Luke and Leia landed outside Padmé's apartment. They wanted to be with her and were genuinely worried about her. It was strange that Padmé wasn't up yet; they'd noticed she usually got up very early.
Concerned, they opened her bedroom door.
"Mother, are you—" Luke didn't finish asking before Padmé woke up, pulling the covers over her head. His father, who was beside her, stared at him, wide-eyed. "Oh, by the Force, I'm sorry," Luke said.
"You should have knocked," Leia said, blushing and slamming the door shut while playfully hitting Luke.
"How was I supposed to know that they, that Dad, were there? Just forget it," Luke said, walking into the living room.
"Oh, by the Force," Padmé said, hiding her face against Anakin's chest, completely embarrassed.
"Oh, by the Force." "Now we won't have to tell them we've made up," Anakin said with an amused smile.
"It's not funny, Ani," Padmé said, seeing Anakin's infectious smile.
They showered quickly and got dressed.
Padmé found Leia in the living room.
"Hi, Leia," Padmé said, visibly blushing.
"Mom," Leia greeted her with a hug, though she was also a little flushed.
"What you saw," Padmé said nervously.
"I'm glad you're together again," Leia said, hugging her.
"I really thought we'd never be together again," Padmé said, smiling.
Luke, meanwhile, was in the kitchen. When he saw his father enter, he blushed slightly.
"Luke," Anakin greeted, taking a sip of water. "What happened?"
"I don't think I'll be able to get that image out of my mind for a while," Luke said, blushing.
"You never?" Anakin asked, raising an eyebrow. "Mara?" he asked, and Luke blushed to the roots of his hair.
"I... no," Luke said nervously. "I don't want to talk about it."
"I won't pressure you," Anakin said, amused.
"I'm glad you're together again. It's good to see you've come to your senses," Luke smiled.
"I can't live without her," Anakin smiled.
They had breakfast together that day and all returned to the temple together. Everyone was happy that Padmé and Anakin were together again.
"Master," Anakin said when he found Obi-Wan, "I need to talk to you."
"Good," Obi-Wan said, knowing what Anakin wanted to talk about as soon as he saw Padmé smile nervously at him.
"I don't." Obi-Wan and Anakin walked toward the palace gardens, where young Padawans trained with Master Sinube. Obi-Wan smiled, remembering young Anakin Skywalker.
"I remember when you were as small as those children," Obi-Wan smiled, and Anakin chuckled softly.
"I always caused you a lot of trouble, Master," Anakin smiled.
"Yet you were the one who saved me when I got into trouble on missions," Obi-Wan smiled.
"With you, I learned to always fall into the trap," Anakin laughed, and Obi-Wan smiled.
"I know what you want to talk about," Obi-Wan said, looking at Anakin. "And I'm sorry for lying to you."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Anakin asked. "Why did you hide everything you and Padmé did for me?"
"The decision to keep it from you was Shmi's," Obi-Wan said. "And the decision to defend you against the council was Padmé's."
"Don't you think I needed to know that someone was doing that for me?" Anakin asked.
"Of course I did, but it wasn't my decision to make."
"Master, I was completely nervous in that elevator when I had to see Padmé again. I almost let my negative emotions get the better of me when I thought she didn't remember me. And it turns out she did remember me, and how! She did all that just for me," Anakin said, confused.
"I thought she would tell you the truth when the time was right. I didn't think you would find it out on your own. That certainly didn't turn out well."
"Master, I—" Anakin said, distressed. "I hurt her. I left her. I broke her heart."
"But now you're together," Obi-Wan smiled. "Couples argue sometimes, Anakin," Obi-Wan said.
"Like you and Satine," Anakin joked.
"Satine and I don't argue," Obi-Wan said indignantly.
"Master," Anakin said, laughing.
"Okay, if that's a good example," Obi-Wan said, smiling.
They talked a little more about the past and the possible future, and it was then that Obi-Wan remembered to mention something.
