A/N: Hey y'all, sorry this took for-freaking-ever. Life really got the best of me and writing was pushed to the way back of my mind, this story happened to be one of the causalities of not being touched for ages until well, today when I got this great idea to spit out the chapter from the outline I had of this story and tada. Though this chapter was beta'd, I'm very grateful for her quickly going through it, likely might be some more slips here and there since I did just spit it out and asked my friend to skim it over for anything glaring so I could post it asap. Either way, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Sorry for the long wait, with any luck the next chapter won't take nearly as long.

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 Twenty One

Padme loved recess duty. Well love might have been too strong of a word, but she did greatly enjoy it, especially when the weather was as nice as it was today. A clear blue sky with some white clouds scattered around, the weather was warm and cool breeze blowing every so often as the kids raced around with their friends. The games they played were usually lost on her, but she couldn't help but to smile as the kids laughed with each other or got very serious about their games. Hands in her jacket pockets, she started to walk around the playground area, looking over the castle set, observing the kids swings to make sure they didn't try to jump from too high and looking over the other play sets.

It didn't take her long before she spotted some of her own students, like Ahsoka who was chasing around Cal, shouting something about him not escaping. Plenty of time had passed since Maul had last made an appearance, but it the fear that he would show up again stayed in the back of her mind. She remembered how scared Ahsoka was, how terrified she had been when the girl showed up at her door in tears. All she wanted was for the smile on the little girl's face to never leave. Said little girl spotted her watching, she shouted something about time out before sprinting towards her. In second, Ahsoka was panting in front of Padme.

"Where's the fire," Padme asked with a chuckle at the breathless girl.

Ahsoka huffed, catching her breath before speaking. "Are you busy after school today?"

Padme considered the question, the answer was no, but that had been because Anakin specifically told her to keep this afternoon busy. He didn't give her a single reason why outside of she would be taking Ahsoka somewhere. Where exactly, she also had no idea, but she was given strict instructions to let Ahsoka be the one to explain it. Her curiosity had been absolutely piqued with the way Anakin was talking about it. There was certain brightness in his blue eyes she didn't see often on him, as if he were on cloud nine and couldn't possible get any higher. What caused the reaction, he also refused to tell her for the time being, thinking it best for her to wait in suspense. She punched his shoulder playfully for that one and the two shared a sweet kiss before he had to run back to work.

"No, I'm free," Padme told her, "Why do you ask?"

Due to Ahsoka's darker skin, you couldn't really tell when she was blushing, though the lighter patches of skin would sometimes give away. Today seemed to be one of those moments.

Ahsoka straightened. "Would you take me dress shopping after school?"

Padme blinked at the request. "Uh sure. I'd love to, but I didn't think you were big fan of dresses."

"I don't hate them," Ahsoka said kicking the mulch. "But there's a dance tomorrow for the Scouts and I need a dress."

Padme jerked slightly. "Wait tomorrow? So we only have this afternoon to find you a dress? What's the dance for? Is there a theme? Did Anakin have you wait until now? What about-"

"Slow down, jeez," Ahsoka interrupted with a frown. "It's the father daughter dance for the Scouts, but I'm taking Anakin, not da- not Maul and the theme I think is under the stars which it basically always is. And I wasn't sure if you'd ever be free to take me or even want to be bothered."

"It wouldn't be a bother at all. In fact, I'm honored you asked me," Padme told her sincerely, her smile warm.

Ahsoka met her gaze then, those same blue eyes she saw in Anakin were shining brighter than the sun above her. Of course Padme loved all her students equally, but she knew without a doubt, Ahsoka was her favorite. The young girl had settled into her heart and lead her to meet the man she loved with every piece of her. Though the future was more than uncertain, Padme was more than confident she would find a way to ensure that Ahsoka's life would be better. That she would make sure Maul didn't get his hands on her, that this bright eyed girl would continue to have this happy look on her face. That she could continue to be a kid until she inevitably grew into a young woman. Far off as that was, it would be here sooner than anyone was ready for. But that was okay. Padme wanted to be by her side through it all.

