Chapter 2:

Anakin and Ahsoka bowed to the Masters in the Jedi Council Chambers. Anakin smiled at Ahsoka, and then looked around the Jedi Council Chambers. Almost all of the Masters were present, but a few sat in from HoloProjections because they were out battling or fighting in the war. Ready for their new assignment, Anakin and Ahsoka stood straight and confident in the council chambers.

"Skywalker, Padawan Tano, thank you for coming," said Mace Windu's strict voice.

"A mission for you we have, hmmmmmm." Said Master Yoda in his backwards speaking and accented voice.

"To deep space we are sending you." He said.

"A beacon for help we have received, A Jedi Code from thousands of years ago, it is. Investigate you will. Master Kenobi, accompany them you shall." Master Yoda said, indicating Obi-Wan, who sat in his designated chair in the chambers, as he said the last part.

Anakin and Ahsoka bowed. Obi-Wan stood and joined the Master and Padawan team down the long halls of the Temple.

….

Mortis. It was so bizarre. Nothing made sense. Anakin was the Chosen One, they had established that, yet everything kept getting more and more complicated. Anakin had just left to find Ahsoka, who had been kidnapped by the devious and slightly crazy Son taken to Force knows where! Obi-Wan wanted to go after Anakin, to help him, but he knew better. He instead went to seek the council of the mysterious Father, who surely would know how to correct and help the situation.

….

"Thank you. You're usefulness has come to an end…" said the Son.

"NOOOOOO!" Anakin screamed, watching as his Padawan fell to the ground limp and lifeless.

Anakin rushed toward the Son and his Padawan, only to be flung back by a strong Force push.

Obi-Wan watched the whole ordeal helplessly, holding onto the Daughter who was injured, for protection. The next trail of events happened so fast that Anakin couldn't even process it. He had just fought his beloved Padawan, after she became possessed by the evil Son.

Then the Son killed his sister, the Daughter, and took off.

Anakin rushed to Ahsoka's side, rolling over her body only to reveal that her eyes were blank and rolled back in her head, leaving her dead.

Anakin began to cry. His heart was tearing in two. His Padawan, Ahsoka, was….dead. He loved her. He loved her like a daughter, like a student, like a friend. He couldn't let her go.

His voice choked with the pain of loss, he begged the Father, "Can you help her?"

The Father replied sadly, "There is no Light, the evil has been unleashed, and the Dark Side shall consume her!"

Anakin was now crying bitter tears. "You must help her!" he cried.

"I cannot undo what is done." The Father exclaimed, "There's…no hope."

Anakin shook his head, and his voice cracking with his tears, he said, "Yes there is! There's always hope!"

The Father looked at his dying Daughter, who represented the Light Side of the Force, and said, signaling to Anakin, said, "And Then let my Daughter's last act be to breathe life into your friend!"

Anakin knelt between Ahsoka and the Daughter and touched the forehead of the each of them, letting the Daughter's power flow through him. The Force flowed through Anakin into Ahsoka and then stopped. Anakin went back to Ahsoka's side, praying that the Daughter's power would work.

He looked at Ahsoka, whose skin was no longer blotched and dark like it was when she was poisoned, but its normal orange hue. He looked at her for a moment, and when she did not stir, he hung his head in defeat.

Then she coughed. And sputtered. And sat up.

Anakin was more than overjoyed. He didn't know how to express his feelings. He rushed to hold her and gave her a tight and loving hug. Ahsoka returned the hug, holding to her Master in confusion and worry.

He chuckled and said, "Hey Snips."

Ahsoka blinked her eyes and let go of Anakin. "What's….going on?" she asked, looking from Anakin to Obi-Wan.

"Uh…." Anakin replied, "Not much. It's good to see you."

Anakin smiled as he helped Ahsoka up, gently picking her from the ground. Obi-Wan then handed Ahsoka her lightsaber, which fell from her hand when she "died".

The Father ordered the threesome to take their ship and leave, before his Son could leave the planet and wreak havoc on the universe. In confusion and nervousness, Anakin, Ahsoka and Obi-Wan walked toward their ship.

….

