So sorry for not updating this in a while! It seemed that I was on some sort of updating-stories writing block, which was awful. But last night (and today), I managed to scrape together this chapter. And I'm fairly sure this is the longest chapter I have ever written for a WIP in the time I've been here on FanFiction.

Enjoy!

Chapter Four. The Poisoned Chalice

Part three of chapter four.

Anakin walked through the forest uneasily, keeping one hand on his horse and the other over his sword. The forest was dark and dim around him – creating an unforgiving, strange atmosphere. The occasional bird call rang through the trees, though besides that, the entire place was silent. With tentative steps, Anakin walked forward. The hairs on the back of his neck were rising…and he nearly jumped a foot in the air when he heard someone crying only a few steps away.

Tying the reins of the horse to a fallen branch, Anakin started to head for the source. Slowly, he called out, "Hello?" Instantly, the sobbing quieted down. Anakin pushed past some more trees, repeating, "Hello? Do you need help? Is anyone –" He came to a stop in front of a young, bald woman. She had strange, purple marks all over her skull, her skin pale and eyes a startlingly sharp pale blue color. What startled Anakin the most was the amount of cuts and bruises over her body – scrapes on her limbs, ugly purplish-blue bumps, blood still dripping down from an arm. Cautiously kneeling down in front of the woman, Anakin asked, "Are you alright?"

Before she could answer, a loud hiss cut through the air. Both Anakin and the woman jumped as a lizard-figure started to slither out from underneath a pile of dirt and rocks from the ground. Cockatrice, Anakin thought grimly, drawing out his sword from his sheath. "Stay back," he said, looking back at the woman.

She nodded her head, cringing away from the beast.

Anakin, meanwhile, circled around the cockatrice with sword aimed and arms locked in position. The beast snapped its jaws fiercely at Anakin, rearing once, twice, and then lunged forward. Anakin was quick to react – he ducked, and rolling out of the way, slashed his sword at the cockatrice. It made a snarling sound, backing from the sword, but only started to march forward when Anakin didn't make a sudden attack.

Then, its pace quickened into a run and it wasn't until it was practically on top of Anakin did the prince throw his sword – and it fell into the cockatrice' body with a thunk and a squelch as the blade dug itself deeper into the flesh. Anakin let out a breath, relieved, and looked back at the woman, who had stood up. Fear had entered her eyes, and it took another moment for Anakin to realize why. He looked back at the dead cockatrice, saying, "It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you." When the woman didn't run away, Anakin gestured to the wounds scattered over her. "Who did this to you?"

The woman's brow furrowed as she surveyed the injuries. "My master," she replied with a quaking voice. "I ran away from him, but then I got myself here." Bottom lip trembling, she cried, "Please doesn't leave me!" Anakin lifted his hand. "I'm not going to," he replied slowly.

"You can take me away from here?" the woman asked, her eyes lighting up with help. "Not yet," Anakin responded. Yanking his sword out from the cockatrice, he added, "There's something I have to do first." He was putting it back in its sheath when he heard the woman ask, "Why have you come to the caves?"

Anakin started to untie the reigns of his horse from the branch, replying, "I'm looking for something."

"What is it?"

Anakin hesitated. He looked over at the woman who had strangely enough stopped whimpering – instead, her expression was replaced by a kind of calm, one that reminded Anakin of one that he would see before a storm could hit. A chill ran up his spine – though the woman, as though sensing his unease, replied, "I know these caves. I can help you."

Leading his horse down at the mouth of the cave, Anakin said, "It's a type of flower that only grows inside the cave. It's very rare." At that, the woman smiled knowingly. "The morteus flower?" she asked. "I know where they are. I'll show you."

xXx

"Anakin…it…it's a trap," Obi-wan whispered, shivering. His eyes were still closed; sweat dripping down his forehead and covering his face. He gripped the blankets, his knuckles white and his breath coming out in short puffs. He looked, if anything, fragile. Weak. At the verge of being blown away by the slightest breath.

"His fever's getting worse, isn't it?" Padmé asked, gently brushing away some of Obi-wan's hair. Qui-Gon sighed, dabbing the younger man's forehead with a cloth. "The poison is beginning to settle in deeper," he replied simply. Obi-wan trembled lightly under the gesture, making a small whimpering sound in the process. Looking up, the physician asked Padmé, "Could you fetch more wolfsbane?"

