Episode III: Attack of the Clones

Chapter 6: Stolen Kiss

When Princess Padme docked into the harbor of the Amidala Lake Estate twenty minutes after leaving the docks in Theed, two security guards and servant girls a piece came on board to carry off their things. Anakin made to help them, but Padme quickly brought a halt to this.

"That's their job."

Once off the ship and they entered Amidala's home, the filthy rich Senator gave Anakin a grand tour of her mansion. It was, of course, glamorous and elegant. It boasted fifteen bedrooms/freshers, which were on the second and third levels. And additionally, there were two extra freshers on the basement and first level. Also, in the basement was a den and workout room. On the first level, a kitchen, living room, the Senator's office, and another den. A library was on the fourth level, along with another fresher and exercise/training room. On the fifth level was where Padme kept all of her different star cruisers, so it was something of a garage.

Anakin she was pleased to say was astounded by it all.

"Wow. It's just...wow."

"I know it is. It's really great, but a lot to take in for someone who's not used to all this. Come on! I want to show you something else."

Padme led Anakin back onto the second level, into her bedroom, and outside to the large balcony overlooking the sea.

"I used to come to the Lake Country on school retreats when I was younger. I would swim to that island everyday," she nodded towards the small patch of land that was about five miles into the water from the shore of her property.

"I love the water. I used to lie out in the sun to dry myself, and try to guess the names of the birds singing while rolling around in the sand."

"I don't like sand," Anakin said after a brief pause. This didn't surprise her as he used to live on a planet entirely made up of it.

"It's course and rough and irritating," he continued. "And it gets everywhere. Not like here. Here everything's soft and smooth."

Padme wasn't even listening to what Anakin was saying. She was gazing down at the beach outside her house and the palm trees surrounding it. Although she'd seen them plenty of times before, their beauty always captivated her, most especially if she hadn't seen it in a while. Suddenly, she felt Anakin's smooth warm hand sliding up her exposed back. She was a little puzzled, but didn't shout or jerk away as may have been expected. She simply, slowly turned to face him to find the not yet a man, though not exactly a boy either smiling at her. She looked at him, but didn't smile back. She simply gazed into his beautiful baby blue eyes for she didn't know how long, getting lost in them. Then, all of a sudden, she saw Anakin leaning towards her, she was leaning towards him, and their lips met.

The kiss only lasted a few seconds before she realized what exactly was happening. She jerked herself away gasping for air.

"What are you doing?! You should not of done that to me!"

She was so angry with herself for letting that happen, although if she was to go by Sidious' plan this is what she was supposed to do.

But what if I don't want to do what Sidious says? Well I suppose he'd kill me, but all the same...

Padme was so caught up in her own thoughts that she barely registered Anakin apologizing for what he'd done.

After a few more minutes of standing at the balcony's edge, gazing out at the island, Padme decided to go to it. Turning to Anakin, she said, "I'm going to take Princess Padme to the island. I think it'd be nice to have a picnic lunch there. And I can show you around. What do you think?"

Anakin, who had been gazing ahead, not looking at her as she spoke, suddenly turned. "Oh, um yeah. That sounds nice, I guess," he said a bit hesitantly.

"Look if you don't want to go you don't have to. I just thought...well...that...you'd be interested. But I guess I was wrong."

She turned away and began to leave with her head down and gave a cry-like sniff to make it seem to Anakin that he had hurt her feelings. She was quite good at this. Acting sad to make people feel sorry for her or make them feel ashamed of themselves. It won elections; rather it be monarchical or senatorial. And she sensed that with Anakin it was working.

"No, no Padme. I am interested. Really I am," he said walking after her and turning her to face him. "I was just...I don't know. Lost in thought I guess."

"Right. Well I'm going to change into a proper picnic wear outfit. Why don't you tell the servant girls to make us some sandwiches and such; I think they're in the kitchen."

Of course she didn't think they were in the kitchen; she knew they were there. She had sensed their presences there when she reached to find them, but naturally she wasn't going to tell Anakin that.

"Okay." Anakin exited her room, closing the door behind him.

Padme changed into a flowered yellow blouse and yellow stretch pants, and put her hair in buns, each on either side of her head with ribbons. She also decided to bring her holocamera with her.

At the finish, she went down to the kitchen to find her three servant girls, the near-Padme look-a-like Dorme Travelen and the wavy auburn haired Leslie and Lizzie Dayaden, making Nerfburgers. She smirked when she saw Anakin putting bags of all sorts of junk food in the picnic basket assigned for the lunch. He was currently munching on a bag of graham crackers.

"A bit munch don't you think Anakin?" she asked teasingly as she put two bottles of Liquid Galaxies (a great tasting beverage which poured out in thick droplets, each appearing to be a tiny galaxy of stars) in the basket.

"Maybe a bit." He looked and sounded slightly embarrassed. "Maybe I should put some of this back." He was about to take a box of Doughnuts out of the basket when she stopped him.

"No, no, leave it. I'm a pretty big eater myself. I'm sure we'll find room for it all."

"What's with both Liquid Galaxies?" Anakin wanted to know.

"One's for you, and the other's for me, silly. That way we don't have to bring cups. We can drink right out of the bottle. I usually do anyway."

"Really? So do I! It's just that Obi-Wan usually always reprimands me for doing it. He says that's what cups were made for, and that if I drink out of the bottle he won't be able to have any because of germs. But who cares is the way I see it; more for me!"

This brought a laugh from both of them.

As soon as Dorme loaded the picnic basket and a blanket onto Princess Padme, Padme and Anakin set sail for the island.