A/N: As promised! A lunch date with Obi Wan! There's subtle hints to Clone Wars season 7 in this chapter. You don't have to see it to understand but it would just enhance it. Also Dex's diner is from AotC. Please enjoy!

Chapter 3

On Coruscant-Dex diner

Lunchtime was always busy in this part of town. Dex's diner was a popular place for a quick and satisfying bite to eat. Just be careful of patrons, average blue collar workers mixed with spice runners, and the henchmen of the likes of Jabba the Hutt all enjoyed the fine dining of this establishment. When you first walk in the door, you're hit with the smell of the fryer in the back, working double time, and then a whiff of the black sludge they served that'll keep you awake for several rotations.

In the corner, sitting in one of the worn out booths sat a distinguished figure. Unlike the usual patrons, he sat erect and proper, even with a heavy brown cloak covering most of his form. His attire made to look inconspicuous only made him stand out more in this shifty crowd. Obi Wan's blue eyes monitored the busy streets of Coruscant. He was amazed by how, at least in this area, life just seemed to be continuing as usual. At this level, politics were just the latest gossip from the Holonet and didn't have much bearing to the inhabitants. Over a year ago, the galaxy was changed forever. Yet, people continued their jobs, the vagrants continued their shifty deals, the republic credit still works and so, to them, nothing had changed.

Obi Wan shifted his focus as a hot plate of deep fried Nuna legs slide in front of him. He usually wasn't very fond of fried foods in general, but this dish had grown on him over the years. A cup of ardees as the locals called it, Jawa juice known by most, also accompanied his lunch. He smiled as he indulged in another of his guilty pleasures. As a shadow casted on him, he looked up to find a heavy set male Besalisk wearing a well greased ill fitting off white shirt and a broad, toothy smile had served him his order.

He smiled, "Hello Dex!" He reached into his pockets trying to find whatever republic credits he had left.

Dexter Jettster waved his attempts off, "Your credit is no good here!"

Obi Wan sighed gratefully, " I owe you one, Dex." He started to dig into his lunch.

Dex wiggled his way into the opposite side of the booth to sit with his old friend; unfortunately, most of his belly ending up spilling over the top of the table, "Nonsense! The great Hero of the Republic is always welcomed here!"

Obi Wan sliced a piece of the Nuna and popped it into his mouth, civilized people do not eat with their hands, "Sadly, not everyone shares your point of view." He looked around the diner and caught some scowls around the room, not too happy that a warmonger Jedi was in their presence.

Dex noticed the looks in his diner and proclaimed loudly, "If anyone here has a problem with my friend they'll have to answer to me!" He threatened. "I need a new 'special of the day' for tomorrow anyways."

The stares around the room disappeared as the diners went back to their meals and conversations. Obi Wan continued eating as Dex watches his old friend. Dex wasn't too familiar with the Jedi in general. They usually avoided coming down to the lower levels of Coruscant. If they did come by it was often to chase after some unlucky fellow. Rarely did the Jedi stop for anything else especially to chat with the common folks. Obi Wan was a rare Jedi and a good friend. Dex had seen high class and low class people in his life, but one thing remained important. Loyalty. Obi Wan helped him out a long time ago and Dex had felt indebted to him since. But it was more than that. He just liked the guy. Obi Wan was honest and genuine. A rare quality in a person. He was always happy to help Obi Wan the rare times he would stop by the diner for Dex's input. Truth be told, he was worried for his friend now that Obi Wan wasn't a Jedi anymore.

Dex spoke up, "You know. I know some people on the planet of Nevarro. I can get you a connection with the bounty hunter's guild there."

Obi Wan almost chokes on his food and looks up, "Bounty hunter?! That's so uncivilized!" He scoffs at him horribly offended by the idea.

Dex frowns at him, "It's good pay, Obi Wan. You should think about it."

Obi Wan just throws him a glare and keeps eating.

Dex sighed and brushes at his shirt attempting to clean off some of the cemented on grease there. "Just think about it. Ok?"

Obi Wan stopped eating and remembered his manners. Dex is only trying to help. He looks up, "I will." He states sincerely. "Thank you for your concern."

Dex smiled and wriggles out of the booth, "That's all I ask. Listen, you're welcome here ANYTIME. You hear? Don't be a stranger."

Obi Wan smiled back gratefully to his friend as Dex gave him a friendly pat on the back before going back to work. Obi wan grabbed his cup of ardees and sips on it as he looks out the window. He sensed someone sitting down, in the booth in front of him, and turns back, thinking it's Dex trying to convince him again.

"My friend, I appreciate your offer but I don't think I'm cut out to be a bounty hunter." Obi Wan finally making eye contact with the person in front of him. It wasn't Dex but a familiar Togruta.

