarrassed and taken aback, Padmé did not need long to establish whom this was.

-Obi Wan?

The Jedi master's stare was impassive, cold, distant yet tinged with some lingering anger. A cool sensation ran down her spine, barely restraining herself from gasping in shock. Master Kenobi rose to directly face the young woman, towering over her. Padmé's shock soon gave way to indignation. He was trying to intimidate her! This was hardly in character for this respectable Jedi… She simply waited for Obi Wan to make the first move, break the heavy silence.

"I understand you and Anakin were instructed to remain on Naboo or was it Tatooine until further instructions of the Jedi Council." stated Obi Wan. His tone was grave and authorative. Had she not known better, Padmé would have cowered away like a wet behind the ears padawan.

"Circumstances forced our hand," she retorted "Anakin and I came to rescue you!"

"In direct disregard to the Council's wishes Senator. But even more serious you've both let your emotions cloud your judgment."

Padmé motioned to speak, but she was immediately caught off guard.

"I'm not blind and this has to end," declared Obi Wan, "whatever has on is going on with you and my padawan. You must both part ways."

Padmé's eyes widened,

"I don't know what you are talking about!"

"You may be a politician, but you cannot fool me. I was a witness to the way you clung to my padawan, first in the Arena, the hangar then the gunship. Including the manner he collapsed into your arms, shall I continue?" He was goading her into hasty reaction or protestation. "Not a chance hotshot" she whispered furtively under her breath, not letting her outrage show.

"This has to stop at once." Repeated the Jedi master when Padmé didn't respond immediately. Obi Wan kept starring sternly into her eyes, his hands now firmly grasped on both her shoulders.

By that point, Padme could no longer refrain from showing her outrage. The Jedi master had always conveyed nothing but a neutral cordial, civil reserve towards her. Now here he was, waiting to confront her at a moment's weakness.

"I have no idea where you get you're delusion master Jedi!" her words stunned and equally angered Kenobi, "My concern for Anakin is nothing unbecoming and might I remind you that his arm was just cut off when he fell into my arms?"

"Your concern is admirable Senator, but your obvious attachment to my padawan is not. With your level of intelligence, I expect you to have prior knowledge of the Jedi Code and the forbidden nature of attachments. Yet you disregard the sacred rules by throwing yourself at my padawan!"

Obi Wan lacked the words to convey his concern and disappointment, while containing his anger. He knew his raised voice was dangerously close to displaying unproper emotion. As far as he was concerned, he had no choice. The scene he had witness in the Arena, throughout the Battle of Geonosis then the aftermath of Anakin's injury in the gunship confirmed the Jedi's suspicion that something was going on between Senator Amidala and his padawan.

The code was clear. To say he'd been raised to abide by the code would be an understatement, he breathed and worshipped it. His late master Qui Gon Jinn's neglect of the code and his impulses had engraved within him this fierce unbending loyalty to Jedi principles, despite his master's occasional objections.

However, Padmé Amidala was not a Jedi. She had a family who raised her to believe the value of attachment and human affection. Her fierce loyalty and duty towards the people of Naboo, democracy and the Republic, came from genuine attachment to the cause she believed in. As for Anakin, he'd been raised by his mother and surviving as a slave until Qui Gon Jinn freed the boy. He hadn't been endowed the Jedi's teachings since infancy. By the time he was found by his late master, his need to strong emotional bonds had been firmly established. Breaking away from Shmi Skywalker, had been a tremendous challenge for him as a child and its ramifications persisted to this day. And now, Shmi was gone. A gasping void left by her passing, and what had happened afterwards. Now all he had left was Padmé.

"Master Kenobi, I did not throw myself at him!" snapped Padmé, "Anakin is a childhood friend who over the years has risked his life repeatedly to protect others. As for me, it's twice he's saved my life and at a cost to himself." She continued; this time more poised. "What you saw was nothing but two close friends. And surely, after his horrific injury my reaction was perfectly natural, even you cannot begrudge me that."

"No, I cannot. But you must understand that the feelings you bare for each other will only cause strife for the both of you." replied Obi Wan. He was not convinced by the obvious lie concerning them being "friends". Even the Force stirring around her betrayed her deep emotions towards Anakin, her outrage of this confrontation and her discomfort. "I understand better than you think, however I must insist that you cut all ties with Anakin. For his sake and your own."

The sincerity in his voice took her aback but did not deter or dissolve her anger. Here was the same old reasoning that attachments for a Jedi was an inevitable path to the Dark Side. It wasn't the first time she'd heard it. As far as she was concerned, it was the denial and forbiddance of attachment that lead someone astray. If Anakin didn't have her, he would have nothing… Besides, her choice had been made and Anakin was her choice. Her life was no longer her own. They were sworn to one another, and nothing or no one would be allowed break their pledge.

"Then you will be pleased to know that on Tatooine, Anakin's mother died. One less attachment?"

As expected, (and intended) the Jedi master was left confounded. His mind raced. How could he have not felt his apprentices' pain in the Force through their bond? Yet, he'd been so angry with Anakin to the point to becoming oblivious to what was occurring within the young man… "His dreams, oh no" he thought…He hadn't believed his apprentice, dismissed his anxiety and now there it was…His mother had died and now he was trying to prevent him from being with the woman he loved. Guilt and defeat swarmed him… He'd failed…

As soon as she spoke and contemplated the Jedi's expression, Padmé regretted her words. Even he didn't deserve that. Before she could attempt to make amends, Obi Wan motioned to leave his expression defeated and his face white as snow. He looked, mortified. Her heart sank and there was nothing she could do but stay put head held high, until the door closed behind Kenobi and she crumbled to the floor crying.