Where Politics Swirl

Anakin's jaw was somewhere on the floor as he let out a soft "What?" at the indignity he'd just heard. "The High Council is a group of Masters. How can I be on the Council, but not a Master?"

No, Anakin hadn't wanted to be put on the Council like this. He had always envisioned his being put on the Council because of his merits, because of all the work he'd done, because he'd earned it. Palpatine, despite ulterior motives of distrust, had been very generous to select him to be on the Council. And Anakin had done wonders over the course of this war. There was a kriffing good reason he and Obi-Wan were the go-to guys of the Republic. Hadn't he earned the right to be here?

Hadn't he proven he was worthy of being a Jedi by now? Proven that Obi-Wan was an exemplary teacher and that Qui-Gon hadn't just plucked him off a desert world and away from everything he'd ever known for a vague hunch?

He was a successful Jedi! They trusted him with missions, but not with being a Master?

"We will keep our own council on who is to be a Master, young Skywalker," Mace firmly stated.

The jibe at his age, intended or not (and Anakin suspected it was intended) stung more than he wanted it to. He opened his mouth to question, because tradition at least would say his being on the Council made him a Master, even if the actual Council didn't admit it.

And have you faced that paralyzing fear of yours? Obi-Wan asked in quiet, hopeful tones.

It made all of Anakin's frustrations and indignation melt away.

Obi-Wan had discussed this with him before. Being a Master was about control of self. Not what he'd done, not how much effort he put towards it, but the effort he put toward mastering himself.

Anakin knew what he needed to do to be a Master. He needed to face the cause of the icy, overpowering, buried fear he had of being alone. He had poked at it many times, but always put off fully facing. There was always time later, after the war, after Padme gave birth to that beautiful child of theirs, after Ahsoka was Knighted. But deep down, Anakin knew he was scared to face that fear. Scared that the fear would beat him somehow. So he delayed.

Yet Obi-Wan believed in him. He didn't ask that question with smugness, or chiding. Obi-Wan asked because he believed Anakin could do it. Would be there every step of the way if Anakin wished it. So Obi-Wan asked that question hopefully, because for Obi-Wan, it was merely a matter of time before Anakin faced, and acknowledged his fear before letting it pass to the Force.

Anakin felt horrible. Like he was letting Obi-Wan down with all his evasions of properly doing what needed to be done. But he wasn't. Obi-Wan merely radiated calm belief and faith in Anakin.

Letting out a long sigh, Anakin bowed to the Council. "Forgive me, Masters. This just all so... sudden. I find myself unbalanced by how swiftly this happened and how against tradition it goes."

Across from him Obi-Wan simply gave a serene smile.

Padme snuggled deeper into Anakin's embrace, too tired to do anything more. It had been a long and frustrating day and all she really wanted at that moment was to just be held by her husband. He seemed to understand that when he'd arrived. They had had a quiet dinner, playfully guessing if their child would be a boy or a girl and what to name it. How the child would be born, where, and what they'd do afterwards was not mentioned. Anakin, as always, seemed to sense she couldn't handle the worry at the moment.

Giving a brief squeeze, Padme pulled out of her wonderful snuggle enough to look at him. Reaching up, she brushed his dark curls out of his face, admiring as he smiled contently at her.

She didn't want to bring it up. She was exhausted and torn, but who knew when they'd ship off her beloved husband again? Just because Palpatine had put him on the Council did not guarantee he'd stay home. Obi-Wan was proof of that. Those two were the Team, who could and would get things done where no other being could.

It was because she never knew when she'd see him again that Padme let out a soft sigh. "Anakin, may I..." she stumbled on the wording. She was safe in his arms. He'd never allow any harm to come to her if he could stop it. She loved him so much for that. So much so that she reciprocated it. She'd do anything in her power to prevent him from being hurt. It was why she pushed for a diplomatic end to the fighting; so that her husband wouldn't be in harm's way.

And now she was going to do something that could hurt him. Deeply. And she saw no alternative.

"Anakin, while you and Ahsoka are here on Coruscant, may I borrow Ahsoka?"

