Again, so sorry about the delay! I had the first paragraph written since I posted the last chapter, but the rest of this has been written really quickly today, so I'm really sorry if it's really bad.

As for Clovis returning, I had completely forgotten about him! I knew he was in the story, obviously, I've just forgotten to fit him in again – sorry! Anyway, he's in this chapter, so I hope that at least starts to make up for his lack of appearances in the past few chapters! Also, I realised I haven't done anything about Amee and her situation, so I need to focus on that a bit more as well – sorry!

Anyway, thanks for the reviews, sorry again for the delay, and here's the next chapter…

Chapter Twenty-One

Everything was set. Anakin and Ahsoka were in position, ready as back-up should they be needed, and Obi-Wan and Dan were dressed in the clothes that Anakin and Kitster had 'borrowed' earlier, disguised as bounty hunters.

Anakin snorted as he saw Obi-Wan emerge from the cabin from where he had been changing. "Force," He laughed. "You make even the most bad-ass clothes look dignified."

Obi-Wan frowned, looking down at himself. "I take it that wasn't a compliment?"

Kitster laughed outright at this. "No, Master Kenobi: it's not a compliment."

"Well, how is it meant to be worn, then?" He demanded, and Anakin rolled his eyes, heaving himself up from where he was slouched against the wall and walking over to his former master, still struggling to keep the amused smirk off of her face.

Kitster watched in amusement as Anakin yanked open Obi-Wan's jacket, which he had, predictably, buttoned right up. Obi-Wan began to protest, but a look from Anakin silenced him. Next, his course shirt was pulled out from where it was neatly tucked into his waistband.

"Right," Anakin said, stepping back to see what else needed to be fixed. "Lower your trousers."

Obi-Wan blanched. "What?"

Anakin rolled his eyes. "I didn't mean take them off, you idiot. Just don't wear them so bloody high – and loosen your belt, too: it's not meant to be worn around your waist."

Obi-Wan frowned, doing as Anakin asked. "Then where is it mean to be worn?"

"Slung round your hips," Kitster replied with a grin, as Ahsoka strolled into the room with a yawn. Both she and Anakin were dressed in normal civilian clothes, and she found the dress extremely annoying and itchy – and long! She was not used to skirts this length. But, needs must, and she knew that it was for the good of the mission, so she wasn't going to complain to her master – too much, anyway.

Obi-Wan stared at him for a moment, before shaking his head, and doing as instructed. Anakin quickly hid a grin as his masers head was still bent, and then reached out, yanking the belt down at one side so that it was cocked at an angle, and not perfectly straight as Obi-Wan had had it.

"Why did you do that?" Obi-Wan demanded, mystified, and all three of them snorted with laughter this time.

"Because you're trying to fit in, Master," Anakin replied, his voice only shaking a little as Dan entered the room, looking more 'roughian' than Obi-Wan had, but still managing to look a little too dignified. Kitster rolled his eyes, and then went over to help him.

Anakin studied his master after a few more tweaks to his outfit, and deemed his worthy of stepping foot in Mos Espa's streets…though only just.

Ahsoka rolled her eyes as they prepared to set off. "You know, it should be Skyguy and Kitster doing this mission: they're the ones that would look more like mercenaries."

Kitster laughed at this. "It's just 'cause we grew up around here,"

She shrugged. "Still would've made more sense,"

"Yeah, but we've already been seen in the bar, so that kinda knocks us out of the selection straight away," Anakin pointed out, but she just shrugged again.

Anakin rolled his eyes, and then turned to Obi-Wan and Dan. "You two had better get going – the meeting'll be starting in about half an hour, so you'll need to be in position before then. Remember: we'll be just down the street, so signal us if you need us."

The two Jedi nodded, with a playful salute from Dan and an eye roll in response from Anakin, they disappeared down the ramp and out into the outskirts of Mos Espa.

Waiting a few minutes, Anakin, Kitster and Ahsoka followed soon after them, leaving the ship in the docking bay and heading for the hovel belonging to a certain old woman. Little did Ahsoka know, she was about to find out more about her Master's past…

Mace Windu was not happy. He knew that Yoda must have his reasons for wanting to change the Code, but he just couldn't see it. They had already amended it enough to 'allow' Jedi to be in relationships, but that was pretty much only the ones who had the guts to go behind the Council's backs in the first place and do such a ridiculous things as get married – like Skywalker, for example.