Ahsoka cocked a smirk at him, "Why not? The pay is good."

Obi Wan couldn't help but smile broadly. It was so good to see a friendly face! He put his drink down and crosses his arms leaning back on the booth. "Don't get me wrong, Ahsoka. I'm delighted to see you but what brings you to these parts? I thought you were on Naboo playing the best Auntie to little Luke and Leia?"

She smiled and took a sip of Obi Wan's drink without permission. She paused for a moment surprised by the taste. "Anakin and Padmé went to Theed to take care of business. I figured I come here and see what you have been up to?"

He raised an eyebrow, "You're worried about me? I can take care of myself just fine. Thank you."

"Right…" not believing him. She continued, "You know, after I left the Order, I spent a good amount of time down in the lower sectors of Coruscant. There are lots of people down here that could use help from someone like you."

Obi Wan tried to contain his annoyance but failed miserably. Everyone had an opinion about his future today. "Be a vigilante?! That might even be a worse idea than a bounty hunter!" He scoffs at her.

"No…not a vigilante. A peacekeeper. A helper of the people." Ahsoka reasoned.

She continued as Obi Wan listened to her apprehensively. "A lot of people down here feel trapped. They have never even seen the sky! You could help give them a perspective. An option for a different way of life. Hope." She reached over to grab his hand. "If there's anyone out there qualified to do to that it's you."

He was touched by her compliment but still thought it was a bad idea. He was about to speak his disagreement when he overhead Dex.

"Hey Obi! Check out the monitor!"

Both Ahsoka and Obi Wan turned to see what was going on. The HoloNet was reporting some breaking news.

"There's been an incident at the Republic Military Prison. Several prisoners are reported missing and many clone guards killed. Significant damage reported from inside the prison. Sources can't confirmed which prisoners…."

Obi Wan and Ahsoka took one look at each other and shot out the diner.

Dex watched them speed out and waved to them. "Good luck you two!"

The Gardens of the Theed Royal Palace on Naboo

Being a former Queen of Naboo has its perks, one being access to the vast, luscious gardens surrounding the palace. It was a great time of the year, most of the flowers were in bloom filling the air with sweet, fragrant scents as the birds and bugs busied themselves amongst the blossom. Anakin and Padmé quietly walked the pathway. Neither had said much after Padmé returned from her meeting with the Queen. Both were lost in thought for different reasons.

Anakin was the first to speak. Clearing his throat, "So….how was your meeting with the Queen?"

Padmé barely heard her husband speak, "Oh, um…good." She stated as her focus was still else where.

Anakin raised an eyebrow. "Good? Just…..good?"

Padmé stopped and tucked a loose piece of hair back behind her ear in a way that Anakin always found adorable. "Well….."

Anakin was amused by her response, he crossed his arms and gazed upon her deep brown eyes lovely, "When does the Queen want you to return to Coruscant?"

"That's the thing…she doesn't…"

Anakin frowned. "What does she want you to do?"

Padmé watched a bird swoop down, and pluck a bug off a flower, then fly off. "She offered me a position here, on Naboo, as an advisor."

"Wh…an advisor? That's wonderful!" Anakin was more elated than he thought he would be. He quickly caught himself wanting to give her space to express her feelings. "Right? How do you feel about it?"

Padmé noticed his enthusiasm and tilted her head to the side, trying to collect her thoughts coherently, "I don't know. I've worked very hard in the Senate. I wanted to do things before that, maybe now that things are different, I could get addressed."

Anakin bluntly stated. "Doesn't Chancellor Organa share the same views as you do? And…Interm Senator Jamillia seems to be following the same direction as you. It sounds like your goals are being addressed anyways…"

"Yes..but." She had a hard time admitting it. She felt pride in being an active part of the change. A piece of her wanted that recognition, after all, she had worked hard for so many years fighting for these issues.

"But what?" Anakin couldn't understand the issue. "Didn't you tell me once that being on the Queen's council of ministries is one of the highest honors in Naboo culture?"

"It is! I'm not saying it's not." Padmé responded, not sure why she was getting so frustrated.

"Sounds like you're lucky to be given the privilege," Anakin replied candidly.

"Anakin!" Sometimes she just wanted to slap that handsome face. "I can't just abandon my duty."

"You're not! Let someone else take on that role." His voice rising to meet his wife's.

"I thought you were ok with me going back to being a Senator once this year was over." She was getting more frustrated with her husband's lack of understanding.

"I was! But…now you have a chance to stay here. It's safer here…" Anakin wouldn't have to worry about all the death threats his wife seemed to continually be under as a Senator. She had made many enemies over the years. Luckily, he was able to protect her from, at least, a few of them.

