I Would Die For You Once More {ANIDALA AU}

Chapter Ten - ....and the Failing Part

When they ordered at the fancy restaurant, of course, Padmé seemed to know exactly what she was doing. Anakin, on the other hand, just ordered whatever, because he still didn't know what any of it was and would just try everything anything.

They had had the food for a while now, and since Anakin was already finished his part of dinner, whenever he could he kept sneaking in quick glances at Padmé. She looked beautiful, as usual, but something about tonight was different. She looked more....

Like herself.

Well, for one, she had her hair down, which Anakin had always loved. He hair framed her face perfectly, those think, long brown curls were perfect.

But one time, Anakin hadn't been so stealthy and Padmé caught him -- and supposedly she'd known the past couple of times he had done it.

"Anakin, why do you keep looking at me like that?" Padmé asked after she finished her dinner as well.

"Because you're beautiful," Anakin admitted, looking her straight in the eyes. She stared back at him, her expression softening as she began to smile. "Thank you."

"I only speak the truth."

"Oh, Anakin," she replied sympathetically, still grinning.

So, yes, he hadn't ended up getting anything out of her about the visions and flashbacks, but....

He had succeeded in flirting.

On their walk in the park, though, he was beginning to finally get something out of her, by asking these two simple questions:

"What happened the night you apologized to me, and after that blacked out on me? By any chance did you have any sort of.... flashbacks?"

She looked at him, her eyebrows furrowed. "How did you know?" she asked, smiling a little.

He shrugged. "I know things."

They continued to walk quietly, and as Anakin watched her hand swing freely by her sides, he had the strong urge to take hold of it, but instead held back. It would be too soon, and she would pull away.

"What were the.... flashbacks about? What were they like?"

"Well, I wouldn't exactly call them flashbacks. Although they did seen awfully familiar, they weren't real. The were more like visions."

"Ah."

She sighed. "Honestly.... they were about you."

His heart sank, and it sank even deeper when she said they were mostly bad.

"Anakin, have I met you before? I mean, I know a lot of people, so I might not remember you --"

"Oh, you would remember me. Trust me."

"What?"

He sighed. "It's complicated, Padmé."

"Please, tell me. I'll listen."

"You'll listen," he agreed, "and then you'll laugh. You're not gonna believe me, Padmé."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"It was in a different life."

He waited, expecting her to laugh. She never did.

She just kept waiting, her normal expression on her face.

"I know. Stupid," he said, breaking the silence.

"No, actually.... not stupid. It actually sort of makes sense. But that's also something we can talk about later."

He nodded. "Thanks for being understanding."

"Of course."

"I.... actually have something to show you that would help. Want to see?"

"Sure."

"Alright. This way. Close your eyes," he said, leading her off the path and down the hill, all the way back into a clearing in the woods.

"You can open your eyes now, Padmé."

"Where are we?" she asked, taking in the plain scenery of the leaf-covered ground, the tall trees surrounding.

She turned around to face Anakin, her back to the clearing. "Anakin, is this a joke?"

He shook his head, pointing ahead. "Just look."

All the sudden there was a spaceship sitting in the clearing, more unique-looking than Padmé imagined, but she was guessing this was.... real?

"What, is this what you came here in?" she asked with doubt.

"Well, something similar," he answered, "but what's in there is what I really want to show you."

"Kids, come out," he called. Padmé stood there, confused. Did Anakin have a life Padmé didn't know about where he had a family, a wife and kids? Oh, wait, but he had kissed her, and that would be cheating....

Wait, no, he didn't actually kiss her.

Stupid visions fooling and tricking her mind again....

Sure enough, though, two young kids, probably around only three or so, came running out of the spaceship.

Padmé smiled, thinking they were cute running to their father with such anticipation after not seeing him.

Until she realized they were running to her, screaming, "Mommy! Mommy!" over and over.

She laughed nervously. "Oh, no, I'm not --"

Anakin laughed, pulling both the boy and girl back towards him. "Hey, guys, let's wait to give Mommy hugs, okay?"

Padmé looked at Anakin, her eyes wide. "Anakin, these kids aren't even --"

"I can explain," he said, standing and walking over to Padmé. "Remember how I said something about a" -- he looked around as if to make sure no one was watching -- "different life?"

"Yes."

"Those flashbacks, the ones you had about me -- they were in our different life. The life we shared together fare away from here, where were married" -- he gestured to the little boy and girl -- "and we had our beautiful twins. Please, Padmé, I know it's a lot to process and understand --"

"I have to go.'

"Padmé --"

"No. I really have to go. Thanks for dinner. I'll see you later," she said, running fast out of the woods area and back into the park to catch a cab.

Better luck next time, Anakin.