Across the Stars: A Cinderella Story

By Serena Kenobi

Author's notes: I was surprised to see that a few people said the story would get predictable from here. Predictable! The idea!! Lol! Anyways, thanks to everyone who reviewed!!! This is a special Valentine's Day update!!

Disclaimer: Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!! I still don't own Star Wars, but I can dream!

Chapter Eight

Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker was very uncomfortable. He didn't want to be put as a prize or a reward for someone's daughter, and so far, they were all giggly flirts. He wanted someone with passion, strength, and who didn't throw themselves at him. Someone like… Padmé. He had loved her freeness and independence. But sadly, he doubted that he would ever see her again. And he wasn't sure how the Jedi would react to him going out with a handmaiden.

"Calm down, Anakin," Obi-Wan's cool, accented voice brought him out of his musings.

Anakin sighed tiredly and shifted a bit. "I can't help it, Obi-Wan," he muttered, "Every time I even get close to a girl she starts giggling and batting her eyelashes at me. I would like to have at least one normal conversation with someone!"

Obi-Wan laughed. "Patience, Anakin," he chided. "I'm sure you'll find someone to talk to. If not, you always have me or Master Yoda." He walked off, chuckling.

Anakin rolled his eyes. "That's not very encouraging," he grumbled. Suddenly he turned as he was tapped on the shoulder. Mace Windu stood there, and with him, three women, one of whom he knew to be the Queen of Naboo.

"Knight Skywalker," Mace acknowledged, "This is Jobal Naberrie, the Queen of Naboo, and her two daughters, Sola and Sabé."

Anakin bowed, saying, "Honored to meet you, Your Highnesses."

The girls instantly sighed dreamily and began giggling flirtatiously. Anakin groaned inwardly, trying not to run away.

"It's sooooo wonderful to meet you, Anakin," Sola said in a high pitchy voice.

"You're so brave for killing that awful… um…" Sabé couldn't remember what they were called.

"Sith lord?" Anakin put in helpfully, thinking to himself what complete idiots they were. They were stupid and ignorant, he could tell. The Queen didn't look much better.

"Knight Skywalker," she said to him, "We have long been awaiting the moment when we could congratulate the hero of the Republic. Well done."

Anakin nodded. "Thank you, Your Highness," he said politely, though trying to stay as far away as he could from the girls, "I appreciate it."

"On a different note," Jobal continued brightly, "My daughters are not yet engaged. I'm sure you will find their company stimulating and enjoyable," she smiled. "Have fun, girls!" She then walked past them, leaving a dismayed Anakin with a flirty Sabé and Sola, who immediately latched themselves onto him, giggling uncontrollably.

Mace strode over to where Obi-Wan and Yoda were talking.

"That poor boy," he chuckled, "Knows how to defeat a Sith lord but can't seem to handle flighty young women."

Yoda smiled. "Find the right one, he will," he said. "Sure of that, I am."

Obi-Wan looked around. "Well, there isn't much hope for him," he added, "I haven't seen one serious girl here tonight."

Yoda gave a secretive smile. "See, we shall," he continued, before hovering off. Obi-Wan and Mace glanced at each other, confused.

Anakin could not get Sabé and Sola to go away, though he was courteously trying.

"Listen, Princesses, I really need to go now," he said, "I have many other people to greet. I can't be rude."

"Oh, then we'll come with you," Sabé said, staring up at him through her thick eyeliner.

"Yes, indeed," Sola purred. Anakin looked up to the ceiling, as if a guardian angel would appear to save him.

Suddenly, as he gazed around, and finally glanced to the large entryway, he did a double take and stared. An angel was floating into the room. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen before, and he couldn't keep his eyes off her. She had soft brown hair that curled gently and doe brown eyes that seemed to smile at everyone. Her dress appeared to be made of gold and flowers, and it drifted behind her gracefully.

To put it mildly, she was absolutely stunning.

As if on cue, everyone else turned to look at the newcomer. Almost instantly, the room became silent.

Padmé couldn't help but feel extremely self-conscious when the room quieted down. She felt every single eye on her, and that was not what she had been wanting. Could anything else go wrong tonight? she groaned. She glanced around to see if she could spot her stepmother, when the most handsome young man she had ever seen came out of the giant crowd. He gazed at her, dark blue eyes staring deep into hers. Their eyes locked for a moment, and he instantly started coming towards her.

Anakin's heart began to race as she continued to glide into the room. Ignoring the other two girls, who were becoming confused by his sudden change of behavior, he strode as fast as he could towards the angel, who looked even more gorgeous up close. He bowed low before her.

"May I have the pleasure of this dance, milady?" he asked in a fairly deep and baritone voice.

Padmé blushed, looked down for a second, and replied, "That depends."

His face broke into a smile, making her weak at the knees. However, she didn't show it. "Depends on what?" he asked, grinning broadly.

"Depends on how well you dance, Master Jedi," Padmé continued, now giving him a slight but mischievous smile.

