Disclaimer: I own nothing. And I'm not making any money off of this. All characters and quotes from The Empire Strikes Back and the Revenge of the Sith novelization are the property of Matthew Stover, George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd.
I'm back, baby! I'm just messing with you guys, but I do have a new chapter for you. In this chapter, we'll be revisiting two characters that we haven't seen in a while, and I might introduce a new character- I guess I should warn the Ahsoka haters now…
*sighs* Here come the flames…
Also, sap warning- it's a default now.
Before we get started, I was reading over the reviews, and I think I forgot to answer someone's question (This is a long answer guys-if you don't want to read it, just skip down to the story):
From: Oli
Q: One other thing-where's the humor side of this? I thought it was a parody?
A: You make a very valid point Oli. I do seem to have forgotten to add humor to the story- from a certain point of view. While I enjoy reading them occasionally, "crackfic" humor has never really been my style; I prefer to write my humor in wit or sarcasm. If you would like me to add some "crack-fic" humor, I'm sure that can be arranged; however, it will probably detract from the story.
(Cont.)
However, another definition of "parody" is: to imitate poorly or feebly; travesty. Put simply, I'm not George Lucas. There's no way I could ever be that original or creative. So, this is just a weak imitation of Mr. Lucas' multi-billion-dollar brainchild. (It doesn't follow the original storyline anyway.) I'll try to be funnier though- I just don't go for the slapstick comedy.
I hope that clears things up!
Yours,
~Ink
Okay. Sorry about that guys, but it's only fair that I take the time to answer everybody's questions- it's no fun to read a story if you don't understand what's going on.
Seriously, though, don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand something. If I can't PM you, I'll answer you directly in the author's note that opens every chapter.
Here we go! Don't forget to review!
For the people who skipped…
THE STORY STARTS HERE!
Anakin had just finished putting away his school stuff when the phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and groaned.
His mother was calling. At least Padmé's in the shower…She won't have to listen to us argue. He thought sullenly.
He picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Hi, Ani how are you?" Shmi asked dotingly.
"I'm fine. How are you?" Anakin replied kindly, though not without effort.
"I'm okay…that's actually what I was calling about." Shmi admitted.
"What is it? Are you sick or something?" Anakin couldn't keep the worry out of his voice- although she was conniving, and manipulative, Shmi was his mother, after all.
"No, but your aunt Beru was in an accident, and she passed away."
"And you didn't think that was important enough to call me?" Anakin's voice was hard.
"Well, you didn't stay with your father and I, how were we supposed to know that you still wanted anything to do with the rest of the family?" Shmi sneered vindictively.
"That's not fair, Mom." Anakin snapped. "You two, didn't leave me much of a choice. What with dad's gambling issue, you looked to me for support instead. The money I earned from fencing is mine. I'll help out with the funeral if I must, but I'm not bailing Dad out again. That's his problem now."
Shmi was quiet for a moment. Her son grown up… "Are you getting enough to eat? Do you need anything?" Shmi asked.
Anakin ground his teeth. "I'm fine Mom, I can take care of myself. What is this about? I know you didn't call just to check up on me." He said, resent creeping into his tone.
"Your cousin, Ahsoka needs someone to look after her. She's twelve, and she's very well-mannered, but your father and aren't financially in a position to take care of her at the moment. We were sort of hoping you could do it." Shmi admitted, without shame.
"What makes you think…" Anakin sighed. If he didn't do it, Ahsoka'd probably end up in foster care. "Give me a week to get things ready." He said.
"Thanks." Shmi replied.
"I'm not doing this for you." Anakin clarified. "I'm doing this for her. She needs someone who will look after her and take care of her. Help her with her homework, make her feel good when she's upset- not use her as a cash cow." He retorted.
"I…understand. Thanks, Anakin. I love you, you know." Shmi sounded hurt.
"I love you too." Anakin sighed and hung up the phone.
Anakin turned, flinching in surprise when he saw Padmé leaning against the doorjamb.
She was dressed in a loose t-shirt and blue lounge pants, her chocolate tresses were twined up in a messy bun.
"You alright?" She asked, limping over to stand beside him. "You look upset."
