"Anakin" Obi wan said grinning." Good to see you and Ahsoka in good condition. I heard things got bumpy on the surface."
"Nothing we couldn't handle".
"I'm glad to hear that, I need you two to do one more mission before I send you back to Coruscant". Obi Wan walked over to a holo projector of the planet and turned it on. "Six hours ago we intercepted a small shuttle with aid ship markings heading to the remote southern part of the continent. Inside we found massive stores of credits and military schematics. After interrogating the pilot he revealed the location of a small villa to the south. He downplayed its importance, but I know there is something there. I want you two to find out what."
"Anything else I should know Obi Wan? You still haven't told me who asked for me to be on this mission. I don't like all this secrecy and you are the last person I would expect it from".
"I Understand Anakin I don't like it either but I can't tell you anything until you return to the temple. Now you need to get going we can't give them anymore time to clear out".
Anakin nodded silently and began to walk back to the hanger.
"Anakin it's an order that you come back to the Coruscant. Its time you stop running around the Outer Rim". Obi Wan yelled out.
Ahsoka stared at the floor of the shuttle as it prepared to take off. This was the second time today and she hoped it wouldn't be like the first. The thoughts of everything that happened on the surface rushed around in her head. Gazing around the cargo hold she looked for something to take her mind of the day's events. She stopped at the sight that always made her stare. He was sitting there lost in his own thoughts, if only he knew. If he felt betrayed she would comfort him if he felt alone she would stay by him. She just didn't know why he wouldn't want to return to Coruscant. Though in reality didn't really mind it meant more alone time with him. The only problem was its own torture loving always from afar. Telling yourself it's for the best only helps for so long. She loved Anakin and if the code or anyone else wanted say otherwise she didn't care. The only thing that stopped her from telling him was the fear of rejection. It didn't matter she ...
"Ahsoka here," Anakin threw over a large cloak.
She hadn't noticed but the shuttle had landed. Looking out the exit ramp it was pouring rain. Anakin unloaded a speeder and jumped on Ahsoka hopped on the back and they sped off. Moving on they were navigating through a field of tall grass it was unlike the desert they landed in earlier. After cutting past a few smaller farms Ahsoka signaled to Anakin that the compound was coming up. They cut off the path to get a vantage point from a small knoll.
Anakin looked into his binoculars at the building. Dammit no one it looked deserted. Scanning the smaller buildings it all looked the same. They had to look inside to know for sure. Ahsoka looked at the lock on the side of the door into the compound it was locked. She pulled out a computer spike and hacked into it. Seconds later the door slide open. The duo barraged in finding it empty. Anakin saw tracks for heavy lifters leading down the corridor. It lead to a large courtyard where the rain had erased an evidence of them beyond.
"Master I think a transport landed and removed any evidence, I think we should head to the extraction area". Ahsoka pointed out walking around the courtyard.
"Keep checking this courtyard is too small for a ship to land".
Ahsoka walked around the courtyard looking for anything. Glancing back she noticed Anakin messing around with a closed drainage vent. he kicked it open reveling a control panel for a lift he activated it. A large cargo elevator rose from the center of courtyard.
"See snips all it takes is a little patience". Anakin smiled an pointed out while getting in.
"Master you're the one who taught me to ignore patience and act. Seeing your in the company of a woman such as myself I can see why you would want to impress though".
"Why would I need to impress my own padawan?" Anakin stared at her and grinned.
" I'm smart, beautiful, and talented why wouldn't you want to impress me " She stared back with pure confidence.
"Well then", Anakin looked right at her and came up short for words.