Anakin shrugged, still smiling. "Why don't you let me show you, then?" he said, holding out his hand. Padmé glanced at it before reaching out to take it. Instantly his hand closed around hers, and the two gazed at each other again, feeling a familiar spark of connection. Padmé looked down, hoping he wouldn't recognize her.

However, the young Jedi Knight was more aware that she thought.

Anakin led her onto the floor, where he put an arm around her waist and began to dance along with the slower paced music. Everyone was whispering and staring at the pair. Off to the side, Obi-Wan and Mace were smiling.

"I take it that you're Anakin Skywalker," Padmé spoke up, trying not to sound too familiar.

He nodded, a knowing smile creeping onto his handsome face. "Yes, I am. And you must have a name as well," he replied. "Well, other than Angel."

Padmé blushed. "Amidala," she answered. "My name's Amidala."

Anakin nodded, still smiling. "Where are you from?"

"Oh… not from around here," she stammered, "You know…"

"I'm sure," Anakin chuckled. "So are you some kind of royalty, or the daughter of a governor?" He held his breath, wondering if she would lie about her heritage.

Padmé shrugged. "It's a long story," she explained, "But I'd love to go into politics. I'd really like to become a senator." At Anakin's face, she continued, "I take it you don't like politicians."

"I like two or three," Anakin said, "But I'm not really sure about one of them…" he gave her a wink, to which she laughed. "I don't think the system works."

"Well how would you have it work?" Padmé questioned curiously.

Anakin sighed. "We need a system where the politicians sit down and discuss the problem. Agree what's in the best interest of the people, and then do it."

"That's exactly what they try to do," Padmé argued, "The trouble is that people don't always agree."

"Then they should be made to."

"By whom? Who's going to make them?"

Anakin shrugged. "I don't know, someone."

"You?" Padmé demanded.

"Of course not me," Anakin answered, "Someone wise."

Padmé shook her head, frustrated. "That sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship to me," she muttered. Anakin fought to keep a grin off of his face, but Padmé had already caught on. "You're making fun of me," she accused, but a smile was already forming on her face as well.

"Oh no, I'd be much too frightened to tease you, Milady," Anakin joked. He didn't tell her that she looked like very much of someone he had met before.

Jobal, meanwhile, was staring at the lady dancing with Anakin. Somehow she seemed awfully familiar, but she couldn't put a finger on it. Sabé and Sola were staring at her, wondering who she was. Jobal faintly recognized that dress that she was wearing, but she was too far off to get a definite picture.

"Mother, Anakin has been dancing with that same girl all night!" Sabé whined, pulling on her mother's sleeve.

"Yeah, who is she, anyways?" Sola complained huffily.

Jobal looked intently at the girl who was dancing. "I don't know…" she trailed off. She decided to try and get closer, but was stopped by Aayla Secura, who came up to her.

"Why, Your Majesty, what a pleasant surprise!" Aayla said, faking a smile. "How are you and your daughters enjoying the party?"

"Who is that girl?" Jobal asked, still looking at Padmé.

Aayla gave a nervous laugh. "Who, her? Oh, she just a girl from Alderaan. You know, the daughter of a local ruler or something…" Mentally she sent to Obi-Wan: A little help, here, Kenobi!

Obi-Wan looked at Aayla and walked over to her, confused. "Aayla, glad to have you back," he said. "And Your Highness, excellent to see you again."

"I was wondering if you'd like to show the Queen around a bit," Aayla said, "I think they're having a buffet table over there… would you mind?"

Still bewildered, Obi-Wan consented. "Very well," he said, giving her a befuddled look, "It's this way, Your Majesty."

Aayla sighed in relief and turned around to see if Padmé had known that Jobal was staring at her. To her surprise, Anakin and Padmé had disappeared.

"This night is going better than I had planned," She grinned, using the Force to levitate an apple.

Yoda hovered up to her. "Good planning you have," he said, nodding. "Off showing the Princess the Room of a Thousand Fountains Skywalker is."

Aayla chuckled. "Ooh, that's even better than I'd hoped for!" she exclaimed, rubbing her hands together. At Yoda's strange look, she cleared her throat and bowed. "Sorry, Master," she apologized.

Yoda laughed quietly in return. "Sorry, you should not be," he replied, "Proud that the Princess is with Skywalker, you should be. Well done, Knight Secura." He hovered off again, leaving Aayla feeling quite pleased with herself.

An abrupt sound of a clearing throat brought the Twi'lek out of her thoughts. She turned to see her old friend, Kit Fisto.

"Kit, good to see you again," she smiled, bowing.

"Aayla, you know there's no need for all this formality," Kit chuckled. "I was actually wondering if you'd like to dance."

Aayla blushed. "Er, with you?"

"Yes," he replied, confused. "Who else?"

"Ahem, of course," Aayla coughed, taking his hand, embarrassed, "I'd love to. Kit grinned and lead her out onto the dance floor.

I hope everyone liked that chapter. More Ani/Padme coming up in the next update, so don't forget to review!! Cheerio!

- Serena Kenobi