A/N: I meant for this chapter to be posted sooner, but better late than never. I'll try to get next chapter up a bit sooner since this one took longer. Happy New Year everyone! May this year bring us some great things. And as always, thank you guys for the support on this story, you're the best! Stay safe out wherever you are :)
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 Eighteen
Try as he might, Rex couldn't help, but to feel awkward standing in the doorway of this house after refusing the offer to come inside. It wasn't the first time he had been to this house, he couldn't remember the family's name or the name of the man before him, which should have made feel guilty, but he didn't. Typically it was Obi Wan who would pick up Ahsoka from her Clan meetings, but he ended up having to help Satine with something, Anakin was stuck at the shop and Cody was still at school leaving Rex as the only one able to pick up the youngest family member. Not that he minded really, he just didn't do small talk.
Luckily, before the conversation could get past further small talk about his studies with the man here, he spotted his little sister walking forward. For the past few days she had been in good spirits, Obi Wan had been right in thinking that the trip to Temple would help her and the silence of Maul had been actually comforting. On the one hand, it should have worried them, but on the other it was nice to have some peace.
"Hey commander, ready to go," Rex asked when Ahsoka was in front of him.
"Yeah," she said plainly, she said a quick thanks to the gentleman, who's name was Vos, and then walked out the door.
Stalked out the door would have been a more accurate description, which was unlike her. She loved going to her Clan scout meetings, hated having to leave them and wished they were longer and were more frequent. As it was, meetings were once or twice a month with an event every so often. Though Rex knew as one got older, they would do more things and the commitment would rise. He'd never been a scout in any capacity, neither had any of his brothers. Ahsoka was the first and only one. The reason for that had been one of her classmates from a few years ago mentioned it to her shortly after Maul's arrest. It had been a difficult time for her and she needed the distraction. Stuck with it ever since. He climbed into the driver's seat, "So how was the meeting?"
"Fine."
Rex frowned, "Just fine? Didn't learn anything new? I thought this week you guys were talking about a camping trip."
"We did," Ahsoka said plainly.
"And? Anything else," he probed as he turned the car on.
"No," was her short reply.
Rex glanced at her in the rearview mirror, "Did something happen to put you in a sour mood?"
"No," she said flatly before putting her ear buds in.
Well clearly that was a lie. Definitely upset about something, though he hadn't the faintest idea what could have ruined her mood like this. As he pulled the car out, he went through his mind for anything that could have happened during the day or at the meeting that might have upset her so much. Things had been going well for days now with no issues, so what- And then it hit him. What the man had mentioned to him, about why Ahsoka wasn't out yet.
"Finishing up the details for the father daughter and mother son dance coming up," the man, Vos, told him. "I heard you and Cody are looking into the military..."
It had completely slipped past him, the man even gave him a flyer for it that he had shoved in his pocket. He felt incredibly stupid. Of course that would make Ahsoka upset and he felt helpless. His sister could never get a break it seemed, it broke his heart really. Rex liked to think of himself as a good brother. Always ready to watch his siblings back, protective, rational, teasing and reliable. Though there were a number of areas he felt he failed in. Right now, was one of those moments.
His mind tried to find the right words to say, but even if he did have any words, she wouldn't have heard him over the sound of her blaring music that was not good for her ears. A habit she picked up from Obi Wan of all people. Anytime he felt overwhelmed or did not want the world to bother him, he turned the volume in his headphones to the highest level. When they were younger he claimed if he couldn't feel the base of the music in his eardrums, it wasn't loud enough. No doubt he would be getting hearing aids before his wedding.
For the duration of the drive, Rex was silent with only the radio and Ahsoka's music in his ears. It wasn't until he parked in the driveway did he decide to say something. Though Ahsoka tried to slip out of the car, he locked the doors to ensure she could get away.
"Rex," she said, no emotion in her tone.
"Ahsoka," he replied plainly, "We need to talk. Listen, I know you're upset about-"
Ahsoka cut him off, "We're not talking about it and you can't tell the others about it."
Rex turned around in his seat to look at her, "Ahsoka."
"I'm serious," she said, her tone earnest and desperate. "It's just a stupid dance I don't want to go to. There's no reason to bring it up. Swear you won't tell the others."