" "Regarding Mara Jade," Obi-Wan said.
"What happened to her?" Anakin asked.
"Mace Windu asked to train her," Obi-Wan said, and Anakin was completely surprised.
"Mace Windu?" Anakin asked incredulously. "Why would he do that?"
"" "He said she should be prepared for war if she wanted to fight in this time, that you had been training your children, and that he could take an apprentice for a short period of time."
"Is it because of the color of her lightsaber, isn't it?" Anakin asked, half-jokingly, half-seriously.
"I think he wants someone to learn his technique, and the color certainly played a big part," Obi-Wan smiled.
"Mara trained in the Vaapad can be very dangerous," Anakin suggested.
"However, if Mace Windu chose her, I was thinking, Anakin, we must change the future. I know it's difficult for you to think that the time will come when Luke and Leia will have to return to their timeline."
"I know they will have to leave, but they will stay with me," Anakin smiled nostalgically, remembering Padmé's pregnancy.
"There are some things we must do after all this is over."
" "You want to find Han and Mara, don't you?" Anakin asked, smiling.
"We must. It's what responsible people would do," Obi-Wan said.
"I'd thought of that too," Anakin said, thinking how ironic it was to have to rescue his children's boyfriends.
"Have you spoken to Ahsoka?" Obi-Wan asked, noticing he hadn't seen her all day.
"You haven't seen her?" Anakin asked, confused. "I'll go look for her," Anakin said, worried.
The first place he looked was with Luke and Leia, but he didn't find her. Then he asked every master about her, who reminded him that it was his duty to know where his padawan was. He even called Padmé, who had returned to the Senate with Satine, but no one knew where she was. He tried calling her communicator, but there was no answer. He saw Han arriving at the temple; he looked terribly bored.
"Have you seen Ahsoka?" "Anakin asked, worried.
"She asked me to take her to these coordinates on Coruscant," Han said. "Have you seen Leia?" Han asked nervously.
"Thanks," Anakin said, taking the coordinates. "With Luke training, before you try to court my daughter again, try to train a little for when the battle starts," Anakin said, taking the blaster from Han and putting it back in his hands. The confused man thought there was nothing wrong with training a little.
"By the way, I think Ahsoka mentioned that she shouldn't tell anyone where she was going," Han said, remembering the girl's words.
"All the more reason I have to go," Anakin said, worried. "Why are you telling me this?" Anakin asked Han.
"She's only 16," Han said.
"Finally, a coherent thought from you," Anakin said. "Even so, stay away from my daughter," Anakin said, and Han said goodbye with a mocking smile.
Anakin piloted to the coordinates Han had given him; it was one of the paths to Coruscant's underworld. He used the Force to sense Ahsoka's presence and followed the trail. Ahsoka seemed nervous and worried. He quickened his pace only to find a rather peculiar scene. He concealed his presence in the Force so Ahsoka wouldn't detect him.
"Ahsoka, please, you have to help us," Lux Bonteri pleaded, looking at the young trogut.
"Lux, do you understand my mission as a Padawan? As a Jedi?" Ahsoka asked.
"This goes far beyond the Jedi Order. Now that Mandalore has joined the Republic, Ahsoka, we will never achieve peace. We must fight for peace."
"You're asking too much of me, Lux," Ahsoka said seriously. "I will not abandon the Order to join your cause."
"What has the Jedi Order given you?" "Ahsoka, when we fought for the freedom of Onderon, I know you wanted to stay with us," Lux pleaded.
"Lux, you joined the Republic and now you want to abandon it?" Ahsoka asked, growing increasingly annoyed.
"I want to fight for peace," Lux said. "I need you by my side, Ahsoka."
"You said you valued the Jedi, that you had seen their worth, and that's why you would return to the Republic."
"The Republic trusts the Jedi less and less; they only see them as soldiers," Lux said.
"I will not leave the Order, Lux. That's my final word."
"Is it because of your master?" Lux asked, irritated.
