Disclaimer: In no way at all do I own any of the original character, locations, ships, or anything else mentioned in Star Wars. They are all owned by George Lucas. I only own my OC. Any similarities between this story and another are purely accidental.

Manson: I was sort-of upset too when Shmi married Cleg cos I really wanted to see her with Qui-Gon. But I can't really see Shmi living by herself for ten years, and like you said; Ani got his own life so why shouldn't Shmi?

randomness: Hi! Good to hear from you again. Really? You thought that was funny? Cool! Here's that update, so you can get off your pincushions now.

xXxArwenxXx: I was afraid I kinda went too fast with that kiss. I'm glad you like it!

---

There is unrest in the Galactic Senate.

Several hundred solar systems have declared

their intentions to leave the Republic.

This separatist movement,

under the leadership of Count Dooku,

has made it difficult for the limited number

of Jedi Knights to maintain peace and order in the galaxy.

Senator Amidala, the former Queen of Naboo,

is returning to the Galactic Senate to vote on the

critical issue of creating an Army of the Republic

to assist the overwhelmed Jedi…

---

A sleek cruiser skimmed across the surface of a city-landscape. It touched down on a landing platform, two smaller ships flanking it, while a third lands behind.

One of the fighter pilots jumped from the wing of his ship, taking off his helmet. He was joined by a female pilot, who had yet to remove her helmet.

"We made it," the male pilot said, sounding relieved. "I guess I was wrong. There was no danger at all."

The ramp of the ship lowered. Two guards appeared, flanking an elaborately-dressed woman who looked to be Amidala, now Naboo's representative in the Senate. Behind her followed her handmaiden and four more guards.

When the young Senator reached the foot of the ramp, the ship exploded in a burst of flame. The dignitaries and pilots were hurled to the ground, the ship completely destroyed.

The two escort pilots ran towards the Senator, where she lay dying on the ground. The female pilot removed her helmet, revealing the real Senator Amidala.

"Cordé…" Padmé trailed off, gathering her decoy in her arms.

"I'm so sorry, Milady," Cordé choked out. "I'm…not sure I…I've failed you Senator." She closed her eyes, and her body went limp.

Lyra shot up in her bed, breathing heavily at the nightmare. Poor Cordé, she thought miserably, dropping her head in her hands. She had long ago learned that most dreams that Jedi had tended to come true.

She looked around, noticing that sunlight was streaming in through the window. Standing up, she changed back into her robes and boots, then headed for the kitchen.

At the stove, Beru was cooking breakfast. "Good morning, Lyra," the younger woman greeted. "How was your sleep?"

"Fine," answered Lyra, deciding not to tell Beru about the dream. "Where are the others?"

Beru smiled warmly. "Shmi is in the garage, cleaning 3PO, and Owen and Cleg have gone to Mos Espa again." She set a plat of food before Lyra. "By the way, is that yours?" she asked, pointing at a small disk on the counter. "It's been beeping all morning."

"Thanks Beru," she said, using the Force to call it to her. She pressed a small button on it, then raised it in front of her. A hologram of Mace Windu appeared.

"Hello, Master Windu," she greeted, inclining her head.

"Chancellor Palpatine has requested that you return to Coruscant," said Windu, getting straight to the point. "He has requested that we put Senator Amidala of Naboo under the protection of the Jedi

"With all due respect, Master," said Lyra, "why would the Senator need Jedi bodyguards? I was under the impression that her security force is more than capable of doing that."

"Several attempts have been made on the Senator's life," said Mace Windu. "The Chancellor feels it necessary to place her under our protection. Report back to Coruscant by twilight."

"Yes, Master."

The hologram faded away.

---

The windowed elevator attached to the outside of the Senate building rose quickly, heading for the topmost floors. Inside were Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, heading for the apartments of Senator Padmé Amidala.

"You seem a little on edge," Obi-wan commented, noticing his Padawan nervously fidgeting with his robes.

"Not at all," he replied.

"I haven't felt you this tense since we fell into that nest of gundarks," said Obi-Wan, recalling the memory with a slight smile.

"You fell into that nightmare, Master," said Anakin indignantly, "and I rescued you, remember?"

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Oh, yes." He looked up at Anakin (Damn it, he's still taller than me, thought Obi-Wan). "You're sweating. Relax. Take a deep breath."

"I haven't seen her in ten years, Master," Anakin reminded him.

"Neither have I," muttered Obi-Wan, his tone clearly implying that Padmé wasn't who he was talking about. Fortunately for him though, Anakin didn't hear it. "She isn't Queen anymore," he added.

"That's not why I'm nervous."

The two Jedi exited the elevator and were immediately greeted by Jar Jar. "Mesa so smilen to seein yousa," the Gungan said excitedly, shaking Obi-Wan's hand vigorously.