"Of course," Padmé said hastily, and started to rush out of the room.

Once she had left, Qui-Gon peered down at Obi-wan. "Obi-wan, you must fight it."

xXx

"There they are," the woman said, pointing, and when Anakin followed his finger, he was pleasantly surprised to find that indeed, there was a clump of familiar yellow flowers growing in a clump of rock. Unfortunately, it was on the other side of a wide chasm. Already feeling sweat start to form in the back of his neck in anticipation, Anakin started to pace the side of the cliff. His eyes flicked up at the flowers, then back at the wide fall below. It seemed there wasn't too much of a choice – Anakin supposed he could always try to cross with another part of the cliff…

Lowering his torch, Anakin started to cross a longer part of the cliff. "Keep out of the edge," he said, looking back at the woman. "And don't worry – we'll be out of here soon." He had only taken a few steps towards the longer part before he heard a strange hum coming from the woman. It sounded almost cheerful, something that Anakin hadn't been expecting in a situation such as this.

On instinct, Anakin turned around – and felt his heart plunge. The woman had a hand thrust out, a wide smile on her face. Anakin started to feel parts of the surface underneath him crumble. "What are you doing?" he asked. "Stop!" But as the rocks continued to fall apart, Anakin leaped off – and held onto the other side of the chasm for dear life.

"I expected so much more," the woman said coolly. Anakin let his head drop so he could see the person – and shouted, "Who are you?!" The woman smiled and raising her torch, replied, "The last face you'll ever see." As soon as those words were uttered, a hissing sound echoed around the dark. Anakin slowly lifted his gaze to the area above him – and found with a thudding heart that there was a long-legged, spider-like creature crawling around the rocks. "Looks like we have a visitor," the woman laughed.

Anakin grunted as the creature jumped down a few paces away from him. With set jaw, he reached down for his sword and started to swing violently towards the thing. His legs were still swaying dangerously over the chasm – and Anakin wasn't sure how long his arm would hold him up, but he certainly didn't want to find out. Narrowing his eyes, Anakin put all of his remaining strength into one, last swing at the spider-creature – and watched as it tumbled down the cliff.

"Oh, very good," the woman commented as Anakin started to swing himself over the other side of the cliff. The rocks were narrow and didn't look like they could support much, but Anakin figured it would have to do, especially since on the other side, the woman still stood. "However, that creature won't be the last." Another cruel smile flickered upon her lips. "I'll let the rest of his friends finish you off, Anakin Skywalker. I suppose it is not your destiny to die at my hand."

Then, with a rustle of fabric, Anakin watched as the woman retreated back into the cave. "Who are you?!" he shouted after her, but no response came.

xXx

Anakin wasn't sure how much longer he could hold onto the cliff edge without attracting the attention of anymore creatures. The only thing he did know was that his strength was slipping fast, and Obi-wan was going to die because of it. That thought scared Anakin a bit – of course, Obi-wan had been nothing but a pain of a manservant, but it still wasn't right. Still wasn't good, still wasn't a favorable thing to think about.

xXx

The prince figured he was hallucinating when he saw his torch rising from the depths of the ground below him. It was glowing by itself, hovering a ways from him. Fear gripping his heart, Anakin shouted, "Go on, then!" He twisted his head around, wondering if the woman had come to kill him, after all. "Finish me off!"

But to his surprise, nothing else came. The torch simply flew over Anakin's head and waited there, as if…

Anakin swallowed. He tried his grip on the edge of the cliff – and then, with a grunt, managed to swing a leg over the part of the rock. It was small and didn't seem it could hold Anakin's whole body, but somehow, the prince managed to stand over it. He looked up at the torch again, wary of its presence, until the light shone on a familiar clump of flowers.

There! Anakin thought, re-energized by the sight. He started to climb up the wall – he could still get them – and almost fell off in surprise when he heard a voice in his head murmur, Leave them, Anakin. The prince frowned. That wasn't his own voice, was it? He twisted his head around again – only this time, to see more spider-creatures crawling up after him. Go, the voice urged again. Save yourself. Follow the torch – follow the light.

xXx

Meanwhile, Qui-Gon was staring at Obi-wan, bewildered by his words. "Follow the light," Obi-wan mumbled, his hand outstretched – his fingers stiff, as though he was holding an object – or maybe doing something more. The physician leaned in close, eyes wide. "Obi-wan," he whispered, "what are you doing?"

xXx

Mysterious voice or not, Anakin couldn't bear to leave without getting what he had come for. He climbed up, occasionally looking down at the spiders worriedly – he wasn't planning to die in their ways. Arm trembling only slightly, Anakin reached up – and managed to pluck away a single flower from the clump. Anakin allowed himself a small, proud grin and stuffed it into his pouch.

