I am so grateful for all the wonderful feedback I've been getting on this story! This is one of the hardest things I'm writing right now since I am trying to be as accurate as possible with all the medical stuff- I am an audio engineer, not a doctor so all of this is really hard to understand. My main source right now is Grey's Anatomy and Wikipedia and then I double check with medical sites and videos... it drives me crazy sometimes but for the sake of my story it is worth it.

It also has me analyzing all the Star Wars characters I can think of and try to figure out where they would be in this universe. So just for kicks, here is what I have figured out so far:

Chief of Surgery: Yoda

Trauma Surgeons: Plo Koon (department head) Lux Bonteri (intern)

Neuro Surgeons: Onaconda Farr (department head) Padme Amidala (attending)

Pediatric Surgeons: Satine Kryze (department head)

Cardio Surgeons: Anakin Skywalker (department head) Ben Kenobi (attending) Ahsoka Tano (intern)

OB Surgeons: Luminara Unduli (department head) Barris Offee (intern)

Orthopedic Surgeons: Mace Windu (department head) Aayla Secura (attending)

General Surgeons: Mina Bonteri (department head) Bail Organa (attending)

Plastic Surgeons: Quinlan Vos (department head)

Also Palpatine is one of the hospital board directors (maybe that will play a role in the future...)

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

-DFD

Chapter 5

Ben stood at the nurse's station going over Anakin's pre-ops. It had not been easy, but after weeks of pestering him to take the day off to visit his family, he finally agreed. So with Anakin not around, Ben took over the cardio department for the day. He spoke with Padme earlier in the morning and she was in good spirits. In the time since that terrible accident on the freeway, he had noticed their relationship had improved and was not as touch and go as it had been before. He had seen they were more willing to talk to one another and they had even gone out for drinks a few times. Both of them refused to talk to him about their developing relationship, but it seemed fairly obvious they were slowly regaining each other's trust. Ben smirked as he sipped his cup and checked the calendar. By the looks of it, if Anakin and Padme did not rekindle their romance by next week, Dorme was going to lose the bet. And Ben still had two weeks left on his bet.

[][][][]

By the middle of the afternoon, Padme was returning her tablet to the nurse's station where Bail was finishing up his chart. He looked up from his work and smiled, "I heard you had a good one this morning." He said, "Parasites in the brain?" He shook his head, "I'd hate to be that guy."

Padme rolled her eyes, "I was just lucky I got them all out." She said, leaning her back against the counter, "Honestly, sometimes I think we deal with the greatest of human stupidity." She remarks and both of them laugh.

"That is true." He says, rubbing his chin, "The other day I pulled a light bulb from where the sun don't shine." Padme covers her laugh and Bail nods, "Yeah, it was not pleasant for either of us." The silence between them lasts only a few moments as he clears his throat, "I um, I hope I'm not intruding too much," He starts, "But Dorme has been pestering me to ask you about Dr. Skywalker." He says, holding his hand up, "I normally wouldn't ask, but she is killing me." He says with a heavy sigh.

Padme rolls her eyes. The past week she has been dodging Dorme's interrogation. She can be too much sometimes, even for her. Dorme has it in her head that everything will play out like it does in the movies- two star crossed lovers meet again and rekindle their romance to find that they are meant to be… but Padme is in no rush to put a label on things. They have only gone out for drinks a few times. There have been no intimate gestures whatsoever. And she doesn't see that changing any time soon. Not that she doesn't want it to- she does- but she wants to take it slow this time. No one-week of dating then getting married without anyone knowing. She wants to be absolutely sure that this is the right thing to do before she falls head over heels for him again.

"I'll talk to her." Padme assured Bail with a pat on the arm. He smiled and gave his thanks before walking away. Off to the side she noticed Ahsoka walking away with a folder of scans and labs in her hands. Padme furrowed her brow. The intern was supposed to be with Mace Windu on orthopedics today. And she knew Mace kept interns close by at all times- he didn't trust them like the other attendings. "Ahsoka." Padme called, startling the young intern, "What are you doing here? I thought you were on the ortho rotation today."

