Chapter 16

We Pretend It's Alright

Break

We Pretend It's Alright

The court had reassembled after a day-long recess. Mace Windu had now been awake and stable for a day and was set to testify shortly. Padme was nervous as she walked up the stairs of the Senate building with Bail Organa, who has just finished speaking to the see of press outside.

"You alright, Padme?" Bail asked, noticing her silence.

"Yes, just ready for this to be over." She responded, sharing an anxious smile as they passed through security and into the building.

"Today should be a victory for you." Bail added, trying to ease her nerves.

"Yes, it should be." Padme nodded, ignoring the slight ominous feeling growing within her. She rested her hand on her large stomach, feeling the comfort she often felt when focusing on her children. It was a similar feeling to the one got around Anakin, a feeling of comfort, protection, a calming feeling. She had no doubt her babies would just as strong with the Force as their father.

A short while later the courtroom was full, and Padme sat at the defense table with Helgo and Jinka by her sides. She watched as the doors opened and her husband was led inside, her hands bound and his gaze downcast. He looked deep in thought as he moved below the crowd, ignoring the calls and jeers as he made his way to the front of the room. When he reached the defense table, he looked over her and gave her a smile that made her forget where they were for a minute, forget the trial and the obstacles between them. She returned it, hoping he found her smile as comforting as she found his.

A few moments later they were ready to begin. Still in the hospital, a hologram of Mace Windu appeared in the front of the courtroom. The Prosecutor walked forward, ready to begin.

"Master Windu, will you please recount the events of the night the Chancellor died?"

"That night, Skywalker came to the Jedi temple and found me. He told me that Palpatine was the Sith lord we had been searching for, that Palpatine had revealed his identity to him right before he came to the temple. I believed him, having been suspicious of the Chancellor for some time now. The Jedi council was aware that the Chancellor had an interest in Skywalker, and for him to reveal himself to Skywalker seemed logical. I told Skywalker to stay at the temple and that I would go along with Masters Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, and Saesee Tiin to arrest the Chancellor. Skywalker wished to come with, but I ordered him to stay at the temple. Myself and my fellow Jedi Masters confronted Palpatine in his office, where we placed him under arrest. He revealed himself to be a sith lord and engaged us in a lightsaber duel. He killed Masters Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, and Saesee Tiin. We continued to duel until I had him corned on the window of his office. It was then that Skywalker entered the room, asking me to spare the Chancellor's life. I protested as Palpatine attempted to use force lightning against me. Palpatine begged Skywalker for help, but ultimately, Skywalker told me he stood with me. It was then that Palpatine used the full power and my momentary lapse of focus and attacked me, cutting off my hand and throwing me from the window. That is my recollection of that night." Mace sounded tired but firm in his answer, looking with narrowed eyes at the Prosecutor.

"Thank you Master Windu, that is quite a tale." The Prosecutor said. "May I ask why you did not wish Mr. Skywalker to come with you to arrest the chancellor?"

"Skywalker was too close to the Chancellor. I wasn't sure whether I could trust him."

"Is it normal for a Jedi Knight to be close to the leader of the Republic?"

"The Chancellor took an interest in Skywalker when he was a boy and maintained that as he grew older. I know believe it was a part of a larger plan to turn Skywalker to the Dark Side."

"The Dark Side? Like the Sith we keep hearing about?" The Prosecutor asked, a glint in his eyes.

"Yes. " Master Windu said shortly, clearly not looking to play any games with the prosecution. "Skywalker has always been hot-headed and struggled to keep his feeling from interfering with his duty. I believe the Chancellor wanted to exploit this. Skywalker is a powerful Jedi, but he was vulnerable to Palpatine's manipulations."

"Do you believe Mr. Skywalker would betray the Republic?"

"No." Mace said.

"Master Windu, how would you describe Mr. Skywalker?"

"Skywalker is stubborn, overly-confident, and impatient." Mace started, before taking a pause. "However, he is loyal, persistent, a great warrior, and one of the best generals the Jedi have ever seen."

"Did Mr. Skywalker fit into the Jedi Order?"

