_Chapter 4_

The cruiser was soon well on its way pulling out of Coruscants atmosphere and heading into deep space. Anakin was shown to his room aboard the fine vessel by a droid. It was huge. He knew as a Jedi he shouldn't be so impressed by opulence, but he couldn't say he was unmoved by the accommodations. His room was very near the Chancellors own suite and also only 3 doors down from the Ambassador of the Bantku Tribes. After being given about a hour or so to settle in all the guest aboard the Imperial were served a fine breakfast. During the breakfast the Speaker of the House informed all the guest about the itinerary for the goodwill cruise and the Chancellor finished up with a stirring speech about how all who had been invited were vital and necessary individuals in the fight for the survival of the Republic and the revival of morale amongst the downtrodden who they were going to aid. Anakin qas talking with Mon Mothma who was sharing her interest in allowing some form of charity to be shown during these times of war. "I'm not exactly an idealist Master Jedi, I understand that during these times of war the Republic has to conserve funds for the arm, but should the army be the primary focus? Should it truly go above aiding the hurting children in our galaxy?" she stressed.

" I'm sorry I couldn't help, but over hear," a collected voice drifted into the conversation. Captain Tarkin had been talking with one of his accompanying petty officers, but he had dismissed the young lad and turned his attention toward the Jedi and senator who were engrossed in discussion, "General Skywalker," the military man nodded with respect toward the man on board who out ranked him.

"Captain Tarkin" Anakin greeted his with respect.

"Master Jedi you know this man?" Mon Mothma said with a slight air of contempt in her voice.

"Captain Tarkin is recent acquaintance, Senator. We spent some time together in less than hospitable accomadation," Anakin added giving a slight smirk in the direction of the office.

"Hospitable no, but affective yes," Tarkin added with a hint of humor in his tone.

Anakin winced at the statement of the captain. He remembered how Ahsoka had objected wholeheartedly to Tarkin's esteem of a place of torture. Who would have know that in less than a years time she would face similar circumstances. He remembered her heroric struggle to bring Master Piell's fallen body back to him and Obi=wan so that it could receive the proper respect. Only two weeks ago Anakin had managed to carry her dead body out of a place of torment as well. Was the Force's irony always so cruel. Showing no sign of the guilty thoughts that played in his mind the young Jedi shrugged, "The Imperial is much more pleasant," he responded.

"Pleasant?" Tarkin paused as if trying to search for the meaning of the word. "Well I suppose in comparison to our last meeting it is." Tarkin offered with a facial expression that was hard to decipher.

"You interrupted us, Captain Tarkin I hope you have reason as to why?" The redhead senator asked huffily.

"Indeed I do, Senator," tarkin began to pace as he made his statements, "You seem to think that the senate funds are not being allotted properly, but the money that is spent on the war is not nearly enough. If more money were being spent then this war would not take so long to end," he railed.

"How do you figure that?" asked the stately senator unconvinced of the argument.

"If the Republic armies had things we needed we'd have more warships, we'd have better weapons. The Separatist don't have to spend money building facilities to tend to their wounded since they fight with droid. But the Republic needs to manufacture more soldiers. Also perhaps if the senate would raise army salaries it would be easier to recruit warriors and soldiers from across the galaxy to fight in this war which is protecting their interest," Mon Mothma looked positively unnerved. She hadn't been expecting such a well thought out answer from the captain. She turned up her nose and huffed,

Anakin glanced back and the dignified lady and added for good measure, "He doesn make some good points."

"Points worth pondering, but no deal sealers yet," Mon Mothma came back quickly. "The Jedi are leading the war effort and require no pay," Mon Mothma pointed to Anakin thinking that the young man might be o some support to her ideals.

Anakin scratched under his chin, "Actually senator I have to agree with Captain Tarkin, the Jedi are here to protect and serve the Republic and will do so until the bitter end, but out numbers are spreading thin, we do suffer casualties." Anakin relented.

The redhead woman gasped. She remembered how Senator Amidala had shared with her that she had attended the funeral of a Jedi apprentice. She just now was able to put two and two together that the apprentice must have been the young Jedi Knight's who stood before her. " The points you've given are well taken. They leave much food for thought," she stated once more. She then exited the presence of the two gentlemen.