His victory was short-lived, however, because when Anakin looked back down, there were more spider-creatures climbing after him. With a jolt, Anakin pushed himself up. Faster, the voice whispered. Go faster! Follow the light! Move! Climb! Anakin did as he was told without argument – he followed the torch, spurred himself along with the voice.

He could hear the scuttles of the creatures beneath him – feel how close they were. Sucking in a shaky breath, Anakin quickened his climb. He looked back up at the torch – just in time to see that it had floated its way out of the cavern and into what appeared to be the sky.

Sky.

Anakin was getting out. He let himself up again – and scrambled out of the opening. He unsheathed his sword and whirled around, eyes wide and alert for anything that might have crawled up after him. However, to his relief, nothing appeared. He felt his heartrate slow down – felt his muscles relax (or at least, relax only a little bit – and hurried away.

xXx

"You disobeyed me," King Palpatine pronounced angrily, pacing around the dungeon floor. Anakin had his armor taken away – was left only in plainer (thankfully, more comfortable) clothes, but that didn't make up for the punishment that he was now being faced with. "Of course I did," Anakin shot back. "A man's life was at stake." When his father simply glared, Anakin added, "I cannot let Obi-wan die because of something I did."

"Why do you care so much? The boy is just a servant," Palpatine replied coolly. Anakin pressed his lips together. "He knew. He knew what danger he was putting himself in – he knew what would happen if he drank from that goblet, but he did it anyways!" When his father turned away, Anakin shouted, "He saved my life!"

Crossing his arms, Anakin kept his glare fixated on the back of the king's head. "There's more," he said in a quieter tone. "There was a woman in the forest – she knew I was there for the flower. I don't think it was Bayard who had tried to poison me." The king's face remained expressionless as he replied, "Of course he was."

Anakin only sighed. Then, he reached down to his pouch – by some miracle, that hadn't been taken away from him – and pulled the flower out. He held it out before his father, saying, "Qui-Gon knows what to do with this." As the king slowly took it from him, Anakin went on, "Put me in the stocks for a week – a month, even, I don't care – just make sure it gets to him." He paused and then, for good measure, said, "I'm begging you."

There was a tense silence – and then, after a full beat, Anakin watched as Palpatine crushed the flower in his hand. "No!" Anakin shouted, darting forward. "You have to learn," his father said in a low voice, "that there is a right and a wrong way of doing things. I'll see that you'll be let out in a week."

With that, he started to walk out of the cell – but before he could properly leave, he added, "And you can find yourself a new servant." He dropped the flower to the floor, outside the door – and headed out. Anakin was quick. He instantly flattened himself from the other side of the cell door and reached his hand through the bars for the flower.

xXx

Morning had dawned in Coruscant, and Obi-wan looked much worse. He had resorted down to weak whimpers – barely moving and eyes squeezed shut in pain. "He hasn't got much longer," Qui-Gon murmured when Padmé walked in. "Has Arthur got the flower?"

"I don't know," Padmé replied worriedly. "Palpatine won't allow anyone to see him." She looked down at Obi-wan, and with a breaking voice, asked, "Is there nothing we can't do to help?" Qui-Gon shook his head. "Only the leaf of the morteus flower can help him now," he responded. Padmé bit down on her lower lip. "Then we have to find out if Anakin has it," she mumbled. Then, tapping her fingers against her arm, she added, "I can sneak into the dungeons."

"That'll be very dangerous," Qui-Gon countered. Padmé shook her head. "I've got to," she argued. "Obi-wan will die if I don't."

xXx

"Food for the prisoner," Padmé said as nonchalantly as she could, holding a plate out in front of the guard. He nodded his head, opening the cell door. Trying to ignore the thrum of her anxious heart against her chest, Padmé walked in. The prince lifted his head – his face blank and casual. He didn't even get up. "Set it down over there," Anakin said, shifting his eyes to the small table in the corner.

Padmé hesitated. She turned around to the guard, briefly wondering if she would get caught trying to talk to Anakin – try to relay some sort of message so he would know that she was here to help Obi-wan – but reluctantly did as she was told. She stood back, folding her hands in front of herself and looking back at Anakin again.

