Hey, lookie here, the next installment :D the next chapter :D I bet that makes you happy...and to answer a question I've seen multiple times...I will be doing The Clone Wars in between Episode II and III. As for questions about if she dies here and there, if she's in certain episodes, whether or not Anakin still falls...

You'll just have to wait and see, hehehe ;)

Don't forget to Review, and, as always...

Enjoy!

The next morning found Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Zelina in the Council Room, receiving new orders from the Council members. Obi-Wan met each of the Master's gazes head on, Anakin was staring at his feet with a frown on his face, and Zelina was bouncing between glancing at Anakin with a little bit of concern on her face and meeting the eyes of whatever Master was currently speaking.

"Track down this Bounty Hunter you must Obi-Wan," Yoda was saying.

"Most importantly, find out who he's working for," Windu added.

For once, Zelina was in agreement with him. However, there was a certain person weighing on her mind…

Obi-Wan frowned, voicing the same worry that Zelina was thinking. "What about Senator Amidala? She will still need protecting."

"Handle that, the Padawans will," Yoda said, pointing at both Anakin and Zelina. Zelina was a little startled. They were going to go on a mission together? Without their Masters?

Finally!

Anakin seemed to be experiencing the same emotions, though she didn't think it had quiet registered in his mind yet as Obi-Wan studied Anakin closely. Obviously, he had doubts about Yoda's statement.

"Anakin," Windu said, catching Anakin's attention immediately. "You and Zelina will escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport: travel as refugees."

"As the leader of the opposition, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the Capital," Anakin said after a moment's silence.

"Until caught this killer is, our judgment, she must respect," Yoda said firmly.

"Anakin, Zelina; go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her about this matter," Windu finished. Zelina had to hide the blanch that threatened to break through at the thought of having to talk to the Chancellor.

All three of them bowed, then made their exit. Obi-Wan glanced back at Anakin and Zelina. "You two should probably go see Palpatine. Depending on whether or not he's busy today, you might be there a while."

"I'm sure it won't take too long. Palpatine will take the time to listen to what we have to say, I know he will," Anakin said confidently. Zelina said nothing, and thankfully, neither of them pressed her for her opinion.

Obi-Wan sighed. "Either way, the sooner you talk to him the better."

"Yes Master…" Anakin said softly.

Obi-Wan nodded. "I'll see you two later."

Obi-Wan walked away, and as soon as it was just the two of them Zelina nudged Anakin with her elbow. "Well, what do you know? Our first mission without the supervision of our Masters…and it's just going to be you, me, and Padme. This should be fun."

Anakin chuckled a little. "It'll be interesting, that's for sure…though I can't help but feel nervous…it's my first time without Obi-Wan…"

"It's my first time without supervising us too you know," Zelina laughed, smiling warmly at him.

"Yes, I know," Anakin chuckled.

"You're not going to do anything stupid while we're on this little mission, are you Ani?" Zelina asked slyly.

Anakin shot her a hurt look. "Are you suggesting I can't handle this? That I always mess things up?"

Zelina laughed. "Loosen up Ani: I'm messing with you!"

He shook his head. "Some days Zee…"

Zelina chuckled, following him onto the shuttle they were taking to the Senate Building. "How did you sleep last night?"

"Well, I'm having nightmares about my mother and someone tried to kill Padme last night but was killed before we could find anything out, how well do you think I slept last night?"

Zelina held her hands up. "Force, I was just asking Ani…"

Anakin smirked. "Relax Zee, I'm messing with you."

"Not fair."

Anakin laughed for a moment before he sobered. "Though really, I didn't sleep that well. Like I told Obi-Wan, I hardly get any sleep these days…"

"Maybe sharing a room with someone will help? I mean, that way if you're having a nightmare you have someone to wake you up before it can get too bad…maybe we'll share a room when we get to Naboo: it's not like we haven't before."

Anakin nodded. "Sure, I'll try anything at this rate."

Zelina grinned, thumping him on the back. "Good, than I guess we're roommates as soon as we get to Naboo: just like old times."