"About that…" Ahsoka scratched the back of her head, her teeth braced and an awkward look on her face, "look, I get that as an intern it is important to get a well rounded education an all that, but I really, really, REALLY want to go into cardiothoracics and there is a patient that just came in that needs an en bloc transplant- the heart and both lungs!" She exclaimed, "I might never get this opportunity again!"

"I didn't know Dr. Kenobi was doing an en bloc transplant today."

Ahsoka's eyes widen, "Uh, well, I guess he is now."

Padme narrowed her eyes, "What are you up to?" Padme knows when an intern is hiding something. She remembers her intern year. Her class had been rather… adventurous back at Naboo General. There was one time when a group of her peers dressed in attendings scrubs so they could get in on a major surgery with a visiting surgeon. Safe to say that group was punished severely.

Ahsoka pinched the bridge of her nose, "Sky Guy is going to kill me." She muttered.

"What does Dr. Skywalker have to do with this?" Padme crossed her arms over her chest, "He's not even here today."

Ahsoka let out a nervous laugh, "Yeah… he wasn't here this morning… but he's here now."

"What?"

[][][][]

Anakin left his en bloc patient's room, the tablet tucked under his arm. The smirk on his face could not be contained. An en bloc transplant of the heart and both lungs. It is a golden surgery- performed only a hundred times a year. This is exactly what he needed after breakfast at his family's house. Ben had told him to visit his mother and he had; he hoped she was in a good mood. And she had been, until halfway through breakfast. After that he had left, went for a run before he found himself standing outside of Courscant Memorial. Its not like he doesn't have a life outside the hospital- he does- its just most of it isn't nearly as exciting as cutting someone open and fixing them. So, rather than settle for going to a bar or shopping for stuff for his bike, he found himself a surgery- and a damn good one at that.

Down the hall he saw Padme walking towards him, her eyes narrowed and trained on him. The smile on his face fell as he saw Ahsoka trailing behind her, "Shit." He muttered as she closed in on him.

"What are you doing?" She demanded; her arms crossed over her chest.

Anakin leaned to the side to glare at Ahsoka, "Why did you tell her I was here?" He demanded.

"Don't blame the inter, Anakin." Padme scolded, "You're an attending you should know better than to teach an intern to hijack a surgery."

He pouted and folded his arms over his chest; it would have been adorable if this were a different discussion, "Its not really stealing. I'm the head of cardio."

Padme shook her head; "Ben said you were visiting your mother today. What happened that made you decide to skip out on her?" Padme knew how much Anakin loved his mother. Besides her, his mother was the most important person in his life. Shmi worked hard to support him when he was a child- working up to three jobs sometimes just to get by. She had often pretended that there was nothing wrong for his sake, but Anakin had recounted to Padme that he always knew they were struggling, which was one of the reasons he wanted to go to medical school. He wanted to have a job where he could support her so she wouldn't have to work so hard. He wanted to buy her a house so she could get rid of the trailer and live the good life she deserved to have.

Anakin gives a casual shrug, "Something came up." He said, "She needed to do something with my stepdad for this thing they're doing- I don't really know much about it. But there really wasn't much for me to do there, so…" He gestured to where they were standing, "Here I am, doing one of the rarest transplant surgeries in the country. The heart and the lungs are coming from a brain dead patient at Alderaan Medical, they should be here in two hours and everything is all set to go." Anakin pointed to Ahsoka, "Got the scans? Lets go!" As he turned to leave, Padme grabbed him by the arm and dragged him into the nearest room, closing the door to keep Ahsoka out. "What was that for?"

"Anakin, what is going on?" She asked bluntly.

He scoffed, "Nothing, everything is just fine!" He said. Padme gave him a skeptical look, which told him she was not going to let him go so easily. With a sigh he rubbed the back of his neck, "Alright!" He paused a moment before he continued, "…maybe I don't like how my mom's husband and stepson are trying to be my dad and brother. I mean, they're nice and everything, and mom's really happy- which is great and everything- just… I don't need them to pretend to be my family." Anakin stuffs his hands into the pockets of his coat, "I know they mean well, and I know they're just trying to get to know me better and build a relationship with me; I just… don't want it like they do."

