Korriban

Thoron lept off the couch and walked to where his master was sleeping. He jumped onto the bed and nudged the back of Anakin's head. Anakin moaned and slowly opened his eyes. He immediately groaned as he felt the after effects of the alcohol he drank the night before. He silently cursed Jayden for his headache and looked over his shoulder at Thoron.

"Thoron, what are you doing?" Anakin asked sleepily. Thoron whimpered and nudged him again. Anakin looked over at his chrono and groaned.

"Morning already," Anakin muttered, "thanks bud."

Thoron barked and scampered out of the room. Anakin moaned sleepily and spooned himself closer to Padme. He buried his face in her shoulder and sighed. He had enjoyed a few hours of sleep after making passionate love to his future wife. She encouraged him to go to sleep but soon fell to his love as he ravished her. Now he had to wake up and prepare for their trip to Coruscant. He propped his elbow on his pillow and gently shook Padme.

"Mhmm, Anakin," Padme moaned sleepily, "what time is it?"

"Almost four thirty in the morning," Anakin replied. Padme sighed and turned in his arms, nuzzling his chest gently.

"What's going on? It's too early to do anything now," Padme said sleepily and yawned.

"We have to get ready, my love. We leave for Coruscant in an hour," Anakin said. Padme lifted her head and looked up at him.

"Coruscant? I thought we were going to celebrate your birthday here...in bed, all day," Padme said as she pushed him onto his back and wrapped her slender arms around his waist.

"And did I forget to wish you Happy Birthday?" she teased playfully as she kissed him, hard and deep.

"Maybe," Anakin moaned. Padme giggled and kissed him again.

"Happy Birthday, baby," Padme whispered.

"And it's -" he paused as she kissed him, "called Jyn Twasak Twis."

"Anakin?"

"Yes, my love."

"Shut up and let me kiss you," Padme said. Anakin chuckled and eagerly complied.

Endor

"We will not have contact with Senator Organa, or any other rebels in the senate for another three days," Qui-Gon informed the rebel leaders as they sat around the conference table, "as far as we know, all attention will be brought to the gala."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Mon asked firmly, "get over there and find out what it is."

"Now wait a minute, senator. No Jedi can just go to the event. Sith will be crawling all over the place and Plageuis will definitely sense our presence," Qui-Gon said, "but I agree that we need at least one Jedi on the strike team to ensure the mission's success."

"What is the mission, master Jedi?" Clovis asked. Obi-Wan raised a brow at his obliviousness.

"To retrieve the other senators," Qui-Gon said, like it was obvious, "the Sith are gathering Organa and the others. We are in doubt they sensed their presences, not to mention yours, in the battle of Chandrila."

"I volunteer to come on the mission," Obi-Wan said. Qui-Gon nodded.

"Very well, Obi-Wan. I will also accompany the strike team," Qui-Gon said, "meeting dismissed."

"Master Jedi," Clovis called as everyone else cleared out of the room.

"Yes, senator?"

"Are there any developments in the search for Padme?" Clovis asked, though did not appear concerned at all.

"No, senator. I am afraid it would be best to assume the senator has been taken hostage. The Sith haven't made any obvious moves yet," Obi-Wan replied but when he turned around, Clovis was already walking away.

Coruscant

Padme sighed as she entered her darkened apartment. It was still early on Coruscant and the sun was just beginning to rise. Exhausted, she turned on the lights and collapsed onto the living room couch. Shortly after Anakin's cruiser entered hyperspace, Padme and Anakin wasted no time in surrendering themselves to each other, desperate to spend as much time as they could together.

Padme panted heavily as she collapsed against Anakin's sweat slicked chest. The wild beat of his strong heart soothed her and she sighed contently against him.

"Wow," Anakin said, breathless.

"Wow indeed," Padme giggled.

"Senator Amidala, I had no idea you were so insatiable."

"Me? You are the insatiable one," Padme teased, planting kisses along his collar bone. He growled playfully and rolled on top of her, pinning her to the bed.

"That may be true. You're too beautiful; I can't keep my hands off you," Anakin whispered against her neck, "I'm getting addicted."

Padme giggled and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"Anakin?"

"Yes, my love," Anakin said, pulling back.

"What will happen when we arrive on Coruscant?" Padme asked. Anakin sighed and rolled onto his side, facing her.

