2 Months After Geonosis

Location: Ord Mantell

Present Day

Aurora's POV

"So, then I said to him no I'm not force sensitive, you are an idiot." I explained from my seat at the bar. "So that's really how it went."

Sid looked at me with a cranky look on her face. "Somehow I don't believe a word you said."

I titled my head to the side. "Seriously?"

She nodded. "Look blondie, I've dealt with some crazy people in this business…but somehow you take the cake every single time."

I rolled my eyes in amusement as I stood up from my seat as I walked out of the bar. "I should feel honored."

"You should, I'll see you the next time you need someone to vent to." She called after me and I shrugged her off.

In the past two months, my life has gotten more hectic ever since I left Death Watch. Honestly, I feel great about it…no stress…no murdering innocent families and not slaughtering children anymore…life was good…or at least as good as it could be. This was one of the first times I left Mandalore while my mother was still on world…I convinced her to let me go as I told her that I was going to a sustainability conference in her place on Naboo…but I just went to visit Cid. The reason why my mother was on world was because the Senate is accusing her of the creation of the Death Watch or in other retrospect building her own private army to fight for the Separatists…neither of which my mother is doing. Instead of taking my starfighter for once, I took a shuttle to Ord Mantell to be less inconspicuous when returning to the planet. Geenine didn't even accompany me on this trip…that's how low-key I wanted to be.

Once I was in hyperspace heading back towards Mandalore, I took the liberty to change out of my normal black beskar woven suit that I had been using since Geonosis to put on more…royal attire. I changed into a dark blue sleeveless dress and braided it up into a bun. Just as I finished, the shuttle came out of hyperspace and Mandalore came into view. Within a few moments, after going through the security points, I landed in the designated royal area.

As I walked down the ramp of the shuttle, I was met by Rehana.

"Welcome home Princess." She said with a curtsey and a smile.

I smiled back. "Thank you Rehana."

"Your mother requests you in the hangar…immediately as she and a few members of the Council are heading to Coruscant within the hour." Rehana explained.

I frowned. "I see." I began to walk out of the landing bay. "Are my things packed, including my astromech."

Rehana nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."

I smiled. "Good."

I quickly walked through the palace and outside to the outdoor hangar, where I saw Republic forces being loaded onto the Coronet. My mother walking onto the ship when I noticed the Jedi also preparing the Clones that were coming along for the ride. I recognized the two Jedi instantly.

"Why are you two here?" I question in annoyance making both Anakin and Obi-Wan turn around.

"What are you doing here?" Obi-Wan questioned. "Your mother said you were on Naboo."

I rolled my eyes. "Please, you and I both know that I was not on Naboo. Now answer my question, why are you here?"

Obi-Wan sighed. "Your mother was attacked by Pre-Vizsla on Concordia…we found out he is the leader of the Death Watch and there is a plot to kill your mother."

I frowned but looked at him with no shock on my face at all.

"Something tells me you knew all of this already." Anakin explained and I nodded.

"Pre has been wanting to kill my mother for years." I began as I walked toward the ship with both following me. "But after Geonosis I decided to give up being a terrorist and actually do some good for the galaxy for once."

"You left the Death Watch?" Anakin questioned louder than he should've.

"Don't yell it!" I hushed. "Yes, I also abandoned working for my employer."

"Well, at least you're happy about it." Obi-Wan explained as we walked on the ship.

I nodded. "Yes, I am. Now, I'll leave both of you to do whatever your jobs are...you are going to have to address me as 'Your Highness' or 'Your Royal Highness'. This is the one time either of you get to say it, so take it was privilege…also act like you don't know me."

I then walked away from them and went to find Zara, whom I know would be accompanying my mother and the senators on their trip. I walked into my room to see Zara standing there preparing my gown for dinner.

"There you are!" She exclaimed. "Your mother didn't think you'd get back in time."

I rolled my eyes. "I cut my trip to Cid's short…she says hi by the way."

"I really should go with you the next time you go…I miss her." Zara said in deep thought.

"She misses you as well." I explained. "Is Korkie here?"

Zara shook her head. "No, your mother requested he'd stay on the planet…cadet training."

"Of course. One of the only people I'd talk to…and even the people I know, I must act like I don't know them." I explained.

"You know the Jedi and the Clones…don't you?" She questioned as she handed me my gown that I was wearing for dinner.

I nodded. "All too well."

I looked over the gown, it was green, sleeveless, and beaded. It was the same gown I wore to the Senate when I had to retrieve blackmail on the Separatists from the Chancellor's office. Once I put on the stupid gown, Zara fixed my hair so that it was loose and not up for once, and once that stupid crown was on my head, I could already feel a major headache coming on.