Rex swallowed, "Kid, if you did want to go-"
"I don't care about a stupid dance," Ahsoka snapped harshly.
"We should talk about this," Rex suggested, his tone a bit firmer than before. "Or at least with Anakin or Obi Wan."
Ahsoka shook her head, there was a fierce look in her eyes, "Don't want to, so not gonna and you're not going to say anything because you owe me after that accident we were in six months ago that they don't know about. Also give me the flyer that Mr Vos gave you."
Rex didn't move.
"Please," Ahsoka added and he found he couldn't, didn't want to say no to her.
Not when she seemed so afraid, so insistent. And so without a word, he reached into his pocket and handed it to her. A moment later, she crumbled it in her hand, opened the car door, slammed it shut after her, and went to the open garage door. Rex let out a heavy sigh, that could have gone much better and he felt like a failure for not handling that well. He couldn't stay in the car forever, so he unbuckled his seat belt, climbed out the car and went inside.
In the kitchen he was greeted to the sight of Obi Wan and Satine, both looking more worn than anything. That told Rex all he needed to know, they were looking at Ahsoka's case. After the visit to Temple, Obi Wan informed everyone, except Ahsoka, that Maul had put in a summons. While Obi Wan and Anakin were still in the best position to keep her, there was always the possibility that they could lose her. Something they couldn't take lightly.
"Thank you for getting her Rex," Obi Wan told him with a waning smile. "Did she have fun?"
Rex felt his mouth dry, "Yeah, she had a good time. Talked a million words a minute in the car, I could only make out the words camping, adventure, new badges and maybe something about campaigns?"
Obi Wan's grin seemed to grow a bit, "That's good. Glad to see her excited, she practically bolted to her room talking about planning for her next badge before I could ask her anything."
"Yeah," Rex said, fighting the urge to run the back of his neck, "Well I'm off to get some more homework done. Good luck to you both with that."
"No such thing as luck," Obi Wan remarked.
Satine playfully hit his shoulder, she gave Rex a kind smile, "We appreciate the sentiment Rex."
With that, Rex nodded to them and made his way upstairs to his bedroom to try and do some work. As he walked down the hall, he stopped outside Ahsoka's room to see her laying on her bed, holding something over her head. It was a picture frame and he knew exactly what picture it was. For a minute, he debated with himself about going in there to speak with her. Ultimately, he decided not to, hoping that maybe by giving Ahsoka some space she would feel better. As much as he wanted to help her, he knew that something the best way to help someone was to let them sort through it on their own first. So for the night, that was what he would do.
"Thanks," Ahsoka muttered, not meeting Padme's gaze as she took the bandage.
"Of course," Padme said with a smile, concern covering her features.
It was another day of after school care for Padme and her favorite student. Instead of sitting inside, Padme had decided to let her after care students go outside on the recess field with the other classes. Ahsoka had been running around with Hera when she fell over, putting a hole in her jeans and scraping up her right knee. Since the school nurse had already gone home, Padme just brought her back to the classroom and got the first aid kit. In silence, Ahsoka applied the Neosporin and the Battle Stars band aid.
"All better," Padme said as she took the Neosporin form Ahsoka to put away. "Next time watch your step out there."
"Will do," Ahsoka remarked as she pulled her pant leg down. "Ms Amidala, can we not have a quiz tomorrow?"
Padmé wore an amused expression, "And why is that?"
"Cause it's Friday and Fridays should be about celebrating the weekend, not quizzes," Ahsoka said, matter-of-factly too.
Padmè struggled not to laugh, "If you don't have a quiz tomorrow, then you'd have to have it on Monday which means studying over the weekend."
"I guess," Ahsoka said with a shrug as she slid off the desk.
Padme frowned slightly. For most of the week Ahsoka had been the happiest she had seen her in awhile. A welcome sight to be sure, Anakin said it was great to see his sister be a carefree kid after what happened. But it seemed that wasn't going to last. Padme had an idea as to what could have caused Ahsoka's mood shift. It was the summons where Obi Wan and Anakin would meet up with Maul to discuss if they would go to trial for Ahsoka. She thought it was next week, she didn't know what day, but she thought it would be at the end of the week while Ahsoka was still in school.
