Chapter Nine

A Day In Theed

It was extremely early the next morning, the sun was just starting to rise. "We should probably go inside soon." Merida mumbled in her sleep as she rolled over and hugged Ahsoka.

"Can't walk, butt hurts." Ahsoka grumbled as she nuzzled Merida with her montrals.

"You're the one who kept saying harder." Merida replied as she slolwy started opening her eyes.

"I was drunk on love, I didn't think you'd actually listen." Ahsoka giggled as she opened her eyes and rolled over.

"When my sweet little togruta says spank me, I spank her. When she says harder, I spank her harder. So your sore butt is all on you." Merida giggled as she gently started rubbing Ahsoka's butt.

"I need to stop being so horny." Ahsoka grumbled as she closed her eyes again.

"Are you even capable of that?" Merida asked with a grin.

"Probably not." Ahsoka answered with a content sigh.

"Shall we get up? It's gonna be a cold swim back to the palace." Merida asked as she continued rubbing Ahsoka's butt.

"I suppose, but I am really comfortable like this." Ahsoka giggled in reply.

"Too bad, get up Ahsoka." Merida instructed as she gave Ahsoka a firm smack on her butt.

"Ah!" Ahsoka yelped in surprise as her body involuntary jumped at the unexpected slap to her rear. "Merida!" Ahsoka yelled as she looked back at Merida, who was already preparing to jump into the water.

"See you back on shore!" Merida yelled with a laugh as she jumped into the water, regretting it almost instantly since it was frigid cold. "Oh good God, it's like Hoth in this bloody lake! That's one way to perk up in the morning!" Merida yelled as she shivered in the water.

"Yeah, and in more ways than one it would seem." Ahsoka giggled as she stared at Merida's bare chest.

"Oh ha ha, very clever." Merida replied as she instinctively rubbed her arms to try and warm herself.

"Oh come on Merida, is it really that bad?" Ahsoka asked with a giggle as she walked to the edge of the island.

"Why don't you tell me." Merida replied as she grabbed Ahsoka's hand, then pulled her into the water.

"Ah! Merida!" Ahsoka shouted as she plunged into the icy cold water.

"Look who's all perked up now." Merida said with a grin as she poked Ahsoka's chest.

"N-not f-f-funny." Ahsoka replied through her shivers.

"You're right Ahsoka. It was downright hilarious!" Merida replied as she started swimming towards shore.

"I hope our clothes are still on the shoreline, otherwise that's gonna be one awkward walk to the room." Ahsoka said with a smile as she swam after Merida.

"That's coming from someone who walked around naked in a total stranger's house once." Merida replied as she stepped onto the beach, happy to find hers and Ahsoka's clothes lying in the damp sand.

"When did I do that?" Ahsoka asked in a confused tone.

"After we went to Bubbles's house to get off of Hoth. You took a bath and came downstairs in your birthday suit, and right in front of Bubbles's father!" Merida yelled with a laugh.

"I did what?! I don't remember that at all?! Was I drunk on hypothermia or something?!" Ahsoka yelled as she crawled onto the sand, then shook herself off like a dog.

"No, you were in your feral state; and speaking of feral state, did you realize that you just shook yourself off like a lurca hound?" Merida asked with a chuckle.

"I did?" Ahsoka asked as she looked down at herself, realizing that she was almost completely dry. "Wow, I didn't know I could do that. Neat." Ahsoka said with some surprise as she started getting dressed.

"Well, now that we're decent, shall we head to the palace and see who else is up?" Merida asked as she fastened the last button on her overcoat.

"Sounds good to me." Ahsoka answered as she started leading Merida back towards the palace.

After a short walk the duo entered the palace, not too surprised when they found themselves to be the only ones awake. "Well, seems like it's just you and me." Merida said with a smile as she sat down on a couch.

"How awful, I can hardly bare the thought of being alone with you." Ahsoka giggled as she sat down, then gently laid her head on Merida's shoulder.

"I know, you seem completely beside yourself over it." Merida chuckled as she gently started scratching the valley between Ahsoka's montrals. Ahsoka all but literally purred at the sensation of Merida's gentle fingers on her valley. "Goodness, it's not even seven a.m and you're already all worked up. Are you getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet? Excessive sexual hormones in Togrutas are a good sign that they're lacking magnesium." Merida giggled as she continued scratching Ahsoka's valley.

"I don't like vegtables, they don't taste good." Ahsoka replied as she let out a content sigh and closed her eyes.

"But they're good for you, and in more ways than I realized it would seem." Anakin said with a grin as he and Padmé stared at the two young women.

"Mom, dad?! When did you two get here?!" Ahsoka asked in a panick as she quickly sat up and stared back at them.

"A couple minutes ago. Merida didn't seem to mind our presence." Padmé answered with a chuckle. Ahsoka looked at Merida, who just smiled and shrugged.

"How much did you hear?" Ahsoka asked in a nervous tone.

"Oh we heard it all, Snips. We even heard you two sneak back into the palace." Anakin answered with a smirk.

"Oh Annie, leave her alone. She's a grown women who can make her own decisions and come home when she feels like it. Though I would agree with Merida on the fact that you need to eat more vegetables." Padmé said as she shot an I told you so expression at Ahsoka, who in turn looked down at her lap.

"Yes mom." Ahsoka replied with a small sigh. "So who else is up?" Ahsoka asked as she looked up at Anakin.

"I heard Kaede and Sarah in the workout room when Padmé and I woke up." Anakin informed with a smile.

"We have a workout room?" Ahsoka asked with some surprise.

"We do Snips, you should try it sometime." Anakin replied with a grin.

"Are you trying to tell me something?" Ahsoka asked as she crossed her arms and glared at Anakin.

"No, your body is fine the way it is. I just don't want you to get too comfortable during all of this peace, because trust me, it never lasts. As Jedi we must be ready for anything, be that simple assistance with negotiations, or a full scale conflict in which we must take up our positions as commanders and generals once again. If we're not in good shape, then we risk loosing more than a battle, we risk loosing our lives, not to mention the lives of those we command. Does that make sense?" Anakin explained and asked with a straight face.

"It does, master. I understand, and thanks for not laying into me about my weight, even though I'm definitely not the slim fighter I was during the war. I'll work on it." Ahsoka replied as she stood up and hugged Anakin.

"I know you will, we're so proud of you Ahsoka. You're so strong and wise now, sometimes I can't even believe that you're the same woman that walked off that ship on Christophsis all those years ago." Anakin quietly said as he held Ahsoka against himself.

"Master, you're embarrassing me." Ahsoka grumbled with a blush.

"Oh Ahsoka, don't be embarrassed that your father loves you. Trust me dear, embrace your family while you can, you never know when your last vist with them will be." Merida encouraged as she walked over to Padmé and hugged her.

"Is everything okay? You're shaking." Padmé asked as she wrapped her arms around Merida.

"I'm sorry, I just got a little emotional when I saw Ahsoka and Anakin hugging. Tara and I lost our parents four years ago today during the attack on Coruscant's power grid, it still hurts though. I miss them, Padmé, but I know that they'd be proud of us." Merida explained with a sniffle.

"Oh sweetie." Padmé quietly said as she hugged Merida a little tighter.

"I'm alright, our relatives took us in and cared for us, so at least we didn't end up like some of the other children did after the attack." Merida replied with a sniffle as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I should give Tara a call and see how she's doing, we're normally together on this day, but she's back at the museum right now." Merida replied as she hugged Padmé one more time, then let her go before walking away.

"Oh Merida." Ahsoka whispered as she watched Merida walk away.

"Did you know about her parents?" Anakin asked in a soft tone.

"No, she never told me. I never asked though." Ahsoka answered as she stared at the door Merida had left through.

"Why would you have? That's not the kind of question that comes up during a casual conversation." Padmé replied as she placed a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder.

"I know, but I should've asked about her family at some point. We've been dating for a few months now, it just never crossed my mind though." Ahsoka quietly said in a sad tone.

"Anakin and I were secretly dating for almost four years, and we never talked to each other about our families. A lot of the times when you meet that special someone, you think less about the family you grew up with, and more about the family that you're living with. It's natural to put your present family above your distant one, and that's what you and Merida are to each other, present family." Padmé explained as she hugged Ahsoka.

