New rule from me, I won't update unless i get at least one review for a chapter. This is the one exception. But that's what i will do. No review, no new chapter!

Chapter 5

1 year after siege of Muunilist (i.e., last chapter)

"Coruscant," Ani said through the com link.

"Good to be home," Obi replied. "How long has it been?"

"A year," Anakin replied as they entered the atmosphere. "Did the Council say why they wanted to see us?"

"No, and I didn't ask," Obi Wan replied as they docked, "I was not about to make them change their mind, and I knew you'd kill me if you didn't get to see Padme."

"You're right, I would." As they got out of their shuttles they were suddenly surrounded by holo net cams all asking questions about the famous Jedi. Lets get this over with quickly. It's your turn I believe.

I don't think so, the last one was a month ago, and I talked to it, Obi Wan replied telepathically. Over the year, holo cams had been hounding the two warriors for interviews and such over the outer rim. They managed to get rid of most of the reporters, but some they couldn't shake, so they had to deal with them. Neither Anakin or Obi Wan enjoyed the fame the war had given them, therefore they took turns to talk to the press. It was aggravating to say the least, but it was all a part of politics and could not be avoided.

Obi Wan managed to slip off as Anakin talked to the mass of reporters. No he couldn't disclose why he was back on Corscant, Yes he probably would be going back soon, yes the fighting is going well and so on and so forth. After a while Anakin excused himself and went to the Temple, they wouldn't follow him there, all the reporters knew better than to invade the Temple without authorisation from the Council.

Once in front of the Council, they first congratulated them on how well they've done so far, always appreciated.

"Now to the reason we have brought you here," Mace said.

"Obi Wan, officially been made a General you have by the Senate, on the Council, we would like to invite you." Yoda said.

"It would mean you would orchestrate most of the war and have to spend some time with the Council," Master Mundi said.

"I understand, and would be honoured to accept," Obi Wan replied. It was a great honour and Anakin just burst with pride at the man who had been like a father doing so well. They both beamed widely.

"Jedi Anakin, the Senate has also made you an official leader. You are the Commander of the Fleet. Though you are not a on the Council or a Master, you will be involved in most of the battles. After this War is over, we will discuss the Rites of Mastery," Mace said. Anakin smiled at this, overjoyed, he was being considered for Master, Obi Wan also looked incredibly pleased by that news.

"Take your place Obi Wan, continue the meeting we shall," Yoda said, "My old padawan, imagine I do you wish to see your wife. May the Force be with you."

Obi Wan went to sit down in a chair as a member of the Council as Anakin bowed and left. Some of the Masters in the Council looked at Master Yoda puzzled. They had not been on the Council when Anakin had married, and since the news had stayed within the Council, they knew noting about it.

"Anakin has a wife?" one asked.

"Senator Amidala," Mace replied, "They married before your time on the Council, it is something that stays in the Council however, it would be too dangerous for the Senator if it were known."

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As Anakin walked down the Jedi corridor, he heard the whispers as he past, the words, "Hero without Fear" and Commander of the Fleet, came out as he past, he also heard Obi Wan's name in association as "The Negotiator" in reference to his ability to negotiate peace before a battle, but also be prepared if it could go wrong. Anakin looked at the whisperers with a cocked eyebrow, they subsequently shut up under that amused glance. He got into a speeder and flew to Padme's apartment. She was waiting for him.

"I heard you'd arrived on the news," she said as he came in, "I've missed you, the brief message and letters are not enough."

"I know, I know," he said into her hair as he held her tight, "Good news though," he continued drawing back to see her reaction, "After this War is over they are going to consider me for Mastery, and I have just been named Commander of the Fleet."

"Master!" he swung her up and she giggled loudly. "That's amazing, I'm so happy for you, but I have a confession, I already knew about the commissions, yours and Obi Wans, it was announced in the Senate."

"Hmm, it would be," he framed her face with his hands, "I love you."

"I love you too," she snuggled into his shoulder, "How long do we have?"

"Until the Council call me back for a meeting, I don't know how long I'll be on the planet."

She looked at him with a seductive smile, "Then we had best make as much use of the time we have then, hadn't we?" she said, dragging him to the bedroom.

"You read my mind."

