The mysterious stranger gently released Padmé. Once she was free she whipped around to discover the identity of her attacker hoping her theory would be correct.

Padmé's gaze met eyes of a piercing blue sea. The locked with her brown orbs and they stood there holding each other through there eyes. Though Padmé already knew who those eyes belonged to she dared to search further. She came upon short blond hair that came into a braid over the man's right ear.

I know that braid, it's his braid. Padmé thought. But she didn't dare react until she drank in the whole sight of him.

She finally came upon lips that she knew she has kissed many times before. Though she wasn't touching them, she knew they were warm and welcoming. At this point she couldn't stand still any longer. She was ready to embrace the fact that her husband, Anakin was standing before her proudly and awaiting her reaction.

As if knowing she way ready, she felt his arm yank her to him. She didn't hesitate or resist against it for she knew that it was pulling her where she wanted to be. She felt there lips crash together in a kiss that said so mush more than words could about how happy she was to see him.

When the kiss was broken all that could be heard by the two star-crossed lovers was the sound of there own heavy breathing. As they both regulated their breathing, Anakin reached out and caressed Padmé's cheek with his flesh hand and ran his gloved mechanical hand through her hair.

Padmé was the first to speak, for she had so many questions.

"How are you here? I thought you were in the Outer Rim. Is this even rea-- but she was silenced by a soft kiss that proved to her this was, in fact, real. They kissed until they had to breathe and still, they were reluctant to end the kiss they both awaited so long for.

Padmé gazed up at her husband and tears of pure joy began to swell in her eyes. All that she wanted was to spend her birthday with her husband and her wish came true. He was here before her and she couldn't find any words to day that didn't come out as questions.

All Anakin was doing was smiling in triumph. His plan worked and his wife was taken by surprise. He didn't know what to say to her.

He then realized the tears that began to well in her eyes and suddenly found his voice.

"What's wrong? Are you alright? Did anyone hurt you?"

Padmé heard the concern his voice and smiled at him. Her tears were now falling down freely as she spoke.

"No, I am just so happy." I can't believe you're here." She spoke in a light voice to ease her husband's worry.

Anakin responded by gently whipping away her tears and embracing her in a hug that could only be exchange between husband and wife.

"Yes, I am here, and I am not leaving you anytime soon." Anakin spoke with pure devotion in his voice.

All of this information was overwhelming for Padmé. She was overwhelmed with happiness but deep underneath that happiness laid fear. Fear that Anakin had done something he would regret to be with her tonight. After this thought dawned on her, guilt took place of fear. She felt guilty that Anakin might have disobeyed his orders just for her.

"Anakin, how are you here? I thought you would be on some far off planet fighting in the war." Padmé spoke with a shaky voice but she was anxious to hear his answer.

"Don't worry," his lips curved up into a smile as he explained, "I didn't abandon my duties. The council felt that you needed to be protected because it would be easy for something to happen to you with all of these people here."

"They sent you alone?"

"No" his smile disappeared, "Obi-Wan is here but I am sure he will be distracted by all the security. We had to rush over here to make it in time. Which reminds me…" With that being said, Anakin caught Padmé in a searing kiss. They stood there in each other's arms and lips locked for what seemed like an eternity. Both, disregarding the fact that they needed to breathe.

Padmé was the first to break the kiss smiling as radiant as both of Tatooine's twin suns. Anakin stood there watching her gasp for air while he did the same until she finally spoke.

"What was that for?" she asked grinning from ear to ear.

"M'lady, that was to wish you a happy birthday. Did you forget?" Anakin answered, smiling as well at his wife's complete joy and at his own.

The truth was she did forget because she was completely consumed by thoughts of Anakin and how he was with her. She forgot that it was her birthday and that everyone in the reception hall was there on her behalf. She then thought of the many people who might be wondering where she was and she knew she had to return before anyone started searching for her. IT pained her to know that her husband was right there with her but she couldn't parade around with him. She had to continue her senatorial conversations and meet people she didn't want to know.

"Anakin, I think I should get back to the party before anyone notices I'm gone."

Anakin could hear the nerves in her voice. He knew she was worried they would be discovered.

Anakin sighed, "You're right, but I will be near and we can meet here again in thirty standard minutes."

Padmé smiled, "That sounds perfect. I promise to be here even though I might have to yell at every babbling senator here."

They both laughed at the thought and Anakin gently place a kissed on Padmé's lips. Before Padmé could say anything, Anakin had disappeared into the shadows and Padmé was all alone behind the pillar. She knew she shouldn't wallow in the grief of her husband departing because she would see him again very soon.

Padmé hoped the thirty minutes would go by quickly because she awaiting another reunion with her handsome Jedi husband. Before leaving to continue her conversations with various senators Padmé took a deep long breath and let it out shakily, and thought to herself…

Only thirty minutes. I can wait that long. Thirty minutes until I can see Anakin again…

Anakin used the force to sense the presence of his master. Anakin wanted to find something to occupy him so the thirty minutes would pass by quicker.

As Anakin pushed his way the vast crowd of senators chatting, dancing and enjoying their refreshments, he allowed his thoughts to drift to Padmé. He thought of the way her face looked when she surprised him and the pure love he felt radiating off of her.

Oh, how I love her! Anakin thought. He hadn't realized where he was going unil he bumped into a man.

"What in the blazes?" Anakin heard the man say.

The man turned to look at the person who so rudely bumped into him and interrupted his conversation. Anakin recognized the man.

"Oh, Anakin it's you," Obi-Wan said with relief in his voice, "have you checked out the security?"

"Yes master. Nothing seems to be out of order." Anakin lied. Anakin knew he should have checked the security but he wanted to see Padmé too much. Once he and his master parted, he would check everything because he wanted no harm to come to Padmé.

Obi-Wan nodded and seemed to be convinced by Anakin's lie. Obi-Wan gestured Anakin to join the conversation he was having with Captain Typho.

"Continue captain." Obi-Wan stated.

"Well, there were no obvious threats against Senator Amidala, but I do feel better with you both here. With the war raging across the galaxy, no senator is safe." Captain Typho informed the two Jedi.

"Well then, for now the senator is safe and we should make ourselves inconspicuous and protect her." Obi-Wan suggested.

"With you both here, I am confident that no harm can come to Senator Amidala."

As Captain Typho finished this statement, his comlink beeped and he answered.

The hologram of a dark figure appeared. He was young and had hood covering his face. None of the three men could identify this mysterious caller and they knew that couldn't be good…