A/N- Thank you for the reviews. Please note, Rush will not be a romantic interest for Padme' in this story. I felt this needed to be cut out of the original version and he is here to be her boss during her internship.

I believe this is second favorite chapter that I've written so far. This chapter pairs well with Ellie Goulding's song, " Love me like you do."

Chapter 18- Love me Like You Do

Summary: Alternate World: The Empire Prevails and the Jedi have all been in hiding for thirty years. Emperor Palptaine searches for a way to live long past his dying body through cloning technology and his attempts at descendants. One of his " experiments" escapes and comes to live a slave's life on Naboo. He will meet and forever his destiny changed by the fateful meeting with none other than one young Naberrie girl…

Location: Sabe's Residence, Coruscant

Spring Fete Day 2 28 BBY

It has been 3 days since she's accepted Senator Clovis' job offer. Everyone had congratulated her on her accomplishment. Anakin had attempted to hold back his elation of having her close by for almost a month. Sabe' had suggested they all go out to this local club that Dorme' had raved about. She said it had the best whisky in the galaxy.

That had caught Anakin's attention. He yearned for a good night out with friends and drinks. His training has been stressful- trying not to strangle Inquisitor Maul every time he tortured a captive who probably is innocent of all charges. In addition, he had begun his training with a lightsaber with Maul. Maul insists on personally training him due to his near perfect record of kills. He had several burns from his latest training exercise the night before. His arm aches, but bacta patches will heal over a few days. He had hesitated to use the force to heal himself as Qui-gon had shown him how to use this skill.

Then there is the bantha in the room. Padme' has waited three days trying to process her new venture and knowing that the call to Palo will either do two things: 1. solidify their relationship and show under his selfishness that he does love her enough to compromise. Or 2, she'll end their relationship because he can't be understanding enough to support her within her new venture. This has to be about her- he did the same when he proposed. On the other hand, it provides her more time to sort out this mess of a friendship with Anakin. A part of her yearned to know if there is more to his feelings as there have been with her. Deep down she knows her feelings dwell, and she had smothered them down when he left, attempting to retrieve them without hurting was another matter.

So far they had fallen right back where they had left off. Her relationship with Anakin is like a comfortable worn sweater- something you love, and want to hold onto because it's precious. She desires to hold onto their friendship at all costs- as she feels complete with him and empty when they're not together. Something she and Palo don't have.

Her fingers tick against the holo station. The buzzing of the comm continues as she waits for Palo to answer. She knows he'll be free now as it is during his lunch hour back on Naboo. She has gone plenty of times to have lunch with him if she had a free class period. The com rings again and this time he answers. His hazel eyes seem weary and tired, but with a mixture of happiness at seeing his beloved's face.

" Hi." All Padme can get out. What else is she supposed to say? I'm sorry for leaving home in the middle of the night because you sprang an entire projected life onto me.

His mouth forms a smile upon seeing her. " Darling! I've been trying to call you for over a week. Where are you staying? How are you?"

Padme' smiles back, but it is only a half attempt. She swallows and answers. " I'm fine. I'm on Coruscant staying with my sister."

His hazel eyes shine in sorrow. " Darling, I'm sorry we fought and I should have taken in more consideration of your future plans."

Padme' is hesitate to put much faith into his apology. He had made it clear before she had left that he was focused on his career. She needs to make it clear to him that she needs to focus on her career and if he chooses to be part of her life.

He nods and asks, " How has your trip been so far? Have you visited the Senate yet?"

She nods and laughs. He has listened to a few holo news castings of the Senators' on the floor. Not by choice either, she had pleaded for him to watch them with her. She and Anakin had watched many of them together over the years. He had half listened if they had to do with the Imperial Navy or if Admiral Jinn was ever mentioned, otherwise he was just as lost as Palo.

She recounts, " Not yet- I will be given a tour next week. Listen that is something I need to discuss with you-"

He cuts her off and asks, " So when will you be coming home? I know we left things in the air- but I'd like to discuss my proposal."

Padme' frowns at being cut off and answers. " That is precisely what I want to discuss with you. Senator Clovis has offered me an interim intern position for the next five weeks and I've accepted."