"Thank you," he simply said, standing up. Then, he started to walk for the table – and with sinking heart, Padmé started to walk out of the cell. I can't believe it, she thought to herself. I can't believe it, I can't believe it, I can't believe –

"Wait a minute."

Padmé turned around to see Anakin retreating back to the wall. "Couldn't possibly eat that; it's disgusting," he said. He turned to Padmé for a moment, saying, "Take it back. I'm not sure it's fit for anyone." Then, he sat down, avoiding Padmé's gaze as she started to walk back for the plate. She bent down and there, nestled in between the food, was a small, yellow flower.

So he did get it, Padmé thought to herself, a small smile forming over her lips. She turned to Anakin, though he was still careful to look away. Thank you.

Padmé started her way out of the dungeon, clinging onto the plate – and the flower – like she was holding a life. And in some ways, she was. However, just before she could escape, someone barked, "You. Wait." Padmé froze. Closing her eyes and gritting her teeth, Padmé turned around. She forced on a smile, trying to make herself look as innocent as possible. "Yes?"

A guard walked over to the plate – shifted through some bread – and plucked a bit of cheese from it. "Better not waste it," he said. He lifted the food, saying, "We're not all as precious as our Royal Highness." Padmé only smiled some more. She nodded her head and slowly turned around, taking great care in the pace of her footsteps. She was making her way up the stairs when she heard another maidservant say, "Food for Prince Anakin."

Padmé felt her plate smash against the ground as she sprinted up the stairs.

xXx

"How is he?" Padmé asked worriedly, running into Qui-Gon's chambers. "Do you have the morteus?" he only inquired. The maidservant held the flower out. "Here," she replied. He took it instantly, saying, "His fever is much worse – we'll need to hurry." He started to pluck the leaf, mixing it into a bowl with quick hands. Padmé sat herself down next to Obi-wan, chewing on the inside of her cheek. He looked dead. And it was awful.

But he'll be alright soon, Padmé thought. He's going to be alright because we have the leaf.

She looked back up to see Qui-Gon standing behind her, his hands frozen and his eyes distant. "Why have you stopped?" Padmé asked, standing up. The older man swallowed. "The poison was made with the help of the Force," he said quietly. "We may need the Force to make an antidote."

Padmé's heartrate quickened as she replied, "But we can't. It's forbidden – we would be killed." Qui-Gon looked uneasy. He looked down at the bowl, saying, "We'll just make it work without." Then, he grabbed a bucket from the workbench. "We'll need fresh water from the well – get it now."

Padmé nodded her head and briskly made her way out of the room. Obi-wan will be alright soon.

xXx

The very second Padmé was out of the room, Qui-Gon held the bowl of the mixture made from the morteus leaf in front of him. His fears that the antidote wouldn't work without the usage of the Force still unsettled him. Looking at Obi-wan, Qui-Gon did what any sane man would do.

He felt a familiar – if not anything, old – sense of power surge through his veins as he urged the leaf to strengthen in its potency. It had been a while since he had ever used the Force – ever tried to re-connect with his own gifts, especially after the Force had been outlawed. But still, this was important. And it was being used for something good, even if the king couldn't see it.

Just as the process had finished, Padmé came running in, water in hand. She wordlessly passed it onto Qui-Gon, who nodded in thanks. "Hold his nose," he said as he walked over to Obi-wan with the mixture. Padmé obliged, cringing as the physician started to pass the liquid through Obi-wan's lips. "Swallow," he directed. "Swallow, Obi-wan."

Qui-Gon didn't pull away until the entire liquid had been drained. When it had, he stepped away and turned to Padmé, who was watching the younger man carefully. They waited in silence – waited for Obi-wan to wake up, for him to stir, for any sign that he might be regaining strength.

But there was nothing.

"He's stopped breathing," Padmé whispered, turning to Qui-Gon. "What's happening? Qui-Gon?"

His own heart beating rapidly, Qui-Gon lowered his head to Obi-wan's chest – searched frantically for a pulse, strained to hear something – but nothing came. He looked up at Padmé, stricken. "His heart has stopped," he whispered, eyes wide. The maidservant's face immediately crumpled. She slowly looked back down at Obi-wan, breathing, "He's dead?"