"Quite." Tarkin mumbled. He was all too happy to see the high minded politician go. "Are you alone?" he asked Anakin his tone going back to one of seriousness.

"What do you mean?" Knight Skywalker questioned. He almost wanted to turn around and see if some one was behind him the way Tarkin posed the question.

"What I mean general is no clones? No other Jedi?"

"No, I was personally invited by the Chancellor it was not an act that required a military presence," Anakin explained taking a drink off of a tray that a droid was carrying.

" The Chancellor chose wisely," Tarkin smirked and then raised his glass to Anakin's

"Really? And why is that?"

"Some of the thought processes of your comrades I find most disconcerting and ineffective," Tarkin responded without flinching as he threw back some of his drink. "Much like the senators," he began gesturing his head toward the lady who had just left their sides

" I understand your feeling Captain when it comes to some military matters the Republic has fallen short of victory because of some of the beliefs of the Jedi, but I can assure you that in matters of peace and charity those thought processes would prove most beneficial," Anakin pinned Tarkin with a harsh glare and even the staunch military man found himself fidgeting under the glare

" I only meant to say General Skywalker that I believe some military matters will be discussed and I would hate for progress to be hindered in that matter because of antiquated and religious notions." Tarkin expressed.

"Captain Tarkin, compassion and wisdom are never antiquated," The young Jedi stated with authority. "if you will excuse me," Anakin slightly nodded and turned on his heels to leave Tarkin's presence.

As the day moved into night dinner was soon served and Anakin joined Senator Organa and his lovely wife at one of the Banquet tables. He told a few stories from battle as had been requested of him by Breta and slowly different dignitaries trickled over to the table very intrigued by his collection of stories. The dignitaries who brought their children allowed the younglings to go and listen to the Jedi's tale as this allowed their parents to indulge in one of the favorite past times of most politicians gossiping over Huttrut Wine.

Anakin didn't mind entertaining the nobles or their younglings. No, on the contrary he quite enjoyed it. Perhaps he enoyed it a little too much. He could slowly hear his Master's voice reminding him that a Jedi was supposed to be humble. He could then hear himself telling the same thing to his own padawan. He shot that image down quickly and took another swig of wine himself before allowing himself to go back into another tale. "Then…the what happened Master Jedi?" a little boy asked. He was leaning over the table enthralled in the tale of an peic battle. Other young smiling faces nodded back waiting to hear the end.

"Well then Snips came… and." She saved the day. Saved him. She had been a good apprentice all ways their in heartbeat to do her part, to make a rescue, to keep someone safe. Why did she die when they we so close to escape? Why had he failed her?

"Who's that?" asked a Pantorian girl.

"A friend, who is no longer here," Anakin admitted in a bitter shallow breath to the child. He finished the story quickly and with out the dramatic flare that he had before. Once he was done he sent a strong force Suggestion to the children that they should fnd something else to occupy their time. It was easy enough none of the younglings put up much resistance as the thought that was not their own entered their minds. Which was good; he didn't want any more reasons to think about the past.

When dinner was done and dancing soon followed. The eaters made their way onto the lovely ball room floor that was center in the upper level of the cruiser. The floor was shiny with wax, it sparkled like a diamond beneath the grand overhead lighting. The chancellor had hosted other functions on his luxury cruiser before many had been for dignitaries of the Naboo. The Naboo enjoyed dancing so the floors had definitely been used befor, but no one could have guessed that from the way it glittered. The orchestra started to play and slowly the senators and politicians wafted their way onto the floor. They danced with their spouses and then switched partners. The younglings danced in a pack off to the side. One by one they took their seast as the evening grew later preferring to watch those who were older and more experienced execute the dance moves. Even the Chancellor escorted Justice Ardyss on to the floor. Justice Ardyss was a slightly plump woman who had served in the Supreme Court System on Coruscant for years. She was about his age and wore her hair in one large braided bun. Her face was painted with make-up, but she was a fairly attractive woman for her age.. She eagerly accepted the Chancellors invite on the dance floor. The two danced awkwardly enough together. The movements were stiff and they were dancing slower than the actual tempo of the song, but old Just Ardyss grinned like a school girl at the Chancellor the whole time.

