ooc: Hey all, I know this is a quick update, but eh. I had some free time over the weekend. I've put some hints in this chapter and the last as to future plot lines, can anyone guess? :P I greatly appreciate the reviews and please continue! As usual, I don't own Star Wars :P

Chapter 8: What is to come

*Taris*

While Anakin was off still defending her home planet, Padme, and her entire family, along with her new Jedi protector Ahsoka Tano, and their trusty droid companions R2-D2 and C-3PO, had already arrived on Taris. They were escorted to a secluded, but highly guarded area, with several sky rise apartments around. Captain Panaka and Typho were already there, as the Skywalker/Amidala clan entered.

"Captains, what is this place?"

"This is the current home for the Senators of the Union. Milady, Senator Organa has asked for a moment once you are ready. He said he can meet you in your apartment."

"That's fine. Tell him to come in an hour or so."

Both Panaka and Typho bowed, and began leading the party through the area and to their building. It very much resembled the setup Coruscant had, but still different enough. And as soon as they got to the apartment, Padme knew it was different. It was much larger and more spacious than her old Coruscant apartment had been, however, the open balcony was still present, which she very much enjoyed. It was so large, that there were rooms for her parents, Sola and her husband, their children, Ahsoka, and for Padme and Anakin when he returned. Of course the newborn twins would stay in their room for a while. It only made sense.

Padme found herself smiling and giggling to herself at that thought. Only days ago she had been obsessed with the thought of war and lies and so many other things, they seemed trivial now. Now that she had a family. She promptly put the twins in a crib and to sleep, before she plopped down on her own bed, and drifted off to sleep.

Soon enough, however, she awoke at the sound of a very familiar and loving voice. "Anakin?" She asked sitting straight up. And to her surprise, there he was, holding his two children.

"Oh, I'm sorry my love. I didn't mean to wake you." He moved over and gave her a quick kiss, "How was your trip here?"

"Not bad, but my mother clearly has a distaste for our new Chancellor."

"And why is that?"

"Oh no reason. She rubbed her the wrong way."

"Rubbed her the wrong way?" However it was not Anakin who asked the question, but Jobal, seemingly sneaking into their bedroom. "She had the audacity to question where Anakin was. Obviously a Jedi of his stature would be busy doing the fighting for a spineless politician like herself."

Anakin could only laugh, "Mother, when are you going to realize, that I to, am a politician."

"I know you are dear, but you're a good one. You've at least fought in battles! You led your people to save your planet, you and Anakin fought in the first battle of the clone wars! What has she done? Hm? Other then sit behind closed doors making policy for other people!"

"Mother, you're going to wake Luke and Leia!"

"Too late." Anakin stated, although he didn't need to. The beginning stages of their cries had made it obvious. Padme glared at her mother, before taking baby Leia from Anakin and attempting to calm her. Anakin gave Jobal a sad smile, while holding his son, and they exited the bedroom together. They found Padme sitting in the living room on the large sofa, holding her daughter.

"You know, Jobal is just making a point that she doesn't like the woman. It's not that big of a deal."

"I know, I know. But I'm trying to relax, I have a meeting in a short while."

"What meeting?"

Just as Anakin asked, threepio entered the room with Senators Bail Organa and Garm Bel-Iblis. "Master Ani, Mistress Padme, may I present to you, Senators-"

"Organa, and Bel-Iblis. A pleasure to meet you." Anakin finished off threepio's line.

"Master Skywalker is it now," Bail started, "Congratulations!"

"Thank you Senator. But if I may ask, why are you two here?"

"They're my meeting Ani. Or at least, part of it."

"Correct." Garm said, as he took a seat across from Anakin, Padme, and Jobal. "Senator Amidala-"

"Skywalker." Padme corrected him.

"Of course, my apologies, Senator Skywalker, are you prepared to be briefed?"

"Yes, go ahead."

"And you are fine with present company listening in?"

"Senator, present company includes my husband who sits on the Jedi High Council as a Master, and my mother..." She waited for a moment, and when no response came she said, "I'm perfectly fine with present company."

"Very good. Well then, without further ado. As you know, we only hours ago had the first battle of this new war. A war which some are calling, the Galactic Civil War. We had the first battle above the planet of Naboo and it was a decisive victory for the Union fleet, under command of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, Admiral Ackbar. With aid from your husband and another Jedi. At the end of the battle, several confederate warships came out of hyperspace to "aid" in the battle. However they were, obviously, too late."

"This is all well and good Senator, but I'm sure my husband could have told me the same thing."

"The reason it is important to go over it, is because of our next meeting. It is our belief that the separatists were planning on lowballing us on production numbers and for high cost prices. Which makes this meeting all the more important. Now that we have shown we are more than capable without their aid, we need to go into this meeting with a set agenda of what we want from them. A large amount, of low-cost carriers, cruisers, and battleships. It's as simple as that."

