A/N: This chapter dialogue heavy, I mean like super heavy cause there's a lot of conversation and explanations and just plenty of exposition that wouldn't work without all the dialogue. Anakin gets to tell more about his life and Padme gets to learn and share some of her own. If you arent a fan of a lot of dialogue then I formally apologize cause there is absolutely no other way I could have written this out. For my dialogue lovers, enjoy this gift.

These chapters were really fun so I hope you have fun reading them. It also occurred to me I have no idea what state they're in, I knew I'd place them in America cause it's the only country I've ever been, but I didn't pick a state and I have no idea what state that should be. I considered making Coruscant a new state, but the idea of having the fifty one states of America seemed so odd, so I said nevermind and made it a city/county, but otherwise no idea. So reviewers, tell me what state you think they're in, help a lowly writer out.

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 Sixteen

Padme closed up her classroom with a giddy grin that she was struggling to hide. All day she had been thinking about this trip with Anakin and his family and she couldn't lie, she was excited to join them. Not to mention she would see Satine again which would be nice. As eager as Padme was to go, she couldn't ignore the nervousness she felt about it. Anakin and her had talked about revealing the secret to everyone last night when he stayed over at her house, now was a good time and it would be good news, but she was worried his brothers wouldn't approve, that Ahsoka wouldn't approve. Anakin laughed at that, his voice rang in her ears.

"Ahsoka has been trying to play Cupid for weeks, she's the one who told me I should take you out on a date that day when you were sad. She's definitely going to be happy about it. I should be the worried one, I have to meet your parents and sister one day."

It slightly eased Padme's worries, but mostly she was still nervous. Padme made her way to the faculty parking lot where she spotted Anakin waiting for her. Currently leaning against the passenger side of his BMW, scrolling on his phone. He was dressed in blue jeans that had a few grease stains along with a maroon t-shirt, he seemed more inclined to darker colors and red shades. Not that Padme minded, she thought he looked good in just about any color. He glanced her way, he smiled brightly at her.

"Hey there senator," he said with a cheeky grin, he gestured to her bag, "Allow me to take that for you."

Padme handed it to him, "Ever the gentleman."

"I live to serve," Anakin said with a mock bow as he opened the passenger door for her.

"Good to know chivalry isn't dead," Padme remarked as she climbed into the car

Anakin winked at her, "It is very much alive."

Padme rolled her eyes as he closed the door, but was smiling pleasantly. Being with Anakin was close to perfect, she loved every minute she spent with him. In the rearview mirror, she watched as he put her bag in the trunk. That was just her school bag with some papers for her to grade, her suitcase was already in the back along with his. Since he'd spent the night at her house before going to work, she had put her suitcase in his car and he couldn't believe how much she had managed to pack. Grumbling about how he thought Satine would pack a lot, but Padme would likely give the other woman a run for her money, which honestly didn't surprise the school teacher. Anakin hopped into the driver's seat and started the engine.

"We are here headed to Temple," Anakin started as he drove out of the school, "Roughly a two hour or maybe three hour drive depending on traffic."

Padme rolled down a window, "I take it your brothers and sister are already there?"

Anakin nodded, "Ahsoka went with the twins last night, grandfather Dooku this morning, I think around two Obi Wan and Satine along with-" Anakin paused. "With Korkie. You met him at the Halloween party."

Padme turned her gaze to look at Anakin, the pause filled her with confusion. While she was curious as to why he had said it that way, she had a feeling it wouldn't be a good idea to press it now. Another sensitive subject perhaps or a story that wasn't quite his to tell. She'd just remain quiet on the matter for the foreseeable future.

"Does your family often go on these trips," Padme asked curious.

Anakin visibly relaxed that she hadn't pushed him on his slip up, "Yeah. We used to go every other weekend, but things started getting crazy so it's been more like once a month instead. Actually we haven't been since the beginning of summer. So I'm excited to be going again. Your family have any trips like this?"