Palo's expression darkens. His eyes narrow as he tries to keep calm. " You- you've already accepted a position without discussing this with me- your fiancé?"

Padme' crosses her arms and retorts, " As I recall, you did not discuss with me whether or not you wanted to accept the contract with your patron on Alderaan. Why would you think I should have discussed this with you? And you are assuming a lot calling, me your fiancé'."

Palo's dark eyes dance with fuel- fuel for his torch. He retorts, " I thought a week away from home would help you come to your senses. We discussed our future together- that you were accepting of my position."

Her anger rises in her tone. " Have I come to my senses? Do you not comprehend the fact that I want a career? I do not want to just be someone's wife- you should have married Sola if that's the case."

He barks back at her. " I thought you understood what compromise within marriage is! Fine, if you want to take this internship- go ahead. But I want to know right now if you will accept my marriage proposal!"

Padme' narrows her eyes and retorts, " Do you really think that is the way of compromising with someone you love?"

Palo snorts and remarks, " Have you seen him? Has he influenced your decision to stay?"

Padme' shrugs and remarks, " Yes I have been seeing Anakin, he's my best friend and he deserves a second chance to show me how he can control his temper and no he has not influenced my decision to take this internship. This is about me and you are not listening to my dreams. You expect me to just be another woman who steps into the background and becomes a dutiful wife. That isn't me and if you really understood me as a person, you would have realized that before you decided to propose to me. I'm done."

Palo swallows down the pain, but she can still see it in his eyes. His eyes are a mixture of regret and anger. " Yes, it is a shame. Your father will be disappointed in your choices."

Padme' sneers out, " My father will be proud of me for standing by what I want. You know nothing, Palo. You are an asshole."

Before he can insult her anymore, she slams her hand against the panel. She fights back the angry tears in her eyes. She isn't crying because her relationship is over, she's pissed that she ever had feelings for a selfish man like him. A man that she thought she had a bond with in a time she had felt alone. She wipes those tears away furiously.

He's not worth my feelings and I was a fool to think he was.

Padme' hears Sabe's kind words from behind her, " I'm sorry he turned out to not be the man you thought he was."

Padme' whirls around and shrugs. " It's over. He has insulted me and our father. I'm done with men like him."

Sabe' reaches for her sister and hugs her tight. She strokes her hair and murmurs, " I'm sorry Padme'-"

Padme' pulls away from her and shakes her head. " Don't be. I'm over that bastard. I was a fool to allow a man to creep into my life when I was lonely. It won't happen again. Tonight is about celebrating my accomplishments- not wasting my time drowning over a man not worth my heart."

Sabe' laughs and says, " I love your attitude. Now what are we wearing tonight?"

Padme' s smile is wide and genuine. " Something out of my comfort zone because tonight is only about me."

Spring Fete Day 2 28 BBY

The thunder of the beat in the club dances in her ears. Her body moves in time with the music as it thunders through her veins. Her eyes are closed as she moves her body to the music. The beat fills her heart with joy. Tonight is a night to celebrate her freedom, in life, and future career that she is choosing. She bounces in time in her heels. This is her time to get messy, drunk and wake up in the morning possibly with a hangover.

Possessive hands grip her hips and she grinds against the man behind her. She had no idea who the stranger was, but with his good looks and drunken state, who cared? She didn't, for once in her life she didn't care. The music sways her body to the right and the left. She grinds into the man behind her and she feels the drunken cutie grip her ass. She grips onto his hand tightly and stops her movement. He eyes her wildly as she pushes several fingers back and he yelps. He curses out, "Bitch!"

Padme' leans forward in the loud music so he can hear her, "Don't touch my ass."

The man steps away from her as she allows his sore fingers to leave hers. He eyes another drunken woman wearing nothing but a short yellow dress which hides nothing- and Padme' knows the woman is more than likely a slut looking for a good fuck for the night.

Padme' sighs and continues to exit off of the dance floor. Her red heels click under her feet as she makes her way to her awaiting friends. Her hips sway to the beat as she reaches their table. She grabs one of the shots of whiskey on the table and eyes her sister sitting there with a puzzled look on her face. Her eyes shine in concern and she asks, "What happened with that guy? I thought you were enjoying yourself."

Padme' sniffs and murmurs, "I was until he got frisky with my ass."