After more craziness on Mortis, Anakin and Ahsoka returned to the Republic Fleet. Anakin hated to admit it, but he was afraid for Ahsoka now. Ever since Mortis and when he had to battle her…..he was more protective and careful with how he treated his Padawan.

Her words often echoed through his ears, "Don't call me that! I hate it when you call me that! I don't need you anymore! Always with the criticism master! Never really trusting me….believing in me!" He shuddered.

He didn't know if whatever had poisoned Ahsoka had caused her to think those things, or if she truly thought them. He no longer criticized her as much, and tried very hard to trust her more. He even tried to stop calling her Snips. She said it herself, whether she meant it or not, she hated it when he called her that.

Anakin sighed. It had been nearly 8 months since they had been back on Coruscant, since they had been back at the Temple or Anakin had gotten to see Padme….his wife….Padme, the woman he loved.

She would understand what he was feeling about Ahsoka. He hadn't told anyone his thoughts, but if he would tell anyone, it would be Padme.

He couldn't wait to see her again. Ahsoka walked into Anakin's cabin on the Twilight, Anakin's personal starship.

"Master, we're ready to jump to Hyperspace. We'll be on Coruscant in around four hours." She stated pleasantly.

Part of Anakin wanted to sit down and talk to Ahsoka about everything that had happened over the past few months; Mortis, the war and the several battles they had to fight, and just, everything.

The other part of him wanted to run up and hug her again, apologize for being so overly critical and not trusting her enough.

But instead, he did neither and said, "Good work Ahsoka, I'll be on the bridge in a few minutes, just…Uhhh….collecting my thoughts." Ahsoka nodded and smiled.

She turned to leave and then said, "Master…I just wanted to say…thank you. For everything. I'm glad that you are my master."

Anakin beamed. The urge to run up and hug her once again worked their way into his mind. No. He couldn't do that. It wasn't protocol; it wasn't part of the Code. She was his student, not his child.

Ahsoka then walked away. Anakin smiled to himself. "She's glad that I'm her master….I must be doing a better job than I thought!" he thought to himself. Then Anakin got up and entered the Bridge.

….

That night, Ahsoka's words once again echoed in Anakin's mind…his nightmares torturing his sleep.

Her skin was a sickly looking splotched purple and orange, and her eyes blazed yellow. Anakin carefully crept onto the platform where his Padawan was standing.

"Ahsoka!" he said gently, "Ahsoka, it's me. You're safe now, let's go."

Ahsoka was sitting in front of him, as calm as can be. Anakin felt waves of anger and hatred roll off his Padawan's Force signature. Something was very wrong.

Then Ahsoka spoke, her voice smooth and calm, yet different in every way. "Are you, proud of me Master?" she asked.

Anakin looked around in bewilderment and said, "What? Of course Snips, course I'm proud of you, now let's get outta here!"

Ahsoka looked up, the anger rolling off her even more strongly now.

"He's right." She said, "Right about Everything. You must join him. He only wants what's best for the Universe."

She turned to look at Anakin, cocking her head to the side as she spoke. Anakin began to feel afraid. "Hey," he said cautiously, "What's wrong with you?"

Ahsoka's anger boiled inside her. "Always with the criticism Master! Never really believing me! Trusting me! Well, I don't need you anymore."

Anakin was in shock. "Ahsoka," he said, his temper rising as well, "Ahsoka listen to me, he has done something to you! Snap out of it!" he pointed his finger at her, "This isn't you Ahsoka!"

She turned back around and said in annoyance, "Isn't it? I feel more like myself than I ever have!" Then her voice turning grim, she said, "He asked me to give you a message."

Her voice grew higher and she said, almost playfully, "He said, if you don't join him, he will kill me," she giggled.

Anakin looked fiercely at her. "I won't let that happen." He said.

She turned to face him once again. "Then YOU will be forced to kill me!" she used the Force to grab her lightsaber from her belt, and Anakin watched in horror as it slowly snapped to life. Then she leapt at him, her lightsaber poised to kill.

….

Anakin awoke with a start, in a cold sweat. He felt tears dripping down his cheeks as his mind did an instant-replay of the events that night on Mortis.

