Thanks for all the great reviews guys! Here comes chapter 20! We've come a long way everybody! The finish line is in sight! I hope you guys enjoy the next chapter!
Padmé raised an unsteady hand to knock on the door to Anakin's apartment.
Anakin answered the door almost immediately, holding the heavy wooden construct open with his foot so he could help Padmé with her bags. His hair was sticking up in every conceivable direction, he looked like he'd just gotten out of bed.
Padmé glanced tried to see the clock over Anakin's shoulder, but he was too tall for her to see the whole timepiece-from what she could glimpse, he probably had. Padmé had the good grace to blush.
"Sorry I'm late. My mother called, she's on her way from Naboo for dad's funeral. It'll probably take a few days for her to get here...do you mind if I stay with you and Ahsoka until she does?" Padmé wondered.
Anakin's mouth quirked in confusion. "Sure." He smiled roguishly. "Did you think I would mind?"
Padmé shook her head and yawned. "I'm not worried about me." She sighed and stepped inside. "I'm worried about you...As much as my father was abusive, my mother is overprotective. I'm kinda concerned about your well-being." Padmé raised an eyebrow.
Anakin's eyebrows dipped. "Oh," His mouth went round. He blew out a long sigh. "Let's just cross that bridge when we get there, alright?"
"Sounds like a plan." Padmé yawned hefted one of her bags. "Shall we?"
Anakin grinned and helped Padmé haul her luggage into his room.
Once they had finished, Padmé sat down on his bed. She frowned. "Where are you going to sleep?" She wondered.
"On the couch." Anakin replied.
Padmé pouted. "But that seems so...uncomfortable. I was thinking we could share..."
Anakin leaned down to kiss her on the lips gently, almost teasing. "As good as that sounds, Ahsoka would probably be creeped-out if she saw. Remember what happened last time?"
Padmé blushed. "How could I forget?" She responded, and kissed him back.
"I don't hear any talking in there!" Ahsoka commented
Padmé laughed. "We'll be out in a second." She yawned.
Anakin brushed her hair out of her face. "You look exhausted." He said.
Padmé leaned back on the bed and Anakin laid down beside her. "I am," She admitted, scooting over so she could rest her head on Anakin's chest.
Anakin stroked her hair, his hand trailing down her spine and coming to rest at the small of her back.
"I think...I'm just gonna rest my eyes...for a minute." Padmé yawned deeply, and shut her eyes.
Anakin reached down and pulled the blanket over the two of them, intending to catch a little catnap himself.
Before he could help himself, he was asleep.
***RH***
"Again!" Dooku said tersely, glaring at Tarkin as the boy lay splayed on the floor in front of him, his sword three feet from his outstretched hand.
Tarkin gasped with exhaustion, his face covered in a sheen of sweat. "Maybe," He paused to catch his breath. "Maybe we should take a break." He suggested.
"No." Dooku snapped, hauling Tarkin to his feet. "I have to be ready. My whole future is riding on winning this match. I need to win. My life depends on the outcome of tomorrow's match." He growled.
"Whoa! Easy on the arm, man. You might want to take it easy on the Vader, dude. If Coach finds out you're hitting steroids, you'll get kicked off the team." Tarkin warned, massaging the ache out of his shoulder.
Dooku's yellow eyes flashed. "I will decide when it is appropriate to dispense with the Vader, Tarkin. Now, are you going to help me practice or not?"
Tarkin gingerly retrieved his sword, hefting the suddenly heavy weapon, only to have the sword blasted from his hand by Dooku's overpowering strike. The powerful overhand sent Tarkin sprawling to the floor again, sword slipping from numb fingers.
"Again!" Dooku roared, the sound echoed through the empty gymnasium.
***RH***
From the shadows above the bleachers, Palpatine stared down at the two combatants, his Vader compound worked even better than he'd hoped. But, the true test of it's effectiveness wouldn't take place until tomorrow.
Smiling, Palpatine sat down in an empty seat to watch the display below-Dooku had certainly been practicing, that much was clear. The Vader didn't hurt either.
When Tarkin went sprawling to the ground under Dooku's powerful chop, Palpatine stared at the boy; Dooku would make a fine successor as well...
All would be decided in the final round of preliminaries.
Anakin with his obvious skill and prowess, honed from years of competitive fencing, was a shoe-in for one spot in the final bracket.
And, with the assistance of Vader, Dooku would be as well.
This was going to be interesting...
Yeah, I know, this one's short too, but it'll be worth it, I promise. Next chapter is the Anakin/Dooku fight we've all been waiting for! I really think you'll like it, guys. Don't forget to Review! Careless Preparation is in serious need of an update.
Yours,
~Ink