Chapter 4: Girl Talk

Anakin decided to walk with Ahsoka to Padme's apartment, since Ahsoka didn't have a starfighter of her own and Anakin's was only fit for one. Also, he wanted to take the longest way possible. As the two walked silently through the loud and crowded streets of the city, Ahsoka was the first to start talking.

"Wow! I can't wait to go on this mission! Going to fight Grievous? That's BIG!"

Anakin's hands curled into fists as he said in a harsh tone, "Well, technically, Snips, were not FIGHTING Grievous. That's Obi-Wan's job. We will be over the planet in case—"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever! I heard!" Ahsoka interrupted, rolling her eyes. She ran in front of Anakin and smiled.

"Yeah, so were not actually "fighting" him, but we're THERE! We get to be the Jedi who catch Grievous if he escapes! How cool is that?"

Anakin was amazed. Maybe Ahsoka had a good point.

She continued, "Sometimes, Sky Guy, you have to look at the light side of things, not the dark side." Ahsoka started laughing hysterically, holding her stomach to try to keep her from falling down.

Anakin gave her an "are-you-crazy?" look and asked, "What?"

Ahsoka gasped for air as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "Don't you get it? You know, light side, dark side? Huh?"

But Anakin didn't even grin as he said, "Yeah…..sure." He walked past Ahsoka and continued on his way.

"Hey, wait up!" Ahsoka called from behind, running to catch up with him. When she finally got back to Anakin's side, she asked in interest, "So where are we going anyway?"

Anakin wanted to tell her to stop asking questions, but he knew she wouldn't give up.

"Were gonna go meet a friend of mine. You remember Senator Amidala?"

Ahsoka thought for a second, then nodded.

"Yeah, I remember." She said, scratching her chin. "She was the one who….saved our butts before we got executed by Jabba, right?"

Anakin grinned, remembering how surprised he was when Jabba turned on his holoprojector and Padme appeared on screen. 'Your Uncle Ziro kidnapped your son Jabba," she had said.

"Well, if you look at it that way, then yes. She's also the Senator of Naboo. I've known her since I was 9 and….I thought you might want to meet her before we leave to Yavin IV."

Ahsoka brought her shoulders to her ears. "I guess so." She said as Anakin stopped at the door of a tall skyscraper.

"In here." He said, as the door slid open and they trotted inside.

Senators from all over the galaxy crowded the lobby of the apartment. "When a Senator from another planet comes to Coruscant, they get a suite in this apartment." Anakin explained as they walked past a howling Wookiee.

Ahsoka smiled. "I think we just passed the Senator of Kashyyyk." She said.

Anakin snorted. "No duh."

They lifted the hoods of their cloaks on their heads as they entered an elevator. Anakin pressed the button to Padme's floor and the door slid shut.

The elevator had a big glass window so you could look down at Coruscant as it rose. Ahsoka had her nose pressed on the window.

"It looks like a big silver diamond!" She chimed, not even noticing the other side of the elevator open. Anakin yanked Ahsoka out of the elevator as he found C-3P0 who was there to greet him. He jumped as he saw Anakin and Ahsoka.

"Why, hello again, Master Anakin. Mistress Padme is glad to have you over once more."

Ahsoka scratched her head. So he was here all that time. I wonder why….

C-3P0 noticed Ahsoka behind Anakin and exclaimed, "Oh. I didn't see you."

Not really paying attention, Ahsoka mumbled, "Hi." C-3P0 stood as straight as he could.

"Let me properly introduce myself. I am C-3P0, Human-Cyborg Relations. I am fluent in over 6 million forms of communication and am here to service you. It is a pleasure to meet you Mistress…..?"

Ahsoka stopped thinking about what Anakin was doing at the Senator's apartment and turned to face the golden protocol droid.

"Ahsoka. Ahsoka Tano. I'm Anakin's Padawan Learner."

She stuck out her hand, motioning for the droid to shake it. C-3P0 clenched Ahsoka's hand with his metal hand, pinching Ahsoka's palm.

"Yikes!" She yelped, pulling her hand back. A small cut gave out a trickle of blood.

C-3P0 gasped. "Oh my!" He shouted. "I'll go get a Medical Droid!" As Ahsoka inspected her hand, she said, "No it's okay. I'll live."

Suddenly, from one of the rooms in the apartment, Padme came out brushing her hair. She smiled at Anakin, then her eyes moved to Ahsoka.

"Hello, Anakin! Did you bring someone?" She asked as she walked toward him. Anakin nodded, gesturing to Ahsoka.

"Padme, this is my Padawan, Ahsoka. Ahsoka, Senator Amidala."

Ahsoka came out from behind Anakin and said, "Hi. I'm his Padawan. Anakin said you're a friend of his. Nice to meet you!" Padme grinned at Ahsoka, who was almost the same size as her.

She led the two to the white room with the balcony Anakin had been earlier. Padme and Ahsoka sat down on the couch. Anakin decided to stand up, putting his hands on his waist as Padme and Ahsoka started talking.

"You're the Senator of Naboo, right? Ahsoka asked. Padme nodded and replied, "Yeah. Have you been there?" Ahsoka nodded "no" sadly. "I haven't, but I've seen pictures of it in a book at the Archives. It's beautiful! I wish I lived there."

"Did you know that I used to be the Queen of Naboo?" Padme bragged.

"No way!" Ahsoka said, her big blue eyes sparkling.

Soon, Padme and Ahsoka were deep in conversation. Anakin watched, shaking his head.

Typical girl talk.

Most of the time, Anakin didn't pay attention and went to the balcony, letting the setting sun pour on his face. But then it started rain, and he had to go back inside. The rest of the time he just zoned out, thinking about the trip to Yavin IV. Anakin decided to leave at night, once again going in their old Republic Attack Cruiser with his clone squad, along with Captain Rex.

And Obi-Wan.

But he caught bits of Padme and Ahsoka's conversation at times. Words like "the corrupt Senate", "endless war", "hard job", and "homemade cloaks" came up from time to time. When the sun had set, the skies were dark, and the rain had died down, Padme and Ahsoka were having a conversation about books.

"Yeah, almost every day I go to the Jedi Archives. I look at most of the books about planets and the galaxy and stuff. It's really interesting."

Padme smiled and asked, "Do you actually have the time to read?" Ahsoka snorted. "Not anymore! With Anakin around, I never have time to do anything!"

Padme added, giving a secret wink to Anakin, "I bet." They giggled. Anakin tapped hard on Ahsoka's shoulder.

"Ow!" She said with a jump.

"Hurts, doesn't it?" Anakin said in a harsh tone. "We gotta go now if were getting to Yavin IV anytime soon, Snips."

Ahsoka waved to Padme as she and Anakin got into the elevator. As the elevator doors opened to the lobby, Ahsoka looked up at Anakin and said, "I like her." He turned to look out at Coruscant. The stars shimmered, and the lights of the city glistened of the spotless glass elevator. Anakin's eyes settled. He wondered when he would finally see Padme once again.

"Me, too, Ahsoka. Me, too."