#she has performance anxiety . trying to watch her stalk and pounce is like trying to watch for water boiling

[ratcandy]

been a while since a Hornet update . today I actually got to sit and watch her stalk/pounce on prey and ...... girl come on... it took her 5 tries of overshooting it before she finally got the guy ..... it wasn't even flying. .............

[theforceflows]

Chapter Three- Knight

A/N: A short chapter to tide everyone (and by that I mean me) over till Chapter Fourrrrrr

*unedited*

Anakin rubbed his shoulder with a groan, causing Obi-Wan to chuckle and slap him on the back. “Good to have you back, Anakin. I’ve missed our daily sparring.”

“It’s good to be back, Master.”

“I trust the Senator enjoyed her vacation on Naboo?”

“Very much, Master.”

“And you didn’t do anything foolish while protecting her? Like, say, bring her to a hostile planet and get her captured and sentenced to be executed?” Anakin glared playfully at Obi-Wan, shoving his arm.

“No, and you would be dead if I hadn’t come to your rescue.” The older man snorted and shoved Anakin back.

“Some rescue, padawan.”

“I’ll have yo-“

“Kenobi, Skywalker.”

They turned to see Mace Windu stalking after them, and stopped to allow him to catch up.

“Master Windu.” They bowed.

“The council is convening immediately, you are to join us.” They nodded and followed him through the pristine halls, nodding at acquaintances along the way.

“Anakin, what have you done now?”

“Nothing, Master, I swear.” Windu pretended not to hear them whispering.

“That’s what you always say.”

“It’s the truth!”

‘Other than the fact that I married and had sex with the Senator of Naboo, breaking the main tenant of the Jedi Order.’ But he didn’t need to know that. There was no possible way that they had been caught out already. Still, anxiety turned his stomach into knots and he spent the walk to the Council Chambers utilising every ounce of training he had to get his emotions under control so that they didn’t sense his nerves. Obi-Wan and Anakin continued bickering, much to Windu’s chagrin, as they walked, their debate ending in who had caused the most damage during their missions and who had saved who’s ass the most often.

Windu rolled his eyes, resisting the urge to snap at the Jedi behind him. How those two survived as long as they had was a mystery. The doors swung open ahead of them, revealing the Jedi Council sitting formally in their chairs.

“Master Kenobi, Young Skywalker. Enter, you will.”

They both moved to the center of the room bowing respectfully to the seated masters, Yoda in particular as they both had great respect for the green master.

“Master Yoda.” They both called in unison.

Windu moved away from the duo and over to the only empty seat. “Skywalker, we’ve convened here today to discuss your future with the Order.”

Anakin shifted nervously, he’d been so sure they weren’t aware of what had transpired on Naboo but now, he wasn’t so sure. He had to work hard to keep his fear stamped down and undetectable. Obi-Wan shot him a look, one he was unable to determine to be scolding or worried.

“Yes, Masters.”

“We have considered what transpired during your mission to protect Senator Amidala. It was a grievous error to bring the Senator to Geonosis. You are aware of this?”

“Yes, Masters.”

“But, as it did not end in a total disaster, and you helped save a vast number of people, we have reached a decision.” Anakin’s fear immediately eased, hope taking its place. “You are to become a Knight of the Jedi Order.”

He almost turned to grin pridefully, and cockily, at Obi-Wan, but remembered where he was just in time. He bowed deeply in thanks.

“Thank you, Masters. I’m honored.”

They nodded in response and Shaak Ti rose to perform the ceremony. Obi-Wan stood off to the side, trying hard to keep his fellow Jedi from sensing the pride surging through him. His padawan was a disaster, but he deserved this.

Two hours later Anakin was nearly sprinting through the halls to Padmé’s room, barely taking the time to make sure he avoided being spotted. He froze, darting behind a pillar, when he spotted a group of senators standing in his path, speaking intensely about something.

