Author's Note: Ok so I got my newest chapter up for A New Storm so Marry Christmas. Now I'm going to try and get this up by Christmas. Well let's get to it.

To say things were tense in the Goliath system would be a gross understatement. When they learned what had happened both the UNSC and Brotherhood battlegroups had trained weapons on the RAC Madrigal. Only the fast talking of Admiral Whitaker had prevented them from attacking. Needless to say they needed answers fast.

Before Marcus could enjoy his drink with his comrades, an aide to the Admiral had intercepted him and told him the Admiral needed to see him. He bade his comrades farewell for the time being and followed the aid to the Admiral. Once there he recounted everything to him. His waking and the misunderstanding that lead him to attack the Clones in the med bay, the subsequent attack by the Separatist forces, how she had been stabbed in the back by something called a Sith and her death by Marcus's hand. His duel with the Jedi Anakin and the loss of his arm when he had stopped a fighter from crushing Ahsoka, the week of recovery, the second attack by the Separatists, his duel with the Sith Lord Dooku, and the three days of coma it had left him in, the respect the troopers bestowed on him when he had awoken and his trip to the Mindour. The Admiral nodded, and waved Marcus out of the room.

Between his report and the security footage that had been hacked by the Mindour's AI tensions had been eased but not entirely. Admiral Whitaker almost got to the point of demanding that Anakin be surrendered to them to face trial for his unprovoked attack on Marcus. The captain of the Madrigal politely refused but informed Whitaker that the Jedi council had already taken steps against Anakin.

Eventually, another ship dropped out of hyperspace and moved to the Madrigal. This new ship was chrome plated and mounted no weapons of any sort. The ship docked with the Madrigal, and discharged its occupants.

Senator Padme Amadala had been chosen to act as the diplomat to the UNSC. When the hatch opened she had been expecting to be greeted by Anakin. Instead she was greeted by the ship's captain. "Senator, you have no idea how glad I am to see you." he said, stepping forward and sticking out his hand. She took it "Captain, not to seem rude, but where is Anakin, and Ahsoka? I was informed that they were in charge of the mission." she said. "General Skywalker has been pulled off the mission and confined to quarters. Ms. Tano was sent as part of a delegation to the UNSC flagship but due to circumstances outside of our control she has been confined to the UNSC Mindour, their flagship." he replied.

"Why has Anakin been confined to quarters?" she asked. "It would be easier if we went to the bridge and I told the entire story." he said. He stepped out of the way and motioned for her to take the lead. When they arrived at the bridge, the captain explained the entire story, from the point when they found the pod to them leaving for the Mindour and the weapons of the fleet training on the Madrigal.

Padme could only sit in shock 'How could he have done that?' she asked herself. She composed herself "Captain, may I see Anakin?" she asked. He nodded and stood. Padme stood as well and followed the captain to Anakin's quarters. When they arrived the two troopers snapped to attention. The captain keyed the entrance and the door slid open. Inside was a worn looking man with messy hair. "Can you give us a moment captain?" she asked. The captain nodded and left the room. When the door closed she looked at the man who had become her husband. "What happened to you?" she asked. "The Anakin I know would never do the things you've done. Insulting a woman, and a dead woman at that, and then attacking the widow of said woman. On top of that you tried to assassinate him when judgment had been passed on you. Not only was he a widow but he was the representative of a sovereign nation that we had never had contact with." she said exasperated. She was almost in tears as she finished.

She turned back to the door "I have to go clean up your mess. If we're lucky, this won't be considered a major incident and may only demand reparations. If not we could have an enemy at our backs." she said. She exited the room without even having looked at him once. When she left a single tear slid down Anakin's face.

She traveled to her ship and boarded. C-3PO was with her and he noticed her mood. "Mistress Padme, what is bothering you?" he asked in his iconic high pitched voice. She looked at him "It's nothing 3PO, come on we better go meet the others who are here otherwise they might get jumpy." she said. She sat herself at the controls of the ship and detached from the Madrigal. Using reaction thrusters to put some distance from the Republic warship she powered her main engine and sped to the UNSC Battlegroup.

UNSC Mindour

Mess Hall

Marcus was sitting in the Mindour's mess hall with all of his former comrades. They all had a table to themselves and they had steins filled with amber beer. Six looked up from his stein and grinned. "The old team is back together again." he said. Marcus looked down at his stein "Almost." he said quietly. He then stood with his stein in hand, the entire mess hall quieted. "To those who never got to come home and to the children who got to grow up because of it." he said, his voice carrying throughout the mess hall. Everyone in the mess hall raised their steins "Aye!" they all called out. Marcus sat down and took a long drought from his stein. He then looked at his comrades "So tell me, what has happened while I've been asleep?" he asked.