Anakin senses her frustration and asks, " Did you break his fingers?"

Padme' turns to her friend and shrugs, " Nothing that won't heal."

Anakin smirks with satisfaction and sips his pale glass of whiskey for the evening. He had taught her well. She could handle the local men in a bar. She eyes at the trio standing at their table. The music blares through them as she states, "You know the three of you all wanted to come out tonight! And I'm the only one dancing and attempting to have a good time."

Sabe smiles at her partner in crime for the night. Obi-wan holds her hand in his and clasps it firmly. He states, " Exactly the point, I'm enjoying Sabe's company tremendously. On the other hand, why don't you drag Anakin out there?"

Anakin shoots daggers at friend. He had come to stand guard and if needed intervene with any locals his best friend couldn't handle; though he hadn't had to do much of anything other than drink several shots which he could now feel beginning to take effect over his body. Padme smirks at her best friend of many years and those brown eyes of hers plead with him. She says, " I've seen many women tonight ask you to dance and you turned them down. What gives?"

Anakin downs his shot and murmurs, "None of them caught my interest."

With the whisky in her system, she can feel those feelings she's held back for so long for her friend, crawling back into her heart. It didn't help that his denial of the woman in the club, warmed her heart. She had gone out clubbing with Anakin before, and usually he had a woman's arm around his neck within the first two hours. Padme' knew to cover for him at home when he chose to back to the woman's place. But perhaps she is right to assert that he has feelings for her too. Additionally, it doesn't hurt that he is handsome. Tonight is a perfect example; he had on a black short sleeve shirt which accents his muscular toned body and black slacks. His usually curly blond hair is gel back. His arms have stayed crossed most of the night as if he was a bouncer who worked there.

Padme' asks with confidence, "Then would you put up with me for a dance?"

Anakin's lips are thin. His control has been lacking most of the night, watching her hips swaying in that red dress that showed off her tones legs and body. It fit her just in the right ways. She tugs on his arm like a child. She comments, " I've seen you dance with other woman, you're a great dancer."

Anakin sighs as he allows himself to be dragged by the brunette to the dance floor. The music beat is addicting and pulses through her veins. She bounces to the thick beat and attempts to shove her dance partner to dance to the music as well. Her playful brown eyes watch him. He attempts to move his own body to the beat and watches her carefully. His senses prickle at warning of her overloading senses. She isn't extremely intoxicated, just masking her feelings with distractions.

Her body sways to the music and she leans on him and grinds her body with his. Anakin gulps as his body reacts to hers immediately. She turns away from him and grinds her ass into his hips. He grits his teeth out of frustration and attempts to quell away any sort of desire pulsing through his veins. She places his hands on her hips and forces his hips to move with hers. His eyes close at the feeling of her touch. He desired to keep her this close. The music continues around them, but the couple is lost in the moment and the beat. Anakin tries to fight the urges coursing through him and Padme'. Padme' is on the opposite spectrum- attempting to have a good time with an old friend and perhaps drive him mad with desire while she's at it.

Sabe and Obi-wan watch from the sidelines. His arm stayed propped against his girlfriend. He eyes the couple on the floor and murmurs into her ear, " Do you think he's having a good time with her?"

Sabe chuckles and murmurs back, " Honestly no, he appears to be on the verge of letting go and allowing her to know how he feels. But he seems to put the weight of the entire galaxy on himself."

Obi-wan chuckles at her statement but he knows it is the truth. Anakin has become obsessed with this ideal of saving the galaxy from the dreaded Empire. He feels it is his responsibility to make a difference for the galaxy. He places the weight of the galaxy onto his shoulders, but in reality who else would fight or have the sort of abilities to make a strike on the Empire? No one did except him. Qui-gon believed in a thousand year old prophecy that one force user will bring balance to the force. He had never seen in his lifetime the sort of power that Anakin possesses.

Sabe sinks into her lover's arms and sighs. She feels content with her life, career and romance. She feels blessed to have the people in her life that she did. Obi-wan had come out of nowhere and now they are two peas in a pod. Her eyes peer up out of the corner of her gaze. His fetching gray eyes stare down at her as he senses her stare. She murmurs out of the blue, "I love you Obi-wan,"

Obi-wan keeps his gaze down at the woman in his arms. He smiles softly and then kisses her cheek whispering back, "I love you too."