But to allow children to know with their parents? That was simple unacceptable. He understood Yoda's reasoning, of course, he just couldn't see the sense behind it. He had, after all, been raised to know no emotion, so the attachment one would have to their child was something that was obviously completely alien to him. He understood that the parents would obviously have some form of attachment to their offspring, but surely it was better to nip it in the bud early on, before it developed into something stronger?

He was meeting with Pablo Jill to discuss this, as he knew that the stern Jedi Master would be the one most likely to be on his side in the argument that was bound to come up in the Council chambers sometime in the near future.

"So, what was it you wished to talk to me about?" Jill asked, settling himself down on the meditation pad in Windu's chambers.

"An issue I believe will soon be brought up in Council meetings," Mace replied, settling down opposite him. "Yoda mentioned it to me earlier, and I have a feeling that the Council will be very much divided on the matter."

"So what is this issue?"

"Well, as you know, Jedi have recently been allowed to be in relationships," You could easily hear Windu's contempt for this 'foolish' idea coming through in his tone, and if anyone else was in there with them, they would have been rolling his eyes. As it happened, Jill just scowled and nodded, that same self-righteous air around him that always seemed to permeate any atmosphere near him. He clearly shared Windu's views on the Jedi and their relationship status.

"Well, I have a feeling that Yoda will soon be making it official that Jedi are allowed to form attachments in this way, although he is as of yet undecided whether or not they should have to keep their relationship a secret."

Jill had scowled when he had heard that Yoda would be allowing this ridiculousness, but now he nodded thoughtfully. "I think it would be better if it remained a secret – in fact, better still if the galaxy still believed that Jedi were allowed no attachments: that way it might discourage some from pursuing a romantic relationship," The way he spat those last two words, you would think they were acid in his mouth.

Windu nodded his agreement. "My thoughts exactly. The war has already shaken some's faith in us; we do not want it damaged anymore by appearing weak, as we would be seen to be giving in to people's demands."

Jill nodded. "So, what was this other issue you mentioned?"

Windu sighed deeply. "I was getting to that. Now, as you know, if we allow relationships, then the couple will no doubt, uh…well, have children."

"Ah," Jill said. "I think I see where this is going. You're concerned about the parents forming an attachment to their youngling?"

Mace nodded. "In part, yes. But Yoda is proposing that we allow the parents contact with their children."

"Preposterous!" Jill exclaimed. "That cannot be allowed!"

"I agree," Mace concurred. "But that's not the worst of it."

"What could possibly be worse?!"

Windu hesitated, and then broke the dreaded news. "He was saying that, if the parents live in Coruscant, then the youngling shall live with them. If the parents live off-planet, they will be allowed to visit, although he didn't say how often, or what they shall be allowed to do during those visits."

Jill was gaping at him. "Live with their parents?! That's absurd!"

"I agree. However, Yoda does not share our view, and I have a feeling that many on the Council will not either. They have shown themselves in the past to be for relationships, after all – I mean, just look at the Skywalker case."

"Mm," Jill mused, frowning in thought. "So we need to oppose this ridiculousness as vehemently as we can."

Windu smiled slightly – a rarity for him in such serious occasions. "Indeed. So, I can count on your support for the opposition?"

"Definitely. I was opposed to Jedi being permitted to be in relationships as it was, so there is no way I am going to just roll over and allow this absurdness with the younglings to be enforced without a fight."

Windu allowed himself a small smile, as he knew that Pablo Jill would be a great asset in opposing this absurd motion that Yoda seemed determined to pass…

"Come on, come on!" Sara growled, frantically punching digits into the ships' comm. unit once again, hoping that she would get an answer this time.

Finally, an exhausted looking Padme answered. "Sorry," She apologised, clearing her throat as she did so. "I was in the bathroom."

Sara frowned. "Were you sick again?" She asked, going into medic mode, and momentarily forgetting what is was she had been calling about.

Padme blushed a little, although it was hard to discern through the blue image. "A little," She admitted, and Sara sighed, deciding she might as well ask.

"Padme, not to be insensitive, but are you sure you should be in this mission?"

The young senator frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, do you really think Anakin would be okay with you being here if he knew about your condition?"

Padme looked a little nervous now. "W-what condition?" She asked, only stammering slightly before she managed to regain her composure.

Sara sighed. "Really, Senator, do you want me to spell it out for you? I know that you're with child."

Padme glanced over her shoulder nervously, as if checking to see if there was anyone else in the room with her who had overheard. Apparently there wasn't, because she turned back to the comm. unit and hissed: "You don't know that!"

