Ahsoka's POV

The Coruscant sun shone in gold swirls across the marble floor. I squinted as the sun beams reflected up into my meagre expression. At the moment I have a lot of things on my mind.

First, Shmi had taken longer than expected at her examination. The doctors decided to give her small doses of yerophyll, since she had gotten a small addiction during the pregnancy. Shmi hadn't been very content with journeying to the medical ward in the first place.

The week-old could seriously throw a tantrum.

Second, the Chancellor had apologized for Kayril. He himself was unaware of his criminal past, and the fact he was not really a doctor. One thing for sure is the Dooku had a bigger hand in this than we had expected. I gripped the red Magnaguard burn on my back, remembering the cold concrete of the cell floor.

Finally, the whole skirmish a few days ago was still vague to me. Anakin and Obi-Wan had concluded from the council that it was a warning from Dooku. The messenger droid was just a substitute for the actual Count.

A piece of parchment written in Dooku's hand was delivered as well. The idea was pretty scary; this was what it felt like to be in danger.

I glanced back onto the table where the crumpled piece of paper was placed. I read it again, letting the pain sink deeper once more:

Dearest Padawan Tano,

I send my happiness and joy to you on the birth of your child. A true challenge overcame on your part. A mere adolescence giving birth is surely a controversial subject.

I do hope you forgive me for the sudden attacks on you during your pregnancy, however I wish you see it through my perspective because as you know perspective changes everything. Perspective creates war, sides, opinions and most importantly destinies.

As I see it, bringing a child into war would be preposterous; especially one with force powers. The youngling would be the subject of the common social life. No one in the galaxy would forget the "child with a jedi mother". You and she would be put in evidentially more danger. I considered it to be my part to save you and a defenceless child from the wages of the ongoing Clone Wars. I may not have made the wisest choice with Kayril to carry out my plan, but this remains my perspective, right?

As you see it, keeping the child may bring a bias to the jedi, eventually bringing peace to the galaxy. The child would have extensive force powers due to its jedi heritage. So you did bring up the child, dogging every damn ambush along the way. Mere luck as you can plainly see.

Unfortunately, the two perspectives are mere analogies; no one can really tell how this life changing decision will turn out. I just hope you made a choice and won't have any future regrets.

Sincerely,

Count Jard Dooku.

P.S. Send my welcomes and joys to Shmi.

I bit my lip in anger and folded the paper in a ball and force pushed it out the balcony window. The tattered letter wisped slowly down to the ground; small plumes of smoke forming in each ripped corner.

I knew what game Dooku was playing; he was trying to brainwash me and the jedi. He was making me think that birthing Shmi will backfire in the long run.

Did this mean something?

I eyed the table where the letter once sat. Shmi's force sensibility won't become stronger for another few weeks. Shmi would not be any help to the Separatists until then. Abduction is out.

A plain out assassination on her would be ineffective in the temple as well. So Dooku's plan won't be able to carry out until later.

I exhaled and continued pondering my theories. The sun soon faded into a purple haze as I settled down on the couch to wait for Shmi to return. She still must have been at the doctors. I grew tired and impatient. I lurched up from my comfortable position and headed for the door.

However to my surprise, Anakin walked in through the door first; his built frame crashing against mine.

"Whoa, sorry Snips." Anakin apologized. After this, he lowered Shmi down from the air; he must have lifted her when we crashed. Shmi laughed softly as she rolled into my arms.

"Where have you been?" I asked Shmi, tickling her stomach. Her laugh loudened and she started shaking her head. "What's that Anakin?"

I pointed to the white bag in his right arm; almost knowing his answer.

"Well, I'll leave you to find out. I got to change; Shmi was a little queasy on the way up." Anakin said, eyeing an orange stain on his robe. He sat the bag on the near table and headed out the door.

I giggled loosely and bounced Shmi in my arms. Her giggling had subsided and now her breaths came out in a soft purr as she nestled into my shoulder.

I lifted Shmi into onto the atrium's couch and searched through the bag to find a familiar white container. The spicy smell seemed to circle me as I went to sit beside Shmi.

I stuck a pacifier into her mouth and began to eat. Almost simultaneously, she began to snore.

I spent ten minutes or so eating before Shmi needed changing. Anakin, who had just come back from changing, offered to assist; endangering his freshly clean new robe in the process. Luckily, he came back and lowered Shmi to my outstretched arms.

Soon, night fell and Anakin decided to fall asleep on the opposite couch. He joined Shmi in slumber as the wind curdled and became freezing.

I had managed to cover both with a blanket mad settle back onto the couch. I slumped Shmi onto my shoulder and spread the blanket over the two of us.

At this point, I was never happier.

I have a Master, a friend I can count on who will do anything and everything for me.

I have a child, who will love me unconditionally as I do.

I can say I have a home, a place where I will always feel welcome.

Everyone lives in the uncertainty and danger of life, especially during war time. But if one thing is for sure;

I will have no regrets.