Chapter 3: Alex's Backup

The TARDIS landed outside Anakin and Padme's apartment. And the doors opened Alex suddenly and unexpectedly sighed in both anxiety and relief "are you OK?" Ahsoka asked as she put her hand on his shoulder "it's been a while since you last saw him" she smiled at this and Alex couldn't help but think of her future corpse that was somewhere below the main TARDIS console. ID-RS Alex's droid had moved the corpse and didn't tell him where he had moved it. Which was for the best. Alex didn't want to think about that. At least not yet.

"I'm fine" Alex said softly taking Ahsoka's hand of his shoulder and placing it into his own "I'm just" he looked away from her unable to meet her eyes "scared." He took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes "my future self told me there was still a chance, and yet we have a corpse somewhere below us."

"My corpse" Ahsoka sighed "yes" she embraced him and kissed him "I know" she said this when she pulled away "which is why we need Anakin's help." She then let go of Alex and clicked her fingers to which the doors opened "you're gonna stop Sky" she was then cut off from what she was going to say by Darlene who had stepped in front of the doors. When Alex saw her he couldn't help but smile.

"We will stop him" Darlene said sincerely, wiping a tear off her cheek, both Alex and Ahsoka knew about Sky's history with Darlene and how he might intend to use that against her. "Don't worry" she said as she caught Alex and Ahsoka looking at her "I won't fall for any of his tricks"

"We can only hope" Alex said as he followed her through the TARDIS doors and out onto the streets of Coruscant. As soon as he did so he got an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach to which he muttered to himself "I've got a bad feeling about this" Ahsoka was to his right and Darlene was to his left, they both stood facing the enterence Anakin and Padme's apartment and walked inside.

They suddenly felt awkward as they walked in on Anakin and Padme having a romantic moment. "Oh" Darlene said looking away nervously as she looked at Alex "what time did you excactly plan this for?" She whispered angrily to which Alex gave her a scowl and said

"I actually didn't" he said a little too loudly which made Anakin and Padme jump. They turned round as they faced the 3 members of Team Avatar.

"Ahsoka!" Padme said as she rushed towards her friend and hugged her "it's so good to see you!" When Padme let go of Ahsoka she smiled and said

"It's good to see you Senator"

"Please" Padme laughed "call me Padme" she then looked at Darlene curiously as she had never met her before "I'm sorry i don't believe we have met"

"Darlene Turner" Darlene said shaking Padme's hand "pleasure to meet you."

"Forgive me for asking but aren't you supposed to be dead?"

"I was." Darlene laughed and Padme looked at her sceptically "long story. But short version I get better" she was about to say more but Anakin interrupted her as he focused his attention on Alex.

"Who are you?" He asked not recognising Alex in his new body.

At this Alex sighed and walked forward to face his master, taking out his Lightsaber and igniting it. Then all of a sudden Alex's eyes glowed bright blue to which this made Anakin recognise his friend.

"And just where have you been?" Anakin said angrily folding his arms. At this Alex didn't know what to say but Anakin broke out in a laugh "relax. Just kidding" he punched Alex in the arm to which as this Alex laughed nervously with Anakin. But then things went suddenly serious "is everything ok? What's happened?" Ahsoka and Darlene then led Anakin and Padme to a nearby couch so they could sit down and explain everything that had happened.

Anakin was a good listener as he seemed to take in every detail clearly. He then looked at Alex with sympathetic eyes as Ahsoka and Darlene came to the conclusion of their adventures "and that is that." Ahsoka said "which brings us to where we are now" she then looked at Alex and said "I think he can brief you on the details"

At this Alex smiled at her and focused his attention on his old master "we do have a lot to talk about" he then sat down and started explaining the reason for his visit...