A/N: Posting kind of day! Hope you are all having a great week :) As always thank you all for the support on this story, it makes me so happy.
Summary: Padme Amidala built bridges with people, especially with her 4th grade students. When new student Ahsoka joins her class, she is ready to start building a bridge to the young girl. Anakin Skywalker doesn't trust easily, especially when his little sister is involved. But he's drawn to the 4th grade teacher and willing to trust Padme with the darker battles his family is facing.
Chapter Seven
Thursday, 6:13 am
When Ahsoka woke up the next morning, she felt a brief flicker of panic when she looked around not seeing her bed room. The walls weren't the forest she had painted with Satine, but just a beige color, with white curtains on the side. With a quick look around she remembered the events of yesterday. How her dad had been released from prison, how her brothers were telling her about him possibly filing for custody, how she ran off to Ms Amidala's house. Ahsoka puffed her cheeks as she sat up in bed, bringing her hand up to her head and found her hat had fallen off, but she didn't put it back on right away.
A bit absently she let her hand run over her corn rows, her orange corn rows. She messed around with some dye and turned her hair orange, much to amusement of Anakin and mild annoyance of Obi Wan. It didn't look bad in her opinion, she thought the burnt orange hair worked very well for her. However that didn't stop her from constantly wearing her favorite hat.
Ahsoka slipped the hat on then turned attention to the right side where she found Anakin asleep on the floor with a throw blanket over him. Guilt knotted her stomach again, but she couldn't avoid talking to him. Deciding it was better to get it out of the way, she leaned over the side of the bed and nudged his shoulder.
"Anakin," she whispered as she lightly shook his shoulder. When that didn't work, she tried again. "Anakin!"
Anakin jerked awake in surprise, eyes wide as he turned on his back to look up her. "Are you okay? Something wrong?"
Ahsoka swallowed as she sat on her knees, "No."
Anakin sighed, relieved something wasn't wrong, but now that meant they needed to have an unpleasant talk. To say Anakin was lenient on Ahsoka was an understatement. Usually Obi Wan was the one who did all the disciplinary stuff, Anakin rarely did any of that though his older brother was forcing him to do so more often. And Anakin did understand why. If he was going to look after Ahsoka on his own, he'd have to start getting a bit harder on her. While right now they were all living together, that wouldn't be the case forever.
Rex and Cody were supposed to be living at school, but due to the recent chaos they were commuting and it was luck that the universities they were attending weren't far. Anakin actually had a nice apartment to himself, but he hadn't been there in ages and the only reason why he still had it was because the landlord liked him a lot and wasn't charging him while he wasn't living there. Anakin shook all that from his head though as he stood up and stretched.
"So," Anakin said after his quick stretch, "Want to tell me what on earth you were thinking yesterday?"
Ahsoka mumbled an answer, her gaze not looking at him.
"Please look at me and bring up the volume for the old people with hearing issues," he said, hoping it would make her smile. No such luck.
Ahsoka lifted her head to look at him, clearly she said, "I was thinking that dad was going to show up and take me away."
Anakin frowned, "Why would you think that?"
Ahsoka shrugged.
"Hey," Anakin said taking a seat beside her, "Look, I know that yesterday was a lot to take in, but we aren't going to let anything happen to you."
Ahsoka brought her knees up to her chest, she rested her chin on them as she replied, "You keep saying that, but if the judge rules in his or grandfather's favor, then there's nothing you can do."
Standing just out of sight of the crack in the door stood Padmé. She had woken up half an hour ago, going through part of her morning routine and checking on her two guest every few minutes, not wanting to disturb them, but seeing how they were. She had been passing by when she heard Ahsoka's words just now, they sent a horrible pang through her chest. It was in this moment that more clarity reached Padmé, just how difficult the situation could become for her student, for the family. It broke her heart that this what her student had to carry on her shoulders. The fear of being taken from the people she loved.
Anakin hated how true that was, he let out a shuddering breath, "Which is why we're going to make sure the judge won't make such a stupid ruling."
Ahsoka turned her head away from, resting her cheek on her knees. The courts had the final say, which made her angry and afraid. If they decided not to let her stay with Anakin, Ahsoka knew what she had to do about it. Though she may be just a kid, she was never one to take things lying down. It didn't matter what any stupid court said, she would always find her way back to her brothers, always back to Anakin. There was no way she would let them keep her from them.
"Ahsoka listen to me," Anakin said, his shoulders drawn, "I know you're scared, I get it. It scares me too."
"It does," Ahsoka asked as she turned her head to look back at him. "You're not afraid of anything."
Anakin shook his head, "That's not true. I have a lot of fear in me, especially when it comes to the people I love. The thought of someone hurting you or taking you scares me. Which is why I'll fight with everything I have to ensure that doesn't happen. You know I would never let anyone hurt you Ahsoka, never."
