Chapter Three – Dedicated Loyalty

Once Anakin and Padme had packed everything they needed, he destroyed the tracker device in his fighter so that it couldn't be tracked and then flew it up to Padme's ship so he could connect it to the Nubian ship. He wasn't sure if he would actually have any need for it, but then again he was fond of his fighter. Once the ship was connected, he helped Padme and the droids with the luggage. She then took leave to speak to Captain Typho who was insisting on accompanying her. Anakin was at this moment in the cockpit with Artoo and Threepio waiting for her to arrive. He was still amazed that everything he had been working so hard for seemed to be right round the corner. It seemed that the simplest option had been the answer all along. He was starting to wish that he could have done this earlier and saved himself all the fear which tormented him.

The door of the cockpit opened and Padme entered. She had changed out of her pale blue gown and was now wearing a tan tunic, white pants and brown boots and her hair was in a braid which came down to her hips. He smiled as she seated herself in the pilot seat.

"Our security team is seated and ready to go." She said.

Anakin smiled and they both ran the start-up sequence and the ship came to life and lifted smoothly off the platform.

He watched as they left the city planet behind them. For some time now he had called this place home, but now as they were flying away from it, he didn't feel the same stabbing loss he'd felt when he'd left Tatooine. It was probably because he wasn't leaving the thing he loved most behind him. This time the person he loved most was leaving with him. He turned his head away as the city planet became smaller.

"Don't look back." He remembered the last advice his mother had given him as a kid. He would do it now and look ahead to where they were going.

He watched as Padme entered the coordinates then turned to meet his eye. They shared a silent smile and took each other's hand. Then without any words they shot into light-speed leaving Coruscant behind them.

When they'd arrived in Lake Country on Naboo it was early evening. The sun was starting to set making the sky glow in beautiful oranges and yellows. They had landed the ship near the villa where they'd got married. Captain Typho and the security team had taken up positions to ensure safety.

Meanwhile, Anakin and Padme were seated inside the beautiful villa and dining together peacefully as the sun glowed off the surface of the lake and reflected off the polished walls of the room. Anakin felt a strong sense of Déjà vu just sitting at the same table he and Padme had sat when he had used the Force to levitate the piece of fruit towards her. He didn't feel like trying the same thing again right now as he just wanted this peaceful evening to last forever.

After they'd finished their meal they were just getting up from the table when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Padme called.

Captain Typho came in pushing the door ajar, but not closing it behind him. "Senator Amidala, General Skywalker, we have a visitor."

Anakin tensed, but as he stepped to Padme's side, he felt a familiar Force presence which made him halt his defenses.

"Good or bad?" Padme asked.

Typho smiled. "Good, very good." He opened the door and into the room walked…

"Ahsoka!" Padme cried in delight and rushed forward to hug the Togruta girl. "Oh it's so good to see you!"

Ahsoka hugged her back smiling happily. "It's great to see you too Padme."

The captain left the three of them alone, knowing full well he could trust Ashoka.

Anakin was just as delighted to see her but he was also confused. "This is a lovely surprise Snips, but I thought you were off with Rex to capture Maul on Mandalore."

Ahsoka let go of Padme and they stepped over to him. "The mission was a success. Maul is in custody and is being transferred to Coruscant as we speak. Rex said he and the clones would see he was transferred straight to the Coruscant prison. I doubt he will be running off anywhere, not with all the precautions we took to keep him secured."

A smile lit up Anakin's face. "Well I believe congratulations are in order Snips. You exceed all our expectations and faster than we would have thought possible."

The news was a big relief to hear. He had been sorry not to accompany Ahsoka for this mission, and now more than ever considering that he and Obi-Wan had instead gone and unknowingly rescued the man who was their true enemy. However, Ahsoka did not reflect the delight Anakin gave her.

"I did my duty as a citizen, Anakin. But I humbly accept your congratulations. The skills that aided me were thanks to your teachings." She bowed her head and closed her eyes.

Anakin smiled with gratitude, but there was still one question puzzling him. He reached forward and gently lifted her chin with his fingers. "I'm delighted that my lessons to you were worth something and enabled you to succeed in this mission. But Ahsoka I must ask, why did you come here? And how did you know we would be here?"

