Author's Note: Hey there! I have a rather lengthy chapter for you this weekend. Hope you enjoy! Eriks Leading Lady – Welcome! Oh, it's so good to have you back with us! I'm so thrilled that you are enjoying the story – thanks for the encouragement! Hopeless4Life – Aw, you always say the nicest things – I'm so grateful! Please let me know what you think of this chapter! Hellish Red Devil – I'm relieved to hear you say that you think I'm blending everything okay. It's been difficult since there are so many 'main' characters so your compliments really mean a lot! Elmthesmartiepants – Hee! Your name cracks me up! I'm so excited that you've dropped in for the story – and as an author, it's wonderful to hear that you're enjoying it because I've had a ball writing this crazy trilogy! Padme's Sister – I'm so glad that you are enjoying Obi-wan and Siri. I'm surprised by how much fun I'm having writing them! Thanks for the nice comments! Meandmysharpie – Ha! Food fights, eh? I used to have them with my sister when we were little. But then I started having to do my own laundry, so… Yeah, I stopped. Too lazy, you know! To all – Thanks for reading!

00000

Mace held his saber aloft, ready to strike down any potential enemy. His steps were swift and efficient as he moved further into the suite, his every nerve focused on the main living area. The struggle still waged on and seemed to be one of the most intense battles he'd ever heard.

And yet, something about it was out of place. The Force was not warning him of danger or any potential threat, but then again, the Dark side clouded everything - perhaps the Sith had found a way to block him...? Master Yoda had warned him that it was a possibility.

He tilted his head as a new sound reached his ears.

Was that... laughter? he wondered, thoroughly confused. Shaking his head at the outrageous thought, he continued to keep his senses alert as he neared the source of all the noise. He tried to reach Obi-wan through the Force but the Jedi was too deeply engaged in battle to heed his call. With a deep breath, he leapt into the room and nearly dropped his weapon in surprise.

"What is the meaning of this?" he bellowed, deactivating his light saber before he was tempted to use it.

He watched in mild satisfaction as the foursome froze, the rigidity of their spines underscoring their guilt. As they turned and their gazes met him fully, his mouth dropped open at the sight.

Obi-wan Kenobi's face was covered in brownish black dirt - some of it even matting itself in small clumps in the front part of his hair. Siri Tachi was wearing some sort of a sequined garment around her head, her hair poofing out above it in a wild snarl of tangles. Senator Amidala was squirming in a rather undignified manner, wiping her hands on the side of Anakin's tunic. And Skywalker was splattered with some sort of yellow creamy substance-

"Anakin," Mace barked sharply. "Is that what I think it is?"

Anakin swiped a finger across his face, gathering a large glob on the tip of his finger and waved it enticingly.

"Yes, Master," he grinned. "Sweetcake topping. Freshly prepared, just thirty minutes ago."

Mace felt his stomach growl in anticipation, but then annoyance began to bubble up. "And you just threw it at each other?" he hissed, horrified at the thought.

"Well, not exactly," Anakin back-peddled. Turning, he pointed at his wife. "Senator Amidala is the one who actually threw it. I simply caught it, so to speak."

Padme turned and shot him a glare. Thanks, my love.

Anakin cringed at the sarcasm in his wife's silent communication. I am going to hear about this later. He tried to offer her an apologetic smile, but she stepped past him, wearing what he liked to call her "diplomatic face."

"I'm deeply sorry for the mess, Master Windu," she said earnestly. "We've just been under a bit of pressure and well, we acted badly. As you can see, we did plan for some nice refreshments for your visit and if you'll give us a few minutes to tidy up, I'll be sure to bring out something a bit more... intact."

Mace snorted his acceptance and strode onto the balcony, where he could let out his amusement in private. He had never seen such an air of camaraderie and purpose. Where one had a weakness, the others made up for it and then some.

Yes, the plan was working.

There were certainly some ups and downs and it wasn't going in the dignified manner they had figured, but it was working nonetheless.

Master Yoda will be most pleased, he mused. Most pleased, indeed.

THIRTY MINUTES LATER

Suitably cleaned up, the three Jedi and lone Senator sat around the glossy brown table, sipping cups of hot tea. Obi-wan swiped a hand across his cheek, hoping he had gotten all the dirt off his face. Siri had hogged the 'fresher, attempting to flatten her hair, so he had been forced to clean up without the benefit of a mirror. He was embarrassed enough, he didn't need to have the evidence of their earlier transgression smeared across his face as a physical reminder.

They all sat up a little straighter as Mace Windu finally made his reappearance.

"Good evening," he greeted them, a scowl still wrinkling his forehead. Without waiting for their response, he made a bee-line for the new platter of sweetcakes, popping one in his mouth quickly. He closed his eyes in ecstasy and then made quite a show of licking his fingers daintily. Sensing their eyes on him, he quickly shoved his hands in his cloak and began to pace.

"We have discovered some important information on Jarrick," he stated. Catching the relief that flooded their faces, he hastened to add, "Not his location, but a bit of background, which could prove very helpful. It is always good to know your enemies."

Anakin reached for Padme's hand and grasped it tightly as the Jedi Master continued to speak.

"It seems he is from the planet Eiaros, a tiny planet well out of the long gaze of the Republic. It has been ruled by the same royal family since recorded history began. It looks like our Jarrick was the not-so-secret son of the King and a servant girl."

"Oh dear," Obi-wan murmured, already pitying the poor woman.