The rest of the elevator ride down was quiet. Ahsoka was gleaming, she saw as Anakin looked dumbfounded to her advance. Arriving at the bottom floor they both composed themselves and prepared to storm whatever was ahead of them. The lift door slide open to reveal a large storage facility. Again it was completely empty. Anakin frustrated walked to what looked like the central office. Inside a small room in the corner had a light on he walked to it. In all the rush to clear out the rebels had forgotten to destroy most of the information in the room. It wasn't much but it went over the days leading to and after the coup. Anakin collected the information and went to see where Ahsoka went. He found her searching through one of the large cargo crates. Inside was stacks of unused weapons and ammunition. This must of been a ammo dump meant for the rebels. Anakin took one more quick walk around the facility before realizing there was nothing important. Once outside the compound they uncovered the speeder and rushed off to the landing zone. Back on the cruiser Ahsoka walked to the dorm and almost instantly fell asleep. Anakin went to the bridge to see if Obi Wan was still onboard but found out he had left already. Tired he trudged back to the dorm and laid down. Going back to Coruscant was the last thing he wanted to do. He knew Padme would want to talk if only to see if he had moved on. This angered him to no end the thought that he could just love someone new or have any sort of normal relationship at all. Jedi aren't even supposed to love or have attachments in the first place and he had been willing to give it all up. Laying on his side Anakin got a view of his padawan. Dosing off one thought come to his head, she was beautiful.
Anakin awoke first he turned on the lights and sat back down. After taking a minute to adjust his eyes he walked back to the bridge of the ship. Talking to the navigator it seemed they were only a hour from exiting hyperspace. He walked back to the room and began researching the information he got earlier. It seems three months ago the Prime minister ended the government rations on food and medicine. This coupled with the famine already sweeping most of the planet lead to massive riots and a resurgence in rebel activity. The government under pressure hired a mercenary to restructure the military and eliminate the insurgency. It was a mandalorean who unknown to them had already started secret negations with the rebels. After a month with the support of several high ranking officers he organized the coup. Once he had control he brought together the leaders of the rebel factions and merged them with the overall military. That would explain the suicide attacks and guerrilla tactics used. After searching the prime ministers' house it seems the mercenary found evidence of corruption in the local and Republic government. The merc then began to auction the information back to the politicians. After that it seems the rebels lost track of him and began preparing for the inevitable republic invasion. This had to be it, Anakin was sent to find information on his whereabouts. Padme she had to the senator who requested him to go on this mission. Her clout with the council would allow her to select Anakin for the invasion. She was looking for information on corruption in the Senate.
"Fuck, how could I not see this," Anakin whispered to himself.
It was another one of Padme's plans to better the republic. Except every time he ended up hauling out all the bodies to clean it up. Anakin tossed the data pad on the bed and walked to the galley to eat. The ship felt empty since most of the clones were left to hitch a ride on other ships. He picked up a extra tray and walked back to the dorm.
"Ahsoka wake up," Anakin walked over to her bed and laid down the tray.
"Master?" was all she let out still trying to get some sleep.
"Your lucky you never grew up where I did snips you'd never be able to sleep in. Now come on and wake up".
"Fine Fine," Ahsoka stretched her arms out and looked at the food. "So tell me master which is better the blue or green paste?"
"Well in my professional opinion they're both absolutely disgusting." Anakin took another bit and his facial expression showed it all.
"So the blue then." They both laughed.
While eating Anakin informed Ahsoka on the situation with Padme and the Senate.
"So were working for Senator Amidala again?"
"Yes unfortunately we are".
"What's wrong, You always used to jump at the chance to work with her. She turn you down."
"Something like that,"
"Really, something like what,"
"Snips I don't want to go into this. I feel that were about to jump of hyperspace."
"What's wrong master?"
"Ahsoka I enjoy our conversations but there are things I don't like talking about. Right now I need you to get a gunship ready to take us to the temple".
"I understand master, excuse me. If you don't mind later can I talk to you about something".
"Its me if you want to talk about it I can make time."
"No master orders come first it can wait."
"Snips you're a not just a student to me, I trust you. If you need anything just ask".
Returning to the temple was strange she had lived there almost her whole life ,but recently had been seeing it less and less. It gave her a different feeling each time she returned. On the landing pad Obi Wan was waiting.