"I guess that makes sense." Ahsoka replied as Merida came back into the room.

"Tara's doing well, she's hanging out with some friends of ours from work. They're a good group, I trust them to be there for her." Merida informed as she walked over to Ahsoka and laid her head on her shoulder.

"I'm glad that Tara's doing okay, but if you want to, we could go and see her." Ahsoka informed as she gently put her arm around Merida's shoulders and pulled her closer.

"That's okay, thank you for the offer though. However, I would be a fool to spend the day doing nothing but wallowing in grief. Perhaps a walk around Theed would do me some good, and maybe some shopping." Merida replied with a smile as she nuzzled Ahsoka's cheek with her own.

"We'll do all the shopping you want, and we'll charge it to the republic's tab." Ahsoka replied with a smile, whispering the last part with a giggle.

"You most certainly will not, young lady. You can charge it to mine, I have accounts at almost every business in Theed." Padmé said with a smile, causing both Ahsoka and Merida to look at her with surprise. "Go crazy you two." Padmé said with a chuckle.

"Can we bring the others?" Merida asked with a small smirk.

"I'd be disappointed if you didn't." Padmé answered with a smile. Ahsoka and Merida's expressions brightened at that answer, then they both ran off to find everyone else.

"Come on ya scrawny sack of shit! My grandma can bench more than yer sorry ass!" Sarah shouted as she stared down at Kaede, who was lying on her back doing bench presses. Kaede heaved the barbell up for the tenth time before setting it on the racks and sitting up.

"Remind me again...why I asked for your drill sergeant mode?" Kaede asked with a few breaths.

"Beats me, but ya asked fer it. So no backin' out now ya pussy! Unless y're a quitter! Are you a quitter?!" Sarah shouted as she stared into Kaede's eyes with a stern expression.

"No ma'am!" Kaede replied as she grabbed the barbell again and started doing a set of squats.

"Then get to it, I want yer lower half toned like nobody's business! I wanna hear tham cheeks clap like a damn crowd at a concert! Move it, move it!" Sarah barked as she started pacing in front of Kaede.

"When this...set is done...I'm taking over...as the instructor." Kaede wheezed between squats.

"That's fine with me, I can't wait ta hear yer drill sergeant voice." Sarah giggled as Kaede racked the bar.

"Your turn, turd." Kaede said with a smirk as she switched places with Sarah.

"Turd? Is that the best ya got? This is gonna be easy if that's all ya got." Sarah giggled as she laid down on a bench and grabbed the barbell.

"Less talkin' and more liftin'! Come on Blouse! Get yer rear in gear and give me twenty reps!" Kaede suddenly shouted as she crouched down and glared directly into Sarah's eyes.

"Y-yes ma'am!" Sarah yelled as she started reps.

"Let's go, let's go! We ain't got all day, Crystal Tokyo's gonna be built by the time yer ass is done!" Kaede yelled in a forceful tone. Sarah started doing her reps a little faster, then she finished and racked the bar before sitting up. "Sit-ups, fifty of them! Get to it!" Kaede shouted as she continued glaring at Sarah.

"Ma'am yes ma'am!" Sarah replied as she practically leapt off the bench before lying on the ground.

"Hey, is everything alright in here, we heard shouting?" Ahsoka asked as she and Merida walked into the room.

"Oh yeah, just some workout fun and..." Kaede paused before looking down at Sarah. "Holly shit, Blouse! You couldn't do a proper sit-up if yer life depended on it! Come on butterball, I want the crease in yer belly pudge ta smile at me with every sit-up! Let's go!" Kaede shouted before looking back at Ahsoka and Merida. "Yeah we're doing great, how are you two doing?" Kaede asked with a smile.

"Wow, can you train me like that?" Ahsoka asked with a smile as she looked down at her own doughy stomach.

"I don't think the negative reinforcement method is the best workout method for you, let's try a more motivational one. Just do, oh I don't know, ten sit-ups, let's start with that." Kaede answered with a smile.

"Um, okay. Sure." Ahsoka replied as she laid on her back and started doing her sit-ups.

"Nice, can you do ten more?" Kaede asked in a kind tone.

"Come on Kaede, I may be a little on the pudgy side, but I can handle a lot more than ten sit-ups." Ahsoka replied as she easily did another ten sit-ups.

"How about weights?" Kaede asked as she looked at the barbell she had been using a moment ago.

"Sure." Ahsoka replied as she laid on the bench and grabbed the bar.

"Oh, and no using the force to help you. Not unless the bar's about to crush you or something." Kaede said with a grin.

"I'm sure I'll be fine. I may not look it, but I'm not weak." Ahsoka replied as she grabbed the bar and lifted it, only to immediately have it nearly slam down on her due to the unexpected weight. "What the kriff?! Who was using this thing, Wrecker?! Oh my God. Help, help! I need a spot! Spot!" Ahsoka shouted as she struggled to keep the bar off her chest.

Kaede rushed over to Ahsoka and lifted the bar off of her with almost no effort. "You okay?" Kaede asked as she racked the weight and gently sat Ahsoka up.

"Who's the damn machine that was using that thing?! Seriously, that thing had to have weighed a good hundred and fifty pounds at least." Ahsoka asked as she caught her breath.

"Sorry, that was me. My Jovian powers give me a serious boost in strength, even in my civilian form. It was actually about two-hundred pounds, and that was just the warm up. My max is about seven hundred, but that's only when I'm transformed and in a high intensity situation such as a battle or a crisis. My maximum when I'm in my civilian form and not jacked up on adrenaline is about two fifty to two seventy." Kaede informed with a chuckle.

"That's still way above average fer a gal yer age and build." Sarah replied with a grin.

"I think...I'm done working out." Ahsoka said with a breath as she laid back down and stared at the ceiling.

"Perhaps you should use Sarah's weight set next time." Kaede giggled as she held her hand out to Ahsoka, who happily grabbed it and pulled herself to her feet.

"Come on y'all, let's go shoppin'!" Sarah yelled as she rushed out of the workout room, followed quickly by Kaede.

"How can those two be so energetic after all of that?" Merida asked with a giggle as she and Ahsoka walked towards the door together.

"Apparently they hadn't even gotten warmed up yet, so they have tons more energy." Ahsoka giggled in reply. The duo walked into the living room to find everyone else sitting around and talking.

"Hey you two, I heard that we have plans today." Usagi said with a smile.

"You bet we do, we're going shopping in Theed!" Merida answered in a giddy tone.

"With mom's credit card as well it would seem." Ahsoka added with a chuckle.

"That's right, so you should all get dressed. Theed has some amazing restaurants that you can eat breakfast at as well." Padmé informed with a smile.

"Way ahead of you, Padmé!" Blossom replied with excitement.

"That's good, what about your sisters and your friends though?" Padmé asked with a small grin as she looked at Donnie, who just cocked his head at her.

"That is Donnie being dressed, we're lucky the wild child wears that." Debbie informed as she looked down at Donnie, who jammed his finger into his nose.

"Awe, he's like a tiny version of feral Ahsoka." Anakin chuckled as he looked at Ahsoka.

"Hey, I may do odd things when I'm feral, but I guarantee that I've never picked my nose like that." Ahsoka replied as she crossed her arms and grinned at Anakin.

"Ya know Snips, I can believe that. You've ran around naked, talked funny, you even tried eating a man once when you were feral, but I've never seen you go digging for kyber crystals before." Anakin replied with a chuckle.

"I'm sorry, she did what to a man once?" Marianne asked in a shocked tone.

"In her defense the guy did try and kill her." Padmé replied with a smile.

"That is true, though she does still chew on his ulna when she's feral and laying around." Anakin added with a grin.

"That bone's from a clone?! I thought one of you got it for me at a market!" Ahsoka shouted in a horrified tone as she looked at Anakin, then at Padmé.

"I'm afraid not, you've been chewing on Waxer's arm for the past eight months." Anakin replied with a small smile.

"But if it makes you feel any better, Commander Cody wanted you to have it. He thought that Waxer would rather you have it than it just being buried or jettisoned into space, he said that now you'll always have a part of Waxer with you." Padmé added with a smile.

"That seems a little like Waxer's sense of humor. At the risk of sounding morbid and cruel, I thank him for allowing me to continue chewing on his arm." Ahsoka replied with a small smile.

