A/N: A posting day, also this chapter is late and I didn't even realize it. I almost posted chapter 13, so I'll try to get 13 up in the next day or two.

Plenty of perspectives this chapter, getting a look at how just about everyone is doing. Also, I know very very very very little about military or how the ROTC program works so this purely based on some google searches and the average life of a ROTC member in college. Thank you guys for all the support, hope you enjoy this next chapter :)

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 Twelve

Anakin loved half of his job. Working on the machines that came in was the best thing, but the paperwork and a lot of times the people were the worst part. Since Anakin owned the four shops, he had to do a lot of paperwork instead of actually working on the mechanical side of things. The only, absolutely only, good thing about all the paperwork he did was that he was in complete and total control. While he wouldn't have called himself a control freak, he certainly liked being in charge and making things go his way as often as possible.

It was only noon and most of his paperwork had been finished. In a few hours he would go to the elementary school to pick up Ahsoka and see his girlfriend. His girlfriend who had been through so much and he wished he could take that pain away. He would protect her, no matter what, no one would ever hurt her again and if he ever saw this Rush Clovis, he would make him hurt. Anakin took a steadying breath, he needed to remain calm and not lose his temper.

Setting his pen down, he reached over to his drawer and pulled out his 'calm kit' that his therapist had helped him to create. He pulled out the blue and white striped box, Ahsoka had painted it for him two years ago, and opened it. Inside he had three Polaroid pictures, a small tube with oil and water in it, a fidget cube from Obi Wan, a wood carving from his mother and a few other objects. Each object could bring out calm feelings in him, the kit had actually been really helpful for him. Just as he was about to start digging through it, a knock sounded on his door. With a huff, he closed the box and put it away.

"Come in," he called when the box was away.

A head poked in the office, the face of his friend and partner Kitster, "Hey man. You busy?"

Anakin shook his head, "Just finishing up some paperwork. Something going on?"

Kitster winced slightly, "A customer wanted to speak to the manager, but didn't like what they were saying and demanded to speak to the highest ranked person here."

Anakin sighed heavily, "I'll take care of it. Lead the way."

Anakin got up from his desk, put on his best face and followed Kitster out of his office. When Anakin had first started this shop, it had only been the one, this one actually. While he had the support of his brothers, Ahsoka and grandfather on his mother's side, it had really been with Kitster's help that they got this place up and running. The young men walked through the warehouse-like garage to the front lobby.

Anakin had placed his office in the very back of the shop so that not just anyone could barge in and so that he was closer to the machines than the people. It wasn't that he had a problem with people, but he couldn't lie when he said he preferred most machines. Kitster brought him over to the front lobby where a man was standing with an annoyed and impatient look on his face.

"Hello sir," Anakin said politely, "What seems to be the problem?"

The man nodded, "You in charge here?"

"I am. Why don't you tell me what happened," Anakin said, he gave a nod for Kitster to go.

The man went on a rampage about how the mechanics had dented his car and messed with his starter. Anakin, to his credit, always managed to listen patiently to customers when they complained and usually didn't get upset with them, unless they crossed a line. So far this man was pushing it, but not there yet. Channeling his inner Obi Wan, Anakin was able to negotiate with the man. The dent to his car would be fixed along with checking the starter again, free of charge.

That didn't seem to be enough for the man though, if Anakin didn't know better, he would have been certain the man was trying to make him angry. Which didn't make any sense, but Anakin had faced worse customers, so he didn't retaliate and focused on sweet memories of Padme to keep him calm. It wasn't until the end of the discussion that Anakin barely held himself together.

"I'll put down information so we can call you to let you know it's finished," Anakin said, pulling out a pen and some paper. "Your name please?"

The man huffed, but his expression shifted to something Anakin couldn't read, and the words that followed made his blood boil, "The name's Rush, Rush Clovis. My number is…"

Now Anakin was extremely proud of himself for not attacking the man, but he could not stop the scathing look from appearing on his face when he lifted his head from the paper to look at the man. The amount of anger and hatred that flared to life inside Anakin was enough to level the building, but Anakin would not react more than the expression on his face. So this was the scum that hurt Padme, that hurt his angel. As much as Anakin wanted to pound the man right here and now, his gloved hand clenching into a fist ready to strike, he could not risk attacking a man who had done nothing to him. A few things could happen should a fight break out and none of them looked good for him, they looked worse for Ahsoka. He had to stay out of trouble, so he'd have to deal with this Rush Clovis a different way.

