The boat arrives at the lake house and Athena grabbed Anakin's hand as he helped her out of the boat. They then began walking up the stairs.

" We used come here for school retreat " Athena said as they reached the top of the stairs " We would swim to that island everyday......I love the water ".

" We used lie out on the sand and let the sun dry us " Athena continued as they reached the balcony and leaned her arms on the stone banister " and try to guess the names of the birds singing ".

" I don't like sand.......it's coarse and......rough and irritating......" Anakin said and then smiled at her " and it gets everywhere.........Not like here.......here everything is soft.......and smooth ".

Anakin began to lightly crease Athena's soft skin starting from her wrist to her bare back, which caused goosebumps to form on the girls skin. Athena looked at Anakin, who looked at her softly with a grin, Anakin slowly leaned in and kissed her causing Athena to instantly kiss back.

" No " Athena gasped breaking the kiss " I shouldn't of done that ".

" I'm sorry " Anakin said softly.

" The handmaidens will show you to your room " Athena said as she began to walk away.

" I apologise if I upset you " Anakin said.

" You didn't " Athena said before walking into the house.

⎯

The next day, Athena and Anakin had decided to go to the fields to have a picnic.

" I don't know " Athena chucked. 

" Sure you do, you just won't tell me " Anakin said.

" You gonna use one of your Jedi mind tricks on me? " Athena joked.

" You know they only work on the weak minded " Anakin said.

" Alright, I was 11, his name was Palo. We were both in the Legislative Youth Program " Athena sighed " He was a few years older than me......very cute....dark curly hair....dreamy eyes....".

" Alright, I get the picture " Anakin said annoyed " What ever happened to him? ".

" I went into public service with Padmè and he went on to become an artist " Athena replied.

" Mabye he was the smart one " Anakin said.

" You really don't like politicians, do you? " Athena said.

" I like to or three..........but I'm not really sure about one of them " Anakin replied.

They looked at each other for a moment before chucking.

" I don't think the system works " Anakin continued.

" How would you have it work? " Athena asked.

" We need a system, where the politicians sit down and discuss the problem.......agree, what's in the best interest of all the people......and then do it " Anakin answered.

" That's exactly what we do " Athena argued " The trouble is that people don't always agree ".

" Well, then they should be made to " Anakin said. 

" By whom? Who's gonna make them? " Athena questioned.

" I don't know someone " Anakin replied.

" You? " Athena asked.

" Of course, not me " Anakin said.

" But someone " Athena raised an eyebrow.

" Someone wise " Anakin said.

" Sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship to me " Athena scoffed.

" Well if it works " Anakin smiled.

Athena tilted her head as she looked at him, suddenly Anakin laughed.

" You're making fun of me " Athena laughed as she shook her head.

" No, no....I'd be much too frightened to tease the Jedi Senator " Anakin laughed.

⎯

Athena run in the field, looking for Anakin and she found him riding one of the animals, Athena laughed as Anakin laughed riding the animal, Athena frowned when Anakin suddenly flew off of it and onto the ground not moving.

" Ani, Ani are you alright " Athena exclaimed as she ran towards him, she kneeled down next to him as she turned him over only to see him laughing, Athena laughed and began to hit his chest for tricking her. Anakin then grabbed Athena's waist and pulled her on top of him as he began to roll down the hill as the both of them laughed loudly.

⎯

The sun was beginning to set as Athena and Anakin sat in the dining room for dinner.

" And when I got to them, we went into aggressive negotiations.....thank you " Anakin explained.

" ' Aggressive Negotiations '? What's that? " Athena laughed confused.

" Uh well......negotiations with a lightsaber " Anakin replied sheepishly.

" Ohh " Athena laughed and Anakin soon joined in.

Athena grabbed her knife and fork and was about to cut her fruit but was stopped when it lifted into the air and floated onto Anakin's plate.

" If Master Obi-Wan caught me doing this, he'd be very grumpy " Anakin said with a chuckle as he began to cut the fruit. Anakin then lifted the fruit towards Athena with the force, Athena smiled as she stabbed her fork into it lightly and took a bite.

⎯

It was nighttime now and Athena and Anakin were sitting by the fire place.

" From the moment I met you......all those years ago..........not a day has gone by, when I haven't thought of you......" Anakin confessed " and now that I'm with you again....I'm in agony....the closer I get to you, the worse it gets " Athena shifted away from Anakin " The thought of not being with you......I can't breathe..........I'm haunted by the kiss......that you should never of given me, my heart is beating " Anakin continues as he moved closer but Athena backs away, hoping, praying that he wouldn't get any closer " Hoping that kiss won't become a scar.............you are in my very soul, tormenting me........what can I do? I will do anything that you ask? " Anakin finished with a sigh.

" If you are suffering as much as I am, please tell me? " Anakin ask frustrated.

" I can't.........we can't, it's.....just not possible " Athena uttered softly.

" Anything is possible, Athena......listen to me " Anakin pleaded.

" No, you listen to me " Athena exclaimed as she stood up quickly " We live in the real world.............come back to it ".

" You're studying to become a Jedi and I'm.........I'm a Jedi Senator " Athena continued hoping that Anakin would listen to what she is saying " If you follow your thoughts to conclusion.....it'll take us to a place, we cannot go, regardless the way we feel about each other ".

" Then you do feel something " Anakin exclaimed.

" I will not let you give up your future for me " Athena said.

Anakin stood up walking towards Athena slowly.

" You are asking me to be rational......that is something, I know I cannot do " Anakin exclaimed " Believe me, I wish I could just wish away my feelings, but I can't ".

" I will not give into this " Athena said sternly.

Anakin turn his back to Athena, walking away from her slightly.

" Well, you know, it.............wouldn't have to be that way " Anakin said as he turned to face her " We could keep it a secret? ".

" We'd be living a lie, one we couldn't keep even if we wanted to......I couldn't do that......could you, Anakin? Could you live like that " Athena asked.

" No, you're right......it would destroy us " Anakin said sadly.

Anakin looked at her one last time before walking away.