A week had passed as Anakin's padawan Ahsoka had been sent to help Satine on Mandalore. Satine had informed Padmé of the proceedings, revealing Prime Minister Almec as the perpetrator behind the black market dealings. It didn't surprise me in the slightest considering he held no concern for poisoned children.

It was more or less a cleaning day as Padmé tried to ease her nerves, although she didn't show it. She was also packing for a political mission to Alderaan. While Padmé and I set the bags down on the couch, Captain Typho enters.

"Senator," Typho calls, getting our attention. We turn to face the captain who is followed by a young Togruta with a lightsaber on her belt. She must be Anakin's padawan who I have heard very little about other than their personalities being so alike. "Padawan Ahsoka Tano is here to see you."

The padawan bows her head respectively as she smiles. "Senator Amidala," she greets.

Padmé had no patience for formalities as she hurries over to the Togruta and hugs her. "Ahsoka!" she exclaims, holding the girl close. I don't think I've ever seen Padmé that happy to see anyone. "It's so good to see you. How have you been?"

"Honestly," Ahsoka begins, "I've been better." Her expression matches how Obi-Wan gets when he's unsure about something. The padawan lightly grips Padmé's arm as I sit down quietly on the couch. "I'm worried for you, Senator. I sense you are in grave danger."

My back straightens as I listen closely to them. Typho had a similar reaction. "What makes you believe that?" Padmé asks.

"I've been having dreams, bad dreams," Ahsoka explains. "Padmé, I know you're in danger. I-I just know it."

"What kind of danger?" Typho questions, walking closer.

"And have you informed the council?" I chime in from my spot on the couch near to the girls. Padmé sits next to me.

"I believe that a very dangerous bounty hunter is out to assassinate you," Ahsoka reveals. "I told Master Yoda about my dreams and he told me not to underestimate them."

Padmé sighs and I rest my hand on her shoulder. Just what she needs, another assassination attempt. "This is troubling," she muses. "Captain, please take all necessary precautions."

"You're leaving?" Ahsoka wonders as Padmé and I rise from the couch.

"Yes," Padmé answers. "Bail Organa and I are leading a conference concerning the refugees from the war." It's like going back to where Padmé started, helping refugees. "I leave for Alderaan in the morning."

"But the threat to your life," Ahsoka repeats, obviously more than a little distressed. I can only imagine having the visions and seeing someone you know get assassinated. That must do serious damage on a person's pyshe.

"The refugee situation is much too crucial to ignore." Padmé takes a deep breath. "I called this conference. I can make an enormous difference in policy. It's vital that I go."

Ahsoka shakes her head lightly and looks down at the floor. "Yes, Senator." The poor girl. She only wants to help. Padmé picks up one of her bags, so I follow her lead and pick up the other, both of us carrying them to the front door. Moteé, who was also in the room, shows Ahsoka out of the apartment.

Padmé looks at me once Ahsoka left. "Would you be mad if I told you to stay here?" she asks, trying to act nonchalant.

I tilt my head and raise an eyebrow. "You're kidding me, right?" I counter. "After that bombshell the padawan just dropped? I'm still joining you."

"So stubborn," she offhandedly mutters, walking further into the apartment away from me. Of course I'm stubborn. If I wasn't, I would never be able to keep up with her.

The next morning Teckla, Dormé, and I go to the ship early to bring the luggage, but I'm the only one who stays as the pilots ready the ship for take off.

Shortly after, Teckla called me over our comms to inform me of Padmé being on her way. With the ship fully warmed up and everything strapped down in the cargo hold, Padmé made her timing perfect, as usual, but she was accompanied by the padawan.

I raise an eyebrow as Padmé ascends the ramp with her arm wrapped around Ahsoka's shoulders. "Padmé, what have I said about picking up strays?" I joke lightly, winking at the Togruta. Both laugh despite the reason why Ahsoka felt the need to join us anyway.

Captain Typho and C-3PO board the ship as well, and I press the button to close the ramp before joining Padmé and Ahsoka in the seating area.

"This is a really nice ship," Ahsoka muses as she looks around.

"Only the best for her majesty," I quip, taking a seat on a chair while Padmé and Ahsoka sit around a dejarik table.

"You're more talkative today, not sure if I like it," Padmé counters with a small smile.

I lean back in my chair, getting comfortable. "Just welcoming the youngling, milady."

"You two are like Masters Kenobi and Skywalker," Ahsoka mentions. "The banter."

Padmé and I both grin. "You are Anakin's padawan, correct?" I ask the youngling.

"Yes," Ahsoka answers. "Master Yoda assigned me to him."

I pick at my sleeves as I reply. "From what I understand, Anakin was quite shocked to find out he had been assigned a padawan when it was Obi-Wan that wanted one."

"Anakin thinks Master Kenobi set him up."

I snort as Padmé chuckles. "Really?" Padmé asks. "Obi-Wan may have a strange sense of humor, but even I don't think he would do that to Anakin." She then looks to me as if to get my take.

Shrugging, I say, "I wouldn't put it past him. One last lesson to teach."

"Are you and Master Kenobi close?" Ahsoka inquires, looking at me.

