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Cold Metal
Padme watched sadly as Anakin sat in a hospital chair as droids attached a robotic arm to her love’s stumpy one. She saw Anakin wince once or twice, and she winced with him.
Obi-Wan was standing next to her. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll get used to his hand.”
Padme swallowed and nodded. “I am returning to Naboo tomorrow, Master Kenobi. I wish for Anakin to escort me. He was very good…protection previously.” Padme kept her tone emotionless, as she had learned to do in her years as Queen and Senator of Naboo.
Obi-Wan frowned at her. “M’lady, are you sure it wouldn’t…spark any…feelings that you may have for each other?”
“Feelings? Anakin and I are long friends, and he would give his life for me doing his duty in protecting me, and I feel at ease with him.
It would be to my pleasure if this was allowed, Master Kenobi.” She turned to face him, and fixed him with her questioning gaze.
“What feelings were you suggesting we had for one another?”
The Jedi studied her. Maybe it was only Anakin who had romantic feelings. Maybe they weren’t returned, as he had thought. “It had seemed as if…you were…romantically interested. Anakin has…obvious romantic feelings of desire for you. And…your display of affection for him in the hangar…”
Padme’s heart rate went up. So he had seen it. She didn’t let on to her surprise though. “I was simply showing my relief that he was well. He and I, as I have said, are very close—friends, that is. I do not think that Anakin feels for me in anything other as a friend.”
Obi-Wan shook his head. “I have spent ten years with him…I can tell…he is my Padawan after all.”
“Well,” Padme said in a final tone, raising her eyebrows. “Even if he does have those feelings, they are not returned, and I will make certain he knows it.”
Obi-Wan nodded and bowed. “In that case…he may escort you back to Naboo.” He then left as the medical droids finished Anakin’s hand.
Padme quickly strode into the room. “Ani,” she breathed. “Obi-Wan said you could escort me back home.” The Senator forgot everything as the droids left and threw her arms around Anakin. Padme sat down on his lap and kissed him gently. He smiled sadly at her.
She frowned. “Ani? What is it?”
Anakin remained silent for a moment then touched his mechanical hand to her exposed shoulder. “Is it…cold?”
So he was worried about hurting her, discomforting her. It was a little cold, but Padme didn’t want to upset him. “No. It’s fine, Anakin.”
His smile grew and kissed her. “What about you? Yours scars?” Anakin ran both his hands across her back, gently. Then he quickly pulled back his right hand.
“Ani, it didn’t hurt. It was fine.”
“You’re sure?”
Padme nodded. “And my scars…they’re alright.”
Anakin smiled at her in relief. Then his face grew serious. “Padme…what are we going to do?”
Padme looked away. “I don’t know,” she whispered. Then she looked back up at him, and this time her tone was firm. “But I meant what I told you. I love you.”
He hugged her tightly. They both then looked up as they heard footsteps coming along the hall. Padme quickly moved off his lap as he quickly removed his hands from her body.
Obi-Wan opened the door. “Senator,” he bowed again, formally addressing Padme. He then turned to Anakin. “Anakin, how are you feeling?”
All the warmth and feeling vanished from Anakin’s voice as he said, “Master, I’m doing well.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Obi-Wan said, his brow furrowed. “Senator Amidala has requested you see her home to Naboo.”
Anakin nodded, as if it were news to him.
“And, Master Kenobi, I was hoping that Anakin could stay with me and set up security affairs for several days or so?”
Obi-Wan wanted to protest, but he couldn’t speak his true opinion in front of Anakin. “Of course, m’lady.”
Padme smiled. “Thank you Master Jedi. I hope you recover quickly, Anakin. I hope to leave tomorrow.”
Anakin nodded again. “Of course, m’lady,” he said, struggling against grinning.
Padme left the room.
“Anakin,” Obi-Wan said, leaning down to Anakin’s level in the chair. “You must remember, both you and the Senator have duties. She does not want to distract you from yours. Please do not distract her from hers.”
The young Jedi immediately realized that he had already discussed this with Padme. She was a good actress. “Of course, Master.”
“Anakin…I mean it. You have feelings for her.” It was technically a statement, but Anakin knew it needed to be handled as a question.
“I…feel strongly for her…but I know she has her duties. I would never distract her from them.”
Obi-Wan nodded and left.
The flight to Naboo had been silent, for the two love-struck people had been deep in thought.
When they landed at the retreat, they went to the balcony where they had first kissed and stood looking into the sunset.
“Padme.”
She turned and saw Anakin kneeling down in front of her. He took her hands in his, and Padme felt a shiver run down her spine, the chilling feel taken to extremes by the cold metal of his hand.
“Padme…I love you…and you said you loved me too. I want to marry you. Even if we are found out, and I must leave the Jedi…I value the joy I feel around you to the joy I feel of igniting my lightsaber.”
“Oh, Ani…” Padme tried to speak but tears came in place of the words. Biting her lip, all she could do was nod.
Anakin stood up and embraced her. After a few minutes, he whispered into her ear, his voice husky, “We should go to bed.”
Padme nodded and smiled up at him. “I’m glad this is the last night I’ll spend alone, Anakin.”
He grinned at her, and they parted.
A day later, they stood together on the same balcony. Padme wondered if she was doing the right thing. How would they keep this a secret? What if they were found out? What if…how…there were too many of those.
Anakin reached out his hand to her, and Padme shivered as she felt the cold metal of his hand.
The End
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