"Then everything seems fine, what's the problem Senator?"

"A few things: the fact that they will want to discuss a post-imperial galaxy will look like may cause problems. They won't want to supply us with high-grade battleships knowing it'll be continued war after the Empire falls. We will want them to join the New Republic to follow, while they will want to have an area of which to control and run their new government. The second problem we have... is not so much of one for us. As it is for you, and your family."

"What might that be?" Anakin asked more interested now than at any point prior in the conversation.

"Here leading the talks, is Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation. The man who has had a hit out on your head for the better part of 20 years. But also... on a different note. His second in command, recently ascending to the position of Chief of the Confederate Council, is none other than former Senator Rush Clovis."

Anakin had stood up at the naming of Gunray being on the planet, but with the naming of Clovis, he jumped into the conversation. "Rush Clovis? As in, Rush Clovis of Scipio?"

"The very same."

"How did he manage to become Chief-no, how did he manage to get off of Cato Neimodia after we left him there?"

"He's always been good with words." Bail added.

"Anakin, you don't need to worry about Gunray or Clovis. I've got Ahsoka for Gunray, and for Clovis, well, I think the ring on my finger ought to be enough to keep him away." She added with an adoring smile.

"Padme, I would never question you. But both of those men are incredibly dangerous-both of them have put your life in danger-I-I don't like this."

"Master, I'm more than capable of defending the Senators from two diplomats. Not to mention we'll be in a secure room with several Union troops standing guard just outside."

Anakin didn't look completely sold, but said: "I can't stop you from your duty. You've stood by me long enough, I can stand through yours."

Padme gave her husband a quick kiss, before turning back to Bail, "Well then, I guess that settles it. But Bail, lets try not to let this take too long. I do have two newborn children to get back to." She said as she stood.

"I have to go to the council meeting. Race you home?" Padme laughed, nodded, and then gave Anakin another kiss before leaving with Garm, Bail, and Ahsoka. "Jobal, you can watch the twins while I'm with the council, right?"

"Of course. And I'll enlist the help of my husband as soon as he gets back up here. He's off buying a blaster for himself. I told him he wouldn't need one, but you know Ruwee."

Anakin laughed, and hugged his mother-in-law before departing himself. He entered the elevator and took a moment to himself to think. 'Things really worked out...' He thought to himself. His mind trickled off to the thought of what would have happened had he listened to Palpatine that day in his office. If he had opted to join the darkside. The thought shook him. When the elevator doors opened, he exited and saw a familiar green colored twi'lek off in the distance. "Zhar!" Anakin yelled out.

The man turned, and as expected, it was Anakin's new friend Zhar Roslo. "General Skywalker! A pleasure to see you again."

"Please, call me Anakin. And likewise. Where are you headed?"

"I'm trying to find the Senator from Ryloth. Mr. Slai-Fon."

"I'd imagine Mr. Slai-Fon is still in his apartment, most Senators are. Apart from the good ones, the others are resting after their "ordeal" on Naboo." Zhar sighed, "Come with me, I've got to get to the Jedi Council, our interim building is right next to fleet's headquarters." Zhar nodded and followed Anakin. "So tell me my friend, how are your living accommodations?"

"My living accommodations?"

"Yes. I only ask, because my family just moved into a very luxerixous suite, here in the Senatorial complex. Big enough to fit my family, my wife's family, and my old padawan who has been assigned to be my wife's protector. I simply wish to know if they treat the soldiers quite as well."

Zhar seemed taken aback by the question, but answered it nonetheless, "I mean, I don't think they are quite as good, but I'm not complaining." Anakin gave him a striking, and unusual look. "I mean, its good enough for me. I share it with two other Commanders."

Anakin nodded with acknowledgement, and the two continued to talk as they walked down the large city platform that held up much of Taris's upper city. When eventually they reached their destinations, Anakin bid his friend farewell. "It was good to see you again Zhar."

"And the same General-Anakin." Anakin smiled and shook his hand.

"Zhar, what would you think of my requesting you to join my fleet? Once everything gets organized."

"I would be honored."

Anakin smiled once more, and then departed for the Jedi building. He entered to find many familiar faces, such as Barris Offee, Quinlan Vos, among many others. He was overjoyed to discover that more Jedi than expected had survived Palpatine's attempted purge. He entered the council chambers to find most of the council already present. Following him shortly was Shaak Ti and K'Kruhk and then everyone was present.

"Council is ready to commence?" Obi-Wan asked. Everyone nodded, "Then lets proceed."

"What's on the agenda?" Voolvif asked.

"Begun, several battles have. Across the mid-rim worlds, Imperial sieges have begun. Respond to this, we must."