Her sweet, loving husband kissed her temple. "Of course. Now that I'm on the Council, we don't have to worry about the file work. I can just assign her to-"

"Unofficially, Anakin." Padme swallowed. "It has to be unofficially. No data trail."

He hugged her tightly for a moment. "Anything you need. I know she'll be in good hands."

Though he didn't mean to, that just stung her all the more. She may not be lying, but she was omitting and that was just as bad in her mind.

"Angel?" he asked gently, pulling her closer.

The frustration and inability of it all swelled with her wildly fluxuating hormones and Padme broke down into tears.

"Angel?" Anakin's face was etched in concern as he brought up a hand to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Padme, what's wrong?"

Anger flared so easily in Padme, giving her the energy to sit up and start gesticulating with every sentence.

"That's the problem!" she shouted. "I can't tell you! I can't tell you why I need Ahsoka; I can't tell you why I'm angry that I have to do this! That I can't say anything!" She ran her hands roughly through her curls, all her political experience in staying calm completely out the window because this wasn't right and she could do nothing.

Anakin sat before her, no doubt broadcasting, somehow, that calm that was quickly filling her. She didn't want to be calm. Just this once, she wanted to be angry about the position she was in. But sweet, attentive, infuriating Anakin didn't deserve this. Ultimately, she let out a sigh. Anger would be bad for the baby.

"I'm sorry, Ani," she mumbled, letting her head sink into her hands. With her composure back and adrenaline still in her system, her brain started working.

Anakin deserved an explanation. He wouldn't be able to get all of it, but he'd get an explanation.

"I'm here for you, Padme," Anakin said, a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever you need me to be, I'll be."

She gave a small bitter chuckle. "We've been over that," she said. "Just be you."

Deep breath.

"I had a difficult meeting today."

"Really? I never would have guessed."

She lightly swatted him.

"Quiet you!" Padme took another deep breath, deciding to start earlier.

"As a politician, I know that many will view me as an automatic liar, someone who will say one thing and do another. There are so many politicians who do that anyway, but I believe in my position enough that I'll put up with those opinions and do what's right anyway."

"That's why I love you so much," Anakin grinned. "Even Obi-Wan's gotten fond of you and he despises politicians, though he'd never say so openly."

Padme smiled back. "True, but the reason why I've gotten his friendship is because I'm honest. When I make a promise, I keep it, especially to the people. I work hard to find a compromise that will suit everyone's needs." She sighed.

"Today's meeting was unexpected to me. What was discussed... well... that's difficult to express right now. But the agreement at the end of the meeting was to keep everything a secret. Even from our families." She grimaced, tugging her hair again. "One of the Senators... It's well known he shares everything with his wife and even he agreed to stay quiet. I made that promise too, but I'm so torn over it!"

Anakin nodded solemnly. "You think it's something I should know. Need to know. But if you break the promise, you'd feel like your breaking everything you stand for and believe in."

Padme nodded, then scowled. "Anakin! No reading my mind!"

He brought his hands up defensively. "Sorry! You're just broadcasting really loud. I can't help it!"

She huffed.

Anakin pulled her close but as good as it felt to have his arms around her, it didn't help how unfair this was.

"Can you tell me why you need Snips without spilling the muja?"

Padme hesitated, working the question around in her mind. She could. It still felt wrong to the committee, but it felt like the right thing to do for Anakin. Finally, she relaxed into his embrace again.

"I suggested we bring in a Jedi for our discussions."

"Thinking of me or Obi-Wan, I bet."

"Stop reading my mind!"

"That wasn't you broadcasting." His arms tightened. "That's me knowing you so well."

"Hmph. Anyway, I was surprised to see how little they trust you."

Anakin sighed this time. "I'm not surprised. This war has turned everything we believe in upside down." He held her close. "Rumors have reached the Council that some think the Jedi are planning to take over the Republic."

"Preposterous!"

"Of course."

Padme reached up, cupping her husband's face, running a finger down his scar.

