Love can Ignite the STARS.....

The journey through Theed's Palace Plaza was nothing more than a view of marvels for Anakin. It was even more mesmerizing under the evening sky than during the day. The rose-gold domes of the palace buildings seemed to glimmer in the moonlight. The tranquility of the roaring falls in the distance brought forth a sense of serene peacefulness. In essence, nothing had changed.

Padme's private suite inside the elegant, cathedral-like structure, was even more soothing, for it replicated and permeated the quintessence of Naboo and her own beauty that seemed to resonate throughout the apartment. Anakin couldn't help but feel comfort here. Granted the temperature was cooler than that of his home planet, Tatooine, yet he felt contentment, a sense of welcome and familiarity; he was at home.

They had spent most of the evening enjoying the festivities that engulfed Theed's streets, with a splendid view from the seclusion of Padme's domed veranda. There they watched graceful dancers, vibrant parades, and were mystified and awed by the wonders of many magicians that filled the crowded roads of this regal city.

At the moment, Anakin watched alone. Padme' had grown tired from their travels. The journey from her parent's home to her own private residential suite had proved to be physically strenuous for Padme', and fatigue was setting in. She dismissed herself briefly from their romantic rendezvous and retreated to her bedroom in search of more comfortable attire. Anakin kept his sights on the activities down below, but couldn't escape his thoughts of intimate desires that flooded his mind. Just being alone with her was driving him wild. The scent of her perfume was alluring, her silken tousled mane was a trap of enticement, her voice was a song of seduction, and her new slightly swollen curves were causing him to hunger and crave like a primitive savage predator.

The music was loud and pleasing, yet Anakin stirred with anticipation. He didn't need to listen for footsteps or the creek of a door opening and closing. Anakin felt her presence through the Force surrounding him before she even reached the veranda. Slowly, he turned in her direction, averting his eyes from the thrilling festival and casting his view on a vision that taunted his fantasies, leaving his bodily desires to ache and throb in an uncontrollable state of longing.

Padme' had retired her delicate, weak, and tired body to a silky,shimmering, silver-blue robe. The sleeves draped at the wrists like flowing wings. The silk material cascaded over her body like a magnificent water fall and pooled at her bare feet down to the floor. The neck line plunged to the center of her cleavage, revealing her ivory soft skin between three diamond shaped openings that elegantly framed her abdomen as well. Her waist was flattered by a silver ribbon, neatly tied in a bow. Anakin focused on that point, gnawing his bottom lip for restraint, while he contemplated how to unwrap the shiny gift displayed before him.

Bewildered by his facial expressions, Padme's right brow arched with inquisitiveness. As she resumed her place beside him overlooking the crowd below, she expressed her puzzlement.

"Why are you looking at me like that? "

"What look? This is how I've always looked at you." Flirted Anakin, as he wrapped his strong, mechanical arm around her decorated waist, pulling her against him and stroking her coiled tendrils with his flesh hand.

"Yes, I suppose so. Still, you have a way of making me feel ....uncomfortable." Whispered Padme'. She was flushed from head to foot, for Padme' could be completely covered in Senatorial Regalia, but when Anakin stared at her she felt as if she were stark naked in a room full of diplomats. No one has ever made her feel so vulnerable as he did. His gaze was intense and seemed to radiate through her, claiming her as his own. She craned her head up to his and met his warm, soft lips.

" Sorry, Milady. " Murmured Anakin, against the gentle kiss. The kiss was delicate with a hint of teasing torment that soared through Anakin's arousing desires. He pressed his heated lips to hers, parting his lips against her tender sweetness and igniting a burning passion that had been dormant for far too long. Padme' felt the heat rush over her, drowning her in goose bumps as his grip tightened around her waist and his kiss engulfed her in a velvet fire. Swiftly, she pressed her hands to the leather tabards of Anakin's tunic and extinguished the roaring flames of desire.

Anakin gasped as he panted roughly above Padme's face. Anakin couldn't hide his confusion or his irritation. Her eyes were heavy with longing and yet coated in concern.

" I'm sorry, Ani'. We can't, I mean I can't....the medics say I must wait a certain amount of time before...." Padme's words trailed off as Anakin interrupted her uncomfortable explanation.