Anakin chuckled. "Don't make me regret it."

Zelina feigned offense. "Now why would you say that? I'd never do such a thing!"

Anakin rolled his eyes. "Sure Zee, sure…"

The rest of the trip was spent in comfortable silence until they arrived at the Senate Building. Zelina fell into step behind Anakin, twirling her Padawan braid like she used to when she was little and had first gotten it. It had become a habit of hers whenever she was nervous.

"How about you do the talking here, huh Ani?"

Anakin rolled his eyes. "I don't see what your problem is: there's nothing wrong with the Chancellor. He's a great guy."

"It's just…he creeps me out…I get a bad feeling whenever I'm around the guy…"

A muscle twitched in Anakin's jaw and Zelina sighed. "Let's just not talk about it right now."

"Alright," he said a little stiffly. Thankfully, the awkward silence didn't last long. They were soon standing right outside the door, and Zelina's attention shifted from being upset that Anakin was upset with her to being annoyed at the fact she was about to be stuck in the same room as Palpatine. Hopefully this would be a quick visit.

She stayed back for a while, letting Anakin explain the situation to Palpatine himself. The less she had to talk to the man, the better. Whenever they did talk, they were usually on opposite grounds. Luckily none of those conversations had become an argument…yet.

"I will talk with her…Senator Amidala will not refuse and executive order. I know her well enough to assure you of that," Palpatine told Anakin. Zelina stared aimlessly out the window, watching the speeders pass by as the two talked.

"Thank you your Excellency," Anakin said humbly.

"And so they've finally given you an assignment?" Palpatine asked. Anakin nodded a little while off to the side, Zelina cocked her head, finally paying attention to the conversation. "Your patience has paid off."

"Your guidance more than my patience," Anakin told him.

Zelina shot Anakin a look, though both of them missed it. She shook her head with a sigh. Her friend could be brilliant, but sometimes…

If you have anyone's guidance to thank, it's Obi-Wan's and some days Qui-Gon's…not a creepy politician…

The two started to move away from the window, and Zelina sighed, content with being invisible to the two. The most attention Palpatine had given her was a 'Good day' that was actually directed towards both of them.

"You don't need guidance Anakin. In time you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible."

Zelina scowled at Palpatine's back, barely holding her tongue. This was why she didn't like joining Anakin for trips into the Chancellor's office. She hated seeing the creepy old man butter him up and make him even more egotistical.

"I have said it many times; you are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met," Palpatine added, and Zelina looked away once more. Anakin was gifted. She hated it when Palpatine did that: put in small truths to justify whatever else he said.

This is why I hate politics. This is why I hate most politicians.

She paused, thinking over her wording for a moment. Dislike, not hate…

Though I might make an exception for Palpatine.

"Thank you your Excellency," Anakin said once more.

"I see you becoming the greatest of all the Jedi Anakin. Even more powerful than Master Yoda."

Alright, that's laying it on a little thick, don't you think?

Zelina scowled once more before she constructed her expression into a pleasant smile. "Well, I hate to say it, but we really should be going Chancellor. We need to start getting ready for the departure to Naboo."

Palpatine looked at her as if just realizing she was there, though Anakin gave her a suspicious look. She didn't care: if he could see through her excuse as a reason to leave, so be it.

Palpatine returned the smile, though Zelina thought it looked fake. "Of course, I shouldn't keep you two any longer than necessary. We all have things to do. I shall see you another time then Anakin."

"Of course your Excellency," Anakin said, glancing at Zelina one more time before they both bowed respectfully. Then, blessedly, they left Palpatine's office.

Once they were a little ways away from the room, Anakin turned to Zelina. "What was that? I know you're not concerned about time Zelina, so don't try feeding me any excuses."

Zelina cocked an eyebrow. "You really don't see what he was doing, do you?"

Anakin scowled. "Oh, please don't tell me this is more of your Chancellor conspiracy theory."