"What?" Ahsoka asked. Did he know what was happening? Or was Lux Bonteri suggesting something else? "What do you mean?"
"You're in love with your master," Lux said, as if it were obvious.
"I don't think I understand you," Ahsoka said, advancing menacingly toward him. "You're suggesting I'm in love with my master, with Anakin?" She almost laughed.
"It's obvious, Ahsoka," Lux said. "I know you love him and don't want to leave him, but consider my offer."
"Are you even listening to what you're saying?" Ahsoka asked.
"Ahsoka, I've seen the way you look at him. You're always with him. It's almost like how I looked at Steela, remember?" Lux asked wistfully, still grieving Steela's death.
"I've seen the way you look at him. It's almost like how I looked at Steela, remember?" "Lux," Ahsoka said, starting to feel irritated. She needed to spend more time with Obi-Wan to regain her patience. "My reasons for not leaving the Order are: one, it's my home; two, personal reasons that are none of your business; and remember this well: I'm not in love with Anakin."
"Then why can't you help me just a little?" Lux asked.
"Because the last time I decided to help you while you were making stupid decisions, you ended up dragging me away with lethal guards," Ahsoka growled.
"I admit that was a mistake," Lux said, scratching his head.
"Lux, have you considered talking to other senators who are looking for peace?" Ahsoka asked.
"Like who?" Lux asked, confused. He had only recently returned to politics.
"Lux, you're the politician here," Ahsoka said. She couldn't mention Padmé; there was always the possibility that Lux would conspire with the Separatists again. She wouldn't recommend it without consulting Anakin first.
"I admit that was a mistake." "You can't even tell me that?" Lux asked, hurt.
"I don't have that information, Lux," Ahsoka said.
"Just admit it, Ahsoka, you only joined the Jedi Order so you could be near Anakin Skywalker, the Hero Without Fear," Lux said sarcastically. Was that jealousy? Of Anakin? Anyway, why was Lux jealous? Ahsoka wondered. He had been in love with Steela just recently.
"Lux, if you ever imply again that I'm in love with Anakin," Ahsoka said, losing her temper but then regaining it, remembering Obi-Wan's teachings because if she followed Anakin's, she probably would have hit him by now. "Just don't, please," Ahsoka said with a forced smile.
"I'm jealous of Anakin." "Maybe I should go and tell him," Lux said, challenging Ahsoka. Perhaps if she bribed her, she would agree to help him.
"Oh, you wouldn't dare," Ahsoka said, looking annoyed at Lux. Of course, she didn't like Anakin, but she was sure that her master would never, ever let her forget that.
"Why?" Lux asked with a smile, that smile Ahsoka loved, but now it was irritating her given the circumstances.
"Because I'm not in love with him," Ahsoka insisted.
"Then you have no reason to be afraid that I'll go right now and speak to your master," Lux smiled, making a move to walk away.
"Lux," Ahsoka threatened irritably, "Whatever you do, I'm not joining your stupid plan, no matter how good your intentions are. And consider using your political skills and investigating who the senators seeking peace are before organizing a rebellion that will be crushed like a fly," she said, and Lux glared at her.
"We wouldn't be crushed like a fly if a Jedi were on our side," Lux said.
"Well, don't count me in, sorry Lux," Ahsoka said, turning away.
"Then I'll do what I said," Lux said irritably.
"You wouldn't dare," Ahsoka retorted.
"Do you think I'd be afraid of your master?" Lux laughed jealously. "I'll go and tell him," Lux smiled defiantly.
"I'll go and tell him." "Tell me what?" Anakin asked, suddenly appearing, and the color drained from both of their faces.
"M-Master," Ahsoka stammered, wondering how much she had overheard.
"Hello, know-it-all," Anakin greeted, taking her by the shoulders and pulling her protectively in front of him. He also wanted to test the boy, to see how jealous he could get.
"What are you doing here, Master?" Ahsoka asked, embarrassed. "Did you follow me?"