Padme considered the question, "My parents owned a lake house. We would go up to lake every other day, in all honesty we spent more time in that house than our own."

"Theed Lake right," Anakin asked, remembering she mentioned being from Naboo.

Padme nodded, "The very same. Have you ever been?"

Anakin shook his head, "Unfortunately no, but I have always liked lakes and large bodies of water. The beach is nice."

Padme raised a brow, "Didn't you say you hated sand?"

"Oh I do," Anakin said, tone assuring, "But I like watching the waves at the beach, so long as the sand doesn't touch me."

Padme laughed at that, especially as she remembered how Anakin spent an hour ranting at how terrible sand was and why it should be purged from the universe. She'd never seen him get so passionate before and the memory always made her grin. One day she would bring him to the beach to see a real life reaction to the sand, she had to see how much he hated it for herself.

Anakin rolled his eyes, but he smiled at the sound of her laugh, "Yeah laugh it up. You have no idea how evil sand can be. Coarse, rough, irritating, it gets everywhere-"

"I remember your speech," Padme interrupted still laughing. "Very thorough and convincing."

Anakin stuck out his tongue playfully at her.

"So, what should I expect on this weekend trip with the-" Padme paused realizing she wouldn't be able to follow her original idea.

Anakin glanced at her with a quirked brow, "The?"

"Sorry," Padme said tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I was going to say with the Skywalkers, but you and your siblings don't share a last name."

Anakin chuckled. "Yeah, we all have different last names, but not for the reasons you're likely thinking."

Padme let a small smirk form on her face, "Please enlighten me."

"As you wish milady," Anakin replied with a wink. "So my mother did not beat teen pregnancy, she had Obi Wan when she was eighteen or nineteen I think. And most kids born to unmarried parents or out of wedlock take on their mother's last name. Obi Wan Skywalker was his birth name, but shortly after our father died, he took on the last Kenobi in honor of him. I'm obviously Skywalker cause I kept the name of my mother. The twins last name is Fett and Ahsoka's is Tano."

Padme frowned in confusion, "But Maul's last name is Tano, where did Fett come from?"

"Well technically Maul's last name isn't Tano. As for Fett, it's in honor of their godfather, named Jango Fett. Now before you ask, no, there was no affair. Our family isn't that much of a soap opera," Anakin told her laughing. "Jango's a decent man, a little shifty, but he was a good friend to my mother and father. He'd help them out and to honor that, she offered to put down his last name. Initially she was going to put down her last name."

"And not Maul's which isn't Tano," Padme asked, still confused.

Anakin grinned. "No, his name is Malachai Opress. Now Shmi Skywalker was a kind and very gentle woman, usually willing to compromise, but she refused to take that last name and Maul agreed. He hated his last name and planned to change it one day."

"Did he take hers," Padme asked, a bit cautiously.

"No, he thought Skywalker sounded too soft. He actually wanted his last name to be Starkiller, but never really got around to changing it," Anakin answered a bit plainly, his next words held more excitement, "So he saw no problem with them having different names, so Fett got it. Jango was overjoyed and joked that the twins were actually his boys along with Boba. Boba is his only son by the way, he's actually about the same age as Rex and Cody give or take some weeks."

Padme nodded along, "Alright so Obi Wan got Kenobi from your dad, you got Skywalker from your mom, Rex and Cody got Fett from their godfather, but where did the name Tano come from?"

"In all my mother's other pregnancies, she waited til they were born to find out what gender the baby was. Each time she had guessed a boy, each time she'd been right, except the last time," Anakin said with a cheeky smile, "Four of five isn't a bad streak. She had been certain that she was having another boy, I personally didn't care, but I know Obi Wan had been hoping for a girl. Rex and Cody were betting on the gender, Rex won. Anyway, my mom was certain that she was having another boy, but she was wrong and there was Ahsoka. My mother had picked out the name Tano, though spelled with an 'H' for a boy. And for a bit she considered just leaving it, but I convinced her otherwise."