He took in his surroundings, trying to find another way to his wife’s rooms without being spotted. He spotted a vent up and to the right. He pulled the Force into his bunched muscles as he leapt vertically, gripping the ledge of the vent tightly. He ripped it from the wall with a loud clang, causing him to cringe and pause, listening for anyone who might’ve noticed and come to investigate.

After a few minutes of not sensing anyone coming, he pulled himself up and slid inside. Even now he could sense her inside her apartment, she was impatient and he had a feeling he knew why.

Following her LifeForce he crawled through the vents, chuckling at the mental image of a large Jedi Knight crawling through air vents. He peered through the slots of the vents leading to Padmé’s bedchamber. He grinned at the sight of her pacing beneath him, brushing her hair to give her something to do with her hands. He stood as straight he could in the cramped space. Time to make an entrance.

He pounced down on the vent, using the Force to give him the extra push he needed due to not being able to stand up properly, and dropped through the ceiling. Padmé gasped as the grown Jedi landed in front of her dramatically.

“Ani! Don’t do that! You startled me!” He laughed at her indignant expression.

“How can someone so small contain so much anger?” She laughed with him, darting over to her husband and throwing her arms around him.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too, Angel. But I come bearing news.” She pulled back and peered up at him with a quirked brow.

“Good news?” His grin was almost as bright as it has been during their wedding as he looked at her adoringly. And that’s when she noticed his hair. “Your braid!” She ran her hands over his hair.

“Obi-Wan removed it.”

“But why- You’re no longer a padawan learner!”

His grin grew even brighter as he stopped down and wrapped his arms under her rear and lifted her up, Padmé wrapping around him tightly. “I’m now a Knight of the Jedi Order.”

She pulled his lips to hers enthusiastically, parting them and sliding her tongue between his lips and teeth, twining it with his. His hands cupped her bottom tightly and pulled her against him.

“Oh! Master Anakin, I didn’t realize you were here. I was just preparing dinner, would you like me to set a place for you as well?” The lovers pulled apart, Padmé’s hand flying to smother the laugh trying to escape at Threepio’s naivete and Anakin’s frustration.

The Jedi threw his head back with a groan and helped Padmé slowly slide back to her feet. “That would be excellent, Threepio. Thank you.”

“Of course, Master Anakin.” The gold protocol droid waddled out of the room and Padmé finally allowed her laughter to escape.

Anakin glared as his wife dissolved into laughter, dropping down on the bed as she watched him in amusement.

“I forgot I left him to pester you rather than me.”

“He’s actually been rather helpful.” Anakin snorted but his wife just peered at him knowingly. He pretended to be annoyed by his creation, but she knew he was actually incredibly fond of the droid, willing to drag him across the galaxy. “You pretend to be annoyed by him but I know the truth.”

“And what truth is that?” She crawled up the bed and straddled him.

“You care about him.”

He sat up suddenly, crushing her to his chest as he rested his forehead against hers. “I care about you.”

She chuckled. “Well I’d hope so.”

“I dare say I love you.”

“But what would the Jedi Order say, Knight Skywalker?”

He hummed, kissing beneath her ear tenderly. “They would definitely not approve. But they don’t have to know.”

She started to make a witty reply as Anakin continued to kiss down her throat, but Threepio interrupted once more.

“Master Anakin, Mistress Pad- Oh! My apologies.” He covered his face in shock. Anakin groaned once more as he fell backwards, bringing Padmé with him. “I was just coming to inform you that I’ve finished preparing dinner and it’s waiting for you on the table.”

Padmé turned to face the droid with a blush and shy grin. “Thank you, C3PO. We’ll be out momentarily.” He bowed and shuffled out awkwardly. After a moment of the two lovers staring at each other with amused looks, they both dissolved into laughter as they got off the bed. “We best go eat before Threepio returns.”

Anakin laughed, picking up his wife and spinning her once before setting her down. He kissed her softly and pulled away with a gentle smile. He looked down at her hand as he laced her fingers with his.

Chapter Two

Chapter One