Mixed Up
As Coruscant's atmosphere filled the viewscreen, Anakin's heart leapt.

He and his Master, Obi-Wan, had just gotten back from a long, difficult mission on Ryloth; and they were both beyond exhausted. Obi-Wan smiled and put a hand upon Anakin's shoulder.

"Glad to be home?" he asked his apprentice. It was really more of a statement then a question.

Anakin looked back at him and agreed, "Yes, Master, we have been gone far to long."

"Well, don't you think it was worth it?" Obi-Wan asked, already knowing how his Padawan would react.

Just as he thought, Anakin nodded so fast, his braid bobbed up and down. He hadn't done that since he was a little boy! "Yes, Master. Freeing all those slaves was invigorating!"

The fact that his apprentice had said nothing about revenge or anger, put a proud smile on Obi-Wan's face. Anakin had grown so much in the years he had known him. And to think this grown man before him had once been nothing but an arrogant little boy with an infatuation on the Queen of Naboo!

*****

Senator Padmé Amidala grumbled angrily as she packed her bags. She'd just gotten a vacation from work, a little time to spend with her family. She sat on her bed, and allowed a sigh to escape.

A knock at the door startled her out of her delusions, and she watched, with a frown on her face, as her older sister Sola sauntered in.

"What?" she practically screamed.

Sola laughed lightly, and sat down by her younger sister. "Ease up a little, Padmé!" she said, taking a skirt from her sister's pile of clothing and folding it.

Padmé looked back defensively, "Why should I? You know I have to go back to Coruscant!" Padmé rambled, "I deserve some time off! All I do is work, work, work!"

Sola looked seriously at her, all laughter died off, and said, "Padmé, it is your choice whether you want to stay in Public Service or not. You don't want to waste your life, Sis. Enjoy it while you can."

Padmé glanced briefly at her, then purposely ignored this comment, and went on. " When will I ever get a chance to start a family like yo." She abruptly stopped, realizing she'd said too much. She quickly grabbed a dress from the pile, and began fooling with it.

Sola's mouth dropped open, her bright eyes grew wide, and she set the skirt she had been holding back on the diminishing pile.

"Is there something you're not telling me, Baby Sister?" a grin overcame her previously shocked features.

Padmé walked over to her closet, and grabbed another skirt, so her sister wouldn't see her shy smile. "No.." she said, feeling her cheeks grow warm.

"You do!" Sola exclaimed, catching a glimpse of her sister's red face. "Who is he?" She asked eagerly, eyes dancing.

"Nobody! I have no idea what you're talking about!" Padmé replied, embarrassed and somewhat angry. Ever since they were little girls, Sola had loved this kind of "pillow talk" as she had always called it.

Memories of Sola, and all her eager attempts at matchmaking, danced in her head. She was always so terrible at it! These thoughts brought a smile to her face and a giggle escaped her lips.

"Come on, Pad! I know you better than you know yourself! Tell me!" Sola pleaded, jumping up and down like a 5-year old.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you!" Padmé said, turning around and laughing at her sister's childish antics.

Sola let out a cheer and sat on the bed, eagerly waiting for Padmé to start.

"He's very handsome, dark brown hair, bright green eyes, muscular." She sighed happily, playing with her engagement necklace.

A tiny golden star to be specific. It had replaced her Japor Pendant only three weeks ago!

"He's taller than me, I met him about. ten months ago. His name is Amaraki, and.. Oh Sola, we're engaged!" Sola jumped up, and the two sisters embraced each other in a fierce hug.

*****

Anakin stood beside his Master in front of the Jedi Council. They were telling the Council about their mission. Well, Obi-Wan was, Anakin wasn't really paying attention.

He was already twenty years old, and still treated like a child. He wasn't allowed to start his major trials yet! A lot of other Padawans were already undergoing their final Trials, yet Obi-Wan held Anakin back. He though Anakin was too irrational.

Too irrational? That may be so, but he was ready.

A voice interrupted his thoughts, "Listening Skywalker is not!" Master Yoda said, chuckling.

Anakin's face flushed, "I apologize, Master." He said, bowing slightly.

Yoda chuckled again, "Forgiven you are. Repeat my question I will. Ready are you, for your final Trials, are you?"

Anakin stepped forward confidently, "Yes, Master."

To Anakin's surprise, Obi-Wan agreed. "Watching Anakin grow over these years has been. amazing." He explained after seeing Anakin's astonished expression.

"But Master, you said I was to irrational!" he said, unable to believe what he had just heard.

"You were, Anakin, but you have improved greatly, my young Padawan." Obi- Wan said, folding his arms proudly.

Anakin beamed.

Although Yoda hated to be the one to break this Padawan/Master moment, but he had a meeting with Ferus and his Master. "Settled it is, then. Began young Skywalker's Trials have."

Anakin smiled, and he and his Master bowed and exited.

***

Sola called Chancellor Palpatine on the holophone; she wanted to grant Amaraki permission to go to Coruscant with Padmé. The Chancellor's image filled the viewscreen, and Sola curtsied,

"With all do respect, I request permission for my sister, Senator Amidala, to bring her fiancée along with her when she goes to Coruscant."

Palpatine smiled, "Of course! Just make sure they arrive as soon as possible!" he said cheerfully.

Sola could not hide her happiness as she hung up. She ran as fast as she could to Padmé's room, calling "Padmé!!!" as she ran.

****

Padmé looked up, startled, as Sola burst in her room. She opened her mouth to ask Sola what she was doing, but Sola interrupted her, "Padmé! Chancellor Palpatine said that Amaraki could come along with you!" Sola said, gazing excitedly at Padmé's engagement necklace. She watched, happily, as Padmé's eyes widened in delight.