"I'm sure he would've laughed at that. Now let's all get going to Theed, Omega's practically bouncing with excitement." Padmé informed as she started leading everyone outside.

"Where is Omega?" Bubbles asked as she floated over to Padmé.

"Trying to convince her brothers to come shopping with us." Padmé answered as she lead everyone outside, where Omega and the rest of the Bad Batch were having some kind of light argument.

"Come on guys, it'll be fun!" Omega cheered as she bounced excitedly on the tips of her toes.

"If you wanna go along with everyone that's fine, but I wouldn't be caught dead going on a shopping trip like some kind of princess." Crosshair replied as he leaned back against their ship.

"Me either, it's so boring! How many clothes could someone possibly need, all I need is my armor!" Wrecker replied as he slapped his chest plate.

"Everyone needs something other than armor to wear." Omega replied with a smile.

"We each have one pair of civies, that's more than sufficient for us." Tech informed as he looked back at a pair of dark green pants and a brown shirt.

"Sorry Omega, we're just not the shopping types. But don't let that stop you from hanging out with everyone today, it's good for you to spend time with other people, especially kids that are closer to your own age." Echo encouraged with a smile.

"But..." Omega started to say, until hunter cut her off.

"Go shopping with your friends, we'll stay here and keep an eye on batcher. That's an order, soldier." Hunter said with a small grin.

"Yes sir." Omega replied with a sigh before walking towards Padmé and the others.

"They don't wanna come?" Padmé asked with a giggle.

"Not in the slightest." Omega answered with a small smile.

"I'll go and talk to them." Anakin informed as he walked over to the batch.

"Fifty credits says he's not coming back." Ahsoka whispered to Merida, causing her to giggle.

"General Skywalker." Hunter greeted as he and everyone else stood at attention.

"At ease gentlemen. So, I hear that none of you are going shopping." Anakin said as he looked at each of them.

"With all due respect general, going out on the town and shopping like a bunch of civies just isn't for us." Hunter informed in a calm tone.

"I understand, but do me a favor will you? Find an excuse to get me out of this, I hate shopping with Padmé. Last time we went shopping we spent two hours in one store, and an hour in the next one." Anakin quietly pleaded.

"What's he saying?" Padmé asked as she looked at Ahsoka, who was obviously listening in on Anakin's conversation.

"Trust me, you don't wanna know." Ahsoka answered with a smile.

"Well General, we could use someone with your tactical knowledge and status when we call the council." Hunter replied with a small smile.

"The council? What do you have to call them for?" Anakin asked with some surprise.

"The situation on Riptuje is rapidly escalating, and before coming here to drop Omega off, we were scouting it. We have yet to report to the council though." Tech explained as he held up a data pad.

Anakin took the pad and looked it over. "Jeez, a full blown civil war? How long's it been going on?" Anakin asked as he scrolled through the data pad.

"Since the day the chancellor and her Jedi escorts attempted to help in negotiations between the planet's government and the organization known as T-POP, or the people of Palpatine. Despite Viszla's death, members of the Death Watch are still influencing the group, and the conflict has escalated into a plant wide civil war. The council is concerned that if the conflict continues to escalate, it will not stay on the planet." Tech explained as Anakin handed the data pad back to him.

"After hearing what happened to Padmé and the others while they were there, I wouldn't be surprised if it did escalate off world. This is more than just an excuse to get out of shopping, I need to speak with the council as well about this." Anakin replied before walking away.

"Shall we wait for you, general?" Hunter asked as he watched Anakin walk away.

"Please!" Anakin yelled back as he approached Padmé and the others.

"I heard everything, I can't believe we're gonna end up back on that hellish planet." Ahsoka grumbled as she gently rubbed the sides of her now aching montrals.

"We don't know that yet, Snips. You just focus on relaxing with everyone, I'll take Hunter and the others to convine with the council. I'll call you both once we know more about what's going on." Anakin replied as he hugged Ahsoka.

"Alright Annie. You're so bad." Padmé giggled as she hugged Anakin.

"Hey, this isn't just about getting out of shopping, that just happens to be an unexpected perk of this sudden meeting with the council." Anakin replied as he gave Padmé a kiss. "Buy yourselves something nice for me, I'll keep you both updated." Anakin said with a smile as he walked away.

"Where's master Skywalker going?" Bubbles asked as she floated over to Ahsoka.

"To speak with the concil, apparently the situation on Riptuje is getting really bad. Let's hope that we don't end up in another galactic war." Ahsoka answered as she started walking away.

"Or worse." Bubbles quietly said as she followed Ahsoka.

"What could be worse than a glactic civil war?" Padmé asked as she followed Bubbles.

"A war that spans more than one galaxy." Bubbles answered in a stern tone.

"You don't think the second prophecy was actually referring to a litteral multi galactic conflict, do you?" Padmé asked with some concern.

"I don't know, but it wouldn't be the first time people from your galaxy came to ours. The separtists invaded Juban shortly after master Tano and I met, it's not impossible that our galaxies could end up in a conflict of some kind, especially if the wrong person were to aquire a transport watch. It would make moving troops and supplies between the two locations extremely easy." Bubbles replied with a thoughtful expression.

"She has a point, those watches are powerful. They allow one to have access not only to other galaxies, but other realities even. The entire multiverse is at the tips of the user's fingers." Ahsoka added with a stern expression.

"So in other words, a multi galactic conflict isn't impossible." Padmé replied with a sad sigh.

"Unfortunately not, it's actually extremely plausible. I agree with Anakin and the others, we need to deal with the situation on Riptuje as soon as possible." Ahsoka said in a firm tone. "But for now, let's not think about that. Today isn't about conflict and politics, it's about Merida and being there for her." Ahsoka said with a smile as she walked over to Merida.

"Ah, there you are. I was starting to get lonely without you by my side." Merida said with a smile as she gently grabbed Ahsoka's hand and squeezed it.

"Sorry, I got a little caught up in a conversation with my master." Ahsoka informed as she squeezed Merida's hand back.

"That's alright. But I'm famished, so where are we going to eat?" Merida asked with a smile.

"Wherever you'd like, today is all about you." Ahsoka answered as she gave Merida a kiss on her cheek.

"Oh Ahsoka, you're so sweet. I'm so thankful to have you in my life, especially today." Merida said with a smile as she rested her head on Ahsoka's shoulder.

"I'm thankful for you too, Merida." Ahsoka replied as she nuzzled Merida's cheek with her own.

"Well if they're not taking me with, then I'm taking Batcher from them." Omega grumbled before whistling loudly. Batcher barked excitedly before rushing down the ship's ramp and running to Omega's side.

"Omega!" Hunter yelled as he jogged down the ramp of the ship.

"Sorry hunter, but we're having a girl's day out!" Omega yelled as she waved to Hunter before running off with everyone.

The group left the palace grounds and made their way to the streets of Theed, enjoying the beautiful architecture and kind people as they walked through the city. "Good gracious! Marianne, look at this incredible creature!" Nigel yelled as a stared at a huge horse like creature with a large horn on it's head.

"Oh, that's a gualaar, they're usually used to help pull heavy objects during construction or accident clean ups. Though this guy appears to just be helping his owner carry supplies somewhere." Padmé infromed as she gently pet the gualaar's chest.

"Wow, you look incredible." Eliza said as she stared at the gualaar.

"Why thank you, I just a got my hide washed." The gualaar replied as he raised his head up high.

"Batcher, no bark." Omega scolded when Batcher started barking at the gualaar.

"They're just talking." Bubbles informed as she looked at the gualaar, who made a slight neighing sound.

"Well, shall we move on and find a place to eat?" Padmé asked as she looked back at the group.

"Yes please, I'm famished." Ahsoka answered with a smile.

"I'm not surprised, I heard you working out with Sarah and Kaede today. It sounded like you were really trying hard in there." Padmé replied with a smile.

"We all were, and it darn near killed me." Ahsoka said with a chuckle.

"Don't be over dramatic, I'm sure you did fine." Padmé replied with a playful roll of her eyes.

"Actually the barbell almost crushed her, Kaede had a ridiculous amount of weight on that thang. When Ahsoka lifted the bar off that rack it dropped down on her like a sack of bricks, but Kaede saved her nice and quick. Ain't that right darlin'? Sarah informed with a small grin.