"Got it," Anakin said scribbling down the phone number, "We'll call you."

Anakin didn't give him the opportunity to say anything else, knowing that if he stayed out a minute longer and his fragile control would snap. Today had started out fine, but now, it was not a good day. Kitster opened his mouth to ask how it went, but the look on Anakin's face told him it would not be a good idea to say anything. So Kitster said nothing as his friend stalked his officer and slammed the door shut, hard enough for the entire garage to hear and pause in their work. And no sooner had Anakin sat down in his chair, he got an unpleasant phone call.

Ahsoka was not having a good day. She was waiting outside the principal's office and it wasn't even her fault. The reason was because Ventress had pushed her too far today. During P.E. Ventress had openly mocked her in dodgeball, which wasn't unusual, but today was different. Ahsoka clenched her hands into fists just thinking about it, the words of Ventress ringing in her ears.

To her right, Ventress was sitting in the chair with a scowl on her face and ice pack on her nose. Head shots weren't allowed in dodgeball and Ahsoka hadn't been able to play it off as an accident. It had already been established she had great aim with a powerful arm, plus Ventress's words had reached everyone in the gym, so clearly her getting hit in the face by the girl she had verbally attacked was not going to be seen as coincidence.

Footsteps reached the fourth grader's ears, both their hearts reacted in mild panic wondering who's guardians were about to show up. Ahsoka breathed some relief when she saw it wasn't any of her brother's, it was Ventress's dad. A man with fair skin and brown hair. He wore a kind smile as he walked up to the girls, Ventress looked away from him.

"Asajj," he greeted her, then he looked to Ahsoka, "Nice to see you again Ahsoka."

Ahsoka could only nod in response not sure what else she could say. 'Hi, nice to see you after I hit your daughter in the face' didn't sound right. She didn't feel bad for hitting Ventress in the face, not while she was still angry with her. More footsteps filled the hallway, Ahsoka glanced away to see Anakin walking over to them and he looked mad. Not super mad, but he was angry. Well that was just great.

Anakin had already been having a rough day, meeting Padme's ex had made it worse and then getting a call that Ahsoka had been sent to the principal's office and he needed to get there, it wasn't helping his mood. The ice pack on the other girl, Asa was her name though he couldn't really remember, gave him pause. Had Ahsoka caused that? If so, how she did was going to be more important than the actual injury. Her learning martial arts was only for self defense and sport, not for her to attack anyone. Master Ti was especially strict when it came to that. Most martial art instructors were, but Shaak Ti seemed to be the harshest that Anakin had ever encountered. Which was perfect considering how Maul had taught Ahsoka to fight.

"Mr Skywalker," said the man before Asa, his smile kind.

Anakin scrambled to remember his name, "Hi, forgive me, I don't remember your name."

The man chuckled, "Wouldn't expect you to. Ky Narec, I worked with your father for a little while."

Anakin nodded as he took the man's extended hand, "Right. Pleasure to see you again."

"You as well," Ky replied before he brought his attention to his daughter.

Anakin nodded to the side at Ahsoka, then walked off to the end of the hall and Ahsoka begrudgingly followed him. His anger was already super high and Anakin never lost his temper with Ahsoka. Sure he scolded her and maybe snapped at her from time to time the way siblings often did, but he never got really mad at her. Whenever he felt like his anger was growing too much, he always left her alone so that he wouldn't risk going off on her. His anger could make him say the worst things, he'd said horrible things to friends, to his brothers and he did not want Ahsoka on the receiving end of that.

"Want to tell me what happened," Anakin said, he winced at how cold his voice sounded.

Ahsoka crossed her arms over her chest, "I didn't attack her if that's what you're asking."

"Ahsoka, now is not the time for you to be snippy," Anakin told her sternly, arms crossed over his chest, "It has already been a bad enough day without having to be called from work now explain yourself."

"We were playing dodgeball and she kept taunting me, which wasn't anything new, but she went too far this time," Ahsoka said defensively.

Anakin gave her an unimpressed look. Of course he understood that it was hard to let words brush off you, but he also learned that hurting them physically back did not lead to anything good. If that was the only thing he ever taught Ahsoka, he would have been fine with that. He'd gotten into so many fists fights over stupid school yard taunts. He couldn't let her turn into him like that.

"What did she say," Anakin asked her, it must have been something bad to get her so riled.

Ahsoka looked down at her feet, "She knew about dad."

