A/N:

Mando'a Terms Used in This Chapter:

ad'ika - little one, daughter

buir - father

mesh'la - beautiful

cyar'ika - darling, sweetheart

chakaar - thief

nibral - loser, failure*

*Said jokingly in context

As the guards left with Aurra Sing in handcuffs and after the medical droid tended to Ahsoka's shoulder, the door finally slid shut, leaving Padmé, Ahsoka, and you alone. Immediate chaos broke out in the small room. Padmé and Ahsoka had question after question, not letting you get a single word in before another one was fired towards you. You put your hands up, trying to get the pair to slow down.

"How long have you been able to do this?" Ahsoka started.

"Why did you never tell me?" Padmé asked.

"Does the Jedi Council know?"

"How often have you used the Force around me and I had no idea?"

"Do you have any other secret skills?"

"Why did you hide all of this from us?"

"How did you hide all of this from us?"

You stepped back instinctively, a slight smile on your face. The two were insufferable, but you figured they had the right to know. As long as they didn't tell a soul, your secret would be kept... Hopefully. "Okay okay okay!" You interrupted whatever question was starting to form on Ahsoka's tongue quickly. In rapid fire succession, you tried to answer the questions you remembered. Looking towards the padawan, you started, "Literally my whole life." You switched your gaze to Padmé. "I couldn't tell you, that's the whole point behind a secret." Back to Ahsoka. " No, of course they don't know. You think I would be allowed to live my life outside of the war if they knew this?" Back to Padmé. "Quite often.. Sorry." You rubbed the back of your hand slightly, nervous at how the situation was unfolding. "Listen. Neither of you can tell the Council. They'll tear me away from you, Senator. I'll be forced into this war, just a pawn to play in the Republic's game. I never wanted that for myself." You paused, trailing off. "And I hid it because... well, I've seen all too well what the noble Council does when they find a child with Force abilities," you said, sitting down on the edge of Padmé's bed as you sank into unwanted memories of your childhood friends being torn away from their families by the Jedi.

"This is all for a noble cause, you must understand, child." A tall, dark haired Jedi was inside the walls of your village, kneeling and addressing child-you. You peered around his leg to watch your best friend getting led away.

"But.. But you didn't let him say goodbye to me. What if he gets hurt? I have to go too!" You protested, trying to move around the man. "He's only six!" You held up your fingers to show how many years old your best friend was.

"Well, yes, but he has the Force running through him, young one. He will be protected. He must learn how to defend villages much like yours." The Jedi ruffled your hair before rising to his feet. Before you could protest that you could help because you had the Force too, your father scooped you up and placed you on his shoulders.

"Now ad'ika, let's not bother the nice Jedi. You know they're very busy," your father spoke, a hint of warning in his voice. You closed your mouth immediately, looking towards your best friend approaching the Republic ship. You knew you couldn't stop what was happening, even with the Force. Your father was right... The only way you could live a life away from the Jedi was if you kept your mouth shut. You looked over to see your best friend's mother holding back tears at watching her son be taken away from her. She had never wanted that life for him.

"Buir, can I at least say goodbye? Please?" Your eyes grew to a pleading size as you looked down at your father. He glanced towards the Jedi, who gave a short nod. Your father lifted you off his shoulders and set you gently on the ground. You took off in a run towards your best friend almost immediately. Reaching him, you wrapped your small arms around his torso. Though he was only a year older than you, you thought of him as your big brother. He returned the hug and you both stood there together for a moment, neither speaking, until the Jedi approached, gently placing his hand on your shoulder. You looked up at him before back to your friend. "Be safe. Come home soon so we can keep playing tree spirits!" He nodded, his face grim. This child had already been forced to grow beyond his years, and it was only the beginning.

"I'll be fine. Keep watch over the village while I'm gone, okay?" He gave you a soft smile before stepping into the ship with the Jedi. Tears pricked your eyes as you stepped back, watching the ship lift up into the air, taking your brother with it. You remained rooted in that spot until well after the ship had vanished from the planet's atmosphere. Finally, scooping you up once more, your father placed you on his shoulders before walking back towards your home.

"I hate them," you said, anger brushing the edges of your tone, your small hands balling themselves into fists.

"I know, ad'ika. I know."

You realized suddenly that Ahsoka and Padmé were both staring at you, waiting for you to explain. You sighed, bringing yourself back to the present to finish your statement. "If they would pull a child away from his unwilling family, imagine what they would do to an adult. This war is yours. Both of you. Not mine. I have no desire to fight and lose more of the people I care about to this war."

Padmé straightened herself, the Republic Senate blood coursing through her veins. "This war is everyone's. Just because you choose to stay out of it physically doesn't mean that you aren't involved." She shook her head slightly.