She takes in huge sigh of relief as she hadn't murmured those words to anyone before this moment. Yes there had been a few lucky men in her life, but none had possessed her heart as Obi-wan Kenobi had. She leans into his warm embrace and whispers, "I wish this could last forever."

Ben chuckles and whispers, "It can."

Sabe's eyes perk up in confusion into his gray gaze. His warm eyes are cheerful and shine with a hidden meaning. She isn't sure what he means, but she intends to discover the truth. She asks with interest, " How?"

His grin widens as he leans down to her ear. His breath tickles her ear as he murmurs, " Marry Me,"

Sabe's breathing shortens for a few moments. Her heart soars in her chest. She turns her body around to face her boyfriend. Her fingers feel his touch as he slips a metal ring onto her finger and asks, " Be my wife, you would make me the happiest man on Coruscant."

Sabe's eyes are on the brink of breaking out into tears. She clasps her hand over her mouth. She chuckles and whispers through her hand, "Yes, of course I will."

His laughter echoes in her ears as he grasps her into his awaiting arms. At this point, Padme's eyes turn as she senses the alteration in her sister's mood. She whirls her eyes onto the couple off of the dance floor. The last song has ended and she grips her best friend's hand and drags him off the dance floor. They reach their destination and the second couple who seem to be glowing in the force.

Padme' eyes the couple suspiciously and Sabe' outstretches her left hand which has a small metal object around her ring finger. Padme' watches her sister's happiness shine through her smile and expression on her face. Her golden eyes dance with the love and joy she feels for her newfound fiancee'.

Padme' forces a smile as she feels her stomach drop. It is a shocking feeling. She should be joyously happy for her sister, but all she feels is envy. Envy of the happiness her sister has found with a good man.

Padme' clasps her sister's ringed hand and exclaims, "Congratulations! You picked a good man."

Anakin chuckles and pats his best friend's back and murmurs, " I didn't know your intentions tonight."

Obi-wan shrugs and states, "I wanted it to be a surprise."

Sabe grins at her fiancée and states, "That it was."

Padme' pours each of them a glass of whiskey in the shot glasses. She pushes the clear glasses towards her companions. Each of them takes the shot and downs in celebration. The warm liquid spreads across her belly and she pours herself another. She can feel the envy and heart ache stuffed into her chest. The return of how she had just been dumped a few hours before- and although she isn't upset that Obi-wan proposed to her sister. It is a bit sudden considering the pair have only been together a short while, but when did love have to hold a timer? Their own mother and father had met at university and had been engaged four short weeks after their meeting. Their marriage had lasted the 7 years that she had been alive.

Padme' pours herself another shot and smiles at the couple. Anakin senses her emotions and tries to mask them a bit from Obi-wan who seems not bothered by them and focused on his bride to be.

Location: Sabe's Residence, Coruscant

Padme' leans into her friend's shoulder as she is carried into the apartment. The darkness fades away as the wave of light filters through the room. She blinks back the newfound light and feels her friend's steps as he places her on her couch. She had been complaining about those damn red heels of hers as they were getting ready to leave the club, so Anakin had taken it upon himself to carry her to the speeder and into the apartment- with her complaining the entire way that she was not a baby.

Padme' watches her friend reach for her red heels and tear them off of her aching feet. She sighs and dives her tense muscles into the soft fabric of the couch. She watches her friend carefully and pats the couch. His body pushes her legs away and he sits down next to her. She switches her body so she's leaning against his large muscular shoulders. He leans into her touch and brushes back the curls in her face. He knows she is bothered by something knocking at her insides. She says nothing and breathes in his fresh soapy scent.

She licks her lips and murmurs, "I am truly happy for them."

Anakin sighs and states, "Pad- I don't think you want to face your true feelings of your sister's engagement."

Padme' bites her lip and attempts to force the tears from falling. She whispers clearly, "I shouldn't feel envious of her life- but I am. I'm a horrible sister."

Anakin wipes away the single tear that drips down her cheek. He keeps brushing back her curls from her face and whispers, "You are not a horrible sister. You did exactly the right thing- over do your excitement about their engagement."