"Oh yeah, I was right there to help. She's just fine, right Ahsoka?" Kaede replied as she patted Ahsoka's shoulder.

"I sure am, though I am pretty hungry." Ahsoka answered with a smile.

"Then how about we get some breakfast here, it's a good restaurant with both fancy and casual food." Padmé suggested as she stopped outside of a restaurant called the glaxy's platter.

"Wow, even the name sounds fancy." Usagi said with a smile.

"Come on." Padmé said as she lead everyone inside.

"Welcome to the glaxy's platter, how many are dinning today?" A red twi'lek woman asked in a cheerful tone.

"At least twenty if I counted correctly, plus two animals." Padmé answered with a small smile

"Oh my, you're all together then? I think you folks are the largest group we've ever had in here, but we have more than enough room, though we will have to split you all up over a series of tables if that's okay." The hostess replied as she grabbed a few datapads and started leading everyone towards the dinning area.

"Of course." Padmé said with a smile as she and everyone else started following the woman. The group was quickly divided amongst three tables, a long one with six chairs on each side, and two round ones with four chairs each. Batcher sat on the floor next to Omega while Darwin sat down next to Eliza.

"There you are folks, we'll give you all some time to look over the menus, and I'll bring a bowl of water out for the lurca hound and the other thing. Sorry, I've never seen a creature like that before." The hostess said as she looked at Darwin.

"That's okay, he's not a local species. Came from an outer rim planet that I don't remember the name of." Padmé lied with a smile. The hostess smiled back before walking away.

"I'm getting the blue milk pancakes with whipped blue cream." Bubbles informed with a smile.

"Same." Buttercup answered as she looked at Blossom.

"Me too." Blossom replied with a giggle.

"Those sound good. What are they exactly?" Eliza asked in an intrigued tone.

"They're basically blue pancakes with blue whipped cream. You should try 'em." Buttercup answered with a smile.

"I think I will, and I'm sure Donnie would like them too." Eliza replied as she looked at Donnie, who was behaving surprisingly well.

"I'm getting some kind of meat. I think I'm gonna have a nice thick slice of rancor steak." Ahsoka said with a smile as she handed her menu to Merida.

I think I'll just get a royal salad." Merida replied as she passed the menu to Mako.

"I think I'll have rancor steak as well, it sounds delicious." Mako informed as she passed the menu to Sarah.

"I don't even need that thang, I'ma get that fancy meat." Sarah said with a grin.

"I think I'll try the wampa burger." Ami said as she handed her menu to Usagi.

"I'm getting the hot wings." Omega said as she handed the menu to Kaede.

"I'm trying the Mygeeto burrito." Minako said with a smile as she handed her menu to Rei.

"I'm getting nachos, I love nachos." Kaede informed as she passed her menu to Naru.

"I'm trying the butter-basted land shrimp." Usagi said with a smile as she handed her menu to Debbie.

"I think I'll get the crab rotoven." Naru said as she handed her menu to Nigel.

"I'll try the dantooine flapjack." Rei said as she handed her menu to Marianne.

"I'm trying this happy-patty." Debbie said with a smile as she handed her menu to Padmé.

"I'll ry the kaadu on a stick, it sounds quite interesting." Nigel informed as set the menu down.

"The gorba melt sounds interesting, I think I'll try that." Marianne said with a smile as she set her menu down as well.

"I'm getting the curried nuna-roll. Padmé said with a smile as she set her menu down.

"What should we get for them?" Omega asked as she looked at Batcher and Darwin.

"I'll take the salad please." Darwin said as he looked at Eliza.

"Darwin just wants a salad." Eliza translated with a smile.

"I want meat." Batcher said with a happy expression.

"Batcher would like meat." Bubbles said with a smile.

"How about we get her a slice of roast pormork, she'll like that." Ahsoka suggested with a smile.

"Yes! Yes! What the orange one said!" Batcher replied with excitement.

"Shhh. Quiet girl, you'll get us in trouble." Omega whispered as she patted Batcher's head.

"She was just excited about Ahsoka's idea." Eliza informed as she scratched Batcher's head a little bit.

"Hello everyone, welcome to the galaxy's platter. My name's Ryuko and I'll be your waitress today." A young woman in a black skrit and red shirt said as she walked up to everyone.

"We'll try and make things as smiple as possible for you since there are so many of us. We'd like five orders of pancakes with whipped blue cream, three rancor steaks, two salads, a wampa burger, a slice of roast pormork, a nung-roll, a gorba melt, kaadu on a stick, a happy patty, dantooine flapjacks, crab rotoven, butter-basted land shrimp, nachos, a Mygeeto burrito, and hot wings please." Padmé quickly spoke with a smile.

"Very good ma'am, and how would you like the steaks and burger cooked?" The waitress asked as she quickly wrote everything down.

"I'd like my steak rare please." Ahsoka answered with a smile.

"Medium rare steak for me please." Mako informed as she looked at Sarah.

"Medium rare fer me as well please." Sarah answered with a smile.

"I'll take my burger medium rare please." Ami replied in a kind tone.

"Excellent, and any toppings or smotherings?" The waitress asked as she added a few notes to her datapad.

"Do you have sautéed onions?" Mako asked in a hopeful tone.

"We sure do." The waitress replied as she quickly typed on her data pad.

"We all like sautéed onions, what about you Ahsoka?" Mako asked as she looked at Ahsoka.

"No thank you, just the meat for me please." Ahsoka answered with a smile.

"Alright, so you want the burger and two steaks medium rare and the third steak done rare, and with sautéed onions on the medium rare steaks as well as the burger. Correct?" The waitress asked as she looked at her datapad.

"Yes please." Ami replied with a smile.

"Wonderful, we'll get started on all of that right away." The waitress informed before walking away.

"This is an incredible experience, dining at a fancy restaurant on a planet in another galaxy. I never would've believed it if I wasn't here myself." Marianne said in a slighlty giddy tone.

"I know, right? This is the coolest thing ever, I am so glad that we met the guardians all that time ago. They've really made life more interesting." Debbie replied as she hugged Usagi, who smiled and hugged her back.

"Not to mention Ahsoka, if it wasn't for her then we never would've seen this beautiful planet, or its amazing creatures. Thank you Ahsoka." Eliza thanked as she patted Batcher's head.

"Quite right Eliza, thank for showing us this gorgeous planet. I can only imagine what other wonders and fascinating creatures your galaxy has to offer." Nigel replied as he looked at Ahsoka.

"Way too many to count, that's for sure. I think the craziest creature we've been introduced to so far has been the wampa. Man, that thing was mean. It almost ate Bubbles." Mako informed with a shudder.

"That's nothing, I'd gladly face a wampa again over those horrible warrior wolves on Riptuje. Just thinking about those things makes my skin crawl. They were huge, and they did a number on Master Tano. The whole pack wanted to eat us, though ironically they were the ones that defeated Viszla in the end." Bubbles replied with a small smile.

"Really? I though you beat Viszla." Ami asked with some surprise.

"The wolves did all the work, I just called them." Bubbles replied as she twirled her fork around on the table.

"That whole ordeal is still tough for you to think about, isn't it Bubbles?" Ahsoka asked in a compassionate tone.

"It is master, I don't think I'll ever forgot the horrors we went through on that planet. I'll definitely never forget that poor creature that we ate, the way it looked at me as I drove my saber into it. It was so scared and confused, and I feel more guilt about that than anything else I've had to do before. How I felt after letting Ventress die was nothing compared to how I felt when I killed that poor creature. At least Ventress went out on her own terms, that poor kitty didn't do anything wrong though, but I killed it. I know that we needed the food, but I killed it so quickly and with virtually no hesitation. What does that say about me, master? Does that make me a bad person that I could kill an innocent creature with such ease?" Bubbles asked with a few tears as she looked at Ahsoka.

"No Bubbles, you are not a bad person. I was a bad master, I was too weak to help you or Padmé on that terrible planet. You had to do everything, do things that no child should ever have to do, and it was my weakness that forced you to have to do those things. I'm so sorry Bubbles, you went through all of that suffering because I was weak. I'm sorry Bubbles. I'm so sorry." Ahsoka quielty cried as she hugged Bubbles.