"Well, with their distrust, they weren't keen on letting a Jedi in so early. I suggested a compromise of only one Jedi, and several said no. They don't want a Council member if they can't trust the Jedi-"

"Leaving both me and Obi-Wan out of the question."

Well, that was one reason why they wouldn't take Anakin. But she didn't want to think about that right now.

"Right. So as a compromise, I suggested a Padawan. That way, we have someone who can listen to Jedi opinions and such without having any power in the Order itself."

"Hence asking for Snips."

Padme nodded.

"We can call it an exercise for her in reading politicians," he said after a moment. "Neither of us like this. It's too close to dishonest for both of us. But this is the best we can do. I won't even ask Snips what you're talking about."

"I'm sorry," she whispered again. "I wish I could see a better way."

They settled back into bed.

"Send her over tomorrow night. I'll be having dinner with some of the others. They can feel her out that way."

Ahsoka was nervous. For the last month that she'd been on Coruscant, she, her master, and his master had dined at Padme's so much that she wondered how she'd ever lived without it. But tonight was the first time she'd ever gone alone.

Anakin had pulled her aside, even though he was late for a Council meting, and told her that Padme was having some Senator's over and he'd thought it would be a good idea for her to go as well.

When Ahsoka had demanded why, he'd simply grimaced and said it was practice for her Force perceptions. The following day, Ahsoka was to report her sense of the Senators to Padme to see if she'd been correct.

That explanation didn't satisfy Ahsoka one bit. She would have asked more, but Master Plo comm'd her to see if she knew where her tardy master was.

She was going to pin down her master after this dinner and get some answers.

But until then her stomach was doing flip-flops and she could only hope she made a good impression. She glanced down at her robes, feeling oddly constrained in their loose folds. Normally, if she came across a politician, she was deep on the front lines dealing with some disaster or other. It was because she was fighting so much that she wore clothing that wouldn't get in the way of her bladework. (She couldn't help but wonder how Master Ti could fight in long skirts and flowing robes...)

She ran a hand along them, hoping she looked okay. This wasn't meeting some dignitary to protect in a war zone; this was a party. A political function of some of the leading voices in the Senate for peace and diplomacy.

She took a deep breath and tried to let her anxiety out into the Force. It was difficult. She may have handled skirmishes and assaults without the other Jedi to guide her, but she'd always had clones to back her up. This was the first time she'd truly been on her own and it was with politicians.

Granted, Ahsoka knew Padme and Senator Chuchi of Pantora, both of whom she considered friends. But her experiences with politicians one-on-one were far and few between outside of those two. The stories she'd heard from both her master and Master Obi-Wan didn't give her the best of views of Senators on the whole. But a Jedi kept an open mind.

Or at least she tried to.

If she wasn't so nervous.

You'll do fine, Ahsoka. They won't eat you or shoot at you. At worst, you'll be snubbed, but you'll have Padme at your side so you won't be lonely.

Sorry to disturb you, Master. Ergh! She'd been working on her shielding! What more did she have to do?

Settle down. You're shields are slipping because you're so nervous and shielding this strong isn't second nature to you yet. There was a small hesitation. We can do this a different day, if you want.

She couldn't tell if he was teasing her or honestly concerned. Either way, she answered, NO. I can do this!

Alright Snips. Contact me if you need anything.

Anakin, Master Windu asked you a question...

Obi-Wan's gentle sarcasm made Ahsoka giggle as she entered the hall. She could never figure out how she could hear him through her bond with Anakin, but it never ceased to amuse her.

Once in the hall, Ahsoka took another moment to center herself. If this was supposed to be practice, she might as well. She stood off to the side and reached for the Force. Noise was never a distraction for her; she'd had to touch the Force too often in battle. But using the Force to find a familiar face in this crowd of thousands and for that familiar face be not Force-sensitive was far more difficult than she'd hoped.

Subtle usages of the Force, like this or a mind-trick were always so foreign to her. All her time on the front lines had made pushes and jumps and her lightsaber instinctual. Even feeling for Anakin's blinding presence, or Obi-Wan's or any other Jedi, was something she could do in her sleep.

