First of all, I want to say thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far- your support means a lot! Thanks everyone!
Just to clear things up, medical technology in this story is up to par with that of the Star Wars universe. People can get prosthetic limbs that function exactly the same as their flesh appendages, and broken bones can be healed after a session in the bacta tanks. However, only rudimentary first-aid kits are available to the public for purchase-it encourages people to go to the hospital for definitive care if something happens to them...I hope that makes sense.
Also: SAP WARNING! (Sorry MasterCheif2468)
Now, on to the good stuff. Chapter 16 is next up, I hope you like it! Don't forget to review!
Anakin had just finished making dinner- a Stouffer's lasagna, when Ahsoka emerged from her room.
She shuffled sheepishly into the kitchen. "Anakin?" She asked meekly.
Anakin turned to face her. "Yes?" he replied.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you." She said.
Anakin reached down to ruffle her hair. "It's okay, I know you didn't mean it. I would be in a pretty bad mood if I were in your shoes." He said. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving," Ahsoka replied emphatically.
"Well, I hope you like lasagna, dinner is almost ready, and I think Padmé might be coming over to eat with us." Anakin explained.
"Are you kidding? I love lasagna!" Ahsoka exclaimed, smiling for the first time since she'd arrived.
"Good. Go get cleaned up, and I'll set the table." Anakin said.
Ahsoka nodded and raced off to the bathroom, blowing past Padmé as she entered the apartment.
"Whoa! Where's the fire?" Padmé wondered, sidestepping the speeding child.
"Hi, Padmé! We're having lasagna for dinner!" Ahsoka called out.
Padmé smiled at the girl's exuberance as she stepped lithely into the kitchen. "Hey," Padmé said, moving to stand beside Anakin.
"Hello..." Anakin trailed off as he turned, startled by Padmé's proximity.
Padmé hugged him briefly, and then surprised him by giving him a quick peck on the lips. "How's Ahsoka doing?" She asked.
"Well, she locked me out of her room earlier, but she seems to be feeling better now...I'm not sure how long that will last though." Anakin admitted.
"Give her time, she's had it pretty rough." Padmé suggested. "She's probably going to be a little depressed for a while; it'd probably be a good idea to get out and do things with her. You know: take her to the movies, go roller skating, maybe visit an amusement park, or something. Keep her occupied so she doesn't have time to think about the sad things going on in her life."
Anakin tapped his chin thoughtfully, his face puzzled. He wondered why he hadn't thought of that before. "That's a good idea." I might take her to Cloud City this weekend, the man who owns the place just built an amusement park there...Of course, you're welcome to come if you like."
Anakin leaned closer, his blue eyes tantalizing.
Padmé reached behind her back with her left arm and grasped her right, fidgeting in hesitation. "Are you asking me out?" She wondered.
"Well...if the shoe fits," Anakin closer, pressing his lips gently against hers.
Padmé's was perplexed at the sudden, visceral surge of desire that burned through her veins. Not that she was complaining or anything, it felt good, but...
She'd never felt like this about anyone before-not even Paolo.
Before she could stop herself, she was pressing herself forcefully against Anakin, deepening the kiss.
Anakin's roaming hands came to rest on her hips, and hers tangled in his thick hair. A quiet moan escaped her lips.
A short eternity later the two of them parted, breathing raggedly.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'." Anakin replied, smiling.
"Wow..." Padmé breathed, her eyes glassy.
"You okay?" Anakin wondered, sweeping a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah." Padmé blushed, embarrassed.
She stretched up to kiss him again, but the sound of shuffling feet interrupted their intimate moment.
Ahsoka stood in the doorway to the kitchen, eyes as round as dinner plates. "Wow." She drew out the word for as long as her breath would allow. "I didn't know you were supposed to use your tongue when you kissed!" She exclaimed.
Palpatine allowed himself to smile. Ruwee had just contacted him to let him know that his men had been released from prison; but Jobal was still alive...That could possibly be a problem in the future.
If he was going to appoint Anakin as his protégé, he could not afford for the boy to be distracted running a mob was serious business. With his Vader compound completed, Skywalker would be unstoppable. The boy just needed to focus.
