I personally like to think of this chapter as OPTIONAL. Mostly because I can see the story ending in the first as a tragedy. And I can see this chapter as a sort of butterfly effect ending where if they make the right choices this could be the result. I kinda like the idea of this chapter being an AU of an AU... makes it a bit more interesting because of how one choice can change everything.

Sitting on opposite sides of one of the couches just below the holoprojector, the silence continued. Every once in a while the sound of the small motors in his cybernetic hand hissed as he shifted. Sometimes he would clench a fist, flex his fingers, or fold it in the sleeves of his cloak. No words were spoken and despite the lateness of the hour, neither wanted to leave. Both fearing that leaving this unresolved would shatter whatever was left of their relationship. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She knew things could never be as they were before but she'd hopped that it would be easier than this. Padme spared a glance in his direction, watching his eyes carefully as they bounced around the room, trying to find something to focus on— anything but her, it seemed. She understood why. She'd shut down his idea of coming out of hiding. And while logical all her reasons made sense, it didn't make it any less painful for either of them.

"Anakin…" His head shot up as he finally met her gaze, his eyes holding a small glimmer of hope but most of it was hidden behind guarded trepidation. "I don't think we can get out of me not finishing my term," She said.

"I—I know," He muttered, "But why does that mean we still have to stay hidden even if I leave the order? It the press really that much of a concern?"

Padme shook her head, "No, it's that I don't want you to leave," She said. "Being a Jedi—"

"—It's my choice."

"Don't," She snapped, "Don't do it just for me— for us. That's not fair to you. You've worked so hard to get to where you are now. I couldn't bear to be the reason you threw it all away."

Anakin gave her a small half smile. "I always told you I'd leave someday when the war ended. Why is me actually wanting to leave such a surprise?"

"Because you're you," She said. "You say such beautiful things that sound so perfect and dreamlike…" She gave a small shrug and wrapped her arms around herself, "I always let myself believe that fantasy world you'd talk about just for the moment. But I never thought it would actually happen when that moment finally came."

His brow furrowed tightly, "What? Why would you think that?"

"Anakin, domesticity would drive you crazy! It wouldn't nearly be as exciting as half of the adventures you've had."

He scoffed, "Really? Do you know who my wife is? Excitement always seems to find her."

"It won't always," She said, "Do you honestly think there'll be any danger when my term ends and I retire from politics?"

"Then we'll make it exciting," He said with a shrug.

Padme pursed her lips skeptically. She wanted to believe him. She wanted so much to just accept his answer and run with it. But she'd be lying if she said she didn't have doubts. Anakin had been pod racing before he was nine! He'd been a Jedi, a General… the most normal days he'd probably lived was the short time they'd spent together on Naboo before they were married and the several infrequent days and weeks they'd had together throughout the war. Such peaceful times were probably very therapeutic but as a lifestyle… how would he manage living without some kind of thrill?

Anakin leaned forward, his eyes piercing hers as though he could see through her— and he probably could with his Force abilities. His lips curled into a genuine smile, "Padme, a life with you is all the excitement I need," He said. "You're right that there'll be a slight adjustment phase, but I want this. I don't ever want to have to sneak into our home again. I want to be able to sleep without worrying if the next day will be my last. I want to wake up everyday beside you. I want to raise a family with you." He let out a light chuckle and scooted closer to her, "And I guess if that's not exciting enough, we could always just have more kids. Knowing you, they'll be hellions."

Padme gaped at him before swatting his chest none too gently, "It's more like they'll get that from you."

He laughed and gave a small shrug before resting his arm over the back of the couch, "Maybe they'll just get it from both of us." He said, "But… what do you think? It won't be easy, but I'm willing if you are."

Slowly her smile faded as she reflected on the idea swimming through his head. As usual, it was a beautiful dream. But that was just what Anakin was — a dreamer. It was up to her to be the practical one, to think things through to conclusion. And were it not for her term as Chancellor, she would have jumped into his arms and let him whisk her away to Naboo to begin that difficult transition process. Her term puts a significant snag on that plan though. If she were to resign and leave the rest of the term to the Vice Chancellor, questions would be raised about why she left. That would no doubt eventually lead the press to her relationship with Anakin and start the very scandal they had always feared. And staying in office while maintaining the secret was also out of the question as Anakin's reluctance clearly showed. He wanted to go all in. Logic told her to take the conservative path but the reality demanded some middle ground needed to be found.

"We can't let anyone know, not yet anyway," She said, pausing to wait for the anger from Anakin, but it didn't happen. Looking up, she saw his jaw was clenched as he waited for her to finish her thought. He was really serious about this. "If you leave the Jedi… You can… find work, at least until my term ends."

Anakin let out a sigh, "So it's just like before then?"

"No, not really," She said. "We can be seen together in public, go out to dinner, come home whenever you want… We just can't let people know there is anything more than a close friendship. At least for a while. When my term is almost over, we can, people would just think we're dating by that point."

Anakin pulled his arm off of the back of the couch and folded his hands together in front of him. She could see the wheels turning in his head as he tried to come up with a revision to her plan. She thought it was as good of a plan as any given the circumstances. It found a way to meet most of their immediate needs but keeping the lie going for a few more years was the main flaw but it was one she didn't see a way around and she hoped that he could see it too. "There isn't any other way, is there?" He asked. Padme shook her head. Heaving a heavy sigh, Anakin slumped back against the couch, his head bumping against the hard back with a thump. "I guess… we'll have to make it work then," He said at last. "It won't be easy but…"

"Nothing about our lives is easy," She finished, smiling at him before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his. Things between them were still a long way from being completely resolved and more challenges stood in their way now than either of them expected. But taking one hesitant step closer to finding peace was better than stepping away from the idea entirely. And knowing how stubborn both of them are, there was little doubt they wouldn't overcome whatever obstacles would come to stand in their way.

END

I hope you guys liked it! Oddly enough, when I was writing it I could kind of see parallels in Anakin and Padme's relationship in this AU and in their relationship in ROTS. In both cases their relationship is teetering and they could both walk away happy or lose one another. Just thought that was cool because I didn't even plan for that to happen.