"Admiral Ackbar has been working diligently to fully unite our fleets, and has seemingly done so. We number greatly over 200 battleships, and enough second-class ships to form about 50 separate fleets. We expect more soon with negotiations from the confederacy on going as we speak." Anakin stated, "What are the priority worlds?"

"Kashyyyk, the home of the wookiees, is of the utmost importance. After the battle against the droids, took over and enslaved the planet, the clones did. A large fleet must be sent there." Yoda stated this plainly, and the rest of the council agreed.

"Where else?" Luminara Unduli asked. And the council went over several more worlds, with several Jedi being assigned to lead the engagements. Then they came upon Tatooine.

"Tatooine?" Anakin asked. "What does the Empire want all the way out there?"

"It's not so much of the empire as it is the hutts. After our raid on Coruscant, the slaves revolted against the hutts and kicked them off the planet. Now a revolutionary government has taken power on the planet. However, while the new leaders wish for the planet to join the Union, they face a civil war with the mercenaries and gangs that still remain. They will need aid in defending themselves, or else fall back into chaos." Plo Koon said.

"I'll lead the mission. I've got some catching up to do with some old friends back there." Anakin said. However, Yoda interrupted him.

"No, Master Skywalker. You and I, on a journey to a quiet place, we will go. In a few days time."

"Very well. Then who should lead the mission to Tatooine?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I shall." Ki-Adi Mundi announced.

"Very well. Council adjourned." Obi-Wan said.

After the rest of the council left the chambers, Anakin approached Yoda. "Master, where are we going?"

"To the Dagobah system we go."

"Dagobah?" Anakin had never heard of it. "Did the Empire invade it?"

"No Master Skywalker. A personal mission, for you, this is. Help you I will."

"Help me with what Master Yoda?"

"In tune with the force, you may be Anakin. But inner demons, you still have. Face them, before it is too late, you must." Anakin and Yoda starred at each other for a moment, before Anakin bowed, and departed.

*New Senate Building*

Padme, Bail, Garm and Ahsoka arrived at the new Senate building in an armed and escorted transport. The new building looked a lot like the one on Coruscant, Padme smiled at this, and proceeded inside. They quickly spotted the unmissable pale-green, red eyed, nemoidian, Nute Gunray, as they approached, he turned around.

"Ah. Senators, Organa and Bel-Iblis. A pleasure, and Senator Amidala-"

Padme had no grown tired of correcting people, but with Gunray, felt that he should be aware. "Senator Skywalker, Mr. Gunray."

The man, did a double take, and couldn't help but question her, "Skywalker?"

Padme smiled, "Yes. Skywalker."

Even though nemoidians generally didn't show much emotion, somehow, the news that Padme had married Anakin Skywalker, awoke the nerves in his face, which caused his face to contort. After a moment of awkwardness, he continued. "Yes, well then. Well met, Senator Skywalker. Shall we proceed to one of your offices?"

"This is our first time here Mr. Viceroy, so we're as lost as you." Bail said, as he then went off to the secretary to ask. While he was off, the awkward silence overtook, until a certain young man walked up to the group.

"Ah, Senator Amidala. You look lovely as ever." The voice of one Rush Clovis trailed over. It was true, Padme did look stunning. Despite having been in labor less than 24 hours ago, she made herself look great. Her hair dangled down over a long velvet dress, unless you knew she had just given birth to twins, you wouldn't have known she was ever pregnant.

While Padme was about to point out, yet again that her last name was now Skywalker, Bail had returned, "Mr. Clovis, to save us all from a most unruly awkward silence, I will inform you, that her last name is Skywalker, and she has been secretly married to Jedi Master Anakin Skywalker for the past 3 years. Now, I just learned that my office is on the 4th floor, this way."

Padme almost let out a large giggle, but caught herself, and followed the others quickly. Walking with Ahsoka, very close by. Clovis gave her a striking look, which she refused to return. And Ahsoka, instead gave him a look, as if to warn him to back off. Then entered an elevator, and the silence resumed... Awkwardly continuing until they got out and reached Bail's office. Once inside, and everyone had sat down at their seats, the silence still reigned over. Until finally Bail broke the silence.

"Now, I know that many of us here are not crazy about the others. But this meeting is a meeting of uniting minds in order to make a plan to rid ourselves of our common enemy. Now, shall we begin?"

"Yes. So then, how can our two fleeting governments help each other?" Clovis asked.

"It is fairly simple. The Union has just scored the first victory in what some are calling the Galactic Civil War, our problem is that we don't have enough shipyards to fill our fleets. As the war progresses, no matter how brilliant our strategists are, we will lose ships. The main item on our agenda is gaining access to your shipyards on worlds such as Fondor and others." Garm said plainly.