"That's not true, master. You weren't weak, you were hurt. You were badly hurt, and the only reason you were hurt is because you were protecting Padmé and I. You saved our lives, you have nothing to be sorry for, master." Bubbles replied as she hugged Ahsoka back.

"You were doing the same thing though, Bubbles. You were keeping us alive. You found us shelter and water, got food for us, made beds that kept the bugs away. You started a fire that we used to not only stay warm, but disinfect Ahsoka's wounds, wound's that otherwise would've become infected. She almost died from some kind of infection on that planet, but if we hadn't had that fire to disinfect what we did then she would've died for sure. You saved our lives with the things you did, and we thank you for the sacrifices you made in that jungle. Thank you Bubbles." Padmé replied in a kind tone.

"You're welcome Padmé, and thank you for doing everything that you did as well. You did a lot for both of us, you stayed strong and helped me stay strong as well. I don't know if I could've done what I needed to do if you hadn't been there to keep me centered, so thank you Padmé." Bubbles thanked with a soft smile.

"I wish I had been more than dead weight the majority of our time on that miserable rock, but at least you two were able to keep it together." Ahsoka said with a small giggle.

"Don't worry master, you did plenty enough on Mandalor to make up for not being able to do anything on Riptuje." Bubbles replied with a smile.

"Thanks Bubbles, but next time I'm letting you go through the vents if we have to infiltrate something. I am never doing that crap again." Ahsoka said with a grin.

"What's wrong dear, got some claustrophobia after all that?" Merida asked with a giggle.

"You could say that." Ahsoka answered with a smirk.

"How could anyone be afraid of Santa Clause, he's a jolly fat guy that brings presents?" Buttercup asked as she stared at Ahsoka.

"Ho ho ho!" Donnie cheered with a smile.

"Zactly Donnie. Ho ho ho, glif glif glif." Buttercup replied with a smile.

"That's not actually what claustrophobic means. It's a fear of confined spaces, such as the vent Ahsoka had to squeeze through. It's not a fear of Santa Clause." Ami explained with a giggle.

"That makes more sense, because how could anyone be afraid of Santa Clause, unless your naughty, because then you get coal instead of presents." Buttercup replied with a smile.

"So, where would you guys like to go when we're done eating? There are a lot of interesting stores in this area." Padmé asked as she sipped some water from her glass.

"Can we go and look at a clothing store please? I'd like to make Ahsoka try on some... Unique outfits?" Merida asked with a small grin as she looked at Ahsoka.

"I don't think you wanna see me in those kinds of outfits, I'm to chubby for sexy outfits like what you're thinking of." Ahsoka replied with a small blush.

"You are absolutely not too chubby for sexy outfits. You'll always be the perfect size for sexy outfits." Merida replied as she kissed Ahsoka's cheek.

"I don't know Merida, you should see my swimsuit. Minako and Rei made me pick out a two piece bikini, and though I like it, I think I'm a little too chubby for it. My belly hangs over the bottoms a little bit." Ahsoka informed with a small blush.

"Oh good God Ahsoka, please stop talking, I'm already getting too flustered from that description alone." Merida replied as she dramatically fanned her face with her hand.

"Merida, stop being horny. Save it for the lingerie store." Ahsoka said with a wink.

"Yes! We're going shopping for sexy outfits!" Merida quietly cheered.

"You two can do that on your own, I'll show the others around Theed in the meantime." Padmé replied with a grin.

"Sounds good to me, what do you think dear?" Merida asked with enthusiasm.

"It's your day Merida, I'll model all the outfits you want me to." Ahsoka replied with a smile.

"Oh Ahsoka, what did I ever do to deserve you?" Merida asked as she hugged Ahsoka.

"Simple, you were you." Ahsoka answered as she nuzzled her cheek against Merida's. "Though I sure hope you don't expect me to be the only one trying things on in there." Ahsoka said with a small smirk.

"Oh Ahsoka, I would never be so selfish as to deprive you of an equally exhilarating time. I'm gonna find an outfit that's so inappropriate your blush will be visible from your face all the way down to the tips of your lekku." Merida replied with a lustful expression.

"Okay you two, keep your hormones under control for just a little bit longer. You can go crazy after the meal." Padmé instructed with a chuckle.

"We'll try, but that's a pretty big ask for us." Ahsoka replied with a giggle.

"Especially for you, dear." Merida added with a small grin.

"I can't help it, it's part of my species." Ahsoka said in a playfully defensive tone.

"Oh no, you can't use that excuse. Trust me, Tara and I have studdied Togruta's for almost a decade, and you are by far the most excitable Toguta we've ever met." Merida replied with a smirk.

"Oh. That's definitely not what I was expecting to hear. Does that mean I really am like this from a lack of vegetables?" Ahsoka asked with some surprise.

"I doubt that's the only reason you're like this, Ahsoka. I think it's just part of your personality, I mean, you are a one in ten-thousand togruta after all. It could be connected to your ferral transformation, excessive shifts into your less evolved state may have slightly altered your brain chemistry. Though that's not a bad thing, you're just uniquely you." Merida explained as she kissed Ahsoka's cheek.

"Awe, that was so sweet." Naru said with a smile as she hugged Usagi.

"That was so sweet that I can feel my teeth rotting." Kaede replied with a chuckle.

"Oh God, she's got dad jokes." Sarah groaned as she shook her head back and forth.

"If she has your dad's jokes then she should probably give them back." Nigel said with a chuckle of his own.

"I take it back, she ain't the one who's got the dad jokes, it's actually him." Sarah said with a smile as she pointed at Nigel.

"Alright folks, I hope everyone's hungry, because I've got a little bit of everything here." The waitress said with a smile as she carried a tray over to everyone.

"Wow, that smells delicious." Omega said with excitement as she took a deep inhale of her pancakes.

"Thank you." Bubbles thanked as the waitress handed her and her sisters their meals.

"Okay, so we have a rare steak for you, medium rare for the both of you, salads, pancakes. You folks got a little bit of everything, be honest, one of you is a secret food critic, right?" The waitress asked with a giggle as she finished passing everyone's food out.

"Not offically, though my wife is quite the connoisseur of all things meat." Ami giggled as she looked at Mako, who was deeplly inhaling the scent of her steak.

"Oh it smells wonderful, thank you ma'am." Mako thanked as she cut into it and took a bite. "This is the most incredible piece of meat I've ever eaten! It has such a good marbling to it, not too fatty, yet not dry and flavorless! Oh my God, thank you ma'am, and please give my praise to the chef." Mako instructed as she continued eating.

"Of course ma'am, can I get anyone anything else?" The waitress asked in a kind tone.

"No thank you ma'am." Padmé answered as she started eating.

"Alright, then you folks enjoy. I'll be back in a bit to check on you all." The waitress replied before walking away. The rest of the meal was eaten in relative silence, everyone was too busy enjoying their food to even make any form of small talk.

"Oh yeah. Dad's gonna kill us when he finds out that Omega let me eat all of that meat." Batcher said as she laid on her back and let her tongue flop out of her mouth in joy.

"Don't worry, we won't tell if she doesn't." Eliza giggled as she scratched Batcher's belly.

"Jeez Ahsoka, would you like to try a knife?" Padmé asked as she stared at Ahsoka, who was tearing a chunk of meat apart by biting one part of it and pulling as she held the rest of it on her fork. Ahsoka narrowed her eyes at Padmé for a moment, then she made a low growling noise before ripping a chunk of meat off of the main piece and eating it. "Don't you growl at me young lady, you're not an animal, and I expect you to act as such." Padmé scolded as she stared at Ahsoka.

"Huh?" Ahsoka asked in a questioning tone.

"I said don't growl at me. Eat like a civilized woman, not like a rabid animal." Padmé replied in a firm tone.

Ahsoka stared at Padmé with a look of pure confusion, she had no idea what Padmé was talking about. "When did I do that? I would never growl at you, I'd growl at Anakin before growling at you." Ahsoka replied in a confused tone. Everyone stared at Ahsoka with a combination of surprise and concern.

"Ahsoka, are you feeling okay? Are you in any pain or discomfort at all?" Kaede asked in a kind tone.

"No, I'm feeling fine. Why?" Ahsoka asked in the same confused tone as she looked at Kaede.

"Because you growled at Padmé a moment ago." Kaede answered with a straight face.