Zelina rolled her eyes. "So you have a name for it now? Force Anakin, how do you not notice something so obvious? He's feeding your ego, laying the flattery on so thick it makes me sick."

"Flattery? What's wrong with getting praise now and then? Am I supposed to be satisfied with the constant scolding I get from the Council and Obi-Wan? Am I not allowed any praise?" Anakin asked angrily, his voice gradually rising.

"I'm just saying Anakin, there's a difference between flattery and praise, and that was some heavily layered flattery," Zelina said firmly.

"If it was flattery—which it's not—why would there be anything wrong with it?" Anakin demanded.

"Because it makes you all the more susceptible whenever the flatterer tries to take advantage of you," Zelina shot back. "Have you forgotten what happened with that politician on Haaridan? The one that flattered me enough he was able to trick me into believing that it was the other side of the Civil War we should be fighting for and I almost went with him? I was too blind to see though his lies, and it almost cost us all dearly. Flattery can be a very dangerous thing Anakin, I'd know."

Anakin looked away, still visibly fuming, and Zelina sighed. "I know he's your friend Ani, and I know you look up to him…I'm just saying that ever since we met him I've felt like something was off about him, and he's always laid the flattery on so heavily when your around. Just please don't let it get to your head Ani; and don't ever let it blind you to any obvious facts like I did."

He didn't say anything, though she figured it was better than him flat out disagreeing with her. However, she knew him well enough she was afraid her friend might be condemning her silently in his head. She didn't want him to. She didn't want him to shut her out. She couldn't bear the thought. She sighed.

"Let's not talk about it anymore, please Ani? I don't want to fight, and I don't want to make you upset…I won't bring it up again. He's your friend, and I respect that. I'll keep my opinions to myself from here on out," she said softly.

Anakin inclines his head towards her. "Alright," he said simply. He was still tense, and his voice still had an edge to it, but they tension was slowly melting away as they left the Senate Building. Still, it bugged Zelina that she'd made him upset…though that wasn't about to change her opinion about Palpatine. She didn't like the guy; end of story.

They boarded a shuttle to head towards Padme's apartment and, tired of the silence between them, Zelina spoke again.

"So…what do you say to being sparring partners while we're on Naboo? It'll be a good way to pass the time, and we got to keep that lightsaber technique from getting rusty," she said cheerily.

Anakin cracked a small smile. "It won't be much of a match. I could beat you any day Zee."

Zelina chuckled. "We'll see about that Ani."

Anakin stretched out, resting his head against the wall. "I'm sure she's got the message to leave by now…she's not going to be too happy about this."

"Well, in my opinion, I'd much rather see her safely on Naboo while Obi-Wan tracks down this bounty hunter."

"True…true…"

Zelina nudged him as the shuttle glided to a stop. "Come on Ani, we're here."

"I'm coming, just give me a second," he said with a soft laugh. Zelina smiled.

Good. His minds already off our fight, and his moods picked up.

Feeling a lot better now, Zelina trotted happily through the door to Padme's apartment with Anakin.

Zelina lounged in Padme's bedroom window, listening to her speak to Jar Jar about having to take her position in the Senate in her absence. She'd paused in her packing to talk to him, leaving Zelina in the room while Anakin waited patiently in the hall for her.

"I do not like this idea of hiding," she grumbled as she came made her way back into the room. Anakin came in right behind her.

"Don't worry, now that the Council's ordered an investigation it won't take Master Obi-Wan long to find this bounty hunter," Anakin said smoothly, coming to a stop at the foot of her bed.

"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act to not be here when it's fate is decided!" Padme fumed, packing a stack of clothes into the suitcase on her bed.

Zelina stood from her spot by the window. "Let me help you with that," she said gently, slipping into her closet and taking some of the clothes that her handmaids had already folded. Padme gave her a grateful smile.

"Sometimes we must let go of our pride, and do what is requested of us," Anakin said, suddenly sounding beyond his years, if only for a moment.