But this? She was shocked and disappointed to see how much she was struggling. And after ten minutes, she gave up and asked a waiter droid where Padme was.

Ahsoka finally found Padme, talking with some of the heavy hitters for diplomacy. She couldn't quite stop her gulp. She started to edge herself away to take another deep breath, but to her immense dislike, Padme spotted her.

"Ahsoka! I'm so glad you could come." Said Padawan found the Senator pulling her forward and introductions being made. "Padawan Ahsoka Tano, these are Fang Zar, Bail Organa, and Mon Mothma."

"Ah... Hello," she said quietly before bowing deeply. Padme gave her a reassuring squeeze and she could feel Anakin sending some of his overflowing confidence her way.

The Senators must have noticed how nervous she was, and all smiled encouragingly, engaging her in polite conversation. Being Senators, all of them could let conversation flow easily, most of it, Ahsoka noticed, being questions about herself and what life was like as a Padawan, giving her familiar ground so that she could work away her anxiety. She was grateful for this, and used the time to reach for the Force to try and let her bubbling feelings go so that she could be calmer. She also tried to use the Force to gauge reactions, though this was much harder, since it was a far more subtle use of the Force than she was used to.

It was an hour later that things started to get interesting.

Senator Zar, sitting across from Ahsoka at the table they had migrated to, asked politely, "My dear. I must say, that I have never seen a Jedi at such a social event such as this. You usually keep to yourselves. Tell me, what brings you here?"

Ahsoka smiled, her hands in her sleeves gripping her arms as a physical way to release the nerves she was feeling at sitting with these influential people. "Because there's no need to," she stated simply.

"Oh?" Mon asked, a red brow raised.

She nodded. "Yes. If you don't mind my being... direct," because she didn't know anything about subtle, especially with Anakin as her master, "these functions serve many purposes. Yes, there is social interaction without the stress of being in the Senate Building, but also back-room meetings, forging political allies, checking on political adversaries, and so on." She shrugged, trying to look casual despite her nerves. "Jedi don't need that."

"How very interesting," Bail smiled. "And why don't Jedi need allies?"

Ahsoka shook her head. "It's not about allies, not like you think. Here, these functions are just as much about getting power, even for something as simple as being able to push a vote you feel is important. Jedi don't seek power. Seeking power is greed and covetousness, which lead to the Darkside."

"Hmmm, and yet," Fang leaned forward, resting his heavily bearded chin on a hand, "you Jedi have a great deal of power. You lead troops; you are called on for treaties and negotiations. One could argue that you have sought out this power, no?"

"No," Ahsoka stated firmly. "We go to treaties and negotiations because we are requested for our wisdom and insight. We go because the Force wills that we help keep peace. Jedi are peacekeepers."

"And yet, you fight." Mon sipped from her glass. "You are generals and commanders."

"Very true," she acquiesced, "but not by our choice."

"Not by choice?" Bail leaned back. "If you do not wish to fight in this war, why not just stay in the Temple?"

Ahsoka let out a frustrated sigh. Couldn't they see? It wasn't about that!

Padme put a hand on her shoulder. "Padawan Tano, why don't you try to explain the Jedi viewpoint of this war? For those of us like we Senators, who are so far removed from the front lines, there are things we just don't understand."

The young Padawan couldn't help but smile at Padme's encouragement. She paused, closing her eyes and taking a moment to gather her thoughts. "I'm not sure how to explain this," she admitted. "So much of what we believe in is taught at an early age, so if I talk about something you don't understand, please stop me?"

Everyone smiled gently.

"Okay." Deep breathe. Again. "A Jedi's first priority is to the people. We improve ourselves by improving the lives of others. A Jedi's life is one of public service. We can't ignore people who suffer. But to be able to help everyone throughout the galaxy, we'd have to have several hundred Jedi placed on every planet, depending on population." Ahsoka shook her head. "There just aren't enough of us. So we sort through thousands upon thousands of requests, seek guidance from the Force, and go where we are most needed." This much, at least, was easy to explain. Every youngling in the crèche knew this. "This works very well during peacetime, as it has for eons."