"Skywalker came to the Order later than most padawans. He had a difficult time adjusting to the Jedi life and being accepted by the others. As he grew in skill, I believe he resented those in the Order he believed to be holding him back, especially when he was denied a mastership after being placed on the council at the request of the Chancellor. Perhaps the Order was not the place for him. But again, there are some Jedi who work within the Order even when at odds with it."

"Were you happy to learn he has been expelled from the Order?" The Prosecutor asked, a slight curiosity in his voice.

"I do not celebrate or commiserate Skywalker's expulsion." Mace said with a frown. "The council made a decision and that is the end of it."

"The prosecution rests."

oOo

Following the Defense's questioning, which centered around the Chancellor, the floor was opened up and debate instantly broke out.

"Can we really trust the word of a man who just woke up from a month long coma?" Prosecutor exclaimed, desperately trying to regain control of the situation. "How can we be sure he is recalling the events correctly?"

"Master Windu has been examined by no less than six separate doctors, all of which concluding no damage to his brain or his memory." Padme responded confidently from her position on the floor. "What he has told us is the truth, as hard as it might be for some to understand." She strode to the center of the floor, speaking imploringly to the audience.

"My fellow citizens, it is time for us the except the truth, even one as shocking as this, the corruption of the late Chancellor cannot be excused or ignored any longer, especially when innocent lives depend on it. This is a chance for us to expose corruption and deceit within the Republic and to start anew. We cannot waste this chance as more and more evidence comes to light incriminating Sheev Palatine."

"Even if we condemn the Chancellor, how can we be so sure that Anakin Skywalker wasn't headed own the same dark, power-hungry path?" The Prosecutor shot back, taking the floor. "Moving beyond the questionable motives of the Chancellor, what about the motives of Skywalker? We have heard of his dark inclinations, today from Master Windu about his impatience with his rank within the Jedi. How can we be sure this wasn't his plan all along, and he is fooling the galaxy into believing he is the good guy in this situation. Skywalker himself claimed the Chancellor saw a raw power and danger in him, so why shouldn't we expect this?"

We Pretend It's Alright

Three days later

"I can't do this anymore." Padme whispered, as the shame of her words washing over her like a storm. "I can't keep pretending everything is alright." Her voice broke on the last word as a tear dripped out of the corner of her eye. She looked down at her stomach, Anakin's worn face flashing through her mind.

The day had been a mess. The prosecution went on the attack again and moved towards the issue of the Sith Lightsaber found at the crime scene. Although Anakin's finger prints weren't on it, the prosecution argued that he could have been holding it in his mechanical hand.

Three days ago, Mace Windu had testified, confirming that Sidious had been a Sith lord and murdered the Jedi, but had not been able to account to Anakin's loyalty. The next day the report on the Chancellor came back, raising some flags when secret communication channels were found. This put the Chancellor into question and Padme had felt sure that this was just the boost they needed to win.

But the prosecution kept up with their new angle. Anakin Skywalker: Dangerous Sith Lord trying to take over the galaxy. They argued that Anakin had set up the whole scene, playing off his knowledge of Palpatine's true identity and Palpatine's faith in Anakin's loyalty. Windu had watched Anakin turn on Palpatine, but nothing more. Palpatine might have been a Sith, but Anakin was the real threat now.

The Court had decided to subject Anakin to a psychological exam that would last two days and take an additional two to review. During the exam, he could have no outside contact and the trial was to be postponed four days to account for the exam.

Padme had barely had time to tell him before Anakin was shunted away from her by guards and closed off to her due to the exam. After a rather depressing strategy meeting, she had returned home to an empty house and curled up on a couch and sat, reading the revised proposals for a bill she was too vote on the next morning. An hour or two later, Breha had stopped by to check in on her. Padme felt so alone and if she couldn't have Anakin, and the appearance of her old friend was going to have to do it.

Breha wrapped her arm around Padme's shoulders as the senator began to cry, unable to stop herself.

"We are going to lose." Padme sobbed, her head in her hands as Breha rubbed her back comfortingly. "I didn't do enough. I'm going to lose him."