"Really? Force, that's the best news!" Padmé said.

"Yep.. And now you can start that family you wanted!" Sola replied with a wink.

Padmé blushed ferociously, "Sola! We're not even married yet!"

Sola laughed, "So what?" she joked.

Padmé playfully slapped her, "You're so bad!" she said, giggling.

After calming down, she reached for the holophone. Her heart leapt as Amaraki's face came up on the viewscreen,

"Yes, my Love?" he asked, taking no notice of Sola.

"Hello, Amaraki!" Padmé said breezily.

He smiled, and noticed the older girl behind his Padmé.

Seeing his confused expression, she laughed. "This is my older sister, Sola. Sola, this is Amaraki, my fiancée."

Sola stepped forward, "Pleased to meet you!" she said, then leaned over and hissed "Oh, he's fine!" in Padmé's ear.

Padmé's shocked expression caused Amaraki to laugh. "Pleasure's all mine!" he commented, bowing.

Sola smiled.

*****

Padmé watched her fiancée as he and Sola met.

She was eager to give the news! "Would you like to come with me to Coruscant, Hun?" she interrupted.

"You mean. I. Could I?" he stuttered excitedly.

Padmé nodded, "So, is it a date?" she asked slyly.

Amaraki smiled and nodded, "It's a date!"

*****

Obi-Wan walked happily into the quarters he and Anakin shared. He was very proud of his Padawan!

Obi-Wan himself was twenty-three when he had began his trials! Anakin was very advanced for his age, especially considering how late he had began his training.

"Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked feebly, surveying their seemingly empty quarters. Where was his apprentice?

At last, Anakin was spotted, lounging on the couch, snoring. His still- booted leg was bent at the knee, and his other foot had fallen off the couch, the boot lying near by. One hand clutched a pen, and was curled up near his ear. His other hand was laying on his chest. A notebook full of Anakin's childish scrawl was right below his hand.

Obi-Wan's eye's softened as he watched the sleeping boy. Anakin slept so innocently. So peaceful and relaxed.

But the Jedi couldn't help but wonder how his Padawan would react when he found out that a certain senator from Naboo was going to arrive at Coruscant the very next day.

***

Anakin woke up in the morning to find himself sprawled on a couch. He sat up and looked around, slightly confused. This wasn't their sleeping room on the ship! Then he remembered. they had come back home!

Anakin stretched and lazily glanced at the clock. It was early, earlier than either he or his Master usually woke up. Unable to fall back asleep, he went into the kitchen to fix their morning meal. Now, this was usually Obi-Wan's job, but since he was already awake, why not do his Master a favor?

*****

Breakfast was the galaxy's best alarm clock, Anakin thought with a snicker. Within minutes after he had started, his Maser had woken up and was now sitting at the table, half asleep and waiting for breakfast.

Anakin watched, amused, as Obi-Wan immediately became alert when a plate full of food was set before him.

Grabbing his own plate, the apprentice sat across the table and eagerly took a bite. It was awful!

He looked at Obi-Wan just in time to catch his grimace of disgust. "Now I understand why you're the one to cook." Anakin commented wryly.

Obi-Wan laughed, and brought his plate to the trash disposal, scraping it clean.

His Padawan did likewise, but couldn't help feeling disappointed. He'd worked so hard, and all his work equaled out to Sithspit!

Sensing Anakin's displeasure, Obi-Wan turned and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Anakin, you'll get your breakfast sooner or later."

The two men shared a much needed laugh, and Obi-Wan got to work on cooking.

***

After their breakfast, the Master and Apprentice reclined on the couch, watching the holovision. Obi-Wan glanced at his half-asleep Padawan and decided to tell him about Senator Amidala.

"Anakin?" He said, poking him on the arm.

"Mmm?" Anakin mumbled sleepily.

"Senator Amidala will be arriving on Coruscant shortly."

Anakin's eyes flew open, "What?!?" he asked, startled.

Obi-Wan chuckled at is Padawan's reaction, "We will be greeting her in the landing platform."

Anakin stood up and began to straighten out his rumpled tunic. He grabbed a comb and quickly ran it through his hair, complaining the whole time. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I would have spent extra time in the shower washing out my braid thoroughly." " on and on!

Finally, his master interrupted him, "Anakin!"

Anakin stopped fiddling with his braid and stared at him. "Relax, Padawan! You look fine! Now. Grab your robe, we have a while to meditate before departing."

"Uh. Master? I think you ought to fix your hair before we meditate."

*****

Padmé held Amaraki's hand as they sat on the Nubian Cruiser. She glanced thoughtfully at the dull-gray planet.

Other planets looked better from space. The deep blues, emerald greens, and even the sandy browns of Tatooine!

But at night, Coruscant sparkled like an amber gems in the sun.

She sighed and turned to gaze into the deep green eyes of Amaraki. She couldn't remember ever being happier.

***

Anakin stood two steps behind his Master on the landing platform; both had their hoods up and stood in a formal Jedi position.

His heart raced as the Nubian Cruiser began to land.

Anakin closed his eyes, feeling Padmé's sensation in the Force. It was unlike anything he had ever felt in all his years of Jedi training, and it took his breath away. All the training in the galaxy could not have prepared him for this.

Then he began to hyperventilate.

Obi-Wan looked back, and shot him an odd glance. Anakin grinned sheepishly and slowly regained his normal breathing pattern. Obi-Wan smiled approvingly, and opened his mouth.

But the moment was interrupted when the hatch opened and Padmé walked out, followed closely by a male human carrying all of her baggage.

Anakin's heart stopped.

AN: Do you like it? I worked sooooo hard on it! This is just the beginning! ^_^ PLEASELEAVE FEEDBACK! :0(