"Well the H-CW ended but the Great Schism raged on for another14 years. That ended about 10 years ago with the Loyalist Remnant's defeat at the battle of Sigma-2-7. The former Covenant species with the exception of the Prophets and the Brutes have formed the Brotherhood of the Stars. All the species have representation, but the Arbiter is the 'Head Honcho' so to speak." he said. Six continued on, explaining everything that had happened and the technological advances that the UNSC made. The final thing he talked about was one of the new classes of ships, the Mateo-Class Frigates. Marcus barely contained a snort of laughter when he mentioned them. To think someone like him had had an entire class of ships named after him. 'Of course, it's not named after me, but us.' he thought gloomily. Noticing his mood, Six decided to change the topic. "So, when are you going to fix your little problem?" he asked.

Marcus looked up and noticed that Six was looking at the stump of his left arm. "Well, unless we have access to mechanics that can scrape together an arm like the one I had then I'm all for it. Until then I think I'll wait until we get to Earth." he said. They all nodded at that and went back to their steins.

Sometime later, the hatch opened and in walked Ahsoka. The entire deck fell silent when she walked in and she suddenly felt self-conscious when every eye turned to her. She quickly scanned the room and found the man she was looking for. She quickly moved to his side "Is anyone sitting here?" she asked. "No, have a seat." Marcus replied. She gratefully accepted the proffered seat and sat down. Cortana looked at the new girl for a moment then turned her attention back to Marcus. "What I don't understand is how she was…" she began then trailed off. Marcus nodded and pulled Ventress's lightsabers from his belt and laid them on the table.

Everyone was silent at the table as they looked at the weapons. Marcus picked on of them up "These are the weapons that killed her." he said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say these were energy sword hilts." said the Arbiter. Marcus activated the lightsaber in his hand and the red blade sprung to life, bathing them all in a bloody red light. "It is a type of energy sword." Marcus said then deactivated it and laid it back on the table. Then he realized something "Where are my manners…" he started. "They died on Harvest." Chief said, everyone gave a laugh then turned quiet again.

"Anyway, Ahsoka Tano, these are the other members of Ghost Team. Master Chief, one of the last remaining Spartan IIs. Thel Vadam, the Arbiter. Nobal Six, a Spartan III and one of the two remaining members of Nobal Team. Cortana, the super AI with a super attitude to go with. Myself, an ODST colonel and commander of Ghost. Last but most defiantly not least, my wife Tailia, resident medic, therapist, and other things I can't even begin to remember." he said pointing to each of them in turn, stopping and looking at the table when he got to the only team member not there. Marcus raised his stein, though didn't stand "To Tailia, for keeping us patched together to get the job done. May she rest, in eternal slumber." he said. Everyone around the table raised their steins and drank.

"Ghost Team, this is Ahsoka Tano. Jedi Knight, and General of the Republic Clone armies." he said. They all looked at her with questioning looks and she felt small. "I don't mean to sound rude but you don't look old enough to be a general." said Cortana. Ahsoka nodded "That's what Marcus said." she said. The PA system chimed "Now arriving, Senator Padme Amadala of the Galactic Republic." it said. Ahsoka looked up "I should go greet her, she'll want a report. See you guys later." she said as she stood. She walked away as Marcus watched her go from over the lip of his stein. Cortana watched her leave as well then turned to Marcus. "You know she likes you, right?" she asked. "I know." Marcus said, setting his stein down. "Are you…?" she began. "No, Tailia isn't in her grave yet and besides, I don't date younger women. Makes me feel like a cradle robber." he answered before she could get her question out.

She nodded understanding. He finished the last of his beer and set his stein down. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I could really go for some sleep in a UNSC regulation bunk." he said and left the group. Chief looked at Cortana "What brought that up?" he asked. "I don't know, I just… it just fell out." she replied looking back at the table. "I do not believe that this was the appropriate time to bring that particular issue to light." Thel stated. She nodded, and then looked at where he had disappeared and grinned. "Should we have told him?" she asked. "Nah let him find out for himself." replied Six. They all looked at where Marcus had disappeared, then back at their steins.

