The war on Naboo had been won and the celebrations lasted all day through to the evening, Queen Amidala had joined in on the merriment and indulged politicians in their small talk and courtesies. Little Ani had been close to her side most of the day which she didn't mind, The Queen had grown fond of the boy, knowing he was still missing his mother terribly and had just lost the Jedi who saved him from Tatooine, Qui-Gon had been a kind mentor and Anakin grew attached to him even in the short time they had spent together. So, Padme indulged him today, allowing him to shadow her, even dancing with him in the evening within the great hall of the palace, a playful dance, spinning him around causing him to smile from ear to ear. When the music slowed Padme took Anakin's hand and began walking from the dance floor, noticing Obi-Wan amongst the crowed. She hadn't spoken to him much since his Master's passing, he was dealing with his grief as all Jedi's do, deep in meditation and contemplation. The sight of him now cause Padme to blush a little, he had been so brave when helping her people take back their planet, she had never had a crush before and knew he only saw her as a child but that didn't stop her cheeks from reddening at the sight of him. As if hearing her thoughts Obi-Wan caught her gaze nodding his head while smiling softly, Anakin sulked at the exchange.

"Come now Ani, it's late, we must get you to bed." Padme spoke softly, still holding his hand as they walked.

"But I'm not tired! Just one more hour, Please!" Anakin protested, hating the fact Padme saw him as just a little child.

"Now Ani, I can't very well leave you with strangers, it's late for me too and it will take me most of the night to untie my hair." She nudged him playfully, at that Anakin smiled and was contented and after Padme tucked him in, she made her way to her room. The night was clear, the air crisp, the only sounds were of waterfalls and faint music from the hall at the other end of the palace. Padme stopped at one of the many balconies to take in the view and the momentary rest bite, deeply inhaling the clean air she had missed during her time at Coruscant, feeling peace wash over her.

"You seem a little on edge."

"Not at all."

"I haven't felt you this tense since we fell into that nest of Gundarks."

Anakin scoffed, "You fell into that nightmare, Master... I rescued you, remember?"

"Oh... yes." Obi-Wan chuckled, "You're sweating. Relax."

"I haven't seen her in ten years, Master." Anakin fidgeted with his robe.

As they entered Senator Padme's apartment, Anakin's nerves became more tense, his eyes darting straight towards her as soon as she stepped into the living room. She had fully blossomed into the radiant young woman he knew she would be, her thick brown hair held up elegantly, brown eyes twinkling in the light and her lips, soft, drawing him in. She smiled at the sight of Obi-Wan, though his appearance had changed much, his bright blue eyes still carried warmth and kindness within them and without thought she hugged him to greet him. "Master Kenobi! It's good to see you." Only when stepping back to see the Jedi next to him, she realized who was standing before her. "Ani? Is that you?" Anakin shyly nodded as Padme gave him a hug, holding her tight, and for a brief moment he felt excitement run through him like electricity. Padme felt a tingling through her whole body, a rush of excitement rushed over her, a feeling she had never experienced and was a little embarrassed at her sudden change of demeanor. Stepping back from the embrace, "My goodness, you've grown." She mustered, hoping no one had noticed her flushed appearance.

Anakin smiled, "So have you... More beautiful I mean."

Padme was at a loss for words, in an effort for regain her composure she reminded herself that this was little Ani. "Oh Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine."

That evening Anakin had been assigned to watch over the Senator in hopes they'd catch the assassin attempting to take her life. She had ordered her hand maids away for the evening as Padme didn't want anyone else getting hurt because of her. After changing into her night dress and gown Padme sat in the living room, untying her hair. Anakin turned to face her from the window.

"Will you tell me of your adventures since coming a Jedi?" she smiled, "You must find babysitting me boring in comparison."