"It'll be okay, honey." Breha murmured softly as Padme continued to cry. "You have a strong case and good lawyers. But regardless, you'll make it through this Padme, I promise."

"I can't do this alone, I can't do this without him." Padme cried, holding down tearfully at her pregnant belly.

"You won't be alone." Breha promised, her voice strong as she held the crying woman. "You have people, Padme. You have me and Bail, your sister, your parents, and that's just to list a few."

" I don't want to raise these children without him. I don't ever want to have to open that damn letter." Padme said, crying harder at the thought.

"I know, I know." Breha comforted, thinking about her own unborn child as silence fell over them again.

We Pretend It's Alright

Two days later

First Qui Gon, then Satine. Now Anakin.

Did bad luck follow Obi Wan Kenobi or was he purposely being punished for something he had done? Well, Maul was to blame for Qui Gon and Satine's deaths, but still. Wasn't there more he could have done? Isn't there something he could be doing now?

Obi wan sat on the floor of his quarters, his legs crossed beneath his knees and his eyes staring at the dark insides of his eyelids. Meditation wasn't helping today. Instead of giving him clarity, it merely brought forth all the things Obi Wan did not wish to think or reflect on, situations that were outside of his control. But what about when they were in his hands?

He opened his eyes. Maybe some fresh air was what he needed.

Obi Wan found himself wandering through the gardens, trying to clear his conscience when he ran across Master Yoda.

"Master Kenobi, Greetings." The wizened Jedi said, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"Master Yoda." Obi Wan greeted, bowing his head to the Jedi. "I hear you were at the max faculty today, not in too much trouble I hope." Obi Wan jested.

Yoda chuckled. "With some clones, I meet, with an interesting story for me."

"Please, continue." Obi Wan said, intrigued as they sat down on a bench.

" An override clip in their brains, they believe there is, a secret control switch." Yoda expanded, looking thoughtful. "A surgery to remove this, one had, to study its properties."

"This sounds like the same issue that arose a year ago with some of Anakin's men." Obi Wan said, stroking his beard in thought.

"With Skywalker, they had spoken." Yoda mentioned, his eyes narrowing. "His story with me, they shared."

After explaining what Anakin had said and what the clone's private research revealed, Obi Wan was thoroughly shocked.

"To Kamino, I must go." Yoda said, the Jedi getting to their feet and beginning to walk back towards the temple stairs. "This mystery, uncover I will."

"Hopefully Kamino will yield you the answers you are looking for, Master." Obi Wan wished him.

"See, we shall." Yoda said, stoic as ever. "But for you, a mission we have, Master Kenobi."

"A mission?" Obi Wan asked hesitantly. "To where?"

"Ready for negations, the Separatists are, yesterday, was announced. Senator Amidala, to lead them, chosen she was. To the meeting, escort Senator Amidala you shall." Yoda answered calmly as they walked up the long steps the temple's entrance.

"Senator Amidala? I must say I'm surprised to hear she is leaving right now." Obi Wan said, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"For the greater good, the senator works. How grave this situation is, she knows." Yoda mused. The pair stopped at the top of the stone steps, the weight of situations pressing down atop them.

"Give Master Windu my hello." Obi Wan said, breaking the silence. "I should be off to the Senate Building. Senator Amidala must be expecting me."

"May the Force be with you, Master Kenobi."

"May the Force be with you, Master Yoda." Obi Wan nodded his head in farewell to the smaller Jedi and started his way back down the steps, perhaps on his final mission of the Clone Wars.

Yoda stood in contemplation, watching Obi Wan walk back into the midst of the galactic crisis the Jedi had tried so hard to avoid. So much had changed since the War had begun for the Jedi. They had turned from peace keepers to warriors. Peace was always the goal, but will the ends justify the means?

Yoda turned away from the city and retreated into the temple, on his way to visit Master Windu.

We Pretend It's Alright

"Obi Wan." Padme smiled when she opened her office door to see the Jedi standing in her door way. "Please come in."

"Thank you." Obi Wan said, walking into the room and following Padme over to a couch beside one of the wide windows overlooking the city. "How are you?" Obi Wan asked as he offered Padme a hand as she gingerly sat down, her enormous stomach making even such a simple task extremely difficult.