"Yeah. I'm good. My cousin is coming to stay with me; some things came up and she needs a place to stay for a while, so I volunteered." Anakin explained, letting out a long breath. "I only have a week to get stuff ready, and I have no idea what to buy." He lamented. He looked down at Padmé's self-applied ankle splint. "Let me get you something for that." He said.
Anakin went to his closet and rummaged around for a moment, and found an old ankle support boot from when he was younger; it was much too small to fit his feet now. He'd done nothing but grow since he'd moved out on his own.
"Here, this might help your foot feel better- it's too small to fit me now." He said.
"Thanks." Padmé replied, sitting down in a nearby chair to see how the boot fit. "
This. Feels. Wonderful." She sighed, the relief of stress on her ankle was ecstasy.
She wiggled her toes before standing- she was surprised to find that there was no pain when she stood. "I can walk!" She said. "And it doesn't hurt!" Impulsively, she threw her arms around Anakin's neck and squeezed. "Thank you." She said. "And, in return for your awesomeness, I will help you shop for..."
Anakin smiled. "Ahsoka." He supplied. "Thank you. I'd be totally lost…You know, I never thought I'd need that extra room, but now, I'm glad I have it." He said.
"Alright, first we need to make a list of things we'll need. Um, how old is Ahsoka?"
"Twelve." Anakin supplied. He rummaged in a drawer for a pen and some paper before handing them to Padmé.
Padmé tapped her chin with the pen. "Okay. Has she um…started yet?"
Anakin reddened as he caught Padmé's meaning. "I'm not sure."
"Better safe than sorry." She said, scribbling something on the paper. "Do you have spare sheets and things? And an extra shelf in the bathroom? And a place for her to sleep?" Padmé questioned, a slight smile crossing her face.
Anakin chuckled. "You are enjoying this way too much. Yes to the first, no to the second, and the third can be arranged…I should probably go shopping for a bed though. I don't know how long she'll be staying. That reminds me…" Anakin made for the door. "I'll be right back, I have to go tell my landlord about Ahsoka…He doesn't like surprises."
"But we're not finish-"
"Afraid I was gonna leave without giving you a good-bye kiss?" Anakin snarked, turning to smirk at her.
Padmé scowled. "I'd just as soon kiss a wookiee." She snapped back teasingly.
What the heck is a wookiee? Anakin wondered. "I can arrange that. You could use a good kiss!" He ribbed.
Padmé gaped at him as he stepped out the door. A blush crawled up her cheeks at Anakin's bold suggestion. Belatedly, she shouted. "You wish!" in a childish voice.
Anakin's throaty chuckle floated back to her through the hallway.
"We're not supposed to be in here…What are you doing anyway?" Tarkin demanded as Dooku fooled around with some beakers in the chem-lab.
"I'm making Volatile Adrenal Distribution and Enhancement for Rage. Vader for short. It's a cross between a stimulant and a steroid-kind of like caffeine, but with a much bigger kick. It works best when you're angry; if you aren't when you take it, it makes you angry and then jacks you up. Makes you a lot stronger too." Dooku explained with a leer.
"I'm guessing this isn't legal…" Tarkin replied.
"Technically speaking, no. But only if we get caught."
"Interesting. Are there side-effects?" Tarkin wondered.
"Loads. Vomiting, emotional instability, fits of anger, violent outbursts, but only the first time."
"And you're going to take it before the fencing match?" Tarkin guessed.
"No. We are going to give it to Skywalker before the match." Dooku chuckled. "He'll be so faced he won't be able to fight."
"You do realize that if that stuff actually works, you're screwed right?" Tarkin pointed out.
"That's where you come in." Dooku said.
"Right." Tarkin agreed. "As long as I get my reward, I'm in."
Dooku's answering smile was almost predatory. "Don't worry. All credit will be given where credit is due." He said.
"It better be." Tarkin warned.
This is a win-win. Dooku thought. If it works, I win, and nobody's the wiser. If it doesn't work, Tarkin shoots him, I tip off the cops, and I walk away scott-free, king of the school. Dooku smiled.
And that is the fundamental truth: Treachery is the way of the Sith…
Alright guys, feedback time! Let me know what you think. (Yes…you can flame me for adding Ahsoka if you are so inclined.) Remember, First to review gets a one-shot! And Careless Preparation is begging for an update!
See you next chapter,
~Ink