Marcus made his way to Jarhead Territory on the Mindour. When he arrived he noticed a man in a navy uniform standing outside the door. "Colonel Mateo?" he asked. Marcus nodded. "If you would follow me sir." he said. Marcus raised an eyebrow but let the navy man lead him. He followed the navy man to another door with MARINE CO painted on it. "Does he want to see me?" he asked. The navy man said nothing, opened the door and ushered Marcus inside. "Your room sir." he said. It took a moment for Marcus's brain to compute what he heard then he turned to the navy man. "My room." he said back. "Yes sir, the admiral made it quite clear that this was to be your room sir." the navy man stated. Marcus looked around the room. It had been furnished exactly how he would have furnished it. Dark and dank, with a massive screen on one wall. He could already tell what it was for and his fingers flexed noticeably.

"Thank you that will be all." he said. The navy man nodded and exited the room. Marcus moved over to a table with a device on it he hadn't seen since he was on the Dawn. He activated it and familiar music rang out. "Through the gates of Hell, as we make our way to Heaven through the Nazi lines. Primo Victoria!" he couldn't help but smile as the familiar lyrics blasted from the IPod dock. He had been on the receiving end of some very odd looks when he had requested one when he was rotated home for leave, and even odder looks when he put such old (for them) music on the damn thing.

He sat down at his desk and activated the terminal. With the music playing in the background, he surfed through the terminal's functions and noticed a few things. Firstly, there were a few new functions on the terminal, but that was to be expected. He had been gone for 24 years after all. Secondly there was no screen, just a holographic projection. This puzzled him because he had a screen for his favorite pass time. He shrugged 'It's not my place to question the techs.' he thought. He suddenly thought of something and opened his desk drawer. There it was the one thing that had helped him keep his sanity when he had been pulled from his time to this nightmarish hellhole. An old and slightly burned tennis ball was sitting on a piece of paper. He grabbed the ball and the paper. 'Found this in your quarters on the Dawn. Figured you'd want it. –Chief' he read the note again to make sure he had read right. 'I fucking knew it, the Jolly Green Giant is sentimental!' he thought.

He toyed with the idea to bring it up but instantly beat the fuck out of the idea. He knew he would never live to tell anyone of his discovery, so he just filed it away and sat down at his desk. He started bouncing the ball across the room and catching it. He had discovered that the methodic thump, thump, blap of the ball on the deck, then the bulkhead then into his hand was extremely therapeutic. He continued his 'Therapy Session' until the door chimed.

The entire time he was throwing the ball; his music had continued playing so he almost didn't hear the door chime. "Music pause." he said. The steady flow of the old music was abruptly silenced, though he continued with his 'Therapy Session'. "Come in." he called out. The door opened and the previous navy man who had shown him his room entered. "Ok seriously what is with you?" Marcus asked. "I guess I never properly introduced myself. My name is Alan Lewis and I'm your personal steward." he said. Marcus let out a huff "Well Mr. Lewis, what brings you here?" he asked, still throwing the ball around. "Sir, Senator Amadala wishes to see you." he said. Marcus caught the ball, and slowly turning to face his steward, set the ball on the desk. "Well, send her in." he said.

Alan nodded and stepped aside, allowing a rather beautiful woman enter. He stood to attention as she did and gave her a once over. She held herself regally, like she was royalty. She had long brown hair up in a hairstyle that he never even knew someone could or would use. She was dressed regally as well; her dress seemed just the right shade of blue to complement her eyes and the rest of her look. "Ma'am, to what do I owe the pleasure of your esteemed visit to my humble abode?" he asked. She gave him a once over as well. The reports hadn't lied; he was handsome, in a rugged sorta way. Though she was used to the idea of scars, she hadn't been ready for the fierceness of the ones he had. They all looked like they had been inflicted years ago, and if she was to believe what she was told he was almost as old as Yoda, though not really living through the vast majority of it.

"I'd like to talk to you, if you don't mind." she said. "Of course please take a seat. Would you like something to drink?" he asked. She took the proffered seat "No thank you." she replied. He nodded and waited until she was seated then he took his seat. He looked back at Alan "I'll take a mug of hot coco." he said. Alan nodded and bowed out of the room. Marcus turned his attention back to Padme. He always hated when people interrupted his therapy sessions and would most of the time just continue anyway. However, he wasn't going to take the chance with someone like her. "What did you want to talk to me about?" he asked. She shifted uncomfortably "On behalf of the Jedi Order and the Galactic republic, I would like to apologize for General Skywalker's behavior." she said.

His face darkened, he grabbed the tennis ball from his desk, turned 90 degrees to his right and started throwing the ball. 'So, that's why she's here.' he thought. "How much do you know about the incident?" he asked, still methodically throwing the ball against the wall. "He was angry that you could kill Asajj Ventress when so many Jedi had fallen to her blades and made a grave error and insulted your wife after she had been killed by Ventress. After he was judged he attempted to assassinate you and was grievously wounded." she said, though he could detect a slight hint of sadness as she was talking. Never once did he look at her as the images of those events played out again before his eyes. He caught the ball and rubbed his stump for a moment then resumed throwing the ball.