"I'm managing." She said with a small smile that Obi Wan understood all too well. "I'll be a lot better once the trial is resolved."

"Of course." Obi Wan nodded, looking down for a minute. "And how is Anakin? I imagine he must be going stir crazy locked up for so long."

"Well you aren't wrong about that." Padme said, shaking her head lightly. "He tries to act clam and patient around me, but I can see how frustrated he is becoming."

"I hope for his sake and for yours this trial to an end swiftly."

"As do I." Padme agreed, pressing her lips firmly together.

"Master Yoda informed me that you are traveling off world to negotiate an end to this war." Obi Wan said, changing the subject to the task at hand. "I am happy to accompany you, but I must admit I was a little surprised to hear you would be going on this delegation."

"I am very pleased the council headed my request for you to accompany me, and I understand your surprise. I know it isn't the most ideal timing for a trip, but I must go. I have been a part of this war from the beginning, and I intend to see the end of it. I want this resolved swiftly and fairly, and without my presence, I worry that that will not be the outcome."

"I understand." Obi Wan reasoned, nodding his head. "You feel a duty to end this conflict. It is one that I share. With Dooku, Sidious, and Grievous gone, this is our best chance to end the conflict."

"Exactly." Padme said, determination in her eyes. "The galaxy needs stability, and I want to help it find that stability before I back out of politics for a spell. I want my children coming into a stable future, not a world cloaked in danger and suspicion."

"Whatever the outcomes of these negotiations are, you will be remembered for your part in bringing peace to the galaxy once more. " Obi Wan said definitively. "Where are the negations taking place?"

"Corellia." Padme answered, a look of anticipation on her face. "They begin tonight. We should be leaving in an hour or two if you will be ready."

"So soon? I suppose that is for the best." Obi Wan remarked. "What does Anakin think about all this?"

"Well I… I haven't had a chance to tell him yet." Padme said hesitantly, looking away.

Obi Wan raised his brow but said nothing. It seemed Padme didn't seem to think Anakin would be very supportive of this plan. "Well, I leave you to it then." Obi Wan said, with a slightly amused smile as he rose from his chair. "I'll meet you at the docking port in two hours. Good luck." He added, shooting her a knowing smile as she returned a slightly nervous one.

oOo

"Right this way Senator." The clone said, leading Padme down a hallway she had walked through too many times. "General Skywalker is being brought up right now."

"General?" Padme asked, a bit surprised to hear Anakin being addressed as such in this setting.

"My apologies, ma'am, old habits die hard." The clone said, a slight hesitation in his voice.

"You misunderstand me." Padme said warmly. "I was merely surprised to hear Anakin addressed that way here. Did you serve with him in the clone wars?"

"No ma'am, but my brothers did and I've heard what kind of a man General Skywalker is, the respect he shows to us clones. I had the pleasure of getting to know him a bit last time he was here, before he was moved to the max facility. He won my respect." The clone said, pride in his voice and a small smile forming underneath his helmet.

"I'm sure Anakin was lucky to have someone like you to speak to, I know he has certainly been missing his men." Padme thanked, coming to walk beside the clone. "May I ask your name, Solider?"

"Charger ma'am. It's an honor to meet you, General Skywalker had a lot to say about you, about what you've done for us clones." Charger said, removing his helmet and holding out his hand.

"Thank you, Charger." Padme smiled, taking the hand. "I am merely trying to help clones find the rights and respect they deserve in our society."

"I wish more shared your views." Charger said with a regretful smile as they rounded the corner the room Padme held her meetings with Anakin.

"Hopefully they will soon." Padme speculated, the pair coming to a stop outside the tall white door to the room.

Charger nodded the set of clones guarding the door. "Is 95746 in there yet?"

"Yes, he was just placed inside." One responded, stepping aside to let them by.

"Thank you for the escort and conversation, Charger. I hope we see each other again." Padme said, nodding to the clone.

"Good luck ma'am." Charger said, smiling and turning away from the senator, placing his helmet back over the face he shared with so many.