"That's what's been bothering you, hasn't it?"

Padme sighed and snuggled closer to him.

"Yes, I tried so hard to ignore it and I thought I had finally succeeded. I wanted to spend as much care free time as possible with you, my love. But now that we are heading back there, I can't help but feel responsible for what's going to happen next," Padme replied. Anakin sighed and sat up, the sheets pooling around his waist.

"Don't you dare blame this on yourself. For everything that has happened and what will happen, I should shoulder the burden," Anakin said. Padme frowned and sat up as well, pressing herself against his back.

"You put a lot of pressure on yourself," Padme mentioned, staring at his scars.

"It can't be helped," Anakin said, "I am the Prince of the Sith and it was me who dragged you into my father's plans. I can't say I don't feel remorseful for it."

"Everything will change when this cruiser lands, won't it?" Padme asked but already knew the answer. And Anakin knew it too.

"You shouldn't be a part of this," Anakin said firmly, "my father will stop at nothing to achieve his life long dreams and to have me achieve it for him. This is a Sith matter and you are not a Sith."

"But I will be married to one," Padme argued, burrying her face in his shoulder.

"You still want to marry me? Even knowing the risks you have to take?" Anakin asked quietly, "you stick by me after all of that."

"Of course, my love," Padme said, turning him to face her.

"But the lies, the deception, your beliefs against the empire," Anakin stammered.

"But none is more important than you," Padme shushed him, taking his strong hands in hers, "I can and will still fight my fight against the empire but not by the rebels way. I realised that now. In the short time I have been on Korriban, I have witnessed the struggles the Sith go through. You know that more than anyone, Anakin. Your scars are proof of that. I can't just ignore the fact that the rebels try to fight against people who have felt so much pain. If I want to be married to the Prince of the Sith then I will prove I deserve him."

Anakin was floored.

"I will be willing to act like an enslaved prisoner because that's not my real love life; it's all worth it in the end. To be with you with no barriers between us," Padme said, running her hands down his taut body, "to feel alive in moments like now."

"You are absolutely amazing," Anakin said, not knowing what else to say.

Padme smiled and cupped his face, pulling him in for another kiss. Just when their kiss was heating up again, Anakin's comlink beeped. Anakin growled and used the Force to lift it into his hand.

"Yes?"

"Your father and the council would like to speak with you," Jayden replied.

"Now?" Anakin grumbled.

"Now," Jadyen said firmly and hanged up. Padme laid back and watched Anakin start to dress.

"Get some sleep," Anakin said, "I will be back later when we land."

"Alright," Padme said, "I love you."

Anakin smiled, putting all his heart into it.

"I love you too."

Padme was pulled from her thoughts when two arms suddenly wrapped her in a bone crushing hug.

"Padme! You're alright," Sabe cried in joy, "I can't believe you're alive!"

"Of course I'm alive," Padme chuckled, "why wouldn't I be?"

Sabee pulled back, gripping her friend's shoulders firmly.

"Where the hell have you been?! You've been missing for days; the holonet has been all over it," Sabe said, turning on the holoscreen.

''Do you have anything to add on Senator Amidala's disappearance, Senator Clovis?'' the reporter asked.

"I'm afraid Senator Amidala might have run scared after the rumoured battle on Chandrila. She has always been one to run from a fight," Rush replied smugly.

Padme gasped and her blood boiled. She paused the screen at Clovis' face.

"You are the coward, Clovis," Padme whispered, referring to when he left her on Chandrila. Suddenly, the screen cracked.

Absolutely stunned, Sabe and Padme swiveled around to see a fuming Anakin standing at the door.

"Anakin Skywalker," Sabe gasped, "Padme, what's going on?"

Obi-Wan stepped off a bus transport immediately putting the hood of his cloak on and shielding his senses. As soon as he got on the platform, he noticed two clone troopers accompanied by a Red Guard. Acting quick he ran behind the bus speeder and jumped off the platform.

The Red Guard turned as soon as Obi-Wan hid behind the transport. Wasting no time in judging his senses, the Red Guard ran behind the transport but immediately saw nothing and no one. He looked down at the skyline of speeders.

"Commander, is there a problem?" the clone trooper asked.

"No, return to your posts," the Red Guard said and turned back, determined it was nothing.