Although the mob boss was ruthless, he was not stupid by any stretch of the imagination. The aging mobster realized that love could be just as powerful a motivator as fear.
But, Palpatine reflected, fear of loss trumps them both.
With a gray hand, he reached down onto his desk and picked up the phone. With a sinister smile, he dialed a number and waited as the phone rang.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Ruwee Naberrie's voice came groggily through the receiver.
"I am quite aware of the time, cretin." Palpatine snapped. "You would do well not to question me again, you imprudent whelp. I have a job for you."
"My apologies, my liege. What is thy bidding?" Ruwee replied, fear staining his tone.
"I want you to beat your daughter again. Within an inch of her life. The time has come to set our plans in motion."
"But, my lord, the boy threatened my life, surely you can't be serious."
"Are you really so short-sighted that you don't believe I can deal with the boy."
"N-n-no, my lord. I apologize." Ruwee struggled with the words.
"I don't want your apologies lout, I want results."
"Y-yes my liege." Ruwee stammered.
"Dooku will be there to assist you; tell him nothing about this plan. I will reveal his part in this to Skywalker personally."
"It will be done, my lord."
"See that it is. Contact me when you've completed your task." With that, Palpatine hung up the phone.
"That was so embarrassing!" Padmé said, dropping her head into her hands, glad that Ahsoka had gone to bed for the evening.
Anakin rubbed her back soothingly. "I'm sure she'll forget it before the week is out. We just have to be more careful next time." He said.
"Next time? What makes you think there'll be a next time?" Padmé wondered. "It was a moment of weakness, that's all." She fumed.
"Come on Padmé, who're you trying to fool? You can't resist me." Anakin observed arrogantly.
Padmé's slim eyebrows raised. "Can't I?" She challenged.
Anakin trailed a finger down the side of her face. "Nope. And I'll prove it to you."
Padmé's breath hitched at Anakin's caress; she hoped he hadn't noticed.
Anakin leaned forward to kiss the side of Padmé's neck.
Padmé's heart fluttered, but her face remained placid. "See? Nothing." She said.
Anakin grazed her earlobe with his teeth.
Padme shuddered as desire seared her veins. "You'll have to do better than that, Skywalker."
Anakin grinned and leaned forward to plant a passionate kiss on her lips.
Despite her resolve, Padmé's iron will crumbled in the face of Anakin's licentious liplock; before she knew it, she was kissing him back with equal fervor. She leaned into him, lips moving in sync with his.
Anakin teased her mercilessly, deepening the before pulling away.
Frustrated, Padmé attacked him with her own lips instead of allowing him a reprieve.
"See?" Anakin mumbled smugly against her lips. "Irresistable."
Before Padmé could think of a reply, her cell phone was ringing in her pocket.
Reluctantly, she pulled away to answer it.
Instead of a voice, she found a text message.
It was from her father.
Come home. Now. he had written.
"I have to go...I'm sorry." Padmé's tone was apologetic as she rose from couch.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Anakin said. His tone turned serious. "Remember, I'm just a phone call away." He said.
Padmé blew him a kiss. "I know."
With that, she left the room.
The sound of the door shutting had never bothered Anakin before, but for some reason, tonight it sounded too...final.
Attributing his unease to sleep deprivation, he retired to his own room placing the phone on the nightstand next to the bed...
A few short hours later, the phone's ringtone jerked Anakin from his slumber. He glanced at his bedside clock. The green numbers read 2:47 PM.
"Hello?" He asked blearily.
"Anakin..." Padmé gasped. She sounded like she was in agony, and her speech was slurred slightly. "I think I need to go to the hospital."
Instantly, the light was on and Anakin was on his feet, rifling through his dresser and grabbing the first clothes he touched. This is bad...He thought. She actually asked to go to the hospital.
"Hang on angel, I'm on my way." He said.
He paused only to pick Ahsoka gently out of her bed, and then he bolted out the door.
Okay guys! You know what to do next...Review! We're getting closer and closer to the grand finale!
As a side note, Jedi-Chick3, your one-shot has been posted...just thought you might like to know.
Don't forget to review!
May the Force be with you,
~Ink