Anakin's POV

I detour towards the hangar, skipping dinner tonight. I need to take immediate action if I want the supplies delivered anytime soon.

My pull the hood of my cloak forward over my scalp; I hope this will hide my identity from the others in the hangar. Though I don't think I will have to:

Scattered droid technicians work on various transport vehicles, some welding, and some screwing. They won't notice a jedi leave. They're too focused on their work to look up.

My starfighter gleams in the sunset as I inch closer to it. The sun hides behind orange and purple clouds, a sure sign of snow for tonight. Ahsoka loved snowfall, and Shmi enjoyed watching the flakes twirl in the wind this past February. Another reason I need to get these supplies immediately: I don't want to miss any of those moments with Shmi.

I enter the coordinates for the Senate building and fly out of the hangar, into the already beginning snowfall.

I decide to avoid the front entrance of the Senate building; I remember I don't want to attract attention. I park my fighter in the back landing pad, and hurry inside as the snow strengthens into a blizzard.

"Master, are you there?"

I cover my comlink with my voice, concealing Ahsoka's scratchy voice.

"Yeah Snips, I'm in the Senate right now." I don't want to disturb the any senators. But it seems my accusations are incorrect again: the hallways are almost as empty as the hangar. I don't see Padme, Bail, Jar Jar or anyone around. It's not that late to begin with.

I assume the blizzard acted as a reason to postpone a meeting, so most of the politicians are probably in their offices.

"Oh okay, Master. I assume you'll tell me later?"

I laugh, "You know me so well."

I swoop down the main corridor to a familiar turbolift to the Chancellor's office.

When I enter the quaint office, the Chancellor sits at his desk, speaking with a Senator whose identity I don't know. His arms flailing as he tells a wild story that I am familiar with.

I am about to knock on the open door frame, before the Chancellor notices me at the door. He makes a waving motion to the Senator, who leaves. I walk in and take a seat across the Chancellor.

"Ah Anakin, how are you today? The snow keeping you on your toes?" The Chancellor greets me, shaking my hand.

"Oh, yes Chancellor. Surely not my ideal autumn that's for sure." I say. He grins and takes and slides some documents under his desk. I glare out the large panoramic window, know exposed behind the Chancellor's chair. The snow rages on outside, only the orange and yellow headlights of speeders visible through the sheet of frigid cotton.

"So, what is the matter at hand? Since I doubt you came to talk about the weather." The Chancellor puts his hands in his lap and prepares for me to speak.

I don't want to mess up my bargain for supplies, so I take a deep breath and then start.

"Well, I wanted to speak about the need for supplies, for my padawan's daughter." I start, "I'm afraid that the need for them is more eminent than you may think."

"Hmm, are you suggesting I don't know the full story? I assume I was trusted to make the right decision when I was voted into power." The Chancellor accuses me with a sneer.

"Oh, no. I believe- no- I know you are a very just Chancellor. I am just shaken from the attacks on the temple. It seems they are getting worse each time." I apologize. I never did mean that in an offensive way; however the Chancellor did have a short fuse. If you said the wrong thing- even unintentionally- it could set him off.

"I agree, Skywalker. Surely the circumstances are enough to drive someone paranoid." He taps his bony fingers in thought.

"Is there any way you could arrange for the medical equipment and such to be delivered sooner than later? Shmi has these short bursts of energy, but it's not enough to last her for very long." I nearly beg, lowering the tone in my voice; I'd hate to set him off again.

The Chancellor sits up from his chair, walks over to the window and just stares into the blizzard. I feel like I might have irritated him once more, but he snaps back to reality and turns to me.

"I suppose so, Anakin. It would be something I would have to arrange with the Senate." The Chancellor says, after taking a long, exasperated huff.

"Oh thank you, Chancellor. I will tell Ahsoka-"

"Wait. Are you completely happy with your bargain? The risk of the supplies being stolen or destroyed would increase with your decision. And I'm not sure I will be able to associate for another load if they do." The Chancellor says. He does have a point. The temple has enough to worry about with the war. They don't need to have a separate squadron of clones guarding the supplies for days to come.

The surgery would have to happen as soon as the supplies are delivered. The risk would certainly be high, but we need to take the chance. Even if we need to bargain with pirates or Outer Rim scum, the council would much rather do that than lose one of their own due to their own worries.

"Yes Chancellor. I completely understand and I'm sure the council will as well." I agree, shaking his hand.

"Very well than, Anakin. I hope to contact you soon with good news. Happy Holidays." The Chancellor sits down in his desk, patting my outstretched hand.

"You too, Chancellor."

He smiles and I assume it is time for me to leave. I take one last look at the weather outside (still blistering snow) through the window and march towards the door.

"Anakin."

I turn around on my heel.

"Yes Chancellor?" I ask, considering our conversation to be over before.

"This surgery that you have offered to go through, is it painful?"

"Um, I assume so, sir. But I do have a while to recover after the procedure though."

The Chancellor sighs, "You don't have to do this you know, Anakin."

"No sir, I want to. I would do anything for Ahsoka or Shmi."

"Anything?"

I repeat that very word, "Anything."

The Chancellor resumes his documents in the quiet, clicking open the blue pen I had given him for Life Day the last year, but before he does he mutters something in whisper:

"Interesting."

Maybe the Chancellor really understands what I am going through. I know he would help me through any difficult situation. Besides, he knows what's best, right?