Nute laughed, "You have the Mon Calamari ship yards! You have the resources of Iridonia. You control almost the entirety of the outer rim, and you ask us for help in building ships?"

"Yes. What is the problem Viceroy?" Padme asked sharply.

"This is a ridiculous request. However, I am not completely opposed to aiding in your request."

"And what exactly do want in return?"

The evil green smile appeared on his face, "As I said. You control almost the entire outer rim. Our primary concern is that after the Empire is disposed of, how will our two governments coexist? And what will the galactic map look like once this is all over?"

Padme, Bail, and Garm all looked at each other. "We hadn't really thought of that."

"Well I suggest you do. We will not be a tool for you to use against your former prestigious leader. Here, is what our proposal is." Clovis said, as he handed them a folder, with a single document in it. It was a pictograph of the galaxy, divided, fairly evenly into east and west. The west included parts of the inner rim, and most of the colonies and expansion regions, and a significant part of the outer rim. This area was labeled under the confederacy. While the east, which controlled the core worlds and the rest of the other regions that weren't in the confederate area. "This, we feel, is an evenly divided map of how the galaxy should look once this war is over."

"You understand, that we cannot ratify this without the senates approval."

"We do. And we will grant you three days to decide. If we can agree to this, than we shall become the best of allies. If not, then we shall bid farewell and best of luck in fighting the emperor." Gunray said this, and stood up, he shook hands with everyone and departed. Clovis, however, remained behind.

"What are your personal thoughts on our proposal?" He directed the question to Padme.

"What do I think? I think you should shove that proposal up your ass!" However, this was Bail, not Padme who answered.

"I think you should probably just leave Clovis. There's no chance this gets accepted by the Senate."

Clovis politely smiled, bowed, and followed his superior out of the office.

"I can't believe we just got blindsided like that." Garm started.

"Can we really be shocked? It's Nute Gunray, its only to be expected to squeeze anything he can out of his opposition." Padme said plainly.

"Either way, if this is their only offer, any plans of an alliance are out the window. There's no chance the Senate will approve it. Even the most conciliatory members won't agree to this. It's outrageous!" Bail exclaimed. After a moment, he continued, "We'll go over this with the Chancellor sometime tomorrow. I'll see you both then.

They said their goodbyes, and left the room. While Garm and Bail went in the elevator down, Padme and Ahsoka headed down the hall to her own office. She was just going to put some files away, but as they entered the room, they saw that one Rush Clovis was already present.

"I'm sorry if this is inappropriate, but they told me this was your office and I-"

"What do you want Clovis?" Padme asked with Ahsoka right behind her, as she walked behind her desk.

"I simply wanted to see how you're doing."

"How I'm doing?" Clovis just stood there, while Padme and Ahsoka glared at him with suspicion. "I'm fine."

"Well that's good." He paused, and the silence that had crept over the group earlier was back. "So married eh?"

"Clovis, what do you really want?"

"What happened between us Padme? Why didn't things ever work out?"

"I'm not doing this. Please leave my office." As Padme pointed towards the door, he didn't move. "Clovis, I'm not sure if you heard me, but in case you didn't. There's the door, and this is Jedi Knight, Ahsoka Tano, she'll show you the way." As she said this, Ahsoka moved towards Clovis.

"I'm not leaving until we talk about this. You broke my heart just when things were getting good between us all those years ago. Then two years ago, you show up outside my office and ask me to dinner. Only to betray me later. You and your pilot left me for dead, and now I find myself in the second most powerful position in the confederacy, only to find out that you have been married this whole time."

"What do you want from me? We were close once Clovis, we're not any longer, what we had, was a long time ago... I'm in love with my husband, and am the mother of two children."

Ahsoka had now ignited her lightsaber. "It's time to leave Mr. Clovis." He finally took the hint, and bowed. Gave Padme one more look, and left.

As he did, Ahsoka disengaged her saber, as Padme sighed. After a moment, she realized that Ahsoka had been starring at her. "Ahsoka, I'm sorry you had to witness that."

Ahsoka smiled, and said: "Don't worry. I've seen far worse. And I'm sure that Master Skywalker will be delighted to hear about this," she said the last part with an evil smile and devilish wink.

"Yeah..." Padme smiled, as the two left the office, and then the building.

They took a private speeder and headed back to the apartment complex. When they arrived, she found Anakin already at home, holding Luke and Leia, sitting with Obi-Wan and Sola in the living room. She smiled as she entered, Anakin gave Luke to Obi-Wan and Leia to Sola, and rushed over to his wife. He picked her up and spun her around in the air and gave her a kiss. "How was the meeting?"

Padme smiled and said, "Ask me again sometime."

Anakin put her down, and they entered the living room. Joining Obi-Wan, Sola, Luke and Leia, Padme sat down on the sofa and smiled. Despite everything, somehow, they were happy.