Padme nodded her head, understanding what he was saying, "Did you ever try to see things their way? Just to be nice."

He nodded his head, "Yeah, but it's a bit of a culture clash actually. I'm from Mos Espa and they're from just outside Mos Eisley- big tough urban city versus small friendly country town- not exactly something I'm comfortable with."

Anakin was never someone who had a lot of friends. Mos Espa was not a good place to grow up in. There were gangs, drugs and was the screaming definition of the broken glass theory- there was crime everywhere. Anakin had grown up learning not to trust too many people and not to trust anyone too much. It was a difficult childhood, he admits it and it is a miracle he didn't fall into that spiral. It is no wonder the stepfamily from the quaint little town of Mos Eisley is a challenge for him to get along with.

Padme takes his hand, "Maybe you should tell them that." She suggests, "At least just let them know that you appreciate what they are tying to do, but it's not what you're used to; that way they know you're not just snubbing them."

He pinches the bridge of his nose, "Yeah."

"Maybe we should get a drink after work today." She says, his eyes came down to meet hers, "You look like you could use one."

He lets out a light laugh, "I probably could." He gives her a sincere smile, leaning forward; he hesitates for a moment, his eyes staring deep into hers before he presses a soft kiss to her cheek, "See you tonight." He says, straightening back to his full height before leaving the room, Ahsoka close on his heels.

Padme presses her hand to the cheek he kissed, a light blush on her face. She hadn't expected it. It was the first some-what intimate gesture made since they agreed to move forward. It was just a kiss on the cheek and he has her blushing like a schoolgirl. At this point, she realizes they really need to move past this awkward patch in their relationship… they need to try again. Shaking her head she composes herself so she can return to work.

"You two should just get on with it and do it" Padme turns her head sharply to the source of the voice- an old woman in the patient bed. The color returns to her cheeks realizing that she had seen the whole thing. The old woman smiles at her, "It's a good lesson, ya know- check that the room is empty before dragging your boyfriend in." Padme quickly leaves the room before the situation gets worse, walking quickly down the hall to find a patient in need of brain surgery- preferably the unresponsive kind.

[][][][]

Padme finished writing up the last of her charts before Anakin. Walking out into the parking lot she went to wait for him by his parking space, which was where the familiar motorbike that he had always been so fond of waited. It was a 1995 Ducati Monster M900 with a matte black finish. He had saved every penny he earned since he was nine until he was sixteen to be able to afford it and then had spent three years customizing it until it was perfect.

Padme leaned against its frame, waiting patiently for Anakin to emerge from the hospital. It didn't take long for him to make his way out of the sliding doors and make his way to her. "Hope you weren't waiting too long," He said.

She shook her head, "Got here only a few minutes before you." Anakin smiled as he unlocked the helmet lock and passed the extra helmet to her, which she pulled on with ease before mounting the bike behind him.

The engine roared to life and he revved it twice like the show off he has always been. Her arms came to wrap around his waist tightly as he drove them out of the parking lot and into the city. Padme smiled as she pressed herself closer to him. This had been something she missed about being with him. There was something so exciting about it that it just gave her a thrill. She loved the speed, loved how the wind would hit her as they sped down streets, she loved being pressed against him like this- feeling the firm muscles of his abdomen under her fingers, how his body shifts in turns, and feeling all of him pressed so close to her. When they were married it confirmed for her how right they were for each other. Now, it served as proof that they should at least give it a chance. Her mother hates the bike. She thinks they are too dangerous and that Anakin is too reckless. And he is sometimes- going too fast, taking sharp turns; but she despite that, she trusts him completely.

