POV: Ahsoka Tano

It's been a whole month since Anakin was in the medical bay with poison in his system. Obi-Wan found a cure and Anakin began his healing process. He's been ordered to remain on bed rest, but he leaves on occasion. Other times, we're busy...

Last night was one of those times...

I've been feeling kind of sick, so Anakin has been taking care of me while taking care of himself. He's not doing a very good job at taking care of himself... He still feels a little bit of pain every now and then.

I woke up this morning and immediately ran into the refresher without warning. My stomach lurched and last night's wonderfully cooked dinner – courtesy of Anakin – returned. It's like I can't keep anything down anymore. "I'm here," Anakin said, taking my hand in his and rubbing my back.

I calmed down after a few minutes. "Thanks, Ani. I'm really sorry..."

"Why are you sorry?"

"You have to rush in here every morning to witness the same thing..."

He shrugged. "Ahsoka, I'd stay up forever if it means that I can make sure you're all right. I'll keep coming in here with you and I'm going to do so because I truly care about you."

I smiled at him, "Do you know how wonderful you are?"

He used a deeper voice than usual, being silly. "Why, yes. I am the most wonderful man in the entire galaxy. I check to make sure my Padawan is healthy and I make love to her whenever she wants to. I am Anakin Skywalker, the wonderful Chosen One."

I laughed so hard and he began to. I cleaned my face and led him back to the bed. I laid down and pulled him on top of me.

We began our routine...

After about twenty minutes, we relaxed. "Do you want to get checked out?"

I looked into his eyes, "It's still pretty early in the morning, but I will."

"Good. You better..."

He fell asleep shortly after. I waited a while longer before climbing over him and out of the bed, making my way into the refresher again. This was something I had read about before – just for research. It only takes a few minutes from what I know.

And so, I began my wait.

Positive...

POV: Anakin Skywalker

I woke up and Ahsoka was gone. I pulled my pants on quickly and ran into the refresher. She wasn't there. I went back to my bed and grabbed the rest of my clothes. I put everything on and my stubborn boots actually slid up to my knees without a problem. They must know that I'm in a hurry...

I ran to the door and left our quarters. I ran right into Obi-Wan...

"Ah... Master, I'm sorry," I apologized.

"In a hurry are we?" he laughed. "I thought you were supposed to be resting?"

I need some excuse... "I was looking for Ahsoka. Have you seen her, by any chance?"

He nodded. "Last I saw she was heading into the medical bay."

Why – oh. She's probably getting herself checked out. "Oh, all right. Thank you, Master."

I began to head there, but Obi-Wan stopped me. "Do you know why she's there, Anakin?"

"She hasn't been feeling all that well, so I told her that she should go see a medical droid for a checkup."

"Ah, well, I hope she recovers soon. Go check on her and then get back to rest or we'll assign you another mission."

I laughed. "Yes, Master." Obi-Wan continued his walk down the hall and I tried to refrain myself from bolting to the medical bay for Ahsoka. Once I reached the room, I felt her presence inside. I walked in to see her bent over slightly, holding her head. "Ahsoka, are you all right?" She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. "What's wrong?" She wouldn't answer me, but it was just the two of us. "Ahsoka, what is going on?" I almost yelled. I was beginning to worry... She went into full-out crying, which cracked me. I went over to her and wrapped my arms around her tiny body. "Please, tell me what's wrong, my love," I whispered.

"Anakin," she paused, looking into my eyes. "I'm... pregnant..." she whispered.

"Did you want children...?" I felt extremely excited, but I was shielding that from her just in case she felt quite the opposite – I couldn't tell yet.

"Yes, but I know you don't. We will be in so much trouble for this..."

I felt my jaw drop. "I... want children, Ahsoka."

"You do?" she seemed shocked.

Do I honestly seem like I don't want children? Why did she think that...? "Yes, Ahsoka. I'm just concerned because you are only sixteen..."

"Wow, I didn't expect that. You're twenty-five. What's the big deal?"

"I'm not the one who will be carrying a child, though. Don't you think you're kind of... too young?"

"No," she began. "If I were too young, I wouldn't be pregnant."

"Are you ready to be a mother?" I threw out.

That stopped her from saying anything. "I am not going to kill this baby, Anakin!"

"I never said you had to! I want it!" I yelled. I changed my voice into a whisper, "I... just don't know if you're ready..."

"I don't like this..." she whispered, shaking her head. "We never fight about anything..."

"I'm sorry. We should both be happy about this. We created life. We aren't destroying it by any means. I just don't want you in a position that you aren't comfortable in," I said, trying to shield my fear from her.

She hopped off of the medical bed and thrust her arms around my waist. "Ani, thank you. This is why I fell in love with you. I want this baby and I want to have it."

"Then we are going to have it." We hugged each other for a while, just relaxing in the presence of each other. My comlink started beeping. I sighed and slowly pulled away from Ahsoka to answer it. "Skywalker here," I gloomily answered.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan began. "The Council has just assigned you a mission."