"Did... Did I really do that?" Ahsoka quietly asked in a shocked tone as she looked around the table at everyone, all of whom nodded at her. "I uh... I'm sorry, I have no idea why I did that. I didn't even realize that I had." Ahsoka quietly said as she set her fork down. "Um... Please excuse me for a moment." Ahsoka said as she stood up, then slowly walked away.

"I'm gonna go and check on her." Kaede informed as she quickly ducked under the table and followed after Ahsoka.

Ahsoka walked into the bathroom and quickly turned one of the sinks on. "Get it together Ahsoka, what in the world is going on with you?" Ahsoka quietly spoke as she splashed some water on her face and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

"Ahsoka." Kaede said as she walked into the restroom.

"Yeah, I'm here." Ahsoka answered as she patted her face dry with a towel.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Kaede asked in a compassionate tone.

"I feel fine, but I'm a little concerned about what I apparently did out there. I don't remember it at all." Ahsoka answered in a sad tone.

"That's okay, I'm gonna take a look at you and see if everything's okay." Kaede informed as she transformed and activated her visor. "Let's see, your brain looks pretty normal." Europa informed as she went through the different views in her visor. "I'm not seeing anything concerning or out of the ordinary, apart from your mild concussion anyways. It could've been caused by your concussion, that or maybe a specific action or sense triggered it." Europa suggested with a straight face.

"But I'm not loosing my mind or anything?" Ahsoka asked in a hopeful tone.

"I don't think so. Perhaps we can perform a test." Europa suggested in a calm tone.

"What kind of test?" Ahsoka asked as she stared a Europa.

"Come with me." Europa instructed as she lead Ahsoka out of the restroom and back to the table.

"How is she?" Merida asked with some concern as she stared at Ahsoka.

"She seems fine, but I wanna perform a test. Ahsoka, could you please cut a large chunk of your steak off, something that you couldn't eat in one bite?" Europa asked with a small smile.

"Sure." Ahsoka answered as she cut a long and thick strip of meat from her steak.

"Perfect, now eat it, and do it exactly like you did when Padmé scolded you." Europa instructed as she viewed Ahsoka's brain through her visor.

"Alright, as long as mom doesn't get mad at me again." Ahsoka replied as she bit down one side of the steak before tugging on it.

"Fascinating, the way that you're currently eating is triggering extra neurological transmissions in the part of your brain that becomes most active when you're in a feral state." Europa explained as she watched a group of neuro transmitters pulsate in Ahsoka's brain.

"What exactly does that mean?" Padmé asked with a little concern.

"Think of the times when Ahsoka's in her normal state and she'll hiss or snap at someone if they touch her head, but that ferral instinct only lasts for that brief exchange. That's essentially what's going on right now, the way she's trying to tear her steak apart is triggering a temporary but excessive amount of communication between the neurons that are most active while she's feral. It's incredible, it's almost like a multiple personality disorder that shifts between personalities at the literal blink of an eye." Europa explained as she let down her transformation.

"So in other words, if she cuts her steak and eats it like I told her to, the feral part of her brain will remain dormant?" Padmé asked in a curious tone.

"Precisely, at least based on what I was seeing in her brain activity." Kaede answered as she sat back down.

"Well you heard her Ahsoka, eat your steak like a proper young lady please." Padmé instructed with a small smile.

"Okay mom." Ahsoka replied with a sigh before picking up her fork and knife.

"So, is anyone else gonna look at some outfits? Theed has some of the finest clothing shops in the galaxy." Padmé asked as she took a bite of her meal.

"I might look around at that lingerie store a bit, Minako could use a new outfit for date night." Rei replied as she looked at Minako with a small grin.

"What about you, Omega? A growing girl needs more than just a battle outfit." Padmé said with a light giggle.

"I don't think I have any credits to buy a new outfit, my brothers barely gave me enough for my meal." Omega answered with a nervous smile.

"They really thought we'd make you pay for your own meal? Your brothers must not know us very well then." Padmé replied with a smile. "Not only is your meal being covered, but you can buy any clothes you want while we're out shopping, and the republic's picking up the tab. Consider it your payment for taking out General Grevious on Utapu a while back." Padmé replied as she playfully saluted Omega.

"Thank you ma'am!" Omega thanked as she saluted Padmé back.

"Well, I guess we'd best finish up eating then." Ahsoka said with a smile as she devoured the last of her steak.

"I think I'll need to get mine to go." Usagi said with a smile as she patted her full stomach.

"There's barely any left, you're telling me that you can't finish three fork fulls?" Naru asked as she stared at Usagi's nearly empty plate.

"Nope. Sorry Naru, the tank's full." Usagi answered with a content sigh.

"Can I eat it?" Naru asked with the cutest and most pleading face she could.

"Fine, but only because that face is so darn cute." Usagi giggled as she pushed her plate over Naru, who quickly finished the last of Usagi's meal.

"Delicious! Thanks 'Sagi!" Naru thanked with a giggle.

"Naru, you know that nickname drives me nuts, right? It makes me sound like I'm gross and fragile, like soggy paper or something." Usagi asked in a playfully annoyed tone.

"Oh I know, that's why I use it every now and then. Your reaction makes me giggle." Naru replied as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"Whenever you folks are ready, but no rush." The waitress said as she set the bill on the table and walked away. Padmé picked up the bill and looked it over, then she pulled what looked like a credit card out, except that it had no writing on it and was covered in gold and black strips.

"Not nearly as expensive as the amount of people in our group would suggest." Padmé said as she placed her card over the bill and waited a few seconds. "There we go, all set. Now let's go shopping!" Padmé cheered as she stood from the table, followed by everyone else.

"Yes! Sexy outfit time!" Merida cheered before hugging Ahsoka.

"I'm gonna regret letting you pick out outfits for me, aren't I?" Ahsoka asked with a small sigh.

"Probably. Now let's go!" Merida cheered before dragging Ahsoka towards the door, followed by everyone else. "So Padmé, where's the closest lingerie store?" Merida asked with a giggle.

"A few blocks from here, though the best one, at least in my opinion, is halfway across Theed." Padmé answered with a grin.

"How do you know that?" Ahsoka asked in a suspicious tone.

"Oh come on Ahsoka, do you think I keep Anakin interested by talking about the complex relationships the republic has with transitioning separatist planets? When you're a boring politician, you need to have something interesting to keep people's attention during your lame speeches, and a nice outfit is a good attention keeper." Padmé explained as she walked next to Ahsoka.

"Honestly, I would hope that Anakin would stay interested in you just because he loves you. I'd be interested in Merida if she walked around in a garbage bag all day." Ahsoka answered as she smiled at Merida, which made Merida giggle and blush slightly.

"No offense Ahsoka, but with yer hormones, ya'd probably hump the bag if it had the right scent." Sarah teased with a chuckle.

"Jeez Sarah, how is that not offensive?" Kaede asked as she stared at Sarah with a shocked expression.

"Hey I ain't judgin', just stating a fact based on what I's seen from her. But I ain't in a position ta judge, trust me on that. I did some questionable thangs when I was feeling the urge back in Afghanistan, nothin' unfaithful, just questionable." Sarah replied with a chuckle.

"I gotta know now, what exactly did you do when the urge hit you?" Kaede asked in a curious tone.

"Well I certainly didn't tape yer picture ta my pillow and make out with it before bed every night, that'd be ridiculous." Sarah answered with a nervous laugh. Everyone just stopped and stared at Sarah. "I also probably didn't do more explicit thangs with yer picture." Sarah added with a light blush.

"I don't even wanna know. I'm just gonna assume you did what you needed to do to get by over there." Kaede replied as she continued walking.

"Again, you all call me horny, but at least I'm not making out with holo images of Merida." Ahsoka said with a grin.

"Trust me, if ya were suddenly sent far away and tham holo images were all ya had, ya'd definitely be doing that, and probably more." Sarah replied with a straight face.

"I guess I never thought of what that would be like. I was never away from Merida for an extended period of time, in fact our excursion on Riptuje was the longest I'd been away from her since we met." Ahsoka said with a small smile.

"Be thankful fer that, when I got deployed I was separated from Kaede for a few months, and it would've been longer if I hadn't been sent back ta the states after being taken as a P.O.W." Sarah replied in a sad tone.