Ahsoka nodded, she did know that.
"Trust me, your dad is not going to get you so long as I'm kicking, so long as all your brothers have a say," Anakin told her, his voice sincere and earnest. "You mean so much to all of us. I'm so sorry that this happened, that this is what has to burden you… just know that we are all here for you. I swear it."
Padmé felt a mix of things at Anakin's words. The sincerity both broke and warmed her heart. This situation they were in, it was killing her on the inside and she could only imagine what they were feeling about it all. But his devotion to his sister warmed her heart, his determination to keep her safe from harm made Padmé wear a soft smile. Silently, she left them alone and went to get ready for the day. Maybe she could make them a nice breakfast.
Ahsoka pushed herself off her legs and wrapped her arms around Anakin, he returned the hug without delay as she spoke, "I'm sorry I ran away. I'm really sorry."
"I know," Anakin told her, he let go of her and tugged at her hat, "I think you've learned your lesson. Tell Obi Wan I let you have it with a lecture okay?"
Ahsoka grinned, a real grin at him, "You got it Skyguy."
Anakin smiled, but it faltered for a moment and curiosity took over his expression as he asked, "Why did you run here to Padmé's? Of all the places you could have gone, why here?"
Ahsoka dropped back onto her legs as she answered, "Because I trust her."
"Really," Anakin asked, interested to know more.
"Yeah. Ms Amidala is different than all the other teachers I've had," Ahsoka said, she had a smile on her face, "She seems to care about us, she's really nice, super smart and always ready to help. Plus, she makes you smile more."
Anakin sputtered at that, "What?"
Ahsoka gave her brother a smirk, "Don't look so surprised. It's true."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, I smile plenty," Anakin protested.
Ahsoka crossed her arms over her chest, brow scrunched as she said, "No you don't. All summer you were the most stressed I've ever seen, then the beginning of the school year you were sad, like really really sad and I know it's my fault."
Anakin shook his head, "What, Ahsoka no-"
"It's the truth," Ahsoka said with a frown, she looked down, "It's exactly like grandfather said."
Anakin's anger spiked, that was news to him, "What did he tell you?"
Ahsoka wouldn't meet his gaze, she tugged at her hat as she answered, "Because you're trying to get full custody of me you can't have a life. And he wasn't wrong. All you do is work and stress about the custody battle. If it weren't for me, you'd be able to do what other twenty three year old's do. You'd be able to travel the world, do all the things you want, but instead you're stuck here with me."
"First of all, I am not stuck here with you. I want to be here with you. Grandfather doesn't know what he's talking about," Anakin said, matter of factly. He placed a hand on her shoulder, forcing her to look up at him. "Snips, he's just a bitter old man and a sore loser. He'd say anything to get you to think that going with him or Mau- Malachai is the better option, which it isn't. The only place you're going is with me. In fact, you're the one who's stuck with me."
Ahsoka offered him a faint smile, "I hope so. Who else is going to watch your back?"
Anakin grinned, with his gloved hand he messed with her hat causing her to groan. "Glad you're seeing reason now."
"Uh huh," Ahsoka said as she fixed her hat, "And hey, you changed the subject."
"I did no such thing," Anakin said with feigned innocence.
Ahsoka scoffed, "You're impossible."
Anakin grinned sweetly, he glanced away with a soft breath, "Here, I'll tell you a secret."
Ahsoka's eyes flashed with interest, she leaned forward slightly. Whenever she was trusted with a secret, she would get really excited and feel honored.
"I do have a slight crush on Ms Amidala," Anakin admitted, his gaze found hers.
Ahsoka's grin was blinding, "I knew it! You're going to tell her right?"
"That's for me to know and you to not find out Snips," Anakin told her cheekily.
Ahsoka let out a huff, "If you say so."
Anakin got onto his feet, "Alright, next order of business. It is a school day, but I think maybe we can skip and I can call off work. Unless you want to go school?"
Ahsoka thought about that for a moment, the idea of ditching did sound really nice, but she did want to go to school. Besides, there was a war going on at recess today so she really couldn't miss it. Not when she, Caleb and Bariss were winning.
"Can't skip today," Ahsoka said with a sigh, "Caleb and Bariss need me to make sure that Cal, Galen and Ventress don't break our stronghold. We're in the middle of a war there, my team is winning and we don't intend to lose. And I think I have a history quiz."
Anakin chuckled, "Glad to see you got your priorities straight. Freshen up in the guest bathroom, then we'll be on our way."
Ahsoka gave him a mock salute before she rushed off to the guest bathroom behind him, where Padmé had left them some toiletries. With a quick breath, Anakin left the guest room where he smelled pancakes and bacon. He made his way down the hall to the kitchen where he spotted Padmé, already dressed for the day, making breakfast.