Sara raised an eyebrow and sighed, but her gaze was sympathetic as she looked back at the poor stressed Senator. "Padme, I know that you know it to be true. You can deny it all you want, but the sooner you accept it as the truth, the sooner you can relax."

"Relax? Relax?!" By now, Padme was becoming near hysterical. "I'm pregnant with the child of a Jedi – a Jedi who nobody knows is my husband – and you think I can just relax?!"

Sara sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. "That's not what I meant Padme, and you know it. You are only making things worse for yourself and the baby with all this worrying and stress – the sooner you accept that you are pregnant and stop worrying about it, the sooner you can realise that this is a good thing! A wondrous thing! Think how happy Anakin will be!"

Padme smiled hesitantly. "You think?"

Sara rolled her eyes. "I know so," She said gently, and Padme's smile grew a little.

At this moment, however, Jason walked into the cock-pit, and the two women hurriedly quietened.

"Hey," Jason said, coming up besides Sara and laying a hand gently on her shoulder. Padme did not miss the gesture, but she didn't comment. "Have you told her yet?"

Padme frowned, looking between the two of them. "Told me what? What's going on?"

Jason stared at Sara. "You haven't told her?"

She rolled her eyes. "We got side-tracked!"

"What the hell could possibly be more important than this?!"

"More important than what?" Padme demanded, getting antsy.

Sara sighed, and turned back to her. "Sorry, Padme – I did mean to tell you: honest. We managed to rig up those cameras in the coliseum, and…well, we overheard a conversation between your uncle and that dug Sebulba."

Padme's eyebrow shot up at the mention of the two men, but she didn't comment.

"Anyway, we know what Clovis and that 'Bob' character are heading out to do."

"And what is that?" She asked finally, and Sara exchanged a look with Jason, before turning back to Padme's holo-image.

"They are on their way to the moisture farm. I think they intend to capture you all, and probably torture information out of you – though you'll doubtless be brought somewhere first – hopefully the coliseum, because if you are captured, we can probably get you out of there."

Padme had paled alarmingly. "But – what are we going to do?! No offense to anyone here, but we don't exactly have anyone half decent at fighting."

Jason frowned. "I thought you were a decent shot?"

Padme hesitated, and Sara quickly stepped in for her. "She is, Jase," Padme noticed the nick-name, but again she didn't comment. "But like I said earlier, Padme's ill."

She shot her friend a sharp look at this, but Sara ignored her.

Jason was frowning again, but in concern. "Nothing serious, right?" he asked Padme, who quickly shook her head.

"Um…not exactly."

His frown continued to deepen. "How can it be 'not exactly' serious?"

Sara rolled her eyes impatiently. "Let it go, Jase: we'll explain later."

He sighed, but held up his hands in defeat, going over to the bank of monitors and checking over them all to see if there was any movement – there wasn't.

Sara turned back to Padme, and gave her a reassuring smile, while keeping up her professional tone. "I'd recommend you inform the others immediately, Senator," She said. "They need to know the danger."

Padme nodded. "I will do that – thank you, Sara."

Without another word, the two women signed off, and went about with their separate preparations.

Obi-Wan scanned the room again for what felt like the fiftieth time that minute, and sighed. "Well, this is fun," He muttered, and Dan chuckled quietly from the chair across from him in the table that – for them – was in the best position in the room: a good vantage point for most of the room – including the V.I.P. section – and also pretty well shielded from the clienteles'' view. Perfect.

"I thought you were meant to have legendary patience, oh High and Mighty Jedi Master," His young companion said quietly, and Obi-Wan shot him a withering look.

"Oh, shut up, Nabrynski. Is there any sign of them yet?"

Dan sighed. "The answer is still the same as the last time you asked me, thirty seconds ago." Dan paused, and studied the Jedi in front of him curiously. "What's up with you, anyway?"

Obi-Wan looked at him a little shiftily. "What are you talking about?"

Dan raised an eyebrow. "What, you think I haven't noticed? You think everybody hasn't noticed? You've been acting…weird, for most of this mission, and I think you need to talk about why."

Obi-Wan sighed, and tapped his finger against his glass. Oh, how he wished it was filled with Corellian whiskey right now – he could really use a strong drink, but, unfortunately, drinking while on an important mission wasn't a good idea – especially if there was even the slightest chance that they could catch the illusive Count Dooku.

"I guess…" He began slowly and more than a little hesitantly. "Well, I guess it's…It's Anakin, actually."

Dan frowned, confused. "What about him?"

