Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. I just created my own little AU sandbox to play in.

AN: Here's part 6! Thanks for all the great reviews! Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Testing the Waters: A Forever Destined Vignette

Part 6/6

Padme returned with the first aid kit and sat down next to her husband on the sofa.

"Okay…shirt off," Padme ordered, causing him to smirk.

"Well, aren't you a naughty nurse," he joked. She smirked.

"Oh, you have no idea," she replied playfully, as he removed his tunic. But Padme's playfulness disappeared, as she spotted the numerous burn spots caused by the EMP waves.

"Angel, I'm fine. Really," he promised. She shook her head and pushed her tears back.

"I'm just so tired of them hurting you," Padme said sadly, as she took out a bacta cloth, as she gently dabbed the first burn mark. He reached up and caressed her face gently.

"Now you know that it's going to take more than a bounty hunter, even one as good as Bane, and I'll admit he is good, to keep me from protecting my family and innocent people. Bane caught me off guard tonight, but that won't happen again. He's going to have to get really creative the next time we meet if he plans to live through our next encounter. Like I said, he may be good, but in the end when it matters, he'll be no match for the true power of the Force," Anakin told her, before hissing as she continued to clean his burns.

"I know. But that won't keep me from worrying about you. Look at all these burns," she fretted.

"Angel, they're purely superficial wounds," he said.

"That's not the point and they still need treated," Padme replied, as she continued to gently dab the bacta on her husband's muscled chest. He snatched the cloth from her hand and tossed it away.

"Hey…" Padme protested, as he pulled her into his lap.

"I need to finish cleaning your burns," she reminded him.

"Later," he replied, as he stared passionately at her. Padme gazed back at him, as her entire body tingled. He lowered his lips to hers and she moaned into his kiss, as he moved his lips over hers in a sensual, passionate rhythm, plundering her mouth with his own.

"Oh Ani…" Padme cooed, as he buried his face in the nape of her neck, nibbling sensually and grazing his teeth along her soft, sweet skin. Padme mewled, as she snaked her arms around his neck and captured his lips in a hot, feverish kiss. Her lips left his lips and she started placing kisses on his muscled chest, as her hands marveled at his toned physique.

"Maybe you should go get some wine and meet me upstairs in the bedroom," she suggested sultrily. He smirked.

"That's an invitation I would never refuse," he replied, as they got up. He watched her saunter up the stairs, while she tossed him a seductive gaze. He hurried to the kitchen once she was upstairs and grabbed a bottle of red wine from the fridge. The romance and passion between them still burned strong and always would.

~*~

As Anakin entered their bedroom, the door slid closed behind him and he dropped the bottle of wine he had in his hand. Fortunately, thanks to his quick Jedi reflexes, he stopped the bottle in mid air and floated it to rest on the bedside table, for all coherent thought had left his mind, as he stared at the angel before him. And she was an angel…literally. Glittering white costumed wings adorned her back and she had donned their sexy accompanying outfit, which consisted only of a glittering white bra and panties set.

"Well, I guess that answers my question," she said. He swallowed, as his eyes continued to roan over her amazing body.

"What question?" he managed to ask.

"Whether or not I'm getting too old to wear things like this," Padme replied.

"Angel, the word old doesn't even remotely belong in the same sentence with you. You're as beautiful and sexy as ever. I mean, when you enter a room, every man's head turns to you. I really am the luckiest man in the galaxy," he replied.

'Well, I'm yours and your head is the only one I care about. I do wish you wouldn't let the attention of others get to you," she said.

"I do try, my angel, but I have an unfortunate curse that allows me to sense entirely too many of their thoughts without even trying," he replied. She sauntered to him and slipped her arms around his waist.

"But you have to know that my thoughts are always about you. You and our children are my life," she told him.

"I know. I've never doubted your love and I never will. And look at you. You are so insanely beautiful and sexy. It's no wonder every man with a pulse pines after you. But you're mine and I will never take that for granted," he told her passionately.

"I know you won't, but I'll do my part to remind you how much I love and desire only you, my handsome, sexy Jedi husband," she replied, as she kissed him tenderly. Their lips parted and she sauntered to the bed.

"I'll let you pour the wine," she told him, as she lay on her side, striking a sexy, alluring pose. He smirked.