Though his steps had been silent, she had heard him walking and glanced over her shoulder to look at him. He looked well rested, his hair messy in an endearing way that Padmé found she wanted to comb her fingers through. Ever since Padmé woke up this morning she had been worried about her two guests, wondering how they were doing after the chaos of yesterday. Based on the conversation she had heard part of, she gathered they were doing a bit better, but still not great. Likely they wouldn't be great until this whole mess was put behind them and who knew when that would be.
"Good morning," she said to him with a kind smile, "Sleep alright?"
Anakin nodded as he made his way over to her, "Yes. Thank you again for letting us stay here. Please, let me help you with this."
Padmé shook her head, "No, you're my guests. I assure this is no trouble. How is Ahsoka doing?"
"She's better," Anakin answered softly, "We talked, things are okay. Though she actually wants to go to school."
Padmé frowned, "Is she sure?"
Anakin nodded, "Yeah, she's sure. It might actually be better that she go to school today, this way she has some normalcy. I just need to get her some clothes."
"I have a niece about her age, I have clothes here she can wear for the day so you don't have to rush to get her back to your home," Padmé offered.
Anakin smiled in response, "How are you always so prepared?"
"It's a gift," Padmé told him, her own smile present.
Anakin was lost in her smile for a moment. Since he'd met Padmé, he'd had a good feeling about her, that she was someone he could trust despite not knowing much about her which was something he hadn't felt since he was kid. He could remember as a child he trusted anyone and everyone with ease, but as he got older the opposite seemed to ring true. Trust was something not easily earned, but if it was lost, he didn't give it back. Yet, as he studied Padme he felt he would trust her no matter, even she managed to break his, he would give it to her over and over again. There was just something about her that he still hadn't quite figured out.
Though Anakin wouldn't call himself a romantic, he certainly liked the idea of finding the one you were meant to be with, having a soulmate and things like that. When he first laid eyes on Padmé, he felt as if the stars had aligned and all was right with the universe. That he could let her in, which wasn't something he did often. It was his mission to ensure no one could get past his walls, to make sure no one ever saw the storm of his mind, but for some reason he didn't feel as scared to let her in.
"It would be rude of me to make you do all the work, you must give me some task," Anakin told her, his smile sideways.
Padme let out a playful huff, "If you insist Mr Skywalker. You can make some coffee and I should still have some hot chocolate left for Ahsoka."
Anakin gave her a mock salute, "On it Senator Amidala."
Padme chuckled at him, but didn't say anything. As the pair of them worked in silence, Padme was surprised with how at ease she felt in this moment. It wasn't often she entertained guests, but usually when she did, she felt pressure to present herself a certain way. Now she didn't feel that, it was easy and felt right to be here.
The two stood in comfortable silence, Padmé finishing the pancakes and Anakin making some coffee for them, a hot chocolate. The fourth grade girl appeared to be in bright spirits as she made her way to the kitchen, the sight of pancakes bringing some of her excitement forward. Despite the disaster of the previous day, the morning had an air of hope and joy around it.
"Good morning Ahsoka," Padme greeted her, a kind smile on her face.
Ahsoka returned the grin, "Morning. Did you make these?"
Padme nodded, "I thought it would be a nice treat. I hope you like pancakes."
"I love pancakes," Ahsoka told her, "Thank you, and thanks for letting us stay here last night."
"It was the least I could do," Padme replied, her expression shifted to something Ahsoka couldn't quite read.
"Have a seat up here Snips," Anakin told her as he set her hot chocolate down on the counter, "We can all eat this lovely breakfast then you have to get ready for school."
Ahsoka frowned, "I just realized I don't have any other clothes, I can't wear pajamas to class. Can I? You said you did it sometimes."
Anakin let out a slightly embarrassed chuckle, "That was in college when teachers didn't care what your wore. Padme has some clothes that you can borrow for the day, plus I have a pair of your tennis shoes in the car. You really shouldn't leave them around like that."
Ahsoka's frown shifted to more a pout, "If I didn't leave them in the car, then I wouldn't have had any shoes to wear. I was prepared."
"Sure you were," Anakin said rolling his eyes.
The trio ate breakfast in the friendly atmosphere, bantering and having a nice time. For a minute as Anakin watched Padme and Ahsoka laughing, he found this image was what he wanted to become real. That he and Padme could have a future, Ahsoka would live with him and they would all be a family together. Of course it was far too early in his relationship with Padme to think of such things, but he couldn't help it and he had a good feeling that she would be around for a long time. Even as the doubts of it all played in his mind, he felt that hope bubbling and growing in him.
Breakfast ended too quickly and it was time for them to start getting a move on. Anakin offered to clean up the mess while Padme brought Ahsoka to the back so she could find her nieces clothes. The teacher and student made it to the office room where there was a desk with some books and a desk top on it, in the corner was a one person couch and a book shelf nearby. Padme went to the closet in the back corner by the window where she pulled out two pairs of jeans and at least five shirts.
