Musings of the Beating of a Heart in Love

Summary: One-shot. Pre-ROTS. Sola pondering on the condition of her baby sister's heart.

Author's Notes: It's been a very long time since I've written anything for any fandom, a fact acerbated by a busy study schedule. I've never posted such a short piece as this here before, so please be kind, though constructive criticism is accepted.

I know she loves him. The way her eyes lower when our mother asks of her love life. The way she changes the subject when my girls wonder at when he will visit again. The way she softly smiles when she thinks no one is watching. The same way she allows him but the briefest of sighs to pass her lips when the HoloNews reports he is safely alive.

If only it were that simple. Then again, love rarely is. It took a year of hidden glances for that curly-headed student across the lecture hall to ask me out. And only six months for him to propose. If only it could be that easy for Padmé. After three years of not-so-hidden glances, the result is always the same. The Jedi Code forbids attachment. But it cannot forbid the beating of a heart in love.

I know he loves her. The way his eyes filled with adoration as he gazed at my sister. The way he answered my father honestly as to the danger she was in. The way his rebellious, youthful nature deferred to her decisive wisdom as to their next move. The way they, side-by-side, stepped into what became the opening battle of the Clone Wars on Geonosis. The same way love, marred with hate, combines into the strength to continue succeeding paints itself across his face before trillions of trusting viewers.

I know my sister's qualities; strength, determination, righteousness, compassion and duty. I've seen his qualities; love, stubbornness, compassion, fortitude and need.

Are they lovers? I cannot answer that. Have they admitted to feelings? I believe so, as confidants and pillars of strength. Will they ever unite as one to the Jedi Order? Not yet. Anakin would in a heartbeat, but she would never allow it, as they continue to fight in their own arenas.

Stirring the stew bubbling in front of me, I turn down the heat, and leave the evening meal to simmer. As I turn to exit the kitchen, one more question assaults my mind.

Will my sister ever find happiness with another, more accessible suitor? Never…