a.n. Well, I finally updated this story. I have been quite busy this summer and haven't had a lot of time to work on it, but I finally found some time to do it. I've been working on it for the past few days (and since I was out of town I had plenty of time to do some writing) and I decided to make it longer than usual because it's been so long since the last update. A couple of notes about this chapter: I am focusing mostly on Luca's storyline, so I will be cutting out the scenes that don't apply to him since they will follow the movie (unless Luca's presence in this story has any bearing on them). This chapter also contains a major scene that does not have Luca in it because I wanted to focus on Anakin's development as a character as it is affected by Luca being in this story. And I apologize for any of the dialogue that may be a little off. Some of it I am doing from memory since I haven't watched this movie in a while and if there are some mistakes, that's why. That being said, I hope you Read, Review, and Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing Star Wars-related. All of that is owned by George Lucas. I only use them for fun and to suit my own purposes.

Chapter 21: Heart-To-Hearts

Hours later, Luca waited as Anakin and Padmé said their goodbyes as the three prepared to board the shuttle that would take them to Naboo. Luca watched as Padmé finished giving some last minute instructions to Dormé and Captain Typho while Anakin was getting the same from Obi-Wan. As he watched Master and Padawan interact, Luca was able to not only sense but actually see the tension that was between them. Anakin was looking and sounding more frustrated as the seconds passed and Luca knew that Obi-Wan talking to Anakin was only adding to the frustration.

If I am to succeed in this, Luca thought, I need to help Anakin learn to let go of his anger. I have to make him realize that being angry at everyone around him will only lead to more anger and pain. Obi-Wan and the Jedi are not his enemies; the anger and darkness inside him is. He must find that darkness within and conquer it if he is to truly find peace and happiness.

As Luca began to gather up their few belongings, he overheard the last remnants of Obi-Wan and Anakin's conversation.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan stated firmly, "you stay put on Naboo. Do not attract any attention. Do absolutely nothing without checking in with me or the Council."

"Yes, Master."

Luca heard the dejected, slightly frustrated tone in Anakin's voice. He watched as Obi-Wan turned around to converse with Padmé and her party. Sighing, Luca walked over and put his hand on the young man's shoulder.

"Anakin, Obi-Wan is just saying what he has to say, what every Master says to his Padawan on any solo mission. He is not criticizing you or questioning your ability to handle this on your own or trying to keep an eye on you. He cares for you and wants to make sure that you stay safe. I know that you will do your best to keep the Senator safe. I will too. But you are a Jedi and you know that in most situations, nothing ever goes according to plan. Often, the unexpected happens and we are not always prepared for it. You will also be out of contact with what is happening on Coruscant and will be unaware of any new developments in this investigation. By keeping in touch with the Council and Obi-Wan and checking in every so often, you not only ensure that you are up-to-date with any new information that pertains to this assignment, you also make sure that the Council knows where you are so if anything happens or if something goes wrong, they will be able to get help to you quickly."

Luca watched as Anakin seemed to relax slightly. He sensed that some of Anakin's frustration had left as well. It's a small step, but at least it's progress.

Anakin looked at Luca, more at ease now, though still visibly tense. "How would you know this?"

"Anakin, I've been around a long time and I've seen many things. I have also known a lot of Jedi. And in all of my experiences I have realized that this is the case. It may seem like the Jedi are criticizing you or not trusting you, but that is not true. The criticism is only to let you know where you can improve so you can grow as both a person and a Jedi. And they only ask to be aware of your situation so they are able to come to your aid if needed. All of it is for your benefit, to help you. You must not let your anger blind you from that fact. You must not let the frustration you feel towards them make you think the worst of them. Do not let fear cloud your judgment or rational thoughts. You will only invite darkness and hate, the two things you cannot allow yourself to fall victim to."

Luca could see that he had Anakin's attention and that the young man seemed to be listening to what he was saying. Perhaps I'm getting through to him after all.

"I myself have fallen prey to the darkness and hate that seem to sneak up so suddenly. I, too, had a mentor whom I accused of holding me back. I thought he was afraid of me and that he wasn't allowing me to grow. So, I found someone that did, someone who would give me what I wanted. But, I found out too late that I had sacrificed myself and all I held dear in order to achieve that. I lost my friends, my family, and my way of life. It was a long time before I could put it all behind me and find my way back. You are a young man with a bright, long future ahead of you. I don't want the same thing that happened to me to happen to you." Luca ended with a hint of sadness, regret, and desperation in his voice, hoping that Anakin would hear it and take his advice to heart.

Looking at the young man now, Luca could see that Anakin was quiet and looked like he was contemplating his words. Before any more could be said, however, they noticed that Obi-Wan was done conversing with Padmé and her entourage and the Senator was moving towards them, ready to depart.

"I will get to the bottom of this plot quickly, milady," they heard Obi-Wan tell the Senator. "You'll be back here in no time."

"I will be most grateful for your speed, Master Jedi."

Anakin and Luca moved to help her with her travel cases.

"Time to go," Anakin stated.

Padmé nodded. "I know. "

Padmé hugged Dormé as the rest of the group said their farewells.

"May the Force be with you Anakin. And with you, Mister Redenov"

"May the Force be with you, Master."

"May the Force be with you Master Kenobi. I hope you have a successful search. We will be waiting to hear from you."

The trio, flanked by Padmé's faithful droid R2-D2, departed and walked towards the transport that would take them to Naboo.

"Suddenly, I'm afraid," Padmé stated, slightly nervous.

Anakin smiled reassuringly. "I'm kind of scared too. This is my first assignment on my own. Don't worry. We have Artoo with us." The two of them laughed. Anakin glanced behind them at Luca following them silently. "And Mister Redenov. Everything will be fine."

