*/*/*/*

Anakin stood guard by the newly repaired window of Padme's apartment. His arms were casually crossed over his chest in a nonchalance stance that betrayed an underlying tension in the opulent room. His tall silhouette was dark against the city lights that reflected on the shimmering glass. He watched as Padme hurriedly packed her belongings for their imminent departure to Naboo, determined to keep a close eye on her. He welcomed the chance to spend more time with her as well as the opportunity to prove he was worthy of being a Jedi knight.

As anticipated, Padmé was not at all happy to be ordered back to Naboo and she didn't hesitate to voice her frustrations. "I do not like this idea of hiding," she said as she rushed about packing the luggage she and her handmaidens had only recently unpacked while also giving last-minute orders to Jar Jar and Dorme.

"Don't worry M'Lady. Now that the Council has ordered an investigation, it won't take Master Obi-Wan long to find this bounty hunter and ensure your safe return."

"I hope so. I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act not to be here when its fate is decided!"

"Sometimes we have to let go of our pride and do what is requested of us," Anakin offered.

Padmé paused her packing to turn and glare at him. "Pride!? Ani, you're young, and you don't have a very firm grip on politics," she said as calmly as she could. "I suggest you reserve your opinions and focus on your assignment."

The statement left anakin feeling chastised. "I'm sorry, M'Lady," he said his enthusiasm doused. "I was only trying to-"

"No!" Padmé said shaking her head. "I'm sorry Ani. I'm just... I'm sorry." She went back to her task of gathering her belongings.

"Don't call me that," Anakin requested.

"Call you what?" Padmé said looking over her shoulders and continuing to work.

"Ani."

"Why not? It is your name, isn't it?" Padmé looked confused.

Anakin pushed away from the wall and approached her. "My name is Anakin. When you say 'Ani' it's like I'm still the kid you met on Tatooine... and I'm not," he informed her with a petulant frown.

"I'm sorry. Anakin. I'll respect your wishes. And you're right. It's impossible to ignore..." Padmé looked Anakin over with a critical eye noting how tall and handsome he'd become in her absence. "You're not a child anymore," she finished with a thoughtful smile.

The compliment took him by surprise and he became a little shy at her words. "Really? Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it. He still sees me as a youngling. But Master Windu says I'm the most talented Jedi he's ever trained."

Padmé allowed herself a moment to really look at Anakin. A soft smile graced her lips as she remarked, "I'm glad you're doing well at the temple. I just can't get over how much you've changed from the bright-eyed boy I met on Tatooine. Those Jedi robes really suit you. Being a Jedi seems to agree with you."

The praise brought a fresh blush to Anakin's cheeks, but he quickly collected himself. "Being a Jedi has its trials too, but the rewards are worth the sacrifice. Especially now that Master Windu has been training me. Master Windu's teachings, especially his unique lightsaber techniques, have been invaluable. I've progressed more than I ever imagined under his guidance."

"You speak very highly of Master Windu," Padmé was half-listening to Anakin while she rushed around her bedroom packing another suitcase full of items Anakin couldn't begin to identify.

"He's a good master," Anakin admitted. "He's nothing like I thought he'd be when I first met him. His lessons have shown me a different aspect of the Force, and he actually understands my personal feelings more than anyone else. I've learned more under Master Windu than I ever have after years in the temple. Don't get me wrong," he hastened to add, "Obi-Wan has been a great master and he's done his best to train me, but he doesn't understand what it's been like being without my mother." Anakin approached the window and gazed into the traffic outside. "In a lot of ways, I am more advanced than Obi-Wan. Mace, I mean Master Windu, he understands that I needed something more than Obi-Wan could teach me. Master Windu has helped me handle my emotions more so I can be a better Jedi," Anakin finished.

Padmé looked up at Anakin with new respect. "You've come a long way, Ani- I mean Anakin. I can see how mature you've become."

"I wish Obi-Wan could see it too. But Mace, I mean Master Windu says Obi-Wan is just being overprotective because he raised me. Master Windu believes I'm ready for the Jedi trials."

"That's good Anakin. I'm glad you have someone who can guide you. I know it can be difficult being so young and put under the kind of pressure you must face as a padawan. The life of a public servant is not an easy one but it is a calling," Padme said.

"I've been serving my people since I was very young too. Sometimes I wish I had declined the queen's request to run for office again. Serving in the Senate at such a young age isn't easy. I often wonder what my life would've been like if I had chosen a different path, perhaps leading a quieter life as a wife and mother..."

"I'm glad you're not. Um, I mean... I mean, the Republic needs leaders like you, M'lady. We need honest politicians to bring compassion and balance back to the republic."

"I thought that was your job, to bring balance to the force?"

"That's what Grand Master Qui-Gon believed. I just want to be a good Jedi and serve the people. Like you."

"Public service is a noble endeavor. I'm sure you will do well as a Jedi. My people will forever be grateful for the role you played in breaking the blockade when you were so little. If anyone can bring the galaxy back from the brink it will be you and other Jedi like you."