"But now, we are in a civil war," Fang said quietly, eyeing her closely.

Ahsoka nodded again. "Yes. So what is a Jedi to do? Sit in our Temple and watch as people suffer and die, or go out and fight to at least keep loss of life to a minimum?"

"Minimum?" Mon asked. "Some of these battles have not been a minimum."

Ahsoka, despite her nerves and knowing that it probably wasn't a good idea, gave a cool glance at the red-headed Senator. "So, Senator Mothma, how do you keep loss of life to a minimum when you have one Jedi, a few thousand cones, and millions of droids bearing down on you? Communication's already been shot down and it would be useless anyway, since the Jedi are spread out all across the galaxy? I was on such a mission once. My master had to have us retreat to the city. We evacuated the citizens as best we could, but we were still vastly out-numbered easily a thousand to one. Despite trying to keep the citizens out of it, the citizens wanted to defend their homes and volunteered to help us. Should we have refused them?"

Pausing, Ahsoka let out a sigh. These were Senators. Aside from Padme, she doubted any of them had seen the front lines at all. They just didn't understand how battle worked. "We were at least able to clean up the remaining limbs and torsos for armor and gear," she said quietly. "Otherwise, given how cut off we were, we'd have been overrun." By far, it had been the worst battle she'd seen. Anakin had immediately sent her back to the Temple, telling the Council she needed time off the front to deal with it while they sent him and Obi-Wan off to another impossible task before they'd even had a chance to bury the dead. "You don't feel the Force. A Jedi can feel life all around them. And we feel it every time it's cut short. Especially my master. Every single time someone under his command dies, it's like someone sliced out a piece of his soul. And if the two of us weren't there to do anything, the losses would have been so much worse." Ahsoka was certain of that. Deep down to the very basis of her being.

"We don't fight in this war because we want to. But it's the only way to help people."

There was a moment of silence between all of them, and Ahsoka suddenly realized that she had just mouthed off to a Senator. An important Senator. She looked down to her folded arms, trying not to blush. She couldn't believe she'd forgotten herself like that! Anakin encouraged her to speak freely with him, but in the end he was her master and she treated him with respect because he deserved it. So did every Jedi out there, and every being in the galaxy. But she could speak plainly with her master and other Jedi. That was not a good idea with a Senator. Ooooh, she'd just messed up badly.

Calm down, Snips. Whatever you said, don't worry about it. You answer to me and the Council if you made a mistake, not the Senate. They have no control over you.

But, Master! I-

Focus on the here and now, Ahsoka. We can talk about it later.

Ahsoka let out a silent sigh. Yes, Master.

It was Padme who politely coughed and changed subject. "You say that you aren't always with your master? I thought a Padawan went everywhere with their master."

She readily accepted the change of subject. "That's right. That way we can observe our master and how they use the Force, as well as practical application of instead of just theory. But with this war, things have been... difficult in that endeavor." She nervously reached up and behind her head to rub her Padawan beads. "My master is frequently being sent into extremely dangerous missions, missions where it's just not safe for me to follow along. So he'll leave me in another master's care while he's busy."

"Such as?" Padme asked.

Ahsoka smiled. "I've worked with Master Kenobi, Master Windu, Master Koon, Master Fisto, Master Unduli..."

She trailed off, looking at the assorted Senators around her. Something had just shifted in the Force. They'd gone from politely interested to curious throughout the conversation, but Fang, Bail, and Mon had gone from curious to interested as she had started listing off the names of the masters she'd been with. There was something there. Something she couldn't grasp. Swiftly, she replayed the conversation in her head in hopes of seeing what she'd said to suddenly cause such interest.

Ahsoka couldn't see it. Why were they suddenly looking at her like that? Was it because she was always given to different masters? Panic flooded as she realized that it might sound like Anakin was an inattentive master. All at once, she had to defend Anakin.

"Of course, my master never likes having to leave me behind!" she started talking quickly. "He'll always argue with the Council about his responsibility to me and to not have his training of me so splotchy and such, but he's always needed elsewhere! He does everything he can to be attentive and be there for me! Please don't think poorly of him because of circumstances-"

"It's alright, Padawan Tano," Padme said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "We don't think any less of your master, you don't need to defend him."