He choked back a sob as he looked at Ahsoka's bunk in their shared quarters in the Jedi Temple. Why did these thoughts and memories still haunt him?

He gazed at Ahsoka's sleeping form and shuddered a sigh. Rubbing the tears from his eyes, Anakin stood up to get a drink of water.

He needed to clear his head. He needed to see Padme. She would understand, she was just the person he needed to talk to.

Anakin set down his water glass and looked up in surprise to see Ahsoka. She shuffled her feet and smiled sheepishly at him.

"Ahsoka…" he said quietly, "What's going on? You okay?"

Ahsoka nodded and said somewhat sleepily, "Yeah, I'm okay, but you aren't. I…I felt you were upset."

Anakin smiled and said, "I'm fine. I just….had a nightmare is all. It's fine Sni….Ahsoka. It's fine, really."

He smiled again and Ahsoka raised an eyebrow as if to say that she didn't believe him.

"Why don't you call me Snips anymore?" she asked suddenly, taking a seat next to him at their small kitchenette.

He ran his hand through his hair and mumbled, "I….umm…..well, you…you're growing up and I just…."

Ahsoka interrupted him, "I still call you Skyguy! I liked my nickname, why'd you stop?" she looked so young when Anakin looked at her now, like a little kid, who wanted to know why her big brother stopped treating her little all of the sudden.

Anakin sighed and decided it was time to come clean. "When we were on Mortis, you told me that you hated being called Snips, so I stopped."

Ahsoka looked confused and said, "I never said that!"

Anakin tried in vain to explain what had happened that day on Mortis, but it was painfully difficult. Ahsoka had no memory of what had happened and Anakin didn't want to talk about it.

Anakin looked at Ahsoka his eyes blurred with tears and he said in a choked voice, "Ahsoka, I nearly lost you that day. I…I couldn't let you go. You're my Padawan. You're like my little sister, and I couldn't let you just….die. I….care about you too much."

"You care about me?" Ahsoka said softly.

"Well of course I care about you! What kind of Master would I be if I didn't care about my Padawan?"

Ahsoka just grinned and gave him a hug. At first, Anakin was resistant; almost shocked that Ahsoka just hugged him.

But then he smiled and returned the gesture. He patted her head and said that she'd better get back to bed, tomorrow would be a busy day.

Ahsoka smiled and got up to leave. Anakin smiled and called after her, "Goodnight Snips see ya in the morning."

….

Anakin walked down the hall of the Senate building, looking carefully for his wife. Then he spotted her. Everything else blacked out for him, all he saw was Padmè and her beauty.

He ran up and kissed her, twirling her in the air. "Ani," she whispered, "stop it. Someone might see."

At the moment Anakin didn't care and he told Padmè so. "I don't care who sees. Right now I'd rather tell the world that we're married. I love you Padmè, and I've missed you so much!"

He hugged her tightly and kissed her again. She looked anxious.

"What is it my angel?" he asked. "What is wrong?"

Padmè took in a jagged breath and said quietly, "Ani, I'm pregnant."

Anakin took a step backward, shocked. "Pr-pr-pregnant? Padmè that's….that's wonderful! This is the happiest moment of my whole life!" He said, and kissed her again. He gently put a hand on Padmè's belly, which was hardly noticeable from underneath the heavy robes she wore.

"Ani," she whispered, "What are we going to do?"

Anakin thought a moment and said, "We'll figure something out, right now let's just enjoy the moment, okay?"

Padmè smiled and stood on her tiptoes to reach his lips. They kissed and Anakin gently put his hand on the small of Padmè's back as he deepened the kiss.

….

Ahsoka trotted over to the pillar where she lost sight of her Master.

"Master!" she called, "Master!" Ahsoka gasped as she saw her Master standing behind the pillar, kissing Senator Padmè Amidala.

"Master!" she shrilled and Anakin stopped kissing Padmè. Padmè stepped back, looking at Anakin for help in this situation. "Ani," she barely whispered. Ahsoka stood in front of Anakin, her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide.