"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he asked. She smirked back.

"I have an idea," she responded, as she sat up slightly.

"Credit for your thoughts, beautiful?" he asked, as he poured the wine into two glasses.

"You mean other than thinking about you naked?" she asked coyly. He chuckled.

"Careful star nymph or we'll end up having to skip the foreplay," he teased.

"Don't make threats unless you intend to make good on them, love. And as for what I was thinking about, besides you in all your naked glory, was about Leia. I think you're rubbing off on me, because I was far too lenient with her punishment," Padme mentioned.

"You're right. We shouldn't let her go to that social. You and I both know what kinds of things happen at those things," Anakin said.

"You just don't want Leia to date," Padme replied.

"You're right, I don't and certainly not a smooth talking boy like Jake Clovis," Anakin grumbled.

"He seemed very nice. I'm sure his Uncle has taught him to be a gentleman around a lady," Padme replied. Anakin snorted.

"Yeah, he seemed a little too thrilled about Jake taking Leia to the social. I wish he'd quiet his thoughts," Anakin grumbled, as he drank some of his wine.

"Ani, I thought we just agreed that you know that I only want you," Padme replied.

"I did and I do, but this has nothing to do with what you want. It's about what Clovis wants," Anakin said.

"Like he would ever have a chance. Why does he bother you so much? And don't tell me it's just because of his former association with the separatists, because I know it's more than that," Padme replied.

"I don't want to talk about this; at least not now. For now, let's just agree that he's annoying and his nephew better keep his hands to himself around Leia or they're both Bantha poodoo. As for us, I'd really like to get back to that foreplay we were talking about," he said. She smirked and lay back down on her side again, striking another sexy pose.

"I'm waiting for you, love. You are the one that still has some clothes on," she challenged. He smirked and rid himself of his pants.

"Better?" he asked. Padme's eyes glazed with desire.

"Oh yeah. Now get over here so I can show you that you're the only man I want and desire," she ordered.

"Even though you should have learned that by now," she added.

"Well, I am slow learner. But I bet you can teach me a memorable lesson," he said, wriggling his eyebrows playfully at her. She giggled.

"Get over here, sexy Jedi," she demanded, as she pulled him down into the mass of bedclothes with her, as playfulness turned to passion in an instant.

~*~

Clovis' driver parked the speeder, as they arrived home. As they got into the lift to go up to their penthouse, Jake brought up a pressing question in his mind.

"So…how grounded am I?" Jake asked curiously. Rush glanced at his nephew.

"I told you I didn't like those snotty girls and that I didn't want you hanging out with them. I told you they were a bad influence and I was obviously right," Rush began, referring to Veronica and her friends.

"I know and I don't like them either. They just sort of showed up here and when I found out they were going to Republica 500, I couldn't resist. Can you blame me? I mean…Leia is really pretty and when I saw her at school today, I really wanted to meet her," Jake said. Rush smirked.

"No, I suppose I can't blame you. Leia possess the same allure as her mother it seems," Rush replied.

"Yeah, if you're so crazy about her mom, then how come you never tried to date her, before she was married, of course," Jake mentioned.

"Who said I didn't?" Rush retorted.

"When we first came to the Senate, we went out on a date. I was so entranced by her beauty and how she spoke of issues that she was passionate about. Till this day, I have still not met a woman like her," he said, recalling the memories.

"What I didn't know what the time was that she had just gotten out of a very abusive relationship, so that night, when I tried to kiss her, it scared her to death, because she wasn't ready for anything like that," Rush said regrettably.

"After that, she declined any of my dinner and date invitations. Then the next thing I knew, she was dating Anakin Skywalker. And before I knew it, she was engaged and getting married to him. I guess I wasn't the man she wanted or needed," Rush explained.

"Then don't you think you should move on?" Jake asked forwardly. Rush glanced at him.

"I have moved on," he insisted. Jake rolled his eyes.

"Whatever you say, Uncle, but it's pretty obvious to everyone that you still have a thing for her," Jake replied.

"There's always the one that got away and she's that one for me. Now as for you, I'm going to allow you to attend the social with Leia, but besides that, you're grounded for a week," Rush told his nephew, who's mood soured considerably at the news of his punishment.

