Anakin smiled as the cruiser dropped out of hyperspace and the planet Coruscant filled his view. It had been ten years since the last time he had been here, which was when he officially became Master Qui-Gon's Padawan apprentice after healing him from his wounds on Naboo. Since then, he, Qui-Gon, and Obi-Wan had been to many worlds in search of the Jedi homeworld Ahch-To. Many of those planets had been wonderful places with their own unique characteristics that made them stick in Anakin's mind, but none had impressed him quite like this city planet had. He was happy to be here again after their long journey.

Anakin continued to watch as the cruiser entered the atmosphere on approach to a landing pad. He was admiring all of the speeders flying by in the busy skyline when Obi-Wan appeared beside him. "You seem to be enjoying yourself," Obi-Wan observed.

"Does it ever get old?" Anakin asked as he gestured out the window. "All of this."

"Oh I don't know," Obi-Wan replied. "You become used to the city after awhile, and you start to notice how many people there are. There is so much life on this planet, and yet…"

"What?"

"No one really seems to live here. Not like they do on some of the other planets we've been to."

"But the people on those planets don't have it as easy as the people do here. Surely life must be better here."

"Comfort does not create a good life, Anakin. Finding what gives life value does that. Sometimes we forget that when life is easy."

Anakin glanced at Obi-Wan. There was a hint of longing on Obi-Wan's face. "Sounds like you're speaking from experience," Anakin said.

Obi-Wan nodded but said nothing.

They stood in silence as the cruiser completed its landing procedure. At that moment, they were approached by Qui-Gon. "Obi-Wan, Anakin," he said, "we have been summoned to the Jedi Temple. Master Windu and Master Yoda have an urgent matter to discuss with us."

Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed and followed Qui-Gon out of the ship and into the transport that would take them to the Jedi Temple. As the transport carried them away from the landing pad, Anakin could sense Obi-Wan meditating. It was no ordinary meditation, however. This was much more focused, more intense. Anakin had sensed Obi-Wan do this a few times before, and it was always after Anakin had noticed that same hint of longing that he had seen on the cruiser. He knew better than to ask about it, but he wished Obi-Wan would tell him what was going on so he could help.

It was not a long flight to the Jedi Temple, and they arrived only a few moments after they left the landing pad. When the transport came to a halt and they had disembarked, they found Mace Windu and Yoda waiting for them at the entrance to the Temple. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Anakin approached them and bowed. "Welcome back, Master Qui-Gon," Yoda smiled. "A fruitful journey, you have had?"

"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon replied. "There is much I must tell you."

"At a later time, we must speak," Yoda nodded. "More pressing matters, we have."

"An attempt has been made on Senator Amidala's life," Mace explained.

"Padmé?" Anakin interjected.

"Yes," Mace replied. "We believe it would be wise to send some Jedi to assist in protecting the Senator until the killers are caught. She insisted that she would not accept protection from the Jedi unless it was the three of you."

"Trust you, she does. Protect her, you must," Yoda added.

"Of course," Qui-Gon bowed. "We will go at once."

Moments later, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Anakin found themselves in an elevator on their way to Padmé's apartment. Anakin could not stop himself from adjusting his robes, making him appear quite the contrast to the still stoicism of the other two Jedi standing next to him. "You seem a little on edge," Obi-Wan observed.

"I haven't seen her in ten years, Obi-Wan," Anakin replied.

"You're sweating, relax," Obi-Wan smiled.

"I sense Anakin will not be able to relax any time soon," Qui-Gon smirked and turned toward Anakin. "Although you should probably stop sweating."

"Very funny," Anakin nodded as he held back a smile.

Qui-Gon shot a knowing glance at Obi-Wan and turned back toward the elevator door. Anakin turned toward Obi-Wan as he sensed Obi-Wan hold something back. He wasn't sure what it was, but he knew it wasn't another teasing comment. It was something much more serious, born out of the same longing he had sensed in Obi-Wan earlier.

Before he could say anything, however, the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. They stepped out and were greeted by a man with an eye patch dressed in the uniform of the Naboo guard. "You must be the Jedi assigned to Senator Amidala," the man said. "I'm Captain Typho, I'm the Senator's head of security."

"Captain," Qui-Gon bowed his head in greeting.

"Bring them in, Captain," Padmé's voice came from the next room.

Typho motioned them to follow him and he led them into a large sitting room where they found Padmé with one of her aides. "Senator," Qui-Gon smiled kindly. "It seems we are at your service once again."

"Thank you for coming, Master Qui-Gon," Padmé replied. "I didn't know who else I could trust."

"You will be safe with us," Qui-Gon assured her.

Padmé smiled warmly, but her smile widened when she noticed Anakin. "Ani?" she exclaimed. "My goodness, you've grown."