"Padmé, no offense, but I am your handmaiden for a reason. Of course I'm involved. I go with you everywhere. I am knee-deep in Senate proceedings every day with you. I help you create your speeches. I just saved your life from a bounty hunter. I wouldn't have it any other way. I just... I just don't want to be simply a weapon of destruction. I've found that oftentimes the people you try to protect with brute force alone end up getting hurt anyway. I know they maintain the belief that they are peacekeepers, but I don't care for the Jedi Council, or many of the Jedi, for that matter." You glanced at Ahsoka. "No offense. You're great." Ahsoka shrugged, taking none of the situation personally. She knew the Jedi were a lot to handle sometimes.

"You could do so much good though," Padmé almost sounded sad that you hadn't chosen a life as a Jedi. "Don't misunderstand, I'm very grateful for what you have done for me, and I'm sure I don't even know the half of it. But..." Trailing off, she stepped closer to you, putting a hand on your shoulder.

"I'm sure if you told them now, you could be assigned as a padawan like me! We could work together all the time!" Ahsoka finally chimed in again. "You know you would have fun being around Sky Guy and I!" Her excitement was heart-warming, but you were standing your ground.

"As great as that would be, I love my job. I love traveling with you, Senator. I love seeing the galaxy and the stars; I don't want to watch people I grow to love die right before me as you do, Ahsoka. Please. Just... Don't tell the Council about all of this. I will tell them if I choose to later, but for now, I am perfectly content where I am." You were almost pleading with the Togruta and the senator at this point.

Padmé sighed, knowing you would not be swayed. "Fine. I won't say anything now, but I also will not lie for you if it comes to it. I appreciate everything you have done for me, but I know you're capable of so much more." She shot you a warm smile before looking at Ahsoka pointedly.

"Fine, fine. I won't tell the Council. I really wish you would let me, though," Ahsoka said, rather grumpily. She shifted her injured shoulder a bit to get more comfortable. "Well. It's been a crazy day, and I assume you're completely capable of protecting Senator Amidala alone, so I'm going to go grab some sleep. I haven't been able to rest since the visions of Sing started." She smiled. "See you on the ship!"

And with that, the Togruta was gone. You looked at Padmé as you stood. "Is there anything I can do for you, ma'am? Clearly it's been a very eventful day," you said with a sideways grin. She laughed and shook her head.

"Your services are no longer required. Why don't you get some rest too? I think we could all use it." You gave a small nod before dipping out of the room. You really hoped that your two friends would hold to their words. You reached the large, plush couch a few feet from Padmé's room and immediately flopped your body down onto it. Closing your eyes, you drifted into a restless sleep, images of your childhood best friend floating against your closed eyelids.

All too soon, another handmaiden was gently shaking you awake, and you awoke with a start, a bead of sweat rolling down your temple. You unfortunately suffered from nightmares, though they only ever involved your family or best friend. The nightmares were more like twisted, gruesome memories. Some happened in the dream exactly how they had happened in your past, but others were much more violent or horrifying. You stretched, trying to put the nightmares out of your mind. Walking yourself to the restroom, you immediately dressed and prepared for the day of travel. Due to the bounty hunter presence, the conference had been cut a bit short, and it was finally time to head back home to Coruscant.

Upon walking out of the lavish restroom, you locked eyes with Padmé as she exited her bedroom. With a smile and a small nod from the senator, you relaxed immensely. The look on her face simply said 'you can trust me' and you believed her. Falling into step behind Padmé, you and the other handmaidens made your way back toward the ship and the few clones waiting. Ahsoka, too, was waiting patiently aboard the ship for the group. She smiled as you made eye contact, and again, a rush of relief hit you. At least for now, your secret was safe. For the first time in a while, you didn't excuse yourself to your normal reading spot, and instead joined the rest of the handmaidens in the common area to relax, joke, and laugh with your sisters. Now was the time to enjoy what you had before somehow it all came crashing down. You knew it was only a matter of time, but for now, you would relax.

The travel time passed extremely quickly and, before you knew it, you were standing back on Coruscant slightly behind Padmé and Ahsoka. Before the three of you stood Master Yoda and General Skywalker, awaiting a full report of what had gone down on Alderaan. The other handmaidens were excusing themselves, as was customary for a post-trip briefing. However, you usually went with Padmé to whoever she reported to that day, whether it be to the Jedi or to the Chancellor or to the Senate. You remained with Padmé as usual today, but remained almost a shadow, not normally addressed by anyone. As you watched, Aurra Sing was hauled out of the ship in handcuffs, the clone troopers handling her pulled her along past the small group you were with. Your gaze locked with hers, and you watched her open her mouth. Your heart dropped into your stomach as you realized what she could say about your involvement with the events in Padmé's room.