"Are you ready ma'am?" One of the other clones asked and Padme nodded, trying to mentally prepare herself for the negative reaction she was about to receive.

The door opened and Padme walked inside, unable to hide a smile when she saw a grin break across Anakin's face at her appearance. The door closed behind her and she quickly strode over and placed a kiss on his lips. She lingered for a moment, simply breathing in his scent she missed so much.

Anakin gently caressed her heavily pregnant stomach, temple to temple with Padme for a moment more.

"I missed you." Anakin breathed, inhaling the sweet smell of her lightly curled hair. "I feel like it's been ages since I last saw you."

"It's been two days." Padme pointed out, bemused by his antics.

He pulled his head away, still grinning. "Two days too long to be away from you, my angel."

Padme kissed him again, unable to help herself. Anakin was too damn charming sometimes, albeit a little too cheesy.

Withdrawing, she sat in the chair that was placed next to him, grasping his hand as she did so.

"I have some good news." Padme started, and Anakin looked at her, one brow raised in curiosity. "The Separatists and the Republic are about to enter negotiations to end the war."

"That's amazing Padme!" Anakin beamed, squeezing her hand. "All thanks to you, of course."

"Each side is ready to move on, neither can sustain the fight much longer." Padme admitted, looking away from Anakin as she geared herself up for her next words.

"How soon is it?" Anakin asked excitedly. Ending this war was an amazing accomplishment and a stride towards rebuilding the galaxy.

"They start tonight on Corellia." Padme answered, looking back at Anakin. "I was asked to lead them."

Anakin's smile faltered as he began to process what that meant. "I.. well, that's great, but… are you going to hologram into the meeting or something?"

"No, the situation is much too delicate. I leave in two hours for Corellia." Padme said softly as Anakin looked at her with shock.

"You're leaving?" He asked, astonished. "Padme, you can't, it isn't safe."

"I'll be fine Ani." Padme tried to dismiss, looking down as Anakin's expression turned more and more stern.

"Padme, you are three weeks from your due date, you can't travel off-world right now." Anakin said definitively. "I have a bad feeling about this. So much could go wrong and I couldn't live with myself if something happened. This is a dangerous situation, people could be targeting this meeting, hoping to prolong the war. You would be putting yourself at risk, putting our children at risk."

"Anakin, you don't know what you're asking me." Padme said, just as definitive as him. "This is the closest we've ever been to ending the war. I was asked to lead these negotiations because of my ability to work with the Separatists and my reasonability. I have pushing for these negations for months, I can't back out. This is my duty."

"And what about your family?" Anakin said, pulling away from her. "I gave up everything for this family, the Jedi, my friends, and my freedom? What about the children? You would put them in danger for this? And what about the trial? These negotiation could last weeks, what if you don't… don't come back in time?" Anakin said, choking on his last words and looking away.

"Anakin, I won't be gone long and the trial won't even resume for another two days. And if anything happened, I would be here in an instant." Padme tried, squeezing his hand. "I will be fine and so will the babies. Obi Wan is coming with me and this will be a highly secured facility."

Anakin said nothing so she continued. "This is bigger than us, than our family. This is about millions of families all around the galaxy, millions upon millions of lives that will be helped by the war ending. We are creating a galaxy in which our children will grow up safe and provided for, where all children will grow up safe and provided for. I can't sacrifice that."

"Why not?"Anakin murmured so quietly Padme almost didn't hear him.

"Anakin, you cannot ask me to sacrifice the future of the galaxy." Padme said quietly, anger starting to fill her. "Even if you almost did."

Anakin finally looked at her, anger flashing in his eyes. "Have a nice trip." He said, pulling his hand out of hers. "Hopefully I'll still be around when you get back."

"Anakin-" Padme tried as he stood up and started walking to the door. He banged on the door twice and it was opened by the guards.

"Done here?" One asked and Anakin nodded as Padme huffed exasperatedly.

"I'll be back soon, I promise." She said as he was lead away, to no response. She knew he was worried about her and she supposed she shouldn't have brought up his almost turn to the dark side like that, but still, she hated leaving things like this. Thinking quickly, she pulled out a pen and paper and spent a minute writing away. She then sealed the note and left the room, looking around as she went for the person she knew could help her. Rounding yet another corner, she spotted him standing walking further down that hall.

