It was conveyed without talking that some resolution had been made in the Skywalker family although as Leia took a seat beside her father she didn't return his gentle squeeze of her hand.

"Has Palpatine said anything else that may indicate what he wants with Ryoo and Pooja?" Leia asked, in general.

"No, he's saying he has nothing to do with the kidnapping" Padme answered tiredly.

"He expressed his deep regret and mentioned that if Naboo were to sign the treaty then he may be able to do more to find them"

"If Palpatine didn't take the girls it could be a faction of his movement, trying to gain prestige with him" Leia reasoned.

Anakin shook his head, "No, I still sense that Palpatine is behind this attack..."

He broke of as he saw Leia's expression darken, his master had expressed that by now Leia's opinions should be as worthy as his own. He respected that but sometimes it was so hard to see her as his Jedi padawan and not his little girl. It was made worse that his nieces were missing, in the short time he had married Padme he had grown to love the two little girls and he hated the thought of them being hurt or used.

He attempted to heal the widening gap between himself and his daughter.

"It is something to consider though" he acknowledged.

Leia expression never changed.

Twilight was one of Anakin's favourite times, and although dusk on Naboo was beautiful he found that it could not compare to Padme, who stood beside the window. He shook his head it had been years since he had thought of Padme in any romantic way and to think of it now unsettled him. Their break up had been painful but resolved and friendly and he considered her a great friend and an honest chancellor. Now he thought of her as Padme the woman he had fallen in love with all those years ago.

"Do you mind if I sit this one out with you?" Anakin asked as he approached the window. Padme nodded her consent, moving over slightly so he had more room to view the darkening sky.

"I never thought I would see you again" Padme murmured, Anakin looked at her sharply. He hadn't expected anything from Padme just to share the evening with her.

"Neither did I" he confessed

"If I told you I loved you now it would only be sexual attraction" she warned him.

Anakin studied her features in the darkness; he felt his expression become one of contemplation.

"Years of marriage and two children and all it boils down to are sexual attraction?"

"I used to hold Luke at night and cry, cry for you and my lost family, I don't cry any more. I needed you and then at that time I hated you so much, divorcing you was the worst and best thing that happened to me. And If I want you now isn't it easier to just say it's sexual attraction?"

Anakin thought that over, and Padme watched him, his face was older now, more defined but no less handsome, he was stronger now in body and mind, he had grown into the role of Jedi master.

"Easier" he relented "but in my case not true"

"I wish you hadn't come back"

"You sent for me"

"I wish you had not come"

"So do I"