Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
AN: Thanks for all your great reviews. You guys are awesome! Here's chapter 10! Enjoy!
Also, for the M rated version of this chapter, you can find that at my yahoo group. For the link, go to my profile and you'll find it there!
Forever Destined
Chapter 10: Destined Love
Shmi and Qui-Gon arrived home from their evening out.
"I had a wonderful time darling," Shmi said.
"I did too my love," Qui-Gon replied, as he kissed her softly on the lips.
"I have to send a report to Master Yoda over the holocom quickly and then I'll be up," Qui-Gon said. She smiled and nodded.
"Don't be long," she replied.
Shmi sat on the bed she shared with her husband, brushing out her long, dark hair. She noticed several silver strands mingling with the dark ones and wondered where the years had gone. The gray was no stranger to her husband either at his age of fifty-nine, but he was still very handsome, just like the day he had walked into Watto's shop. She remembered how her heart skipped a beat the first time he looked at her and how it still did. She smiled and felt something against her foot from under the bed. She reached down and pulled the object of discovering it was one of their family holo albums. She smiled brightly and set it on the bed before opening it. She smiled, for the first holo was their wedding holo. She had been wearing a beautiful white gown that day and her husband was dressed in his finest formal Jedi robes. She turned the page and it was another wedding holo. This one had Yan and Obi-Wan in it as well. Shmi smiled at the young boy. She had grown quickly to love Ben as her own after she and Qui-Gon fell in love. She considered him every bit her own child and loved him as such also. She turned a few pages past their wedding holos and found one that nearly brought tears. It was a picture of her husband cradling an tiny infant. The next holos were of herself and Yan holding the infant. The day Anakin had been born was a joyous day. All the masters had come to see Qui-Gon's second son, just as they had when Obi-Wan was born. Her heart melted, as she came to the one when young Ben was holding his baby brother for the first time. And then she had to laugh at the holo where Master Yoda was holding him. She remembered how he had been delighted that there was someone smaller than himself for a change. She was so lost in the memories that she didn't even hear her husband come in. He accidentally startled her and she jumped. He chuckled and began removing his tunic and utility belt.
"I'm sorry dear," he said.
"It's all right darling. I was somewhere else, nineteen and a half years ago to be exact," she replied. Qui-Gon peered over her shoulders to glance at the holos.
"That was one of the many happy days that we've had," Qui-Gon said. She smiled.
"It was. The Force has truly blessed us," Shmi replied, as she closed the album and set it on the desk. Qui-Gon wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed her neck.
"I love you," Qui-Gon said, as he continued to place kisses on her slender neck.
"I love you too, my darling," Shmi said, letting her husband lead her to bed...
"Sola smiled, as she watched the young couple trek back across the meadow together. She shook her head, noticing their ruffled clothes and mussed hair, as they chased and tickled each other. Palo stood off to the side, drinking what she knew was his third glass of Nabooan scotch. His glare was fixated on the young couple, who was oblivious to anything but each other. Sola knew this might mean trouble. Padme had told her that Palo got mean when he drank. She shook her head again. Dinner would certainly be interesting.
Padme giggled, as he placed wet kisses along her neck, while she sifted through her closet. They were both wrapped in fluffy white towels, having just got out of the shower.
"I'm not going to be able to get dressed with you doing that," she chided.
"Fine with me," he replied. She giggled and playfully pushed him away.
"We're supposed to be at dinner in twenty minutes, so get dressed," she told him.
"Okay, I'll get dressed and we'll go to dinner," he said, before he stepped behind her and brought his lips to her ear.
"But only if I can have you for desert later," he whispered seductively. She gasped and blushed, as he pinched her rear, before starting to dress. She turned to look at him with a sultry look.
"You'll pay for that later," she said.
"I hope so," he replied, as he let his towel drop to the floor. She found herself staring at his naked body, eyeing him appreciatively up and down.
"See something you like?" he asked, with a smirk. And suddenly, she felt like she needed another shower; a very cold one.
"Definitely," she replied, biting her lip playfully, before turning back to dress herself.
'I am the luckiest woman in the galaxy,' she thought, with a dreamy smile. Sometime later, they heard a knock at the door. Anakin was leaning against the wall while Padme braided her long hair. She was wearing a simple lavender dress that came down to her knees. It was sleeveless with a low cut v-neck collar. Anakin answered the door, only to find Sola.
