~Chancellor ~

"Anakin!" the Chancellor greeted, smiling, "It is so good to see you. How are you, my boy?"

Anakin shrugged, "Fine."

Unconcerned by the laconic answer, Palpatine probed the boy a bit farther, "I heard they're still keeping you on Coruscant. Isn't your Master already back on the front?" Where he had already sent Grievious to deal with the Jedi Master, knowing his death, so close to his Padawan's would surely break him once and for all.

Again, Anakin shrugged, "Honestly, Chancellor, I don't care much where they think I'll be the best off. At least, here…" he trailed off, but Palpatine knew very well what he hadn't said. Here, on Coruscant, stayed a very special Senator… He looked more closely at the boy. Anakin looked tired, still grieving that useless Padawan of his.

Tano's death had truly been a highlight in Sidous' plans. Anakin had been brought to the edge so much quicker and if he played his cards right, Sidious was sure the boy would join him within the year. Even quicker should Kenobi meet his own unfortunate death at Grievious' hand.

The Chosen One was within his grip and he wouldn't let him escape.

He smiled encouragingly, "And how is Padmé?"

This time, the boy lighted up, "She's doing good." But then his smile faded and Palpatine grew curious. Was he on something more?

"What is it, my boy? You know I'll help you if I can." Playing the benevolent grandfather was coming easily to him, after years of practice.

Anakin started pacing, a sure thing he was debating with something that he held close at heart and Palpatine waited patiently for him to start talking, "It's maybe nothing, but I can't help… It's just… Ahsoka was a Jedi, a strong one at that. And yet, she… she died." Palpatine noticed how he stumbled on the word, but said nothing, simply nodding for him to continue, "Padmé is…" the words failed him and Palpatine helpfully supplied, knowing very well where this was heading, "Padmé, though she is a wonderful and dedicated Senator, has no training in defending herself. Is that what you are afraid off?" His nervous nod was answer enough and he sighed, leaning back in his seat, "My dear boy, I'm afraid I can't help you with this. As long as this War continue, no one will be safe. But do not worry, Coruscant is one of the safest place in the Galaxy, I'm sure nothing will happen to her."

Reluctantly, the boy nodded and Palpatine smirked inwardly, this one was quite easy to manipulate, once you knew of his weakness. That girl's death couldn't have been more useful had Palpatine planed it. Though if he had known how much closer to Falling the boy would come, he would have arranged it a long time ago. He just hoped Grievious would for once hold up to his expectations and kill Kenobi. That would be just perfect, as there would be nothing left to keep the boy from joining him.

"I'm sorry I'll have to cut this meeting short," he said, putting just enough regret in his tone, "but I'm afraid I'm expected to a meeting."

The boy nodded, "Of course, Chancellor, forgive me for taking up your time with such nonsense."

"Never think it's nonsense," Palpatine corrected, "and I'm always delighted to speak with you. You should come and see me more often, my boy." The better to monitor him he added in his mind before throwing the last bit of information that would make the boy come back to him as soon as he could, "And I'll think about a way to keep our esteemed Senator out of harm's way. Should I find anything, I'll be sure to contact you."

Anakin's gaze filled with surprise and hope, "Thank you so much, Chancellor."

"As Chancellor, it is my duty to see to it that everyone here is as safe as can be," he smiled benevolently, "I hope I will see you soon, my boy."

"Yes, Chancellor, good day to you."

~Dream ~

- DREAM -

Mortis. Once more. But as he looked around, Anakin couldn't see anyone. He recognized the planet, he could never forget it, but there was no one. No Ahsoka waiting for him, no Father to sprout some nonsense about the Chosen One, no Son nor Daughter. No Obi-Wan. He was alone.

Confused, he turned, taking in his surroundings. There was no doubt about his whereabouts, but he was utterly alone. Cautious, he started walking, not knowing where he would end up, but feeling the urgent need to move. More than that, he needed to find something.

No, not something, he realized, accelerating, someone, and more exactly, his Padawan. He could feel her through their bond, urging him on, desperate about something. Wave after wave of anguish were pouring through their training bond, instilling him with a sense of urgency. He needed to find her before it was too late.

Time seemed to stretch infinitely as he searched for her, her desperation a beacon in this cursed planet.

After what felt like hours of fruitless search, he finally came upon the hill in which the Father had laid his Daughter to rest. And up the steps, curled in a small ball of misery, was his Padawan.

"Ahsoka!" he called out, relief washing through him.

She lifted her head, and he could as much see the relief on her own face as felt it flowing through their bond, "Ahsoka, what's wrong?" He ran up the steps, coming to his knees next his Padawan, "Ahsoka?"

Bright blue eyes gazed at him but she didn't utter a word, turning instead her head away from him. Panic rose through him, "Ahsoka? Please, talk to me, what's wrong?"

She hugged her knees tighter against her chest and as much as he wanted to hug her, he just knew she would vanish should he touch her. A strange feeling came over him and the words fell from his lips without conscious thoughts, "Were you… were you lost?"

She raised her head sharply, diving her eyes in his before nodding ever so slowly.

"It's alright, Ahsoka, I found you, you're safe now…" He trailed off as her face was filled with worry, "Ahsoka?"

She stood up, and suddenly, the world disintegrated around them, "Ahsoka!" he screamed as Mortis fell to bits around them, as her form grew farther and farther away from him, as he jerked in a desperate attempt to reach her.

- END DREAM -

Reality came crashing on him at the same time as he collided with the ground, effectively waking him up. Padmé jerked awake as well, "Ani?" she asked, concerned.

He panted on the ground, trying to regain his bearings. He dimly heard Padmé standing and coming next to him, "Ani, are you alright? What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he managed to chock out, shakily raising to his feet, "Go back to sleep, Padmé, I…"

"It was only a dream, Ani," she soothed him, but let him walk away out of the bedroom without trying to stop him.

A dream… It had felt so real, too real. And he wanted to laugh at his last words, 'It's alright, Ahsoka, I found you, you're safe, now.' He felt tears of helplessness gathering behind his eyes. Alright? Nothing was alright, she was dead, for Force's sake! He didn't find her quickly enough, it was his fault the Son got her in the first place! As for being safe? Well, he doubted someone dead would worry about its safety… The tears slowly made their way down his cheeks, what a pitiful Master he was! Even in dreams, he couldn't comfort his Padawan. And hadn't he been praying to see her one more time, to tell her how sorry he was? Even if it was in a dream, he had been unable to. His Padawan had been suffering, he had felt it, as clearly as if it was his own pain, and all he had been able to say were lies? He had never been able to keep her safe. How many times had he seen grief in those blue eyes upon their Clones' losses? How many times had he stood, waiting next a medical bed, for her to wake up? Too many. But how many times did he hug her and told her how proud of her he was? Never. Did he ever try to tell her how much she meant to him? No.

Tears fell harder. He had failed her, in the worst possible ways, "Ahsoka, I'm so sorry…"