Summary: Anakin must deal with his feeling for Padme while Obi-Wan deals with Palpatine. Owen and Beru decide to get married.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or it�s characters.
Rate: PG
Category: Romance/Drama
�Where is Owen,� Amie asked.
�In town, now study your reading,� Shmi said.
�Do I have to,� Amie asked.
�Yes,� Shmi said.
�Well Owen how about this one,� Ren said.
�It�s prefect Ren,� Owen said.
�Looks like you aren�t spending as much either,� Ren said handing him the ring.
Beru walked into the house like she did every other time she came here. She saw Shmi cooking and Amie studying or what looked like Amie studying. It was a normal thing for her to help them, like she was part of this family. In some ways she was, she�d spent all her life as Owen best friend then his girlfriend. Amie looked up at her mother when Cliegg walked in the house.
�Daddy,� Amie said.
�Hi Sweetheart,� Cliegg said.
�Hell-O Mr. Lars,� Beru said putting a plate on the table.
�Good evening Beru,� Cliegg said.
Beru sat next to Owen who had come in a few moments after his father. Shmi knew that something was up by the expression on his face. After all these years she knew when Owen was up to something and he was up to something. After dinner Owen said he�d take Beru home a little early tonight. Cliegg and Shmi smile at each other as they left the house hand in hand. Amie went into her room sometime later thinking about her family future and hoping Anakin was okay.
�Beru grown up to be nice young woman hasn�t she,� Cliegg said.
�Yes she has,� Shmi said.
�They�ve always been so close,� Cliegg said.
�Yes they have,� Cliegg said.
�They do make a cute couple,� Cliegg said.
�Yes they do,� Shmi said.
�Shmi,� Cliegg said.
�What I�m just agreeing with you,� Shmi said.
�Owen this isn�t my house,� Beru said looking at the canyons.
�Guess I went the wrong way,� Owen said.
�Owen you�ve been going to my house for how many years,� Beru said.
�I wanted to ask you something in private,� Owen said getting out of the speeder.
�Okay ask me,� Beru said following him.
�Beru Whitesun will you marry me,� Owen said showing her the ring.
�What,� Beru said seeing how nervous he was as he put the ring on her finger.
�Beru what wrong if you don�t want to get married that fine I just thought,� Owen said starting to ramble.
�Owen be quite for a moment�Yes I�ll marry you,� Beru said.
He leaned forward to kiss her on the lips not minding the wind of sand hitting them. She hugged him close smiling that her dream was finally going to come true. In no more than three months she would Beru Lars wife of Owen Lars. The ride home was quite, but she didn�t mind. She looked at the ring for the first time since he slipped it on her finger. It was a sliver band with a not small but not big white stone.
�You will be the most powerful Jedi even more power then Yoda,� Palpatine said.
�I do not wish for that,� Anakin said.
�Don�t you,� Palpatine said.
Anakin left the room thinking about what Palpatine said to him. He didn�t want to be the most powerful Jedi, but he did want to be a Jedi Knight. He knew he was different than most Padawan Learners Obi-Wan had told him so. He just wished that he knew why he was so different what was so special about him.
�What is wrong my Padawan,� Obi-Wan said.
�Palpatine Master,� Anakin said.
�The Prime Chancellor,� Obi-Wan said.
�Yes, every time I see him when no one else is around he says the same thing to me,� Anakin said.
�What,� Obi-Wan said.
�I will be more powerful than any other Jedi even Master Yoda,� Anakin said.
�This make you uncomfortable,� Obi-Wan said.
�I do not wish to be the most powerful jedi, I just want to be a jedi,� Anakin said
Obi-Wan had no idea what Palpatine was up to, but he would find out and soon. The world was changing the government was becoming more weak and the cause was Prime Chancellor Palpatine. He promised thing that he said he would do for the Naboo and the Galaxy, but nothing has been done. Obi-Wan would keep a close eye on Prime Chancellor Palpatine for everyone sake.
�For now you�re going back to Naboo as a common person,� Obi-Wan asked.
�No will know I am coming,� Padme said.
�No choose where you must go and go there,� Obi-Wan said.
�What about Prime Chancellor Palpatine,� Padme asked.