"Hello Anakin. I just came to see if Padme needed any help with her hair," Sola asked. Padme didn't really, but she knew Sola wanted to gossip and grill her about her afternoon.
"You can help me finish braiding it," Padme said.
"I'll see you both downstairs," Anakin said, leaving them alone. Sola began to finish her braid.
"You two look like you had a romantic afternoon," Sola said. Padme smiled, as she lightly dabbed some of her favorite perfume on her neck.
"We did," Padme replied. Sola's attention was drawn to the mark on her pulse point.
"That's an impressive love bite. I guess you did have fun," Sola teased. Padme blushed a bit and pulled her braid over her shoulder to hide it. Padme sighed and stood up.
"Let's get this over with," she said. Sola followed her out and down the stairs.
Anakin met her at the bottom of the stairs and they joined hands, before entering the dining room.
"It smells wonderful Mrs. Naberrie," Anakin said politely, as they all sat down.
"Thank you dear," Jobal replied.
"So Anakin, do you spend a lot of time with your family?" Jobal asked.
"Yes maim, I see them everyday. My older brother and I share an apartment, but we usually visit home daily, if we're not away on a mission," Anakin replied.
"That must be terribly difficult for your mother when your on missions. She must worry herself sick," Jobal said.
"She does worry, but she knows that we're doing what we were born to do and helping those who can't help themselves. She is proud of us all," Anakin replied.
"Padme told me that you're the Jedi responsible for destroying the droid control ship during the invasion," Sola mentioned.
"I was just doing what had to be done. Piloting is something that I've always been good at, so I figured I was the best person for the job," Anakin replied. Palo clapped mockingly, before returning to his glass of scotch. Anakin and Padme ignored him and continued eating.
"Well, I hear the Council Knighted you for your efforts. You saved millions of our people," Sola said.
"Well, the Council thought that my battle with the Sith was far more a far more grueling trial than anything they could put me through," Anakin replied.
"What's a Sith?" Sola asked, genuinely intrigued.
"Well, I don't really know much about them either. The one that appeared here on Naboo is the first one in over a millennium, according to my grandfather. I guess the best way to explain a Sith would be that they are evil. The Jedi use the Force for good and the Sith use it for evil," Anakin explained. Palo snorted.
"Jedi boy really can do it all. You know I've heard Jedi are very talented with mind control. Tell me, did you have to mind trick Padme into bed or did she go willingly?" Palo sneered. Padme gasped and stood up, a look of outrage marring her features. Anakin stood up next to her, putting his arm around her waist.
"Mind tricks only work on the weak minded and we all know that Padme is anything but weak minded. She's strong, beautiful, talented, and independent. I love everything about her and she has become my life. I won't stand here any longer and let you degrade her!" Anakin yelled, dangerously close to losing his temper.
"Please, let's all try to get along," Jobal tried to quell the oncoming fight.
"Anakin has every right to upset, mother. Why do you daddy allow him to say such horrible things about Padme? How can you not see how much this young man loves her and how terrible Palo is to her?!" Sola asked angrily.
"Stay out of this Sola," Ruwee ordered.
"No daddy, I won't. Why do you continue to defend this slimy womp rat?" Sola asked.
"He defends me, because I am like a son to him. And the only thing keeping me from officially becoming his son is his stubborn, disobedient daughter. At least, that's how everyone back in our village sees it. Padme has refused to settle down and marry the man her father has chosen for her in favor of whoring herself to a Jedi!" Palo yelled, but immediately felt searing pain in his jaw, as Anakin's fist made contact with it.
"Don't you ever talk about her like that again, you bastard! You do nothing but put her down and you're nothing but mean to her, yet you have the gall to claim that you love her?!" Anakin yelled.
"It is common practice in the smaller communities on Naboo for the patriarch of the family to select the men his daughters will marry. Padme has been promised to me since I was twelve and I intend to make her my wife," Palo insisted.
"No, you won't! I'm not some trophy for you to claim! The outdated traditions of our small, narrowminded community is one of many reasons that I sought to leave it in the first place. You will not force me into a marriage where I would be unhappy and unloved. Get out of my house! You're not welcome here!" Padme screamed in his face. Palo snarled at her and brought his hand up like he was going to hit her. Padme winced, but Anakin's words stopped him dead in his tracks.