" It's Ok, Padme'. I understand." Said Anakin. As he kissed the top of her lush dark hair. She gazed up at him and wondered silently, " Do you? Do you know how much I want you in my bed right now? To rip your robes to shreds and to show you just how much I missed you, longed for you,and hungered for your touch everyday since you'd gone? "

"I'm going to retire now, come to bed?"As Padme' spoke of an innocent gesture, her tone was slightly sultry and seductive. Anakin stared at her, baffled by her suggestion. Padme' realized what she had said and how it must have sounded and immediately began to blush with embarrassment. Acknowledging Padme's uneasiness, Anakin chuckled softly and began to answer her.

"You go on ahead. I'll be there shortly."

Padme' couldn't hide her disappointment and let out a small wince.
He pulled her to him once more and nuzzled his face in her floral perfumed mane. Charmingly, he admitted to his heated awakenings that stirred restlessly within his hardened body.

"Give me some time to ...cool down. I won't be long, promise."

Padme' smiled and stroked his cheek. Anakin placed his hand over hers and pressed her palm to his lips as he caressed it with a kiss. Watching her walk down the hall to her bedroom, he couldn't help but to fixate his sights on her curving hips as they swiveled and swayed to her own seductive rhythm. He groaned in desirable agony. He needed to cool his arousing emotions, so he began discarding his clothing. Soon, he was down to only his trousers as he stepped even further out on to the veranda. Leaning over the rail, he welcomed the cool, misty air from the constant rolling waterfalls. As the minutes passed, the celebrations below had dwindled down to a distant hum and Anakin felt pleasantly numb from the frosty night chill. With a certainty that sleep should have fallen upon Padme', he began the slow walk that would lead him to her secluded bed.

The door was left open when Anakin entered the moonlit room. He approached the oval terrace that was allowing the glow to illuminate its surroundings. The view from that perching porch was mesmerizing. Standing there, one would have a perfect vision of the Grand Palace and the glorious waterfall that graced its eastern perimeter. Anakin couldn't help but to trail the silvery glow from the moonlight. As his eyes followed its path, he was captivated by the shimmers' destination. There, alone on a circular bed, was Padme'. Encased by the nights' stars was his mythical angel. Only she appeared less seraphic than he remembered. This angel that lay before him seem to stir and invoke the most intimate of forbidden temptations he had ever come to feel. The robe she wore spanned out to either side of her, revealing her legs in their entirety. They were slightly arched and joined together at the knee. Anakin felt his heart pound against his chest as he breathed deeply, taking in her aroma as it flooded his senses.

He approached the bed and sat himself in front of her naked feet. Placing the flesh of his hand around her ankle he began to gently caress her silken skin. There would be no stopping him now that he was certain. It took every ounce of the Force to restrain himself from selfishly ravaging her beautiful body in an animalistic lustful manner. By the time he had reached her knees, Padme's eyes fluttered open. To his surprise, she didn't stop him. She allowed her head to sink deeply into the feathery pillow beneath her as she welcomed Anakin's intimate touch. His mechanical fingers grazed over her knee and worked their way toward her hip, leaving white scratch marks where they had once been. Bringing himself to his knees, he gently parted her smooth legs as his hands reached for her most treasured possession and the sole center of his yearning desires.

Padme' reached for his hands and pulled herself up to meet him. She met his intense stare once again and returned it with one of her own. As her eyes looked over his newly defined chest, her long fingers traced delicate patterns over every muscle and curve. She bit at her bottom lip as her hand caressed the thickness of his thigh and its strong firmness. The war had chiseled away his boyishness and brought forth a manly physique. One she so desperately wanted to unwrap, to handle the gift that was being bestowed before her. Impulsively, she hooked her thumbs inside the waist of his trousers and tugged feverishly. Anakin was thrown a bit off balance by her aggressiveness as he straightened his posture and welcomed her curiosity.

Once she had finished discarding the garment that entrapped her present, he began to unravel his own precious gift. Though, unlike his impatient wife, he decided to relish the moment as he bowed his head to her robe. There, at her waist, he placed his lips and teeth over the satin ribbon that fastened the silky fabric covering her body. Anakin was pleased to watch her wriggle and squirm beneath him as he untangled the fancy loops that enclosed her robe. As he removed the slippery cloth from her body, his palms grazed over her supple curves and brought forth delightful cries from Padme' as she lay below him. He couldn't restrain himself any longer and lowered his body on to hers and kissed her without touching her lips. The velvet fire of his passion ignited within her, slowly at first, with long, gliding strides. Padme's cries grew louder and excited him beyond his self-control. His rhythms quickened and his strides deepened as he let go of the Force that held on to his restraints.