"Of course he did," Lux said quietly.
"What was it you wanted to tell me, Senator Bonteri?" Anakin asked, looking at the boy as he pulled Ahsoka a little closer. He didn't like Bonteri; he was just using Ahsoka, but she was in love with him.
"N-nothing," Lux Bonteri stammered, looking away.
"Oh, come on, don't be shy," Anakin said, looking him straight in the eye. "I heard my name, I'm sure of it."
"Yes, about that," Lux said nervously. "I just wanted to wish you luck." Ahsoka's eyes widened in surprise. He'd actually dared to suggest it.
"Luck?" Anakin asked, chuckling inwardly as he pulled Ahsoka closer. "In what?"
"Anything, it doesn't matter," Lux said, starting to walk away.
As he began to move, Anakin stopped him, gently pulling him back. He didn't want to scare the boy, but he really didn't like him.
"What is your relationship with my padawan, and why are you blackmailing her into leaving the Order?" Anakin asked, and Lux's face paled even more.
"I have no relationship with Ahsoka," Lux said nervously, oblivious to Ahsoka's sad expression, a statement that clearly annoyed Anakin because he could sense Ahsoka's sadness.
"Just because we collaborated in your battle on Onderon," Anakin said, looking directly at him, "doesn't mean I've forgotten certain things."
"Certain things?" Lux asked fearfully.
"What happened when you kidnapped my padawan and took her to Death Guard," Anakin said seriously.
"Master Skywalker," Lux said with complete respect, all pretense forgotten, "I swear I only kissed her because Death Guard was coming in."
"Excuse me, how?" Anakin asked, looking at Ahsoka, who was blushing and wishing the earth would swallow her whole.
"Excuse me, how?" "He didn't know, did he?" Lux asked, looking at Ahsoka, who shook her head angrily.
"How is it that you kissed my padawan?" Anakin asked harshly. She was just a child, only 16, Anakin thought, annoyed.
"It was only because the Death Guard was coming, and we pretended to be boyfriend and girlfriend. And I know I shouldn't have kissed her, Master Skywalker. I'm sorry," Lux said, foolishly thinking there was something between Anakin and Ahsoka.
"Listen carefully," Anakin said, crouching down to Lux's level. "On Onderon, you acted bravely, and I respect you for that. But if you dare use my padawan again for your plans, I will show you no mercy. Do you hear me?"
"I'll be damned." "Master Skywalker, I would never want to use Ahsoka," Lux said apologetically.
"Very well, now you will leave and do as Ahsoka said," Anakin said, releasing his grip with the Force. "You will seek good solutions, and consider speaking with Senator Amidala," Anakin suggested, and Lux shook her head furiously, terrified by Anakin's glare.
"Senator Amidala, I've got it," Lux said.
"No more revolutions, no more childish schemes," Anakin said, grabbing Lux's shoulder threateningly, "and no more attempts to separate my Padawan from the Jedi Order because of you."
"Of course, Master Skywalker," Lux replied.
"And no jumping to conclusions," Anakin added.
"You have feelings for Ahsoka, don't you?" Lux asked fearfully, but an inner instinct stirred jealousy, almost suicidal considering the situation.
"Lux, by the Force," Ahsoka said, blushing. Did this boy want trouble?
"Of course I have feelings for my Padawan, she's like a sister to me," Anakin said, his face very close to Lux's. "Didn't I just tell you no jumping to conclusions?"
"I have feelings for Ahsoka, don't I?" "I'm sorry," Lux said nervously.
"Now go," Anakin said, letting go of him. Lux left, but was bold enough to approach Ahsoka.
"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear. "I thought he felt the same way about you."
"Go now," Anakin said angrily, and Lux almost ran back to his ship.
Anakin looked at his padawan, who looked truly sad. How could that boy make her feel like this? How could the idiot not realize what Ahsoka was feeling?