There was a stunned silence. Neither Qui-Gon nor Padmé spoke. They both stared down at Obi-wan – at his still form, at the lack of movement from him. "It can't be," Qui-Gon murmured. "It can't be. It wasn't in his…this wasn't supposed to happen." He stood, numb as Padmé said, hushed, "It's my fault. I should have come here faster – I should have hurried – I should have…" Her voice broke off as she reached up to Qui-Gon, her head falling against the older man's shoulder and tears streaming down her cheeks.

"No, no," Qui-Gon whispered. "It was me." He closed his eyes. "I should have looked after him better. It's my fault." He planted a soft kiss on top of Padmé's head – one out of comfort, one out of the simple grief that both were feeling over –

"That is disgusting," a familiar voice suddenly said. "You should be ashamed of yourself, Qui-Gon, you're old enough to be her father!" Both Qui-Gon and Padmé looked down to see Obi-wan propping himself up on his elbows, a wide smile on his face and eyes questioning. "Obi-wan," Qui-Gon could only say, relief and surprise pouring into his voice. "You're alive!"

Obi-wan shrugged his shoulders and with a laugh, replied, "Oh, no, I'm the ghost coming back to haunt you!" He only barely finished the sentence when Padmé suddenly rushed down to him, her lips placed quickly gently over Obi-wan's. She parted instantly, her hands covering her mouth. "I'm sorry," she said. "It's just…I thought you were dead."

Obi-wan paused. Then, a small smile flitted back across his face. "It's fine," he replied. "I mean…it's more than fine." Padmé only looked down, shaking her head to herself. Obi-wan blinked. He closed his eyes and then asked, "Ehm…what happened?" He looked back up at Padmé and Qui-Gon, who were exchanging knowing looks as Obi-wan added, "The last thing I remember was…drinking the wine."

xXx

"Sire, forgive me for the interruption, but may I speak with you?" Qui-Gon asked, standing in the doorway of the throne room. The king didn't look up from the scrolls placed out on the table with the rest of the court. "Not now, Qui-Gon, I'm busy," he replied dismissively. "But sire, it is rather important," the physician insisted.

"With the word of Bayard's arrest gone back to Mercia, we're about to be attacked," Palpatine said, glancing over at the physician. Qui-Gon walked over to the king, simply saying, "What I'm about to tell you might actually give some bearing on your plans. Please, it'll only take a moment." He ignored the impatient sigh Palpatine gave – but followed the king when he walked off to the side.

"I know who tried to poison Anakin," Qui-Gon started, but the king shook his head. "So do I," Palpatine replied. "It wasn't Bayard," Qui-Gon said hurriedly. "The poison was assisted by the Force – and I could recognize the hand that made it anywhere." He cast an uneasy look around the throne room and turning back to Palpatine, whispered, "It's her. Ventress."

Palpatine's eyes lowered. "You must be mistaken," he said firmly.

"I wish I was," Qui-Gon replied slowly.

"It can't have been; we know her," Palpatine argued. "That woman's face is not easily forgotten." Qui-Gon shook his head. "She's a powerful user; she can enchant the eye that beholds her. We would have never known it was her." Palpatine was starting to pace now. "Have you any proof?" he asked sharply. Qui-Gon nodded his head and in a low voice, responded, "The poison for Anakin was made more potent with the help of the Force."

"Are you saying she conspired with Bayard to kill Anakin?"

"No," Qui-Gon said. "Bayard is innocent. Look around you." He gestured to the court. "This is what she has been wanting all along – a war to build strife and misery to Coruscant."

Palpatine only turned back to the court. "How long before Bayard's armies reach the walls?" he asked one of the knights. "A day," the knight replied. "Maybe less. We should send our cavalry out to meet them." The king looked down at the maps. Then, he said, "Instruct your men not to leave Coruscant until I give the word."

The knight nodded. "Sir," he replied and started to walk out of the room. The rest of the court followed, leaving Qui-Gon to say, "You are making the right decision." He, too, stared down at the maps before saying, "Do you think Anakin should be told the truth about Ventress?"

There was no response.

xXx

Anakin watched beside Ahsoka as the people of Mercia walked out of the walls of Coruscant, free and only slightly shaken by the ordeal that the king had put them in. "Okay," Ahsoka started, nudging Anakin lightly on the shoulder. "Let the bragging begin – how did you manage it?"