Anakin felt himself soften at those words.

Ahsoka continued, "She knew he was in jail. And she wouldn't stop, saying how I was just like him and it was only a matter of time before I ended up locked away to." Ahsoka looked up at him, he could clearly see the hurt on her face. "She said it in front of everyone. Now everyone knows my dad was in jail, a criminal and I'm going to be just like him. I was mad and I threw the dodgeball at her, but I wasn't aiming for her face. That was lucky, or I guess unlucky in this case."

Anakin processed those words for a moment. While Anakin had the worst temper of his siblings, Ahsoka wasn't that far behind him in terms of needing anger management. In all honesty what had happened was something he had often done in middle and high school. Reacting in quick anger to what another had said. Some relief went through Anakin, at least she hadn't attacked her with martial arts abilities. That was not something he could let slide.

Anakin got on one knee and placed a hand on her shoulder, "She shouldn't have said any of that to you and I understand your anger. But just because you got angry doesn't mean you can hurt people."

"It was an accident," Ahsoka protested, she sounded sincere.

"And I believe you, but I also believe that you throwing the ball at her had some intent to harm," Anakin replied in what she called his 'teacher' tone.

Ahsoka barely held back a scowl, "I wanted to get her out."

That was technically true, she had wanted to get back at Ventress, but to actually hurt her, in the moment she wanted. It was only after she had already thrown the ball did she regret her actions. Though her father's voice, one of his many lessons rang in her ears. He would have told her she had done the right thing, that she struck first and hard. That made her scowl fall away.

Ahsoka said softly with her head down, "I proved her point didn't I? That I'm no good, just like my dad."

Anakin knew he had to choose his next words very carefully. Yes, there were similarities between Maul and Ahsoka, but they could not have been more different. His little sister had a strong moral compass despite her young age, she always chose right when it really mattered, this had just been a slip up of emotional control. She was not like Maul. Anakin could not and would not allow anyone to twist Ahsoka into thinking they were the same.

He gave her shoulder a squeeze, "You are not your dad."

"But I am like him," Ahsoka said weakly, she looked so defeated, "I'm just like a killer."

"No," Anakin said sharply, she froze at his tone, "You are not your dad. His mistakes, his choices are not yours. Your anger got the better of you and it happens to the best of us."

Ahsoka shook off his hand, "Yeah and what if it gets worse? Dad killed someone because he was angry, angry they took me and angry that I didn't remember his lesson. What if I do the same?"

Anakin was not expecting the conversation to go this route, and he didn't know what lesson she was talking about, but he ignored it for now, "You won't. You're a good person, who doesn't want to hurt people. And I am sorry when I say this, but Maul liked to hurt people."

"Maybe I like to hurt people when they hurt me and you don't know it," Ahsoka said back her face scrunched.

"I know your heart," Anakin said earnestly, he poked her chest, "That heart in there does not want to hurt anyone. You are not your father."

Ahsoka looked to the ground, "I don't want to be like him, but I get so worried that I am. That I'm, I'm going to be monster."

Anakin pulled Ahsoka into his arms, "You are not and will not be a monster. You're heart is too good and too light for that. I know it, Obi Wan knows it, Rex and Cody, Padme, everyone knows it. Even Maul."

Ahsoka didn't return the hug, but she did let her head rest on his shoulder, she wanted to believe those words, but sometimes, a lot of times, she felt that it was only a matter of time before she turned out just like him. The way he always said.

"You are the most like me," he said to her across the table, her eyes flickering from his cuffed hands and orange uniform to his eyes, "Nothing will change that, the similarities we have. Soon enough, you will see we have more in common than what others would have you believe."

Cody let out a soft breath as he packed up his laptop and textbook, relieved that the class was finally over. On most days, he enjoyed being in lecture, taking notes and all around taking in the new information, but today he wasn't quite that into it. In another two weeks it would be Thanksgiving break and Cody was looking forward to it, the family would be having dinner with his and Rex's godfather and godbrother along with the Kryze family. The same would occur at Christmas. The holidays were always a special time for the family, it allowed them the chance to really be together and ignore the troubles of the rest of the world.

Cody shrugged on his backpack and adjusted his golden blazer that Rex jokingly said made him look like a sunflower. Once it had been said, Cody hadn't been able to unsee it, but he didn't have time to change so today he was a sunflower. He walked out of the social science building, thinking over the assignments he would need accomplish. The young man glanced at his watch to make sure he wasn't late in getting Ahsoka, but stopped when he realized he wouldn't need to get her today. For one she had been sent home early and Anakin had practically taken over carpool duty, he adjusted his schedule so he could get her almost every day which had taken a huge weight off Rex and Cody's shoulders.