However as far as Padme knew, they were keeping it from Ahsoka. That didn't sit well with Padme, but it wasn't her place to interfere and tell Ahsoka, she wasn't family and it wasn't her right. Even if she felt Ahsoka should know, she did understand why they were keeping it a secret. Though perhaps they did tell her and that was why she seemed to be so distracted today, knowing what the future could bring. While it was a possibility, Padme wouldn't mention it to the girl unless she said it herself, just in case.
"Do you have any fun plans for the weekend," Padme asked, glancing again at the young girl.
Ahsoka shook her head, "Unfortunately nothing exciting."
"Well sometimes it's good to have a non exciting weekend, this way you can rest and relax," Padme commented.
Ahsoka shrugged again, "What about you?"
"I might go see my nieces on Saturday if my sister gets back to me on time," Padme answered honestly. "Other than that, it will be a very boring weekend for me. Though next weekend should be a busy one."
Padme frowned at seeing Ahsoka tense, but the girl put on a curious expression that almost looked easy going, "Why is that?"
"Just a lot of work to do plus meeting an old friend," Padme answered softly. "Are you alright?"
Ahsoka considered her question for a few moments, debating if she should tell the truth or not. With a sigh, Ahsoka admitted, "I think next weekend is the summons that dad-" Ahsoka cut herself off and looked away, "That he sent in. No one will tell me when it is, but it's coming soon. Anakin and Obi Wan will have to go and I know either Rex or Cody, maybe both, will spend the day distracting me. But I want to be there."
Padme's brow scrunched at this, "How come you want to be there?"
"It's about me, I have a right to be there or speak about it," Ahsoka said serious and insistent, but as the words tumbled from her mouth, more emotion leaked through. "And I want to go in there and tell whoever the judge is that we shouldn't go to court, that Anakin and Obi Wan are doing a great job and I don't want to leave them because they're the best thing for me and even if I am just a kid, I know the difference between good and bad and I can't stay with da- with him. Cause he's not good, he isn't. He's not where I want to go, he failed to be my dad and I don't want him around anymore and I'm tired of caring about him and I just want things to go back to normal when he was still in prison!"
Ahsoka gasped, her eyes widening and glazing over at her own words. The young girl's shoulders sagged as her words settled into her, Padme had a feeling Ahsoka hadn't ever said those words out loud and likely didn't know what to feel. Children desired to have their parents, it was a natural feeling, but there were plenty of times where they also didn't want their parents in the same instance. It seemed Ahsoka was in that situation. Padme placed a comforting hand on Ahsoka's shoulder as she tried to find something she could say, searching for the best words to tell her. But Ahsoka spoke again.
"That makes me an awful daughter doesn't it," Ahsoka asked looking at the ground.
"No, not at all," Padme assured her. "The situation you're in is a very complicated one. Things were easier when he was in prison because you didn't have to think about him being there, and didn't have to think about leaving your brothers. It's only natural to be resistant to the changes, especially because they are changes you don't like."
Ahsoka looked up at Padme, "My brothers told me that, that my mom would say that we can't stop change anymore than we can stop the sun from setting."
"Change isn't easy Ahsoka. All you can really do is make the best of the situations, learn to adapt to them and remember, that you never have to face the changes alone," Padme told her with a kind smile.
"Will you," Ahsoka swallowed, "If my dad wins, will you watch Anakin for me? You guys make a great team and could help each other out."
Padme wanted to assure her that she wouldn't go anywhere, but at the earnest and sad expression on the young girl's face, she nodded. "I'll watch out for him. You know, you and Anakin make a great team too. A team I don't think will be breaking."
Ahsoka didn't say anything for a while, but after a few moments she wore a gentle grin. As Padme was about to lower her hand from Ahsoka's shoulder, the young girl threw her arms around Padme's neck. It took Padme a second to recover her shock, but she returned the embrace with a sweet smile.
"Thank you," Ahsoka whispered softly, hugging Padme a bit tighter.
Padme rubbed her back, "Of course."
When the two broke apart, Ahsoka went back outside the classroom, racing to the recess field where the other after care students were leaving Padme to her thoughts.
Malachai had never been the most patient of people, it was a virtue he didn't practice often, but he did understand the importance of waiting and timing. While in prison, he had plenty of time to sit around and wait, forcing him to be patient as there was nothing else he could do during that time. Sitting in the driver's seat of his car, he considered the plans he and Palpatine had carefully laid out, looking for any areas where things could go wrong.