"There are no other Jedi like me," Anakin stated. "But I will be even better and it's all thanks to Master Windu. He's going to help me find my mother so I can check on her safety. I haven't heard anything about her since I left Tatooine."

"Oh, Ani!" Padmé dropped what she was doing to rush to his side. "I had no idea you hadn't been in touch with your mother. I should have stepped in and done something for you both after we left Tatooine. My only excuse is I was so distracted by the trade embargo and ensuing political fallout. I'm sorry Ani." Padmé touched Anakin's cheek with her soft hand and his resolve to correct his name vanished as his stomach fluttered.

"As soon as I'm able to I promise to help you find out information bout Shmi. She was so kind and welcoming to us when we were stranded there and we were just strange outsiders to her. She deserves better."

"Don't worry Padmé, you had your duties just like we all do. Master Windu is going to find her, I'm sure of it."

Padmé looked deep into Anakin's eyes and brushed her thumb across his chin where a dusting of blond fuzz was growing. "You really have grown up, haven't you?" she whispered as if really seeing him for the first time.

"Mmm-hmm." He grinned devilishly covering her hand to hold it in place on his chin. "And that's not the only place I've grown hair."

Padmé snatched her hand away and slapped his shoulder pushing him away playfully. "Oh shut up! I thought you were a gentleman," she shook her head.

Anakin laughed as he looked deep into Padme's eyes. "I am. I'm very gentle," his voice lowered.

Padmé frowned. "Don't look at me like that."

"Like what?" He continued looking at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Like that!" Padmé dodged his gaze, a flush creeping onto her cheeks.

"Why not?"

"Because I can see what you're thinking."

Anakin laughed, "So, you have Jedi powers now?"

"I have women's intuition. I know what a man is thinking when he looks at a woman like that. It makes me feel uncomfortable."

"I'm sorry, M'Lady," he said with a deep voice but his gaze didn't falter and she could tell he was not sorry at all.

"If I didn't know any better Anakin, I'd think you were trying to seduce me."

"Is it working? Master Windu says I wear my emotions for all to see."

"Well, Master Windu is correct," Padmé looked up, meeting his gaze again. "And no, Anakin, your attempts at seduction aren't working."

"If you say so," Anakin conceded and retreated back to his corner by the window but he continued to watch her with hooded eyes.

Padmé released a breath she didn't know she was holding and she turned back to packing her bags, but to her shock, she noticed that her hands were trembling.

*/*/*/*

Dormé and Captain Typho accompanied Anakin and Padmé to the transport station to see them off. Dormé could barely manage to control her emotions. Padmé consoled her as she suddenly broke down in tears when their departure was announced.

"Dormé you'll be fine. Take care of yourself and the captain," Padmé said.

"It's not me M'Lady. You know I worry about you. What if the assassins realize you've left the capital?" Dormé asked.

"Then she will have a Jedi to protect her," Mace Windu said as he stepped forward out of the crowd.

Anakin was shocked to see his master standing there shrouded in his Jedi robe and hood. "Master, what are you doing here?"

"I came to see you and the senator off safely. Anakin, remember everything that I've taught you. Keep your mind clear of distractions and focus on protecting the senator. I'll be leaving here on my own mission, I hope to have word on your mother soon. Perhaps I'll have an update for you by the time you return successfully."

"Really? Thank you, Master!" Anakin impulsively threw himself into his master's arms.

Mace grunted as he staggered back catching his young padawan. "Anakin," he sighed in exasperation. "Luckily we're not Jedi right now. We are just two citizens taking leave of one another," he said as he returned the embrace.

Anakin looked up at Mace with bright blue eyes. "Right. I'm sorry Mas- uh Mace," he went to pull away but Mace held him tight.

"It's all right. Just this once it's all right." Mace held Anakin in his arms while a few feet away Padmé held Dorme. Captain Typho looked at the two pairs feeling very out of place.

Finally, the two couples parted. Padmé wiped the tears from Dorme's face and turned to face the Jedi.

Mace bowed to Padmé. "Senator we hope to have you and Anakin back here quickly. In the meantime Anakin, don't do anything to endanger the senator," Mace commanded. "Or yourself," he added softly. "May the force be with you."

"And with you. Mace," Anakin said with a twinkle in his eyes. He picked up their bags and he and Padmé walked away with R2 in the rear.

Mace watched them depart and blend into the crowd of travelers. "I hope he doesn't do anything foolish," he said aloud.

Captain Typho said, "I'd be more concerned about her doing something, than him."

Well, that didn't install any confidence in Mace at all. But he had his own matters to attend to. He left the captain and Padme's handmaiden and went off to find his own transport. He hated traveling by public transportation but he wasn't exactly going off on a Jedi mission sanctioned by the council or the Republic. This was a personal mission and if anything should go wrong it would be on his own head and have nothing to do with the Jedi Order.