"I wish we would have sprung for the Jacuzzi," said Anakin as he and Padmé inspected the refurbished apartment. The majority of their belongings were unpacked and put away, the Jedi Council had long since gone, and the babies were sound asleep in their crib. The lights of Coruscant's skyline twinkled like stars in the night sky.

"Maybe I can make it up to you," Padmé replied, giving him a come-hither look.

All thoughts of the apartment's shortcomings immediately flew out of Anakin's head. "What did you have in mind?" he wondered.

Padmé threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

"Yeah, okay, that works for me," said Anakin breathlessly. He returned the kiss and embraced Padmé tightly, sweeping her off her feet.

"Sorry I'm late, guys," apologized Anakin, rushing into the Jedi Council chamber the next morning. The other members of the Council were already there; they had apparently begun the meeting without him. "I overslept," he explained. "All of that packing and unpacking really takes it out of you."

"I've had enough of your pathetic excuses," said Mace Windu. "This is the second time, you know."

"Yeah. Oops." Anakin shrugged. "I'm glad to see that you're recovering, by the way," he added, noting with satisfaction that Mace's face was still marked by several dark purplish bruises.

Mace made no reply except to glare angrily. Someday he would have his revenge…

"We were just discussing our strategy for the Master-Padawan softball game," Obi-Wan filled Anakin in. "Are you coming?"

"When is it?"

"Tomorrow."

"And I get to play on the Masters' team, right?"

"Duh."

"I'll be there," Anakin confirmed. "I can't resist an opportunity to beat up on the younglings."

"Softball is not a contact sport, Anakin," Obi-Wan pointed out.

"I know," Anakin informed him. "I meant beat them at the game."

Obi-Wan regarded him skeptically. "Sure…"

"If no further business there is, adjourned, the meeting is," said Yoda.

"Hey, wait, I didn't get to hear the strategy," Anakin protested as the others got up to leave. "Come on, guys, just tell me. Guys?"

Everyone else was already gone.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny on Coruscant. Fluffy white clouds dotted the blue sky, and birds chirped cheerfully in the Jedi Temple gardens. It was a perfect day for softball.

A buzz of excitement surrounded the softball diamond as spectators began to fill the stands in the early afternoon; the Jedi softball game was the social event of the summer. Rumor had it that even Supreme Chancellor Organa would be in attendance…

"Good luck, Anakin," said Padmé, giving him a quick peck on the cheek as they stood outside the Masters' locker room. Anakin tuned his head to give her a more substantial kiss, but they were interrupted when the locker room door opened and Obi-Wan stepped out.

"Geez, guys, would you give it a rest?" said Obi-Wan.

"What do you want?" demanded Anakin.

"Your wife," Obi-Wan replied. "To talk to her, I mean," he hastily explained, seeing the look on Anakin's face.

"About what?" wondered Padmé.

"We forgot to get someone to announce the game," Obi-Wan confessed. "You wouldn't be interested, would you?"

Padmé hesitated. "I don't really know anything about softball…"

"Help me, Padmé Amidala," Obi-Wan begged. "You're my only hope."

"Oh, alright," she agreed. "But there had better be money involved."

"Well, not exactly," admitted Obi-Wan. "You will have my undying gratitude and affection, though."

Padmé raised an eyebrow. "Um…no thanks."

"How about if I promise to never hit on you again," tried Obi-Wan in desperation.

"Deal," said Padmé quickly. "Which way to the announcer's box?"

"Good afternoon, softball fans," Padmé's voice boomed over the loudspeakers as the teams warmed up on the field below. "What a great day for a ballgame! Today the Jedi apprentices' team, the Padawan Pulverizers, will be taking on their Masters, the, um, Butterflies."

The audience clapped enthusiastically as the two teams took prepared to begin. The Padawans were up to bat first, and there was some confusion among the Masters regarding their positions.

"But I don't want to be catcher!" complained Anakin to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan shrugged. "You were late for the meeting, remember? And besides, I'm not in charge- you'll have to take it up with Master Yoda."

Yoda, however, was already jogging to the outfield to take his position at left center.

Anakin sighed. "Fine, I'll do it. But I won't like it," he said stubbornly.

"I would expect nothing else," replied Obi-Wan as he moved towards his position at first base. He had fought long and hard with Mace Windu over the position of pitcher, but Obi-Wan was not as comfortable with physical confrontations as Anakin was, so Mace won out in the end.

Once both teams appeared ready, Padmé's voice was heard over the loudspeakers once again.

"Let's play ball!"

What's this? I posted two days in a row? Call the local news team! Call the National Enquirer! Call the President, for goodness' sake! Thank you everybody for your reviews- your awesomeness is beyond measure. Um, don't panic if I don't post again for about a week; I have a friend coming to visit from out-of-state, and also on the 16th there is an event of major literary significance that will have my full and undivided attention for about a day or so. (Yes, that would be the day that the new Harry Potter book comes out...) Please have patience! Thanks! -Luna