Padmé found it hard to keep a genuine grin off of her face as she rode alongside the wolf king through the surrounding village. Nearly every set of eyes that met hers returned the same smile. She wasn't sure what it was that made her feel so much better than she had in a long time. Maybe it was just the chance to be out without all the stress and expectations coming at her from all sides. After all, rare was the opportunit that she got to be just a normal citizen like the rest of the galaxy.

"I know that we are by no means anything like even the humblest of your Republic systems."

Padmé turned and raised an eyebrow. "You know much about our worlds and systems? You've been there?"

"Rarely, but believe it or not we refuse to be ignorant about the going-ons of the rest of the galaxy. Rather they ignore us, not that is something we mind."

"Well, in a Senator's opinion, this world is like one that I have never encountered before. There is such a sense of peace and caring that I rarely see. But for some reason or another I do not feel much acceptance."

She decided to leave the part out about her missing Jedi. She had learned by now that it was of no use trying to reason with any of these creatures. So, as painful as it was, she decided to wait for the king to make his room. She didn't have to wait much longer.

Alejandro keep his keen senses on one thing only that day. It was this stranger from Naboo, who was no longer a stranger now as it was. Not a smile, nor gesture of kindness, nor sign of enjoyment from her escaped him. And the more he watched her the more he was positive of where she was meant to belong.

"Well my dear flower, how was your day today?"

Padmé still couldn't believe that the king of the mysterious wolf system had given up his entire day simply to escort her about town. The feeling was like none she had felt in a long time. Yes, she had spent plenty of time with royalty in her line of work. But that was all an act back hime, expected. It was nothing like this. Even now that they were back in the palace she still couldn't fully believe it all.

"Yes it was per- it was very nice."

A smile appeared across the Alejandro's face. "What else could I possibly do to have made it perfect. Go ahead, you can tell me."

"Well...I don't want to take an advantage."

"Please my dear, I insist."

Padmé sighed. If there ever was a chance to test her luck she decided that the best time would be now.

"I would like to see my long lost Jedi escort again. Very much so."

"Someone close to you?"

"No!" Padmé's voice was stiff as her back. She hoped that she wouldn't slip up.

"Now, now my dear Senator do not be discouraged. I understand nope your anxiety. And yes, I do agree. You have been kept from the Jedi long enough."

Padmé's eyes widened and she looked at Alejandro in disbelief. What had she done to merit this unexpected stroke of luck? Had she gained so much favor? Or was it a trick?"

"Come with me," he said.

Padmé had too many thoughts swirling around her head to do anything but fall in behind him and hope that he was sincere.

Anakin jumped up when he sensed a soothing presence. Even getting on his feet was somewhat painful now. But the promise of his angel coming for him was enough to make him suffer a thousand pains. He eyed the guard with a new sense of hope and pleading

"Stay down, Jedi. You don't want another thousand volts in the skull do you?"

Anakin recoiled his energy and instead looked towards the door. As always, he heard the footfalls before he saw anything. But he knew that it was no one other than his angel.

"Are you sure about this, flower?"

"The only thing I'm not sure of is why he's down here." The gentleness in her voice had gone down quite a bit. With each stair she walked down the more renewed bitterness had risen towards the wolf.

"Alright Senator, as you wish."

The guard rose and bowed slightly at the approach of his king. It took all of Anakin's will power to keep from attempting to bolt right through the bars when he laid eyes on Padmé.

"Oh, Anakin!"

Padmé ran towards the cell bars. She tried to keep the tears in her eyes from rolling down her face. How any prison could deserve to be kept in such a place she didn't know.

"Ani you poor thing. Tell me are you hurt?"

Anakin shrugged his shoulders. There were so many things that he wanted to say right then that he no longer could. He felt like a fool.

"You're still not talking? Turn your head, let me see that wound."

Anakin shook his head and drew back in the slightest. The last thing he wanted to do was to bring more pain to Padmé than she already was going through.

"Anakin please, don't do this to me. Let me help you."

Before he looked behind her, Anakin could already sense the critical eyes of the wolf. He sighed and turned to show her the angry weeping wound.

"Have you not done anything for him?!"

Alejandro for the first time took interest in whatever conversation she had been having with the Jedi.

"He is a prisoner guilty of a grave offense. It is not our way to - "

"Show some decent charity? What kind of a-a monster are you Jandro?"

The wolf smirked but didn't look angry at her sudden change in heart. He knew what he was doing and wouldn't be swayed by any of this.

"You're probably freezing down here too aren't you Ani? I promise I'll bring you down something as soon as I can. Okay?"

Anakin shook his head and reached through the rusty bars to take her hand. He looked at her and smiled sadly.

"I-I love you Ani," she said just above a whisper.

Anakin felt a stab at his heart. Why hadn't he said those words when he had the chance, why?

He touched her face, pointed to his heart and back to her. She smiled and nodded, but not even she could know the pain and remorse her husband felt at that moment.