The next day, Ahsoka woke up slightly more relaxed. The memories of what she heard yesterday played in her mind. She would have to confront Padme about this. Maybe this was all in her mind. Maybe nothing really happened. EIther way, she would have to talk to Padme about this. Anakin was still asleep. She didn't bother to wake him up. She didn't want him asking where she was going. She got up, got dressed, and awlked out the door. She remembered to get the holo-magazine to return as well. She flew over to Padme's place and went up to her room. She knocked on the door and Padme answered it.

"Ahsoka. Hi."

"Hey, Padme. May I come in?"

"Of course." She let her in. "So, what brings you by this morning?"

"I came to give you your holo-magazine back. Thanks for letting me borrowing it." She took it.

"You're welcome. Anytime you want to borrow any other ones, just let me know."

"I will."

"So, was that all?"

"Actually, no. I wanted to talk to you about something I... heard."

"Sure. Sit down." They sat down on the sofa in the living room. "So, what is it you want to talk about?"

"Well, when I finished reading the holo-magazine last night, I came to return it and I heard some things."

"What kind of things?" She took a deep breath.

"Padme, are you having an affair?"

"What? Why would you ask such a thing? Of course not. I would never cheat on Anakin. What would make you think that?"

"Well, I came to your room and I heard you and another man together."

"Ahsoka, let me explain this to you. Senator Rush Clovis came over last night. We have been friends since before I was queen of Naboo, but he's been in love with me for years. The Jedi Council believes that he is conspiring with the Separatists. They want me to find out if it's true. They know how close we are and they thought I would be perfect for the job. Rush and I said some things, but we never did anything."

"So, you're not having an affair?"

"No. I am completely faithful to Anakin. I promise you nothing is going on with me and Rush Clovis."

"Oh. Okay. I just wanted to make sure."

"You worry too much, Ahsoka. Was that all you wanted to know?"

"Yes. I feel better now, but why didn't you tell Anakin about this?"

"Because we both know how over protective Anakin can be. If he knew, he would freak out and try to talk me out of it. The Council didn't inform him and neither will I. Promise not to tell?"

"Yeah, I promise. I won't say a word."

"Good girl. Well, if that's all, I actually do have a meeting to get to and I have to finish getting ready." They both stood up.

"Alright. I better get back to the temple before my master realizes I'm gone. I guess I'll see you later?"

"Sure. See you then."

"Bye."

"Bye." Ahsoka walked out the door feeling relieved. She was just being paranoid. Padme wasn't cheating on Anakin. She felt a lot better with that weight lifted off her. Before she left, she heard talking coming from Padme's room. A man's voice.

"Finally, she's gone. We have time alone. Nice cover up with that Separatist story. Doesn't she know that was from last year?"

"I don't think she ever knew about that. Makes it the perfect cover up story." Cover up story? Padme lied to Ahsoka. She was having an affair.

"I have to say, for a Jedi she's pretty dumb."

"I know. I can't believe she didn't sense I was lying. She's smart at times, other times not so much. Sometimes I wonder how Anakin gets along with her." That sent Ahsoka over the edge. Without warning, Ahsoka burst back into the room.

"You liar!" They both turned to the Togruta teenager with surprised looks on their faces.

"Ahsoka! It's not what it looks like!"

"Really? You're not in the arms of a half naked man you're having an affair with? You didn't just talk about how dumb you think I am? This is bullshit, Padme! You lied to my face!"

"Ahsoka! Please! Don't tell Anakin!"

"Why shouldn't I? Give me one reason why I shouldn't tell my master that his wife is cheating on him?" Padme couldn't think of one reason. Rush decided to step in.

"Look, little girl, this isn't any of your business. Okay? This is grown up business. So, why don't you go back to the temple and forget this ever happened."

"Don't talk to me like I'm an imbisal! She is having cheating on my master with you, so that makes it my business! If you don't want to be involved with this, you can leave and not come back!" He walked up to her and got in her face.

"You do not talk to me like that, young one. I am very powerful in the Senate."

"Your point is what?"

"The higher up you are in the Senate, the more the Jedi Council will listen to you."

"Am I suppose to feel threatened? What are you going to tell them? I'm not the one doing something wrong." Padme stepped in.

"But Anakin is. He's breaking the Code just by being with me. If you tell him anything, we'll tell the Council about our marriage and he'll be expelled."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me, little girl." The two women glared at each other. "You would ruin your own husband's life because you decided to cheat on him."

"You know what they say: payback's a bitch."

"And apparently, you're that bitch."

"You watch your mouth. Say one word to Anakin and he'll be out of the Order and you won't have a master. Is that clear?" Ahsoka got an evil idea of her own.

"Fine, but I have a deal of my own. You tell Anakin the truth or I'll tell the Council that you and Rush are conspiring with the Separatists." Padme scoffed.

"Apparently you didn't hear well enough. That was proved last year and Rush got off for it."

"Doesn't mean it won't happen again. And the fact that he'll have you to help him will put your career at risk too."

"You have no proof."

"I have my ways of forging information. I can show the Council information of such actions and you will have no prove that it's false. Tell him or risk losing everything." Padme narrowed her eyes at her. She did the same.

"Fine."

"Good. You have one week to tell him. The longer you wait, the more information I can forge, so you might want to do it soon." She turned to leave. Rush wasn't going to let this happen. He took out his blaster and shot at her. She sensed he was going to do this. She took out her lightsaber and blocked the shot in time. "At least I won't have to fake attempted murder of a Jedi to that."

Ahsoka left, knowing that Padme would try to come up with some plan that didn't involve telling Anakin the truth about her affair. She still had time to get her false information together. She would have to call in a secret friend. She took out her commlink and contacted him.

"Hello?"

"Bane, I need a favor from you."