Everything inside Padme's isolated chambers, the frivolous ornaments that graced the elaborate shelves to the framed portraits that decked the walls, began to quiver and shake. The ornate antiques that were loosely displayed on mantles fell and shattered into tiny pieces on the floor. So entranced in their love-making, neither one took notice of the strangely uncanny phenomenon taking place around them.

As Anakin continued to release his burning passions deeper into Padme's most wanted place, he was adamant in his quest. He wanted to give her something no one else could and something only he was capable of giving. Anakin wished for the stars; he wanted them to rain down on her and bestow their eternal glow upon her every shrill of forbidden delight. As he looked into the gentle, dark ebony pools that gazed up at him, he saw them shimmer and twinkle like the thousands of systems he himself had once wished to see. They continued to shine brighter with every shriek, until both shared a cry of climactic ecstasy. As he lie there staring into her loving eyes, Anakin could swear he saw the millions of stars from the millions of systems....dance.

A Secret Love is bestowed a Silent Blessing....

As the first signs of twilight appear over the distant horizon and rumbling falls, the young, passionate couple subside their intimate desires as they approach the quaint, yet humble, abode. The Naberrie homestead was modest, yet elegantly decorative, with a warm and cozy appeal to its subtle humbleness. Vast windows filled the dining area, allowing the gentle glow of the Naboo sky to light the room. The colors used throughout the home were soft and pleasing, giving off a sense of flowing calmness. Even the furniture had a homey feel, yet conservative and up to date in Theed's modern styles.

Dinner was just being served as Padme' and Anakin entered the spacious nook. Jobal and Sola were carrying bowls and platters of colorfully, delectable foods. The aroma from the unique variety of entrees was enticing. Anakin couldn't help but savor the scents that permeated the room. Jobal smiled and nodded at both of them, indicating for them to take their seats and help themselves to the bountiful spread that lay before them.

Ruwee, Padme's father, insisted that Anakin try the duck, glazed in a topatoe cream sauce. Anakin grinned with acceptance and added a rather healthy heaping to his place setting. Almost immediately after that, Ruwee passed a mug of Gralish Liqueur in front of Anakin, setting it down with a loud and heavy thump. Anakin couldn't help but to lean forward, peering into the large cup, as if to smell the liquid concoction placed before him. Ruwee smiled astutely, and let out a hearty chuckle.
" Go ahead, my boy, it'll put hair on that boyish face of yours. "

Anakin bit his tongue, refraining from his normal defensive demeanor, for this was Padme's father and he had no intentions to displease him and least of all, Padme'. Feeling a hearty swat on the back, Anakin realized that the man was just delivering some friendly banter and bringing some fun to the table.
Even though the Naberries were all for dismissing formalities, Jobal would not stand for rude, improper behaviors at her dining table and she flashed a glare in Ruwee's direction, letting him know that she disapproved of his horse-play. Then, smiling at their guest, Jobal passed another platter Anakin's way.

" Eat, eat, you must be famished. It's not like we can feed the table scraps to the R2 unit. "

Anakin smiled as he laughed at Jobal's humor and gratefully scooped another helping of sweetened yams to his plate.

" At least someone appreciates my jokes. " Proclaimed Jobal as she seated herself amongst her family at the long rectangular table.

" Dear, the boy is just being polite, now pass me some more of that duck. " Laughed Ruwee as he extended his arms.

" Fine, you can have more of that bird to go along with your foul mouth. Oh, and you my dear, get no Beebleberry pie. " Smirked Jobal.

Ruwee grimaced with a shrug, then he twitched his back and shoulders against the oblong backing of his chair. For the remainder of the meal, he was quiet and concentrated on his plate in front of him. As everyone seemed to finish, there was a small conversation going on between Padme' and Sola concerning her short stay on Naboo. As Padme' gracefully sipped her warm cup of stimcaf, she broke the news.

" I think I should spend the remainder of my brief leave outside the Palace Plaza at my apartment. My strength is almost fully restored. Besides, Anakin can help me get settled. " Padme' firmly placed her mug down on the table and folded her hands in front of her, awaiting her family's response.

Suddenly, there were multiple outbursts of conservation all at once. Mainly surrounding the three women who sat towards the far end of the table in a triangular pattern, with Jobal at the peak, leaving Padme' and Sola on either side of her. Ruwee and Anakin sat silently, both shoveling mounds of food in their mouths, so they would have a legitimate reason not to respond if called upon to intervene. Finally, Ruwee pushed himself away from the table, gesturing for Anakin to follow him outside to the front terrace that graced the secluded alley way.