"Charger!" She called as she tried to catch up with him, her body protesting.

"Ma'am?" The clone asked, turning and walking towards her. "Do you need something?"

"Yes, well, I was wondering if you could give this note to General Skywalker next time you saw him?" Padme asked hopefully, holding out the sealed note.

Charger outstretched his hand and took eh note with a smile. "It would be my pleasure, Madam Senator."

Padme beamed, thanking him once more before hurrying off the finish up a few last minute things before the trip.

We Pretend It's Alright

After a day spent helping Padme prepare for the meeting and try to convince her that she should come along to protect her, Ahsoka found herself out walking. Padme had refused to bring her, confident with Obi Wan and needing Ahsoka here for Anakin.

With nothing left to do, Ahsoka has decided to get some fresh air, needing to clear her head and eventually finding herself in downtown Coruscant.

"Hi."

Riyo tried to shut the door as soon as she saw Ahsoka, but the Togruta grabbed the sliding door before the Pantoran could.

"Wait." Ahsoka called out as Riyo turned her back on the woman and began to walk back into her apartment. "I came here to apologize."

Riyo stopped and turned her head to look at Ahsoka, pity in her large eyes. "I'm not interested Ahsoka."

"What?" Ahsoka asked, a bit stunned. She knew she had offended Riyo that night a few weeks ago, but this seemed to her a bit of an overreaction.

"I know this game you're playing." Riyo said, her voice strong. "You came to apologize and before I know it, we are back in the same situation."

"I won't come on to you again, I promise." Ahsoka tried, the doubt inside her growing as she spoke. "I didn't mean to offend you or to assume anything..." She trailed off, not quite sure what else to say.

"It's not that." Riyo responded, brow furled as she looked at Ahsoka, pity still in her eyes. "It's… it's you. It's who you've become. You're different, you've changed."

"I'm not a kid anymore, Riyo. I'm not the same Jedi padawan you meet a few years ago." Ahsoka shot back, feeling a bit defensive. Everyone was trying to tell her everything wrong with her it seemed. Did it occur to any of them that maybe she had just grown up?

"I understand that. We've both changed, matured. But this is different. You're making choices I don't agree with and acting-"

"What don't you agree with?" Ahsoka interrupted, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms. "What about my life would you like me to change?"

"You poison yourself nightly, getting so wasted you don't even remember where you are or what you do. I don't think that is healthy, and I don't want to be compliant with it." Riyo stared, her voice rising as well. Ahsoka snorted, rolling her eyes.

"Let's cool it with the "poisoning" stuff, it's not like I'm drinking star fighter fluid." Ahsoka broke in, her voice rising as well.

"You're so damn stubborn you can't even admit you have a problem, can you? Half the time no one knows where you are, you can't be relied on at all. Why did you bother coming back if you just stir up more problems for everyone? You're actions don't reflect someone who's ready to think about other people." Riyo shouted, her voice still rising as her anger grew. "Honestly, who hurt you, Ahsoka? " She added, shaking her head in disapproval.

"You don't know what you're talking about." Ahsoka said, her voice dangerously low as anger coursed through her. After a moment of fierce eye contact, Ahsoka looked away, shame filling her as she stared at the floor. Riyo had no idea what she was talking about, what Ahsoka had been though. But was she right? Was she causing more trouble by being here?

Riyo felt some of her anger dissipate as well as Ahsoka looked away, the fight draining from the fallen Jedi. What had happened to this woman? Why caused Ahsoka to change so much?

"I… I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." Riyo back tracked, her voice quiet now as she watched the defeated woman.

"You're right." Ahsoka croaked, looking up at her with tears brimming in her bright blue eyes. "I'm just making everything worse again."

"No-", Riyo tired, but Ahsoka cut her off.

"I'm a problem here for everyone. You don't need me here, you're fine, if not better, without me." She said, resignation in her face as she stared at Riyo. "I'm sorry to bother you." She murmured, turning to walk away.

