"I'll find a way out of this Ani, I promise."

Anakin hated hearing her say that. He was supposed to be the one to come and rescue here not the other way around. And if he couldn't do that than he had failed her. No, wait. He knew that he already had failed her. After all he did turn her out into that blinding storm all alone and let them both be over powered by wolves. There was nothing he could say against any of that.

But even after all this had happened, he didn't sense total despair from her. He sensed something else as well, something that he was afraid to think of what it might eyes glanced at Alejandro standing behind her. The image that he saw in that one second burned forever into his mind.

"Come my dear, I don't want you down here long its not fitting for a galactic Senator."

He put a hand on her shoulder in a way that made Anakin want to lash out like a caged Nexu. If he didn't fully believe that wolves were the cruelest creatures in the galaxy before he believed it now.

"I-I don't want to go Ani."

Anakin shook his head and gestured to the wolf and nodded forcing a half smile on his face.

"I'll be back soon Ani, oh I promise I'll be back."

As Anakin watched her fade away into the darkness a new feeling struck at his core. It was a feeling of terror and also one of a sworn duty that he had. But what it could cost him was more than he knew both his heart and soul could take.

"Jandro why didn't you tell me?!" Padmé said as she stormed back up the stairs alongside the wolf rey.

"If I told you I don't think you would have much had the heart to believe me now would you have?"

"I most surely would have if I knew Anakin's life and well being were all at stake like that. How could you of all creatures have done this. One minute your a man like none other I've seen and the next, the next I don't know what to think!"

Alejandro sighed. The two had reentered the palace now. There was so much about his people and his ways that he wanted to share with her. The thought of her being chained to the creature that had driven her out into that blizzard in the first place was enough to break his heart in two.

"But flower answer me this...were you happy here?"

Padmé froze and turned back to the wolf. Her eyes were filled with question and concern. But a part of her mind and heart were still back in that dark cell with Anakin.

"I-I'm sorry Alejandro I - "

She turned away again. It was a question that she hoped she would never be asked.

"I'm not asking about myself," he said. "I'm asking you if you were happy here. Was this not some sort of paradise prison? Did it not give you love and affection and sincere care?"

She released a deep breath and took a few steps away. She couldn't bring her heart to face the truth. "It doesn't matter what I felt about this old place. My duty is to the Republic and my heart...my heart to another."

"Someone like a Jedi?"

Again she paused. She turned around with wide eyes and a pounding heart. "I-I..I don't - "

"Fear not my dear one. We all know. So does your Jedi."

Alejandro knew his limits and where to stop. He passed his new favorite Senator one last heartbroken and conflicted glance before turning away. He knew it would take time, but surely, he was ever so sure, she would have to come around at one point or another. She had.

Anakin paced back and forth more times than he knew. There had to be a groove in the floor that fit his boot size perfectly. He didn't like the feelings that he was getting from his angel. She wasn't doubting him. But she was doubting herself and her life with him. The one option that he had was burning into his mind deeper and deeper. He might regret it for himself, but if it made her happy, there was no way that it could be wrong, right?

The wait for the daily return of the wolf rey had never seemed to take so long. Not that he was especially looking forward to seeing his newest worst enemt of course. But instead he was looking at it in a new light. A new beginning for Padmé. Her new life. That was all that mattered to him anymore. She deserved this more than anything. He had driven her to a breaking point. But because of what he had done he sensed something new. He sensed that she was really, truly happy. It was a happiness that he hadn't sensed in her for a long time. Yet he also felt her holding back. It was a conflict. And he knew the source of that conflict. He was. It was all on him.

Finally the rusty hinged door squealed open. Anakin jumped half a mile and practically stuck his head (well, he would have at least if it fit) through the iron bars.

"Settle Jedi, what's your problem?"

Anakin took a deep breath. He took his left hand and felt around somewhere along his side until he hit that soft spot. It was moist and still pumping out a strong stream of fresh blood. He made sure that his finger was well coated and then went over to the coarse stone wall.

The rey and surrounding wolves all paused to watch with a new interest in what he was doing. As the bloody words began to form even Alejandro found himself gaping in wonder.

"Are you sure Jedi?"

Anakin nodded firmly. He was positive.