"But, but..." Ahsoka shook her head. "When I started talking about being with other masters, something changed. I can't think of why everyone's suddenly feeling differently about this, other than-"

"Oh, no! Not at all," Fang leaned forward. "Child, you've done nothing wrong." He smiled gently through his bushy beard. "We Senators look at things differently than you Jedi. I'd merely say that you got us looking at things in a new light."

Ahsoka still stumbled around her words. "But the focus of that shift was somehow on me..."

"Because you are so refreshingly direct," Mon replied. "Sometimes, I think Senators such as ourselves, who are stuck here on Coruscant so often, could use people like you around. I find your forthrightness a breath of fresh air. Might we contact you again?"

"Ahhhh, what? Me?"

Bail stood and placed a hand on her other shoulder. "You're overwhelmed, Padawan Tano. Don't let Senator Mothma push you into anything you don't feel comfortable with. Take a moment. Breath."

"Come on," Padme offered a hand. "I think you've had enough for one night."

Ahsoka took the escape offered, disappointed in herself for not handling anything well.

Anakin smiled softly, feeling the gentle life growing inside his beloved wife. They had both decided that they wanted the gender to be a secret. Personally, Anakin was certain that it was a girl. And, just to be contrary, Padme was certain that it was boy. He rather enjoyed disagreeing with her on this.

It was early morning and Obi-Wan had reached through the bond to tell him that a Council meeting would take place within the hour. Grumpy as Anakin had been to get woken up for a meeting when he much preferred holding his wife close, he'd worked too hard at keeping this secret to let one moment of selfishness let the nexu out of the bag. So he'd gotten up and Padme followed soon after, saying it was time she got up as well.

For the moment, however, Anakin was just holding a hand on her stomach, marveling at the tiny spark of life. He'd made this. He'd somehow made this with Padme; living proof of their love for one another. Something so tiny and delicate, yet shined so brightly.

On impulse, and a moment of impishness, Anakin bent down and kissed the tiny glow that was just so miraculous.

"Ani!" Padme giggled. "That tickles!"

He grinned rakishly at her, fingers already reaching for her sides. Laughing, she danced away. "You have a meeting, my love."

"I still have a half-hour."

She raised an eyebrow. "Really? I think if you leave now, you just might make it through the traffic."

He shrugged easily. "Who says I have to follow the traffic?"

"Ani!"

Laughing himself, Anakin reached out and pulled her into his arms. Three months. Three months now, he'd been home with only a few quick missions still on Coruscant. It seemed like heaven to have such time with Padme. Granted, Obi-Wan firmly made sure that he only ever slipped out twice a week. After all, their marriage was a secret, and he had a Padawan to tend to. But even seeing her in the halls of the Senate Building was enough to make him smile for a day, no matter how difficult it was for him to sniff out the Sith who was using Palpatine.

"Love you," she whispered. "Love you so much." And despite the blocks he had over his bond with her for her privacy, Anakin was surprised at all the worry that was bleeding across.

"Padme? Something's bothering you."

She shook her head. "Sorry. I have... another meeting today. Those always weigh heavily on my mind."

Anakin scowled. A meeting. She only used that tone when referring to the group that she believed in but had been sworn to secrecy with. Neither of them liked it. They skirted around her having to say anything, because Anakin knew how important it was for Padme to keep her word, but she did tell him what she could. Which was very little. They had argued about it briefly, when Anakin was weighed down by all the intrigue between the Council and the Chancellor and in a moment of selfishness, demanded if she was more loyal to him or the kriffin' committee. It was source of tension when neither of them needed any more. Anakin had grown up learning from both his mother and Obi-Wan that communication was always key. When one stopped talking, nothing was being heard and nothing was being expressed, leading to a stalemate. It was why he and Padme talked so much around what she couldn't talk about for this group she would meet with. He understood where she stood. He loved her that she would stick to what she believed in. But it was sometimes hard.