�No one is to know, you�re not to tell Queen Jamillia,� Obi-Wan said.
�I understand Master Kenobi,� Padme said.
�Anakin don�t do anything without,� Obi-Wan began.
�Contacting you or the council I know Master,� Anakin said.
�You have learned much my Padawan be careful,� Obi-Wan said.
�I will watch Master I won�t let you or the council down,� Anakin said.
�Come Artoo,� Padme said.
Padme couldn�t believe this she was going home to her planet, but couldn�t tell anyone. She knew that Anakin wasn�t the same little boy she knew ten years before. He was so quite not one word had been spoken between them since she packed. He did make her uncomfortable, but only because she couldn�t let her feeling get in the way.
�Anakin have you been back to Tatooine,� Padme asked.
�Once three years ago,� Anakin said.
�Is your Shmi okay,� Padme asked.
�Yes she�s free, in love, married and gave birth to a girl,� Anakin said.
�You have a baby sister,� Padme said.
�And an older brother named Owen,� Anakin said.
�Did you ever think about staying,� Padme said.
�I did, but my destiny is with the jedi order,� Anakin said.
Anakin couldn�t help but stare at the lake as the sun went down. It was beautiful here on her homeworld, unlike his homeworld of Tatooine. If he were not a Jedi if he had a chance to have a family he would want his children to grow up here in peace. He walked back in the house going to his room slipping on some sleep pants, but he was not going to bed just yet.
�Where is Anakin,� Padme asked.
�He is outside Ma�am,� a maid said.
�Thank you,� Padme said.
Padme walked out to find Anakin sitting on the ground legs crossed and eyes shut. She found herself staring at him for the longest of moments reminding her self this was little Ani from Tatooine. Well he didn�t look so little right now he looked like Anakin Skywalker Jedi Padawan Learner. She her self had grown up since their last meeting. After a few more moments of staring at him she began to walk away.
�Is something wrong Milady,� Anakin said.
�No I was just wondering if you want anything,� Padme said.
�No Milady,� Anakin said.
�Anakin I was thinking we could go for a picnic tomorrow,� Padme said.
�If it pleases,� Anakin said.
�We�ll leave early I know the place I want to go,� Padme said.
�Goodnight Milady,� Anakin said.
�Obi-Wan this came for you and Anakin,� Mace said.
�What is it,� Obi-Wan said.
�A letter from Tatooine,� Mace said.
�Thank you Master Windu,� Obi-Wan said opening the letter.
�Anakin did you ever have a crush,� Padme said.
�Yes, her name was Ara she was one my friend at the temple,� Anakin said.
�Aren�t you two still friends,� Padme asked.
�No she left the temple when we were 16,� Anakin said.
�Did you ever tell her you liked her,� Padme asked.
�No but she did kiss me before she left,� Anakin said.
�A goodbye kiss,� Padme said smiling.
�At the time I thought it was just my first kiss,� Anakin said.
�She never told you she was leaving,� Padme asked sadly.
�No, one night she was there the next day she was not,� Anakin said.
Obi-Wan knew that Palpatine knew where Padme was. The way he spoke when Obi-Wan said it was for her safety. Obi-Wan came to the decision that Padme would have be moved to another location. He knew the prefect one, Tatooine no one think to look for a Senator of the Republic there. Besides this way Anakin would be able to attend his brother�s wedding. He knew the council would disagree, but it was for Padme safety and Anakin knew Tatooine better anyway.
�Are you sure,� Anakin said.
�Yes I think it would be best,� Obi-Wan said.
�Yes Master,� Anakin said.
�Make sure Senator Amidala understand why I�m doing this,� Obi-Wan said.
�I will,� Anakin said.
�And Anakin have a little fun too,� Obi-Wan said.
�Yes Master,� Anakin said.
�Padme,� Anakin said.
�Yes,� Padme said.
�We have to go to Tatooine Obi-Wan doesn�t think it�s safe,� Anakin said.
�Why Tatooine,� Padme said.
�My family lived there they can give us a place to stay and,� Anakin said.
�And no one would expect a senator there,� Padme said.
�Right we leave right away tell no one where we are going,� Anakin said.