Three hours later after every other student had been picked up, Ahsoka climbed into Padme's car and the pair headed off to the mall. Even though Ahsoka wasn't the biggest fan of dresses, she couldn't deny that there were some in this one store in the mall that she liked. Though the name escaped her, the young girl had practically dragged Padme there, guiding her through the large mall without a problem. Once they arrived at the store Ahsoka wanted, it was actually an entire store dedicated to kids' gowns and suits, their search began. Unfortunately, the dress Ahsoka had liked was no longer there which caused some distress in the fourth grader.

"You don't understand," Ahsoka said with a stomp of her foot. "It was the best dress here and now it's gone."

Padme rested her hand on Ahsoka's shoulder, "Believe me, I know how frustrating it can be when the dress you really want isn't here, but there are plenty of other options and I'm certain we can find a similar one."

Ahsoka didn't look too convinced, but she nodded nonetheless. The two girls made their way through the various racks of dresses and she gave some parameters for Padme. No excessively loud or bright colors could be used, she didn't want it to have sequin or glitter, also for it to not have ruffles. If they had a red dress, she wanted to see it, not because red was her favorite color, she just said she needed to see them. Yet when Padme asked if she liked the purple, the girl shook her head incessantly.

After nearly thirty minutes of gathering different dresses, they headed back to the fitting room where Ahsoka groaned about having to try them all on. Padme was patient as ever and chuckled at the girl's dramatics when it came to having to twirl around in them, but the young woman could tell Ahsoka was having fun. Even though she didn't want to fully admit it yet. Padme was currently sitting outside the dressing room, phone in hand as she waited for Ahsoka to come out in the last dress they had.

So far Ahsoka had three top choices from the plethora of options and they'd need to narrow it down soon. Anakin had been messaging Padme asking about the dress, but Padme refused to tell. The only information she said she would give Anakin was the color so this way he could get a tie to match. He sent her a frowning face to which she laughed at. She slipped her phone away and looked at the closed door of the fitting room.

"You okay in there," Padme called out.

Ahsoka let out a sigh, "Yeah, I'm coming."

A moment later, Ahsoka pushed the door open and stood before Padme. The dress was a satin red gown without sleeves and a large flower on the left hip tied with ribbon in the back. It was a beautiful gown on the young girl. Padme thought it was a winner, but of course she knew that Ahsoka had to be the one to decide that.

"You look amazing," Padme told her with a wide smile. "Do you like it?"

Ahsoka seemed to be more interested in the ground than looking at Padme. "It's red."

Padme nodded, "Yeah, but I thought you liked red?"

Ahsoka snapped her gaze upward. "I-I, it's not a bad color… My-my dad always said red was a strong color, that I looked good in red." Ahsoka turned her head away. "But it's also the color of the Sith branch, usually not associated with good things."

Padme tried to hide her displeasure at these words. Of course something as simple as a color could lead back to her father. Her emotions were not the focus right now, so she pushed them aside and focused on Ahsoka, trying to gauge what exactly was wrong. Did she not like the dress because of the color and her dad?

"But do you like it," Padme asked, repeating her earlier question. "If you like it, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. So long as you like it."

Ahsoka looked back at Padme then, her braids swinging as she did so. "Do I look good in red?"

Padme nodded after a moment of thought. "The color does suit you, but so did that dark blue one you tried on before. I think it was the same style as this one."

Ahsoka hummed. "I used to really like red, but it's the color of the Sith and we don't support their beliefs really. And it's also the color of blood. I didn't like that color on me."

And then it clicked for Padme, why the color would hold such weight on her young shoulders. Because her father splattered the blood of people onto her when she was a few years younger than she is now. But she liked the color and now had such a terrible association with it. Padme got onto her feet and closed the distance between herself and Ahsoka, getting a clearer look at the upset look on Ahsoka's face.

"Ahsoka, listen to me," Padme said, forcing the young girl to look at her. "Whether or not you like the color does not have to be contingent on your father. If you want to wear a red dress because you liked the color, then you should wear it. But on that same note, if you're uncomfortable wearing the color, then don't force yourself to prove a point."