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The next month was the best Ani had had in a long time. He went to the Council and discussed flight tactics and simulations planning battles with Obi Wan. After a year of war they were having a rest, updating on what was happening and getting a better view of the war and how to use the soldiers effectively. Gaina was still off fighting, but Padme had told him that she would always stop by when she was on planet to talk. In between meetings Anakin spent most of his time in the Temple, during the day Padme had a lot of work with the Senate and various briefs and negotiations for Naboo. Both Anakin and Obi Wan had lessons for the visiting Padawans in tactics and fighting. Tactics was amusing as the children wanted stories of the battles, it was a good way to teach tactics they observed. In between all that, Anakin was modifying his assigned fighter. His Delta-7 Jedi star fighter was the most advanced around, he was continually modifying it, improving it. Obi Wan didn't really approve of the activity, but Master Plo Koon saw nothing wrong, and was often found fiddling with it next to Anakin. So far none of the Jedi outside the Council noticed Anakin leaving every night and returning every morning, or if they did they didn't say anything, and that was something Anakin wanted to keep that way. With his growing notoriety across the Galaxy he could only imagine what the Separatists, who wanted her dead anyway, would do if they found out. Anakin didn't know what he would do if he had to choose between the Republic or Padme, it was what made him extra careful.

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"Anakin," Obi Wan shouted, running down the corridor after him, "Anakin, the Council and the Senate are going to send a delegation to Kashyyyk to talk with the Wookies the war, they are in support, but our information shows they will be attacked in the future, we want them to be ready."

"What's that got to do with me? I'm a warrior, not a negotiator," Anakin said.

"You're also our best pilot, we need you to be the one to go as protection for the Senator," Obi Wan looked closely at Anakin, "Padme is the one whose going, I thought you would be perfect as did the Council. You do after all have such good connections with the Wookies."

Anakin nodded, "It'll give me a chance to try out the fighter."

"Among other things," Obi Wan said with a grin, "you go in a few hours, you'll meet the Senator's ship at dock 4 above the atmosphere."

Anakin nodded and got underway.

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"Master Jedi, are you Senator Amidala's escort?" a pilot said to the waiting vessel.

"Yes, and it's just Jedi, I am no Master," the voice replied, "Prepare for light speed."

The two vessels took off, Anakin on wing to protect, Padme was inside, upset at having missed her husband. The mission was sudden as the person who was to go broke his leg, and would therefore be unable to go, Padme was to go instead, but she couldn't seem to get a message to Anakin before she left. 3PO remained at the apartment, ready to explain when Anakin arrived. She was sorry that she had missed him.

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The Senator descended the ship to the waiting committee. To the side, Anakin got out of his fighter, his helmet still on. The greeting went on for a while, and was very loud. When it was over Padme was escorted to a place she could stay for the remainder of her visit. A few of the Wookies remained behind to talk to the Jedi. Anakin took his helmet off and shook his hair out. He greeted the Wookies. They knew him well and gave him a great big hug that only Wookies managed. They told him they had a place he could stay, but that Jacen and Jaina would happy if they stayed with them. Anakin nodded and walked with the Wookies to the his friends house. Anakin walked in to see Jaina cooking with a little boy on her hip. Her back was to the door and the little boy looked to be about three or four years old. The little boy was holding a toy star ship swishing it back and forth and making little laser fire sounds. It had been a present from Anakin, and the boys favourite. It was incredibly adorable. The little boy, Han, saw Anakin in the doorway and shouted, "Unca Ani, Unca Ani!"

Jaina turned around and smiled when she saw Anakin in the doorway. "Anakin, what are you doing here?" she asked as she hugged him. Han Solo fastened his little arms around Anakin's neck and didn't let go. So Anakin held onto the little boy.

"Escorting a Senator for talks and to discuss a battle." Anakin started jigging the boy up and down, making the boy giggle. "How's this little boy been then?"

"A real pain, the natives love him, but he does get into trouble with his fiddling. He is forever taking things apart," she said.

"Sounds like me," Anakin said, playing with the toy ship.

"Sounds like Jacen as well," she added, "The boy has flying in his blood and mind, he gets so excited when he's on a ship," she looked on as Anakin played with the boy, thinking it sad that he had chosen not to marry and have children. He would have made a wonderful father. "You will be staying with us, of course."

