I Need You

Chapter 12

Anakin woke to find Padme's soft body pressed tightly to his. He brushed his blonde locks off his brow, wiping the damp sweat off his forehead while trying to pace his rushed breathing. He turned to look at his gently sleeping fiancée, convincing himself she was perfectly safe, well and alive. He groaned, pushing the mental images of the nightmare from his traumatised mind. He squeezed her slender hand, trying to stop himself from shaking.

"Ani?" the gently rousing Senator questioned. Anakin pulled her into a close embrace, crying into her dark hair. "Ani?" she asked again, "Ani, what's wrong?"

"Oh Padme," he cried, "there was a planet, a planet of fire and pain, so much pain." He sobbed harder. Padme tried to calm him, stroking the nape of his neck and kissing his hair. "Padme, oh, Padme. Angel, you … you died in childbirth," he sniffed, holding her close.

"And the baby?" Padme asked, anxiously.

"I don't know, Padme," he cried, "I lost you, like I lost her. Padme, I won't let that happen. I promise."

"I know, Ani, I know you won't," she comforted.

"I'm stronger now, I can't, won't let this dream come true." He promised, "I love you, Angel."

"I love you too, Ani," she replied, kissing him soundly on the lips. She broke the kiss, sweetly, "let's go and get us a drink?" She suggested.

They both padded downstairs, their hands entwined. It was a warm evening and once they both held a steaming mug in their hands, Padme opened the kitchen door and they both moved out onto the patio, sitting on the sturdy wood bench. Padme watched Anakin intently, seeing his beautiful blue eyes had now calmed to their usual warm sky blue colour. Padme grinned. She could get lost in those eyes anytime, so deep blue that spoke volumes for his soul. Stormy when he was angry, sky blue when he was content or the deep ocean teals that often showed during their moments of passion. He caught her gaze and smiled softly at her.

"Anakin, I love you," she whispered, placing her hand to his cheek.

Anakin kissed her open palm, "I love you more," he teased.

"Are you sure about that?" she returned his banter.

"Hmm," he muttered, trying to catch her lips in a deep kiss.

"Oh you want that?" she growled, playfully, "You'll have to catch me first." She giggled, jumping up and running to the bottom of the garden. Anakin pounced up and caught up with her all too easily. He reached out for her just at the moment she tripped over her long, white satin nightgown. She tumbled ungracefully to the ground, spinning slightly as she fell.

"PADME!" Anakin called as he crouched down beside her, "Padme?" He stroked her hair and turned her over to reveal the Senator softly giggling. "Alright you, no one gives Anakin Skywalker a scare like that and gets away with it." He bent over her and began to tickle her, profusely.

"Anakin, Anakin please, no, mercy," she cried out. By now her white nightgown had stained green and brown but she no longer cared, happy to be spending time with her beloved. He smiled and did as she asked, instead stretching out over the top of her and pinning her slight body beneath his broad one. He kissed her powerfully, she could feel his well trained muscles flexing against her body. The sun by now had begun to rise and Jobal had moved to stand in the kitchen, watching the young couple, silently as they shared their affections.

Anakin sighed, "Padme, I think I'm gonna talk to the Jedi Council about my nightmare," he said the word distastefully, as if he was afraid of it, "maybe they can help me solve it, prevent it or at least calm the dreams. I don't think I could stand seeing you die over and over again every night, like I did with my mother."

"Ani," she whispered, "maybe the only way to work this is to let the future play out for itself."

"I can't do that, what if it's too late? What if I lose you?" he said, sharply.

"What if it's a warning against a future action you might make rather than a prediction?" she reasoned.

"I can't risk it, Padme, I won't lose you," he disagreed.

"Anakin, all I want is your love," Padme returned.

"You already have that, you always have done," he promised, playing with the grass on which they now sat. "Oh Angel, I'm so scared."

"Don't be," she comforted, hugging him, "I'll be fine."

"I hope so," Anakin said, kissing her. Nearby a bird sung the first chorus of birdsong, reminding them of the rapidly approaching dawn. They stood and walked back to the house, stopping to pick up their mugs of now stony cold drink.

Padme opened the door to be greeted by her Mother, "I didn't know you'd taken to sleeping outdoors, Honey," she said.

"Mum," Padme complained, as she washed out her and Anakin's mugs. Jobal grinned at her daughter's appearance, her nightgown was stained and there was grass in her long hair. "We woke and needed some fresh air," she said, noticing her Mother's scrutinising eyes.

"Oh Padme, don't look at me like that, I remember what it's like to be young and in love." She commented.

Padme smiled, walking over to Anakin and putting her arms around his neck.

"Why don't you two sit down and I'll bring breakfast in a moment," Jobal offered.

"Are you sure you don't want any help, Mrs Naberrie?" Anakin asked.

"No thank you, Anakin," Jobal replied, thanking the force for what a wonderful young man her daughter was engaged to.

The couple in question sat at the table quietly. "Anakin," Padme said, softly.

"Yes, Angel?"

"When do we have to return to Coruscant?" She asked, fiddling with her sleeve.

"Sooner rather than later," he replied, "I want to see the Masters about my dreams, sorry, Angel."

She sighed and smiled, "no, you're right; I don't want you worrying about this for longer than you have to. I want you to be happy, Anakin."

"Then stay with me, if you truly want me to be happy. Padme, you make me happy," he said, gazing lovingly at her.

"I'm not going anywhere," she promised, "Anakin, I love you."

"I love you too, Padme," he whispered and for that moment all their fears were hidden as their true love shone brightly.

I Hope you're enjoying reading this story as much as I am writing it!

I'd like to thank all of you who are reading and reviewing!

A special thanks to "A Jedi's angel" for giving me some ideas for the future plot (you will find out soon, my dear readers,) and for proof reading the last few chapters!

Thanks for reading,

With love,

ZacE4eva xxxxxxxxxxxxx