Obi-Wan and Captain Typho watched the group until they were out of sight, blending into the crowd of people waiting for the transport.

"I hope he doesn't try anything foolish."

"I'd be more concerned about her doing something, than him."

Obi-Wan looked at Typho curiously for a moment before turning back towards the crowd. "Mister Redenov is with them. He won't let anything happen."

"I'm not entirely sure about Mister Redenov. I don't know why, but I have a strange feeling about him."

"I don't believe there's anything to worry about, Captain. I was wary of him as well. But he was questioned by the Jedi Council before he was given this assignment and no one sensed any ill will from him. I sense that there is something more to him than he has let on, but I do not believe he intends to harm the Senator in any way. If he does try anything though, Anakin is there. He'll make sure nothing happens."

"Do you really think young Skywalker will be able to handle this mission? He is still a Padawan, after all."

"Anakin may be young, impetuous, and stubborn, but he is a good Jedi. He will be fine. I know he will succeed on this mission. He will not let us down." Obi-Wan watched as the last of the passengers finished boarding the transport. Please Anakin, Obi-Wan thought to himself, don't do any foolish.

The trip to Naboo was fairly uneventful and the group never encountered anything dangerous. Luca stuck to himself for the most part, often leaving Anakin and Padmé by themselves for extended periods of time. Luca told Anakin it was to be less conspicuous and to remain better hidden. Anakin didn't completely believe this explanation since he figured Luca was trying to prove to him that it really was his mission and he didn't want to interfere with it. But he didn't mind too much. It did give him more time to be alone with Padmé.

Over the last ten years, Anakin began to discover that he couldn't stop thinking about her. For the first few years, he would think about the adventure they shared and would wonder what she was doing. As he grew older, he would think about her more and more and he began dreaming about her every night. She occupied his thoughts more frequently with each passing day. Only recently, as dreams of his mother invaded his mind did Padmé's presence there diminish. But being so close to her again after so many years brought his desires and emotions close to the surface. He was just glad that Obi-Wan was nowhere near him at the moment. His master was irritatingly perceptive at sensing what he was feeling and thinking, especially when he really didn't want him to.

Now, as Anakin and Padmé sat conversing over the light meal being served aboard the transport, he struggled to reign in his emotions and control his thoughts out of fear of saying anything revealing or embarrassing. Her melodic voice was soothing, yet distracting, and he didn't realize she was asking him a question until she had called his name a few times.

"I'm sorry Senator. Were you trying to ask me something?"

Padmé giggled at the startled, sheepish expression on Anakin's face. "A credit for your thoughts, Anakin?"

Anakin shook his head. "It's nothing that important." He didn't really want to tell her that she, and his thoughts of her, had distracted him. He decided to change the topic, hoping she would take the bait. "Was there something on your mind?"

Padmé looked at Anakin quietly. As a politician, she was quite aware of, and quite skilled in, the art of deflection. She knew Anakin had something on his mind, something he didn't want to share with her. She wouldn't press the issue. If he wanted to tell her, he would have. She decided to humor him for the moment and take the bait.

"I was just wondering if you knew where Mister Redenov disappears to all the time."

Anakin shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I really don't know where he goes. He has been quiet for much of this trip too and we really don't see him all that often. I would think he would be checking out the ship. He was assigned as additional protection. He probably just wants to make sure the ship in totally secure and our presence has not aroused any suspicions or recognitions. After all," Anakin grinned, "one of us has to have something better to do then spend all his time guarding some silly Senator."

Padmé heard the playful tone in his voice and smiled back at him. "Don't tease me, Anakin."

"I'm not," Anakin playfully defended himself. I'm much too frightened to tease a Senator." The two chuckled joyfully for a few moments and Anakin was glad to see her smiling and enjoying his company. Their laughter died down and they sat in companionable silence for a while.

"So Anakin," Padmé began, breaking the silence, "you haven't really said much about what it's like to be a Jedi. Why don't you tell me about some of the things you've done in the last ten years?"

Feeling quite relaxed and upbeat, Anakin gladly acquiesced and began telling her about some of his missions and adventures.

"…and that's when we had to enter into aggressive negotiations…"

"'Aggressive negotiations'? What's that?"

"Negotiations…with a lightsaber." Anakin was pleased to hear her pleasant laughter ringing in his ears.

"It must be difficult having sworn your life to the Jedi, not being able to visit the places you like, or do the things you like..."

"Or be with the people I love." Anakin looked at Padmé with a look of longing in his eyes.

Padmé looked at Anakin curiously. "Are you allowed to love? I thought that was forbidden for a Jedi."

Anakin smiled. "Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life, so you might say we're encouraged to love."

"You have changed so much."

"You haven't changed a bit. You're exactly the way I remember you in my dreams." The couple sat in an awkward silence, trying to absorb everything that was just said. Luca walked in just then, preventing either of them from saying anything else.

"We will be landing in Theed in a few minutes. We should make sure we have all of our belongings before we land so we can be on our way as soon as possible." Luca had noticed the awkwardness that had descended on the two but decided not to say anything about it. I must not interfere. I am only here to ensure that Anakin becomes the Jedi he is meant to be. Everything else must proceed as before. They must figure things out on their own.

Luca turned his attention to Padmé. "Once we land Senator, we will make our way to the palace so you can apprise the Queen of your situation and the other developments on Coruscant. After that, we will need to find a secure location where we can stay and lay low for awhile."

Padmé turned toward Luca, looking as if she was still thinking about what has been said. "You are right, Mister Redenov," she sighed. "Queen Jamilla does need to know about recent events and I do know she will be worried about what has happened to me. The sooner I can talk to her and let her know what is going on, the better."

They felt the braking thrusters fire and the ship begin to descend. The three of them rounded up their belongings and, followed by Artoo, headed towards the exit to disembark.