Anakin watched this exchange with much amusement. The Chancellor had shared with him on a few occasions about his marriage. He had once been married to woman from a very influential family on Naboo. The Chancellor had described it as an arranged marriage, but he had grown to enjoy the companionship of such a powerful woman. The marriage never produced any children though he had wanted it. He said he always wanted to have the privilege to mold someone. They hadn't been married many years but he said they were in love. She was beautiful woman who valued the beliefs of the Chancellor. He described her death as an assassination attempt meant for him to keep him from endeavoring on his political career. She was poisoned at some civic ball on Naboo. She suffered for a few weeks. Despite the trust he had for Palpatine, Anakin had never seen fit to share about his own marriage to Padme. He was convinced that the Chancellor would keep their secret. He would probably encourage and support them, but Padme wouldn't have wanted it. She always felt some guilt about their marriage. She always felt like she was making him commit some cardinal sin. That couldn't have been farther from the truth everything about their love was perfect, blessed and beautiful, but still it was a secret worth hiding.

While he watched Chancellor and the Justice whirl about the floor his eye couldn't help but wander over to the Ambassador of the Bantku Tribe. She had been settled with a most inept dance partner, Oshnee. He was terribly drunk and clumsy, he sloshed about on the dance floor twirling her about in a harsh rhythm. Steeping on her toes and causing both of them to collide with other dancers. When the song finally ended Hadarah made gentle attempts to bow out gracefully from dancing with her less than charming partner. "I need something to drink Senator Oshnee," she explained and scampered to the punch bowl. Her Long dark hair flowing behind her. One of her attendants made her way to the punch bowl to offer the lady a drink. The servant seemed to take pity on her mistress she checked her over and smoothed her loved garbs and drapes so that they once agin hung elegantly around the ambassador and didn't look as if she had just come from some type of wreck.

Oshnee slid off the floor and stood next to Anakin against the wall. "This spot taken?" he asked in a deep voice. Anakin looked him up and down not deeming the question worthy of response. "You don't dance do you Master Jedi?" he asked chatty with alcohol. He leaned a hand against the wall, but lost his grip and started to slip down so he had to prop himself up wth his whole back.

"Not much?" Anakin replied he kept his eyes forward on the dance floor.

"What a shame. Aren't you allowed?" Once again Anakin tried to ignore the other Naboo Senator. "Guess I could see why you wouldn't be," He shrugged. "In many cultures dancing is considered an art form of romance," Oshnee rolled his 'r' unnecessarily. "You know a form of foreplay," The Senator roared bending over and leaning on Anakin's shoulder laughing loudly in his ear. " You Jedi are suppose to avoid such aren't you? Well leaves more for me I guess," he giggled. "Look at Hadarah!" he pointed an unsteady finger toward the punch bowl where the young ambassador lingered. "Look, look" he pestered Anakin tapping him like a child would.

"I can see her senator," Anakin explained shrugging his shoulder trying to get the senator off of him. He finally gave the man a shove off of his back and popped him up on the wall. Oshnee continued to giggle as he wiggled his finger trying to get the ambassador to notice him again. Anakin could se her indeed. No one could miss her unique beauty. He tried not to look at her. Tried to avoid gazing at a woman who was debatably as beautiful as his own wife, Padme. Her hair dark as ebony cascading down her back. Her tunics were gold and purple and hugged and accentuated all her feminine curves. She had now taken off the drapes that had hidden her face and when she turned in Anakin's direction he gazed into her flawless features. Her nose like was a button, her lips red as a pomegranate and shaped like a kiss. She was an intoxicating woman. She sauntered her way over to where Anakin and the foolhardy senator had positioned themselves on the wall.

"Ambassador Hadarah, are you ready to dance?" He asked eagerly gripping her wrist and pulling toward himself.

"Senator Oshnee, you have done me much honor to dance with me all night, but you are far to generous to me, look at Lady Swah" she pointed to the bald Kaminoan woman who had been lingering by the punch bowl. "No one has danced with her all night."

"With good reason!" the senator retorted with a snort from laughter. "She's not exactly a fair maiden. Unlike you," he whispered as he pulled Hadarah closer.