Ahsoka didn't say anything for a while after that. Instead, she just nodded and turned away from Padme to go back into the dressing room for a few minutes before stepping out with her hands full of the remaining dresses. It wasn't until they went back into the main store did Padme learn of the dress Ahsoka wanted to wear. And she smiled proudly at the young girl, knowing the decision wasn't easy, but she had done it. As they left the store with the dress, Padme texted Anakin to make sure he picked out a red tie for the dance tomorrow. And Anakin did mention he wasn't sure how red fit with the theme, she merely said that there were red stars so a red dress still fit and he couldn't argue with that.

The Next Day

Obi Wan was chuckling to himself as he watched Satine take what must have been the hundredth picture of Anakin and Ahsoka on the stairs in front of their home. It was nearly six now, the sun was hanging perfectly in the sky and making the pictures all the more stunning. So of course, she needed to take as many pictures as possible, Cody was right beside her trying to document the whole thing as well leaving Obi Wan to watch with Rex and Padme. Each of them was amused by the displeased looks on Anakin and Ahsoka's faces as they had to take yet another picture.

Anakin wore a nice dark blue suit that was almost black with a rich red tie that Obi Wan had to re-do three times since Anakin refused to hold still and tie it himself. He combed his hair back, but Ahsoka quickly told him to undo that which he was grateful for. While the dance didn't start until eight, Anakin was taking Ahsoka out to dinner and ice cream before the dance happened, so they needed to get going so they wouldn't be in a hurry to eat or anything. But that didn't stop Obi Wan's soon to be wife from needing to take several pictures in and out of the house.

"I wonder how much more of this they can take," Padme commented with a chuckle.

Obi Wan snickered. "I imagine the two will soon explode."

Padme had to agree with that, but she didn't reply verbally. The older man turned to look at her for a moment, watching as her brown hair blew in the freeze, her smile warm as she continued to watch his siblings. At first, he hadn't known what to make of Padme and thought het being close to his family would present problems. However, he was more than pleased to see that he had been proved wrong.

Padme had brought a new side to his younger brother, one he had never seen before and it made him happy. Ahsoka had found a mother-sister figure to look up to, something she was in desperate need of. While she did have other women to look up to, Padme had been different. It was because of this woman his brother was laughing more, because of her Ahsoka was able to trust outsiders more, even Rex and Cody had seemed to change slightly thanks to Padme's influence.

"I should apologize to you," Obi Wan stated after a brief moment of silence.

Padme glanced at him confused, "What? Why would you say that?"

Obi Wan clasped his hands behind his back. "When Anakin first brought up telling you about our life, I had been vehemently against it. Not wanting some random person involved with our family squabbles."

"That seems like a fair judgment, why are you sorry for wanting to look out for your family," Padme asked him, still not following.

Obi Wan sighed as he faced her fully. "You have brought out something in my brother and sister that hadn't been there before. Anakin smiles brighter with you, he can truly relax and be himself. And Ahsoka, while she has many women to look up to, you have truly inspired her. If not for all you have done for us, I am uncertain of where either of them would be." He dipped his head down, almost like he was bowing. "So I am sorry to have judged you so harshly in the beginning and I am grateful for your impact on them."

Padme took a moment to process his words, feeling more than touched. "I-I, well thank you. But truthfully, I haven't really done anything. I feel as if they have had more of an impact on me." She looked back at Anakin and Ahsoka as the older of the two began to lift the younger. "I love them both so much. I just want them to be happy, you know?"

"Believe me, I do," Obi Wan said softly.

After another few minutes of pictures, Anakin and Ahsoka climbed into his car to head to dinner, the family watching them drive away. The world was full of crazy things, even crazier things happening to them it seemed, but tonight none of that mattered. For tonight at least, they could be blissful in the idea of the people they cared for enjoying themselves at a Scouts dance. While those two were away, Padme joined the rest for dinner and a movie, enjoying the time together and wondering how the dance was going. Though of course they didn't expect anything bad to happen, it was a general consensus to be worried about Ahsoka and how she would feel at the dance.

