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•9•

Anakin shot up in bed that night, panting like a dog. He was sweating all over. His chest, his forehead, his neck -- everywhere.

He had a nightmare a few minutes before, once again of Padmé dying. He longed to prevent these nightmares; he absolutely hated them.

Deciding to get up and get a glass of water to refresh himself, he glanced at the clock, which read 2:00 A.M. Anakin rolled his eyes in frustration and got out of bed, stretching. If he had to have the nightmares, he wished they were closer to the time he had to wake for work. It was such an inconvenience.

"Did you have another nightmare?"

Anakin's heart sank as he turned around slowly to look at Padmé, who was up on her elbow watching him. She got up and carried herself over to Anakin, struggling because of the extra heavy weight on her. Anakin pressed his forehead against hers and grazed her lips with his.

"Anakin," Padmé whispered, looking away for a moment. "I know what happened. Tell me what it was about." She touched his bare chest lightly. "You're sweating."

Anakin took a deep breath and accepted the fact that he wouldn't be able to get around it this time. She would pry at him until he gave an answer.

"I -"

"Daddy?" a small voice said, and Anakin turned his head to see who it was. It was either one of the two twins, and it ended up being Leia.

"Leia, why are you in here? You should be asleep, Princess."

"I heard you yell."

"I -- I didn't yell. I..."

"Well, I heard you. Why are you naked, Daddy?"

Anakin's face flushed in embarrassment. "I am not!"

Leia giggled as Anakin lifted her in his arms and kissed her forehead. "I have my tunic off, but that doesn't mean I'm naked. I still have trousers and socks on."

"Daddy?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"What are all those big white lines on your back from?"

Padmé offered a small smile as Anakin huffed. "I can tell you when you're older. It's not a nice thing to talk about."

"Why?"

"Because. It just is."

"Why though?"

Anakin met eyes with his daughter and pushed back the hair on her forehead. "I was hurt when I was a little boy."

Leia knitted her eyebrows, trying to understand. "Were you a bad boy?"

"No."

"Daddy bad. I'm gonna tell Lukey!"

Leia started to run off, but Anakin took her by the arm and stopped her. "No, no, no! You can't wake up Luke right now, Leia. Come on. Let's get you to bed."

So Anakin walked Leia back to her room, and when he came back, he told Padmé all he had to do was sing to her, and she fell asleep in two minutes. Padmé smiled at the thought of Anakin singing softly as she drifted off herself in his arms.