"So have you. Grown more beautiful, I mean. Well, for a senator, I mean," Anakin stumbled over his words.

Padmé blushed but managed to regain her composure before replying, "Anakin, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine."

Before Anakin could put his foot in his mouth any further, Qui-Gon interrupted, "Tell us about the attack. What happened?"

"I'm still not entirely sure," Padmé replied. "I think someone bombed my cruiser when it landed. I was unharmed since I was in another ship, but my decoy…"

Padmé's voice trailed off. "We will find out who did this, Padmé," Anakin said. "I promise you."

"Yes," Qui-Gon agreed. "We will do everything in our power to stop this assassin. Where is your cruiser now?"

"It's been sent off to be examined for evidence," Typho answered.

"Obi-Wan, go with Captain Typho and take a look at that cruiser," Qui-Gon instructed. "Look for anything that might tell us how the cruiser was destroyed as well as the identity of the assassin. It might help us prevent a future attack."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan nodded.

"Thank you, Master Jedi," Padmé said as Obi-Wan and Typho departed. "I hope your presence will reveal this plot."

"As do I," Qui-Gon replied. "Do you have any ideas as to who might be trying to kill you?"

"No," Padmé shook her head. "Though there are whispers that Viceroy Gunray has aligned himself with Count Dooku and the other Separatists. Do you think he could be responsible, now that he has access to Count Dooku's resources?"

"No, I do not believe so," Qui-Gon replied. "Count Dooku would never allow it."

"What makes you so sure?" Padmé asked.

"He was my master," Qui-Gon said. "I know he wouldn't allow Gunray to use his resources to kill someone."

At that moment, Padmé's aide approached and whispered in Padmé's ear. Padmé nodded and turned back to Qui-Gon and Anakin. "If you both will excuse me, I have some urgent business to attend to," she said.

"Of course," Qui-Gon bowed.

Once Padmé and her aide had left Qui-Gon and Anakin alone, Qui-Gon said, "I sense worry in you, Anakin."

"She barely even recognized me, Master," Anakin replied, "and I've thought of her every day since we parted."

"Don't dwell on your anxieties, Anakin. They blind you," Qui-Gon put his hand on Anakin's shoulder and smiled. "Of all of us she was happiest to see you."

Anakin smiled back and nodded. "Thank you, Master."

"Now," Qui-Gon said as he stepped away from Anakin, "we must secure this apartment. I will check on her security detail and determine where an assassin is most likely to strike. Stay here and watch over Padmé."

"Yes, Master," Anakin bowed.

Qui-Gon returned the bow and left the room. Once he was gone, Anakin crossed the sitting room and made his way to the corridor that Padmé and her aide had gone down. It turned out this led to Padmé's bedchamber, and there he found Padmé and her aide preparing to leave. "Ah, Anakin!" Padmé exclaimed when she saw him. "We were just about to go to the Senate building. I have a meeting there with another Loyalist leader that I must attend."

"Very well," Anakin said. "I'll go with you."

Padmé smiled and led the way out of the apartment. She and Anakin boarded a transport and flew to the Senate building. When they arrived, they made their way to an office and were greeted by a man with a kind demeanor. "Padmé! Come in," he smiled upon seeing her. "I take it this is one of the Jedi assigned to protect you?"

"Yes," Padmé nodded. "This is Anakin Skywalker. Anakin, this is Bail Organa, he's a senator from Alderaan."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Anakin," Bail extended his hand.

"Likewise, Senator," Anakin replied as he took Bail's hand and shook it.

"Please, call me Bail," Bail smiled.

Anakin nodded.

"So, shall we get down to business?" Bail asked.

"Yes," Padmé said. "What did you want to see me about?"

"I spoke with Mon Mothma and some of our other allies in the Senate. They want you to be the face of the push against forming a Grand Army of the Republic," Bail answered.

"They?" Padmé asked. "What about you?"

"I'm worried it could put a bigger target on your back," Bail explained. "We still don't know who tried to kill you, or why. If it was one of our opponents, it could present more of a risk for you."

"But if I step up, it could persuade others to join our cause," Padmé countered.

"I thought you might say that," Bail nodded. "That's why I asked to speak with you. I don't think it would be safe."

"We can keep her safe," Anakin chimed in. "She'll have three Jedi and her whole guard protecting her. No harm will come to her."

"Are you sure?" Bail asked.

"Yes," Anakin replied confidently. "Besides, her standing against forming an army after surviving an assassination attempt can only help your cause. The Senate would have to see your point of view when they see that she is more resolved than ever."

Padmé let a small smile escape her lips and looked at Bail with determination. "Alright," Bail surrendered, "if you're sure, then I won't stop you."

"Thank you, Bail," Padmé said.

"And, Anakin," Bail said, "keep her alive."

"You have my word, Bail," Anakin bowed.