Mmbookworm- Glad you stuck with me Bookworm! I take into account all comments and I'm very excited to have you along for the ride!

QueenYoda - Happy to see you again!...As far as hopefulness in this fic, I definitely have always be interested in A and P's relationship from more of a "realistic" perspective. Love is weird and spontaneous but I refuse to believe there wasn't some thought behind it. I know this is a space-opera but I looong to be conivinced of their relationship, especially the decision to formally marry. That's what I love about fanfiction, so many limitless opportunites to be convinced and to convince (or at least to try!).

Lusitana-Thanks for sticking around, this was the first time I wrote in Anakin's perspective. He's definitely a puzzle, had to put a bit more thought into him

"You give and give and give and give. Don't you ever want to take, just a little?" –Sola Naberrie to Padme Amidala, "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" novel by R.A. Salvatore

Padmé Amidala

500 Republica

Bedroom

Wam. Wam. Wam...goes the ache in my head. It seems that no amount of pain medication erases the dull throb entirely. The nurses told me via a clone trooper that I hit my head on perma-crete due to a faint attributed to dehydration and exhaustion. No kidding, I think, and I rub my temples. Animal-inflicted flesh-wounds, bruised pelvis, dislocated shoulder, and fractured ribs round out the list of my injuries on Geonosis; yet it definitely could have been worse.

Since being discharged from the civilian med-center, my staff have exiled me to my bed for the last two days. Typho was particularly insistent upon it and has taken it upon himself to sit outside my door preventing escape. To top it off, my dutiful handmaidens have forbidden any stimuli related to work or the outside world to even cross the entry way to my bedroom. No HoloNet, no datapad. I'm sure Dormé is holding my holoreader hostage somewhere. So that leaves me alone to my thoughts…again.

It's a funny feeling, being alive on the other side of a death sentence. I've certainly been no stranger to perilous situations in my life, yet none quite so seemingly final. Right before Anakin and I entered that fateful arena, when I admitted my love to him, I truly thought we would be killed. I had finally given myself over to those feelings that had been smashed down deep within for the past few weeks. Ever since, there is a feathery-lightness to my being that I can't put my finger on. Even with these injuries, even despite this damned headache, I feel as if a shaak has been pulled off my chest. Certainly complications have arisen from being not-dead but, there is nothing left in this galaxy that will stop Anakin and I from being together in the future. Cheating death was as if we were handed another chance to let our love live and thrive. There are no alternative paths to take once given this gift. Our love will live, Ani. I know you have always seen it as supernaturally ordained and so it feels that way.

I let that sink in for a moment. It all makes me a little light-headed and then emotion threatens to over take me to the point where I have to consciously remind myself to breath. We were together just two days ago, now all of a sudden we're not. Your skin next to mine, your smell in my senses...now, no more. You're somewhere deep within the Jedi Temple, maybe going into surgery or coming out. My heart is strained in concern. I also miss your companionship.

With you it's so easy to be comfortable. The history between us has aided in our ease but ultimately I think it comes down to our commonalities. We share many of the same values. Public service. Responsibility. Loyalty. Leadership. We have grown-up in worlds full of Mace Windus, Sio Bibbles, and Obi-Wans. When it's just the two of us together, we can be a little less relevant, a little less burdened, a little less our positions and a little more ourselves.

You saw me for merely me. Not merely as a political pawn to be used or a former queen to be idolized, as so many mistakenly do. You saw me as a woman. And a confidant. And a friend. Those eyes rested upon me intentional and heavy with honesty, meaning, promises. I crave to be looked at like that again. Next time I won't look away. I will willingly accept what your eyes offer me and will no longer recoil from you. I will revel in our love.

It has been a wonder to see the man you've become. Charismatic, giving, clever, thoughtful, enigmatic, capable...and of course handsome and passionate. I want you, Anakin, as the person you are. You want me as the person I am. What more needs to be settled? A decision to love and to return love should be made between lovers and lovers alone. It has no place in a Jedi Council's chambers or Senate floor. It is ours, not to be share, not to be made to ask permission for.

I can envision my family supporting this decision and it brings me comfort. I recall my sister chastising me so recently...

"You're 24 years old with a 70 year old's resume. Slow down! Enjoy and taste life before your face catches up your qualifications."

Despite my verbal objections to Sola, I have always secretly imagined a more normal existence as part of my future. An existence that would include a partner, a marriage.

Marriage. This was the first time the word came to me. Was that even a possibility? Was that something Anakin wanted?

Before I could develop my thoughts on the subject, I hear a knock from the door.

"Come in," I answer while propping myself up on the bed.

The door opens inanely slow. It's Dormé with a sheepish expression.

"M'lady, I've just spoken with the Chancellor's office."

"And…" I encourage.

"You're not going to like it. Palpatine has personally insisted that you take a short leave of absence and return home to Naboo to recover." She hesitates, "You are to leave tomorrow."

I figured something of this nature maybe coming, so this is no surprise. Sometimes that man is more meddlesome-grandfather than anything! Of course I would prefer to stay on Coruscant with this war just beginning. And Anakin was on Coruscant. However, coming from Palpatine there would be no choice in the matter. I wonder too if my undoubtedly anxious family had heard of my involvement at Geoosis and petitioned him as well.

"I see," I tell Dormé. "I'll take bath. Please pack my bags and make all the necessay arrangements."

"There's more…The Jedi Council has commissioned Padawan Anakin Skywalker to escort you." Her face looked unsure, as if she couldn't reconcile the situation to herself. I remind myself that the last time I was sent home with him, I had been displeased with the arrangement. "I'm sorry if that's not what you would have wanted Senator."

I nod my head in a resigned manner and beg her privacy. I do my best to mask my pleasure even as she leaves.

Dormé was wrong. This is exactly what I want. I know it now.

I want forever. And I want it to start as soon as possible.