"I can take care of myself!" She retorted as she crossed her arms.

Anakin sighed. He ran his hand through his hair. "It's not just that. It'll be safer for our children. Plus, they can go see their grandparents as often as they like and play with their cousins. I think our children deserve to have that don't you?"

He didn't realize until that very moment how much he loved having a large, extended family. Ruwee and Jobal had accepted Anakin with open arms when their marriage was finally public. Although, they didn't really seem surprised at the announcement. He had only wished his mother could have been there to meet their children. It was wonderful watching his nieces play with his children. When they were over at Padmé's parents' house it just felt like he belonged there.

"I just think you need to reconsider what your priorities are." He put his hands on his hips, leaning down, leering at his stubborn wife. It was an unconscious movement. A habit he did with the clones when he tried to get them to see his point of view.

"Anakin, that's not fair!" She stepped forward to meet his gaze. Her proud, imposing husband didn't intimidate her like he did other people.

"Isn't it? What's more important to you? Your glory as a Senator or our family?" He pointed to himself. "Or me?"

"What do you mean? Is there something you're not telling me?" Padmé was surprised about the sudden shift in the conversation.

Anakin closed his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to regain his composure, "While you were talking to Queen Apailana, I was talking to Captain Panaka."

"And…?" She took a step closer.

"And…he's planning to retire and offered me the position of Head of Security for the Royal Naboo Security Force."

"Oh, Anakin!" She covered her gaping mouth with her hands. Padmé was genuinely delighted for her husband regardless of her own situation. "What did you say?"

"I said..I had to discuss this with my wife first." Anakin closed the distance between them, tracing the side of Padme's cheek with a finger, he softly asked. "What do you think of my offer?"

"That's wonderful, Anakin. It really is. I'm so happy for you." Padmé replied.

"But…."

Padmé pulled away from his embrace. Crossing her arms she turned away from him. The Queen and Captain Panaka must have been planning this. It's no coincidence that they both received offers today. Was this fate trying to tell them something? Why was she so reluctant to give up her old life? Maybe because the new life is just that. New…and exciting but terrifying at the same time. Will she be able to live up to the Queen's expectations in her new role?

Anakin felt Padmé's conflict through the Force. He would never invade her mind without her permission but it was hard to miss her frustration. Was it something he said? Was he too harsh? He was just being honest. He was trying to do what he thought was right for their family. He didn't realize how strongly she felt about being a Senator. Ultimately, Anakin just wanted Padmé to be happy. Whatever that looked like.

"Padmé". He gently placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her around to face him. He tenderly cupped Padmé soft, silky cheek in his flesh palm. She could feel the warmth radiating off his hand and it gave her goosebumps. As he tilted her face up to meet his, she stared into his gorgeous blue eyes. Padmé was lost in their wonder as if Anakin was looking into her very soul.

Anakin spoke gently and reverently to his beloved wife, "Padmé, if you want to go back to Coruscant then I will go back with you. If you want to stay here on Naboo then I will stay here with you."

He brushed the back of his hand against her well defined cheek tracing her jawline. Padmé shivered under his tender touch. "Wherever you are is where I will be. By your side. Always."

"What about the role of Head Security?" Padmé inquired.

Anakin shook his head, "I'll just tell Captain Panaka that I'm not interested."

She couldn't believe this man was her husband. Her heart threatened to explode on the spot with how much she loved him. Her devoted, passionate, and courageous husband. She didn't deserve his dedication to her even over his own aspiration.

She reached her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a passionate kiss. Anakin's hands dropping down to her waist pulling her closer to him.

He took in her sweet, natural scent mixed in with the perfume she was wearing. He was bewitched by her beauty and mind from the moment he met her at 9 years old. Even now, he's amazed how such an extraordinary person like her had decided to commit herself to him.

They pulled away from their heated kiss breathing heavily.

"Ok.." Padmé whispered.

Anakin was still waking from the effects of their kiss, "Ok? What does that mean?" His mind was more focused on enjoying another kiss.

"Ok." Padmé stated more definitively. "Let's stay here on Naboo."

Anakin's eyes shot open. His blue eyes locked on her beautiful brown eyes. "Are you sure?" He didn't want to push her into a decision she would regret.

"Yes, I'm positive. Let's raise our children on Naboo."

A broad grin crossed Anakin's face. He lifted Padmé up by her tiny waist and swung her in a circle as they both laughed freely before he leaned in for a deeper, more joyous kiss.

A/N: I wanted Anakin and Padmé to have a serious discussion about their options. It isn't that Padmé doesn't love her family. Being a Senator was a huge part of her identity for a long time so I didn't think she would just ditch it at the first chance she could.

Who do you think broke out of jail? And cause a lot of destruction in the process? *wink wink*