Anakin was awfully upset and reluctant when Ahsoka left to go back home. But she had promised to meet up with all of them the next day in Padme's apartment, regardless of the result by the Council. Throughout her visit, he had strongly (but secretly) hinted about whether she would return to him, but he had no idea if she noticed. Even if she did notice, she didn't make any attempt to answer and was dancing around to avoid it.
' Snips has grown up to be such a young lady,' He complained to Obi-wan after Ahsoka was gone. ' What happened to that snippy youngling who walked off the ramp on Christophsis? I'm feeling old.'
Obi-wan stroked his beard serenely, ' Right you are. Hello, Old Man Skywalker.'
' Old Man Kenobi!' Anakin whacked Obi-wan lightly on the shoulder, and turned to Rex, ' Thank you, Captain, for helping me out. It has been a long day, so you should probably go back to the barracks and rest.'
' I have to help you, General Skywalker,' Rex said dutifully. ' But I don't think I could properly rest. I bet you ten credits that Fives and the others would be badgering me non-stop about the Trial, now that they know Commander Tano has returned to the Temple. Hopefully they wouldn't do anything crazy, or else I would have to use up my sandwich.'
' Sandwich?' Caleb asked interestedly.
' N-nothing.'
Obi-wan told Caleb kindly, ' And Padawan, you have done well today. You should probably return to your Master before she worries.'
Caleb beamed, and dashed away in great speed, but almost tripped over the carpet.
' So,' Obi-wan said after Caleb was out of sight (once again tripping on the carpet before disappearing around the corner).' Let's have dinner outside.'
' Are you paying?' Anakin raised an eyebrow.
' Yep,' Obi-wan said enthusiastically at the mention of food.' Dex's Diner. We haven't had a nerf steak burger for ages.'
' And the chocolate milkshake surprise with extra toppings,' Anakin said longingly. ' Dex always gives us that extra scoop of ice-cream.'
' Great! Let's go!'
Caleb was terribly sleepy. The night before, he was in such a good mood (his Master praised him for being a good speaker, except for the part about rancors) that he watched ten episodes of a TV series late into the night. It was some kind of comedy about creatures that could talk. He had no idea what the creatures were, but well, they were funny. Only when he realised in horror it was 3:30 am, he went to bed.
Grey must have walked past him for several times, trying to catch his attention, but Caleb was just looking past him as if he didn't exist.
' Here,' Appo cheerfully passed him a mug of steaming hot caff across the breakfast table. ' It will help with the sleepiness. Look, Rex is having some too.'
Caleb drowsily stared across the table, and for sure, Rex was also clutching a mug of caff between his hands, nearly dozing off, and Coric snapped his fingers sharply under his nose to wake him up. He took a sip of the creamy hot liquid, and shivered as the caffeine started working its 'magical' powers.
' What happened to him?' Caleb asked, feeling lots better after having another generous sip of his drink.' He looks as if he hasn't slept at all.'
' Er,' Kix said, sounding slightly embarrassed. ' Since... We kept badgering him all night about the Trial... Plus Cody and Wolffe kind of threw a late night party in the corridors, sooooooooo...'
' And Fox actually approved?' Caleb said, amazed. He remembered Grey telling him all about that stern clone commander.
' Oh yes he did,' Fives munched on a piece of toast. ' He was the DJ. I think he has been more lenient ever since you know, wrongly accusing Commander Tano of her crime.'
' But... if you people have been asking Rex questions all night,' Caleb frowned. ' Then... this means you guys haven't slept at all as well! But again... you aren't as sleepy as Rex. How could that be?'
Jesse raised his mug of hot chocolate airily, ' Practice, my friend. We often go to 79's for partying all night, and the next morning, we are able to get out to missions without sleeping. But not dear Captain Rex. He rarely goes partying! He likes staying in the barracks to watch his favourite shows and doesn't like loud music. No fun.'
' Ah, I see,' Caleb giggled.
On the other end of the table, Appo wrenched the untouched mug of caff that was beginning to cool down from Rex's hand and refilled it. ' Goodness Rex!' He thrusted the mug into Rex's hand. ' Drink up!'
The poor captain muttered something like 'Roger roger', and downed the caff in one go.
' Oh,' Appo said worriedly. ' He's starting to become a battle droid.'
' Let him be,' Kix said nonchalantly. ' Sleep deprivation often has strange effects on us clones.'
' Really?' Fives said excitedly. ' What effects?'
' Dunno,' Kix said. ' I have heard cases of clones sleep walking all the way to battle.'
' No way! That's dangerous!' Caleb's eyes widened. ' Though-'
' It's almost time kid,' Rex said with a disgruntled expression. It looked like the caffeine was working wonders on him.
' Good morning, Rex!' The 501st chirruped in unison.
Rex shot them an exasperated look, picked up his painted helmet and led Caleb out of the breakfast hall. ' We are going to pick up General Skywalker and General Kenobi,' Rex said. ' And we shall all go off to the Council Room to listen to the result. I am very nervous about it.'
' Oh, he will be fine,' Caleb looked down at his boots.
' He hasn't called,' Padme was clutching her comlink anxiously, and pacing around the room non-stop. ' Has something gone wrong?'