"Master…what's going on?" she said nervously. Anakin inwardly groaned, knowing he wouldn't be able to talk his way out of this one. "Snips, listen, we'll talk later, but now, we've gotta go join back up with the Jedi. You KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT and then I'll explain everything later. Now go, I'll be there in just a second."

Ahsoka nodded numbly and clamped her mouth shut. Anakin turned to Padmè once again.

"Honey, you go back to your apartment, go get some rest, and I'll comm you later, okay?" Padmè nodded and kissed Anakin's cheek. Then Anakin took off after his Padawan.

….

Anakin bit his lip as he placed the glass of blue milk down on the kitchenette table for Ahsoka.

"So….Snips….you saw…"

Ahsoka sighed and then exclaimed, "You were making out with Senator Amidala!"

Anakin ran his hand over his face and said, "Yes, of course I was kissing her, she is my wife after all!"

Ahsoka gasped, and then screamed, "WHAT?"

Anakin placed a hand on her shoulder and said calmly, "Ahsoka, Padmè and I are married. We have been for almost….4 years now. But it's a secret! You know what would happen if the Jedi found out, and it could ruin Padmè's career."

Ahsoka was still gaping at Anakin and said, "You…Padmè….that's why….but….and….HUH?"

She was still bewildered, but decided to try and calm down just a bit.

"Can you explain what I'm missing? How did you marry the senator? She's like….a SENATOR! She was a queen! How long have you known her? When did you get married? And why are you so HAPPY?"

Anakin chuckled to himself. He wasn't sure how he expected Ahsoka to react to the news of his and Padmè's marriage, but she sure was funny.

He smiled and slowly told Ahsoka the story of him and Padmè meeting, being apart for ten years, meeting again, falling in love, and then eventually getting married right before the start of the Clone Wars.

Ahsoka smiled and giggled as Anakin told his and Padmè's love story. She thought it was so sweet that she forgot to be mad at Anakin for keeping this a secret.

"Listen Skyguy, I'm really happy for you two, I…I don't like the no-attachments rule either. It's stupid. I'm glad you married Padmè, you two are perfect for each other." She smiled at him and then Anakin grinned mischievously.

"I didn't even tell you the best part." He said. Ahsoka perked up and looked eager to know more. "What?" she asked, "What's the best part?"

Anakin smirked and whispered, "I'm gonna be a Daddy."

Ahsoka gasped audibly and leapt from her chair, unable to contain her excitement.

"OH MY GOODNESS! MASTER!" She squealed, "She's pregnant?" Anakin laughed and shushed his excited Padawan. "You're so loud. Yes, she's pregnant. I just found out today." Anakin smiled and leaned back in his chair. Ahsoka bounded over to him and hugged him for the second time since Mortis. Anakin smiled bigger and hugged her back.

"What are you going to name the baby?" Ahsoka squealed.

Anakin chuckled and said, "I dunno! Padmè and I haven't even discussed it yet!"

Ahsoka's eyes widened and she said, "Then what are you doing here? Go to her! And let me know what you decide!"

Anakin laughed as Ahsoka exuberantly pushed him out the door. He used the Force to grab his commlink from the table and said that he'd comm her later. Then he took off toward 500 Republica.

….

"Ani!" Padmè greeted her husband as he Force pushed the door open to her apartment.

She ran to his open arms and he held her gently, yet tightly. "You look beautiful," he told her, as he could now see the fullness of his wife's pregnancy through her tighter fitting house-dress.

"What is it?" Padmè asked her husband "Is everything alright?" Anakin grinned and kissed her passionately.

"Everything is wonderful. I told Ahsoka everything. She promises to keep us secret and is very excited for the baby."

Padmè gasped, "You told her about the baby? And that we're married?" Anakin nodded and grinned again.

"She really likes you. She's so happy for us Pad! And she thinks we need to decide on a name for the baby."

Padmè smiled in total bliss. "Oh Ani!" she said before she kissed him again. "We do need to think about names" she said after a minute. "What do you think? We need one boy and one girl."

Anakin smiled and said, "What do you want? You're the mother, what do you think is a good name?" Padmè smiled dreamily and said after a little while, "I've always like Luke…for a boy. What do you think Ani? Luke?"

