A/N: I am terrible at updating. I apologize for that. I'd like to take a moment to wish Obi-Wan actor Ewan Mcgregor a belated happy birthday (March 31st) and also a belated birthday to my beloved Anakin, Hayden Christensen (April 19-this past Saturday). Many people hate the prequels and although I'm writing an AU, I adore the prequels as they are. And I love the performances by Natalie, Hayden, and Ewan. I hold the films and those three actors very dear to my heart and I think they deserve a lot more praise for the work they've done in Star Wars. Especially Hayden. Unpopular opinion. But, I don't care. Hayden's performance in AOTC and ROTS are one of the biggest reasons I love the movies. He gets a lot of undeserved hate for his acting and it's just uncalled for. So anyway, happy birthday to Ewan and Hayden. Enough rambling, lol.

Thank you to The Forgotten Skywalker for reviewing. And I'm glad you like the Ani/Padmé mush b/c I love writing it, haha. ;)

Chapter Twenty-three

Hurricanes

The morning sun was still hiding behind the durasteel skyscrapers on Corsucant. The buildings were backlit by an apricot glow that cast a golden film onto Padmé's office.

Padmé sat at her desk, going through the numerous data-pads scattered before her. The one she was reading at the current moment was an article about nominees to replace the now dead Palpatine's seat as Chancellor. No one had filled in for him in the interim. His allies had been thrown out of senate. Putting them in power would be a grave mistake as they would lead just the way he would if he were still alive.

The Jedi had temporarily taken power. Although they were a talented group of beings, they were not suited to be leaders of the Republic, as their views left little room for compromise. And a successful government needed compromise.

Padmé herself had been nominated, along with Bail Organa of Alderaan and a few other popular senators.

Although Padmé was immensely flattered by the nomination, in truth she didn't want the job. Padmé didn't become involved in politics in a quest to gain power. She had wanted to help people. She had a considerable amount of power as it was. And she felt the role would take her from her from her home planet. Yes, she wanted to better the Republic as a whole, but she felt indebted to Naboo. If it wasn't for Naboo's Universities she wouldn't be where she was. If it weren't for the generally good economy on the planet, she wouldn't have the opportunities she was given growing up.

She wanted to help keep Naboo as wonderful as it was. And she wanted to help the people who lived there. She couldn't focus on those things as much if she was Chancellor. And forget about the Refugee Movement for Tatooine's Ex-Slaves. She wouldn't get much of a chance to be involved in that either.

She hoped Bail Organa would win the election. They didn't always agree on things, but she liked him. He was level-headed and he had a good heart. And he wasn't on a power trip either. He believed in the principles of democracy. Of a government for the people.

After going through the nominees briefly, Padme placed the data-pad down on her desk. It was time for a caf break.

She smiled and walked out of the room to the kitchen. Anakin was sitting at the kitchen table with Luke and Leia.

"You're still eating breakfast?" She smiled dryly.

"Oh no. I finished ages ago. It's these two." He pointed to the twins. "They're too busy throwing food at each other to eat."

She laughed. She bent over and kissed Anakin, and then ruffled the soft hair on Luke and Leia's heads.

"Come and sit with us. Enough of politics." He said.

She smirked. "You can say that again. You know, I never thought politics would be as complicated as it is when I was growing up. When you learn about democracy and the government in class, they over-simplify it. All the talk of bills and amendments and laws. If you want to have a government that runs a certain way, you pass certain acts and such. If you want a certain result, you need certain elements. Of course, it's not like that in real life. Governments are runs by people. With many differing opinions and beliefs. And then you know, you have the citizens. And they don't always vote for the right things, you know? They don't always vote for the right people. It's just a tangled mess."

"Which is all the more reason for you to sit down with us and enjoy the moment."

She sat down and watched the scene before her. Leia was using the fruit puree from her bowl to make a sort of culinary painting on the table.

She grinned. "She's quite the artist, isn't she?" Padme commented.

Anakin smiled back. "I see the makings of a legend."

They both laughed.

There was a chirping sound suddenly and Padmé rolled her eyes.

"Oh, don't tell me. There's a senatorial meeting I need to attend."

She fully expected Bail to appear before her, but the hologram that appeared before her was of a woman.

Beru. She was huddled somewhere. It was dimly lit and Owen and Cliegg were clinging to her on either side.

"Padmé." She whispered. There was terror in her blue eyes.

"Beru. What's wrong?"

"A couple of men came to the homestead yesterday and attacked us. They've taken us as prisoners. We're in some sort of camp and there are many others. Please send help."

"Of course. Oh Beru, I've missed you. It's terrible that we had to speak under these circumstances. I'll contact the Jedi and we'll send some Clone Troopers to your location."

"Thank you. Please hurry."

"Yes. I'll see you soon."

The hologram disappeared.

Padmé looked at Anakin with a frown. "They've been caught by the slave traders."

"I'll contact Obi-Wan. He can take some troops with him."

Padmé used a tracking device to determine the location of the call. Once she had the coordinates, she gave them to Anakin.

Obi-Wan's blue hologram appeared.

"Obi-Wan."

"Greetings, my old Padawan."

"Hello. I just contacted you because I need your help."

"Of course, Anakin."

"My family on Tatooine is in trouble. They've been caught by the slave traders."

"That's awful."

"I was hoping you and some of the clone troopers can go and help them escape."

"I will make sure that happens. We'll go out as soon as possible."

Anakin smiled sadly. "Thank you, Obi-Wan. You're a good friend."

"The feeling is mutual." Obi-Wan smiled back at his old Padawan.

Obi-Wan looked at Siri.

"How's that shoulder doing?"

"It's better."

"Good. Because I'm gonna need your help."

"Where are we going?"

"Anakin's family has been kidnapped by the slave traders and he's asked for my help."

"This sounds like it's gonna be quite the party." She replied wryly.

"Yes. The kind Anakin would be perfect for, were he here."

"Oh, don't worry. Ahsoka will fill his shoes just fine. And then, there's you know, me."

"I've never known you to be impulsive."

"Well, now that I know it upsets you, I've adopted that personality trait."

He chuckled. "There's only so much more I can take before I snap, Siri."

"Ohh, I'm so scared." She said sarcastically.

"What are you going to do, lecture me?" She said mockingly.

"Have you two been secretly talking behind my back with Anakin?"

"No, why do you ask?" Siri grinned.

"Because that's exactly what he used to say. He complained about my lectures all the time."

"I mean, I've heard they're pretty annoying." Ahsoka.

He pointed at her. "So you have been exchanging stories with Anakin!"

"Perhaps." Ahsoka replied.

"Well, now's not the time to have an argument. We have a mission to go on." Siri said.

"That's something someone would say if they were just proven guilty of something. You're trying to divert the attention away from your indiscretions."

He paused and then grinned with levity. "But, you're right. I'm gonna contact the Clone Troopers and then we'll move out. Anakin has sent me the location."

Siri and Ahsoka went to the cockpit of the starship and waited for Obi-Wan's orders.

It was the quiet before the storm.

The last few missions had been like hurricanes on an angry sea. A losing battle.

They could be walking into a violent thunderstorm.

Or they could be walking into the middle of a hurricane.

Hurricanes swept away everything in their path.

Obi-Wan hoped that wouldn't be the case.

Jedi were supposed to accept death.

But he had changed in the last year. He wanted to live.

He wanted to settle down with Siri. Marry her.

He didn't want to die.

He wanted to live.