Zelina slowed in her movement a little, packing a stack of clothes in beside Padme as her eyes became unfocused, an ache appearing in her heart. She was a little too familiar with that statement, and to hear Anakin voice it brought the wistful thoughts rushing to the front of her mind. If she wasn't a Jedi…if it wasn't forbidden…she knew of at least one thing that would be different. She glanced up at Anakin before slipping back into the closet and taking another stack of clothes from the handmaiden.

"Anakin…you've grown up," Padme said, startling Zelina a little when she appeared right next to her. Zelina gave her a little smile once more as she returned to the suitcase to pack the clothes away.

"Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it," Anakin said quietly, making his way over to the window.

"Ani, you know that's not true," Zelina said softly, lingering in the room instead of returning to the closet. Anakin picked up a cylindrical object on the table by the window.

"Don't get me wrong, Obi-Wan is a great mentor," Anakin said, levitating the object almost absentmindedly, watching it go up and down, forwards and back. "He's wise as Master Yoda, and as powerful as Master Windu…"

He stopped levitating the object, turning back to face the two young women watching him. "I am truly thankful to be his apprentice."

Zelina called the object in his hands to her with a smirk, catching it and studying it for a moment. "I've always envied you for having him as your Master, if I may say so," she told him.

Anakin nodded with a sigh, walking away from the window and staring down the hall. Zelina could see the other feelings that Anakin usually kept hidden away starting to boil to the surface in the growing silence as she levitated the object back to its pedestal on the table.

"In some ways…a lot of ways…I'm really ahead of him. I'm ready for the Trials, but he feels that I'm too unpredictable. He won't let me move on," Anakin said in a frustrating tone, his voice starting to rise.

"That must be frustrating," Padme said softly.

"It's worse; he's overly critical, he never listens, he doesn't understand…it's not fair!" Anakin suddenly burst out before he caught himself. He glanced at them both guiltily, though Zelina gave him a reassuring smile, just to let him know she didn't mind. She was glad to hear him talking to someone about how he felt. She knew it wasn't good for him to keep all these feelings bottled up.

Maybe she'd put in a word with Obi-Wan for him…

"Our mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow," Padme said wisely from where she stood in the doorway. Zelina shook herself a little, returning to helping her pack away her clothes.

Anakin sighed, sitting down on the bed. "I know…"

Padme paused, turning to him. "Anakin…don't try to grow up too fast."

Anakin stood facing her. "But I am grown up." It was a little amusing to hear him say that as he stood up. Padme was a little more than a head shorter than him. "You said it yourself."

The smile on Zelina's face, however, ebbed away as she caught the way he looked at her. A little half smirk, staring deeply in her eyes with secret desire dancing in his eyes…It was a look that caused Zelina's heart to stop, yet her eyes to sting from tears of jealousy as she turned away. If only he'd look at her like that…

No…if he looked at you like that, you'd lose whatever control you had, and both of you would wind up expelled from the Jedi Order.

But still…it would be nice if he would…

"Please don't look at me like that," Padme said somewhat firmly.

"Why not?" Anakin challenged softly.

Zelina had to retain a shiver at his tone. However, it seemed Padme was not truly human, because she stood firm under his gaze and alluring tone.

"It makes me feel uncomfortable," Padme stated simply, turning away from him. Both Anakin and Zelina watched her walk back to her closet with amusement, though Anakin still retained that look in his eyes whilst Zelina veiled her own true feelings at the moment.

"Sorry my lady," Anakin said with a smirk.

"Yeah right," Zelina said with a soft laugh. Anakin chuckled, and Zelina returned to helping Padme pack away her clothes.

It didn't take them long to find themselves dressed as refugees, on their way to board the ship that would take them to Naboo. Zelina sat with Obi-Wan, meaning to steal away a few words with him. It seemed he had the same intention.

As Obi-Wan sat down, he cut right to the chase. "Zelina, it would make me feel better if you would promise me you will keep an eye on Anakin while you two are with Padme on Naboo," he said softly.

"Of course Obi-Wan, you know I always look out for Ani," she replied just as quietly.

