Anakin was becoming impatient. He continued to rotate in the force-field, unable to completely focus due to his still recovering body, his weakness only added to his sense of powerlessness at that moment. How had he not seen the danger until it was too late? Padme's ship had been escorted to the Geonisian capital without any problems, but as soon as they stepped out of the craft he had felt apprehensive and grabbed Padme's arm to get her back into the ship, only to be swarmed by the Geonosian warriors and separated from her almost instantly.

His guards had chatted and clicked at him during the only interrogation he had received in his cell once they got there, but his understanding of their language was none existent. Perhaps if he had been feeling better he could have read their minds for a translation, but it was too difficult, especially with his focus on Padme. He could sense her close, in the next cell in fact, and she was obviously having the same frustrating time, but at least he could sense she wasn't being restrained to the same extent their Jedi visitor was being held.

It had not been easy, but he had gotten a few hours sleep, only to wake up a few moments ago with a mass of aches and muscle cramps, which he tried to work out. Now feeling uncomfortable and frustrated, he tried to break through his restraints again.

Movement outside the cell drew his concentration away from his task and he could feel Padme being pulled up and out of her room just as his door opened and three Geonosians came in, with about a half dozen waiting for him outside.

/So few? I must be loosing my touch!/ he thought to himself as one of the warriors in his cell hit the release and he landed gracefully on the floor as the force instantly found him again. He looked up and was about to spring into action, when he saw two guards either side of Padme with blaster rifles aimed at her head. He nodded to her and she nodded back with a sad, apologetic smile.

They were led to a small hover-chariot where they could at least have a moment.

"They plan to execute us as spies." Her voice was strained and she looked tired. Unlike him, she had not been able to sleep, the thought of her beloved in such danger because f her foolish desire to save a man who wasn't even here. According to Poggle, he had left the night before. At least Obi-Wan would be free.

Anakin leaned in to her, cursing the fact that he couldn't hold her, his hands, like hers, bound to the chariot.

"It will be alright, I promise."

"I wish I could share your optimism." She was determined to fight once she got the chance but things were not looking good for them.

"Padme," he said gently and how it melted her heart to hear him speak her name. She looked up into his beautiful deep blue eyes that shone with the love and respect he had for her that she knew was reflected back to him through her own eyes. "When we get out of this, things are going to change. I can't deny what my heart and the force have presented to me in you."

They leaned into each other and their lips met in a kiss of pure love and hope. It lasted for only a fraction of a second, but in that kiss was contained a lifetime of passion, and it left the two of them shaken as the chariot moved off and they parted to turn to face their fate.

The crowd of Geonosians erupted in cheers and jeers as the two were led into the arena where Anakin recognized the pillars from his vision. Already positioned was the man Anakin had seen. He looked around the stands hoping to make out where Obi-Wan would come from, but all he saw was a mass of insects.

He and Padme were chained with their hands above their heads to the pillars. Anakin looked over at the other man and nodded.

"Good morning," said Jango to him as though this was a perfectly normal set of circumstances. /Oh, he's met Obi-Wan, alright!/ thought Anakin as he turned to check on Padme. She seemed to be fiddling with something in her hands, but he couldn't see what it was. His attention was broken from that as the roar of three distinct creatures was heard and he focused on their assailants.

The first was the enormous insect like lizard that he had seen in his vision. It towered above the Geonosian guards and didn't take kindly to being prodded with an electro-jabber. The next was an enormous beast of burden with three horns and scaly skin protecting its back and legs. The last was a large predator with an huge mouth filled with sharp teeth, its claws were long, curved and looked like they could shred the skin off a gundark. It took a particular disliking to the Geonosian who was trying to guide it towards the three prisoners, and it leapt for the warrior, slicing him in half.

Poggle screamed something to the crowd and they erupted once again cheering on the creatures as they approached the pillars. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Padme continue to struggle with her cuffs and tried to us the force to release his, but his fuddled mind was still having trouble focusing on such delicate work. He desperately needed to get to her and protect her.

He rolled around the pillar as the lumbering beast trundle towards him and this time he noticed Padme climbing her pillar and sitting on top while she undid her cuffs completely. He let a smile curl his lips in admiration as he rolled out of the way of another charge from his attacker.

He glanced at the third figure and saw him swinging the chain above him while dodging the insect like creatures claws that where taking chunks out from the pillar above him. The man managed to stand his ground as one claw swung at him. At the last second, he dodged and had the chain positioned just where his head would have been. With a loud crunch, the chain was snapped in two and the man was free, although at that moment it meant he was free to roll under the creatures flailing front claws.

Suddenly, Anakin picked up a force warning from a familiar presence, he looked up to see a small ship rise up over the lip of the arena.

"Get behind the pillars, now!" he yelled as he spun around and clambered up his pillar to the top so he could jump down the other side. Padme slid down the far side of her pillar, but the other man was confused and still avoiding his assailant who threw another claw in his direction.

A brilliantly white light filled the arena and the crowd screamed as the deflected rays of the sun fell upon them, blinding them to the arrival of Kenobi who leapt from the small craft and force pushed the ground to allow him to land softly. The creatures were equally blinded and began lashing out in panic, trampling the terrified guards and pounding into the arena walls. The crowd was swarming and diving, trying to escape the, now burning light and Kenobi hooked his arm under Jango's and pulled him behind the pillar closest to them.

"We thought we'd come and rescue you," he said breathlessly to the stunned Jango, highly amused by Jango's surprise.