~*~

The next morning began like most at the Skywalker residence. The Senate wasn't meeting in light of the attacks last night, but Padme was meeting with several colleagues later that morning. And as they often did, they had chosen to meet at her home. Until that time came, she was enjoying making breakfast for her family. Padme wasn't surprised when her sister and Ryoo arrived. She knew Obi-Wan was likely lagging behind on the veranda with her husband. Her oldest niece sat down at the table.

"Good morning Aunt Padme," Ryoo said.

"Good morning sweetheart and good morning, Sola. Where's Will?" Padme asked, as she handed a plate to Ryoo.

"He's with his Daddy. Anakin is going on about something and Ben is arguing with him. Something about it being Ben's fault, whatever "it" refers to," Sola said. Padme rolled her eyes.

"The "it" they we're referring to is the fact that last night when Ben came to the Opera House after picking up the kids, he left Leia here," Padme said.

"So…what's so bad about that?" Sola asked in confusion. Padme smiled.

"He left her alone with a cute boy," Padme clarified.

"Ohhh…that explains it. Cute boy, huh?" Sola asked her blushing niece. Leia nodded.

"He asked me to the social next week," Leia said. Sola whistled impressively.

"Your first social. How exciting. What are you going to wear?" she asked.

"We're going shopping tomorrow to pick out a new dress," Padme answered.

"Wow…first date. I'm surprised Anakin is taking it as well as he is," Sola replied.

"Me too," Padme added.

"Honestly your boys are worse than the children at times," Shmi complained, as she entered the kitchen carrying her youngest grandchild.

"How come they're my boys when they're behaving like immature Bantha rears?" Qui-Gon questioned, as she put three-year-old Will at the table. Padme put a plate in front of him with a pancake on it, while Sola began cutting it up for him.

"Tank you Aunt Padme!" he called.

"You're very welcome, sweet boy," Padme replied, as Anakin and Obi-Wan finally made their way into the kitchen.

"It's still your fault," Anakin insisted.

"No, because if this boy is really interested in her, then he would have found a way to ask her out, regardless of anything I did. I didn't mean to leave her here alone with him, but I was more focused on coming to rescue your bloody hyde…again," Obi-Wan retorted.

"Again? You wish. I'm the one always saving your skin. Remember the Gondark nest? Or do I need to bring up Cato-Neimodia?" Anakin asked.

"You knocked me into that nightmare and you know that Cato-Neimodia doesn't bloody count!" Obi-Wan griped.

"Oh, will you two stop!" Sola cried in annoyance, causing their argument to cease.

"He started it," Obi-Wan mumbled.

"You mean you started it," Anakin mumbled back.

"All right Ani, that's enough. Now sit down and eat," Padme ordered.

"You too Ben," Sola added. Padme and Sola shared a satisfied look, as their husband's obeyed them.

~*~

A week later…

"Ani…do you have the holocam ready?" Padme called, as she came down the stairs.

"Yep, it's all ready to go," he said, with no enthusiasm.

"Oh love, cheer up. It's just one little date. Leia is still our baby girl," Padme insisted, as she gave him a soft kiss, just as the door chimed.

"Oh that must be Jake," Padme said, as she hurried to the door. Anakin's mood soured again.

"Ani…remember what we discussed?" she asked. He rolled his eyes.

"Yes angel," he answered.

"Let's hear it," she ordered. He sighed.

"No mind tricking, no death threats, and no Force choking," he recited. Padme opened the door and invited Jake and his Uncle in. Jake was wearing his best clothes and was carrying a bouquet of white Alderaanian lilies.

"Wow Jake, you look very handsome. Leia should be down in a few minutes," Padme said.

"Thank you Lady Skywalker," Jake replied politely.

"I hope you don't mind if I stay and take a few holos of my own," Rush said.

"Of course not," Padme replied, as she invited him in. Padme stood beside Anakin, as Leia made her appearance at the top of the stairs. She was wearing a beautiful lavender sleeveless down, which had thick straps and a straight, semi-conservative collar. Her hair was up in an elegant twist, while two single curls framed her face. Anakin was caught off guard by how much she looked like her mother.

"Wow…you look amazing," Jake said, as he handed the flowers to her. Leia's face lit up at his compliment and at receiving the flowers. Padme's face glowed with happiness for her daughter and as she looked to her husband, he couldn't help but smile as well, because he loved seeing his girls happy. He put his arm around Padme and kissed her hair.