But the life of a Jedi was hard, as Obi-Wan had warned him. And a Jedi must love selflessly; else the risk could result in something terrible. So Anakin listened. He did what he could. And despite how difficult it could be, he trusted Padme to do the right thing.

"Anakin?"

"Hmm?"

"Could you... I..."

Anakin pulled away to look at her face. Indecision was warring there. She was fighting something that was along the grey areas of her ethics. He sent support to her along the bond, even though she couldn't sense him.

Finally, Padme let out a sigh. "This will have to be quick, but, can we sit down for a minute?"

For her? Anything. "Of course." Already, a part of him was sending word to Obi-Wan that he was going to be late because Padme wanted to talk about something important.

Once seated at the couch, Padme grasped his hand, squeezing it tightly, looking down. "Anakin..." She sighed again. Finally she looked up to him, straightening her back, and squeezing his hand again. "What do you think of what Chancellor Palpatine's been doing lately?"

Anakin scowled, rolling his eyes. "This again." He'd been hearing this from all corners for so long now. The cynical news reporters were talking so much lately about how much power the Senate gave the Chancellor, to say nothing of all the grumbles from the Jedi about Palpatine now having direct control over them. "Look, he's a good man. The Senate is the one giving him all the power. And, just like the Jedi, just like you and me, he's doing the best he can with everything that's on his shoulders. At least he's able to do something." He gave her a soft repentant look. "I know you're a Senator and you love your work, but can you picture the Senate trying to decide anything about this war? It's only because we've had Palpatine that anything's been able to get done with any success." He used his free hand to tug his bangs. "Everyone says that something is wrong with the way things going. Fine, I agree because I'm sick of war. But I don't see anyone else offering any suggestions."

With a sigh, he looked down, squeezing her hand back. "I'm not angry at you, angel. But I think that if you see something wrong, you should fix it. Lots of people say something is wrong, but no one other than Palpatine has stepped up to do anything about it." He rubbed his thumb along the back of her knuckles. "He's a good man. A wise man. He'll do what's right."

Padme nodded, lowering her head. "I must admit; I no longer share as much faith in him as you do."

"That's okay," he replied, placing his free hand over their intertwined ones. "We can't agree on everything."

She placed her free hand over his. "I think that all this responsibility may be starting to affect him."

He snorted. "Abuse of power?"

She shrugged. "Maybe not intentionally. But he's not a young man any more. He's sixty-two, and while I have no doubt that there are many decades left in him, there's no denying that the position of Chancellor always ages a man. There's a lot of stress in the job, and he's been there for over ten years. However the Senate keeps voting power to him, whether he's orchestrating it or the Senate is just stupid. I can't help but wonder how much longer before the stress of it all gives him a heart attack."

And that a Sith was manipulating him. Anakin still couldn't forget that cold realization when Mace discussed the fact that someone close to Palpatine was the Sidious they were looking for. And Anakin couldn't forget that Palpatine had ordered him to kill Dooku when under extreme duress on the Invisible Hand.

"With Dooku captured, now should be the time to start opening channels of diplomacy," Padme continued. "He's not. I can't help wondering where the man I believed in and who was such a great support during that crisis on Naboo has gone."

Anakin let out a sigh. "The Chancellor is under great stress," he conceded. "I think he needs a vacation at the least. A chance to rest and recuperate before tackling all of this again. But who's supposed to fill in for him? Who can pick up if he leaves? I don't think anyone would do half as good a job as he's doing, despite all your concerns."

Padme nodded, squeezing his hands. "He listens to you; you're his friend. Perhaps you can start suggesting he take a break? For his health if nothing else. Ask him to propose a cease-fire so he can rest-"

Suddenly, anger flared. "Not you too!" he growled.

"Excuse me?"

He stood, pacing angrily. "It's bad enough the Council keeps telling me what to do with the Chancellor, despite how much Obi-Wan's argued against it! It's bad enough that the Chancellor wants me to do the same likewise! And in both cases I'm the bad guy if I don't want to hurt the other. I'm a traitor to the Jedi if I don't help the Council watch our Chancellor, the same way that I'm a traitor to the Republic if I don't keep watch on the Council. Don't I get a say in any of this?"