At that moment Alan came in with a silver platter with a steaming cup of hot coco sitting upon it. Marcus graciously accepted it and, blowing on it, carefully taking a sip. He set the mug down with a slight look of content and went back to his therapy. Padme was beginning to get annoyed, this Marcus almost acted like he was ignoring her and the incessant thumping of that ball was eating at her nerves. "Why would you come down here to talk to me when you could just solve this with the Admiral? Unless there was another reason you came down here." he said. She suddenly felt on guard, 'How much does he know?" she asked herself. He continued throwing the ball at the wall as she stewed. "Somehow, I get the feeling that you're here to beg for Skywalker's life." he said finally. Padme froze "Why would you think that?" she asked softly. He continued throwing the ball at the wall "As it stands, I am the aggrieved party. Not only has he attempted to assassinate me but he slanderously attacked my wife, God rest her soul, and after our duel was finished he attacked me again. If it wasn't for Ahsoka, we wouldn't be having this conversation and he would be facing a firing squad." he said calmly as he threw his ball.

Padme could only look at her hands in her lap. What he had said was exactly what Admiral Whitaker had said to her before she had gone down to see him. He looked at her, not even breaking his stride with the ball. He caught the ball and looked at her intensely "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you had feelings for him." he said softly. Padme froze, her eyes widened for a moment then returned to their normal size. Marcus leaned back into his chair "I'd almost go so far as to say you love him." he continued. Now her eyes visibly widened and she looked at him a look of fear on her face. He looked at her expression "Oh my god, you do love him, and judging from your reaction it's more than a crush." he looked at her closely as she absentmindedly fiddled with her right hand. "You're married to him. My god you're fucking married to him." he said, disbelief painted on his face as he leaned back in his chair. He grabbed his mug of hot coco and took a swig. It had cooled greatly from when Alan had brought it in though it wasn't exactly cold. He set the mug down, picked up the ball, turned back to the wall and began throwing it.

She was absolutely terrified at this point "How…?" she began. "Lady, I've been married for 27 years, 51 if you count my time in cryo, you learn to recognize things. Like other couples, and with the Jedi order's stance on marriage…" he said trailing off. They sat for a moment the only sound the methodic bouncing of the ball. She couldn't take it anymore "Will you stop playing with your ball and face me!" she almost screamed. He caught the ball and faced her, hand raised exactly how he had caught it. "I'm sorry, but me 'playing with my ball' is actually a form of therapy for me. And after what I've seen and done, trust me sweetheart, I need the fucking therapy." he said venomously. He went back to his therapy, almost ignoring her as he thought of how he was going to deal with this. Padme slumped in defeat, never before had she ever found herself in a negotiation session where she couldn't win. She started to rise "I see I'm only wasting your time I'll…" she began. "Sit." he said in a commanding tone, she did so.

He downed the last of his coco and returned to his therapy. "I don't want anyone to go through what I did. Skywalker won't die, you can be sure of that." he said. She slumped in relief, 'Anakin you owe me for this big time.' she thought. "However…" she tensed "General Skywalker will not be allowed near any UNSC installation, ship, planet, or theater of operations. If there is going to be any sort of UNSC presence he will be on the other side of the galaxy." he stated. 'Basically, if he survived the Jedi Council, he was to be excluded from the vast majority of the war.' she thought. "I'll be relaying my recommendation to Admiral Whitaker. I'm sure he'll agree with it." he said. He caught the ball, stood, and walked around to her. She stood as well. He set the ball down and stuck out his hand "It was good to meet you, though I must say I don't think he deserves you but I digress. And don't worry, your secret will stay safe with me." he said. She took the proffered hand and shook it "You have no idea how liberating that is to hear you say that." she said and he could feel the relief and sincerity oozing off of her. He nodded and escorted her to the door.

After she left Alan reappeared and took the mug away "Anything else sir?" he asked. "No that'll be all Alan, thanks." Marcus replied. Alan bowed and left the room. Marcus went back to his desk and brought up his terminal. He spent the rest of the night, working on his proposal to the Admiral.

Author's Note: Not nearly as long of a wait for this chapter but still, damn near too long. So now we know how Padme responded to her husband's less than stellar performance, and she was not happy. So now I'm going to start working on chapter 3 of my Rosario-Halo story. And for the love of god, if any of you can come up with a better name than 'Silver Team' please give it to me, I'm begging you. Review as you see fit.