Obi-Wan sighed, and decided that he might as well get it off his chest – it wasn't like it was doing him any good keeping everything bottled up inside, now was it?

"I guess I'm just realising just how bad his life before he came to the Temple really was."

Dan's expression softened a little, to Obi-Wan's immense surprise – it was, after all, no secret that nobody really had time for Anakin's past in the Temple: it was viewed as something of a scandal that he had only joined the Jedi at nine years old even now, so it wasn't something that was talked about often, if at all.

"You're realising that you should have listened to him when he woke up with nightmares as a child."

Obi-Wan sighed forlornly. "Yes," he murmured quietly. "I guess I am." He sighed deeply again. "I should have listened to him, shouldn't I?" He said miserably, but they both knew that it wasn't really a question. "He stopped having them after a couple of months, though." That may have been described as an attempt to defend himself, but Obi-Wan really didn't care.

"No he didn't," Dan said quietly, and Obi-Wan frowned at him.

"What?"

Dan sighed, and ran a hand through his unruly black hair, letting his fringe flop into his eyes unconsciously. "He never stopped having the nightmares." He admitted. "He just learned not to show it. Oh, come on, Kenobi," He added, with a touch of anger in his voice. "He was a slave, for force sake! He knew how to hide his real emotions!"

"Ssh!" Obi-Wan quickly shushed him, glancing around nervously as they drew some curious glances from a nearby table as Dan raised his voice. "Keep your voice down!"

Dan rolled his eyes, but nodded. "Sorry," He muttered, but Obi-Wan just waved his apology away.

"So," He began again after a few moments of silence again. "He really hid it from me when he was a child?"

Dan sighed, and looked at him as if deciding whether or not to tell him something. "Honestly?" He said after a moment. "He still is."

"What, he's still hiding his emotions?"

Dan nodded. "Yeah. He doesn't get them that often anymore, but I know he still occasionally gets a nightmare about his time on this planet – well, they don't call them 'recurring nightmares' for nothing, I suppose."

Obi-Wan gaped at him in shock. "Seriously? Seriously? Anakin's been lying to me for all these years?!"

Dan rolled his eyes. "Everything I've just told you, and that's what you're worried about?"

Obi-Wan had the decency to look sheepish. "Right. Sorry."

Dan suddenly came to life in his chair, his gaze intent on the door. "Target at twelve o'clock."

Obi-Wan stiffened, but knew he couldn't look around – that would be too suspicious.

"Which one?" He asked quietly, barely moving his mouth in case anyone was watching.

"Only Sebulba," Dan replied in the same way. "No sign of this mysterious old man."

Sebulba swung past them at that moment, swinging towards the bar.

Obi-Wan kept his gaze on him as Dan took a long draught of his drink, watching as Sebulba reached the bar and the old bar-tender leaned over the counter to talk to him. By the looks of things, Sebulba didn't like what he was hearing, but he didn't do anything, just accepted the small object that the man handed him – they were too far away for Obi-Wan to see what it was – and then turned away.

Obi-Wan frowned. "Hang on…" He said slowly. "Something's not right."

"Why not?" Dan asked into his drink, and Obi-Wan watched as the dug swung his way back across the room, looking furious.

"He's leaving," He said quietly, and Dan set his glass down with a clang, getting to his feet and stretching as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"Come on then," He said quietly. "Let's get him."

"But – the meeting!" Obi-Wan spluttered, and Dan rolled his eyes.

"The meeting's not happening, obviously – and we are not missing this chance to get that bastard. Now come on!"

Obi-Wan followed the young Knight as he wove through the tables after the dug, the pair of them following at an acceptable distance as he swung outside into the blistering heat of the sun.

The aging dug seemed unaware that he was being trailed, until he turned down a side alley and the two Jedi sped up to a sprint, rushing him as Obi-Wan tackled him to the ground.

"Sebulba, I'm placing you in custody until such time as you are released."

Dan snorted slightly at this – it was pretty obvious – but it seemed to do the trick.

The dug began cursing and swearing at them, kicking his tiny little legs at them as Obi-Wan kept a tight grip on his 'arms'. Dan rolled his eyes and stepped forwards, his arms flashing forwards as his fist connected with his jaw with a sickening thunk, stunning him into silence for a moment.

"Dan!"

"What?" He asked innocently. "Dude's language is almost as bad as Anakin's,"

Sebulba snarled at the mention of that name. "Stupid brat!" He hissed. "This is Skywalker's doing, isn't it?! Isn't it!" He screamed, and Dan rolled his eyes. Obi-Wan's own widened as he saw his young companion reach casually for the blaster at his side, flicking a switch on the side, before pointing it at the struggling Dug…and firing.

