Obi-Wan and Anakin returned to the Jedi Temple the next morning to inform the Council of the second attempt on Senator Amidala's life and the chase that followed. The Council listened to their report, disturbed by what they heard. Of particular interest to them was the Mandalorian. It could have been a coincidence, but many Mandalorians harbored a deep resentment towards Jedi and their allies.

Yoda was the first to speak after Obi-Wan finished. "Track down this bounty hunter, you must, Obi-Wan."

"Most importantly, find out who he is working for," added Mace Windu.

Obi-Wan nodded solemnly. "And what about Senator Amidala? She still needs protection."

"Handle that, your Padawan will."

"Anakin," began Mace Windu. "Escort the Senator back to Naboo, she'll be safer there. But don't use registered transport, travel as refugees."

"Master, as the leader of the opposition, it will be difficult to convince Senator Amidala to leave the capital."

"Hmm... Until caught, this killer is, our judgement, she must respect," said Yoda.

Mace Windu closed his eyes and gave a slow nod. "Anakin, go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her about this matter."

"Yes, Master." Both he and Obi-Wan bowed and left the Council chamber.

Anakin made his way to the Senate building. He could sense the mood in the building was far more tense than it had been before he and Obi-Wan had left for Ansion. On his way up to the Chancellor's office, one of the Senate guards complimented him on the job he and Obi-Wan had done the night before.

Chancellor Palpatine was standing and looking out the window when Anakin arrived. They exchanged greetings before Anakin recounted what the Council had said regarding Senator Amidala.

"I will talk to her," said Chancellor Palpatine. "She will not refuse an executive order. I know her well enough to assure you of that."

"Thank you, your Excellency."

"I wish it were under better circumstances, but I'm glad the Council has finally given you an assignment." He patted Anakin on his bicep. "Your patience has paid off."

"Your guidance more than my patience."

"You don't need guidance, Anakin. In time you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible." He smiled at Anakin. "I have said it many times, you are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met."

"Thank you, your Excellency."

"I see you becoming the greatest of all Jedi, Anakin. Even more powerful than Master Yoda. There isn't anyone else who I'd entrust Senator Amidala's safety to more than you."

"Thank you, I won't disappoint you."

Yoda, Mace Windu, and Obi-Wan walked together down the Jedi Temple's Hall of Tapestries. Yoda's pace was slow, as he had short legs and made use of a cane. Obi-Wan and Master Windu had little problem slowing their speed so as not to leave the old master behind, they had had much practice at it.

Obi-Wan bore a look of mild worry. "I'm concerned for my Padawan. He is not yet ready to be given this assignment on his own."

"Confident, the Council is in its decision, Obi-Wan." Yoda's words were punctuated by the soft thumps of his cane against the carpeted floor.

Mace Windu looked at one of the tapestries as they walked by. "The boy's skills are exceptional, but I do worry about his emotions."

"And that's what I worry about," agreed Obi-Wan. "He still has much to learn about controlling them. His abilities have made him... Arrogant."

"Yes," Yoda agreed. "A flaw more and more common among Jedi these days. Too sure of themselves, they are. Even the older, more experienced ones."

Mace Windu nodded. "Remember, Obi-Wan, if the prophecy is true, despite his flaws, Anakin is the only one who can bring the Force into balance."

At Padmé's apartment, workers toiled away on the roof replacing the broken tiles, while glaziers hoisted a suspended scaffold to repair the broken window. Anakin watched their work from inside, haunted by how close the assassin had come to killing Padmé. In the main room, Padmé spoke to Jar Jar.

"I'm going to be taking an extended leave of absence. It will be your responsibility to take my place in the Senate. I know I can count on you."

"Mesa honored to be taking on this heavy burden. Mesa accept this with muy humility and... Uh... Mesa forget the word."

Padmé gave a small laugh. "That's okay, I know what you mean. Now, I don't want to keep you from your duties, I'm sure you have much to attend to."