Padme could see that something was going that she didn�t know about. Soon she would be on her way towards Tatooine. She decided that the only way she wasn�t going to recognized was to blend in. She went through her stuff mismatching outfits to look a little normal. She walked out in a pair of black pants with a dark-blue short sleeve shirt. Anakin didn�t say anything about her change in clothing just smiled at her
�Okay do you think your family will see me as an average girl,� Padme said.
�Yes just remember your Padme Naberrie,� Anakin said.
�Did Shmi ever know who I really was,� Padme said.
�No so let keep it that way,� Anakin said.
�So why�d Obi-Wan choose Tatooine,� Padme said.
�My brother is getting married,� Anakin said.
�Sorry but I can�t,� Obi-Wan said.
�I worried for her,� Palpatine said.
�Prime Chancellor Anakin is with her she�ll be fine,� Obi-Wan said.
�I just hope you are right,� Palpatine said.
�The Jedi Council hand picked this place,� Obi-Wan said lying.
Obi-Wan walked down the hallway listening to all people talk. Most the people from Naboo wished Padme was still the queen. Some wished that Palpatine would do what he said he was. Basically the government needed someone who was willing to listen and do what he or she had too. The election for Naboo queen was coming up soon, Padme was on the nomination sheet. Bail Organa would make a great Prime Chancellor in his opinion.
�Obi-Wan,� Bail said.
�Bail how are you,� Obi-Wan asked.
�Been better is Anakin and Senator Amidala okay,� Bail asked.
�Yes,� Obi-Wan asked.
�What wrong,� Bail asked.
�Prime Chancellor Palpatine,� Obi-Wan answered.
�What about him,� Bail said.
�I don�t trust him,� Obi-Wan said.
�Your not the only one people are starting to question him,� Bail said.
�Good,� Obi-Wan said.
�The wedding was beautiful,� Padme said.
�Thank you,� Beru said.
�Ever think of getting married,� Shmi asked.
�Sometime,� Padme said.
�Anakin grown so much,� Shmi said.
�I remember when he was just a little boy,� Padme said.
�I remember when you were just 14 how you both have grown,� Shmi said.
The kiss still stayed in Padme mind, then their conversation about living a lie. She couldn�t lie about not loving him, she couldn�t pretend to be something she was not. She kissed him he kissed her but all in all they kissed. A kiss that was far beyond any other kisses she ever had.
�May I have this dance Milady,� Anakin asked.
�You may,� Padme said.
Leading her out to the middle of the dance floor they started to dance to the music. Not the kind of dance you would see at a Naboo social, just a slow dance. Her arms were around his neck his wrapped around her waist swaying back and forth. Cliegg and Shmi and Owen and Beru had joined them on the dance floor a few moments later.
�Ani,� Padme said.
�Yea,� Anakin said.
�Did you wish for Ara to come back,� Padme asked.
�At first them I realized it happened for a reason,� Anakin said.
�Anakin I can�t do this,� Padme said.
�Do what,� Anakin said.
�Pretend I don�t love you,� Padme said.
�Padme I thought we decided not love each other,� Anakin said.
�It�s not something you can turn off and on,� Padme said.
Padme could see the uncertainty in his eyes the fear she would hurt. We�re there rules against this in his order. He closed the distance between them fast pulling him as close as she could. He welcomed her with open arms letting her body mold into his. This was not forbidden he knew that but if he let go further that was.
�Padme,� Anakin said.
�Yea,� Padme said.
�I can�t do this it�s um,� Anakin said.
�Forbidden for a Jedi,� Padme said.
�No it�s forbidden for a Padawan Learner to have intimate relations,� Anakin said.
�I see,� Padme said.
�We should get back,� Anakin said.
�Send this message to the council,� Obi-Wan said then it went blank but they could hear him struggle.
�I have a bad feeling about this,� Anakin said.
�As do I,� Padme said.
�Stay with Padme Anakin you must protect her,� Mace said.
�Yes Master Windu,� Anakin said.
Padme couldn�t believe what she had heard then what Anakin was doing. He was sitting down on the ground mediating again. She swore he mediated more than he did anything else. She sat across from him noticing that he was not mediating but thinking with his eyes closed. Stay with Padme Anakin you must protect her.
�Come on Ani we�re leaving,� Padme said.