Anakin, strangely enough, couldn't find the heart to give his usual boasts. "I'm not sure," he replied quietly. "All I do know is that I had help." He could feel Ahsoka's bewilderment, but didn't acknowledge it right away. "Someone knew I was in trouble…and sent a light to guide me."

"Who?" Ahsoka asked, frowning.

Anakin shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know," he responded. "But whoever it was, I'm only here because of them." There was a shared quiet between the two – and then, giving Anakin's arm a squeeze, Ahsoka said, "I'm glad you're back." She let go of his arm and then started walking away, leaving the prince alone with his father.

"Anakin?"

The prince turned around to face his father, who continued, "The woman you met in the forest – what did she tell you?" Anakin frowned. He looked back down at the retreating peoples, replying, "Not much. She was trying to get me killed. It was strange, though."

"In what way?" the king asked.

Anakin turned to his father. "I was at her mercy," he replied. "She could have finished me off, but she didn't. She said it was not my destiny to die at her hand." The king only said, "You must have been scared." Anakin shrugged his shoulders again. "Had its moments," he responded dryly. "Those who practice the Force know only evil," he heard his father say. "They despise and seek to destroy goodness whatever goodness they find. Which is why she wanted you dead. She is evil."

Anakin was unsettled by the tension in his father's voice. "Sounds as if you know her," he said quietly. "I do," the king murmured. Anakin turned back to Palpatine, lifting an eyebrow in confusion. In response, the king said, "To know the heart of one user is to know them all." He stood back and turning to Anakin, said, "You did the right thing, even though you were disobeying me."

That was something that Anakin hadn't been expecting. He felt a smile tug at the corner of his lips – a compliment was always rare from his father, and even rarer, seeing that Anakin had just been punished. The king rested a hand over Anakin's shoulder. "I am proud of you, Anakin," he said. "Never forget that."

xXx

"Still alive, then?" Obi-wan heard Anakin ask. He turned, and with a sheepish smile, nodded his head. "Um – yeah, just about." He replied with a small laugh. He watched as Anakin leaned against the back of his chair, and then Obi-wan added, "And I understand that I have you to thank for that."

Anakin's eyes shifted away. "Yeah, well, it was nothing," he muttered. "A half-decent servant is hard to come by." With that, the prince looked back down at Obi-wan. Their eyes met for a quick moment before Obi-wan looked down, his smile broadening. "I was only dropping by to make sure you were alright," Anakin said carelessly. He pulled away from the table, saying, "Make sure you'll be back to work tomorrow."

"Oh, yeah, I will," Obi-wan replied, and turned to watch Anakin leave. He hesitated and then called out, "Anakin." The prince turned to face Obi-wan – and then, his smile fading, Obi-wan said shortly, "Thank you." He watched as Anakin's eyes turned down. The prince paused and then, eyes flicking back to Obi-wan, replied, "You, too." He cleared his throat and added, "Get some rest."

Obi-wan watched the prince leave the room – and then, Qui-Gon murmured, "Anakin may give you a hard time, but at heart, he is a man of honor. There aren't many who would risk his own life to save a servant." Obi-wan only smiled. "It would have all been for nothing if you didn't know how to make the antidote," he pointed out.

Qui-Gon pointed at the plate in front of Obi-wan. "Eat your dinner," was all he said. Obi-wan obliged, taking his spoon, but before he could eat, he said, "I still don't understand – why she would go through all this trouble of framing Bayard when she could have just killed Anakin and be done with it."

"But destroying Anakin and Coruscant wasn't all what she was after," Qui-Gon replied. At Obi-wan's quizzical stare, the older man added, "She knew if she forced Anakin to drink that wine, it would be you who would be killed instead. Seems someone else knows that you're destined for great things, Obi-wan."

xXx

Asajj only smiled down at Obi-wan's face, which was rippling in the waters of her basin. His eyes wandered around – and then, for the shortest of moments, it seemed as though they had locked onto Asajj's. She only splashed a hand across the water, dismissing the watch. She had done her job on Coruscant – she would just wait for the next right moment to pounce.

A/N - ...and that's a wrap for this arc! Are you guys still worried I'm turning this into an Obidala? Well, I got Padmé to notice Anakin a bit in this chapter, didn't I? And Anakin noticed her? (Hm. Well, it's not going to be an Obidala. I'm thinking that Padmé realized that Obi-wan will and will always be just a friend after kissing him. XP)

Reviews are always great! Constructive criticism is tolerable, but flames are not!