Padme was on her way home from the meeting. Anakin stood in the decorated apartment. He looked at the Naboo symbols planted on the walls, perfectly matching the deep paint. He just stared at the symbol on the wall. It made him smile. Memories of being on Naboo came into his head. He could always see Naboo just by looking in his wife's eyes. He remembered the moment of their first kiss, with the crystal glass-like waters, and the small mountains gliding across the far shore.
He remembered when she put her arms around his waist as they road the shaak. And when they were on Geognosis, he heard the most beautiful words that he had waited to long to hear. " I love you," she said to him. And even though it was so dusty and blazing hot in the rusty cart, he had felt ocean breezes and shining suns as she said those words, kissing her when they both knew they had fallen into a deep, nonresistant love.
Anakin had loved Padme ever since his eyes first saw her.
" Are you an Angel?"
Those were the first words that had come out of his mouth. He had carved a pendant out of simple japer material, with strange yet creative designs on it. He wanted Padme to remember him from that pendant, as he could never forget her.
And then ten years past and they came into each other's lives again. He was assigned to be her protector, to make sure nothing would happen to her. And the fact was, he was the perfect one for the job. But the reason why he would be perfect would not please the council. Because in logical circumstances, people would do anything to protect the ones they love. And Anakin still loved the woman he knew ten years ago.
And now in the present, Anakin couldn't be happier.
Anakin heard the door open. Tired Senator Amidala came through the elevator doorway with a smile as she saw Anakin. They both approached each other with a quick embrace.
" Who are you and what have you done with my " crabby after senate meeting" wife?" said Anakin with a confused grin. " Did it go really well or something?"
Padme laughed. " No, it was horrible as usual," said Padme with her eyebrows up. " I'm just happy to come home with you finally here."
Anakin sighed. " That's a relief."
Padme laughed. " I'm sorry if I have a crabby mood after meetings, I just despise stupid people who shouldn't be allowed to step one foot in a Senate Hall. They don't even know what they are talking about half of the time!"
" And that is why Padme Naberrie soon to be Amidala then Skywalker was born. To tell people wrong and right of their stupid remarks."
" You made my name seem rather long in that explanation of yours!" said Padme.
" Well, I don't know many people who have four last names so I guess that means your name is long."
" Hey you make that seem bad."
" Not bad my wife just honorable."
" Well then why are you teasing of me?"
" I'd be much to frightened," said Anakin with a smirk.
" Now when have I heard that before?" laughed Padme." Sorry, but you made it way to obvious that you were in love with me."
" Whatever," said Anakin. Padme just giggled strait through teeth.
" You were such a fool when you were riding the shaak"
" Yeah I agree, that was a little idiotic," agreed Anakin.
" Then would that make me a bigger idiot to fall in love with you?" asked Padme.
" Just one smart idiot. Wait, does that even make sense? Can you be a smart idiot?" questioned Anakin.
" I guess in our case you can," laughed Padme.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The dark Sith Lord roamed the halls of his secret layer. Walking slowly with his hands out near his lower torso, he closed his eyes, thinking evil thoughts. Through the force, he sensed Lord Tyranus's ship landing on the nearby platform. His steps walked a little faster as his aging apprentice approached his master.
" Good to see you my Master, difficult times we are having of the war," Dooku greeted.
" Ah yes Count, but of course our new plans are sure to come through successfully," said Sidious.
" What new plans have you not discussed with me? And why did you have Skywalker almost slice my flesh?" ranted Dooku.
" Patience my apprentice, I knew that Skywalker was not going to kill you, and the plans are why I called you here."
Dooku nodded. " Well…"
" Come inside, the supplies should be here soon," said Sidious.
" Do these supplies have to do with your plan?" said Dooku.
" You will see."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The two Sith Lords entered Sidious's lab. It was filled with computers, machinery, databases, holograms, and secret information.
" So what is the plan?" asked Dooku.
" Well, you mentioned your Sith mastery due to your age and advanced skill," said Sidious as his apprentice nodded. " I have been thinking. You are aging, and obviously have great amount of skill in the dark arts of the Force. And besides, I want a younger and more powerful apprentice anyway," explained Sidious.
Dooku gained an angry mood towards Sidious. " And…" he said restraining from his anger.
" I have decided to get a new apprentice," announced Sidious.
" But Master, who?"
" Young Skywalker."
" That might be an issue," said Dooku. " There is much lightness in him, seeing that he decided not to kill me when he had the perfect chance. He can very easily be convinced" A hologram message came up on a nearby screen.
" Lord Sidious, your order of hypnotizing chemicals has come in," said one of Sidious's workers.
" That is why I have a plan B," said Sidious with a grin.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anakin stood on the balcony of the Senator's high apartment. He watched his wife as she brushed her long curls as they flowed down her back.
" You know, Corusant is so gleaming at night with all of the lights shining," said Padme. " But you cannot see the stars like on Naboo." She turned around and looked at Anakin who was just smiling. " You seem different," she said.
" My appearance?" he asked. " With my hair growth and scar?"
" No," she replied. " Your personality." She paused. " Did something happen when you were away?"
" Well, kind of," he said.
FLASHBACK:Anakin held the blue and red blades crossed around Dooku's neck. Anakin looked at his arm. He tremendously wanted to gain revenge on Dooku. He also thought about how Padme almost died because of him, and how Dooku killed more than a hundred Jedi.
" Kill him," commanded Palpetine. Dooku looked at his Master is fearfully surprised eyes. Anakin paused himself to think. " I shouldn't," he replied.
Sidious grew angry, and Anakin sensed it
" Do it!" he demanded. Anakin thought of the last time he took revenge. How he brutally murdered all of the Tusken raiders. Anakin remembered how much of a monster he was, and thought of how much of a monster Dooku was. If I kill Dooku, I will be disobeying the code in many ways, and I will be just as much as a monster as he is.
" No, I will not kill his, but take him as prisoner," said Anakin. Sidious grew angry. Escape Dooku, he Force messaged. So Dooku ran from Anakin, and escaped once again.
End of Flashback.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anakin explained the whole flashback to Padme.
" I was so close to killing him, but I refused," he said. " I don't know if that was the right thing to do, since he shamefully escaped."
Padme approached her husband with a small kiss on his lips. " You did the right thing," she said. " All you did was follow the Jedi way, and I am very proud of you for that. Don't feel bad that Dooku got away, " she said.
" I was also just so hateful. I mean, he cut off my arm, killed to many Jedi, and you were almost assasonated because of him," he explained.
" Anakin, you let go of those feelings, and chose the right choice,"
said Padme.
" Also, I didn't want to seek revenge like what I did to the sand people," he said.
Padme took a section of Anakin's long hair and put it behind his ear. " And that is why I am so proud of you," she said. Anakin smiled and kissed his wife, walking inside with her to go to bed.