Just before the Christmas break was set to begin he would report to the court where the judge would determine whether or not his file for custody will go trial. As of right now, he could almsot guarantee that a trial would follow thanks to the many friends that Palpatine had. While the older man wasn't his favorite person, he knew that he likely would not be in as good of standings to get his daughter without him. His passenger door opened, but he didn't glance to the side knowing it was his younger brother.
"Not that I don't love these car side chats, but it is later in the night and we could have done this inside my apartment," said his brother.
Malachai let out a heavy sigh, "This won't take long. I only need to ask you a favor, Savan."
"I'm going to be one your witnesses, you don't even need to ask," Savan answered with a long look.
"I'm aware, but this is different. In a few weeks, I'm going to borrow your sons to see their cousin," Malachai told him, his tone plain. "Your oldest is almost ready, but needs another lesson and my daughter could use a refresher."
Savan raised an eyebrow at his brother, a questioning glint in his amber eyes, "If you say so. You need my dojo for that?"
Malachai flashed him a grin, "Almost as if you read my mind. If the three of them are going to be ready for the world ahead of them, they need to be pushed."
"Agreed," Savan said with a nod, "But I doubt my niece's guardians will be thrilled by it."
"Leave them to me. When the time comes, the courts will have granted me more rights to Ahsoka and they will not be able to stop me," Malachai said, his tone certain and confident.
Savan wasn't as convinced, "You sure about that?"
"Absolutely," Malachai replied without hesitation.
Savan didn't argue it. His brother wasn't one to overestimate himself, so if he was certain that he would get more rights to his daughter, then the odds were very much in his favor. The whole mess that was his brother's was certainly an interesting one. He had been devastated when he found his brother was going to jail, his boys had been upset by it too and his poor niece. The day after Malachai was brought to jail, he received a phone call from one of his step sons, Obi Wan, who explained everything.
Of course, Savan went straight to the jail and did try to keep his brother out of his prison, hiring a lawyer with little help from the others. At first, he had been furious about it, but it had been the words of his niece that forced him to reconsider. Savan remembered kneeling in front of his hiccuping niece, her eyes shining with fear when there should have only been joy in her eyes. How she told him Malachai had done. Of course Savan already knew that his brother killed someone and beat up the others within an inch of their lives, he believed they deserved it and from the looks of his step nephews and bio nephews, he knew they agreed. However it was the ending of Ahsoka's tale that gave him pause.
"He want-wanted me to-to do it," Ahsoka whispered hoarsely, she furiously wiped at her tears. "To- to hurt them-them."
His brother wanted his own child to attack the man who tried to take her, to likely try to kill him and when she refused, he did it himself. Though Ahsoka didn't say as much, he could piece that much together. Now, Savan didn't agree with that and did consider maybe it would be best for his brother to go away awhile for that. As much as he hated to think it, it was the truth of how he felt. Yet he did also understand his brother's reasoning for it, even if he was ashamed of that and knew he could have had his sons do the same. That was just part of how they grew up, not an excuse or a justification, but there was a reason.
Growing up he and Malachai had to be tough. Their father left them when they were real young and their mother did the best she could, but she was cruel and as Savan had gotten older, he was starting to realize abusive. Even if she did really love them, she certainly showed it wrong. And he could see how he still carried that, how his brother carried it. They grew up poorly and it seemed that neither of them could fully break away from it. Savan tried, he swore that he tried, but sometimes he didn't and he knew Malachai was the same. Both of them were just trying to break chains of how they were taught. Breaking one chain only for more to replace it.
"Are you sure we're doing right by them," Savan asked after minutes of silence. "Don't you ever worry that, that we're just like her?"
Malachai didn't look at him, but he did answer slowly, "It has crossed my mind on more than one occasion. But we have adjusted our mother's methods, so our children will be stronger. That's all I want for them, for her. To be stronger than us, to be strong enough against the world."
There was so little they could fully protect their children from, the best thing they could do was ensure that their children were ready to face the harsher realities of life. Savan did agree with that sentiment, but sometimes he worried if they were going about it the wrong way. That maybe their children wouldn't see the harsher realities if it weren't for them. He didn't voice those thoughts though, instead choosing to sit in the silence a bit longer with his brother.