Chapter 2: The Clone wars
Sadly, the honeymoon was short lived. Only a week into Anakin "protecting" me, he was called away on a mission with Master Obi-Wan to Raxus Prime to prevent the Dark Reaper project which would be used for the dreadful Force Harvestor. For the rest of the month I constantly worried about Anakin while he was away fighting for the Republic, but it was for the best.
War tears families apart and I feared that it would do that to my marriage so I held onto hope as did Anakin and stayed strong for us no matter what. The next time I was to see him was a month and a half after the Force Harvestor was destroyed, with Obi-Wan, but under terrible circumstances. Chancellor Palpatine thought it was best I stay on Naboo for the time being, so ever since the wedding I had been biding my time with local work in Theed and doing whatever Senatorial duties I could. Little did I know that the Separtists had concocted a vile plan to poison the Gungans on Naboo but first started with our moon Ohma-D'un as a testing site. Thank the stars that Anakin and Obi-Wan managed to save my home world.
In a jubilant, one day celebration much like the one held ten years previously, the Gungan leader Boss Nass presented the two Jedi with tokens of their gratitude and also unknowingly gave me a chance to see my beloved again. I had sent a formal invitation to Anakin and Obi-Wan as a cover so I could see my Annie that same day, but secretly hoped Obi-Wan wouldn't be around too long for the stay. As the two cloaked Jedi walked into my Theed loft, I saw his eyes sparkle seeing me, which made my heart melt.
"Good afternoon, Milady. I'm glad to see you're doing well with the most recent incidents looming above everyone's head." Obi-Wan graciously said to me with a warming smile that I always appreciated when I seldom saw him.
"Yes, Master Obi-Wan, it's been quite stressful lately but I've done my best for my people and the Republic in these trying times!"
I politely returned the smile and looked at Anakin to acknowledge him. "Hello Anakin, I hope your training has been going well. Here, take a seat you two." I gestured to the couches in my lounge room and sat in the opposite chair facing them.
"I've been doing my best to keep up with my studies and training even though Master and I have been quite busy, but thank you for your concern, M'lady." Anakin answered my inquiry with a more curt politeness, trying his best to hide a nineteen year old young man secretly in love with the woman he was talking to.
"In so many ways I'm older than that..." gentle whispers in the back of my mind resounded from Anakin in response to what I was thinking about.
In some ways it was nice to have a sort of private conversation going on with him but at other times it still bothered me a little that he had that access to the only place I was supposed to truly have privacy.
My thought was interrupted by the clearing of Obi-Wan's throat as if he were goading Anakin into doing something. I found out what he meant by it when he said, "Anakin, why don't you go get that package for Padme, that's waiting? That's a big part of the reason why we're here today if you don't mind my young apprentice." They nodded off to each other and Anakin walked out of the loft for a few minutes which left Obi-Wan and I to talk.
"It must be nice to get a break from your duties in order to be honored for your hard work Master Obi-Wan. I know it feels that way sometimes when that happens to me."
"Oh, it doesn't matter, being a Jedi means serving the greater good and not being selfish so I don't really need the praise or time off. The Jedi council would see it as unbecoming!" he joked in his own little way of humor that I found cute in a silly kind of way so I chuckled along with him for a moment.
"Well that's good, there needs to be more people like you, that aren't Jedi. I admire your nobleness Master Jedi, always have." I nodded to him in acceptance as he modestly accepted it.
"Thank you, Senator, the same could be said of you." Then I felt this odd, negative feeling in the pit of my stomach that crept up into my heart that accompanied Anakin walking in. Was it jealousy? I would have to talk to him later about it, not when it was too much of a risk with Obi-Wan around. From out behind Annie stood C-3PO, the very gracious yet chatty, human cyborg relations protocol droid. I had been waiting for the return of the protocol droid to Anakin but he had been detained for investigation by the Jedi about what had transpired on Geonosis so we had not seen him since.
"M'lady, I was just wondering if you would like to enlist in the service of C-3PO as neither of us needs a protocol droid in a war. I would work better with an R2 unit in a cock pit obviously too!" Anakin earnestly proposed to me.
"Hello, Miss Padme. I am glad to be at your service!" 3PO interjected with a courteous voice.
"I would be honored to have you at my service. It will give Dorme a break!" As I said this, Anakin hid a smirk behind his master's back as it turned. He wiped it off quickly as Obi-Wan rose from his seat to grab my hand in farewell.
"Senator, it's been lovely seeing you again. I do hope it won't be the last." With that good bye, he lightly pecked the back of my hand at the unseen discomfort to Anakin as I bowed as only a princess of Theed would do.
"We can only hope that this war will be resolved as soon as possible." I sighed at the last word as the two Jedi walked out of the loft, Anakin giving me one last glance.
"We'll be together again as soon as the force allows it, my love..."
"Now, Miss Padme..." 3PO's voice almost completely faded into the background as I pondered when the next time I would see my husband and for some reason also Obi-Wan.