"DAN!" He yelled, but the young man just rolled his eyes.

"Oh, relax: it was only on stun."

Obi-Wan sighed. "That doesn't make it alright! You just shot an unarmed prisoner!"

Dan just shrugged. "Who cares? Anyway, he was struggling: did you really want to haul that back to the ship?"

Obi-Wan gritted his teeth. "No," He allowed, speaking slowly. "But I don't really fancy hauling an unconscious Dug back to the ship either!"

Dan grinned wickedly. "Ah, but that's the beauty of it: you don't have to."

"Oh, so you're going to do it for me, are you?"

Dan ignored the sarcasm in his tone, and answered seriously. "No, because we're not going to the ship: we're going to Jira's."

Obi-Wan looked mystified. "Who?"

He rolled his eyes. "Y'know – the old woman who Anakin and the others are hiding out at, in case we need back up?"

Obi-Wan suddenly grinned. "That is a lot closer than the ship." He conceded, and Dan grinned happily.

"Exactly."

Ahsoka smiled at the old woman, as she accepted a refill of the delicious Ruby Bleil drink, hat she seemed to have quite a supply of. It seemed that Kitster knew this woman very well, and Anakin had too when he was a child, apparently: she had some very interesting tales to tell about him, although Anakin had somehow managed to avoid letting her tell many of them so far.

"Is that alright for you dear?" She asked, and Ahsoka smiled back at her.

"It's perfect, thank you ma'am."

The old woman chuckled. "Oh, it's not often these old bones get called ma'am, dear. You don't have to, you know." But Ahsoka could tell that the old woman liked it, so she simply gave her a polite smile and resolved herself to continue calling her it even though she had half-heartedly asked her not too.

Anakin chuckled slightly. "Thanks for letting us wait out here, Jira." He said with a warm smile, and Ahsoka could see genuine affection and respect reflecting in her Master's azure eyes as he smiled at the old woman. Interesting indeed.

"Oh, not at all Ani," She replied, sitting down painfully in her chair again. All three of them had protested that she didn't have to do anything for them, but she had insister – she may be old, but she definitely had spirit. Ahsoka found the fact that she called her Master 'Ani' incredibly amusing, and it was definitely something she would be using against him in the future. "It does my old bones good to see you safe, so it does,"

Anakin smiled. "It's good to see you're doing fine yourself, Jira."

She chuckled wheezily. "Oh, I suppose I'm alright for someone my age – not as easy to get around as it used to be, though, I'll admit."

"Why don't you retire?" Ahsoka asked curiously. "Surely it would be better than continuing to work like you do?"

Jira chuckled, looking at Ahsoka with amusement dancing in those surprisingly sharp eyes of hers. "Well now, you certainly aren't from around her, now are you, dearie."

Ahsoka looked slightly confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, folks round here just don't have the money to retire, sweetie. Don't you think if I did I would have done it ages ago? I may not be a slave anymore, but I still need to work to survive."

Ahsoka blushed a little. "Oh – I'm sorry, ma'am. I didn't mean to offend –"

"Oh, you didn't honey, don't you worry." Jira smiled at her, and then turned a stern look on Anakin. "This is a fine young girl you've got here, Anakin," She said, "You hang onto her, y'hear? She's a good-un, she is. A loyal friend, am I right?"

Anakin smiled at Ahsoka. "Yeah, you're right, Jira – and don't worry: I plan to." Ahsoka blushed at her master's praise, but returned his smile with a slightly embarrassed one of her own.

The speeder approached the small farmstead at high speeds, and pulled up to a screeching halt near the entrance. Two figures got out, one strolling self-importantly across the sand as if he owned the place, the other swaggering along behind, walking in that way that all big, brutish men seem to have: showing off his muscles and generally acting like he was the most intimidating guy in the world. Urgh.

Rush Clovis stalked down the steps, heading into the kitchen with Bob following behind him as the muscle. He pulled out his blaster, aiming it at the lone female who was standing over the stove, stirring something that smelled quite disgusting to his refined nostrils.

"Hands up," He snapped, and the woman jumped, dropping her spoon with a clatter and whipping around to face him, her hand flashing out for the knife on the counter besides her.

Bob lunged for her, slamming his massive fist into her wrist as he did so, causing her to drop the knife with a clatter and a whimper of surprise and pain.