"Please Senator!" she exclaimed pushing herself free. "She is my friend. It would mean so much to me if you would dance with her," she looked up at him with entrancing green eyes that were impossible to resist and she stroked his face. "Won't you?" Hadarah asked smoothly gesturing her head toward her friend The Senator found himself nodding dumbly to her request and then going over to the Kaminoan woman.

Anakin snickered as he watched this, She was good. He watched Lady Swah perk up with happiness at the offer of being asked to dance. The song was much faster now and the two bumbled their way across the dance floor. Lady SWah was obviously not a good dancer. It wasn't that surprising the Kaminoans were not a people known to do much partying. Perhaps if Oshnee wasn't so drunk he could have been a good dancer, but that was just pure speculation at this point.

"Do you not care to dance Master Jedi?" asked Hadarah. She too watched the senator and her friend take to the floor. She leaned her back against the wall and stood next to Anakin. Swah pointed down at the human male who was dancing with her apparently clueless that this dance had been set up. Hadarah palyed the part well though. She winked and gasped in excitement for her friend. She even clapped her hands. Swah seemed totally oblivious to the fact that twenty minutes ago the Naboo native had been dancing with Hadarah.

"I prefer to watch, my lady. You learn a lot that way."

"Dancing is nothing to be learned by observing you must join the dance in order to learn the steps," The ambassador replied her voice was light and playful and she pointed to the well dressed dignitaries that whirled and twirled on the crystal floor.

Anakin chuckled mildly, "I wasn't referring to the actual dance steps, my lady."

"Oh?" She turned her head in his direction. Oshnee was a handsome young man. He was well built, had a thick head of brunette hair cheeks with dimples and hazel eyes, but he was a fool, brash and arrogant. On the other hand Anakin was striking and wise. "Some Jedi wisdom?" she inquired. "Tell me then what do you study? What have you learned?"

"That senator Oshnee dances about as graceful as a gundark with two broken legs," He teased and looked him the direction of the gorgeous woman. She blushed at the joke and looked down and Anakin was grateful for that for had their eyes met her feared he wouldn't be able to stop staring at them. He liked the color green. It reflected life and a rich life at that. Their was no green on Tattooine just sand, but her skin was the sun kissed color of the sands of Tattooine.

"Wish I had just watched instead of experiencing it first hand," she quipped back her giggle was small and low in her throat as if she was trying to suppress it.

"I have also learned that you are cunning," he looked her up and down and gave a sideways grin.

"Cunning? I have never heard myself described as such. How so? How am I cunning?" she asked looking up at him and moving herself slightly closer.

"The way you made senator Oshness dance with another."

"Made? Made is a harsh word. It makes him sound as if he was not in control of his decision. I suggested it for a friend. Look how happy she is now," Hadarah pointed to Swah who despite that fact that she towered over the human senator and was being bumped and mishandled seemed absolutely thrilled to be dancing. " I thought the Jedi were selfless surely you can understand putting the happiness of a friend before yourself," she suggested.

" Is that truly what you were doing my lady? Well then do forgive me… you handle sacrifice with such finesse that I would have never known it pained you," Anakin replied back taking much pleasure in his sarcasm. Ambassador Hadarah pursed her pink painted lips as if she were about to say something. She opened her mouth and Anakin could almost guess the snappy come back that the regal woman had in mind for him. She would no doubt be miffed that he had seen through her charade. She move away from him in a huff and that would be good. He didn't like having her so close to him. She was far too appetizing.

Hadarah was a cunning woman indeed. She snapped her pretty mouth shut and turned her eyes from looking at Anakin she cast a focused glance back on the floor."There is only one more dance left for tonight. Shall we?" The Ambassador from the Bantku Tribe extended her hand to side of her expecting the young Jedi to readily take it.

"I'm not much of a dancer my lady." Anakin insisted

"That is no matter, I have danced with Oshnee for most of the night. Surely you are better than he," she chuckled. She placed her slender hand, that was traced with dark red and brown patterns, on his shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled winningly.

"I…" Anakin stuttered not knowing what other excuse to give her. "I really don't feel much like dancing my lady."

