Chapter V

Zak picked up Padme's shawl and walked out the door. Zak's mind was racing. He had to see her. To talk to her. He needed a chance to explain himself to her. Before he knew it he was at the speeder platform. Something stopped him. He couldn't put his finger on what is was but it stopped him. It was like something was telling him not to go to Padme.

Padme awoke that morning feeling sick to her stomach. It wasn't because she was pregnant, it was more like butterflies. She was regretting what she had said to Zak that previous night. She wanted to be his friend, but how could she now? How could she remain friends with someone who loved her even though she was married. She couldn't face him. She knew that he would be coming over and she couldn't help that... or could she? She stood up from her bed, put her robe on, and walked into the living room of her apartment.

"Good morning Miss Padme. Would you like breakfast?" said C-3PO cheerfully.

"No thank you 3PO. There is something you can do for me though," Padme said.

"Yes ma'am?" 3PO asked.

"I do not wish to see anyone today," she said.

"Of course ma'am," said 3PO.

"Unless its Anakin," she said quickly.

"Will that be all?" 3PO asked.

"Yes. Thank you 3PO," Padme said. With that she turned and walked back into her bedroom.

As the door closed behind her, she stopped and stared around the room. She thought she'd feel better when she did tat, be it was the opposite. She leaned her back against the door, burried her hands into her face, and began crying.

The feeling Zak had, changed. He was sensing something different. Regret. Why he was sensing this he didn't know, but he had other things to be done. So he got into a speeder and sped off to Padme's apartment. As he got closer to her apartment the feeling grew from regret to extreme sadness. Padme was upset about something. As Padme's apartment drew closer the more the sadness overcame him. He knew it was her now, but there nothing he could do about it.

Zak had finally arrived at Padme's apartment and on the landing platform was 3PO waiting. That's curious, Zak thought. Zak landed the speeder and started towards 3PO.

"Erm, sir? Miss Padme does not wish to see anyone at this time, Master Ronan," 3PO said.

Zak stared at 3PO. "I just need to see her for five minutes."

"I'm terribly sorry sir. I cannot," 3PO said.

"3PO, I'm sure Padme would like to see me. I need to give something to her,' Zak said.

"Oh..." 3PO hesitated. "I'm going to regret this..." he said and headed back into the apartment. When 3PO had disappeared into Padme's room, Zak walked in and began to look around.

"Erm, Miss Padme?" 3PO said.

Padme had stopped frying and was sitting on the bed. She turned and looked at 3PO. "What is it?"

"I'm terribly sorry to bother you but Jedi Master Zak is here to see you," 3PO said apologetically.

Padme stopped breathing for a moment when 3PO said Zak's name. She didn't want to see him but at the same time she did. "3PO, I must tell you something..." Padme said quietly. "You must promise me you won't say anything to Anakin."

"Miss Padme, I'm not sure I'm the best droid to tell something to," 3PO said.

"I suppose you are right... What does Zak want?" Padme said softly.

"He said he has something to give to you ma'am," 3PO said.

Padme sighed and walked to the door. "3PO, would you please stay in here while I talk to Zak?"

"Of course ma'am," 3PO said.

Padme turned, took a deep breath and walked out the door into the living room.

Zak looked up and saw Padme enter the room. "Padme I -" Zak started be he was cut off by Padme raising her hand to stop him.

"Zak, hurry up and say what you came here to say," Padme said in the best pretend angry voice she could do.

"I'm sorry about last night. I really am. I did come here to talk but I think I'd be wasting my time..." Zak said softly. "I love you and that's not going to change. I can't help it."

Padme was caught by surprise on this. She had expected him to be upset but he wasn't.

"But listen," Zak pulled out the shawl she left at his place. "You left this at my place last night... I figured you'd want it back," he finished, his voice soft and caring.

Zak looked at her. He could still feel the sadness in her. This made him want to comfort her. But he couldn't. Not just because she was married, but because it was forbidden by the Jedi. "Look Padme, if you are willing to throw almost twelve years of friendship out the window over this, then tell me you don't want to see me again and I'll walk out right now," Zak said softly.

Tears began to well up in Padme's eyes again. She didn't want that. As if from some great weight on her, Padme collapsed to the floor in tears. Zak ran to her side and wrapped his arms around her. "Padme I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."

Padme looked up at Zak. His eyes looked so caring and loving. "That's not what I want Zak..." She trailed off. She She was getting lost in the blue of his loving eyes. The, as if it was second nature, she pulled him to her and began to kiss him.

Zak didn't know how to react to this. He wanted this, but he knew it was wrong. Padme was married to his friend. If Anakin came back and saw this he would more than angry with Zak. He let the kiss continue for a moment longer then broke the kiss. "Padme... you said it yourself, we can't do this. As much as I saying that..."

But Padme said nothing. Her heart was racing. She knew she couldn't do this but she wanted to. There was something in her that was telling her that it was ok. Zak looked at her and she at him. This time Zak was the one who started the kiss. He saw the look in her eyes. It was the look of need. He could sense it in her.

"Um... excuse me Miss Padme," 3PO said.

Padme pulled away quickly, turned, and looked to where 3PO was standing. There was a loud thump behind her. Padme turned and saw an over turned end table and Zak sitting on the floor. Padme couldn't help but smile. "You ok?"

Zak nodded. "Yeah... just getting more acquainted with the floor and table."

Padme chuckled at Zak and gave him a sweet smile.

"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt, but Miss Padme, you have a Senate meeting in one hour," 3PO said.

Zak, having gotten to his feet, walked to Padme's side.

"Thank you 3PO. Now could you please wait in the bedroom?" Padme asked.

"Of course madam," said 3PO, and he disappeared into the bedroom.

Padme turned and looked at Zak. "Meet me here tonight at seven," Padme said.

Zak smiled. "Are you sure?"

Padme nodded. "Yes." She gave him a small kiss on the cheek and whispered in his ear, "You can keep the shawl."