A/N: Just a short fluff chapter to temper some upcoming drama in the next few days! I hope you like it, PLEASE review and I will love you forever and be your best friend okay yes? :P
All the eyes on me in the center of the ring
Just like a circus
When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip
Just like a circus
"Lord Vader the shields are lowering as we speak. You are cleared for entry," Rex's voice came over the holocam.
"Thanks Rex, tell the Admiral to prep the Devastator for hyperspace. Destination Coruscant," Anakin replied coolly looking back at Regina.
"Uhh, that may have to wait sir," Rex said. "She's currently undergoing a new hyperdrive update that will take about two more days."
"Oh you've gotta be joking! Rex, please tell me you're joking." Anakin groaned. Regina smiled happily because that was two more days she had to try and convince him to adopt Briseis.
"No sir, oh and uh the troops are in hangar 18 awaiting Lady Vader's arrival." Rex said with a grin.
Anakin sighed, "Alright Rex, we're approaching now, see you in a few."
Regina practically bounced with glee in her seat. "Two days huh? I bet she'll grow on you," she quipped.
"Regina. I said I'd think about it. Don't push me! You got lucky this time, but that still doesn't mean I'm going to say yes. I don't want you getting your hopes up. We'll see how it goes," Anakin said firmly, with a commanding stare. Regina sighed and rolled her eyes, she was fairly used to getting what she wanted so she was unaccustomed to being told "no".
"Fine, anyways what did Rex mean the troops are waiting for me?" She asked, changing the topic and hopefully his sour mood along with it.
He let off a boyish grin, "Oh it's nothing, just a little surprise." She raised an eyebrow and tightened her lips.
"I don't like surprises," she emphasized, "I find them threatening."
"Well, lets just say this is more for my sanity than yours then."
"What is it!?" She demanded anxiously.
"You'll see, calm down!" He laughed as she swatted the back of his head.
"I hate you," she grumbled.
"I hate me too, now go wake the kid up so we can get off this damned ship," Anakin said, fixing his now disheveled hair.
"She has a name you know," Regina said pointedly.
"Okay, smartass go wake "Briseis" up, please." He said sarcastically.
Regina walked to the cabin quietly. "Hey sweetheart, time to wake up," she said, picking the little girl up gently.
"'Mmm sleepy," the child whined tiredly. "Anndd hungry, is there food here?"
"Ohh, I know you're tired baby, we'll get you something to eat and then you can go back to sleep okay?" Regina moaned sympathetically, rubbing the girl's back soothingly.
She met Anakin at the bottom of the ramp and he couldn't help but smile at her.
"Alright, you ready for your surprise Sparks?" He asked teasingly.
"Yes, but let's make it quick, I wanna get her something to eat, poor girl hasn't ate in ages I'm sure." Regina said, frowning.
"Alright it's right through this hangar," he said waving an arm to the right, to the adjoining hangar they'd landed in.
Rex met them at the entrance, where Regina saw a group of what looked to be 30 troopers lined up in three rows of ten.
"So what's the plan Rex?" Anakin asked as they approached, crossing his arms.
"Well, I figured Lady Vader could, ahem, speak to them first, you know..." he said, trying to suppress a grin.
"Anakin, what's going on?" Regina asked impatiently, foregoing the use of his formal name.
"Alright, alright," he said rolling his eyes at her. "This," he said motioning to the troops, "is your personal guard. These troops are some of the best the 501st has to offer and they are loyal to us, and us alone. More importantly these men's sole mission is to protect and obey you." Anakin said proudly.
Regina's jaw dropped in astonishment, her own personal guard?! "B-but, why? I mean, I'm always with you, and you have the 501st, w-why do I need a personal guard?" She stammered in shock.
Anakin frowned seriously, "Regina, there may be times when I can't protect you, where I'm away or otherwise engaged with the enemy. I want you to be safe at all times, especially when I'm not here..." Anakin said quietly, touching her cheek gently.
"So... I have to give them orders and stuff?" She asked nervously, her face turning a pale shade of red.
He chuckled, "Only if you feel like it. They have standing orders as it is, but if there's anything you want done, your wish is their command," he said smiling reassuringly. "You're my queen," he whispered, their noses almost touching. "It's time you realized it." He leant in and kissed her softly, and she held Briseis closely so she could tiptoe to meet his lips. Still engaged in their kiss, slightly lost in the moment, they were interrupted by a sleepy whine.
Regina giggled as they broke apart and brushed Briseis' sandy brown curls. Briseis suddenly sat up in Regina's arms and began reaching for Anakin.
"Papa! Papa!" She whined again. Regina's eyes widened. She had assumed the man on board the ship had been the girl's father, but she also knew the poor little girl was tired, afraid, and confused. Anakin hesitated slightly before taking Briseis into his arms awkwardly.
Regina had to laugh at his failing attempt to hold a child properly. She was facing outwards and he had both arms wrapped around her waist. "Not like that!" She protested, stifling her giggles. Briseis adopted a grumpy expression and flailed in his grip trying to re-situate herself. "Here," Regina said turning Briseis around to face him, guiding one arm under her bottom and the other hand on her back, so that Briseis was now cradled against his chest.
"Sorry, I've uh, never held a baby..." he mumbled, embarrassed.
"She's not a baby, Anakin." Regina said, shaking her head. "Alright you two, what do I have to say to these guys?"
"Well we were thinking, maybe you could you know, put the fear of god into them a little," Rex said mischievously.
"Whatd'you mean?" Regina asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. She looked over at Anakin who was now rocking Briseis and adopting the same look as Rex.
"Rex mayyy have told me about a certain bossy queen that appeared when I was gone," Anakin teased.
"Oh, that... that was nothing, really! I...just don't like it when people question me when I was supposed to be in charge! It was rude!" she frowned, crossing her arms.
"Well that's good, you shouldn't tolerate that. Fortunately these are some of my best men, Lady Vader. You won't ever have to worry about them doing that. We thought it just might be a good laugh to scare them a little," Rex winked.
"Oh fine!" Regina groaned, giving in. "You two are such children, it's a wonder you can command anybody," she grumbled, rolling her eyes exasperatedly at the both of them.
"Well go on," Anakin urged her, "This is something I really gotta see."
She stomped away, following Rex, still dressed in her thick winter gear and finally removing the fur hood from her head.
"ATTENTION!" Rex barked loudly, and the troopers immediately jumped into their positions.
"So... you men are my personal guard huh?" Regina purred, pacing in front of the men. "I hear you are some of the best of the best. We'll see about that..." She said louder now. "There are two types of men in the universe, Boys! Ones that can handle me... and ones that I scare." She said, stopping in the middle to face them all.
Anakin stood off to the side, positively beaming with pride at his Queen. She truly was a head bitch in charge when she wanted to be, and he loved her for that, she was strong.
"DO I LOOK LIKE I NEED A BUNCH OF MEN THAT ARE SCARED!?" She yelled. Immediately she was answered by a unison chorus of "NO MA'AM!"
"Good," she said silkily. "Welcome aboard boys, we're gonna have fun." She smirked, raising an eyebrow and sauntering away back towards where Anakin and Briseis stood waiting. Briseis seemed to have fallen back asleep against Anakin's chest, Regina noted silently. He's taking to her already! She thought happily.
"How'd I do?" She asked quietly, chewing her bottom lip.
He kissed her forehead and smiled. "Not bad, My Love, not bad at all..."