Before she could speak, the clone trooper escorting her gave her a light push forward, and told her to keep moving. As she walked out of range, you breathed a sigh of relief you hadn't realized you were holding. Thankfully, the entire interaction seemed to go unnoticed by the two Jedi standing before you. As you half-listened to Ahsoka give her briefing, a mention of your name snapped you back to the present. The three Jedi and the senator were looking at you.

"Is this true?" General Skywalker asked, his arms folded. You had no idea what had been said for you to respond to. You rubbed the back of your hand nervously.

"Apologies, Master Skywalker," you said, using the honorary title he held. "I was lost in thought and completely missed what was said." For the first time since you've known Anakin, he smiled. It was a nice look on him. It made his stress lines all but vanish, and his blue eyes seemed to shine a light into yours.

"Padawan Tano here was just saying that you helped take down Sing and saved Senator Amidala's life. Is that true?"

"Oh. Uh. Yes sir. It wasn't really a big deal, I mean, Padawan Tano had the situation handled," you stumbled over your words a bit as you realized Master Yoda was looking at you too. You flashed the group a smile, and Anakin nodded.

"Your bravery must be commended. Thank you for your service to the Republic and to the Senate," Anakin said. You gave a slight dip of your head before stepping to the background again. Subconsciously, you reached out with the Force, getting a better vibe of the group's mood. Ahsoka was a bundle of excitement and nerves to be heading back out onto missions with her master again; Anakin was like a calm ocean, perfect and serene, but with unknown danger lurking beneath the surface; and Master Yoda... He was an enigma. You couldn't quite get a read on him, and as you fiddled with the edge of your sleeve, you felt a hard wall smack your subconscious. Slightly startled, your eyes flicked up to the group before you. Other than the movement of your eyes though, you gave nothing else away. As you glanced up, you saw Master Yoda staring at you, a contemplative look lingering on his features.

"Ma'am, if you have no further need for me, perhaps I could retire for the evening?" You spoke softly to Padmé, who nodded. As you turned and left silently, you heard Master Yoda give a quiet 'hmm' sound before he spoke.

Just before you were out of earshot you heard him say, "Watch her, we must. A great friend to the Republic, one day that handmaiden may be." Your heart beat faster, but you kept your walk at the same pace, getting far away from those who could potentially change your life in an instant. At least for a few more months, you wanted to hold to your goal of a normal, Force-less life.

Leaving the main hangar, you entered a long, bright hallway. You weren't exactly sure where you were looking to go, but you seemed to be auto-piloting yourself to the mess hall. Rounding a corner, your body collided hard with a tall, armored clone. Immediately apologizing, you took a step back. The clone laughed and you looked up, recognizing the unique tones to the laugh. Clones may all look the same, but they all had different quirks and personalities that you loved getting to know. You were a frequent patron at 79's, the clone bar, and had many friends amongst the ranks. But one of the clones was above the rest, in your opinion, and that was the laugh you recognized.

"Fives? Kriff, you scared me! What the hell are you wearing?" You laughed as the clone struck a pose, the armor he wore clanking in the process. It wasn't his usual paint style, which was why you hadn't recognized him immediately.

"It's Echo's bucket. I grabbed it while he was asleep. He's made so many mods to this thing, it's incredible. I may just keep it," Fives said, removing the stolen helmet from his head. You raised an eyebrow at him.

"Did it not come with a visibility mod because you almost ran me over," you asked, a smirk crossing your features.

"Ha ha. Very funny. From what I remember, I was just walking, minding my own business, and you barreled around the corner like a two-legged kaadu. Who are you running from, mesh'la?" The man leaned against the wall beside you, folding his arms.

For as long as you had known Fives, he had always held to his habit of calling you Mando'a nicknames and, though you had never asked for that, you absolutely loved it. Your village growing up had been heavily influenced by Mandalorian culture, so to have a piece of that reflected in one of your closest friends made him feel like home. You sighed, mimicking his pose. "It's a long story." As his mouth opened to probably say that he had the time, you cut him off. "One I'm not quite ready to talk about just yet." He closed his mouth, shrugging.

"Whatever you say, cyar'ika. You heading to the mess hall?" Fives gestured down the hall, where the sounds of clones talking and dishes clanking could be heard.

"Yeah I suppose so. Care to join me for a riveting meal of gray goop?"

