Padmé Amidala sat cross-legged on her bed with her eyes closed, imitating the familiar meditative stance which she had seen her husband take so frequently as she tried to purge her mind of the thoughts of war, politics, and the consequences of forbidden marriage.

Nothing happened. The messy jumble of worry and consternation which was her consciousness did not clear.

She relaxed, leaning back until her back touched the bed. Her only consolation was the fact that, finally, she was going to see her husband, after weeks of being apart. Sure, they had been apart longer, such as that one slightly important ten-year gap, but the last time she had seen him was at their wedding. A month ago. No honeymoon. Just a simple wedding, then Jedi missions and politics.

Her oldest and most loyal handmaiden friend, Sabé Corrin, entered the room, handing her a beautiful lilac silk dress adorned with silver feathers and a matching headdress.

"For your date," said Sabé simply. Sabé knew nothing of her marriage, just that she seemed to be 'seeing someone,' and Sabé went out of her way to make sure Padmé looked her best.

Padmé shook her head. As beautiful as the dress was, it would not do for when she saw Ani.

"He doesn't like it when I dress in those elaborate gowns," said Padmé. "'Overwhelming,' he calls them."

"Go as you are, then," said Sabé, gesturing to the simple blue long-sleeved frock which fell to her ankles.

Padmé smiled. "As you wish, Sabé."

She knocked on the door to Anakin's quarters, grinning delightedly when she saw the blond head poke out of the doorway. He ushered her into his room, where they shared a long, passionate kiss before Anakin pulled away.

"What's wrong, Ani?" she asked softly.

"Nothing's particularly wrong," said her husband. "It's just... I'm a Jedi Knight now."

"Yes," she said comprehendingly, but not quite understanding why the title had made him so distraught.

"I have a Padawan now," he continued.

"What? But you were just..." she gasped.

"Just Knighted, I know. But Obi-Wan wasn't even a Knight when he agreed to train me," said Anakin.

"So you think you can handle it," said Padmé, nodding. "When was this Padawanship decreed?"

"Yesterday morning, actually, by the Council," he said. "It's been an extremely bizarre experience."

"More bizarre than if you had chosen a Padawan yourself?" asked Padmé, half joking, half serious.

"Oh, yes," said Anakin. "Much more."

"Why is-"

He cut her off, holding a hand up. "You'll see. He'll be back in three, two-"

The door burst open and the sound of small feet entering the apartment reached Padmé's ears.

"Master!" called a young voice, about twelve or thirteen years old.

Anakin and Padmé left the bedroom, Padmé eager to meet her husband's new Padawan learner.

He was of average height for his age, maybe about five feet and a few inches. A shock of auburn hair, tied in the back and bedecked with a beaded braid trailing to the tip of his left shoulder. He had blue-grey eyes, and there was something inexplicably familiar about him which she just couldn't place...

"Hello," he said, giving a small bow. "I am-"

"She's met you before, Padawan," said Anakin.

The Padawan shot Anakin a brief 'what the heck?' look, before it cleared and he nodded, seeming to understand.

"This is Senator Amidala of Naboo," said Anakin.

"Senator?" asked the boy. Padmé groaned inwardly. Was this yet another Jedi who held a grudge against politicians in general?

He seemed to pick up on her thoughts and raised an eyebrow.

In that one, small gesture, everything fell into place. Impossible. Yet, correct.

"Obi-Wan?" She murmured.

Slowly, grimly, the boy nodded.

Before I forget, here are the answers to Chapter 7's trivia:

Harry Potter: Percy wouldn't know a joke if it danced naked in front of him wearing Dobby's tea cozy.

Star Wars: It might generate sympathy in the Imperial Senate.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Tremble before the horror of Diet Coke!

BTW, it snowed 3 inches last night. WONDERFUL. I used to live in Louisiana, now I live in a quaint Victorian neighborhood in Ohio, so every time it snows it looks like a Holiday Card.

We had our first snow day yesterday because the power went out at our school. So, here are your first two holiday songs, even if it didn't snow, from Ler:

Oh the rain will stop I'm hoping

Cuz our fireplace is broken

And since I want some cold you know

Let it snow let it snow let it snow

and...

Dashing through the snow

on a pair of broken skis

tripping over rocks

running into trees

I think I'm gonna crash

into the giant oak

I might not survive this

and death is no joke