"Of course," Anakin said grinning at her, "I have a meeting that will go on till late, but I should be back for tea."

"Meetings already?" Jaina was like a sister, and worried like one as well.

"There is a war on," Anakin said, "Speaking of war, I have to get to that meeting, I'll be back when I can," he said, kissing her on the cheek and passing Han over to her.

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The meeting was swift, and over with quickly, it was a basic preliminary making sure that the Wookies prepared and started training, and hording food. Anakin didn't think that there would be a battle here for a few years, but it was always best to prepare. After the meeting he walked over to the Senators quarters, he wanted to surprise Padme now that the business side was out of the way. He walked to the door where her handmaiden Dorme was coming out of. "Anakin?" she said, delighted to see him.

"Shhhh," he said, puling her away from the door. "I want to surprise her."

"What are you doing here?" she asked in hushed tones, she was one of the people that knew they were married, (obviously).

"I was assigned to accompany her," he replied.

"Go right on in, she'll be so happy to see you." Dorme said as she walked down the large hallway.

Anakin entered the room to see Padme lying on the bed, taking a nap before the big dinner. She was fully dressed, but her hair was lose around her head like a halo. Anakin walked over to her sleeping form and gently stroked the hair from her face. Under his light tough, she began to stir. "Ani?" she asked sleepily. "What are you doing here?" she asked bolting upright, realising where they were.

"I was assigned to protect you and talk to the Wookies on this mission," he said, grinning broadly. "There wasn't time to talk to you before."

She hugged him tightly, savouring the moment. She then pushed him sharply away, "Wait, you can't be here, it isn't proper, we could be seen."

Anakin laughed, "Angel, we're married."

"Senator Amidala is not, remember? I'm still single, my reputation would be ruined if they saw you skulking in and out of these rooms, it wouldn't do your reputation much good either," she added seriously with a cocked head.

""If staying here means that people no longer think I'm amazing, then I'm staying here forever!" Anakin replied.

"Seriously Anakin, it could ruin my standing in the Senate," she said, pleading with him.

"Okay, okay," he said, putting his hands up in surrender, "Have it your way, but there are some people I want you to meet," he got off the bed and held out his hand, "That is if you honourable self isn't too busy."

"Of course I'm not," she took his hand and got off the bed. "Just make sure I'm back in time to prepare for dinner."

They walked together out the room, not holding hands for appearance sake. They didn't have to walk far to one of the few buildings in the swamp. Anakin walked through the door. Padme was immediately besieged by the smell of cooking bread and hot food. It was like a home. She saw a beautiful woman greet her with a big smile. "I'm Jaina," she said, shaking hands with Padme.

"Padme," she replied. She looked around with a smile. Anakin it had seemed was busy with a little boy and his plane. Padme felt a warm feeling go through her as she watched Anakin interact with him. He would make a wonderful father someday. "Is that your son?"

"Yes, Han," Jaina said, smiling at the scene, but also looking at Padme who was obviously in love with the young man, and judging from the glances Anakin was throwing her way, it was mutual. "If it hadn't been for Anakin, we'd probably be dead by now."

"I know, he told me." she smiled, "He's been saving lives since he was little. Obi Wan, told me he once that when he was a young child he broke into Gardulla the Hut's fortress and saved the Ghossling children captured there."

"Ghostling," Anakin said, not pausing from his tickling of young Han, "They were Ghostling children."

They just smiled at him and slowly walked into another room, away from prying ears. "You know," Jaina said, "You're the first girl he's brought here, you must be pretty special."

"I've known Anakin since he was 9," Padme said, not giving in to the real purpose of the question, "He saved my planet from invasion and then he protected me from assassination."

"But there's more to it than that," Jaina said, "I see it in your eyes." Padme blushed and looked slightly embarrassed, Jaina just laughed in reply. Anakin then walked in with Han on his hip.

"You finished talking about me yet?" he asked.

"Padme was just telling me about your relationship," Jaina said, trying to fish.

"Oh, you mean the fact that we're married," Anakin said, he then bent down and kissed her shocked cheek, "You can't trick Jedi so easily."

"Married?" she asked with delight flashing across her face.

"Yes," Padme replied, "But it has to be a secret, we both have many enemies."