�We can�t Master Windu told us to stay here,� Anakin said.
�No he said to stay with me and I�m leaving,� Padme said.
Shmi couldn�t believe this they were here and then they were gone. She watched them go praying that they would return safe someday. Owen swore to himself that he would never allow his children to be Jedi if they were force sensitive. Anakin prayed to the force that he would get into much trouble for this. She was right he was just following orders, but he didn�t think they�d see it like that.
�Do you think Anakin will listen,� Mace asked.
�Yes he would never disobey us, but Senator Amidala,� Yoda said.
�I know I saw her expression as well,� Mace said.
�Come we must go,� Yoda said.
�Ani what�s wrong,� Padme said.
�Well lets see we�re about to be killed,� Anakin said.
�I�m sorry I should have made you come,� Padme said.
�No you did the right thing, I just hope Obi-Wan is okay,� Anakin said.
Padme could see that Anakin was trying to find his presence something would indicate he was alive. It wouldn�t be long until they were lead out into the arena to be killed probably in from of hundred or thousands of people. Padme leaned close to Anakin and kissed him gently on the lips. He did resist he just let them there for a moment.
�I love you,� Anakin said.
�And I truly deeply love you,� Padme said.
Just them they started to move and separated from each other. She was right about the number of people and still no sign of Obi-Wan. They heard the yelling and the screaming like this was some game. Anakin eyes widen as he saw Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan had the same kind of expression, but she knew he it was different because he wasn�t expecting them.
�What are you doing here,� Obi-Wan said.
�Trying to rescue you,� Anakin said.
�Great job,� Obi-Wan said.
�The council got your message Master,� Anakin said.
�Good,� Obi-Wan said.
Padme saw how Anakin took his masters words how his tone effected him. If they lived through this she would have to tell him. It all happened so fast how one of the got free how the fight began. How the jedi knights came just in time to save them all. This battle would change the future even for the good or for the bad they didn�t know that yet?
�What do you mean,� Padme said.
�Prime Chancellor Palpatine tried to move to get full power of the Senate,� Obi-Wan said.
�Did he get it,� Padme asked.
�No Jar-Jar voted against it,� Obi-Wan said.
�Good,� Padme said.
�There is another election for Prime Chancellor,� Obi-Wan said.
�Who is up for it,� Padme asked.
�There are two main people Bail Organa and you,� Obi-Wan said.
Padme was speechless at that moment she had only been back for three hours and already was in demand. Jar-Jar had done a great job while she was away. She was pleased he had stand up for what he believe in. Mace walked in but Anakin was not with them she had to tell them she couldn�t let Anakin get the blame.
�Master Kenobi Master Windu it was my fault we left Tatooine,� Padme said.
�What,� Mace said.
�I told him I was leaving and he could come or stay,� Padme said.
�I hadn�t talk to Anakin about it yet thank you Senator Amidala,� Obi-Wan said.
�It is good to know Anakin didn�t disobey the council,� Mace said.
�Yes it is,� Obi-Wan said.
�The elections is tomorrow Palpatine isn�t happy,� Mace said.
�I know,� Obi-Wan said.
Obi-Wan had no idea how unhappy Palpatine, for he blamed Obi-Wan for all of this. If he had just stayed out of the way everything would have been fine. He saw Anakin looking out the window staring at the busy city. Palpatine knew he could still be powerful if he had Anakin by his side. How hard would it be to have the boy betray the order?
�Do you know what you are saying,� Anakin asked.
�A new government one with you as leader,� Palpatine said.
�Yes but at what cost,� Anakin said.
�Anakin listen to me you are the chosen one you can be the most powerful Jedi the galaxy has ever seen you can rule by my side,� Palpatine said.
�No I live in the Republic that what I stand for,� Anakin said leaving.
Palpatine knew that soon people would be coming to get him once they found out. He was going to have to leave go back to where he belonged. Soon there would be a great war, the Clone Wars. A war that would crush the Republic and put him into the position he was meant to do.
�Anakin don�t worry about it,� Obi-Wan said.
�So much as happened lately,� Anakin said.
�Yes so tell me what troubles you,� Obi-Wan said.
�Padme,� Anakin said.
�You two didn�t,� Obi-Wan asked.