As much as he loved picking up Ahsoka and seeing her at the end of the school day, it had certainly been stressful to manage between getting out of their classes on time, commuting back home and then there was their work, not to mention the ROTC program he and Rex were in. They had always talked about joining the military, since they were kids and once they got to college, they immediately set to join the ROTC program at Republic University. It had been a little more than a miracle that either Cody or Rex were able to keep up with the growing demand the program had on them as well as be able to get back home to their family drama.

While the classes and trainings the pair had for the program didn't often get in the way of picking up Ahsoka, it certainly added to their travel time and had on occasion, almost made them late. But they didn't mind or complain about it. Their superior officers didn't appreciate the near tardies they had, but seeing as they hadn't been late once despite the close calls and were top in the class, there was nothing to be done on the matter. Cody pulled out his phone, Rex should be done with his last class by now.

Cody: You ready to go yet?

When the reply didn't immediately come, Cody pocketed his phone and continued to walk to where the car was parked. He waved to some of his classmates, some pleasantries exchanged as he kept moving forward. However he froze in his spot when he saw his car and who was beside it. His father and Rex. Protectiveness flooded Cody. Of course he knew that Rex could handle himself, but he couldn't just leave his brother over there alone. How long had their father been here? Had he been waiting for them? What did he want? Whatever he did want likely wasn't anything good.

Rex was not one to be intimidated, many had tried and many had failed, but even as he stood before his father now, he felt intimidated. He felt like a young boy again standing at attention before his father, awaiting consequences alongside Cody.

"I see your training in the ROTC program is paying off, you've got the expression of a soldier down," his father said, it wasn't an insult or a compliment.

"What do I this dishonor," Rex asked him coldly, "You've been little more than phantom since your release. You coming here now is interesting."

His father didn't appear bothered by the words as he spoke, "Yes. I figured you, your brother and sister would need some time to process the good news."

"Good is an interesting word to use," Rex commented, his gaze narrowed.

"I couldn't agree more," said Cody coming to his brother's side, "What do you want?"

Maul took a moment to reply, just studying the two young men, "Merely checking in with the pair of you."

Cody crossed his arms over his chest, "Stalking would be the more accurate description."

"It's a new low for you," Rex remarked dryly.

"I am merely an observer," Maul told them, "I am most impressed with your scholarship earnings, the two of you have made quite the names for yourself on this campus. You have the respect of the Battalion, the Dean talked your accomplishments and how well you were doing. Your academics are exceptional, though Rexford you should work on your Arabic marks and Codell you shouldn't spend so much time volunteering. It's a distraction."

"You aren't helping your case in proving you aren't a stalker," Rex commented, doing his best to ignore his full name.

It wasn't that he didn't like his name, he just preferred it shorter and was not a fan of it coming from his father's mouth. That wasn't important now. What was important was the information that Maul had on them and wondering how he had obtained it. The only clue Rex had was the Dean of students, but that didn't make a lot of sense seeing as their information could only be given to people they approved of and neither of them would have approved of their father knowing this much about them.

Maul answered smoothly, "A father should be aware of what his children are doing. I've been out of the loop for awhile now and have been catching up."

Cody narrowed his eyes, "I doubt you came here to have a friendly chat."

"What other reason do you think I have come here for then Codell," Maul asked next, his tone hadn't shifted in the slightest.

In all honesty, Cody had no idea why his father had come to see him or Rex. The idea that Maul could appear at any moment had certainly come up several times among his brothers, but the only angle they could think of was to leave them worried. However that depended on Maul remaining little more than ghost, not outright coming to speak with them. There still wasn't any proof that their father had been stalking them, this wouldn't be enough proof because it was a verbal confrontation and no threats had been made. Stalking was a tricky thing to report and Maul certainly wasn't going to give them any leverage in this regard making things harder.

"We may not know what game you're playing, but you won't win," Rex told him plainly, "Ahsoka is staying with all of us."

Maul's expression shifted, something dark flickered in his eyes, "You would believe that she is better off with you than her father, but it isn't true and your view is biased, influenced."

Cody stepped forward slightly, keeping his tone even despite anger burning in him, "We are what's best for her."