"I understand," she said, she then took a deep breath and calmed, "So, Padme, will you be staying for dinner?"

"Unfortunately no," she replied, "I have to go to a formal dinner with the Wookie leaders. Senate business."

"Speaking of the formal dinner, Padme, I had best get you back," Anakin replied, passing Han to Jaina. "I'll be back in a little while," he said as they walked out the door.

"It was very nice meeting you," Padme said as she left.

"I hope we see each other again," Jaina said as they left.

"I like your friends," Padme said as they walked back to the Palace.

"They liked you too," Anakin said, "Maybe you'll get to meet Jaina's husband Jacen some when soon."

"I'd like that," they walked the rest of the way in companionable silence.

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When Anakin got back from escorting Padme, Jaina started to interrogate him on Padme, he answered honestly, but soon cried uncle under the onslaught of questions. Even Han asked questions about the "pretty lady." Jacen, when he arrived home didn't keep asking questions about this mysterious Padme, he was not curious like his wife and preferred to form his own opinions.

After tea, when a sleepy Han had been taken to bed and Jaina was in the other room cleaning up, Jacen and Anakin sat in front of the fire, "So what have you heard?" Anakin asked, knowing Jacen would have heard all sorts of information about the war and the enemy.

"I've heard a lot about the 'Hero with No Fear,'" Jacen said, not looking at Anakin at all.

"Really?" Anakin said, as if not at all interested.

"Yes, about his heroics and deeds and ability in the sky," Jacen said, "I haven't told Jaina though, I didn't want to worry her, but I have also heard stories about your Padme, I must say you couldn't have done any better."

"Is it widely known?" Anakin said, not wanting Padme to be in danger from association.

"No, but it will be soon I suspect," Jacen said looking Anakin in the eye, "I understand the reason for secrecy, it won't fall from my mouth."

Anakin nodded and went back to watching the flames in fireplace.

"You have a new threat though," Jacen said, "A cyborg, he's come out as General of the droid armies. He hunts Jedi for sport, keeping their light sabres as trophies, he is a brilliant strategist, unencumbered by emotions like compassion of scruples. He is living matter encased in a precision-engineered artificial body. He has an unorthodox methos of fighting and mechanical enhancements. He WAS a member of the Kaleesh, one of their top military minds. At the end of their war he couldn't adjust to peace. San Hill saw his war record and brought up the debts of the Kaleesh in return for Grevious. Grevious though had crashed in a plane, some thought it sabotage, I don't know. The Separatists rebuilt him as a cyborg. I have no knowledge of what happened between the building of him and his leadership of the droids. All I really know is that he is a real threat."

Listening to this, Anakin stared into the fire, thinking with a frown. He then closed he eyes and started to meditate. He could see nothing in the future aboutGrevious, only some vague reference to Obi Wan. Anakin didn't know whether it meant Obi Wan would kill him of be killed by him, but there was going to be a fight between them.

"What are you going to do?" Jacen asked.

"For the moment nothing," Anakin replied, "As soon as I get back I will tell the Council about this. But for the moment, there is nothing I can do. We will have to wait." Anakin paused, thinking, "I think it best if you three gradually move away, there will be a battle here. I don't know when, but I don't think we'll win, you'll have to get out."

"I know," Jacen said. "Don't worry, we'll be safe, it's you who has to be careful."

Anakin only looked into the fire, thinking about Grevious and the coming threat.

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Anakin was ready when Padme got into the ship a couple of days later. She knew he was troubled, as was Jacen, she had a feeling Jacen had told him something bad. Anakin hadn't been able to tell her, they had both been very busy, but she worried for him. Once in Coruscant, she asked him what was wrong when they were in the privacy of their rooms. "A threat," Anakin said, "You'll here about it soon." He didn't stay long because he had to report to the Council, but it was obvious that whatever this threat was it was very dangerous.

Anakin was right to worry. The Council had heard of some sort of droid killing Jedi. They didn't know too much about him though. "Worrying this new enemy is," Yoda said. "Think on it we will."

"We have other problems though," Mace said, "Anakin, you and Obi Wan will go to Jabiim. There is a battle there that would be best conducted in person."

Anakin nodded in agreement. "May the Force be with you Masters," he said as he walked out the door with Obi Wan.

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