Obi-Wan sighed in relief and turned to his hooded companion who drove the speeder he just landed in.

"Good catch, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said with a smile, "you managed to get here undetected as well."

"It was almost too close, like you Obi-Wan. Great job in disguising your presence. We will have to be more careful when we rendezvous with the rest of the strike team," Qui-Gon replied. Obi-Wan nodded.

"And the Senators?"

"They made it back here safely as well. Though I doubt they had much to worry about. The Sith want them to be here and threatened their people to do it. They didn't have much of a choice but to accept the invitation," Qui-Gon said, "we must hurry. If the Sith plan to harm the rebel senators then we have to stop them."

Sabe gently massaged her forehead as she observed the couple sit side by side, Anakin's arm around Padme's shoulder possessively. Thoron sat obediently next to Artoo watching the droid carefully.

"You're getting married," Dorme whispered in amazement, "all of this transpired in a matter of days?"

Anakin frowned and tighten his hand on Padme's shoulder.

"Anakin it's okay, we can trust her," Padme told Anakin. He looked down at her, unsure. Padme smiled reassuringly and rubbed his hand.

"Please. She's my friend," Padme pleaded, "I know it's going to be a big night for you but please I can trust her. You trust me, don't you?"

"Of course I do," Anakin quickly replied, appalled that Padme would question his trust. Padme smiled.

"Then you can trust her too. Please Anakin. I need someone, preferably a female, to talk to at times like these."

"Alright, you may tell her what you want. I trust you," Anakin replied.

"Thank you, my love," Padme replied, kissing his hand, "I appreciate it."

"My father and the council have big plans for tonight. I will fill you in on them later," Anakin said and stood from the couch. Padme watched as he left the room and Dorme took his seat next to her.

"He's upset about something," Padme whispered. Dorme shook her head and grabbed Padme's shoulders.

"What the hell is going on? One day you go to a rebel meeting and the next you go missing! And now you come back and you say you're getting married. And what is Anakin Skywalker talking about a father and a council?" Dorme blurted out.

"There's plenty I need to tell you, Dorme. It all started on Chandrila..."

An hour later

"Wow, I can't believe you went through all that," Dorme said, hugging her friend tightly, "you poor thing."

"It's alright, Dorme. I had Anakin help me through it all. He's a real sweetheart under all that strength," Padme said dreamily.

"I knew you had the hots for him," Dorme teased, "so how good is he in bed?"

"I'm not going to answer that question," Padme replied, a deep blush tainting her cheeks.

"Judging by that smile of yours, you don't need to. I see right that expression of yours," Dorme replied, "where is your gorgeous beau anyway?"

"I'll go check. He's been waiting long enough," Padme said. She walked into her bedroom but he wasn't there.

"Anakin?"

"In here, love," Anakin called from the fresher. Padme chuckled as she approached her fiance in the hot tub.

"Well look at you," Padme said seductively, kneeling beside the tub.

"I'm sorry I didn't ask for your permission but I couldn't resist," Anakin said with a smirk.

"Oh don't apologize," Padme giggled," I'm enjoying this just as much as you are."

"Mmm," Anakin said, tracing a finger down her face.

"Is something troubling you?" Padme asked, placing a tender hand on his wet shoulder as he continued to stare at her.

"You're just so beautiful," he whispered, leaning close and kissed her softly. Reluctantly, she pulled back and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Okay," Anakin sighed, "my father's blessing for our love would be spectacular."

"I'm sorry," she whispered, burrying her face in his shoulder.

"Nah, it's fine. Tonight will our time together, no deception at the masquerade. Father wants us to be 'realistic' tonight, so if I start pulling you down and kiss you like a mad man, you'll know why," Anakin said with a smirk. Padme giggled and planted kisses on his neck.

"What about this one?" Padme asked, holding the dress against her as she stood in front of the mirror. Anakin laughed.

"It's beautiful too," he replied as he laid on his stomach, facing her with his arm propping his head, the white sheets covering his nude body.

"You have to pick one," Padme insisted with a faint pout.

"Oh, but they are all so pretty, love," Anakin said with a smirk and rolled over onto his back.

"Anakin, stop teasing me," Padme whined and plopped down next to him.

"Let's see, which one," Anakin said, lifting up his finger, "dress one, dress two, or the other two hundreds dresses in your closet?"

