a.n. Well, I'm finally back with a new update after 3 months. Sorry for the long delay. Finals start next week and since I don't really have that much I need to study, I decided to use some of the free time I do have to do this update. I am hoping to get at least one more chapter finished within the next couple of days and maybe a third within 2 weeks (that's good news for you readers!) I have a very rough outline of how I want the rest of this story to go, but I am almost decided on Luca's role in some of the more important events that will be taking place. Because of this, I am hoping that the updates will be quicker. Also, since I will be graduating from college in June (YAY!), I should have a lot more free time to write and I hope to update more often over the summer, perhaps even finishing this. With all of this being said, please read, review, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the wonderful world of Star Wars (except the idea of Luca). All that is and all that ever will be Star Wars belongs to the great mind that is George Lucas. All recognizable dialogue has been copied from an online script of the movie and edited to match the movie as closely as possible (from my not-so-precise memory), so I apologize for anything that seem wrong or out of place.

Chapter 22: Arrival in Theed

The walk to the palace was a pleasant one and the small group took their time and enjoyed the sights. The open area they were walking through was bustling with activity, but not crowded. The sights, sounds, and smells of Theed and Naboo practically overwhelmed them, but it was a pleasant, amiable feeling. Luca breathed in the fresh Nabooan air. It sure has been a long time since I've been here. I almost forgot how peaceful it could be. He followed behind the other three and took in the once-familiar sights around him. It would be nice to be able to visit here again some day. He glanced over at Anakin who seemed to be enjoying his talk with Padmé. Anakin, you do not know how horrible the darkness is that you will soon have to face. I will do the best I can to make sure that you follow the right path, but in the end, the decision will be yours. I can only hope that when the time comes, you will make the correct choice.

Luca turned from his silent musings to focus his attention on the young couple ahead of him. They seemed so at ease with one another and he felt a pang of sadness as he remembered his own time with Padmé. The easy-going familiarity. The happy nights together. The tearful months apart. The bittersweet reunions. All of these memories and more threatened to overwhelm him as he watched his companions talk with one another. No. I can't afford to let these thoughts in. I must concentrate on the task at hand if any of these memories are to have a happy ending. They deserve at least that much. Again, he forced himself to concentrate on Anakin and Padmé's conversation.

"I wasn't the youngest Queen ever elected, but now that I think back on it, I'm not sure I was old enough. I'm not sure I was ready."

"The people you served thought you did a good job. I heard they tried to amend the Constitution so you could stay in office."

"Popular rule is not democracy, Ani. It gives the people what they want, not what they need. And, truthfully, I was relieved when my two terms were up. But when the Queen asked me to serve as Senator, I couldn't refuse her."

Luca noticed Anakin nodding in agreement with Padmé's statement and he himself couldn't stop smiling in approval.

"I do not think the Queen could have made a better choice, milady," Luca broke in, almost startling the other two with his sudden input. "I try to keep up with the latest political dealings on Coruscant and I am always impressed by your words and your convictions and how utterly dedicated you are in trying to do what is right for everyone, not caring about what is best for you or what will put the most money in your pockets. The Senate and the Republic could certainly use more people like you."

"Why thank you, Mr. Redenov. It is so good to hear that someone outside of the political circuit recognizes the hard work and dedication I, and my colleagues, have for our work." Padmé smiled gratefully at him, truly touched by his words. Luca noticed the flashing look of anger and jealously that briefly passed over Anakin's face as he let his restraint slip for a brief second.

"I'm sure Jedi Skywalker feels the same way."

Anakin nodded. "You really are one of the best things that could have ever happened to the Republic. With more people like you in office, the galaxy will certainly be a better place. As a Jedi, I would be glad to serve a Senate of benevolent, well-meaning, good-hearted people such as yourself." Luca watched as Padmé gave Anakin an appreciative look, one full of gratitude and thanks. That seemed to brighten Anakin's mood considerably and it wasn't much longer before they reached the palace.

They were shown to Queen Jamillia almost immediately. The tension in the room was palpable and those gathered were anxious to hear news from Coruscant.

"How many systems have joined Count Dooku and the Separatists?"

"About two hundred. And more are leaving the Republic every day. If the Senate votes to create an army, I'm sure it's going to push us into a civil war."

"It's unthinkable!" Sio Bibble exclaimed disbelievingly. "There hasn't been a full-scale war since the formation of the Republic!"

Queen Jamillia sighed. "Do you see any way, through negotiations, to bring the Separatists back into the Republic?"

Padmé shook her head. "Not if they feel threatened. The Separatists don't have an army, but if they are provoked, they will move to defend themselves. I'm sure of that." Luca restrained himself from commenting, knowing that the fate of the future depended on it. Oh, I wish I could let you know how wrong you are about the Separatist army, Padmé. But I can't, and you can't know until the time is right. I need to preserve as much of the timeline as possible. If I could tell you, I would.

"It's outrageous!" Bibble blurted out. "After all of those hearings, and the four trials in the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is still the Viceroy of the Trade Federation."

Queen Jamillia looked at him. "We must keep our faith in the Republic. The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it." Luca sighed deeply but quietly, shaking his head ever so slightly. You don't know how right you are, milady. And when that day comes, we cannot let it go lightly. We will have to fight for it with everything we have. Once democracy goes, so much more will follow.

Padmé nodded in agreement. "Let's pray that day never comes." Luca looked at her sadly. If I succeed here, Padmé, I will do my best to make sure that that never happens again.

"In the meantime, Senator, we must consider your own safety."

Sio Bibble looked to the queen in agreement before dismissing everyone else. He turned towards Anakin. "What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?"

Anakin opened his mouth up to respond before he was cut off by Padmé. "Anakin's not a Jedi yet, he's still a Padawan learner. I was thinking..."

"Hey," Anakin interrupted, "hold on a minute!"

"Excuse me!" Padmé glared at him. "I was thinking I would stay in the Lake Country. There are some places up there that are very isolated."

"Excuse me. I am in charge of security here, milady."

Luca watched as Queen Jamillia and Sio Bibble exchanged a look with one another as they witnessed this exchange. He himself was barely able to hold back the slight smile that threatened to grace his face.

"And this is my home. I know it very well. That is why we're here. I think it would be wise for you to take advantage of my knowledge in this instance."

Anakin took a quick glance around at the others in the room before taking a deep breath. "Sorry, milady." There was a brief moment of awkward silence in the room before Luca stepped forward.

"Padmé is right, Jedi Skywalker," he stated, looking purposefully at Anakin. He never flinched as the young man gave him a hard stare. "In any situation, it is wise to heed the advice of those who have the home field advantage. They are the ones who know both the most advantageous positions and the most susceptible ones. We are on Naboo and this is the good Senator's home planet. It would be best for us to remember that and to acknowledge not only her knowledge of this area but to also listen to her suggestions. Even if we are assigned as her security and have been briefed as much as possible on this mission, we cannot, and will not, know everything we should. What we lack in knowledge, we must make up for in acceptance of outside help, no matter how much it may irk us to realize that we need help and that we are not all-powerful and all-knowing. We must realize that we need to ask for help if we need it." He watched as Anakin's hard stare softened in quiet understanding and saw the imperceptible nod Anakin gave in his direction. Trust me, Anakin. You will welcome such advice in the future, even sooner than you realize.

This whole exchange was witnessed quietly by the others, no one daring to interrupt this serious exchange. When it was over, the group gradually made its way out of the chamber, making plans and finalizing decisions before departing ways.