"Okay, I'll try to calm down about this whole dating thing, because she's so happy. But if he hurts her, then all bets are off," he whispered to her. She smiled.

"I couldn't ask for more than that," she replied, as he got the holocam and took some holos of them, as did Rush with his own. Tyler and Neela had volunteered to chauffeur the young couple to the social and they ushered the two young people into the speeder. Rush didn't hang around long after they left, for Anakin usually made him quite uncomfortable and soon, it was just Anakin and Padme.

"See…that wasn't so bad," Padme told him.

"I guess not. We won't have any problems as long as he treats my princess like a princess. If he hurts her, then he better plan on running away and staying away from every civilized system possible, because I will hunt him down and crush his bones into powder if he makes her cry," Anakin replied. Padme shook her head.

"Come on, let's take the kids to a holomovie at the Holoplex," she suggested.

"Sounds good. We should see something with a lot of action and property damage. You know how explosions put me in a good mood," he joked.

"Ugh…so I guess there's no chance of seeing the new romance, is there?" she asked.

"You really expect Luke and Jayden to sit through one of those?" he asked. She thought about the prospect of seeing one of those and hearing all her son's brilliant wisecracks.

"Fine…we'll see the one with all the explosions," Padme conceded, as they rounded the kids up.

~*~

Bane's goons pounded their fists into an unfortunate soul that had angered their boss. This time, the one receiving the beating was one of their own.

"You've worked for me for a long time, Chase, but your foul up on Coruscant could have been fatal for me," Bane said. The human male coughed up a spot of blood.

"Please boss, I can help you fix this!" the man called.

"You cost me a fortune. You were in charge of making sure no one could infiltrate the perimeter, yet three of Skywalker's brats got in. Had it not been for that, Count Dooku would have paid me a fortune for the release of his grandson and granddaughter-in-law. And that doesn't even include the credits I could have got from the Republic for the release of the Chancellor. But I didn't get the chance to ransom them, thanks to your screw up," Bane spat.

"I can help you recover your losses, I swear!" he called, as his former colleagues beat on him.

"Shut up! You screwed us out of a lot of money and now we're taking it out of your worthless carcass," one of the brutes shouted.

"Don't be too hasty, Finch. Let's hear what Mr. Munez has to say," Bane ordered, ceasing their beating.

"How do you propose I get my money?" Bane asked.

"By using them," Chase replied, as he handed a holo to Bane of a beautiful red haired woman and a young red haired girl that looked much like the other.

"Is this a joke? How are these little harlots supposed to get credits out of Count Dooku?" Bane questioned.

"Because the woman is Zia Jade Windu and the brat is…my daughter," he replied.

"Now I know you're lying. Mace Windu is this brat's father," Bane said.

"Not biologically," Chase replied.

"All right, you've got my attention. I'm listening," Bane urged.

"Zia and I are old flames. When she told me she was pregnant, I dumped her and split. But now, I could show up and tell her I've seen the error of my ways and I want to get to know the girl," Chase explained.

"And you think she's just going to let you waltz back into her daughter's life?" Bane questioned skeptically.

"No, she'll be leery of me, but I'm good actor. I learned from the best, after all," Chase replied.

"So, how do we use this brat to get my money?" Bane asked.

"I'll get close to her and then we can ransom her and the mother. Mace Windu is very good friends with Count Dooku's family. You'll get your money and I'll get a cut, not to mention I'll get to keep my life. We both win," Chase said. Bane contemplated his plan for a moment.

"Normally, I don't make deals…but this could be quite entertaining," Bane said.

"All right…go get yourself cleaned up and get back to Coruscant," Bane ordered.

"Yes sir," Chase replied.

"If you botch this or double cross me, then you're a dead man," Bane warned.

"Don't worry, I want the money as much as you. Zia and her brat mean nothing to me," he replied coldly, as he picked himself up and went to prepare for his journey back to Coruscant…

Well, as you may have guessed, the next vignette will deal with this Chase character coming back into Zia's life after all these years. The question is, will they discover his plan and stop him before it's too late? All this and much more in the next vignette, which at this time, remains untitled as of yet. But look for it soon! In the meantime, please review and let me know what you think!