The Geonosians didn't kill you and Anakin right away like you both feared. Instead, they and Jango Fett led you and Anakin into a large conference room. You began to think of what you wanted to say in your mind as you and Anakin came face to face with Count Dooku. He was sitting at a large table and Jango Fett moved to stand behind him. There were Geonosian guards all around the room. They were not taking any chances with two Jedi in the room. The guard guiding you and Anakin made you both stop in front of the table across from Count Dooku. The guard pushed you forward more and two more guards stopped Anakin from stepping forward. You felt anger raise in him from the guards being so rough with you.

"Ah, Jedi Senator Amidala." Count Dooku greeted you.

"You are holding Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi. I am formally requesting you to turn him over to me." you demanded in your best senatorial voice, ignoring Dooku's greeting to you. "Now."

"He has been convicted of espionage, Jedi Senator." Dooku answered carefully. He was studying your reaction and trying to figure out what was going on in your mind. "And he will be executed. In just a few hours, I believe."

The gentle smile Dooku gave you made your stomach turn and Anakin wanted to wipe that smile off of his face.

"He is an officer of the Republic here, Senator." you testified, calmly. You were controlling the outrage you felt. "You cannot do that."

"We don't recognize the Republic, Jedi Senator." Dooku countered before smiling again at you. "But... if Naboo were to join our Alliance..." he trailed off.

That was the game he was playing. He knew the power you held as the one and only Jedi Senator of Naboo and the whole Republic. You most likely had more power than the Queen of Naboo and just as much as the Chancellor. You heavily influence not only the Republic, but the Jedi Temple as well. The weight of how much political power you held felt very heavy for the first time.

"I will not forsake all I have honored and worked for. I will not betray the Republic." you answered clearly. You couldn't bound Naboo to the Separatists and possibly the Jedi since you are associated with them, despite yours, Obi's, and Anakin's lives at stake. You just couldn't and you felt very guilty that Obi-Wan and Anakin were in this situation because of you. You were glad you couldn't see Anakin. You couldn't bear to see him right now, even though you know he felt your guilt.

"Then you will betray your fellow Jedi friends. Without your cooperation, I cannot do anything to stop their execution." Count Dooku sighed.

"What about me?" you questioned when Dooku didn't mention your execution.

"There are individuals who have a strong interest in your demise, M'lady," he responded. "It has nothing to do with politics; it's purely personal."

You immediately knew he was referring to Viceroy Gunray. He was behind your assassination attempts after all. You knew it was because of your part in leading the counterattack on Naboo ten years ago and your rise in power.

"I'm certain that they will push hard for you to be included in the executions. I've done all I could without your cooperation." Dooku finished. He sat back in his chair as Jango Fett waved off the guards.

"Take them away!" he ordered.

~

You and Anakin stood together in an open cart in a gloomy, dark tunnel. The only light coming through was the opening of the tunnel that led out to the execution area. You and Anakin were charged with espionage like Obi-Wan. The crowd roared outside with anticipation for the executions. The guards tied you and Anakin to the cart as the driver prepared the creatures to pull the cart out. You couldn't help but feel awful about being so insistent on coming here. Now you and Anakin were going to meet your end along with Obi. You felt like you signed all three of your death sentences. Hope of getting out seemed very slim.

"Don't be afraid." Anakin said earnestly to you, pulling you out of your self pity and thoughts. Sweet Ani, always caring more about you than himself. You felt tears prick your eyes as you looked at him.

"I'm not afraid to die." you answered. You looked down, away from his beautiful eyes. You couldn't lie to him or yourself anymore. If there was any time to finally be truthful, now was it. You looked back at Anakin.

"I've been dying a little bit each day since you came back into my life." you finally admitted to him. His eyes widened at your words and you felt disbelief come from him as he froze in his place.

"What are you talking about?" he asked carefully as if he wasn't sure if he heard you correctly. You unbottled all the emotions and feelings you had kept from him since he came back. Anakin let out a shaky breath as he felt your immense love and care for him. He finally felt how much he truly meant to you and how it killed you to lie about your feelings for him that night on Naboo. And you felt that love Anakin shared with you when you kissed at the lake on Naboo. It was greater and more intense than it was last time.

Both of you were so thankful for the shared Force Bond in that moment.

"I love you." you whispered to him, confessing and confirming your feelings for him. Anakin blinked back the disbelief he felt again from you saying those three words. He couldn't believe that the woman he was madly, deeply, crazily in love with shared the same feelings.

"You love me?" Anakin breathed out as his eyes got watery. The love he felt from you only grew as you nodded your head. "I thought we decided not to fall in love. That we would be forced to live a lie. That it would destroy our lives. That we cannot rewrite the stars."

"I think our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. And I do think we cannot rewrite the stars, the path and prophecies written for us..." you told him. "But what is also written in the stars is that my heart, my love, my soul and being are yours. That you are my sky and I am your star, Anakin. I truly, deeply love you, and before we die I want you to know."

You leaned up towards Anakin as he leaned down towards you. For a second time, your lips met his, both of your lips were trembling from the overwhelming emotions and love. Anakin wished you both weren't restrained so he could embrace you. He wished it was a different situation you were in.

You both pulled away slowly as the driver cracked his whip making the cart creatures pull the cart out of the tunnel. The crowd cheered louder as you and Anakin emerged out.