POV: Jaele Kide

Master Skywalker didn't seem like the Chosen One. All he does is walk around or meditate by himself... I can't help but wonder what his problem is. In the last two days, we have sparred once.

I was lounging around in our shared quarters. Master Skywalker was nowhere to be found. As far as I know, he was probably out drinking. The door slid open and he walked in. He didn't look drunk. "Master?"

He turned to face me. "Yes?"

"May I speak freely?"

"Of course. I never said you couldn't."

I tried to put my words into a structure of some sort. "You haven't been a very good teacher. You're never around and I haven't learned anything. I would appreciate it if you told me what your problem has been."

I let my words sink in.

"Do you... ever listen to the Holonet?"

"No, but –"

"My Padawan, Ahsoka, is carrying my child. She's now with the Sith. I'm more concerned about her and my son or daughter. I've never been a very good master and I'm still not. I make mistakes and my mind becomes preoccupied. I'm sorry if I don't meet your expectations, but I can't meet anyone's. I'm in too deep with emotions and can't control myself. I'm tired and frustrated. Now, if you want to learn quickly, I'll talk the Council into reassigning you to a more suitable master." I was shocked. Master Skywalker is just as much of a screw-up as I am. I feel terrible for putting him down because he's been through a lot... My eyes watched his face. His blue eyes were darkened and his face held many shadows that danced around. He continued to glare in my direction until his eyes blinked. He looked around as if taking in his surroundings. "Jaele," he said with an apologetic expression. "I'm so sorry..."

"Master Skywalker, you have nothing to be sorry for. I understand almost everything you're going through. You love her don't you?"

He looked away. "I... I just want her back."

"Can we go after her?"

"I don't know where she is."

He looked at the floor. "Isn't there a bond between master and Padawan?"

He frowned. "She won't open the link with me."

"We'll find her, Master."

He turned to me. "Let's focus on your training. Come on."

He walked past me, heading for the gym. Once we arrived, Master Skywalker activated his lightsaber. I did the same and charged him when he told me to.

POV: Anakin Skywalker

Jaele was beginning to tire. His exhaustion was evident. I paused, but he kept slashing. "Jaele!" I shouted, too late. I fell to the floor, clutching my leg. I held back any cry that tried to escape.

"Master Skywalker!" Jaele was by my side in an instant. I tried to get up... and failed. "Stay here, Master! I'll go get help!"

Jaele ran out of the room. "Well," I sighed. "Not like I can go anywhere, kid."

I rolled onto my back, creating images in the ceiling. My mind wandered back two days. I remembered the sadness and importance of the message I received.

"Anakin..." I heard my mother. "Don't worry. She will return..." I felt the pain in my leg die away.

I hoped that my mother had meant Ahsoka would return. For the last two days, I'd be caught near a window with my comlink, waiting for a Separatist ship to enter Coruscant's orbit. "Anakin?" a new voice entered. There was pressure on my leg, causing the pain to return.

My images flashed away and Obi-Wan appeared. He was inspecting the cut. "How is he?" Mace Windu's voice boomed.

"Nothing too serious. It will take a few days to heal."

"Where's Jaele?" I asked.

Windu moved slightly to reveal my blue Padawan who looked pale. "Master –"

"Jaele, listen," I began, sitting up with Obi-Wan's help. "I'm alive, so no hard feelings. It was an accident. I let up too soon. No matter how many times you apologize, I won't acknowledge them. Being sorry in this situation is uncalled for."

"Yes, Master," he said, bowing.

"I'll meet you back in our quarters later, Jaele. Get some rest."

"Yes, Master." He left. Windu left, too. I only assumed that my reaction was completely different from what he'd expected.

"Are you all right, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, worried.

"Fine. Master, what are you doing back?"

"Master Yoda recalled me. You, Jaele, and I were to be assigned a mission, but seeing the way you are now..."

"I'm fine. We can still go."

I got up and struggled, but managed on my own. "I'm here, Anakin."

"I know. You're standing right next to me." I began walking to the door.

"I meant that you can talk to me. Any word?"

I stopped and my heart sank. "Still nothing."

"Anything else going on?"

I sighed and turned to face him. "My mother... contacted me through the Force two days ago. I snapped in front of Jaele earlier."

"What did your mother say to you?"

"She said 'don't worry. She will return.'"

Obi-Wan thought for a moment. "That could mean Ahsoka will come back. What did you say to Jaele?"

"I... told him how Ahsoka will be having my child. I told him how I want her back. He commented on how my ability to train a Padawan was... incompetent, so I offered to speak with the Council and get him reassigned to a better master."

"I'm truly sorry, Anakin. Your teaching skills are far from incompetent. Look at Ahsoka's skills. Are you going to speak to the Council?"

"Don't be sorry. You must forget that Ahsoka turned to the –"

"Anakin..."

I gasped audibly. "Anakin?" Obi-Wan tensed. "What's wrong?"

I blinked. "I think Ahsoka just contacted me."

"Speak with her."

"Ahsoka?" I thought back.

There were several moments of silence. I had probably just lost her again... "It's me."

POV: Obi-Wan Kenobi

I watched Anakin, carefully reading his face. His eyes were tightly closed and a look of pure torture crossed his features. I felt sick seeing him this way. I felt bad enough for leaving him to be with Satine. Both needed me equally. I chose my wife over my brother. Airi was growing up beautifully, but she was a reminder that Anakin wouldn't see his child.