" Obi Wan I was expecting you to have company."
"I think we should speak about this in private Anakin".
"Ahsoka I need to speak with Master Kenobi do what you want till I'm finished."
"Yes Master,"
"Come on Anakin I'm sure you have questions."
Ahsoka headed off to the training area while Anakin followed Obi Wan to his quarters.
" When did you plan to tell me she was involved."
"Anakin we needed you to come back you. This mission is too important."
" And I wasn't doing anything important in the Outer Rim. No one else can look for a missing mercenary".
"Anakin how much do you know?"
" I know I'm looking for a list of corrupt low level officials and maybe a galactic senator."
"Anakin this goes further than you think When the mercenary sent the ransom demands someone with high level connections got three clone commando teams to go after him. He survived and ran off he was last seen here on Coruscant."
"How did Padme get involved in all this."
"Does it matter Anakin? You know I thought that time away would of cleared your mind but your still too attached. I looked like a idiot to the council so I could hide your affair. When you were requested back I pushed for you to stay on assignment so you could clear your head."
"I'm sorry Obi Wan I know I failed you."
" We all make mistakes Anakin ,but I need to know I can trust you again. You're going to work with Padme on finding the information broker who has the information or sold the Mercenary a new identity."
" I understand."
"Anakin if you find any information that may be connected to the Speaker of the Senate or someone in the Chancellors' office don't tell anyone, bring it directly to me."
" You'll be the first to know".
"Anakin can you do this."
"Obi Wan there won't be a problem."
" I'll leave you to it then."
The two men walked off. Anakin glanced back he wanted to tell him how much he appreciated everything but didn't. Finding his padawan they headed to the senate. Inside the Senate offices they found Senator Amidala having a conversation in her office.
"Senator"
"Ani how have you been" she ended the call an walked over and hugged Anakin." I haven't heard from you or Ahsoka it seems in forever. I hope you've both been well."
Anakin stood there for what felt like forever it wasn't right how could she be like this. "We've been fine ,Thank You. How have you been Senator."
"Aside from a delicate negotiation that fell apart around the time you left I've been fine".
"Really what set of negotiations was that."
" If I'm not mistaken Anakin you have personal knowledge of what went on. Because of this I hope you can see why it was in both parties interest to move on".
"Like a good politician I see you have worked through it and prospered. Even though that other party might of lost more than you".
Ahsoka looked at their facial expressions and it finally hit her. Anakin's reason to stay in the Outer Rim his unease about Padme. She excused herself from the room. How could she not get it. He never explained where he went and always wanting to work with her. He had been in love with her. She looked at the floor trying to cover the tears swelling in her eyes. To scream at the top of her lungs wouldn't ease the pain. To kill Padme wouldn't quench the anger. Disappearing and never being seen again wouldn't erase the fear of confronting Anakin after this. No was all that repeated in her mind. Those thoughts were what lead to the dark side. She spent the rest of the time collecting herself.
Back inside the Senate office the conversation continued.
"Anakin you upset your own padawan calm down."
" Don't tell me to calm down Padme. That's all you have to say. Not one fucking word about why you left me"!
"Anakin we discussed in dept why we couldn't work. You need to move on".
"How can you tell me that".
" Look here's the address of the information broker now get out of my office".
"Pad-"
"Ani we've already tried to fix this. If you ever loved me you'd move on.
Anakin grabbed the note and left. Walking out he saw Ahsoka sitting smiling he was relieved. What he didn't know was she had just barley been able to cover the tears and put on a fake smile.
"You alright Snips"
Ahsoka couldn't speak back her voice was still horse so she just nodded. Anakin helped lift her up and they walked back to the speeder. Before getting on Ahsoka asked the question that killed her every time it went through her mind.
"Do you still love her"
Anakin stopped and stood for a moment.
" I don't"
" I want to know Anakin I want to know everything."