"I'm only asking..."

He swiveled to her, controlling himself enough to not let out all of the anger on her. "Everyone's only asking. 'Do this for us, please? You're the Chosen One. Surely you can do it.' 'I just don't trust them, son. The rumors I'm hearing are so disturbing. With your wisdom and abilities, certainly you can keep an eye on him.' It never ends!"

Obi-Wan's concern swelled in the back of his head, worry coming across for whatever was upsetting him. Probably this damned position he's been put in, was the quiet thought. Padme's quiet reassurance filtered in as well. My love. You're under such pressure. The last thing I want to do is add to it. Interspersed in all of it, was Ahsoka, suddenly anxious over an assignment, but she wasn't sure why. Ergh, I wish my Master was here. He's always so good at explaining this nonsense!

For all three, he took a deep breath and released. Padme hadn't meant it that way. Things were just spiraling beyond his control so quickly, he felt dizzy. All this plotting and intrigue and counter-maneuvering was all hinged on him and he didn't know which way he was supposed to go anymore. About the only thing he wanted, aside from selfishly running away with Padme, was to rout out Sidious. Then it would all be over and things could go back to normal.

For all three, he sent reassurance and calm.

"Sorry," he mumbled, roughly running a hand through his hair. "You haven't done anything to deserve me blowing up at you like this."

Padme, angel that she was, smiled and came over to hug him. "You let me rant and rave. I think you can get away with occasionally needing to as well."

His love for her swelled so much, it was a wonder how he could contain any of it.

Anakin?

I'm fine, Obi-Wan.

There was a wave of concern anyway, along with a healthy dose of support. Anakin sent his thanks.

The meeting?

On my way.

Late again... his old master grumbled.

Love you so much, Padme's voice was soft, barely there.

Love you more, he sent back, delighted that she was somehow able to focus on him enough to even send such a quiet message. This time near her was really helping their bond. He kissed her softly and pulled back.

"We can talk more later," he said.

She nodded. "Be safe," she stressed. "And take a break for yourself as well."

Anakin grinned. "Of course. I don't want to age prematurely like Obi-Wan, now would I?"

She swatted him. "Be nice! Even if he isn't here, he can hear you, can't he?"

He smiled unrepentantly.

Slipping up to her tiptoes, she kissed his nose playfully, before looking at him solemnly once more. "Think about all of this. Don't make any decisions, just think about it."

Anakin nodded. "I will."

Author's Notes: Remember waaaay back we said how communication was going to be an important thing? Well if this doesn't show how, then we don't know what is. Anakin is someone who needs to know things. And if he can't be told, you have to at least tell him why. It's not saying anything that raises his suspicions and starts planting doubt. But by this point he's had Obi-Wan teaching by example how to answer things and explain things, so its really no wonder at this point that Anakin is a bit more open as a communicator. And any relationship must have a solid basis of communications. You may not like what someone has to say, but if it isn't said, it's left to fester and come out in the worst possible way. By being clear on things, even if you disagree, you prevent resentments from starting. Anakin may not like bearing his soul about things he's not proud of, but by this point, Obi-Wan has already seen the worst he's done, accepted it, been disappointed, but still supported him. How can Anakin not do likewise with such a great example?

As an aside, Ahsoka feels vaguely out of character in her bit. But then, we're not sure if she is or not. She does show hesitation in the show when she's on her own without Anakin there to support her, but she's always in battle and that requires plowing ahead. This is about as far from that as possible, and thus wildly outside of her comfort zone, hence her nerves. Yet it doesn't feel like it comes across right. Meeeeehh. Besides, this was written before Season 3 came out, and she seems more mature now with her new design. And we're still trying to portray her as a Padawan with more to learn...

But Ahsoka will remain an important character. She may not be a galaxy shaker like Ani/Obi/Padme/etc, but she has a role to play. Otherwise, adding her to this arc would be pointless.

Next week: Where Kenobi Must Die (Action at last!)