The first thing she did when she entered her apartment was to kick of her shoes, after wearing them all day they had started to pinch her toes. Picking them up, she carried them towards the living room, the floor cooling her bare feet. It took her a moment to realise the light was on. Rushing forward her heart did a leap when she spotted him relaxing on the sofa.

He had taken of his leather tunic and belt, leaving him with only with his black under tunic, and pants. When he spotted her, his face transformed with joy as he smiled. His golden hair had grown longer than since the last time they met, and he looked more beautiful than she remembered.

Throwing her shoes away, not caring where they landed, she threw herself at him, assaulting him with kisses. Anakin laughed out loud, and she could feel the rumble in his chest, as she pushed her head towards the warm fabric of his tunic, half sitting on top of him. Gently he wrapped her in his arms, and she relished just the simple scent of him.

"I did not expect you back so soon" she said, leaning back a bit so she could see his face.

"I wanted it to be a surprise" he said, smiling down at her. One of his hands stroking up and down her back.

"You should have told me. I would have snuck out of the meeting earlier."

"Since when do you skip out on any of your obligations?" he asked, and she knew it was true. She had a tendency to be a stickler for the rules sometimes. So unlike him, who was always breaking them.

"I wish I had today, it seemed never to end. And Senator Vale is a sleaze, more occupied by his own power than the once he claims to serve" She sighed, moving of him to sit close on the sofa, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Are you saying politics are boring?" he said in mock horror, putting a hand to his chest. "Who would have believed it!" She slapped him gently, and he grinned at her. Just the sight of his face made all her worries disappear for a moment.

"Sometimes I wish I had your powers, so I could wipe the foul smile of his face, as he delegates more power to himself, while his people suffer. I swear he his corrupt, but I have no proof"

"So many politicians are these days" he said with a frown, his smile vanishing as he stared into nothing, she did not like it when he did that. Luckily it did not last, and he turned his attention back to her, a mischievous look on his face. "Do you want me to sneak into the senate and throw rotten fruit at his face, when no one is looking. Or better yet when he is having a speech, because I totally would you know"

She laughed, imaging fruit appearing out of nowhere as rotten missiles pelting Vale, and the look on his face in sheer embarrassment. Anakin hiding somewhere out of sight.

"Tempting, but what would Obi Wan say to such frivolous use of the force." She said, when she managed to stop laughing.

"He needs to relax" he said giving her a quick kiss. "And so do you"

"Do you have anything specific in mind General Skywalker?" she asked, while pulling teasingly at his tunic.

His eyes grew warm. "Hmm, my lady, I think you are the one with something on your mind" he replied in a soft voice, leaning down and giving her a proper kiss this time. One that nearly left her breathless.

"I am just glad you are home. I hope you can stay a while this time." After loosening her dress, a bit at the back, so she could be more comfortable, she let him put her head in his lap.

"I am all yours for two whole weeks" he replied, softly stroking her hair. The soothing motion draining some of the stress from her body, as she stretched out on the sofa.

"I am glad. I have missed you so much." For a moment she closed her eyes, as his hand started to massage her scalp, making her sleepy.

"I have missed you to Padme" he said, repeating the gentle motion over and over again.

"Sometime I worry you won't come home to me at all, that one day you will die out there, and I wouldn't even know would I." Opening her eyes, she sat back up, so she could look into his eyes. "To the galaxy I am not your wife, a friend maybe but nothing more."

"You are my wife" he said intently, cupping her face with both his hands. Without his gloves his metal hand felt cold to the touch, but his human one was warm, its thumb gently stroking her cheek. "I know it, and you know it, and we are the only once that matter."

She nodded, giving him a small smile, putting her hands above his where they cradled her face.

"There is a species of bird, native to Tatooine, that travels miles upon miles away from home every year. Yet no matter how far they travel, or for how long, they always find their way home. Like drawn by an invisible beacon. You are my beacon Padme, and no matter where I go, or how far, your light will always guide me home. This I promise you."

She blinked, desperately wanting to believe him, but war was a cruel thing. It took so many, way too soon, and those who were left behind were often changed forever.

Anakin let go of her face, and got to his feet offering her his hand. Taking it, he helped her up.

"Now enough of this dreary talk, dear wife. I have other more fun things on my mind" he said teasingly, his words dispelling the gloom. Moving forward he lifted her up into his arms, caught by surprised she squealed, making him laugh.

"Put me down Ani" she laughed, kicking her feet.

"Never" He replied, carrying her to the bedroom throwing her onto the bed, before following. Leaning down so he could kiss her again, their bodies pressed close.

Padme awoke and the memory slowly faded. Reaching a hand out across the bed, she half expected to find his warm body pressed up against hers, but there was nothing there now, except emptiness. Rolling around so she was lying on her back, she stared up at the dark ceiling. She felt alone, more alone than she had ever been. Part of her could still not accept that he was gone, that he would not find his way back to her like he had promised. But it had been a lie, he hadn't come back, not this time, and now he never would.

Blinking back tears, she sat up. Her sadness receded and anger took its place. Anakin would never come back because he had chosen power of her. Over their children. His choice had condemned them all, leaving nothing but bitterness behind. Except Luke and Leia, who was the light that kept her going. For them she would endure.

Wrapping herself in a robe, she left the bed heading into the corridor. When she found the right door she opened it carefully. It was still the middle of the night and she didn't want to wake them.

A beam of light from the corridor lit the room, and she could see Leia was fast asleep, tucked safely in her bed. Luke on the other had had pushed his duvet of, as he was sleeping. Tip toeing into the room, she walked quietly to his bed, tucking him in before kissing his forehead very softly.

Anakin may had extinguished his own light, but some of it remained through their children, and she would guard it with her life. Walking away from Luke, she approached Leia's bed, who had opened her eyes staring at her.

"Is something wrong mummy?" she asked sleepily.

"No, sweetheart" She replied, stroking Leia's hair away from her face. "You go back to sleep"

Leia nodded with a yawn, closing her eyes trustingly. Not knowing anything about the dark secrets her mother kept from her. As Padme closed the door behind her, with one last look at her growing children, she could only hope they would never have to find out.