" Oh?" she almost sung, "And why not? Surely today has not been as rigorous for you as so many other days from the heat of battle," she teased. "I heard the stories you told," she pointed out quickly before Anakin could think of a reply. "Apparently you have a lot of stamina."

"I supposed I'm just not much of a dancer, ambassador," Anakin explained again. Hoping that Hadarah would lose interest there were many others on board who would have loved to take the gorgeous woman out on the floor. Anakin scanned the room there had been eyes on her all night. There was Kaspar the count from Stewjon, he ad been waiting for an opportunity to get her away from Oshnee.

"That seems peculiar," she said looking him up and down. "My people believe that dancing helps one sharpen their skills for the hunt, for battle. A graceful dancer often is equated to skill as a warrior. You are a most excellent warrior Master Skywalker therefore you must be a fair dancer," Haradah reasoned.

"You do me much credit, milady," Anakin sighed if only her speech wasn't so beguiling. She had a way with words. "But I'm sure there are many other's who would be honored to dance with you."

"Perhaps you are afraid," she jested back and him and sauntered in front of him. He got a good look at her from behind. Her curves were in full view.

"Afraid? Not hardly." Anakin scoffed. "Jedi don't have fears, m'lady," Anakin tried to explain after composing himself.

" And I would have believed your claim up until now, but you seem so hesitant…so apprehensive. Perhaps you are shy," she offered him an excuse. "No…no I've seen you on interviews Anakin Skywalker… you are hardly shy," she pointed her finger into his chest. She tossed her head back and laughed. "Are you easily embarrassed?" she asked him. Anakin was about to answer her. He had been easily embarrassed when he was younger he hated to be made to look bad or incompetent, but embarrassment wasn't what was holding him back.

"Ambassador," Anakin's voice came out clipped with slight annoyance.

No." she answered her own question. "Then what could it be. I must conclude you are afraid to dance with me? Imagine your many exploits, your numerous battles, the perilous dangers you have fought and yet you are scared to dance with little old me," she laughed like a bully trying to pick a fight. She leaned in closer to him resting her silky hands on his shirt, "Is that the great secret of the Hero with No Fear that he is afraid to dance to with me?" she inquired with a playful whisper. She tauntingly started to sway her body to the robust rhythm that the alien band had begun to play.

Yes, was Anakin's thought to answer he question. Yes, he was scared to be close to a woman he was so attracted to who wasn't his wife. He and his wife had never danced together in public. Though she loved to dance and he often found her dancing about in their shared apartment they had never been so privileged to dance together in public. If he danced with Ambassador Hadarah he would give an honor to this woman that even his own wife was denied. Not that he hadn't danced with other women before. He had. On one mission he and Obi-wan had settled the bride price for two feuding clans that were ready to go to war if marriage plans fell through. When the prices had been negotiated the two Jedi had naturally been invited to the wedding and Anakin danced with the had even danced with other women in front of Padme at a senate ball being hosted on Rhodia. Of course when he took cultural etiquette classes in the Temple they had been subject to dancing and he had danced with other padawan girls his age, but those had been things done out of duty out of necessity this would be a choice to have then ambassador press her irrestiably curvy body next to his. Yes, he was afraid to dance with her.

"Hahaha," she laughed mockingly. "The hero with no fear, does have a fear. How adorable."

" I'm not afraid." Anakin spoke up for himself quickly. He hated showing weakness. He tried to offer back a confident smile.

" I am not convinced," Hadarah rolled her eyes and kept her body moving to the beat.

"Suit yourself Lady Hadarah," Anakin shrugged and smirked back at her. "Believe whatever you like."

" Come." she spoke softly, "take my hand and dance with me. I don't bite. And even if I do, you've had worse injuries, I'm sure," she purred and once agained offered Anakin Skywalker her tattooed hand. He glanced at her hand studying the patterns for a second. The he looked up at her keen features; she was smiling charmingly back at him. He couldn't allow this woman to think of him as a coward. He had never really learned how to back down from a challenge

"One dance," Anakin said decisively rolling his eyes and conceding to her wishes.

"if that is all you like," she giggled as he clutched her tiny fingers within his large gloved hand and walked with her over to the floor.