"I'll meet you down there." Zara explained as she walked out of the room and headed down for dinner.

I looked at myself once in the mirror and sighed in disgust. I did not look or feel like myself at all.

"Time to go play Princess." I murmured. "Come on Geenine."

I walked out of my room, with Geenine following right behind me, and started heading towards where dinner was being held, when I was stopped in my tracks by two Clone troopers.

"Excuse us." One of them said and I looked at them with a small smirk.
"Fox? Shock?" I questioned humorously. I could tell it was them as their uniforms didn't match any of the Clones I saw from earlier.

"Princess?" They both replied in shock, and I nodded.

"I know, it's a lot to take in all at once." I said with a laugh. "Just, pretend you don't know me for once."

Both nodded. "Sir yes sir!"

Geenine beeped at me, and I sighed. "Fine, you can go with them."

I rolled my eyes before walking past both Clones, along with Geenine, as she decided she wanted to go towards the action and headed toward where my mother and Senators were. As I entered the room, I noticed the senators were gathered, listening to my mother speak.

"Her Royal Highness, The Princess Aurora." One of the guards said as I walked in, and all eyes were on me. God, I hated it. Some of the Senators were in awe by my appearance, others were a bit in shock...but I'm use to that...to some extent.

"Sorry I'm late." I said with a small curtsey.

My mother sighed. "Senators, I'm sure you remember my daughter and heir, Aurora?"

"Your Royal Highness." They all responded with both curtseys and bows.

I sighed. "A pleasure to see all of you again…please mother, continue."

My mother then began to continue speaking about her anti-war efforts and I immediately went over to a droid who was passing drinks and grabbed one before it went back to the kitchen. I started to down it as Zara walked over to where Geenine and I were standing.

"I see you brought Geenine with you." She smiled and Geenine beeped happily.

I smiled. "You know she follows me everywhere."

"War is intolerable!" My mother continued, but I started to zone in for once and listened. "We have been deceived into thinking we must be a part of it! I say the moment we are committed to fighting, we already lost."

"Excuse me Your Grace." Tal Merrick began (who was one of the few people in this room that I hate, even though he was my mother's childhood friend.). "Are you suggesting that we oppose the war on the humanitarian grounds?"

My mother shook her head. "I'm going to oppose it as affront to life itself. As the designated regent of 1,500 systems, I speak for thousands of worlds that have urged me to allow them to stay neutral in this war."

"Yet some might argue that the strongest defense is a quick and decisive offense." A familiar voice explained.

I glanced toward the doorway to see both Anakin and Obi-Wan standing in it. Anakin glanced over to me and almost did a double take making me stifle a laugh. This was the first time any of them had seen me not covered in dirt, or bleeding, or trying to kill someone or something.

"You are quite the general now, aren't you Master Kenobi?" My mother asked with sarcasm.

"Forgive me for interrupting Your Highness, I meant no disrespect." He replied sincerely.

My mother, however, wasn't having it. "Really?" She responded in passive aggressive annoyance. "Senators, I assume you are acquainted with the half-truths and hyperbole known as Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Your Highness is too kind." He replied.

My mother sighed. "You're right, I am."

"Allow me to introduce my fellow Jedi, Anakin Skywalker." Obi-Wan began gesturing to Anakin.

Anakin stepped forward and bowed to my mother. "Your servant, My Lady."

"I remember a time when Jedi were not generals but peacekeepers." My mother began.

"We are protectors Highness, yours at the moment. We fight for peace." Anakin explained.

"What an amusing contradiction." My mother huffed,

"What Master Skywalker means is that we are acting on the behest of Your Highness, to protect both you and your daughter from the Death Watch and the Separatists who don't share your neutral point of view." Obi-Wan explained.

"I don't need protection." I murmured and immediately got elbowed in the side by Zara.

"I asked for no such thing!" My mother protested.

"That may be so," Obi-Wan began. "But a majority of your court did."

My mother looked around to the Senators then back to Obi-Wan and her eyes narrowed. "I do not remember you as one to hide behind excuses."

"I do not remember you as one to shrink from responsibilities." Obi-Wan countered.

"Do something." Zara said with a nudge.

I rolled my eyes before I plastered my fake smile that I used when I was in the Senate.

"I am certain we all can agree!" I began with what I called my 'fake personality.' "My mother, and General Kenobi have proven there are two sides to every dilemma."

"Indeed." Merrick replied in agreement.