"You are going to hold her back," Maul said plainly, "The pair of you have already suffered in their care. I have no doubt that under the care of your half brothers she has been left to run wild seeing as her behaviorial patterns almost mirror who you have set to be her primary guardian, Skywalker."

Rex spoke next, "Obi Wan and Anakin have done a great job by us. They were there, they helped us, raised us. They will continue to do a great job looking after Ahsoka, she's better without you in her life. You won't get custody."

Maul gave them an odd smile as he said, "We'll see about that. Now you two better get going if you intend to get to your aircraft lectures early."

Cody and Rex both forced themselves not to react to his words, but both were wondering how he could have known that when today was the first day they were going to participate in it. A smaller class that was was split into three parts in the semester, they were taking the third part starting today. Not saying anything more, Maul left the brothers alone by their cars, giving them plenty to chew on and think about.

"Why now," Rex asked, his anger shining through, "Why after the past couple weeks of him being a ghost does he show his face here? What reason?"

Cody didn't answer right away, "I'm not sure. He knows we'll inform Obi Wan and Anakin of this. He probably wants to make us afraid."

Rex frowned, "We were already concerned that he would show up before."

"Yes, but now that he has with more information on us than he should have had, it only adds to the point that he is not alone," Cody pointed out.

Rex stilled slightly at that, he understood what his brother was getting at now. By their father appearing here with information on them, it showed that he was not without friends in high places and was more than capable of learning what he wanted from them with or without their help.

"By now the twins will likely have told Obi Wan and Anakin of your visit," commented the older man from his seat, not lifting his gaze from his newspaper.

Malachai continued to gaze out the window, not interested in replying since it would end in a yet another disagreement. If things had been by his plans, he would have already confronted his sons and step sons over his daughter, but Sheev Palpatine had other ideas and a different plan. It had been their join effort, each of their connections paying off which had gotten Malachai virtually acquitted of the crime he committed. For the time being, it was working in his favor to work with his former father-in-law.

They had a mutual goal and neither would jepoardize that goal over minor disagreements in how they should achieve the goal. Since his release, he had been waiting, planning, calculating. In these few weeks he was able to get his old job, acquire an house and have his car fixed. For a moment he felt like young adult again, just getting their bearings together, just about to set off into the real world. His other more colorful dealings had been easy to get back into his, the bruises on his torso and sore knuckles proof that it had gone well. If it hadn't, he wouldn't have been standing here.

"I do grow tired of this lying in wait, but I see why it is necessary," Malachai said a bit absently.

Palpatine glanced to the younger man, "Indeed. Your time will come soon enough and we will both get what we desire."

Malachai kept his brown eyes on the backyard, hands clasped behind his back as he considered what their shared goal was. Ahsoka Tano. The reasons that both men wanted her were different. For Malachai it was to have his daughter back, simple and straight forward. Once he had her back in his care, he could pick up where he left off and ensure that she would be able to fight in this world. What reasons exactly Palpatine wanted to have Ahsoka in his care or why he was helping to get her back in her father's care was a bit beyond Malachai. He knew that the reason the old man had given him before about being connected to the last connection he had of his own daughter wasn't true.

As much as Ahsoka was like her mother, Palpatine had plenty of things to connect to Shmi Skywalker and he had four grandsons he could try to get close to once again. There was a different reason he wanted his granddaughter nearby. Malachai had a feeling it was to do with the company Palpatine owned. Initially Anakin would have been the one to take it over, but due to their falling out it seemed Palpatine had no one to pass it onto and he refused to let it go to anyone outside of his blood. Making his way through the list, he was left with a ten year old who could still be swayed unlike her older brothers who were all adults and out of his influence. Malachai couldn't confirm that, but he had a sneaking suspicion about it and frankly didn't care.

Once Ahsoka was back in his care, he would pick up where he left off in teaching her how to survive the world, how to take power in the world and what role she would begin to play in his underground schemes. Schemes of which Cody and Rex had been involved with before, but no longer were when he went to jail. Control of his underground dealings had gone to his younger brother Savan the first and his nephew Savan the second.

Malachai had since retaken the 'throne' of the underground world he cultivated and he intended for Cody, Rex and Ahsoka to grow in, but it appeared that things were not going as planned. Rex and Cody had been distracted, they had strayed from the path and were now moving too far out of his reach, but Ahsoka. She was still young, still impressionable, she was not a lost cause and therefore his efforts would be focused on her. He would not allow her to avoid this destiny, he had much to do and many plans for her.