A gentle smile spread on Padme's face, "You named her Ahsoka didn't you?"

Anakin let out a slightly nervous laugh, "Yeah. I don't remember where I heard the name, but at the time I knew it meant pure soul and warrior. And when I looked at her, it fit. Since Ahsoka wasn't going to take on Maul's last name, she got Tano all to herself. Until Maul changed his last name to Tano when she was four."

"Any reason for that," Padme asked a little curious.

Anakin shrugged, "I'm sure he had a reason, but I don't know it. Though here's a family question for you. Sola's last name is Naberrie-Janren, your parents are Naberrie, but your last name is Amidala. Why is that?"

Padme chuckled a little embarrassed about the story behind it, "It's my mother's maiden name. When I was a kid I thought it was completely unfair that you had to take on your dad's last name instead of your mom's because that was just how the system worked. When my parents told me that you could choose, I begged them to let me change it as an act of rebellion against the patriarchy."

Anakin laughed for a good twenty seconds at that, "I can just picture a little Padme stomping her foot and raging about the patriarchy."

"Yeah," Padme said still a little embarrassed, "So I got my last name changed to Amidala-Naberrie. It would have been just Amidala, but I didn't want my dad to think I didn't like his last name."

"How thoughtful," Anakin teased with that same cheeky grin.

If he wasn't driving, Padme would have shoved him for that. So she settled for a playful glare that only made him smile more in response. She loved that smile, it was so infuriating how much she loved it.

"Alright so tell me what I should expect on this trip with the Kenobi, Skywalker, Fetts and Tano family," Padme said next, her grin interested and teasing.

Anakin shook his head, "That is certainly a mouthful. And what to expect on this trip? The unexpected."

Padme rolled her eyes, "Wow, that was very insightful Mr Skywalker."

"I do have a way with words Senator Amidala," Anakin replied. "There isn't a set schedule or anything for you, the twins, Satine or Korkie as none of you practice. As for Obi Wan, Ahsoka, Dooku and I? We have certain things we have to do each day by certain times. For example, we have to meditate at least five times on Saturday and Sunday."

"For how long," Padme asked, that seemed like a lot.

"Fifteen minutes each," Anakin answered simply, "It's not too bad, but I'm not a fan of sitting around and not doing anything."

Padme wasn't surprised, Anakin hated sitting still or being idle. "You definitely don't seem the type. What else do you, if you don't mind my asking?"

Anakin replied, "Not at all. During these retreats we have the meditations, we have to get up before the sun to say a prayer. The prayer varies on which section we're in."

"Section," Padme asked.

"I'd better start at what our religion is if I'm going to talk about the sections or Orders as they're sometimes called," Anakin said a bit slowly as he was trying gather his thoughts, his voice was regular pace as he continued, "So we don't really believe in a God the way say Christians do. We believe in this Force, capital F, that connects all living things. It's essentially cosmic energy, written in the stars."

Padme nodded. "That sounds mystical, I've never heard of it before."

Anakin continued, "Well there aren't many of us, I'd say around ten thousand followers though the number fluctuates, we have teachings dating back as far as Greek mythology, some before then."

"If it is as old as that, then it's a wonder that it has survived for so long," Padmé commented as she leaned back in her seat.

Anakin shrugged, "I suppose so."

"How do these groups or Orders work," Padme questioned next.

"Each group focuses on a code, they live by it to the best of their ability," Anakin explained, "We all believe in the force and try to connect to it as best we can. The most similar thing I could compare it to would be kind of the way monks try to reach enlightenment. We seek to be one with the Force and the Force with us."