A single tear slid down Anakin's face. His eyes opened. "She's on Naboo. Ventress is holding her there."

"Well, let's inform the Council."

"You go ahead. I have to go get my leg... wrapped with bacta cloth..." he said, sounding depressed.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't like admitting to pain, much less showing it."

"Oh, go wrap it and meet me in the landing bay."

"What if the Council..." he began. "Never mind."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Even if the Council denies us the flight to Naboo, I'm going," he laughed.

I put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm going, too."

"Really?" His eyes lit up.

I laughed. "You should see the look on your face. Of course, I want you to be happy."

"I'll pass a mirror to remember how great I look on the way to the med room." I laughed and began to leave the gym. "Obi-Wan?"

I looked over my shoulder. "Yes?"

"Thank you, for everything."

"Don't mention it. I want to see you happy again, Anakin. We will have to travel back to Mandalore so Ahsoka can meet Airi."

"Definitely. We can go after we rescue her."

I smiled. "I take it you and I will be going without troops if that's the case."

He smirked. "Ya know, we don't have to tell the Council right now…"

I would normally be against his suggestion, but it didn't seem like a bad idea right. "Go get some bacta cloth. I'll go prep the ship."

He nodded, eyes lighting up again. He left and I did the same. We ventured to our different locations. I was able to sneak onto the Twilight. This ship always looks like a bucket of bolts to me, but Anakin loves it. He thinks highly of it actually. The Twilight is just below his starfighter on his list. "All set," Anakin said, announcing his silent arrival.

I jumped in the seat. "Why must you do that?"

I got up and sat in the other seat, allowing Anakin to climb into the driving seat. "Hey, it makes me happy. Plus, I enjoy the adrenaline of defiance."

"Clearly…" I said under my breath.

"You do also, Master."

"I do not!"

"Then explain to me why you got together with the Duchess of Mandalore, proceeded to –"

"All right. I see your point." He chuckled. "Just fly this thing to Naboo, Anakin…"

"Yes, Master." He flipped the switches above him and sat back down to hit some buttons. I didn't really pay attention to what he was doing. Flying is for droids… "Cleared for takeoff?"

I looked out of the window. "Yes. Hurry before someone sees us." He lifted the ship up and flew right out of the landing bay. "You're lucky that the defense shields weren't up."

He laughed. "I disabled them on my way here."

I could see him punching in coordinates for Naboo. "Where on Naboo is she?"

"Just outside of Theed, near the spot I was captured in."

"Ah, well, I guess you'll be leading."

He jumped us into hyperspace. I could feel his anxiety and nervousness. He should feel excited, but knowing him, he's probably thinking in the worst case scenario. After a few minutes of silence, I jumped. "Coming out of hyperspace now."

He looked over at me as I was trying to calm myself. He chuckled lightly and smirked. We came out of hyperspace to see Naboo's beauty. "Stay near me, Anakin. I don't want you to get captured yet again."

"I'll try."

He flew into the planet's orbit, landing where we had landed almost two months ago, while searching for Ahsoka. "How's your leg?"

He glanced down at it. "The cloth helped for sure."

As soon as he hit the button to lower the ramp, he jumped out of his seat, running as fast as he could to get out. "Always on the move and what happened to staying close?"

I ran out after him. He was at the bottom of the ramp. "Coming, Master?" I ran down beside him and he lead me to the area Ahsoka was supposedly in. He jumped into a tree and I blindly followed him. I'd fall to my death following him someday… I just happen to put a lot of my faith into him. "We're close," he said. "I can feel her."

I could sense Ventress.

Anakin and I finally reached the clearing. We both looked down to see Ahsoka shackled to a stone wall. I felt Anakin's rage, so I put a hand on his shoulder. "I can distract Ventress. Get Ahsoka back on the ship and let me know when you're ready to takeoff." He nodded and I jumped down.

POV: Anakin Skywalker

Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber. "Ah, Ventress, come out and play."

She jumped out of another nearby tree and landed in front of him. "Kenobi, what a pleasure it is to see you."

I sighed. Come on, Obi-Wan… He ran to the right, leading her into the bait, which she took.

I pulled my hood up and jumped down. I walked over to Ahsoka, who glanced at me with a look of terror.

"Please…" she whispered. "Kill me." I moved closer to get in her face and passionately kissed her. I pulled back slowly and she sighed. "Anakin…"

"I'm here, my love." I pulled out my lightsaber and cut the bonds tying her to the wall. I quickly deactivated it and dropped it on the ground. She fell forward and I caught her.

"Ani…"

"It's really me." I picked her up and Force-pulled my saber to my belt. I carried her to the ship. As soon as I got in, I took her to the bed that I had recently added, placing her there. I hit a button on my comlink that would connect with Obi-Wan. "Obi-Wan come in. Ahsoka and I are on the ship and ready to go."

"On my way, Anakin!" Within a few minutes, his presence drew closer. I hit the button which raised the ramp. We didn't want Ventress tagging along. Obi-Wan launched himself inside and I took off for Mandalore with hyper speed. "Ah, nice maneuver, Anakin. Good timing," he breathed.