"Well, you know how prone he is to trouble, and I know he has feelings for Padme: make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, alright?"

Zelina rolled her eyes. "Don't worry Obi-Wan, Anakin will be fine. I'll keep him in line," she chuckled. Gradually, her expression softened. "Though I do think we need to talk about something for a moment."

Obi-Wan cocked an eyebrow, leaning back a little. "Oh really?"

Zelina nodded. "We were talking, and Anakin was talking about how his training has been going…" she trailed off, trying to think of how she should say this.

"And?" Obi-Wan asked curiously.

Zelina sighed. "Do you think it would be possible to go a little easier on him?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Zelina glanced at her friend, sitting at the front of the shuttle and staring out the window with a soft frown on his face.

"Well…do you remember what I told you back on Naboo right before I left with Master Du?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yeah, I remember."

Zelina picked at her fingers. "From what I've gathered, Anakin's started to feel like you don't have any faith in him…like you don't listen to him or take the time to understand what's going on with him…he's feeling neglected and feels like he's being held back…there's a lot really…" Zelina said sheepishly.

Obi-Wan's frown gained a worried edge, but Zelina continued before he could say anything. "I just think you might need to go a little easier on him, and maybe talk to him a little more…try and see things from his perspective too…He is thankful for being your apprentice though, so don't think he's not grateful," Zelina added hastily.

Obi-Wan sighed, glancing up towards Anakin. The shuttle was getting ready to land by the time he spoke. "Alright Zelina, I'll see what I can do…"

Zelina grinned at him. "Thank you Obi-Wan."

He chuckled a little, shaking his head and smiling at her. "No, thank you for bringing it to my attention…I guess I have been negligent to how Anakin's been receiving things lately…"

Zelina smiled, standing up as everyone else got ready to depart. "And don't worry Obi-Wan, I'll keep an eye on Anakin. You have my word."

They both made their way up the shuttle to where Anakin and Padme stood, Zelina slipping over to stand beside Anakin as Padme said her goodbyes.

"…I worry about you. What if they realize you've left the Capital?" Padme's handmaiden was saying.

"Well…then my Jedi protectors will have to prove how good they are," she said with a smile. Anakin and Zelina shared a smile of their own at her statement, before Obi-Wan called Anakin's attention to him.

"Anakin…" Obi-Wan said softly. "Don't do anything without consulting either myself or the Council."

"Yes Master," Anakin replied almost automatically.

"And don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything either. Anything at all," Obi-Wan added. Zelina was pleased with the fact that he kept his tone from being stiff or commanding.

"You sound like a concerned parent sending their kid off to school Obi-Wan," Zelina teased gently with a small laugh. Obi-Wan chuckled a little as well.

"It feels like it," he said in amusement. Zelina grinned at Anakin as Obi-Wan shifted to address Padme.

"See, he's just concerned about you. I think Obi-Wan might be a little overprotective," she whispered quietly to him.

Anakin smiled a little. "I guess…"

"I'll get to the bottom of this plot quickly my lady. You'll be back here in no time," Obi-Wan informed Padme with a small smile as Zelina and Anakin gathered up the luggage.

"I'll be most grateful for your speed Master Jedi," Padme replied.

"It's time to go," Anakin stated, stepping off of the shuttle.

"I know…" Padme said softly. Zelina lingered, taking up the rear as they filed off the shuttle.

"Anakin, Zelina: May the Force be with you," Obi-Wan called after them.

They both paused and turned to him. "May the Force be with you Master," Anakin responded.

"May the Force be with you too Obi-Wan," Zelina added.

They all grabbed something to carry and started making their way to the ships, glancing around along the way.

"Suddenly I'm afraid…" Padme said quietly.

"This is my first assignment on my own…I am too," Anakin admitted.

"Same here," Zelina added.

Anakin glanced back at the familiar astromech droid following after them. "Don't worry, we have R2 with us!"

They all laughed, though Zelina couldn't help but add to it. "And each other. This will definitely be one interesting trip," she said lightly. Padme smiled at her.

"That it will be."