He grabbed onto her arm, and she shook it violently, distracting him enough so that she could bend down and sink her teeth into his furry hand. He yelled in pain, and clouted her round the head with one big, massive paw, knocking her to the ground. He reached down, grabbing onto a handful of hair before hauling her back up onto her feet as she let out a scream of agony.

Rush aimed his blaster again, but was caught off-guard when he felt a sudden, burning pain in his left shoulder. He cried out and dropped his blaster, and then turned to see his wife, of all people, standing in the doorway with her blaster out and pointing at him, and a look of cold fury on her face.

"Let her go." She said coldly to Bob, who shoved Melee away from him roughly, advancing on Padme.

"Stupid little bitch," He snarled. "You're coming with us – you and your little friends."

Padme snorted in a very un-ladylike manner. "Yeah, no: that's not happening , I'm afraid – not today."

Rush winced, trying not to howl in pain as he gingerly held his injured shoulder. "Sweetheart, put the blaster down." He tried to come off as sounding soothing and calm, and it almost worked – apart from the hints of underlying fury and pain, that is.

But Padme just snorted again. "Don't you sweetheart me, Rush Clovis." She spat coldly. "You stupid son of a bantha. Did you honestly think you would get away with this? You were supposed to be coming to help the slave, not the slavers!"

Clovis snorted at this. "And why the hell shouldn't I? I'll bloody well help who I want to help, and you," He sneered. "Will do as I say."

Padme's gaze turned to ice, and Clovis had to admit that he was a little nervous of the fact that her aim with that blaster was scarily unwavering – and right at his heart, too.

"We have been through this before, Clovis," She growled. "I do not have to do as you command! I may have married you, but it was only for the good of the mission!"

Clovis faltered a little at this, while Bob gaped at him.

"This is your wife?" He whistled. "She's smokin'. Mind if I have a go at her when we lock them up?"

Clovis ignored him, but Padme tossed him an icy glower, shifting her blaster slightly so that he was in her sights too.

"What do you mean, 'for the good of the mission'?" Clovis snapped. "What 'mission'?"

She rolled her eyes. "You didn't honestly think that I was actually interested in you, did you?" She scoffed. "That I would honestly have given you the time of day had I had the choice, let alone asked you out to dinner? No, I was just following orders and working the case. And I got you to turn your back on the Separatist's, didn't I Rush," Her voice had taken on a patronising tone now, and Rush grit his teeth, clenching his uninjured fist in anger. "I got you to re-join the Republic, and I even got the information for that droid factory you were funding while I was at it. But then you went and asked me to marry you," She said bitterly, while Melee edged further away from the two intruders. "There was nothing I wanted more than to tell you exactly where you could shove your bloody marriage proposal, but I didn't want to give up my advantage just yet. So I pretended that I had to think about it, and I consulted with those I was working with," Here she smirked. "But you just thought I was telling the Queen, didn't you?" She said sweetly, while Rush slowly got redder and redder in anger. "Well, as you can imagine, I wasn't too pleased when they said I should accept your marriage proposal, as my closeness to you could still prove useful. But you've been nothing but a pain ever since, Rush, and I will be glad to be shot of you as soon as we return to Coruscant."

Clovis snorted at this, finally finding his voice again. "Oh, and what makes you think you will be? I'm sure the holo-net gossip reporters will be very interested to hear about how unfaithful you are, though." He sneered, but was a little surprised when she just snorted.

"Oh, I was never unfaithful to you, Rush," She said in that same falsely innocent voice as before. "Because I was never really married to you."

Clovis faltered slightly. "What are you talking about?" He demanded. "Of course you were!"

She grinned wickedly. "You want to know a secret, Rush?" She leaned forwards, and that grin widened. "I was married long before I dated you again."

He gaped at her. "You're lying. There's no way you could have been!"

Padme just rolled her eyes. "Believe what you like, but there is no way you'll be returning with me to Coruscant. In fact," She grinned. "I doubt you'll be returning to the Senate at all. Not this time."

Sorry for the cliff-hanger, but I wanted to get something posted. Will Padme stay in charge of the situation? Who knows. :D

Anyway, I'll try and get the next chapter up quicker next time, I promise.

Please, please, PLEASE leave me some reviews, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

AN2: Tried to post this yesterday, but FanFiction wasn't working! I hate when that happens! Anyway, I guess it's Happy Boxing Day, now...yeah, sorry again about the delay.

Anyway, please review, and I swear I'll try and get the next update done quicker!