"Come here, know-it-all," Anakin said, hugging Ahsoka, who clung to him tightly. "Hey, everything will be alright," he said, stroking Ahsoka's back, comforting her, unaware that Lux had seen the hug and left, believing something that wasn't true.
"I'm not in love with you, Master, just to be clear," she said, blushing slightly.
"Really?" Anakin joked. "You don't have to be ashamed of falling for me, Ahsoka. I'm awesome," Anakin teased, and Ahsoka punched him in the shoulder.
"Idiot," she said without breaking their embrace.
"Hey," Anakin said, stroking the young trogut's face and crouching down to her level. "It's okay to feel sad. Unfortunately, you've fallen for a guy who seems to be a total idiot," Anakin said, and Ahsoka shed a single tear.
"I think 'too much' is an understatement," Ahsoka said.
"But you did well," Anakin congratulated her. "He can't blackmail you to get what he wants. I'm proud of you."
"He can't blackmail you to get what he wants." "Are you really proud of my master?" Ahsoka asked with an excited smile.
"Always, every day, in every battle, and in every moment," Anakin said.
"Thank you, Master," Ahsoka said, hugging him again.
"Now, remember this," Anakin said, taking her by the shoulders, and Ahsoka listened intently. "I know he feels something for you. I could sense his jealousy, but no matter how much you love him, never make a decision if you feel it's the wrong one."
"Do you think he feels something for me?" Ahsoka asked, confused, and Anakin smiled. Sometimes he forgot how young Ahsoka was.
"Of course he does," Anakin said. "But you're both young and don't know what you feel."
"I'm not a child," Ahsoka said.
"You're not, but experience comes with age," Anakin said, putting his arm around her as they walked.
"You're not, but experience comes with age." "Thank you, Master," Ahsoka said sincerely. Anakin was always reckless, and together they broke the rules all the time, but he was like an older brother to her, and he really did give good advice when he showed his more mature side.
"Just because he accepts that you have feelings for him, and that he has them for you, doesn't mean he accepts your relationship," Anakin warned, and Ahsoka smiled. "And first, he has to convince me."
"You can't be that overprotective," Ahsoka joked.
"And I think he'll have to convince Padmé and Obi-Wan too."
"Are you serious?" Ahsoka asked.
"Even that scoundrel Han gave me the coordinates because he still thinks you're a child," Anakin said.
"Does that mean you've already accepted Han?" Ahsoka asked, teasing Anakin.
"He'll never take my daughter from me, over my dead body," Anakin said, and Ahsoka laughed.
"You really are way too overprotective. I bet you'll actually be a great grandfather later on," Ahsoka said, laughing at Anakin's expression.
"Over my dead body will Han touch my daughter, never, ever," Anakin said angrily. He felt nauseous imagining his beautiful Leia married and having Han's children.
"Whatever you say," Ahsoka smiled.
They returned to the temple, and on the way, Anakin told Padmé about Senator Bonteri's plans.
"Lux Bonteri is new to politics, he doesn't know many senators. I'll talk to him," Padmé said with a kind smile.
"Be careful he doesn't cause any trouble," Anakin said. "And if he does, please leave it to me."
"Personal matters?" Padmé joked, knowing how overprotective Anakin was.
"Quite," Anakin said, looking at Ahsoka, who rolled her eyes.
"Ani just wants to protect you, Ahsoka," Padmé said with a smile.
"I know, I know," Ahsoka said. "By the way, I'm glad you're together again." Ahsoka smiled.
"Thank you so much," Padmé said with a radiant smile that made Anakin fall in love.
"Thanks, wise lady. You were right about that. I was being an idiot," Anakin said, laughing, and Ahsoka smiled. Those two really were head over heels in love.
"You always are," Ahsoka said, and Padmé laughed.
Padme called Lux Bonteri and scheduled a meeting with him. The boy looked somewhat frightened, and she was sure that was Anakin's fault, but he certainly seemed quite interested in contributing to peace for the republic, and almost happy not to be the only one fighting for the same cause.