"If you hit her, then you're a dead man," Anakin growled. Palo slowly lowered his arm and Padme stepped back, gladly welcoming Anakin embrace.
"Jobal, Sola, we're leaving," Ruwee said
"What? Daddy, how can you take Palo's side?! He was going to hit her!" Sola cried in outrage.
"I think Palo has had a bit too much to drink," Jobal tried to calm her.
"That's no excuse mother!" Sola screamed.
"You're mother is right. He is just very angry, as am I. She continued to defy me and it angers us both. I am tired of your disobedience and I'm tired of your lifestyle. It's bad enough that you serve in that Senate full of those corrupt politicians, but now you are the talk of the village, as usual. You and this affair that you're having with this Jedi is all they can talk about. You have dragged our name through the mud for the last time. If you continue this relationship with Anakin, then don't bother coming home," Ruwee said angrily.
"Ruwee, no," Jobal cried. Padme swallowed her tears, not about to let them see her cry.
"Don't worry, I don't plan to come where I'm not wanted," Padme replied. Sola looked horrified.
"Daddy, you can't mean this," Sola protested.
"I do. Darred and the girls are home by now I'm sure. Say goodbye and let's go," Ruwee ordered. Sola hugged her sister tightly.
"I'll call you. I promise," Sola said. Padme nodded. Sola hugged Anakin next.
"Take good care of her please," Sola said.
"I will. I promise you," Anakin replied. After they left, Anakin placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Padme, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have..." But whatever he was going to say or apologize for was lost, swallowed by the beautiful woman that was kissing him deeply at the moment. They left each other breathless, as their lips parted.
"No one has ever stood up for me the way you just did," she told him, tears swimming in her eyes.
"You didn't deserve those thing he said about you and he certainly doesn't deserve a woman as amazing and beautiful as you. I'm just sorry that your father can't see this," Anakin said, as he hugged her tightly.
"I know that my father is wrong, but it still really, really hurts that he would disown me because I won't let him run my life," Padme said, finally breaking down into sobs against his chest. Anakin held her tightly and comforted her, promising her that they would be together forever...
Obi-Wan sipped at his brandy at the bar, as Aayla sat down next to him.
"Have you heard?" she asked.
"Heard what?" he asked.
"I just came from the temple. Master Windu and Master Yoda said that today an undisclosed number of planets have submitted a petition for resignation from the Republic," Aayla said. Obi-Wan nearly choked.
"What?" he asked in disbelief.
"I know, I couldn't believe it either," Aayla replied.
"But why?" Obi-Wan asked.
"We don't know. The Chancellor is being very quiet about it. The Council is meeting in the morning and then they will decide who to send to speak to him. I'm guessing it will be your grandfather," Aayla replied.
"Usually it is. Grandfather can be very persuasive," Obi-Wan replied.
"I heard them talking and they think the sudden appearance of a Sith has something to do with it," Aayla said.
"I suppose that would make sense. Father is pretty convinced that the Sith we fought was only the apprentice, which means that the master is out there somewhere too," Obi-Wan replied, as he took another sip. He caught sight of Siri off in the corner with a very tall, burly looking man.
"Who is she with?" Obi-Wan asked. Aayla smirked.
"Jealous?" she asked.
"No, he just looks a little dangerous," Obi-Wan replied.
"Well he is. He's leading up the remnants of the ring she busted. She working him," Aayla replied.
"But doesn't he know she's a Jedi?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No, her cover was never blown. She managed to keep her identity secret. When they busted the ring, Siri asked them to arrest her as well, since she knew that a secondary operation would blossom from the remnants of the larger crime ring," Aayla replied.
"Well, its bound to get back to them who she is sooner or later. She had better be careful," Obi-Wan said, as he saw her leave with the man.
"Are you truly over her?" Aayla asked.
"Yes, I am. But she is a fellow Jedi and I think she's playing with fire. She should have let another Jedi take over the mission. What's she's doing is risky and she could get herself or someone else hurt," Obi-Wan said.
"Master Windu tried to tell her the same thing. I did too, but she wouldn't listen, so we'll all just have to watch her back for her," Aayla replied...