"Oh? Master, Ahsoka –"

"This is your mission, Anakin. I understand that Ahsoka isn't feeling well and I brought that to the attention of the Council."

"Yes, Master." I tilted Ahsoka's head up and silently kissed her.

"Anakin, you are to escort and protect Senator Amidala to Tatooine. Apparently, the Hutts have some things to work out with us..."

I felt myself frown and my heart drop. I had to protect her again... "Yes, Master."

"You leave in two hours. Be ready. Obi-Wan out."

I turned off my com, while looking at Ahsoka, waiting for her reaction. "Ahsoka?"

"Why does it have to be you going with her?"

"She probably requested me," I sighed.

"Ani..." she whispered. "I don't want you to go..."

"Neither do I..." I was trying to hold back the ocean of anger and despair that was threatening to crash down on me at any moment. Her hand took mine and she buried her head into my chest. I sighed again, "I don't want to be with her or go back to that dustbowl."

"But that's your home planet."

"Yes, and it holds so much sadness and memories. My mother... Being a slave..." I could feel her pity for me. That wasn't what I wanted from her... "Ahsoka, it wasn't a normal life, but if it had been, who knows where we'd be right now?"

"Probably not here."

I laughed, "Well, you'd probably be Obi-Wan's Padawan."

"Ew! So you're saying –"

"No! He'd probably never allow that like I do."

"Allow?"

"Well, he's more rule-abiding than I am. He wouldn't let you attach to him. Our attachment is mutual, but one with him would be one-sided, coming only from you."

"Doesn't he have a soft spot for the Duchess of Mandalore?"

I smirked. "Yes. They both love each other, but he's not willing to cross his boundaries."

"Well, we have less than two hours before you leave. What should we do?"

She looked like she had something in mind already. "Well, what do you have planned for us?"

Her eyes lit up like the twin suns on Tatooine in the morning. "Well, it looks like you should be back on bed rest. Shall I escort you to our quarters?"

"Hm, feels like it, too. Snips, I would appreciate it if you led the way. I'm not sure that I could find my bed on my own." She giggled and walked out. We made sure no one was watching and she took my hand. Once we were in the room, her lips attacked mine. I returned with equal force. I reached behind me and locked the door. She pulled me over to my bed and laid down on it, seductively pulling me on top of her. Before we could really get anywhere, she pushed me off of her – I fell to the floor – and ran into the refresher. I should have been a little shocked by her action, but I jumped off of the floor and ran right after her.

She was bent over the toilet releasing everything that she had consumed. I'm only assuming it was from this morning while I was sleeping. When she finished, she sighed. "I am –"

"No," I interrupted. "Don't you dare be sorry. This is more important."

"Throwing up is more important than sex?"

"Your health is definitely way more important than sex," I answered. "I can do without it, but I can't do without you."

She turned to look at me and smiled. "I love you."

I kissed her forehead, "I love you, too. Clean up and relax. We don't have to do anything right now."

"But I want to..." she pouted.

"Only if you feel completely up to it," I laughed. She cleaned her mouth quickly and ran back to me, this time she was on top. "Ahsoka, how do you feel?"

"I feel fine."

I started out by kissing her passionately. She started to take my robe, vest, and shirt off. Once they were removed, she moved her hands all over, feeling every part of me...

POV: Ahsoka Tano

It felt like Anakin wasn't much into this today. He wouldn't remove my clothes, so I decided to see his toned chest.

I loved the feeling of his skin... Anakin's comlink started to beep. "Anakin?"

He stopped kissing me. That sounded like... Senator Amidala... "State your name and business," he commanded.

"Padme Amidala. I'm looking for my escort."

"How did you get my channel?"

"I never got rid of it."

His eyes closed. "Is it time to go already?"

"Yes."

"I'll... I'll be there soon."

"I'll be waiting."

He turned the com off. "Anakin, are you okay?"

"No," he said, finally opening his eyes.

"What's wrong, baby?"

He lifted me off of him slowly and put the few pieces of clothes that I removed back on. "I don't want to leave you alone. Who knows how long I'll be gone?"

"I'll be here when you get back. Relax, my love." I kissed him and rubbed his back slowly.

He kissed me slowly and passionately. His arms wrapped around me. He didn't kiss me long enough, but pulled away. "I love you."

Every time he said those three words, a surge of happiness shot through me and my heart melted. "And I love you."

"Forever and always," we both whispered.

He went over to the door and unlocked it, looking back at me before leaving. "Come back soon," I whispered. A single tear fell down my face.

POV: Anakin Skywalker

I took my time while going to meet Padme. Once I arrived, my heart was practically ice cold. I will not open myself up to her. She isn't the one I love, nor will she ever be again. "General Skywalker," Padme greeted me.

"Senator," I nodded.

"Well, let's get going," she said with a little too much enthusiasm.

"Senator," I paused, building up my threatening voice. "Do not try anything while we are together. This is a mission of importance, not a pleasure trip."

She gave me her trademarked smile for mischief. This was going to be a long mission...