"I'm so sorry to hear that Sarah, I had no idea that you ever went through something so horrible." Ahsoka apologized in a sad tone.

"It's alright, she and the others rescued me and I was put on medical leave. Though there's a chance I may get deployed again in the future since I've been cleared fer duty by a few different doctors." Sarah replied with a smile as they all stopped outside of a large store.

"Well ladies, what do you think?" Padmé asked with a grin as she looked at the store.

"The royal beauty? Sounds more like an uptight formal dress store rather than a lingere store." Ahsoka replied as she looked at the sign in the window.

"That's because it is, the store you two want is across the street." Padmé said with a grin as she pointed at a store across the street.

"The queens of lingerie, and the slogan is show off your naboobies. Yeah that sounds more like our kind of store, that or a strip club. Come on Merida!" Ahsoka yelled with enthusiasm before grabbing Merida's hand and rushing her into the store.

Both young women gasped with amazement as they entered the store. There were displays of all sorts of different lingerie designs on manikins that were scattered around, and the shelves were filled with everything from subtle and cute undergarments, to much more revealing and exotic designs. "Hello there ladies, and welcome to the queens of lingerie, where every woman is treated like royalty." An energetic man stated as he walked over to them.

"Oh, you're a man." Ahsoka said as she looked at the man, instantly feeling a tinge of guilt at her bluntness. "Sorry, I didn't mean for that to sound so rude." Ahsoka apologized with a small frown.

"Oh honey, don't worry about that. Believe me, you're not the first to be caught off guard when they saw that I wasn't a woman. I just have a more feminine atmosphere about me, and I am not ashamed to flaunt it! Speaking of flaunting things, you two have quite the traits to flaunt. So let's find you ladies something that shows 'em off." The man said with enthusiasm before looking each of them over a little more closely. "Alright, be honest with me ladies, you're new to this sort of thing. Aren't you?" The man asked with a small smile.

"Is it that obvious?" Merida asked with a giggle.

"Well the safari outfit on you just screams adventurer and intellectual, and based on your friend's lightsabers I'd say that she's definitely new to the fashion scene. I love the Jedi, but their attire is so drab and boring. No offense sweetheart." The man replied as he waved a hand at Ahsoka.

"I agree with you, but that's why I'm here. I need something sexy, something that'll make this one really loose it." Ahsoka said with a giggle as she gently nudged Merida.

"Okay, okay. Well tell me about your style, what do you envision when you think about making her loose it, as you say?" The man asked with a questioning expression.

"Well, I'm honestly not sure. When you said that we were new to this you had no idea just how right you were. She's the first person I've ever been in a romantic relationship with, and I'm her first as well. So we're complete younglings at this, if you know what I mean." Ahsoka answered with a giggle.

"Oh that's a cute joke, but don't worry, you'll be masters in no time. Now come along, and tell me more about yourselves." The man instructed as he started leading the two of them further into the store.

An hour passed as the two women browsed the store, getting advice and opinions from both each other and the man as they did so. "Come on Ahsoka, let me see it." Merida said in a giddy tone as she stared at a changing room.

"I can't, I'm... I'm too embarrassed." Ahsoka replied from the other side of the curtain.

"Oh come on, what could be wrong with it?" Merida asked in a joyful tone.

"It looks ugly on me." Ahsoka nervously answered as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"I'm sure it looks fine. Now come on, let me see it." Merida instructed in a compassionate tone.

"No, I don't want you to see me in this one." Ahsoka replied in a slightly more frantic tone.

"Why not? I bet it's lovely." Merida asked as she stood up and approached the changing room.

"You... You wouldn't understand! Please Merida, I don't want you to see me like this!" Ahsoka yelled back, her voice cracking slightly as she did so.

"You're starting to worry me, what's wrong dear?" Merida asked in a worried but soft tone.

"I look like someone's play thing! I don't want this one!" Ahsoka yelled as a sob escaped her mouth.

"That's it, I'm coming in there." Merida informed as she pulled the curtain aside and looked down at Ahsoka, who was sitting on the ground with her knees pulled to her chest. "Ahsoka what's wrong? Are you okay?" Merida asked as she knelt by Ahsoka. Ahsoka hugged her knees a little tighter and avoided looking at Merida. "Ahsoka, honey what's wrong?" Merida asked as she gently placed her hand on Ahsoka's shoulder.

"I don't like this outfit, they're looking at me like a piece of meat." Ahsoka quietly cried as she squeezed her knees against her chest.

"No one's looking at you like a piece of meat, why in the galaxy would you think that?" Merida asked as she knelt by Ahsoka.

"Those animals, those Zygerrians were absolute monsters. They would touch me and leer at me, say such vial things. I tried to hide it, but I was so scared, and no one else was around to even talk to me. One of those beasts even tried to..." Ahsoka's words died on her tongue as she started crying.

"Oh Ahsoka." Merida whispered as she sat down and pulled Ahsoka close. "It's okay, I'm here, that's all over now." Merida whispered as she gently rocked Ahsoka. "Come on, let's get you out of that and into something that's more you." Merida said with a smile as she closed the curtain, then helped Ahsoka undress before helping her into her usual attire. "There you go, all better." Merida said with a smile as she gently wiped some tears from Ahsoka's eyes.

"I'm sorry that I'm so weak, I can't believe that something as simple as an outfit could bring me so far down." Ahsoka apologized with a sniffle.

"It wasn't the outfit dear, it was the memories tied to it. I don't know a lot about what you went through during the war, but I'm always here to listen about it if you need to talk." Merida replied with a small smile as she gave Ahsoka a kiss on her cheek.

"I remember it so clearly. We went undercover to take down a Zygerrian slaving operation, I played the part of the slave while Obi-Wan and rex played the part of guards, and Anakin was my seller. Those monsters treated me so terribly, they locked me in a cage like an animal and electrocuted me; but they wanted to do so much more. I heard them talking about me, saying what they wanted to do to me. I was sixteen on that mission, and I put on a brave face, but I thought for sure that I'd be..." Ahsoka stopped as she choked back a sob. "He wanted to do it so badly, I thought for sure that he would. One of them was about to try it, but then an alarm went off and he left. I haven't talked about that mission since the debriefing we had the day we returned from it. My people were treated like property, used for someone else's means and then disposed of when they no longer served any purpose, and I couldn't do anything about it." Ahsoka quietly cried as she held onto Merida.

"I'm so sorry Ahsoka, oh my sweet little Togruta. It's okay, I'm here, you're safe." Merida whispered as she gently hugged Ahsoka and stroked her back lekku.

Merida and Ahsoka just held each other for a few minutes before Ahsoka stopped crying and calmed down. "Thank you Merida, I don't know what I'd do without you." Ahsoka quietly said as she slowly pulled away from Merida.

"You'll never have to know. Now, shall we go pay for our goodies? I can't wait to get back home and try out our outfits." Merida said with a giggle as she held up some lacy and partially see through undergarments.

"I can't either. I'm so excited that I'm practically shaking." Ahsoka answered as she nuzzled her cheek against Merida's.

"Now now, let's save those hormones of yours for later tonight." Merida giggled before gently nudging Ahsoka towards the counter.

"Will this be everything, ladies?" The cashier asked as she scanned the first item.

"Yes ma'am." Ahsoka answered with a smile.

"Alright, your total will be one-hundred and thirty-eight credits." The cashier informed as she put the last item into a bag. Ahsoka swiped Padmé's card and waited a second for the purchase to get approved. "Congratulations Miss Amidala, you just earned two-hundred loyalty points which brings your total point count up to three-thousand. Would you like to use your points to save thirty credits on your purchase today?" The cashier asked with a smile.

"I'm sorry, loyalty points? Mom has an account at this place?" Ahsoka asked in a surprised tone.

"Oh yes, she and her husband have been shopping here for over three years." The cashier replied with a straight face.

"Really? Wow, no wonder she recommended it so fast." Ahsoka said with a giggle. "No thank you ma'am, we'll save the points." Ahsoka replied as she slid the card Padmé had given her.

"Alright ladies, here are your items, and your recipt will be sent to the same e-mail that it always goes to. Thank you for shoping with us and have a wonderful day." The cashier said as she handed Ahsoka a bag.

"Thank you, you too." Ahsoka replied as she and Merida left the store.