His former Padawan was silent for a few seconds, her eyes meeting his. "While we were traveling back to Coruscant, I sensed great pain from you through the Force and I was very concerned for you. So once we arrived, I took a small fighter and followed you through our bond. I could tell you weren't on Coruscant so I felt a bit deeper until I saw that you were here. It appears that even though I'm no longer your student our bond still remains strong as it has always been."

Anakin smiled. "I guess it's because I never truly wanted to let it go."

Ahsoka nodded. "I thought as much." She reached up and put her hand on his arm. "Anakin was this great pain I felt from you true? Had someone hurt you? Has something awful happened?"

Unsure how to answer, Anakin looked questionably at Padme and she nodded encouragement. He seemed to agree. There didn't seem to be any harm in telling Ahsoka the truth. She had always been loyal to him and never betrayed his trust.

He recalled the last words he had said to her on that devastating day she'd left the Jedi Order. "I understand. More than you realize, I understand wanting to walk away from the Order."

Her response was that she already knew. Did that mean she must have sensed Anakin's feelings towards Padme early on and figured it all out? He felt a touch on his shoulder and looked to see that her hand had left his arm and was now on his shoulder. She gave him a gentle smile and a small nod.

She did understand. Her loyalty seemed to go deeper than Anakin realized. She knew and yet had kept it from the Council all this time. Placing his hand on her shoulder in turn he said, "Come and we'll tell you everything Snips." She nodded and the three of them went to the living room.

Seated side by side, Anakin and Padme faced Ahsoka who was seated on the sofa opposite them. As the fire burned with gentle flickering flames, the couple told Ahsoka everything, absolutely everything from when they'd met as kids on Tatooine all the way to this very night. The young Togruta listened intently and seemed to become spellbound the more the story went on.

When Anakin finally explained the truth about Palpatine her expression became devastated. "But...how could we not have known?" she asked, her gaze dropping to her boots.

"I know Ahsoka, even I could not believe it," answered Padme, coming to sit beside her and put a comforting arm around her. "But it seemed he was able to hide himself well, even from the Jedi. And it explains why he was able to extend his time as Chancellor. All we can do now is hope that the Jedi are able to capture him before he causes any more harm."

Ahsoka nodded and then after a while glanced at Padme's pregnant stomach. "So you're the father?" she asked, glancing at Anakin who nodded slowly. "Well I'm very happy for both of you. And after everything you've told me, I have decided something." She stood up from the sofa and took several deep breaths as though she was preparing herself for some kind of declaration. "I would like to remain here with you. Since I completed my mission on Mandalore, I need a new purpose. So I feel that I should stay here and help defend you and protect this child." She went over to Anakin. "I understand what the Jedi Council would do to you if they found out about this. And I will not allow them to take you away from this peace you have found for yourselves. So please allow me to help in any way that I can, after all you did for me. I mean if not for you, I would not have been proven innocent and I can think of no better way to repay you than this."

Anakin could not believe what he was hearing. Despite walking out on him and the Jedi Order, she was now willing to commit her services to him as though he were her master all over again. However, this was different, she wanted to help protect them and the baby. This was more than Anakin could have wished for and the thought of having her back in his life was delightful. Because in the time he had known Ahsoka, she had been more than his Padawan, she had almost been like a little sister to him. And with this request she was offering, it would almost be like welcoming her into their family.

Standing up from the sofa, Anakin stood before Ahsoka, but spoke no words to her, instead he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Ahsoka was surprised at first by the gesture, but then returned it clinging to him tight. Padme stood up and came to join them and soon all three of them were hugging each other in a loving group hug and the Force shone as Anakin's bond with Ahsoka grew stronger than it had ever been before.

Author's Notes

Happy Liberation Day my readers! This new chapter came very quick, as the first few have been ready for a while. I hope you liked having Ahsoka join the story. This had been my original plan since I started writing this fanfic. The thing was that I needed to find out what happened to her in the final season of The Clone Wars. Well to those of you who saw it I'm sure you'll agree this was a Great way for both stories go. Please let me know in your reviews what you thought, then I'll know you're enjoying it.

Thanks again to my lovely Beta Reader Carrie2sky !

May The Force Be With You!
LouisaJane007