Padme angled her body a bit more to face him, more than interested on the concept. She'd never been religious, though she remembered when she was younger her parents had taken her and Sola to all kinds of churches and places of worship. Exposing her to as many as they could so that if one spoke to her, she could pick it and continue on. Though some of them did interest her, she hadn't ever found the 'one' so to speak when it came to religion. While she believed there was some higher power, she just wasn't sure what. Padme wondered what she should ask him about it next. He mentioned different sections or orders.

"How do the Orders work," Padme asked him.

Anakin took a moment to answer, "There are three in total, I'll start with mine of course."

Padme rolled her eyes, "Of course."

Anakin chuckled lightly, he got onto the interstate as he spoke, "So first we have the Jedi, who follow this code "There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force." The mantra you say, almost like a prayer is "Emotion, yet peace. Ignorance, yet knowledge. Passion, yet serenity. Chaos, yet harmony. Death, yet the Force." Being a Jedi is all about control and in many ways detachment, being detached from the world, but still connected to it."

"Connected, but detached," Padme questioned a little confused, "A little contradictory don't you think?"

Anakin readily agreed. "No kidding. For the Jedi it is all about compartmentalizing, seeing where things connect and where they separate. How they should be together or separate. Focusing on things outside of yourself and connecting to it. The next order we have is the Sith which is almost the exact opposite of the Jedi."

"Why is it he opposite? I thought you worshipped the same Force as group," Padme asked not following.

"Worship is pushing it, but while we believe in the same thing, we have different ideas on how it should be connected or how it should be handled," Anakin told her, an idea came to mind, "So you know how Catholics and Muslims worship the same God, but in different ways? Our religion works in the way that we recognize that Force belongs to each of us and we must work beside each other in some kind of harmony in order to have peace or balance."

Padme nodded, "Peace and balance with each other?"

"Yes. Otherwise the groups end up fighting with each other. They're divided yet somehow united sections." Anakin paused for a moment, Padme noticed the sorrowful expression on his face that he couldn't hide. "My father was different, he followed the third and final order. They believed that the true way to worship and practice the Force was to start as a Jedi, then learn the ways of the Sith before settling as a Grey."

Padme glanced out the window, "And why is that?"

"Getting ahead of yourself, must be a teacher thing," Anakin told her with a grin. Padme playfully smacked his arm. With a chuckle, he continued on. "Now the Sith are opposite to Jedi in almost every way. The Sith code focuses more on yourself and what you can do. "Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me." It's more about rising above yourself, building yourself up." Anakin paused for a moment. "Where as a Jedi will practice emotional control, restraint and sometimes suppression, the Sith will push their emotions forward, try to feel as much as they can and throw emotion into every action. I've been inclined to join that Order for a while now since my emotions are already heightened, so it made sense."

"Why haven't you then," Padme asked him curious. "If you felt called to it, how come you didn't join?"

That was such a loaded question, Anakin wasn't even sure how he could begin to explain why he hadn't joined the Sith section of his religion. On the one hand, it was Obi Wan and Ahsoka who kept him grounded in the Jedi, since both of them were following that path and he wanted to stay as connected to them as he could. Another reason was because of his deceased father and mother who both weren't keen on the Sith path, in honor of their memory he didn't go to it.

And there was his own way that emotions seemed to take control of him instead of him over them. The Sith didn't practice control the way the Jedi did and sometimes he thought that maybe the Sith practices would help him, but he recalled those days with Palpatine. How his emotions seemed to take even more control of him. He hated feeling so out of control, so angry and afraid at once, it hurt. Anakin let out a small sigh.

"As much as I would like to channel my emotions all the time, I've seen how dangerous it can be when someone loses control," Anakin said, his throat a bit dry, "I don't want my emotions to get the better of me like that, but I also don't want to hide them away. Neither of those options is a very good idea for me."

Padme nodded in understand, "What about Grey then? Is that a middle ground?"

"Ten points to Gryffindor," Anakin teased with a grin.

Padme rolled her eyes, "For all you know I could be a Ravenclaw."

Anakin shrugged his shoulders, "That's the smart house right?"