The Dance

Ahsoka stared at the entrance from her seat in the car, worried about heading inside. Thanks to Padme, she found the courage to wear the red dress she liked and was excited to show it off to her brothers, they thought she looked great. And she was excited for the dance, but now that it was right there, she was getting nervous. As Anakin opened the backseat door, she remained rooted in her spot. Would the other kids laugh at her because she didn't have a dad to bring?

"Are you alright," Anakin asked softly.

Ahsoka looked up at him, "Do you think the others will stare? I'm pretty sure I'm the only one without an official dad."

Anakin bent down slightly, "Let them stare, we look amazing anyway and it'd be ashame not to soak up the attention."

"I'm serious," Ahsoka putted.

"As am I," he replied, bis voice softened with his next words. "I know it can be hard not to pay attention to other people and what they might be thinking or saying, but none of them matter. This night isn't about them, it's about you."

Ahsoka shook her head, "And you. Your more like my dad than anything and I'm really happy to have you."

Anakin smiled at her. "Thank you Ahsoka. Now come on, we should head inside."

Anakin extended his hand to her and without a word, she took it and let him help her out of the car. Not that she needed it of course, but he was being an exaggerated gentleman for her benefit, going all in for the dance and making sure she had the best night. Arm in his, Ahsoka made her way through the entrance with a big smile on her, the nerves from earlier were gone. She had her big brother with her and so long as he was by her side, she could handle anything that came her way. The dance went until eight to eleven, Ahsoka and Anakin danced to just about every single song that came on, laughing loudly and Ahsoka was able to go off with her friends for bits at time, leaving Anakin to talk to the dads.

No one questioned why Ahsoka's dad wasn't there, no one even made a comment about it which he was grateful for. Anakin knew that Ahsoka's dad should have been here, that he should have been a lot of things, but wasn't. And even though he wasn't truly her dad, he was determined to make sure she didn't miss out on him. While there were many times he doubted his abilities or if he was doing a good job, it was moment like before when she reminded him of all he had done, of how much she was glad to have him, that he felt like maybe he wasn't doing that bad of a job.

As Anakin danced to the final slow song of the night, Ahsoka practically putting all her weight on him as she was struggling to stay awake, he couldn't help, but to smile. They certainly had gone all out when it came to the dance floor, he was honestly feeling pretty dead on his feet, but Ahsoka had asked for one more dance before they had to go and honestly, how could he say no? Yet she was falling asleep on him now, so they probably should head out soon before she completely lost the fight for her consciousness.

"Don't fall asleep on me just yet Snips," Anakin told her grinning.

Ahsoka murmured. "I'm not asleep."

Anakin snickered. "Sure you aren't. We better get going."

"Skyguy," Ahsoka said sleepily as they continued to sway to music.

"Yeah," Anakin replied, looking down at her.

She lifted her head from being pressed to his stomach, a smile on her face. "Thank you for being here. I had so much fun."

Anakin returned her smile. "Me too. Thanks for asking me to come."

Ahsoka pressed her face back to his stomach, he felt her breathing even out a bit more and her hold loosening around him and in his hand. Without a problem, he lifted Ahsoka into his arms like he had always done when she was younger. And as he looked around, he found he wasn't the only one doing so. Several of the other dads had their daughters in their arms, each grinning at one another and even at himself. A shared moment, of getting to hold their little girl in their arms, knowing that she was safest there.

"I'm scared."

"It's okay, I've got you," Anakin said as he held Ahsoka tightly in his arms. "I promise, you'll always be safe with me."

He tightened his grip on Ahsoka a bit more as he made his way out of the gymnasium, he promised to always keep her safe and he wouldn't let anything get in the way of that promise.

"I've got you," he whispered to her as he got to the car.

"I know," she whispered right back in such a soft voice, he almost missed it.

He was glad he didn't. He was glad she knew.