"Oh and what about shoes," Anakin continued, turning on his side, facing her. He had a ridiculous expression, "let's discuss make-up too."

"Anakin," Padme whined smacking him on the chest. Anakin gasped and grabbed his heart.

"You wound me."

Padme growled and buried her face in his chest, her face flushed.

"You silly man," Padme murmured as Anakin laughed, holding her tight, "you're so lucky it's your birthday, mister."

"Miss Padme! Miss Padme! Miss PADME!"

"That droid of yours is starting to annoy me," Anakin grumbled as Padme pulled away. She grabbed her robe and donned it as she padded over to the door. It slid open and there stood her frantic droid.

"What is it, Threepio?" Padme asked as Anakin sat up in bed.

"It's dreadful, milady. The Sith just barged in your apartment a few moments ago."

"What?! Anakin, what is this?" Padme asked, frantically turning to her fiance. Anakin furrowed his brow and quickly pulled on his robe and pants. He placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned close to her.

"Get dressed and stay in here until I tell you so. I will deal with whatever is going on outside but stay here, okay?"

Padme nodded and Anakin quickly pecked her cheek before leaving the room.

Plageuis turned as his son walked down the spiral staircase, dressed only in black pants and his robe which was partially untied revealing his bare chest. Next to him, Jayden raised an eyebrow at Anakin's state of undress and smirked slightly at the events he believed happened upstairs.

"Father, this is unexpected," Anakin said.

"As is your presence in the Senator's apartment," Jayden quipped.

"I was demonstrating my authority over the senator in a physical manner, Jayden," Anakin grumbled, "surely you did not expect me to be planning table arrangements for the party all day."

"Please my son, that is quite enough," Plageuis said as he observed the apartment, "where is our dear senator?"

"She is getting dressed, father. Perhaps it would be time to tell you that I no longer a virgin," Anakin said nervously. Jayden sighed and rubbed his temple.

"Perhaps you have taken the role of pending husband a bit too seriously," Plageuis said, "however, I am glad you are expressing authority and you are certainly no youngling; you're nineteen now. But do not let the woman think she has sway over you by her looks. No matter how beautiful she is."

"Of course, father. Now may I enquire as to why you are here?" Anakin asked.

"I hoped to spend some time with my future daughter in law," Plageuis said with a light smile. Anakin narrowed his eyes.

"Are you serious?"

"Please call the senator, Anakin. I am eager to talk to her."

"What is my son to you, senator?" Plageuis asked Padme as she on her couch. Anakin and Jayden watched anxiously from the opposite couch.

"He is to be my prince," Padme replied stiffly.

"Wrong. He is to be your king," he replied, "and you would not dare to bewitch him with your charm nor your beauty."

"Father, she hasn't done such a thing. I am completely capable of handling myself," Anakin retorted.

"Shut it, Anakin," Jayden grumbled beside him.

"Senator Amidala, you are alive for very few reasons on my book," Plageuis said and pulled out a dagger from his cloak, "I need absolute loyalty from you."

Padme screamed as Plageuis grabbed her hand and sliced the dagger on the palm of her hand.

"Father! Stop!" Anakin yelled as he bolted off the couch only to be held by Jayden.

"Anakin, that's enough," Jayden growled as his brother stared in horror as Padme fell to her knees, cradling her hand as blood dripped on the floor.

"Absolute loyalty can't be expressed in words, senator. You are now sworn to my son and any disobedience is not rewarded with mercy," Plageuis said as he walked out the apartment. Anakin growled and pushed Jayden off him and the older Sith threw him a glare before following Plageuis out the apartment.

Once they were out of ear shot, Anakin dropped to his knees beside Padme and pressed the hem of his robe tightly against her wound.

"I'm sorry, my love, I'm so sorry," Anakin whispered as Padme sobbed against him.

"They frighten me, Anakin, I-I I can't take this," Padme wept.

"I know. I-I just so sorry."

Now more than ever, Anakin did not know what to do.

Author's note: I AM BACK WITH A VENGENCE! Nah, just kidding ;) Sorry for taking so long guys. Life stuff gets in the way and blah blah blah... you don't need to hear my horrible excuses. I have been getting many ideas recently and I am excited to also continue this story, A Shade of Revenge, and a new plot called 'The Court of Merchants'. I am excited to be back !