"Here are some clothes she left behind, she's eleven and about your height, so I think these should fit," Padme said as she laid the clothes on the seat.
Ahsoka nodded gratefully, her gaze on Padme. Judging on the look, the school teacher had a feeling that there was something Ahsoka wanted to say, but was trying to piece it together in her mind.
"Ms Amidala, do you like my brother," Ahsoka asked, hoping she sounded casual.
Padme blinked in surprise, but schooled her features, "He's nice and has an interesting sense of humor. I suppose I do."
Ahsoka appeared a little deflated, "Do you like him, like him? I just, I know you make him smile, a lot and I thought maybe…"
Padme gave Ahsoka soft look, "He makes me smile a lot too."
Ahsoka's expression perked up at that, her blue eyes seemed to brighten at this news. That was good enough for her.
Thursday, 3:07 pm
Padmé stood in the doorway of her classroom, ready to call for her students to go to their cars and head home. With all the rain that appeared in the middle of the day with no sign of stopping, she was indoors and her students still in the classroom. The day had been a fairly good one, with Padmé making it more a fun day, straying from her original plans.
After everything that happened, she felt compelled to shorten the classes for her students so that most of their afternoon was spent playing and having fun. She claimed it was a Friday treat, but when her eyes fell on Ahsoka, she knew the young girl wasn't convinced. However Ahsoka didn't complain about it and it made Padmé feel better to see the ten year old in brighter spirits despite the turmoil of yesterday. Over the intercom she heard Dume and Bonteri.
Padmé looked inside, she called to her students, "Caleb, Lux. Your ride's are here."
The two boys scrambled to get their stuff and raced out of the room, despite Padmé telling them not to run. She glanced at her watch, 3:12. The next name to come on the intercom was Tano. Padmé had suspected that Ahsoka wouldn't be here for after school, considering she hadn't been home last night and her other brothers were probably eager to see her.
"Ahsoka, your turn," Padmé called to the young girl.
Ahsoka shrugged on her back pack with a nervous smile. The young girl came beside Padmé, she gave her a quick hug that caught Padmé by surprise. After a moment she returned the embrace.
"Thank you," Ahsoka said quietly as she let go, "For everything before."
Padmé grinned, "Of course. You be good this weekend."
Ahsoka smiled back, "I'm always good."
Padmé chuckled as she watched the young girl take off down the hallway. At the end of the hall, Padmé spotted Obi Wan waiting with open arms. Soon as Ahsoka was close enough, Obi Wan wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up with a slight spin. The sight made Padmé smile. She could only imagine how worried he must have been, the relief at having his sister back in his arms and safe. With a soft look, Padmé watched them leave the building and she sent out a little prayer that everything would work out for the family.
Obi Wan was never one to let his emotions get the better of him, but yesterday had pushed him to his limits. Especially when Anakin didn't bring their sister straight home. However he was a patient man and understood that Ahsoka just needed to be away from everything, so he let it go. He had gotten off work early so that he could pick her up himself, the only way to still the nerves and restlessness he felt was to see that she was alright.
With his stepfather on the loose, Obi Wan was already at the edge of his sanity and that would only worsen. Yet as he came to the hallway door, unable to just wait at the car, he spotted his sister running towards him. All his anxiety melted away at the sight of her, the warm memories of all the other times she ran to him in a similar manner soothing his fears. He wasn't sure what he would do with himself if he ever lost her, the thought was unimaginable. Already both his parents were dead, he couldn't bear to lose anyone else.
He brought her into his arms and lifted her up, "Oh Ahsoka. Thank goodness you're alright little one."
Ahsoka squeezed him back tightly, "I'm sorry I ran off. I missed you."
Obi Wan set her down with a smile, "I missed you as well, we all did."
"Is this the part where you lecture me," Ahsoka asked, she held onto his arm as they exited the building. "Cause Anakin already did."
Obi Wan knew how Anakin's lectures went, he knew he didn't give one to Ahsoka, "I'll spare you a lecture today, but we will talk about your actions later."
Ahsoka looked a little sheepish and guilty that.
"For now, I think we should decide on a place for a dinner," Obi Wan told her with a grin, "Perhaps we can go to Dex's or anywhere else you might want to go."
Ahsoka smiled brightly, "Dex's sounds great."
Ahsoka knew that the only reason she wasn't in a lot of trouble right now was because Obi Wan felt guilty. Anakin telling her that he and all her brothers were scared of losing her like she was them made her realize something. While it was hard on her, it was just as tough on them. Ahsoka vowed then and there she wouldn't cause them anymore trouble, she'd make sure she stayed with them.