Anneke took a deep breath of the clean, flower-scented air of Naboo. She hadn't realized until this moment how much she had really missed this planet. Across the great courtyard, the blue-green domes of the palace shimmered in the sunlight, and the soft sound of waterfalls filled the air with music.

Anneke closed her eyes and sighed. "If I had grown up here, I don't think I would ever leave."

Padraig smiled. "Really?"

Anneke raised an eyebrow. "I didn't dream of power and politics as a child like you did."

"What?!" Padraig shook his head, laughing. "That was the last thing I thought of. I never dreamed I'd one day live in the palace." His eyes took on a faraway look. "But the more history I studied, the more I realized how much good politicians can do." He shook his head again. "I must sound very arrogant."

"Not at all," Anneke said quietly. "The people thought you did a good job. I heard they tried to amend the Constitution so you could stay in office."

He bent to pick up their luggage, but Anneke snagged her bag before he could. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Truthfully, I was relieved when my two terms were up. I've missed out on having a personal life." He sighed. "Yet, when Queen Jamillia asked me to serve as Senator, I couldn't refuse."

A personal life. Something both of them had missed out on. "The Republic needs you," she said.

He nodded. "Perhaps."

Padraig's family was warm and welcoming, yet Anneke felt out of place. Sitting at the table in their cozy home, she watched in bemusement as Padraig's mother Jobal and older sister Sola bustled about. She suddenly missed her own mother so much it was nearly a physical pain.

"You're just in time for dinner," Padraig's mother, said as she placed a steaming bowl of colourful vegetables on the table. It smelled amazing. "I hope you're hungry, Anneke."

"A little," Anneke admitted.

Padraig hugged his mother. "She's being polite, Mom. We're starving."

"You've come to the right place." Jobal waved everyone to the table, and began to serve them. Anneke took the seat to Padraig's left, where she had an unobstructed view of the door and windows.

Sola accepted a plate of food while grinning across the table. "Do you know, Anneke, you're the first girlfriend my brother's ever brought home?"

"Sola!" Padraig protested. "She's a Jedi assigned by the Senate to protect me." Anneke was interested to note the blush that quickly spread over his face.

Jobal's face stilled, and she put her hand on her son's arm. "A bodyguard? We didn't know it was that serious."

Padraig put his hand over his mother's. "It's not, Mom. I promise." He smiled reassuringly at her. "Besides, Anneke's a friend. Remember the blockade crisis?" He turned to Anneke. "This is the girl from Tattooine. She's a Jedi now."

"Yes, I remember that," Jobal said quietly. "Haven't you had enough of danger yet, Paddy?"

"Mom," he said, squeezing her hand, "I'm not in any danger."

Jobal leaned around her son, pinning Anneke with her gaze. "Is he?"

"Yes." Anneke avoided Padraig's glare. "I'm afraid he is." She laid her fork down, suddenly no longer hungry.

"Anneke is very good at what she does," Padraig told Jobal. "I'll be fine."

Padraig leaned back in his chair, sighing in contentment. He had missed his mother's cooking, but he had forgotten how easy it was to eat way too much. As Jobal and Sola began to clear the table, he stood to help.

Sola nudged his shoulder as they entered the kitchen, both laden with armsful of dishes. "Why haven't you told us about her, Pad?"

"What's there to tell?" He set his armload on the counter, then looked out the window, pretending interest in the view.

"Have you seen the way she looks at you?"

"Sola, stop it." He meant to sound sharp, but instead his voice was resigned. "Our relationship is strictly professional."

Sola grabbed his arm, pulling him around so he was forced to look at her. "Are you saying you haven't noticed?"

He met her eyes. "She's a Jedi, Sola. That's all she's ever wanted."

"And what do you want, little brother?"

He closed his eyes for a moment. "It doesn't matter what I want. I have an important job to do."

Jobal stepped forward from where she had been standing in the doorway. "It's time you had a life of your own, Paddy." She took his hands in hers. "You're missing so much."