Anakin heard soft, padded footsteps coming from the stairs. Padme descended, truly looking like an angel. Her hair fell around her in ringlets and she was dressed in a long, white silk nightgown and a blue corded robe. As she stepped into the sitting room, she shed the robe and draped it over the back of the sofa. He had suggested that she take a bubble bath to help her relax and from the way she looked, it had seemed to help immensely. He had taken the time to build a fire and spread out several cushions and blankets by it for them. He had changed into his sleep pants and a button down shirt that he left open, giving her an enticing view of his chest and torso. Anakin smiled at her and poured wine into two glasses.
"Feeling better?" he asked.
"Much, thank you," she replied, as she accepted the glass from him. He clinked his own to hers and then wrapped his arm around hers, as they sipped from the glasses. He took her hand and helped her sit down on one of the large cushions.
"You've certainly been busy," she said.
"You've been through a lot today and I'm just trying to help you feel better," he replied.
"Thank you, but you don't have to, because I'm fine as long as I'm with you," she assured him.
"Maybe, but I like pampering you," he replied, as he reached over to the tray that he had sitting by the wine bottle. He dipped a piece of shuura fruit in the whipped cream and guided it to her mouth. She giggled, as he fed the fruit to her and she eagerly accepted. Her eyes met his, as she seductively sucked his finger into her mouth to lick the cream off. She climbed into his lap, straddling his waist, before dipping a piece of fruit in the whipped cream. She guided it into his mouth and he bit into the sweet fruit. She began kissing down his neck and slowly pushed his shirt off his broad shoulders. He could sense that she wanted to explore his body like he had explored hers, but she was a little timid.
"It's okay Padme. You don't have to be shy with me, angel. When we make love, it's about both of us," Anakin told her. She blushed slightly.
"I know, I just don't have much experience and I don't want...to disappoint you," she said, turning away. He lifted her chin to meet his eyes and smiled gently at her.
"You could never disappoint me, it's simply not possible. All you've done is kiss me so far and I want you so bad it hurts. I want you to touch me, like I've touched you and I know you want that too. So, no more insecurities my love. Kiss me," he told her. She looked up at him and slowly leaned in to press her lips to his. She kissed him tenderly, slowly deepening the kiss. Their tongues danced in an ageless rhythm, as Padme explored his mouth in earnest. After some time, they finally broke the kiss and their eyes met.
"When you kiss me, everything else, the worries, problems; it all melts away. Now, imagine what you could do to me with your touch," Anakin whispered, his breath tickling her lips. She shivered from the thoughts of touching and kissing him all over.
"Touch me..." he requested. She timidly placed her hands on his shoulders, before sliding them down over his hard pectorals. Her hands traveled possessively over his skin and finally down to his etched abs. She glanced up at his face and saw that his eyes were lidded with desire.
"You are beautiful. Don't ever let anyone make you think that you're not again. I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. When we make love, I feel like our connection goes far beyond physical. I feel like you're touching my soul and that I'm touching yours," Anakin said.
"You are. I can feel it and I don't even know how or why," Padme replied.
"Because we were made for each other. We're soul mates. Everything about you intoxicates me and consumes me. I know that I could never live without you now that I've found you," Anakin told her.
"You complete me. You make me feel things I never thought possible. I think I've been waiting for you all my life. You make me feel alive and I know that I would certainly die without you," Padme replied. His lips crashed against hers in a hot, searing kiss. His lips set her body ablaze, as he kissed down her neck with furious intent...
Padme collapsed against his sweaty chest, as the afterglow began to take over. Anakin held her tightly, as they came down, kissing her hair and her temple. As Padme draped herself over him, he pulled a blanket up over them. Anakin nuzzled her neck, softly kissing her.
"I can't get enough of you," he whispered. She smiled.
"Well, I'm far from spent my love. Besides, one good pinch deserves another," she said, as she pinched his rear.
"Why you little star nymph!" he laughed, as he began tickling her. She laughed, as they fell back against the cushioned floor. Anakin pinned her beneath him and kissed her deeply.
"I've got you star nymph. You're mine," he told her.
"And you're mine sexy Jedi," she replied, as his lips descended on hers again. The burning fire paled in comparison to the flames of passion that existed between the two lovers...