"Well, when you put it like that, how could I ever say no?" The stress from before was slowly slipping away from your thoughts, as your problems always seemed to do when you were around Fives and his brothers. "Shouldn't you return that first?" You pointed at Echo's helmet in Fives' hands. He shrugged.

"Honestly, he probably isn't even missing it. I'll give it back later," the man said, turning to walk towards the mess hall with you. Before you made it ten feet, a loud voice rang out from behind you.

"CT-5555!" Your eyes snapped over to Fives; both of you frozen in place as you recognized the disapproving voice. "You give me back my helmet immediately before you break something!" You couldn't help but laugh at Fives' facial expression as Echo used Fives' assigned number rather than his name.

"I'd say he might be missing it," you said through a grin. Fives glanced back at his brother before turning his attention to you.

"Apparently so. Run!" Fives said, grabbing your hand in his free one and pulling you after him. You grinned and followed his lead back to the training halls. Bursting into one of the available training rooms, you and Fives slid to a stop, out of breath and laughing. The two of you may have been troublemakers on your own, but put you both together and that spelled chaos.

"What if he finds us in here?" you said, still trying to catch your breath. The clone before you shrugged.

"Ah don't worry about it. I'll go return this later and make him think he's gone crazy and that I never had it."

"You are unbelievable," you retorted. Glancing around, you saw the room was devoid of other people, and the wall was full of weapons. "Hey, chakaar... Spar with me?" You approached the weapons wall, grabbing a staff that seemed sturdy enough. This wasn't the first time the two of you had sparred, and you knew it wouldn't be the last. Fives knew that you had a sort of elegant grace to your movements, but never questioned where you learned your moves, so it was a perfect way for you to keep your skills up to par without drawing too much attention. Unclipping the flowy skirt you were wearing for the day, you tossed it to the side, the black leggings underneath providing you with coverage while still allowing movement.

"Chakaar? You wound me." He put a hand above his heart as though you had shot him with a blaster. Tossing his armor to the side, Fives stood before you in just his black undersuit, a blaster set to stun in his hand. "Ready to lose again?"

"Hey wait a second! What's all this about agai-" You were cut off by a blaster shot fired in your direction. Instinctively, you rolled to the right, landing on your feet. "That was a cheap shot and you know it."

"Less talk, more spar," Fives said, taking a step forward. The two of you knew each other's moves by now, sparring was almost a dance at this point. Back and forth, trading shots and staff swings. You handled the staff as though it were a lightsaber, moving with it as an extension of your body. Agility had always been your friend in sparring sessions, and Fives knew that you would use your environment to your advantage. Sure enough, you sprinted for a ladder, sliding beneath a stun shot. "Oh no you don't! That won't work again! Not like last time, mesh'la," Fives called out between the deep breaths he took. Both participants were getting worn out, the sparring taking its physical toll after a while. Knowing your moves, Fives shot to your left, and then immediately to your right.

"Ha! Missed me!" you called out from above as you swung on the ladder to the right, dodging the first stun shot. Unfortunately, that was exactly as he had planned you would do, and the second stun shot hit you square in the back, and you dropped to the ground from the ladder, breathing heavily. The shots were not meant to actually incapacitate their target, but rather give them a momentary stun that inhibits movement for a few seconds. Looking up, your eyes locked onto the barrel of a blaster pointed at your forehead.

"Do you concede?" Fives asked, breathing hard but grinning at his win. In your fall, your staff had tumbled away, clattering to the floor a few feet from you, out of reach. You put your hands up in surrender.

"Alright alright. You win this time. Next time I won't go easy on you though."

Fives pulled the blaster away, offering a hand to you. As you took it, he pulled you up to your feet and the two of you stood there for a moment, both parties suddenly aware of how little space there was between you. "So about that dinner?" Fives asked, stepping away to grab his armor. You shook off the slightly disappointed feeling you had at him pulling away, but smiled.

"Dinner sounds fantastic." You looked towards the armor and your eyes fell on Echo's helmet. "After we return the bucket." Fives let out a groan but scooped it up anyway.

"Anything for you, nibral," he said with a grin.

Your mouth fell open in mock shock at his joking insult. You put your hand over your heart, much like Fives did before the spar, and acted hurt. "Nibral? You wound me," you said dramatically. He laughed at your imitation of him and pushed your shoulder slightly with his.

"You're something else, you know that?"

"I may have been told that once or twice." You shrugged, walking in step with the clone as you both headed off to the barracks to drop off Echo's helmet. He laughed at that, tossing an arm around your shoulders as you always saw him do with his brothers. You smiled and mentally relaxed. The sparring with Fives had been exactly what you needed to get your mind off of Padmé and Ahsoka knowing your secret. For now, you were just part of the gang, and that's all that mattered.