"Good to see you again, Jar Jar," Obi-Wan replied, smiling.

Grinning, Jar Jar pulled them into the main room of Padmé's quarters. The Nubian Senator was in conference Captain Typho, the head of her security, and Dormé, one of her handmaidens.

"Lookie, lookie, Senator," said Jar Jar excitedly, gesturing to Obi-Wan and Anakin. "Disa Jedi arriven."

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Milady," said Obi-Wan.

A small smile broke out over Padmé's face. "It has been far too long, Master Kenobi. I'm so glad our paths have crossed again. But I must warn you," she added, "your presence here is unnecessary."

"I'm sure the Jedi Council has their reasons," stated Obi-Wan reasonably.

Padmé acknowledged Obi-Wan with a nod, before her gaze fell on Anakin.

"Ani?" she asked, staring. "My goodness, you've grown."

"So have you," said Anakin, trying to be smooth (and failing miserably). "Grown more beautiful, I mean…and much shorter, for a Senator, I mean."

A soft chuckle sounded behind the two Jedi. "Being suave was never your strong point, Ani."

Obi-Wan turned around, seeing a female Jedi standing in the doorway. Her arms were folded across her chest, and an amused smirk played upon her face.

Instead of being wary of this intruder, Padmé's smile widened and she beckoned for the other Jedi to join them. "It's so good to see you," she gushed as the female Jedi approached. "I'm glad the Council put you on this assignment, Lyra."

She smiled. "It's good to see you too, Padmé."

Obi-Wan's eyes widened at the name—and the barely recognizable Lyra. She's grown 'more beautiful, I mean' as my young Padawan would say.

"Lyra?" said Anakin, clearly shocked too. "You've—"

"—grown more beautiful, I mean…" mimicked Lyra with a sly smile, making Anakin blush.

Padmé laughed at the sight of the red gracing his cheeks. "Oh Ani," she sighed, "you'll always be the little boy I knew on Tatooine."

This, of course, embarrassed Anakin more. He looked down at the ground, suddenly finding the patterns of the carpet very interesting.

"Our presence will be invisible, Milady," assured Obi-Wan, fighting the urge to smile at Anakin's embarrassment.

"I'm very grateful you're here," said Typho. "Queen Jamillia has informed you of your assignment. The situation is more dangerous then the Senator will admit."

"I don't need more security," stated Padmé stubbornly, "I need answers. I want to know who's trying to kill me."

"We're here to protect you, Senator," Lyra reminded her, "not to start an investigation."

"We will find out who's trying to kill you Padmé," said Anakin intensely, "I promise."

Obi-Wan gave Anakin a dirty look. "We will not exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner!"

"I meant in the interest of protecting her Master, of course," Anakin added, biting his lip in frustration and shame.

"We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin," said Obi-Wan firmly. "And you will pay attention to my lead."

"Why?"

---

Lyra stared shocked at Anakin. Apparently, she was not the only one as Obi-Wan looked at him, saying, "What?" in a slightly surprised tone.

Anakin covered it up well. "Why else do you think we were assigned to protect her, if nor to find the killer?" he demanded. "Protection is a job for local security, not Jedi. It's overkill, Master. Investigation is implied in our mandate."

"We will do exactly as the Council has instructed," said Obi-Wan, "and you will learn your place, young one."

Padmé stood up, irritation evident in her face. "Perhaps with merely your presence," she said coldly, the warmth from earlier gone, "the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed. Now if you will excuse me, I will retire." With that, she and Dormé left the room.

"I'll have an officer situated on every floor," said Typho, standing up, "and I'll be in the control center downstairs." Saying that, he left as well.

Sighing, Lyra approached Anakin. "It's good to see you, Ani," she said truthfully, looking him over. A small smile spread over her face. "Look at that, you're taller than me, and you used to barely reach my waist! Padmé was right, you've grown."

A sad look came over Anakin's face when she said Padmé. "She hardly recognized me, Lyra," he said, watching as Padmé rounded the corner and walked out of sight. "I've thought about her everyday since we parted, and she's forgotten me completely."

"She's happy," replied Lyra. She had seen how Padmé's eyes had lit up upon seeing Anakin.

"Happier den mesa seeing her in a long-o time," added Jar Jar, joining the conversation.

Obi-Wan approached the three. "Anakin, you're focusing on the negative again. Be mindful of your thoughts. She was pleased to see us. Now let's check the security here."

Lyra sighed again as the three Jedi went to work. Ani and I are not the only ones who've grown, she thought ruefully, observing Obi-Wan. He's definitely grown as well.

But more importantly, she thought he'd grown more handsome.