This question again. I need to come up with a quick answer that I can use as a blanket statement for everytime I hear this. "Fairly. We've been through quite a bit, with the Invasion of Naboo so long ago and then the Battle of Geonosis. Poor circumstances breeds lasting friendship. That seems to be how any of us are close."

Ahsoka's eyes lit up before they shifted downward. "With words like that, you could be a jedi." There's a lot more than she's letting on. She'll probably only let Padmé know, though.

I stand and look at the padawan and Senator. "I'm going to prepare a light snack since we'll be travelling for a while." I then leave the two alone, making my way to the mini kitchen.

My hands move automatically, as if on autopilot, while I think about what Ahsoka had revealed. A bounty hunter is after Padmé. It's nothing new, but it definitely makes me feel old and weary. The Republic seems to be winning this war, but no matter how many victories, I know Padmé will always be a target. She is a beacon of hope. She will always be a threat to the greedy and corrupt. Perhaps, once the war is over, I can convince her to retire to her lake house on Naboo, maybe even with Anakin. They both deserve to be happy.

Even though I wish for Padmé to step aside, I don't think I ever can. Whenever I'm alone and I think of Obi-Wan and our child, I try to imagine a life without worry or danger, but I can't. Like deep down I know it could never happen. If the child is anything like Obi and I, there will definitely be another headstrong Jedi.

I pick up the bowl of fruit and make my way back to Padmé and Ahsoka. As I enter the room I notice that the light tenseness has eased to a more content feeling as the two play dejarik together. I set the bowl on the edge of the holo board.

"What are those?" Ahsoka asks.

"Oh, there is starblossom, meiloorun, muja, and Padmé's favorite, shuura," I tell her, pointing to each one.

"I've never seen shuura before," Ahsoka says.

Padmé gasps as if offended at the thought. "No, you have to try it!" Padmé exclaims, grabbing the whole bowl. "They're amazing. Some of the best fruit I've ever had." She holds the bowl out to Ahsoka who looks at her as though she's crazy. Nevertheless, Ahsoka hesitantly grabs a piece of the fruit and bites into it.

Ahsoka's expression was definitely interesting. "It's kind of, uh, creamy."

"It's strange, right? For a fruit?" I prod. Ahsoka nods in agreement.

"Oh, come on," Padmé groans. "Shuura is top notch."

My eyes narrow and my eyebrows furrow. "Is it though? Is it really? Fruit shouldn't be creamy. Tart, sure. Sweet, of course. Bitter, sometimes. Not creamy."

Padmé simply shakes her head. "No appreciation for exotic fruit." Ahsoka and I laugh at her reaction, so offended by our lack of delight towards the strange fruit. It's definitely something, alright, but I don't think I would consider shuura exotic.

It takes sixteen hours to get from Coruscant to Alderaan. While technically close compared to other planets, being near the Deep Core is dangerous, so it takes longer to travel around it.

We awake in the middle of the night to Ahsoka yelling. Ignoring my state of dress, I quickly exit my room and hurry to Padmé's quarters down the hall, following Captain Typho. "What's going on," Typho asks as we see Ahsoka with her lightsaber ready, standing on Padmé's bed.

Ahsoka, still panicked, glances around once more but concedes, "Nothing." Her voice and wide eyes betray her. She must of had a force vision. I step forward and offer my hand to help her off the bed. Ahsoka sheaths her saber. "False alarm. Forgive me, Senator." The padawan accepts my outstretched hand and steps off the bed. She then walks briskly from the room, probably embarrassed.

Typho, the guard who entered the room before us, and I look to Padmé. "Are you alright, milady?" Typho inquires.

"Yes, I'm fine," Padmé answers sternly, shaken from what just transpired.

I glance out the door and back at Padmé. "I'm going to check on her," I tell Padmé. "Get some rest." The senator nods, offering a grateful smile. Exiting the room, I go to Ahsoka's room and knock lightly on the door. "Ahsoka, it's Cattleya. Are you alright?"

Ahsoka opens the door, her eyes downcast. "I-I'm sorry for what happened. It, it was a mistake," she answers quietly.

I step forward and rest a hand on her shoulder. "Ahsoka, may I come in?" I ask. She nods slowly and steps to the side, letting me through the doorway. The door closes behind me. With my hand on her upper back, I guide her to the cushioned bench on the other side of the small room. I watch her as we sit down, but she still doesn't look at me. My grip on her shoulder tightens a little to get her attention. Her wide eyes travel up to mine. "You are not in trouble. You are not hated. You are not blamed in any sense. You saw a vision, came to a conclusion, and did your duty, protecting the Senator.

You may have misread your vision. You may have come to the wrong conclusion. That doesn't mean you are completely wrong. It doesn't mean you are not a good Jedi. You acted promptly, selflessly, and that is all we can ask. Padmé will never think less of you for trying to protect her. Your only fault is not being wise and all-knowing. No one can be Master Yoda, and that's okay. Now stop second-guessing yourself. You did the right thing."

I take my hand from her shoulder, still looking sternly into Ahsoka's eyes. The Togruta takes in a deep breath and nods. "Thank you," she tells me.

I smile lightly. "It's my honor to help, Padawan." Then I stand, straighten my dress, and leave the room, returning to mine. What is it with Jedi thinking they should be without fault?