Padme blinked at him, was he serious right now? Sure Ravenclaws were all about knowledge, but they weren't just the smart house.

"What," Anakin asked when he saw her expression, "Considering I've never read the books, I don't know a whole lot."

Padme shook her head, "I have the books, so you can borrow them."

"Can't we just the movies, I've seen most of those," Anakin whined at her, he couldn't fight a laugh at the downright scandalized look on her face.

"If you only see the movies, you miss more than half the story," Padme protested, she couldn't believe this, "I can't believe you said that to me. Soon as we get back, you are going to start reading the books."

Anakin let out a sigh, "Whatever you say Senator. You're in the brave house though aren't you?"

Padme wasn't going to answer that, "I'll tell you when you read the books. For now, tell me more about the Grey order."

"As you wish," Anakin said with a grin. "Grey is seen a the middle or neutral part of the Force, where the Jedi and Sith meet and mix. The Grey code is "Flowing through all, there is balance. There is no peace without a passion to create. There is no passion without peace to guide. Knowledge fades without the strength to act. Power blinds without the serenity to see. There is freedom in life. There is purpose in death. The Force is all things and I am the Force. It takes from both codes and teachings. Grey focuses the emotions with the guide of the Jedi code, which I think isn't too bad of an idea."

Padme glanced at him, "Would you consider joining the Grey Order?"

Anakin shifted slightly, "I had in the past, but I'm stuck with Jedi. If I intend to be a grey then I have take the Grey trials and I'd have to take their teachings more seriously. It almost seems like too much to try and change now."

"What are the trials," Padme asked him

"Each section has trials, broken in different ways. The Grey have the most with seven, Jedi in the middle with five and Sith has the least with two," Anakin explained, "For Jedi when you're an infant, you're referred to as a youngling of the Force. Usually when you're five you become an initiate after going through trials. They're pretty much you just acknowledging the Force, showing that you know the code and little things like that. At ten, eleven, or twelve you can go through the Initiate trials. One you have demonstrated a clear understanding of the three pillars of the Jedi, so understanding the Force, knowledge and self discipline then by age thirteen, you become a Padawan. From there you begin to receive more individualized teachings and guides from a Knight or Master. They are the ones who have spent years studying and practicing the Force, now they guide the younger generations."

Several questions popped into Padme's mind, she settled on the last one to come to mind, "What happens if you don't get through the trials by thirteen?"

Anakin didn't quite wince, but he looked uncomfortable at the question, "You transfer usually. Either to Sith or Grey. The only exceptions made to this are members who join later, those who weren't born into it."

Padme asked her next question, "Where do you fall in this?"

Anakin held up his left wrist where she spotted a leather braid tied around it, "I'm a Padawan. Obi Wan is a Knight and he's been giving me more personalized instructions. Technically I could be a Knight, but I haven't taken the Knighthood trials yet, been distracted lately… For a Knight there are five trials you must pass. Skill, courage, spirit, flesh and insight. Couldn't tell you what they look like, Obi Wan refuses to tell me."

"What happens when you become a Knight," Padme asked.

"You take on a Padawan, guide them and if you successfully teach them as well as showing your own growth, you can become a master," Anakin told her, his expression torn between annoyed and excited. "At first I figured padawans would be more of hindrance than anything as you try to grow, but other times I think it would be good to have one. Besides, I already know who my padawan will be."

"Ahsoka," Padme guessed with a grin, "Is it common for siblings to take each other?"

Anakin shook his head, "No, it's actually rare and you need permission to take on a Padawan. You have to meet with the high council, they determine whether or not you should take this student on along with discussing it with the family members. The reason why Obi Wan took me was because of our father. He was almost on the high council before he died and he wanted us to follow us path in Grey. When Obi Wan and I requested each other, in honor of what our father did for them, they allowed it. I intend to cash in on that again when Ahsoka becomes a Padawan."

