Author's Note: Hello again, I am not sure how many people will be back to read this one because it has been such a long time since I have last uploaded. If you are back (or are a new reader!), please leave a comment or message! I appreciate your interest, and I still have more chapters written that just need expanding and editing before being uploaded, so I hope to get them up soonish! Sorry for the delay! :)

Rest

Chapter 7

"What will you do when you get there?"

After their almost-ending-in-a-fight yesterday, they mutually decided to let things go for the night and to discuss them the next evening. They sat next to each other in Padme's living room, and Anakin began by voicing his concerns from the day before.

"I'll go to the Lake Retreat, and I guess I'll just start by fixing up some of the rooms. Making it liveable."

A frown formed on Anakin's chin. "What if something happens?"

"I'll have '3PO with me. We'll be fine," she tried to convince him, and possibly herself. A sense of protectiveness was clear in the way that Anakin was looking at her. He knew his next question would be uncomfortably blunt, so he tried to say it lightly.

"Padme, have you told your family you're going back?"

"No…" She needed him to not look at her like that. "I've been talking to them on and off over the past couple months though. If I feel up to it when I get there, I'll call them… But right now I know it's not the time to tell them."

"Hmm." He wasn't sure he agreed with Padme not involving her family while she was there. It would be safer for Padme to have access to someone reliable and trustworthy in case she needed any help. However, he stayed quiet about his thoughts.

"What about you?" she questioned. "How long will it take?" she was concerned about his mission. About all that could happen in the time they'd be apart. And about his mortality and his frequently negligent behaviours in regard to it.

He gave it a thought. "It just depends on how quickly we locate Grevious. If he is where they think he's located, it shouldn't be too long. Maybe a month…" He placed his hand on her extended abdomen. An anxious feeling overcame him for a moment, then he let it go. His eyes conveyed a stoic honesty as he said, "If it's taking too long I'll leave. I'll find a ship and hightail it straight to you."

Padme nodded, "And we still have the private long distance commlink. If you need to contact me."

"If you need to contact me! I know I sounded hesitant yesterday, Padme, but I want to be there with you. It is only my responsibility to the Order that keeps me from you..." Anakin maintained. They both understood the expanding tension between their commitments to the Republic and their commitment to each other.

"You have a responsibility to end the war. I understand, Ani. You coming to Naboo in time…" she used her hand to flatten the fabric of her gown around her expanded middle, "it's not something we might have control over."

"I know. I'm sorry." Anakin kissed her, slowly. Padme responded by deepening the kiss, and he put his arms around her, bringing her closer to him. "I've missed you," he expressed.

"I've missed you too." Padme gestured a look across the room to her bedroom. Taking his hand, she stood from the couch, led them to the room, and closed the door behind them.