Padme was laying in her bed, going over all the things that Sabe had said about what was going on Naboo. Getting up and going into her living area of her quarters, she saw all her handmaidens curled up on the two sofas beds sound asleep. Quietly walking out of the room, she headed out of the main area of the ship.
Padme walked over to the view screen and turned it on. Standing there, she began watching the recording of the Governor Sio Bibble's pleading to Queen Amidala to come home, to save her people from starvation, to help them in their time of need. After watching the message all the way through twice, Padme bent her head downward, as tears began to well in her eyes. She began to wonder, if she did the right thing: she is free, while her people are being tortured by the Federation.
Padme, all of sudden got this feeling that she was being watched. Turning around quickly, she saw Anakin crouching in the corner. She went over to him and knelt down beside him She could tell that he stiffened up, as he was trying desperately to stop from crying, but he couldn't hide either the tears or his shivering, and was huddling before her.
" Are you all right, Annie?" Padme asked him softly.
" It's very cold." Anakin managed to whisper.
She smiled and removed her heavy over jacket. She wrapped it around his shoulders and tucking it about him. " You're from a warm planet, Annie. Space is cold."
" You seem sad." he said pulling the jacket tighter, as he brushes at his eyes.
" The Queen is worried. Her people are suffering, dying. She must convince the Senate to intervene, or else ..." she just trailed off, unwilling to speak the words that she was fearing. " I'm not sure what will happen." she said, her voice was distant, and her eyes sliding away from his, as to fix on something else.
" I'm not sure what's going to happen to me either," he admitted to her worriedly. " I don't know if I'll see ...." He stopped, his throat began to tightening and the words faded away into silence.
He took a deep breath, before reaching down into his pocket and looking for the gift, he had in there.
" Here," he said,"I made this for you. So, you'd remember me. I carved it out of a japor snippet. Take it. It will bring you good fortune." he handed her an intricately carved wooden pendant.
She studied the carved wooden pendant for a moment. She smiled some, when she lowered her head and slipped the pendant around her neck.
" It's beautiful, but I don't need this, to remember you." Padme lifted her face towards him and smiled at him. " How could I forget my future husband?" she looked down at the pendant, fingering it thoughtfully. " Many things will change, when we reach Coruscant, Annie. My caring for you, will never be one of them."
Anakin nodded and swallowed. " I know and I won't stop caring for you, either. Only, I miss..." His voice broke, and the tears sprang into his eyes once more.
" You miss your mother." Padme finished for him quietly.
All Anakin could do was nod his head, as he wiped at his face, unable to speak a word. Padme Naberrie sat down beside him, drew him against her and held him close to her, as he cried himself asleep.
" Padme, please wake up. It's time to get ready." Sabe said, coming up to the small couple cuddled up in the corner.
" Ok." Padme said, moving Anakin's head gently off her lap, before getting up and following Sabe into her quarters.
Anakin looked down the at the huge planet and saw that it had become a planet of skyscrapers. Their gleaming metal towers stretching skyward in a forest of spear points, and army of frozen giants, blanketing the horizon in every direction. He just stared at the city-planet in total awe, searching for a break in the endless forest of buildings, finding none. He turned his gazed over to the pilot, Ric Olie.
" Coruscant, capital of the Republic. An entire planet evolved into one city." he winked.
" A nice to visit, but I wouldn't want to live here."
" It's so huge!" Anakin breathed softly.
A few minutes later, the Queen's transport slowed down, and edged its way out of the traffic lane, and onto a landing dock that floated near a cluster of huge buildings. The ship docked,with a soft bump on the landing platform, its antigrav clamps locking in place. The Queen was waiting in the main corridor, with her retinue of handmaidens, guards and Captain Panaka. She nodded at Qui-Gon, indicating that he should lead the way. Giving Padme a quick smile, Anakin followed close on the heels of the Jedi Master, as he moved to the hatchway.
Two men clothed in robes of office,from the Republic Senate stood at the end of the ramp, flanked by a contingent of Republic guards. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon descended the ramp first, followed with Anakin and Jar Jar. The two Jedi came up to the two men and bowed formally in greeting. Anakin and Jar Jar were quick to do the same, though only Anakin knew who they were bowing to and why. Captain Panaka, two guards, Queen Amidala, followed by her handmaidens and more guards descended the ramp. Queen Amidala stops before the group. Anakin and Jar Jar stand to one side, looking at the huge city. Padme smiles at Anakin. Palpatine bows before the Queen.
" It's a great relief to see you alive and well, Your Majesty," he offered with a smile, straightening once more. " May I present, Supreme Chancellor Valorum."
" Welcome, Your Highness," he said, a faint smile, working its way onto his stern features. " It's an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation on Naboo. I have called for a special session of the Senate, so that you may present your request for relief."
Amidala held his gaze, without moving even a fraction of a centimeter: tall, regal in her robes of office, white-painted face as still, and cool as ice. " I'm grateful for your concern, Chancellor." she said quietly.
Palpatine started to lead Queen Amidala and her retinue off the platform, towards a waiting air shuttle. " There is a question of procedure, but I feel confident we can over come it." he was saying, guiding her along to the ramp way, her handmaidens, Captain Panaka and the Naboo guards in tow.
Jar Jar and Anakin start to follow, but stopped, noticing that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were staying with the Supreme Chancellor. Queen Amidala waves to the duo, to follow her. Anakin looks back to Qui-Gon and he nods to go ahead. Anakin and Jar Jar join the Queen, Palpatine, the handmaidens in the air shuttle. Palpatine gives the Gungan and the boy in the back of the shuttle, a skeptical look.
Jar Jar leans over to Anakin. " Me not feelen too good about being here, Annie." the Gungan whispered doubtfully.
Anakin nodded and tightened his mouth determinedly. Valorum and the two Jedi watched the shuttle move off into the city. " I must speak with the Jedi Council immediately, Your Honor. The situation has become more complicated." Qui-Gon said, as they walked over to the other waiting air shuttle.
The Chancellor just nodded, as he waited for the two Jedi to enter the shuttle and it flew off towards the Jedi Temple, as the morning sun rose higher in the sky and over the Temple that was off in the distinct.
* (pages 208-211 of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks)