The Mercy Seat Part Nine

[lazypadawan]

Part Nine

Padmé returned to her home to find Anakin sitting on the couch, holding a datapad. She brightened up, thinking that perhaps he had the afternoon free where they could perhaps talk and at last let Anakin into her confidences concerning the Senate.

But instead of his usual affectionate greeting, he only said, "Obi-Wan was here."

"He came by this morning," she said, gently touching his back. "He was worried about you." She walked into the bedroom, setting down her shawl and keeping her tone light. She didn't want Anakin to think Obi-Wan knew about them. "He said you've been under a lot of stress lately." If anything they could finally talk about everything that was affecting him.

But he didn't pursue that line of thought any further when he followed her into the bedroom. "I feel lost," he said, sounding like a mournful child.

"Lost?" she asked. Why would he say such a thing?

"Obi-Wan and the Council don't trust me," he said, looking out of the window. "I feel more and more like they're shutting me out."

"They trust you with their lives," Padmé insisted. She never understood the ways of the Council but she didn't want his confidence to wane because of its politics.

"Something's happening. I'm not the Jedi I should be. I want more, but I know I shouldn't."

Reassuringly, she placed her hands on the leather tabards of his uniform. "You expect too much of yourself." She moved her hands up and down, trying to soothe him.

"I found a way to save you from my nightmares," he said quietly, touching her swollen belly.

"Nightmares?" The iciness formed in her stomach again. "Is that what's bothering you?"

"I won't lose you, Padmé."

"I'm not going to die in childbirth, Ani. I promise," she insisted.

"No, I promise *you.*" There was a fiery determination in his eyes.

Why was he so insistent on this absurdity? She wanted to explain to him that his visions were difficult this time, they were of present suffering before but not this time.

"You can protect me from anything just the way you are," she said, looking at his invitingly. He pulled her to him, and once again she found herself giving into the warmth and sweetness of his kiss. She pressed herself as close as she could to him with her pregnant belly, running her fingers through his hair. He held her face in his large hands, his gloved fingers tenderly stroking her earlobe. He slid his tongue into her mouth, eliciting a moan from Padmé. Giving into her desires, she stepped back toward the bed, letting him lay her down on the bedcovers, then lying beside her.

She began kissing his chin and jawline as she reached down to find the enclosure to his pants, reaching beneath his tunic. She slipped her small hand inside the enclosure, stroking him. He purred and groaned at her touch. She kissed him, sliding her tongue into his mouth as she continued her ministrations. But then he firmly held her wrist and pulled her hand away. Still holding her wrist, he kissed her cheeks, her lips, then her neck. "I don't care about the petition. I don't care about any of it," he whispered as he continued kissing her. "I only care about you and the baby. I just want to be with you."

The look in his eyes were as solemn as the day they were married and as filed with love and fierce devotion as they ever had been. He moved his hand up and down her hip and the side of her breast. He was irresistable like this, realizing exactly how she liked to be touched, knowing exactly the sweet words that made her heart alight. She sighed deeply, realizing she needed this as much as he did. She needed reassurance they were still two halves of the same heart.

Minutes later, the apartment was filled with the sounds of their lovemaking, their clothing scattered on the bedroom floor. Anakin brought her to ecstatic heights and she nearly fainted with pleasure, riding her long release along with him.

When it was over, they both lay back panting, still nestled in each other's arms. Padmé reached up to caress Anakin's cheek, brushing back his hair. Maybe now, still basking in the glow of their love, Anakin could open up with everything burdening his soul. Anakin pressed his lips into Padmé's palm. "I have to go, my love," he whispered regretfully. Padmé sighed with disappointment, and frustration. Why must he leave me now? When are we going to talk about this? It must have been obvious, Jedi or not, because Anakin added, "It's important. I'll explain it to you later. I promise. Just be patient."

Padmé cracked an ironic smile. "You're telling me to be patient?"

"Maybe I'm finally growing up," he said with a sad smile. He got off the bed and put back on his clothes, then he ran his fingers through his hair. . "I love you," he said, giving her one last kiss.

"I love you too, Ani," she said softly before he strode out of the penthouse, leaving her alone again. She wrapped a discarded undergarment around her body and retreated to the fresher for a short shower. She redressed and styled her hair in simple spindle curls, then Threepio returned from his duties to help straighten out the bedroom. Soon it was as though no one had been there.

Comments

[angelskiss.livejournal.com]

That was a *blushes* very enjoyable chapter!! I love it!

It gave me a little giggle at the end when Threepio came to straighten the bedroom. Ahem....I wonder if he heard anything.....
Threepio: "Sometimes I just don't understand human behavior..." LOL!