Anakin was released that evening. There was a speeder (open top and yellow) sent over for him with a message from Obi-Wan to return to Senator Amidala's apartment. A bad thought occurred to Anakin as he hopped in, though; after he had lost his arm, he and Padmé had not exactly been subtle. Although he could justify his feelings in his own mind, Anakin was certain his Master would agree, little less the High Council.
"Shit," Anakin mumbled as he sped off. He decided not to mention anything to Obi-Wan and hope for the best. It did not take long to get to the apartment where Padmé, Obi-Wan and the mysterious Aleia were waiting. The building was typical Coruscant design- tall and thin without much outwards design. Anakin pulled into the familiar docking bay.
Dang it, she's still here, though Anakin when he saw Aleia. She read his mind and mentally slapped him upside the head. He greeted Obi-Wan and Aleia first out of due respect. Neither Anakin nor Padmé had any idea what he actually said to greet her; his eyes were saying it all for him. It seemed to satisfy Obi-Wan and Aleia, though. Obi-Wan and Aleia started towards the turbo lift and Anakin smiled and squeezed her hand in the brief moment before his Master would look back suspiciously.
"It is nice to have you back, young Padawan," said Obi-Wan when they were upstairs. The design of the apartments was more typical of older Coruscant style- modern art. One who knew her could easily tell that Padmé was disappointed that it was not possible to have any living decoration in the apartment.
"It is good to be back, Master," said Anakin. Aleia was looking between Anakin and Padmé distrustfully.
"Because of the circumstances in the Senate, the Council is requesting that we remain with you as you bodyguards," said Obi-Wan. "We are also hoping for leads on the mystery of the Sith."
"What ever is best for the Republic," Padmé sighed.
"Suddenly, I know why we haven't spoken in over 10 years," said Aleia after Anakin and Padmé had left for Naboo on an early flight. They had been discussing politics before they left.
"The Republic's falling apart and I don't see it coming back together any time soon," said Obi-Wan sadly.
"So what, you're just going to ease it apart?" scolded Aleia, looking further into his thoughts. "That's not even what you're talking about! The future is always in motion; what you saw can be changed- you should know that!"
"Aleia, when one actually follows the code, things aren't that simple," Obi-Wan replied bleakly. "The Council would never approve-"
"Back to by-the-book again, I see" Aleia cut him off. "If you would just tell the prized council about-"
"They already know about Anakin and Padmé, who doesn't?" said Obi-Wan grimly.
"So why don't they do to them what they do to the rest?" asked Aleia.
"They don't know what to do with him," said Obi-Wan. "I don't either, half the time. He's here because they think he's the 'chosen one', whatever that means. Qui-Gon found him and I promised him as he was dying that I'd train Anakin."
"And you knew he was too old," Aleia finished for him flatly, completely ignoring the makings of an emotional breakdown.
"Qui-Gon believed in him," said Obi-Wan softly as though that would settle it.
Aleia turned her focus inward and was silent for a moment before she replied, "Well Ben, if and when Anakin joins the ranks of my father, you keep telling yourself that. I'm sure it will be a great comfort."
"What do you mean, 'when?'" Obi-Wan demanded.
Aleia had already left.
Padmé had hoped to contact her parents, but they had arrived a bit late and she did not want to put them out, and especially did not want to deal with her sister's teasing about Anakin again. She and Anakin had returned to the lake country. Obi-Wan and Anakin now sat near the hearth after Padmé and Aleia were asleep. As per Naboo decorating, the small lake house contained more plants that the two Jedi thought were necessary.
"Master, you seem uneasy," said Anakin to Obi-Wan.
"I am," said Obi-Wan through clenched teeth.
"Your visitor troubles you?" asked Anakin hopefully.
"She doesn't trouble me," Obi-Wan began. "She just scares the hell out of me on a regular basis."
"So do I," argued Anakin. "She's a Jedi, isn't she?"
"Arguably." Anakin raised an eyebrow. "She was trained by L'Darrond. He was once a Jedi; I guess some say he still is. He doesn't agree with the code, but he hasn't joined the Dark Side as far as official knowledge goes. His teaching methods were and still are… questionable to say the least," Obi-Wan explained.
"How are they questionable?" asked a now suspicious Anakin. He didn't get to find out because they sensed Aleia approaching.
"There's still something bothering me," she began as she entered. "That bounty hunter, Fett, what happened to his son- er, unaltered clone?" Obi-Wan shrugged. Anakin saw that his master had more than noticed Aleia's rather revealing nightdress. "What about the ship?" Aleia asked. She looked as though she was enjoying the attention. Anakin couldn't resist ruining the moment.
"I was a little preoccupied with my bloody stump of an arm and I didn't see what happened to it," he said while making sure his gold fingers were shining in the firelight. Aleia threw him another of her dark looks.
"No one saw the ship," said Obi-Wan.
"Damn," she muttered and left as quickly as she'd come.
After a pause, Anakin asked, "Is she always like that- getting what she wants and then leaving without explanation?"
Obi-Wan smiled as he looked back on years of Aleia's abruptness and said, "You don't want to know the half of it." He got up and left Anakin sitting open mouthed.
A sudden explosion woke Padmé that night. The chatter in the other room silenced and Padmé heard the sound of feet running in the direction of the turbo lift. She couldn't take the suspense and eased out of bed. She tiptoed to the doorway, only to be gently shoved back in to the room by a serious looking Anakin. "What's happening?" she asked
"I don't know, but we're leaving," said Anakin.
"But-"
"Just get what you need. Master Obi-Wan said we have to get off Naboo."