I slowly stepped back to my position and Anakin gave me a look of shock…he's never seen my 'fake personality' that I used when buttering-up politicians…he stifled a laugh and I glared at him which made him stop.

"Now in regard to the Senate vote…" Senator Taa began.

"I think a multitude makes discord, got good council." My mother continued.

Senator Taa nodded. "Right again my lady."

Obi-Wan then whispered something to Anakin who nodded in response. I turned to Zara and sighed, before placing my head, face down on her shoulder.

"Get up Ro!" She quietly shouted.

"My head hurts." I moaned.

"Suck it up!" She whispered.

I quickly picked my head up and noticed Anakin walking over to the both of us.

"Your Royal Highness." He said with a bow, and I could tell there was sarcasm in his voice.

I rolled my eyes. "Really?" I whispered.

"You told me this was the one time I could do this…I have to get my usage out of it."

"I scared Fox and Shock on my way here." I explained. "They didn't recognize me."

"I didn't recognize you…If Ahsoka were here she'd probably take a picture." He explained as he grabbed a drink that one of the droids had on their tray.

"It probably would last longer." I said with a sigh. I then gestured to Zara. "Zara this is Anakin, Anakin this is Zara."

Zara shook his hand and sighed. "So where are the other two morons?"

Anakin glanced at me, and I smirked.

"You refer to Rex, Ahsoka, and I as 'The three Morons?'" He asked.

I nodded. "Leave me alone…and after the shit I've seen with and experienced with the three of you, I have a right."

"Really Ro?" He questioned and I rolled my eyes.

I was about to reply, but my mother and Obi-Wan were continuing their debate. A humorous smirk became plastered on my face, and I pointed to their exchange with my free hand as I took a sip of my drink.

"A Republic military presence is the only sure defense against the Separatists." Obi-Wan began.

"Even extremists can be reasoned with!" My mother countered standing up from her seat.

"Perhaps, if one can be heard over the clanking of their battle droids!" Obi-Wan snapped as he approached her.

"The sarcasm of a soldier!" My mother said with an eye roll.

"The delusion of a dreamer!" He countered.

Merrick then steeped in between them. "Duchess, Master Jedi. It's been a long trip; I think we could all use a little rest and refreshment."

I glanced to Anakin and both of us smirked at each other, before clinking our glasses together.

"Cheers." He murmured trying not to laugh.

Zara was stifling her laugh and so was I as we watched my mother and Obi-Wan's exchange.

"Hear, hear." Senator Taa replied with you. "Now, let us put politics aside until after dinner."

"Fine!" Both my mother and Obi-Wan replied in annoyance, and my mother walked out of the room, just as the Coronet jumped into hyperspace.

As the senators began to leave the room, I told Zara to go help my mother with whatever she needed before dinner, as I stayed behind with Anakin and Obi-Wan.

"All I'm going to say is, you really need to work on your small talk skills." I said as I leaned against the wall.

"We have never seen eye-to-eye." Obi-Wan explained.

I crossed my arms and stood up straight. "You never told me you knew my mother."

"That is a rather long story." He explained.

I rolled my eyes. "Another time then."

I walked past both and headed towards my room. When I walked in, I was met with Zara fixing her hair.

"What's wrong?" I asked in confusion.

"I don't like how it looks." She explained.

"It looks fine." I sighed as I helped her fix it.

Within a few moments my door opened to reveal Anakin on the other side.

"You need to come with me." He explained.

"I'm getting ready to leave for dinner." I explained. "Why, what's the matter?"

"There's something wrong with Geenine and Artoo…something scared them really bad." He explained.

I sighed before turning toward Zara, who already had my vambrace's in her hands. She handed me both and rolled her eyes.

"What lie am I telling her now?" She asked with sarcasm.

"Tell my mother that I'm sick." I explained as I started to follow Anakin out the door.

"That excuse is getting old Ro." Zara explained.

I stopped in my tracks. "Tell her I'm pregnant."

Zara shook her head. "That won't work, we tried that once…remember."

"You guys tried that before?" Anakin asked in shock.

"It almost worked too." I explained. "Until Zara, choked up and said it was a lie."

"I hate lying to her!" Zara explained.

I huffed in frustration. "Tell her I don't feel well and am vomiting up a storm…and that I don't want to get anyone sick, hence why I'm not at dinner…there done deal."

I turned back around and followed Anakin back out the door.

"Pregnant?" He asked in both annoyance and shock. "Really?"

I shrugged. "What? I had to think of something."

"And that's what you automatically think of?" He questioned.

I shrugged again. "Spur of the moment."

A/N:

Zara's faceclaim is Katheryn Winnick as Zara is slightly older than Aurora.