"Wait." Riyo ran forward and grabbed her arm, stopping Ahsoka in her attempt to leave. "You're wrong. You don't make it all worse, at least not for me." Riyo whispered, her voice filled with something Ahsoka didn't quite understand. "Don't leave, please."

Ahsoka looked back over her shoulder at Riyo, frustration on her tired face. "You said it yourself, don't kid yourself." She said harshly, pressing her lips tight together.

"I was hurt." Riyo said, her voice growing in strength. "I didn't mean what I said, I wish I hadn't said it."

"You don't have to lie to me because you feel bad for me." Ahsoka said, turning back to face Riyo. "Don't you think I know? I know I've changed, that I'm always distracting myself, that I can't deal with everything that is happening. I'm not that disillusioned."

"What happened to you, what made you like this?" Riyo asked, unable to stop herself.

"When I joined Hondo's crew, I promised myself I wasn't going to become like they were. I didn't know how people got like that, why they would want to live like that, caring about only themselves for the most part." Ahsoka said, not quite knowing why she was doing this. "Then, I fell for someone. But she left, no goodbyes or notice. I never saw it coming. I felt so hallow, so worthless. And it just reminded me I was alone in the world. I had no one and nothing but memories and battle scars."

Ahsoka couldn't stop now, needing to get this off her chest. "I started going in on the fun, I stopped feeling, it hurt too much. I sound like the most cliché holo-movie, but I just shut off." She said, smiling to herself as she shook her head. "Now with everything going on here, it's how I'm coping, and I know it isn't healthy, but I can't stop." She finished with a shrug, a sad smile still on her face as she looked up at Riyo.

Riyo stood in front of her, regarding her not with pity, but with something much deeper. "I don't know how hard it has been for you, Ahsoka, but I want to try." Riyo said sincerely, taking a step forward and grabbing Ahsoka's hands in her own. "It doesn't have to be like this anymore, you don't have to be alone, to feel alone."

"I don't want to make more trouble for you." Ahsoka muttered, looking down.

"You won't, I promise. I think you might make more trouble if I don't step in." Riyo joked, smiling at Ahsoka who slowly looked back up at her, a small smile on her face as well. "Come inside, you can spend the night here." Riyo said, leading Ahsoka towards into her apartment and out of the night.

We Pretend It's Alright

"Skywalker."

Anakin looked up at the call, seeing a clone standing outside his cell.

"What can I do for you?" Anakin drawled tiredly, leaning back against the cold stone wall.

"More like what I can do for you." The clone said, removing his helmet. Charger nodded at Anakin, holding up Padme's note.

"Whatcha got there, Charger?" Anakin asked curiously, standing up and edging towards the door.

"Senator Amidala asked me to give this to you, thought you might be interested." Charger answered. "I'm gonna let down the shield for a moment to give this too you, don't make me regret it."

"I won't." Anakin promised as he held out his arm.

The shield went down and Anakin fought the crazy desire to bolt as he took the note from charger, the shield then going back up.

"Thank you." Anakin said meaningfully.

"Anytime, Sir." Charger smiled with a wink, placing his helmet back over his head and walking away.

Anakin looked down at the sealed paper, not knowing what to expect at he broke the seal and unfolded the letter. To his surprise, a piece of paper fell out as well, a date from a few weeks on the back. Turning over the separate paper, Anakin's heart skipped a beat as he saw a sonogram of his children, their children. So small, so fragile, so beautiful. Anakin felt tears prick his eyes as he looked at his children for the first time. Barely managing to tear his gaze from the picture, he began to read the note.

My Dearest,

I hope you understand why I am doing this, why I need to do this. I think you do, but your concern blinds you. But know this, I will always be coming back. You're the one I one for me, Ani. I will always come home to you.

Inside is a picture of my last sonogram, I keep forgetting to show you. I now realize this might be the first time you are seeing one. Little Luke and Leia are doing great and just as excited for you to come home as I am.

I'll see you soon, I promise.

I love you,

Padme.

Anakin let the tears fall as he clutched the letter and picture to his chest, wishing more than anything that he could be with Padme. But he sat alone, holding the small paper and wishing for a life he might never get to have.