Ahsoka was following the Senator around, trying to get her to calm down and sit. The healthcare Jedi Master had once told her a thing or two about pregnant women, but she had only listened with half an ear, since she thought it would be useless. Jedi weren't supposed to be pregnant. Okay. Did she mention that pregnant ladies should always sit? Dunno.
3PO was making the situation more distressing by fussing after them, asking if they wanted tea.
' I don't want tea, 3PO,' Padme groaned, sending the droid away. ' Can you, er, just go into the kitchen?'
' Of course, Mistress Padme,' 3PO bobbed and walked awkwardly to the kitchen.
' He'll be fine, Padme,' Ahsoka said helplessly. ' Please sit down! You can't move around like that.'
' I can't,' She cried. ' Especially when Ani is in the danger of getting expelled...'
Padme's pessimistic moans were starting to affect Ahsoka's thoughts. She had no idea how, but she was thinking if the Council expelled Anakin, she would just march proudly into the Temple, and have some 'aggressive negotiations' as Anakin had always taught her. Oh yes, she would.
Possibly Padme was thinking of similar things, because they both jumped in surprise when the doorbell rang.
' I'll get it,' Ahsoka rushed to the door.
Caleb, Obi-wan, Rex and Anakin walked in, with their faces obviously grim. Uh-oh.
Ahsoka's face fell, ' Oh, um.'
' I'm sorry, Commander,' Rex was in his Captain-mode. ' But the Jedi Council... They...'
' Oh my,' Ahsoka was starting to fume. Great. She ought to make preparations of rushing into the Temple...
Padme had a hand over her mouth, ' Oh, Ani.'
' Anakin, I-'
' HA!' Anakin's grim face wore off and he bursted out laughing. ' Got you! Great news! I am NOT expelled!' Ahsoka and Padme froze, and his words began to sink into their minds.
' WHAT? You tricked me!' Ahsoka was angrier than ever, breathing heavily through her nose.
' I agree,' Padme nodded, even though she sounded relieved. ' That's not nice of you, Ani.'
' Don't look at me like that,' Caleb hid behind Rex, probably frightened by Ahsoka's murderous glare. ' It was Master Skywalker's idea. Don't hit me!'
After Padme and Ahsoka calmed down (though her fingers still itched to Force-choke or punch Anakin for tricking her like that), they settled down at the sitting room, while 3PO was finally allowed out of the kitchen to serve them drinks.
' So, what did they say?' Ahsoka said excitedly.
' They allow Anakin to stay in the Order,' Obi-wan accepted a glass of juice from 3PO. ' And they are also thinking of altering the Code!'
' Looks like Caleb's rancor speech, Rex's totally logical words and Ahsoka's examples worked wonders,' Anakin smiled at them.
' Yes it did,' Obi-wan blinked at his holopad. ' Hang on, they have just posted up the votes onto the Masters' system0'
' Masters' system?' Anakin looked revolted. ' Jedi Masters have a private group chat? What do you guys even do in there? Have selfies of them stroking their chins and looking serious?'
' Oh shut up,' Obi-wan looked up, annoyed. ' Look here...'
' I bet you ten credits that Windu voted against it,' Anakin crossed his arms. ' He hates me. And I bet you he likes R2 more than me.'
' Well, R2 did save him from the bounty hunters that time,' Ahsoka rolled her eyes.
' No,' Obi-wan looked up from his data pad. ' All of the Masters voted to let you stay in the Order, Master Windu included. Looks like we have them all convinced.'
' No waaaay! Ah, sorry, Padme,' Anakin spat out his drinks onto Padme's newly bought carpet. She winced but didn't say anything.
' Wonderful,' Caleb said dreamily. ' Attachments are allowed. Finally.'
Anakin finally got to ask Ahsoka, ' Look, Ahsoka, the Jedi Order is going to change. They are learning from their mistakes, and are trying to become a better Order. I just want to know, if you, er, you know, you will be coming back to the Order.'
Ahsoka hesitated, startled by his invitation. ' I will,' She said softly. ' One day. But not now. I still need some time to settle down. But rest assure, Anakin. I will always come back to you guys.'
He was almost giddy with excitement, ' Yes, of course, Ahsoka. Just so you know, Ahsoka, I will always welcome you back. You can come back anytime, just give me a call, and I'll tell the Council immediately.'
' Yes,' Obi-wan nodded. ' The Council will always welcome you back, after what you have done for them.'
' That's a comforting thought,' She chuckled. ' Now, let's toss Council business away. We should celebrate Anakin's, um, victory in the Trial!'
' We could,' Padme beamed. ' I know the right restaurant for that. You are all welcome to join in. And Caleb dear, if you want to go as well, I think you had better contact your Master to tell her about that.'
' Oh it's fine,' Caleb grinned. ' I told her I would be going back to the Temple late. Besides I got two Jedi Generals and a clone captain with me, so she shouldn't worry.'
' Great,' Rex said. ' Let's go! Senator Amidala, you lead the way.'
As they walked out of Padme's flat into the turbo lift, laughing and chatting, Anakin couldn't help but think:
Now that's a true, perfect family.
Luke and the others would be proud of him.
Yaaaay! *cookies in the air* :D