Anakin smiled and said, "I like it. I like it a lot! Luke Skywalker." He winked at Padmè, "And for the girl?"

Padmè smiled up at Anakin. "You choose the girl Ani; you've always wanted a daughter."

Anakin smiled dreamily this time and thought about having a baby girl to take care of. He already had Ahsoka, but she wasn't young enough to be his daughter, she was more like his kid-sister.

"How about…..Leia. Leia Amidala Skywalker."

Padmè smiled her brightest smile and said, "Oh Anakin, that's beautiful! I love it. Leia. Luke. They're both perfect!" Anakin held Padme close to him and kissed her passionately once again.

….

Ahsoka stood up, sat back down, and stood up again. After pacing for a few moments, Ahsoka turned on the flipped through a few channels before she stood up to grab the buzzing commlink.

Maybe it was Anakin! She was so excited that her master had a wife, especially Padmè Amidala, "More like Padmè Skywalker!" she thought to herself.

Padmè and Anakin were PERFECT for each other. Ahsoka always knew that something was up with the two of them, but they were both bound to their jobs.

Ahsoka was proud of her Master. He followed his heart, and that was something Ahsoka found incredibly commendable.

She quickly grabbed the commlink from the counter, using the Force.

"Hello?" she said eagerly into it.

"Ahsoka, it's me. I'm just on my way home." Anakin's voice came through from the other end.

"Master!" Ahsoka exclaimed. "Alright! I'll see you soon!" she said excitedly.

"Whoa, slow down Snips. Obi-Wan and I've got a commission to stop General Grievous's flagship in the Coruscant atmosphere. I'll be home in a few minutes to pack a few things, but then I'll be gone a little while."

Ahsoka frowned, "Oh." She said less enthusiastically. "Okay then. I'll just be here…."

Anakin chuckled, "Alrighty Snips. I'll see you then." He hung up the commlink.

Ahsoka sighed dramatically and plopped down on the couch.

"So much for some Master/Padawan bonding time" she thought sourly. Just then, Anakin entered the Jedi temple. Ahsoka waited patiently for her Master to come back and started pacing again. She was tired of pacing, but it gave her something to do. That was one thing she got from Anakin, pacing when she's worried, stressed, or bored. Anakin clicked the lock and walked into their shared quarters.

"Master!" Ahsoka exclaimed turning around and stopping her pacing. "Did you two pick a name? Is she okay? Are you okay? And why do you have to leave now?"

Anakin laughed and put a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder. "You slow down my young Padawan! I'm better than okay Snips, I'm wonderful. Padmè is great too. We did choose names. One boy name and one girl name. Luke and Leia."

Ahsoka squealed and grinned. "That's SO cute! I love it! Master, which do you want? A boy or a girl?" Anakin smiled and said, "I've always wanted a daughter, but I would love a son too."

Ahsoka giggled and said, "What if it's twins?"

Anakin laughed and said, "I don't know about that one Snips, that sounds a little bit far-fetched don't ya think?"

Ahsoka smiled and said, "I bet you I'm right!" Anakin laughed and squeezed her shoulder. "I've got to get going, Obi-Wan's waiting for me in the council room. You BE GOOD while I'm gone. I'll be back soon."

Anakin winked at Ahsoka as he grabbed a few things and headed back out the door.

"Goodbye Master! Be careful! Remember, you can't get killed, you've got a wife and two kids waiting for you when you get back!"

Anakin laughed at the "two kids" part, and gave Ahsoka a quick hug goodbye. Ahsoka smiled as she watched Anakin confidently walk down the hall of the Jedi Temple, toward the turbolift to take him to the Council Chambers.

….

*sigh* This is one of my favorite chapters. It's SO Long! LOL! 16 pages in my Word document! Wowza! Haha, I hope you all enjoyed it! I really liked writing this one. Ahsoka is so funny here….review please, I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts! I tried very hard to correct the formatting, and I'm sorry it was so bad in the first chapter. I can understand how hard that must've been to read. I think it's better now. If you all have any suggestions or questions let me know! Thanks a billion,

Fallon