Anakin took them to a small dive a couple blocks away from the city's center. The bar was darkly lit and crowded with people around their age. He led them to sit at the bar where they ordered burgers and beer. Eating their meal they exchanged small talk- nothing special, mostly things about work and the gossip around the hospital. When they got around to talking about the ridiculous bet about them getting together they burst out laughing. Other than Dorme, the fact that they had once been married was still unknown. It wasn't something either of them wanted the hospital to know, especially knowing how everyone seems so interested in their relationship as it is.

"Am I wrong to assume Dorme started this whole thing?" He asks, finishing off his beer and waving for another.

Padme wipes her mouth to cover a small laugh; "I wouldn't put it past her." She said, "But honestly I've been avoiding her since I know she will ask so many questions that I just don't have the energy to answer."

"How are you still friends with that woman?" He asks sarcastically, shaking his head.

She gives a shrug, "Everyone has that one friend they can't shake, and sometimes it's a pain, but most times its good to have."

Anakin nods his head in understanding, "Ben is the same way- a bit more reserved- but still."

Padme shoves his shoulder playfully, "Ben is nothing like Dorme." She argues, "He's more… like a Jiminy Cricket while she is more like Ariel- pretty but not too bright and thinks the only thing that matters is true love."

He lets out a small chuckle, "Well, that is pretty important." Her gaze meets his as his hand slowly comes to rest near hers- their fingertips barely touching.

Padme glances down at their hands, pulling her fingers away slightly as she chews lightly on her lower lip. He pulls his hand back not long after. The look in his eyes tells her he is backing off, but if she is being honest, she doesn't want him to. "Can I ask you something?" She starts.

"I think you just did."

Padme rolls her eyes and he nods his head for her to continue, "What do you think we are?"

Anakin furrows his brow, "What do you mean?"

"What are we?" She asks again, but he still has the same confused look on his face. She takes a large sip of her beer to help her overcome her nerves, "I'm asking if you think we're dating."

Anakin's eyes widen and he sits up straighter in his seat. What is he suppose to say? He wants to say yes- they enjoy each other's company and while they haven't really tried for anything more, the only reason he is trying to hold back is for her sake. Is she asking because she wants them to be dating? Or is she doing it to reiterate ground rules? Anakin gives a small shrug, "What do you think?" He asks as a means to test the waters.

"I don't know…"

He leans towards her, resting his arms on the counter, "Do you want us to be?" He tries. She is quiet and looks away slightly, "If you say no, that's fine. And if you say yes, then I will still take things as slowly as you like. Just tell me what you want."

He's told her he is willing to wait so often that she almost expects it, but at the same time it catches her off guard so easily. The way he says it, the look in his eyes tell her that he means it every time and every time she can see how much he hopes she will give him that chance. And maybe trying to just be friends is too much to ask from both of them. The attraction is mutual, so perhaps now is the time to take another step. Padme brings her eyes to meet his. His eyes are searching hers and patiently waiting for her to say something, behind barely veiled anticipation. She smiles at him and stretches her fingers out to reach for his this time, weaving their fingers together, he grips her hand firmly, almost afraid she will pull back again, "I…I think we should give it a try." She says and he looks absolutely shocked.

He shifts his seat closer to hers and rubs the pad of his thumb affectionately on her knuckle, "Really?"

Padme nods her head and the smile that appears on his face is so wide and full of relief she can't help but return it. He leans forward slowly, giving her enough time to refuse him if she wants before pressing a soft kiss to her lips. The kiss is innocent and full of the love he has only for her and her lips respond eagerly as she smiles into it.

When they pulled back the smiles on their faces were still there, an air of contentment around them as they felt the pressure to keep things distant go away. He brought his hand to her hair and pushed a piece that fell in her face back behind her ear. "So, wanna go on a real date with me?" He asks, "You know, the one where I wear a nice suit and you wear a dress specifically designed to test my ability to be a gentleman and we enjoy a nice fancy meal, with expensive wine before I take you home and kiss you goodnight on your doorstep."

"You make it sound so romantic." She says with a sarcastic roll of her eyes.

He laughs, "Well? You want to?"

"Yes."