They got into the speeder and began the trip to lower Coruscant. On the way down he explained it all to her. He didn't know why she wanted to know and he just needed to clear his chest of everything to someone. From his days as a slave to being a young Padawan all the way up to a few months ago. It didn't feel like much time passed but looking at the setting sun he must have talked for hours. They were close to the point of dissent. He looked over at his padawan she was staring off. Anakin this man who she loved without knowing the slightest about his past. Having him tell her about his life was the most fulfilling and hurtful event in her own. She knew more than almost anyone else, but knew she cared more than anyone did. The thought of that woman being so important to him still cut at her. As he explained it though she was gone and that meant she had a chance. She knew he still saw her as too young but she was going to change that. In that moment more than any other time she reaffirmed her stance of making him hers.
The speeder began its drop into the lower part of the planet. Any sun still shinning was lost the whole area was illuminated by artificial light. Anakin landed on a street next to a brothel. Looking at the men outside it must of been run by a local gang.
"This is the place you ready Ahsoka"?
"Of course when am I not master".
This place was seeder than most of lower Coruscant and that was saying something. Inside a holo vid of a young Twi'lek having sex with a human entranced Ahsoka. Though she knew about sex she had never seen it ,much less a alien and a human have it. For a second she wished Anakin would take her to one of the rooms and they could do the same. Anakin walked over the hostess and asked for the location of the Broker. He convinced her Ahsoka was his nightly entertainment and had them sent through. Walking up a small flight of stairs they reached a large door Anakin buzzed in and continued the ruse. Inside was a large apartment a Twi'lek man came out and Anakin walked up to go talk to him. When the man saw the light saber he ran and activated the alarm. Running for a back door Anakin used the force and tripped him. He began interrogating him when Ahsoka heard footsteps coming from the stairs. She rushed out to find several of the men from earlier had arrived and began rushing her. Once she activated her light saber most pulled out blasters and began shooting. Blitzing forward she sliced at the first man taking his hands off and then jumped at the second cutting right through his skull before turning around and impaling the third. The nimble warrior jumped down and cut through the last two men with ease. Reinforcements came up to the door so she hide waiting for them to walk through. Once they passed she slide out and cut them down. She clipped her light saber back and walked upstairs she found Anakin sufficiently scaring the broker. He told them the mercenary still had the information and handed him a data pad that he said had his new name and identity. Seeing the fear in the man Anakin knew this was the truth and the two jumped out the back window.
Back at the temple they settled back into their old dorm. It wasn't any different from the ship Jedi didn't have many belongings besides their light sabers. They took turns bathing and settled in for the night. Ahsoka sat on the side of her bed waiting for Anakin to go over the information and decide where to go next. She knew this was her last time on Coruscant for a while again. Instead he sat next to her.
"Earlier today before all the commotion you had something you wanted to go over".
The young woman didn't know what to say. With all of the day's events was it wise to tell him. "Master it's something that very personal if I go over it with you will you still keep me on as your padawan?"
"Ahsoka you know I broke the code and that for a whole year I was having a relationship with Padme. Anything you have to say will stay with me".
"Master it's just it involves what happened today and I don't think now is the time to go over it."
"Well snips I feel bad wasting so much of your time on my life its unfair you need someone to talk to and I'm supposed to be that person".
"Master Hearing your life story was refreshing you were always an enigma before today. As for paying me back for listing just tell me more I'm curious."
"Come on my story isn't that interesting and if you think it is you need more friends."
"It's hard to make friends when your dragging me from warzone to warzone most of the time."
"I'm sorry about that I truly am".
"Why I like running around the galaxy I think we make a good team". She then rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"What's with that snips"
"Master if you're going to sit on my bed and berate me all night you should be useful for something". A smile went over her face as she dosed off.
"Is that so"
The only thing he heard back was some small mumbling. He sat there from almost an hour. It felt nice to have a woman lean against him again.