�No I stopped it told her it was forbidden for me,� Anakin said.
�Good and she accepted this,� Obi-Wan said.
�Yes she said she understood,� Anakin said.
�Then you mediated some,� Obi-Wan said smiling.
�Yes I don�t think I�ve ever mediated as much in such a short time,� Anakin said.
�How is Young Skywalker,� Mace asked.
�Fine I had him take Senator Amidala back to Naboo,� Obi-Wan said.
�Strong attraction is between them,� Yoda said.
�Yes but he explained the rules to her,� Obi-Wan said.
�Does he know he is the chosen one,� Mace asked.
�Palpatine some how found out and told him,� Obi-Wan said.
�How does he feel about this,� Mace asked.
�It doesn�t change him. He said I am like all the other Padawan Learner before me and after me,� Obi-Wan said.
�More focus he is,� Yoda said.
Anakin watched as Padme slept in her bed, knowing he should not be here but was. She had accepted they could not be together but still as him to hold her. It was nice that for once night some comforted him as he comforted her. He didn�t disobey any rules they just shared one bed. Thinking about Palpatine made him uneasy, how could one man be so evil. Being so close to her was driving him nuts being able to touch her but knowing it would to something he was forbidden to do.
�Master,� Anakin said.
�How was Naboo,� Obi-Wan said.
�The same Master,� Anakin asked.
�The council and I decided it is time for you to take your trails,� Anakin said.
�Am I not too young,� Anakin asked.
�No there was once a Padawan who was 18 who took them,� Obi-Wan said.
�I know but what if I fail,� Anakin asked.
�Just be Anakin Skywalker and you will pass my Padawan,� Obi-Wan said.
�Thank you master but I still feel I have much to learn,� Anakin said.
�I thought the same thing,� Obi-Wan said.
�But I do feel honored that you think I Am to do this,� Anakin said.
Padme would spend a few days here on Naboo for rest, that she knew she needed. Then she would go back the Senate to give a speech since she was elected for the position of Prime Chancellor. She was very honored no one would ever know how honored she was. But she had no idea if she wanted that position, she always did her fighting for Naboo.
�As honored as I am I do not feel I am the right person for this job. My place is with my people of Naboo fighting for them. I vote for Bail Organa of Alderaan to become Prime Chancellor. I believe he could bring the Republic to peace once again,� Padme said.
�Master Kenobi,� Padme said.
�Senator Amidala,� Obi-Wan said.
�Is Anakin around,� Padme said.
�Why do you ask,� Obi-Wan asked.
�I was going to lunch and wanted to know if you both would like to join me,� Padme said.
�He is with the council, and I must wait for him,� Obi-Wan said.
�Maybe another time, tell Anakin I said Hi,� Padme said.
�I will Senator,� Obi-Wan said.
Obi-Wan knew that was just a cover up, she really wanted Anakin to come. She must know he can not have attachment to anyone. He only hoped that Anakin would is okay in the trail you must face your deepest fears and desires. He hadn�t been gone that long, but it had only been ten years since he went through his trails. The only difference was his master was not waiting for him he was dead. Impatient or not he was going to the temple to see if he was done or not.
�Jedi Knight you are now,� Yoda said.
�Thanks you Master Yoda,� Anakin said.
�Go to Master Kenobi he is in the garden,� Yoda said.
�May the force be with you Master Yoda,� Anakin said.
�May the force be with you Jedi Knight Skywalker,� Yoda said.
�Master,� Anakin said.
�I am proud of you Anakin,� Obi-Wan said.
�I didn�t even tell you if I passed,� Anakin said.
�You don�t need to I already know you did,� Obi-Wan said.
�How is that Master,� Anakin said.
�Because you have that goofy smile you get when you pass,� Obi-Wan said.
Soon his Padawan braid would be cut off, his clothing changed from Padawan clothes to Jedi Knight ones. He would be making choices with consulting Obi-Wan. He had done so well on this job, but he didn�t know if he was ready for this. He had faith he would okay he had faith in himself he just did want to disappoint Obi-Wan or the Jedi Council. He wouldn�t have to take an apprentice right away like Obi-Wan did he could wait. He knew that was the smartest thing to do get used to being a Jedi Knight than train another.
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