Padme nodded, she leaned back in her seat, "What are the ranks for the Sith and Grey? And who are their leaders? You mentioned the high council for Jedi, but what about the other two?"

"Uh, I'm not sure about the Grey though I'm certain they have their own council. As for Sith, they usually have one person at a time who they call Darth," Anakin explained with a furrowed brow, "The Sith have two ranks. Since I haven't gone into the Sith, my knowledge is limited and brief. Probably oversimplifying it too. As a Sith you spend most of your time as an apprentice, similar to a Padawan. You start there and when you demonstrate a certain amount of knowledge in Sith and pass their trials, you can become a master. The common way is to show more knowledge than your master. At least that's what grandfather said was part of it."

"Your grandfather is Sith? What about your mother," Padme questioned, her brown eyes focused on him and studying his reaction.

Anakin shifted in his seat, "I'd only found out recently that he had been apart of the religion at all, but yes, he is one. A master as well. Maul and Dooku had been his apprentices. Maul took it to more extreme levels, like grandfather, whereas Dooku is a bit more mild. If anything he probably would do well as a Grey." Anakin paused for a moment, trying to ignore the pain in his chest. "As for my mother, she wasn't quite as into as we were. If anything, she liked the concept and supported us, but she didn't practice. However if she did, she likely would have been a Jedi. Though she liked how in depth Grey was."

Padme said nothing, prompting Anakin to continue.

"This I know more about thanks to Obi Wan and what I remember from dad… You start as Teidowan, one on one teaching from the start similar to the apprentice and master approach you saw in the Sith. Our father had intended to take Obi Wan and I as his Teidowans actually. When it came to Jedi and Sith, you weren't allowed to have more than one, but Grey was flexible and as influential as my father was in that sect, they didn't mind." Anakin s explained to her, his tone a little far off, "After that you would take Grey trials to become a Grey Knight which is technically one step under a Jedi Knight. How exactly, I'm not sure. Obi Wan would know though and where the ages usually fall, but they weren't concerned with age like Jedi. Anyway, after that, you would take tests to become a Koawan which means full Knight. That's the Jedi Knight equivalent. After some time there you would take more tests to become an advanced Koawan, called Silvers. A Silver Knight could take on a Teidowan and when they successfully got their Teidowan to pass the Grey trials, then they could take the rest to become a Maenowan, which is the first level of being a master. After some time there and learning more, then you could become a master."

Padme chewed on that information for a few moments, "That certainly sounds in depth."

Anakin laughed, "You have no idea. You spend a lot of time as a Teidowan and then you roughly at least a year in each rank, usually more. Most people on Grey don't move past Silver Knight, not because they don't pass the tests, but most people find comfort in being in that position. So I've heard anyway."

"I like that," Padme said softly, "Very intimate."

"Hope I haven't bored you with all the talking," Anakin said, his tone just a little nervous.

Padme shook her head, "Not at all. I could listen to you all day. It's fascinating."

Anakin gave her the biggest smile he could, his blue eyes sparkling with something she couldn't quite place.

A/N: Again, I'm sorry if dialogue isn't your favorite or that there was so much, but it was the best way I could explain all the stuff going on without it just being a bunch of paragraphs. Either way, hope you enjoyed it just a little bit and as a side note...

What Hogwarts houses do you think the characters would be in?

Padme I see as a Ravenclaw, but one list shows her as a Gryffindor and made some good points on it. Anakin is a Slytherin, not cause he's the bad guy, but he's incredibly ambitious which is a strong Slytherin trait, though he could also be a Gryffindor for his bravery and the whole Hero with no fear thing he has going on. Ahsoka is a Gryffindor and you can't change my mind. Obi Wan is so hard for me to pin down, but one called him a rare Slytherpuff and I love it. Tell me your thoughts, cause I want to know and tell me your house if you want.

I'm a Gryffindor, so any Gryffindors out there, hey!