Once outside, the sweet perfume of nectar and the fresh ocean breezes engulfed Anakin's senses, leaving him to feel somewhat rejuvenated. Following Ruwee's lead, Anakin sat down on a step beside the man and nervously began to twiddle his mechanical and flesh fingers.

" By the looks of things, it's worse than what I had gathered it to be."
Ruwee spoke as he nodded at Anakin's new appendage.

" Oh, this? It has nothing to do with the war. This was more of a result from a one on one negotiation. " Stammered Anakin. He was caught off guard with Ruwee's inquiry and a bit embarrassed too, as he hugged the durasteel arm closer to his body.

" Well, either way, I am grateful for you and the others who risk their lives daily to protect my loved ones, especially my Padme', for she is closer to the danger then anyone and very dear to my heart." As Ruwee spoke to Anakin, his eyes were filled with much love accompanied by a swelling of tears. Anakin could feel his emotional pain and his fatherly pride for his daughters' accomplishments.
" We are keepers of the peace. We will do what we must. " Assured Anakin.

" I prayed that someday you'd come. Still.....it's hard to let go of something so precious."
Said Ruwee, obviously no longer talking about the war and its events. Anakin locked gazes with the man, the father of his secret wife. Swallowing hard and uncomfortably, Anakin was unsure of what he was going to say next.

" It's ironic, I lost her years ago to politics, starting with the legislative program. Now I feel I am losing her all over again. " Ruwee's words echoed inside Anakin's soul, so bold yet so honest and genuine. He felt suffocated in his realization that Ruwee knew the truth; somehow, he knew. Anakin had to say something, he felt it. It was a need to divert and abort all related ideas and thoughts; immediately.

" I..I don't know...what you're talking about, Sir. The Senator has never been more devoted to her people and their ideals. " Burst Anakin, trying to stay focused on the political issues rather than personal matters.

" Don't play coy with me, young Jedi. I may be old, but I'm not blind." Smirked Ruwee, as he continued to explain his findings. " I've known since the day she brought you here. A father knows his daughter. She didn't have to say a word. I saw it in her eyes. Those bedroom eyes haven't shined so bright since...well, since she was accepted to the Legislative Youth Program. " He sniffled as he spoke, wiping away a fallen tear that had sneaked down his cheek.

" Sir, I'm a Jedi. Such things are forbidden to me, I could never...we could. There are rules that I must obey...." Anakin's words trailed off as he stammered, trying his best to explain his commitment to the Order. The harder he tried, the more nothing would come, leaving only emptiness and lies on the tip of his tongue.

" You are in love with her, aren't you? " Blurted Ruwee.

The question was so bold, throwing Anakin completely off balance. He felt his jaw tighten, as he clenched his fists, not in anger, but in astonishment. Without thinking, as if on impulse, he rose to his feet, towering over the man now sitting below him.
" I've given my life to the Jedi Order. " Anakin said slowly and sternly, meaning every word. " But I'd only give up my life for her, for Padme'."

As Anakin honestly admitted his adoration for Padme', she appeared from the elegant foyer and stepped out on to the terrace. She wore an expression of bewilderment as she approached the startled men. Anakin couldn't help but feel a wave a relief washing over him in her presence. His posture straightened and he felt buoyant once again, ready to take on the whole galaxy by himself. It was as if he were seeing her for the first time. She was positively beautiful, the most graceful creature he had ever seen. Anakin's heart raced as his breath quickened, he was so full of love and it was noticeably apparent. He hastily approached her and snatched up her luggage. Then, he stood before her, hovering only inches away from her radiant face.

" Here Milady, let me. You shouldn't be lifting that in your condition."

" Thank you, Anakin." Padme's appreciation was spoken in a confused tone and she appeared to be somewhat dazed by his carefree behavior.

" You're welcome, My Lady. " The words he spoke were normal formality procedure, but the hint beneath them, were laced in possessiveness.

Padme's jaw dropped in shock over his frivolous antics. Hoping that no one else had caught the obvious flirtatious remark, she dismissed it and lovingly hugged her father as she said her goodbyes. As the young couple departed from the family's residence, accompanied by a bleeping R2 unit, Ruwee and Jobal held each other in a tight embrace, vigilantly looking on after them.
" Do you think she'll be alright, Ruwee?"

" She couldn't be safer."

" How can you be so sure?" Queried the inquisitive Jobal.

" He's a Jedi. His loyalties lie with the Republic." Answered Ruwee. In his thoughts, he went on to say, " and his heart lies in the palms of our daughters' hands."