"Of course, milady." Jar Jar bowed and excused himself as he left to return to the Senate building.

Padmé walked into her bedroom where Anakin watched the glaziers set the new window panes and leading. "I don't like this idea of hiding," she said.

Anakin tried to reassure her. "Don't worry. Now that the Council has ordered an investigation, it won't take Master Obi-Wan long to find the bounty hunter."

"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act to not be here when its fate is decided." Padmé began packing a travel trunk.

"Sometimes we must let go of our pride and do what is requested of us."

Padmé paused her packing and looked at the Jedi. "Anakin, you've grown up."

He frowned. "Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it." Anakin walked over to the window. The glazier looked up at him and gave a quick smile of acknowledgment before resuming his work. "Don't get me wrong, Obi-Wan is a great mentor. He's as wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu." He turned back to Padmé. "I truly am grateful to be his student."

From her wardrobe, Padmé took one of her more plain dresses, one that still looked quite costly, and carefully placed it in the trunk.

Anakin walked back towards her. "But in some ways- a lot of ways, I'm ahead of him. I'm ready for the Trials, but he feels I'm too... Unpredictable. He won't let me move on." There was a rising tension in his voice.

Padmé looked up at him. "That must be frustrating."

"It's worse. He's overly critical and he never listens." His voice rose in tone. "He... He just doesn't understand. It's not fair!"

Padmé walked back to her wardrobe. "All mentors have a way of seeing our faults more than we would like. It's the only way we can grow."

Anakin sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. "I know..."

"Anakin, don't try to grow up too quickly."

"But I am grown up." Anakin stood and walked to Padmé. "You said it yourself." He looked deeply into her eyes, and his heart fluttered.

Padmé held the gaze for a few seconds before suddenly looking away. "Please don't look at me like that..."

His brow furrowed. "Why not?"

"It... Makes me uncomfortable," she said as she packed another dress in the trunk.

Anakin cast his eyes down. "I'm sorry, milady."

Refugee ships were a common sight in the Grand Harbor. Large and fat, these ships could hold upwards of five hundred families in small but comfortable cabins. Many of the ones on the sea at the time had been built half a century prior during a series of natural disasters that had devastated several coastal nations. It was aboard one of these older ships that Anakin, Padmé, and Artu-Deetu booked passage as refugees fleeing for Naboo.

They arrived at the harbor by a shuttle, accompanied by Captain Typho, Obi-Wan, and Padmé's handmaiden, Dormé. As Padmé stood to go for the steps leading down from the shuttle's saddle, Captain Typho called after her. "Be safe, milady."

"Thank you, Captain. Please take care of Dormé. The threat will be on both of you now."

Dormé smiled sadly. "Milady..."

"You'll be fine, Dormé."

"It's not me I'm worried about. What if they learn you've left the capital?"

Padmé smirked. "Then my Jedi protector will have to prove just how good he is."

Before Anakin could stand up, Obi-Wan pulled his sleeve. "Anakin. Don't do anything without first consulting either myself or the Council."

"Yes, Master."

Obi-Wan then called after Padmé. "I will get to the bottom of this quickly, milady. You'll be back in no time."

Padmé smiled. "I'll be most grateful for your speed, Master Obi-Wan." With that, she descended the steps.

Just as it was Anakin's turn, Obi-Wan looked at him once again. "Anakin, may the Force be with you."

"You as well, Master."

Once on the ground, Anakin unstrapped both their luggage and Artu from the side of the shuttle's saddle and lowered them to the ground. Artu was placed in charge of pulling the trunk as the three of them made for the ship.

As they walked, Padmé confided in Anakin. "Suddenly, I'm afraid."

"This is my first assignment on my own, I am too." Anakin looked back at the automaton following them. "Don't worry, we have Artu with us."

They both laughed at this, feeling just a little bit better.

Captain Typho and Obi-Wan watched them go. Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "I do hope he doesn't do anything foolish."

"I'd be more worried about her doing something than him," said Captain Typho.