"I wouldn't say that." Anakin came to sit beside her and gestured to help with her hair, "May I?" Padme paused before allowing him to help her. As he tenderly untied her soft curls Anakin told her tales of his travels with Obi-Wan, Padme laughed at the pickles they had gotten themselves into, while sporadically loosing herself in the electricity of Anakin's touch as he ran fingers through her hair. Each time the sensation rushed up from her core, Padme found herself leaning more into Anakin, until her back almost rested upon his chest. Realizing the intimacy of the situation, knowing it to be wrong, she brought herself back to logical thought sitting back upright and thanking Anakin or his help. Turning to face him to create more distance between them, a look of disappointment clear to see on his face.

The Following evening Padme readied for bed in her bathroom away from her body guard, chastising herself for the attraction she felt towards Anakin He was just a boy when we met! This is wrong! Repeating it over and over again until she felt composed enough to go into the living room where he waited. When she greeted him, she reverted to her Senator training and spoke coolly and kept her distance. Anakin sensed the change in her demeanor immediately, asking her what was the matter. Padme thought fast, blaming it on her current house arrest and the need of being baby sat, when she was quite capable of looking after herself. Anakin loved how fearless Padme was, smiling at her words, but knew she needed protecting at this moment so offered her a release from her tension. Making his way to where she stood trying to take her hand but Padme pulled away.

"What are you doing?" She puzzled, still unnerved by her newly aroused feelings. Anakin smiled his devilish smile at her. "I can help you relax." Padme looked him up and down still unwilling to move, "Trust me." he added, to which she hesitantly gave him her hand as he led her to her room.

"Excuse me, but what are we doing in here?" She exclaimed, still holding Anakin's hand as he thumbed light circles between her thumb and forefinger.

"Well you can't very well sleep on the couch... no funny business," He raised both hands in the air to protest his innocence, "Jedi's honor." She followed him to the bed, "It will help you sleep."

"Then make sure you stay very much above the covers." She sighed as she lay on her side wrapping the covers about her tightly. As soon as her head rested on the pillow, she felt the warmth of Anakin's body behind her, his hand placed on her temple as feelings of peace melted away her worries and tension, her body becoming heavy as all the muscles gave into rest. As she drifter further into sleep Anakin admired how the moonlight caused her skin to look even more radiant, how her steady breathing soothed his chaotic mind, kissing her gently on the crown of her head before leaving the bedroom.

Not long after, Anakin heard the buzzer for Padme's apartment, Obi-Wan had come to check on him.

"Any activity up here?" Obi-Wan inquired while scanning the area.

"Quiet as a tomb... No harm will come to her, I sense everything going on in that room." Anakin boasted.

"You look tiered... And besides, your senses aren't that attuned, my young apprentice."

"And yours are?"

"Possibly."

Anakin was beginning to feel annoyed with his Master, He just wants to be here... alone... with Padme. Before Anakin could vocalize his displeasure both he and Obi-Wan sensed movement in Padme's room. Both running in. Anakin igniting his lightsaber in an instant. Leaping onto the bed where Padme lay, slicing both Kouhun worms in two. Padme awoke startled as Obi-Wan leapt through the window in pursuit of the droid.

"Are you ok?" Anakin asked, breathless, as the adrenalin still pumped through his body. Padme, still in shock, nodded in reply.

"Stay here and lock your door. I'll come back soon." Anakin kissed her firmly on her forehead before running from the room to help Obi-Wan.

Padme was restless while waiting for Anakin's return, taking the blaster from her bedside drawer before sitting at the couch for what seemed like and age. Finally, she heard a knock at her door. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Anakin."

Padme sighed in relief, unlocking the door, Anakin rushed in scooping her in his arms. "Are you alright?" The worry causing his voice to crack. Padme's arms wrapped tightly around his neck as their heads nestled against one another. "I-I'm ok" She spoke, still deep in his embrace nuzzling his neck feeling overwhelming comfort in his arms. A comfort she never wanted to leave and thoughts of how she should not feel this way had gone, for this man had saved her. The pair parted a little, breathlessly looking deep into each other's eyes, silence fell between them as their lips drew closer. A growing ache deep in Padme's stomach throbbed as Anakin closed the gap, kissing her softly at first, then fiercer as Padme's moans awoke new feelings of ecstasy within him.