The Wedding

The trip back to Naboo was incredibly uncomfortable for Jordana. She spent the entire trip in the cockpit, away from Anakin and Padme's constant kissing. She dreaded the moment they finally arrived, because she knew this day wasn't going to end well. As Anakin and Padme discussed what they were going to do, Jordana watched everything from a nearby balcony. She turned away every time they kissed to look at the sunset, the mountains, the lake, anything but them. Her concentration was broken when Dorme approached her.
"They look so cute together don't they?" she said dreamily.
"Yeah…cute." Jordana sighed.
"You don't seem very happy."
"This isn't going to be easy for me to watch."
"You're sad because he's your best friend, and you're worried you won't be as close to him." Dorme suggested.
"That's only part of it." She whispered. Dorme finally understood.
"You love him, don't you?"
"You guessed it." she answered, surprised she had given out such personal information so quickly.
"And you never told him?"
"How could I? He's been in love with Padme since he was ten; I can't compete with that. Besides, I knew he loved Padme when I fell in love with him, I should have known it would end up this way sooner or later." Dorme sighed. "Of course you know you can't tell anyone about this or I shall be forced to kill you." Jordana said, only half joking.
"Of course not Jordana. I wouldn't dream of it. Actually I came up here to tell you that Padme wishes to see you." Dorme lead Jordana to Padme's room and left them alone. Padme turned to her, holding some kind of headdress.
"Do you think I should wear this? I know it's tradition but I think it's ugly."
"I agree. It looks like a beaded, crochet skullcap. And this isn't exactly a traditional wedding." Jordana walked over to her.
"Do you know any hair styles?" she asked.
"One or two. I take it you want help?" Padme nodded. Jordana walked over to her and began brushing her hair, in silence.
"You seemed quiet today." Padme commented.
"Sorry…concentrating…"
"It's alright. It's just that Anakin always said you were talkative."
"He talked about me?"
"Yeah, a lot actually. I thought you two were an item. Until of course he said he loved me." Jordana wanted to yank the piece of hair she was working with so hard it would come out.
"What did he say about me?"
"He told me about how long you two have known each other, your abilities, the trouble the two of you got into at the Temple when you were younger, how you were always there for him, that you understood him when very few did, and that he trusted you more than anyone…"
"Yeah well, when you've been friends with someone for ten years, you're bound to have a lot of memories." She said as she finished Padme's hair. She turned around.
"You do know that you can't tell anyone about this marriage. Anakin could be expelled from the Order."
"Don't worry Padme, the last thing I ever want to do is get Anakin in trouble." She said. Padme was still admiring her hair when Jordana added, "Padme, since Anakin is my best friend, I am obligated to tell you something."
"Yes?"
"You break his heart…and I'll kill you." She threatened. They stared at each other for a moment before Jordana broke the tension with a small laugh. "But we won't have to worry about that will we?" Padme gave a nervous laugh.
"No, of course not." Jordana smiled.
"Good. Now if you won't be needing me, I have something I wish to talk to Anakin about."
"Of course."
"Thank you Milady." She bowed and left the room.
She found Anakin standing on the balcony, meditating. She watched from a distance, admiring him. A strong rage surged through her at the thought of what Count Dooku had done to him. Her shoulder began to ach and a small groan escaped her lips. Anakin heard her and turned around slowly.
"Well don't just stand there." He said. She walked over to him, and sat down on the balcony railing. "Be careful you might fall," he teased, referring to when she fell off a balcony when she was eleven. She looked down at the waves crashing against the rocks.
It would be less painful for me to fall and hit these rocks than to watch you marry her.
"If I remember correctly, you pushed me."
"Not that hard." She looked down, remembering everything that Padme had told her.
"So I hear you told Padme quite a lot about me."
"Why wouldn't I? You are my best friend after all."
"It's just weird that after being with the woman you love again after ten years, you would want to talk to her about me, instead of other...more romantic things, I guess."
"She wanted to know more about my life at the temple, and you're a big part of that."
"Well now you've got an even larger life. You're getting married, and you'll probably have a bunch of kids, and you'll be dividing your time between your Jedi duties and them."
"I'll make sure the kids get to know you. You'll be their Auntie Jordie."
"Oh God Anakin! I don't know how to be an auntie."
"It can't be all that hard. I mean, they aren't your kids."
"May the Force be with those poor, poor children."
Both of them got a good chuckle out that one. When they calmed down, Anakin took her hand in his.
"Jordana, I want to thank you for everything you've done for me over the past ten years. You've been the best friend anyone could have asked for."
She felt her cheeks blushing slightly, "Ain't no big deal, Anakin. Even after you get married and have your children, I'll still be here for you."
Anakin gave her a brief hug as the tears pooled in her eyes.

The sun was setting between the mountains on Naboo, creating a reflection on the lake. Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala exchanged their vows and shared their first kiss as husband and wife. Only three witnessed the event. R2-D2 and C-3PO stood side bye side. Behind them, stood Jordana Darai, leaning against the balcony. She turned away from the sun, in hopes that no one would see the tears pouring down her face. C-3PO noticed.
"Miss Darai, is everything alright?"
"Yes 3PO everything is fine." She lied, "I always cry at weddings."
After dinner, Jordana decided she had to leave.
"Anakin, I think it's time for me to leave now."
"Are you sure? I mean you could always stay in a guest room." Padme offered.
"No, I really think that I should go."
"Well, alright. I'll have Captain Typho take you back to Coruscant, it'll be safer than having you go alone." Padme said.
"Thank you Padme." She said and gave her a hug. She turned to Anakin and held him close.
"Thank you for coming Jordie." He said.
"Don't mention it Anakin." She said. Looking at both of them together, she said, "Congratulations." She turned and walked away; heading towards the ship Captain Typho had waiting. For the entire trip back, she sat in her private room and cried. As they approached Coruscant, she asked him not to land on the Temple's landing platform. He landed about a mile away, and left. Jordana walked the streets of Coruscant, alone. It wasn't dark yet, so she didn't feel threatened. She approached a club, and decided to get a drink. She walked up to the bar.
"What'll it be, Missy?" the bartender asked.
"Something with alcohol."
"You sure you're old enough for that?" he asked suspiciously.
"I am old enough." She said, waving her hand. He nodded and brought her the mix of the day. She turned and watched the activity in they club, sipping her drink occasionally.
"How the hell am I going to cover this one up?" she asked herself.
The holoscreens all switched to one channel. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine stood in front of a bunch of reporters, flanked by Master Yoda and Master Windu.
"My fellow constituents, it is with a heavy heart that I make this announcement. The war with the Seperatists has begun..."
"Great," she mumbled, taking another sip of her drink, "just fucking great."