Chapter Two: Old Friends
When Anakin walked into the headquarters he had set up in Coruscant, he found Embo without his hat. The other mercenary looked up and nodded at his partner. "What's the job?" Anakin asked as he sat down at the desk.
"You know the Senator that was targeted this morning on the landing platforms this morning?" Embo asked, making Anakin raise an eyebrow.
"Yeah, what about her?" Anakin asked, cocking his head to the side, watching his partner carefully.
"Her Head of Security has requested to hire you as her bodyguard," Embo replied, watching the former Jedi padawan carefully. "They want to have the least suspicious protection detail they can manage. The alternative is the Jedi."
Anakin couldn't help but snort. "And the Head of Security would rather hire mercenaries rather than the Jedi?" he asked, surprised.
"Less suspicious than having the Jedi. No one notices a mercenary unless the mercenary acts first," Embo answered. "But Captain Typho asked for you specifically. You are, after all, the Man With No Fear," he added drily.
Sometimes, Anakin wondered how his partner ever managed to do a job properly when he spoke as least possible as he could manage. And then when new job offers came in, he knew that exact reason. "When do I start?" he asked.
"As soon as possible," the older mercenary replied. "Captain Typho is willing to paid whatever fee to keep the Senator safe."
Anakin nodded. "Give me the address and I'll be out of your hair," he stated…
Anakin closed his eyes as the elevator carried him up the many floors of the building. He could sense the life forms inside the building, the ones outside, others in vehicles outside. He sighed and took a deep breath, blocking the life forms out, focusing on his breathing. One of the few things he still kept from his time as a Jedi was the meditation to calm his abilities in the Force.
The elevator stopped and opened as the apartments doors opened to reveal JarJar Binks exiting. Anakin stepped out and nodded at the Gungan. "Hello, JarJar," the young man greeted with a small smile.
"Little Ani?" JarJar replied, surprise clearly written over his face. "Oh, it so good to see yousa again!" he exclaimed, hugging the young human hard.
"It's good to see you again, JarJar," Anakin replied, smiling as the Gungan pulled away. "I'm here to see Captain Typho," he added.
"Are yousa the new security detail?" JarJar asked as he led him into the apartment.
"Yes, I am," Anakin replied honestly as Captain Typho came out to greet them. "Captain Typho," he greeted, nodding at the Captain. "Embo informed me of the details. Do you have any news on the attackers?"
"No, not yet anyways," the Captain replied. "Senator Amidala shall be out momentarily to speak with you herself."
Anakin nodded, looking around, taking in his surroundings while he waited for Padmé to emerge from wherever she was currently. When doors opened, he turned to see Padmé walk out with her entourage in tow.
"Senator Amilda, do you remember Little Ani?" Jar-Jar asked, making Padmé pause as she took in the former Jedi's appearance.
"Anakin?" she asked, disbelief obvious in her voice.
"Hello, Padmé," he answered before correcting himself, "Senator Amilda."
"You've grown up," she commented, coming closer. "You're not the little boy I met on Tatooine."
Anakin raised an eyebrow. "There is less than five years age difference between us," he replied, tilting his head to the side with a grin. "You can't really comment on me being a child."
Padmé nodded her head in agreement before looking at Captain Typho. "You employed a former Jedi for my protection?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Anakin stifled a chuckle at her words while the Captain had the decency to look sheepish. "You did say to keep it low key," he replied.
Padmé bit back a smirk before turning back to Anakin. "You have been informed that the Jedi Council wish to send a Jedi to check whether you are suitable?"
"I am aware of their request," Anakin replied, remaining calm despite his distrust in the Order. "Have you any idea when they will send them?"
"We are to inform them of your arrival and they shall send one," Captain Typho answered.
Anakin nodded. "I wish to go through your security plans, Captain, before the Jedi arrives. That way we can improve any holes before someone else points them out. Or the Jedi feel to test me."
Captain Typho nodded before saluting the Senator and leading Anakin to the main security office in the other room.
Padmé cocked her head to the side slightly, assessing Anakin as he walked away: he had definitely grown up over the past ten years, no longer the aloof young nine-year-old boy who had saved her ship on Tatooine. And his eyes showed emotions of a person who had seen enough hardship for one life. This was a new hardened, scarred and experienced Anakin Skywalker walking away from her. She had yet to figure out whether or not the change was a good one or not…
Exams are such a pain…
This chapter does veer away from the movie on purpose. I hope you all enjoyed it :)
To answer the reviews from the previous chapter:
Guest: Thank you :) Sorry for the long wait.
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Ambre: Thank you :) Sorry for the long wait.
ILDV: Thank you :) Sorry for the long wait.
cje24576: Thank you :) There will be flashbacks to explain why he left, I promise :)
MegSkywalker: Thank you :) I hope this story will explain the change of dynamic between the star-crossed lovers ;) Hope this was worth the wait :)