She chuckles through her tears and deadpans, "But I am truly envious of her happiness. On the other hand, I am the fool."

Anakin's chest tightens at her confessions. He questions, " You are not a fool, P. I thought you hadn't decided on whether to marry Palo or not?"

Padme' shakes her head no and fixes her body so she's facing him, rather than leaning against him. His eyes have a full view of her cleavage and he swallows hard, trying to control his desire for her which is rising with every confession she is making.

She confesses with a bit of anger, " I called him today to tell him the news of my internship. He thought I'd come to my senses after being away from home for a week."

Anakin's gaze narrows and he suggests, " He wanted you to sacrifice your future for his still? What kind of relationship is that?"

She adds with fury, " Exactly what I said. I am the fool for ever trusting a man like him. He's such an ass! He even said father would be ashamed of me for not marrying him!"

Anakin's heart starts to skip harder against his chest. His friend is free of that idiot.

He cups her face and wipes the few angry tears that have fallen. He senses her anger at herself. She sighs and closes her eyes allowing him to keep cupping her face, stroking her cheek with his calloused fingertips. Her heart sighs at his touch, allowing it to beat and feel the attraction that has never stopped. Those feelings that have crept up to the service tonight. She knew she had always yearned more with her best friend, but she isn't sure if it is more than attraction.

Anakin nods, accepting her logic. " You're 18, I'm sure there'll be a few more men like Palo before you meet whom you're meant to be with."

The words stick in his mouth as he says them. He felt vile for spewing out those truths. She'd go through a few more bad relationships before the right person comes along for her and he'll be there to pick up the damn pieces every time. He'll do it because she's his best friend. He'll do it because that's what you do for someone you love.

She smiles and shakes her head. " I don't think so Ani- you know I'm not one to spew out my feelings. I need to focus on my career instead."

She stands up from the couch and her crinkled red dress slips back from her thighs Anakin makes an inward groan. He had a bit of whisky tonight and it's affecting him so- and being in this apartment with just her- in that kriffing red dress is making him lose control.

She leans over the dinette bar stools and grabs the whisky. She pours herself a glass and Anakin too. She's not totally wasted yet- hasn't been all night as she has been replacing some of her drinks with water. She turns and gestures to the glass to go floating through the air and into her friend's hand. She giggles a bit at his boyish grin as he toasts, " To your internship."

Padme' smiles and lifts her own glass in a toast. " Yes."

He takes a sip, eyeing her, worrying for her safety. She takes her own sip and the liquid burns a bit in her throat. Her mind wanders to her friend's behavior tonight. Usually with her wits about her, she'd not ask about his behavior towards the women at the club. At University Anakin had been known to change women quite often, he never stayed in a relationship for more than a few weeks at a time, or had a few flings here or there. Her heart beats against her chest painfully, hoping he might feel the attraction between them.

She leans back against the bar stools and asks, " So why didn't you get a woman's number tonight? I watched four women who tried to get your eye all night and you didn't even look their way. So tell me, who has my best friend's heart?"

Anakin coughs on his drink and clutches his chest to help it go down. " Excuse me?"

She laughs at his reaction and comments, " You heard me, Ani. Back on Naboo if you had gone to a club like we did tonight, you would have brought someone home. So who has your heart?"

Anakin downs the whisky, hoping she doesn't feel his nerves through the force. He stands to his feet, and occupies the space between them, reaching for another shot. He should have gotten one of those women's numbers! Yet she spoke the truth; he hadn't been focused on anyone but her all night. He had checked her out in that damn dress and envisioned taking it off- slipping off the straps to touch his breasts- slowly achingly. He had imagined taking her right where she stood, hearing her gasping his name over and over again.

Dammit- this damn whisky is making me lose my shit.

She can sense his dread filling the space between them. His emotions are sporadic- nerves, fear and most of all desire. Her heart leaps upon confirming her own hopes. Her mind wanders to the signs that have been there all along. His protectiveness every time someone brought up she was old enough to date. His reasoning for choking the life out of Palo. Her eyes reflect that she senses his desire through the force. Anakin swallows hard.

He begins as calm as he can, " Pad- we don't have to talk about it now-"

She shakes her head no and presses her finger to his pink lips. She whispers, " Kiss me."

