The Archer

Chapter Eleven: Attachments

About half an hour later we were sitting in the medical bay waiting for me to be exmamined. I'd sat down on some stairs, watching the few healers and medical droids move around the otherwise almost empty centre. Padmé was gone to get me a snack from the vending machine after insisting I should eat something. So far I'd found out that Anakin was the one who reached out to her, told her what happened and that I might need her assistense. For some reason he didn't contact any of the Jedi to take care of me, not Master Ti, not Obi-Wan - but Padmé. Who was just returning to me with quick steps.

"Thanks." I took the small package she was handing me, which appeared to be some sort of crackers - I wasn't getting my hopes up too high with the food I was used to from the canteen.

Padmé sat down beside me, pulling on the fabric of her dress to straighten it before folding her hands in her lap. There was absolutely no denying that she was stunningly beautiful. No wonder Anakin fancied her. Moreover, she was also clever, not afraid to speak her mind. The way she stood her ground and handled herself in front of the Council had been nothing but impressive. It was impossible not to like her.

"How are you feeling?", she asked with a kind, caring smile.

"It's alright, just a little light-headed. I never felt that bad, honestly - I'm not sure if it's even necessary for me to be here." I fiddled around with the cracker packaging. "But Anakin insisted."

"Oh, absolutely. He called me, asking - or shall I say, begging me to come to the Temple to look after you, make sure you're not alone." She chuckled. "He was rather worried."

"Yeah, that's just the way he is, I guess."

"Maybe." Even without directly looking at her I could see the cheeky grin on her face, and as I gave her a quick glance there was a sparkle in her brown eyes. "He cares about you. All he's been talking about for weeks is you."

I almost dropped the crackers.

"Oh, really?", I asked with an unusually high-pitched voice, trying my best to avoid her gaze. "We met for a few flying lessons he's been giving me - really nice of him -"

Luckily, I was freed from this awkward moment by a droid approaching us with a datapad. "Miss (y/l/n)?" I quickly got up and followed them into an examination room, Padmé accompanying me. After completing a variety of tests and check-ups one of the droids eventually turned back to me.

"A concussion can be ruled out, miss. But there is a remaining risk that you might be suffering from minor whiplash injuries." The droid rolled around the table and entered something into a computer. "We will prescribe you a medicine that you may please take. In addition, we strongly recommend for you to rest and avoid physical activities for the time being."

"I think we should get you some actual food," Padmé stated while we were leaving the medical centre, looking at the unopened pack of crackers in my hands.

"Oh, don't get your hopes up. The food at the canteen is even worse," I answered, and she shot me a grin before we started making our way towards the refectory. We attracted some attention given Padmés reputation as a Senator, and I was glad that the canteen was relatively empty thanks to the fact it wasn't dinner time yet.

"I can't believe I'm actually having lunch with a Senator," I mumbled before talking a sip of water, talking more to myself than to her - but she still heard it.

"You studied at Alderaan University, right?"

"Yes, I gratuated last year," I answered while putting down my glass.

"Congratulations! That's a great achievement." She watched me having my meal for a while, probably making sure I was actually eating it.

"So, you and Anakin... he told me you've known eachother for very long," I finally said, forcing myself to sound somewhat casual.