Sorry I didn't post last week! Needed some time to pull this story together.


Chapter 8

After returning home from the hanger, Anakin strode down the hall of the Coruscant house, entering his bedroom just as a little blue astromech exited. "Thanks R2," he heard his wife call from inside; but what would Padme need R2 for?

A split second later, Aw, brilliant.

The Jedi stepped all the way in the room then, and when his wife looked up and saw him, her eyes lit up and she smiled.

Anakin grinned back. But his eyes were on the comm device in her hand.

"Hey," he said, kissing her hello. "You making a call?"

"Receiving one, actually," she replied, settling back onto the bed. "But I was expecting it, so I had R2 scramble any tracers and encrypt the line."

Anakin smirked. "You're becoming such a rebel," he said. "I couldn't be more proud."

His wife just rolled her eyes, so he continued, "Who's contacting you, anyway?"

The laughter vanished from Padme's expression, a steely determination taking over her face, and Anakin sensed her reply before she made it. "Bail Organa."

The laughter vanished from Anakin's expression too, but he only had a frown to replace it. "Another delegation thing?"

"Yes," she said. "And I am going."

Her husband forced a rueful smile. "Don't suppose I could argue you out of it?"

Padme let out a short laugh and shook her head. "Not a chance."

"Fine." Anakin nodded, turning away and slipping off his cloak, like her apparent need to perpetually be in some perilous situation was no big deal. "Then I'm going with you."

Padme frowned. "Anakin, they really don't want anyone else at these meetings."

"I really don't want you going there." He shrugged. "Looks like we're all going to have a disappointing day."

"Ani, no."

He spun back to face her. "Why not?"

"Because–"

"Look, they're at least allowing you a guard or something, right?"

"Yes, but–"

"Well, there you go then."

"Stop interrupting me," she snapped, and the look on her face plus the tone of her voice made Anakin bite his tongue nice and fast. When she was sure he'd keep quiet, Padme went on, "Honey, we both know you're not the same as an average guard. You're a Jedi, you're more dangerous, and, well, some of them don't completely trust you."

Anakin's jaw dropped. "Don't completely–"

"I know it's crazy." She put up her hands, warding off that particular argument. "But some of the Delegation... they just aren't comfortable with a Jedi being there. So I'll take Dorme," Padme finished, even though her husband was shaking his head. "Or Sabe. They're both trained."

"Yeah, in etiquette."

Padme frowned. "That's not all, Ani. You know they're trained to protect me if they have to."

"Yes..." He sighed. "But still, I'd feel better if you took – I don't know – Acacia, maybe."

"Ani." Padme shook her head. "She's a Jedi, too."

"She's a padawan. It's different."

"Wow, bro. Thanks a lot."

Anakin's head whirled around and his eyes found Acacia standing in the doorway. Inwardly, he cursed. Those words shouldn't have come out the way they did, but he'd been too busy arguing to think them through or to notice her approach.

"Caisha," he said, stepping towards her. "I didn't mean anything by that."

"Well, gee." She rolled her eyes. "Remind me to not be around when you do."

Crap. "I'm sorry, Caish. You're good, really. One of the best, to tell the truth, and I wouldn't trust Padme with anyone else. Well, not like I trust you, anyway. But the Delegation will accept a padawan more willingly than–"

"A real Jedi?"

"A Knight." He corrected. "Besides, you're one of her handmaidens-in-training or whatever, right?" When Padme nodded, her husband shrugged. "Seems to work."

Even though Anakin sounded confident in his plan, nobody in the room seemed to share his enthusiasm: Padme was frowning at the bed, Acacia was glowering at the ground, and Anakin himself was scowling at a spot on the wall that looked a bit like Bail Organa's beard.

"It probably will work," Padme admitted, after several minutes of the stifling tension. "They won't know exactly who my guard is anyway – it isn't like we have to announce them when we enter. But if any of the Delegation happened to see a tall, cloaked man skulking in the shadows... well, they all know my affiliations with the Jedi."

"But me they won't suspect."

Still frowning, Anakin met his sister's eyes. "Caish, I'm not totally thrilled with this either. But I'd rather Padme have some real protection, and you're our best option."

Acacia stared at him for a moment, still glaring, but eventually, her slashed eyebrows relaxed and she nodded. "Fine. I'll do it. For you, Ani, and for Padme, I won't be a real Jedi tomorrow."


Author's Note: Sorry this one's so short, guys, but this felt like a good ending point. Also, my mother is going to have surgery next week and her recovery period is gonna be pretty long. Which means I'll be helping a lot around my house and my posting may be a bit erratic until the holiday season. I will do my best to continue Sweat of the Battle in a timely manner, but if I don't post, that's why.

Again, I apologize that this story is moving slower than the others, but I want to devote all the necessary time to making it the best that I can.

As always, thanks for reading and please review!