His heart thuds against his chest. He hesitates as the gap between them is small- just a breath away. He's not sure if it is the whisky or fighting the desire that has him fed up, but he grips the soft fabric of her dress and her hips to tug her toward. His right hand caresses her face and he leans in pressing his lips to hers. The pressure light and more like a peck to allow her time to register what is occurring. His lips against hers feel like fire burning in her stomach. He pulls away at first. She blinks and her breathing is shallow waiting for someone to make the next move. She doesn't have to wait much longer. His lips come crashing down on hers more of a demand this time. She whimpers and follows his lead. His tongue brushes her lips and she allows him to set the pace of their mouths together.

Padme's desire builds up inside her. She clutches the side of his face as they continue to repeat their onslaught of the other's delicious lips. He tastes like the Cornellian whisky he had been drinking most of the night. She has never felt so alive.

She whimpers slightly as she tries to get closer to him. He pushes her against the dining bar set, lifting her up on the countertop. His lips leave hers and he kisses the crook of her neck. Her skin smells of the shura fruit gel she uses to bathe with. He moans against her skin trying to slow down their pace. He had meant to kiss her once, not attempt to have her right here.

Her fingers slip under his white shirt and he tries to hold back. " P-" He warns lust is apparent in his voice. He had to warn her to stop. She had to be the one to stop him. His restraint only would last for so long. If she gave in, he'd take her. He loved her and wanted to show her how much he did.

Her fingers tug at his shirt and she whispers, " Ani- please more."

He growls in a low voice. His tugs at the thin straps of her red dress, easily pushed down without resistance. He tugs the fabric down below her cleavage, revealing her beautiful small breasts. Her nipples are bright pink. She bites her lip when she feels his mouth sweep over the tip of her breast. Her eyes close as she feels the searing rawness of his kisses and nibbles on her nipple. Her head falls back as he continues his onslaught of each breast. She allows the sensations to make her fingers fly to his pants belt. He stops his roaming and finds her fingers to steady them.

His eyes watch her pleasure as he croaks out, " I want you, but we don't have to go any further."

Her closed eyes open and her bright innocent eyes watch him. His eyes are a deep navy blue and filled with desire for her. She smiles at him honestly and whispers, " Ani, I want you too."

He kisses her again as if answering her. He fumbles with the buttons on his pants and is able to free himself. He pulls her towards the ledge of the countertop, its height is not quite an inch apart. He hikes her clingy dress up around her hips; her luscious long legs appear before him.

" You're so beautiful Angel," He whispers into her ear.

" Ani-" She whispers back.

He pulls her closer and lifts her into his strong arms. He adjusts her body against the nearby wall and adjusts himself so he can thrust into her. Tears well in her eyes as she feels the tear of her maidenhead. She whimpers slightly from the tightness and pain within her.

He kisses her and whispers, " Angel- shh."

He reassures and pulls out of her. He thrusts back into her again, groaning as the pleasure rocks through him. Her tightness surrounding him could send him over the abyss before he can pleasure her.

Force P- you feel amazing.

She smiles, feeling his desire and pure bliss through the force. She grabs his shoulders as he continues this fluent motion of his hips. The pain begins to subside and she moans out in pleasure. Her body burns for more and rises on a wave or a high. Their rocking of their hips continues in a rhythm, comfortable for both of them. He knows she's close as she clings to him, her fingers digging into his shoulder blades. He tries to hold back, waiting for her to plunge over her edge. It comes not long after.

She shudders from the sudden wave of pleasure overcoming her senses. She's never felt something so amazing in her life. His control collapses and his release happens. His head falls back with his eyes closed. The pleasure sweeping over both of them.

A minute or so passes, their breathing intermixed as they start to come down from their short highs. His eyes open and her eyes are wide and bright watching her best friend. She bites her lip as the consequences of what they had just done weighs in on her. " Ani-" Her voice is quiet.

He presses his finger to her lips and mumbles, " Just let this be-P."

He leans forward and kisses her lips. She closes her eyes and kisses him back. He keeps her in his arms and heads towards her room, ready to spend the rest of the night in her bed and deal with their feelings in the morning.

To Be Continued.