"The villagers were reluctant to speak of Jarrick - or, as they call him, "The Unnatural One." However, we did find out that his mother died shortly after his birth, which surely came as a relief to the King. He was quick to deny any relation to the odd child, sending him to the mining colony on Rewoid, which is where I found him. From there, the trail grows cold - he apparently disappeared shortly after we left."

"Can we speak with the royal family?" Anakin piped up, hopeful.

"Unfortunately, no," Mace replied solemnly. "They are all dead, supposedly of natural causes. But the villagers say it was as it they were smothered by an unseen hand."

NINETY MINUTES LATER

Siri stared at the ceiling, willing sleep to come. She had been lying in the same position for the past half-hour, and although her eyes felt heavy, they wouldn't stay closed.

She had too much to think about.

Her thoughts were scattered as they touched on the day's events. There was a myriad of emotions in her recollection - joy, love, frustration, heartbreak. And now, hope.

Obi-wan had been unfailingly sweet all evening, placing a supportive hand on the small of her back, refilling her tea cup before it was empty. And when she had entered her bedroom, there was an extra blanket waiting for her, placed there by her favorite Jedi after he saw her shiver while bidding good-night to Master Windu.

Why can't we get it right?

She sighed, closing her eyes against the pain that buffered her heart. As a tear made its way down her cheek, she finally allowed herself an escape... sleep.

MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, SUITE OF LIRI AND KAIDE

Padme shifted in under the blankets, slowly becoming aware of the cool breeze that was swirling around her body. Lazily, she sat up and rubbed her face, trying to shake off the last stubborn remnants of sleep.

Blinking rapidly, she tried to acclimate herself to the oppressive darkness of the room. Finally, her vision adjusted enough to allow her to see the cracked window.

Blast Anakin and his love of cool air. She rolled her eyes, reluctant to leave the warmth of their bed.

Growing up in the heat of Tatooine, her husband still adored sleeping with the windows open on cool nights, relishing the kiss of the air on his skin. Some day he's going to catch his death, she thought, goose bumps breaking out on her arms.

Yawning widely, she slid her legs over the side of the bed and quickly padded to the far wall. Reaching for the window, she felt an invisible pair of hands clasp her wrists tightly. Startled, her eyes flew upward and locked onto a pair of blood red eyes.

She sank to the floor as everything went dark.

00000

"PADME!" Anakin cried, shaking her shoulders.

With a gasp, her eyes flew open and she saw Anakin hovering above her, his face tightened with worry. His light saber was in his palm, the blue blade humming steadily. Her head twisted to the side, searching for any trace of Jarrick.

"Where is he?" she mumbled.

"Who?" he asked. He loosened his grip on her upper arms.

"Jarrick," she explained wildly. "He was here, just a minute ago. I saw him."

"What?"

"At the window. You had left it open again and when I went to close it - he was there."

"I've been awake, love," he insisted. "You haven't moved from our bed and it is too cold tonight to open the window - even for me."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door and Anakin raised a hand, opening it with the Force. Obi-wan and Siri were there, cloaks pulled on hastily, hair standing askew.

"We sensed a disturbance in the Force," Obi-wan said. "Padme, are you all right?"

Embarrassed, Padme put a hand to her forehead. "Just a bad dream, I'm afraid. I guess Master Windu's talk about Jarrick affected me more than I realized."

"That's understandable," Siri soothed. "After all, he held you captive and invaded your mind - it's no wonder you're a bit sensitive to the subject."

Still unsettled, Padme nodded.

NEXT MORNING, PRACTICE RINK B

"Good morning," Threepio called, trying to edge his hoversled ahead of Artoo's. "I trust you all had a restful evening."

"It was interesting, to say the least," Obi-wan replied lightly.

"Oh dear," Threepio fretted. He knew interesting always involved some sort of danger. He was a protocol droid, why did he keep getting sent on these dangerous assignments?

Growing tired of the delay, Artoo pushed past him and tossed four garments onto the ice.

"What are these?" Padme wondered, inspecting the dark fabric. It had two leg holes and was constructed of stretchy fabric. Yet the sides and back appeared to be stuffed generously with some sort of soft foam.

"These are called crash pads. They are to be worn over the bottom-half of your skating attire during practice this week," Threepio replied, still looking nervous.

"Why?" Anakin asked wryly.

"The routine we will be learning has a jump element, which is difficult to learn. My programming suggests there is a high probability of painful tumbles before one can learn the proper technique."

"Oh, I see. These will protect us from getting even more bruises," Siri deduced, looking at the new addition curiously. "What a pity - I was rather enjoying the new shade my skin was taking. Purple and blue have proven to be a very exotic combination, you know. Just ask Master Secura."

Padme laughed and followed Siri to the benches where they could pull on the crash pads without well, crashing. She had a feeling that the devices were going to prove to be quite beneficial even while being extremely unflattering.

"There's always a catch, isn't there?" Siri noted, squirming into the form-fitting garment. "Just when you get used to wearing these ridiculous outfits, they find a way to make it even worse."

"They just like to keep us on our toes," Padme replied, smoothing her hands over her well-padded hips. She looked to the ice where Obi-wan and Anakin were arguing about whether to wear the odd looking equipment.

Siri caught her bemused look and commented, "I bet you two are so close, there's nothing that could throw you off balance, is there?"

"You would think so, wouldn't you?" Padme said lightly, returning to the ice. "But watch this!" Putting a hand to her mouth, she called, "Kaide!"

Anakin turned, raising his eyebrows as he took in the lumpy crash pads she was now wearing.

Impishly, Padme continued, "Be honest now...

Do these make me look fat?"