"Is it just me, or was that a little awkward?" Merida asked as she and Ahsoka walked down the street together.

"Oh no, that was definitely awkward." Ahsoka answered with a giggle as she gently grabbed Merida's hand and lightly squeezed it as they walked together.

"Did you have a good time?" Merida asked as she squeezed Ahsoka's hand back.

"I had an amazing time, thank you so much Merida." Ahsoka thanked with a small smile.

"For what? Padmé's the one who paid for everything?" Merida asked with a confused expression.

"Just for being you, for being so supportive of me, and loving me so unconditionally. I was crying in there because of an outfit, and instead of judging me or being embarrassed about it, you were there for me. You made me feel safe, you helped bring me home. When my mind wanders into the past like that, you're always there to help me back to the present, and that means more to me than you'll ever realize. Sometimes you and the others are the only ones standing between me and a void, and I've stared into that void before. Back on Mandalor, after I almost died, I remember sitting in this place, a world between worlds. It was a place between life and death, and if it hadn't been for you and Bubbles, I would've jumped into that void. So thank you Merida, I owe you my life. You and Bubbles." Ahsoka said with a smile as she gently hugged Merida.

"Oh Ahsoka." Merida quietly said as she pulled Ahsoka tight against her body and held her in a death grip. "I never realized just how much pain you were in, why didn't you tell me you were hurting so much?" Merida asked with a few tears.

"Because I don't always realize that I have that much pain buried inside of me, I think I repressed a lot of things about the war and what I saw and did during it. Though when it comes to the pain I do know about I've been trying to talk more rather than just trying to push those feelings into the force, and I have to say, I feel better by talking about my problems. Not that releasing them into the force isn't helpful, but the force can only hold so much, and I have a lot of baggage to dispose of, more than I realize even. It's nice that I have so many people that can help me get rid of it all." Ahsoka answered in a calm tone as she and Merida walked into another store together, both of them having to hold back a laugh at what they saw upon entry.

"I look like a fairy princess." Omega grumbled as she looked at herself in a mirror, she was wearing a white floor length dress that flared out at the bottom, almost like a wedding dress.

"I know, you look wonderful Omega. A girl needs a few nice dresses, what if you go to a party or something?" Padmé asked with a smile as she stared at Omega.

"What's wrong with what I always wear? How am I supposed to fight in this thing if something happens? I don't even know how I'd carry my bow without the weight pulling this dress down." Omega replied as she looked back at Padmé.

"You wouldn't have to carry it, this would be something that you'd wear to a party or an elegant event, somewhere that would have high security." Padmé explained with a smile.

"I'd rather be the security." Omega grumbled in reply.

"You know where you could wear that?" Minako asked with a smile.

"My funeral?" Omega asked with a pout.

"No, a wedding that needs a flower girl." Minako replied with a giggle.

"Flower girl?" Omega asked with a dumbfounded expression.

"Yep, a flower girl. Their job is to carry a basket of flower petals and toss them on the bride's path to the alter. It's a very important job, isn't that right girls?" Minako explained before looking at the puffs.

"Yep, we were the flower girls at our Ami and Mako mommy's wedding. Though not all of the flowers ended up on the bride's path." Blossom answered as she looked at Bubbles.

"All of the suits and dresses looked so colorless, so I sprinkled some flower petals on the guests to make them prettier." Bubbles said with a smile.

"You want me to be a flower girl?" Omega asked in a confused tone as she looked at Minako.

"Well, there are two people getting married later this summer, and there can never be too many flower girls at a guardian wedding." Rei answered with a small grin.

"Who's getting married?" Omega asked in an intrigued tone.

"A hot head and an air head." Kaede replied with a giggle, receiving a quick elbow to the gut from Mako in return.

"What my sister means is that Rei and Minako's wedding will be towards the end of July, about two months from now." Mako clarified with a smile.

"You want me to be a flower girl at your wedding?" Omega asked with some surprise as she stared at Rei and Minako.

"You don't have to if you don't want to, but we'd be honored to have you as one." Rei replied with a smile. Omega thought for a moment, looking at Rei and Minako, then looking back at the dress.

"You know what, I'd be honored to be a flower girl, even if I do have to wear a dress." Omega replied with a smile as she took a step towards Rei, tripping over the dress and falling flat on her face. "This is going to be the most difficult assignment I've ever had." Omega's muffled voice said with a sigh.

"Don't worry trooper, just like any other mission you go on, it just takes a little preparation. Once you're prepped though, it'll be smooth flying." Ahsoka giggled as she helped Omega back onto her feet.

"You think so?" Omega asked as she dusted off her dress.

"I know so. Now go get yourself changed, we'll work on walking in dresses together later on, because I'll have to wear one as well I'm sure." Ahsoka said with a smile as she ruffled Omega's hair.

"You've never worn a dress before?" Omega asked in a surprised tone.

"Never. Over all my years as a Jedi and all of the missions I've gone on, never once did I wear a fancy floor length dress. So trust me Omega, you won't be the only one out of her comfort zone." Ahsoka encouraged with a giggle.

"Well then, perhaps you should pick out a dress in advance then." Padmé suggested with a smile.

"You can't be serious. Right now?" Ahsoka asked in a surprised tone.

"Why not, as long as we're here. You can at least get an idea of what style you'd like." Padmé answered with a smile.

"Do I have to? I really don't wanna try on a bunch of dresses right now." Ahsoka asked as she looked around a little bit.

"Neither did she, but Omega was tough enough to go through with it. Come on general, lead your troops by example." Padmé replied with a small grin.

"That's a dirty trick and you know it." Ahsoka grumbled as she looked down at Omega, who was staring up at her with big puppy dog eyes and a bright smile. "Fine, I'll do it. Only because Omega had to suffer through it and I can't let my little sister suffer alone. We troopers stick together, don't we soldier?" Ahsoka asked with a small grin.

"Yes ma'am!" Omega replied with a sharp salute.

"Alright, so what kind of dress am I going to be tortured with?" Ahsoka asked as she looked around the store a bit.

"Oh, we already thought about that." Minako answered with an evil smile as she pulled a floor length dress off a rack and held it up to Ahsoka, it was identical to Omega's dress. "You'll be like twins." Minako chuckled as she handed the dress to Ahsoka.

Ahsoka let out an exasperated sigh as she took the dress from Minako. "You are so lucky that this is for your wedding, anything else and I would've started smacking you with this thing." Ahsoka grumbled as she took the dress into the changing room.

"How's it going?" Mako asked after a couple of minutes.

"It's nice everywhere except my chest, it keeps falling down." Ahsoka answered from the other side of the door.

"I suspected that might happen." Ami replied as she tossed a dress over the door. "Try that one, the top's a little tighter, but the rest of the measurements are the same." Ami informed as she sat back down. Everyone listened to the shuffling sounds as Ahsoka changed her dress, then the door slowly opened and Ahsoka stepped out of the changing room.

"Omega's right, this dress makes anyone who wears it look like a fairy princess. All I'm missing are the wings." Ahsoka grumbled as she took a few steps, falling flat on her face in almost the same spot Omega had. Almost everyone started laughing when she did that.

"Are you okay Ahsoka?" Usagi asked with a giggle as she knelt by Ahsoka.

"I'm fine, I'm used to eating carpet." Ahsoka's mumbled voice replied from the floor. Minako could barely hold back her laughter at that comment.

"There's that classy woman I love." Merida giggled as she and Usagi helped Ahsoka up.

"Well, other than the fact that I can't walk more than three steps without falling on my face, I must admit that I kind of like it. Though I do wish it wasn't so tight in the waist, it really shows off my muffin top." Ahsoka replied as she looked down at her doughy stomach and sides.

"I know, you're so cute that I could just eat up that little muffin top." Merida said with a giggle.

"May I change now please?" Ahsoka asked as she looked at Padmé.

"Yes, you may change. Thank you for doing this Ahsoka, are you getting that one?" Padmé replied and asked as Ahsoka carefully walked into the changing room.

"Yeah, I think I will. Are you both okay with that dress for your wedding, our was it too revealing on me?" Ahsoka asked as she drapped the dress over the changing room door.

"Absolutely, it looked beautiful on you." Rei answered in a kind tone.

"Thanks Rei, and you're okay it with it Minako?" Ahsoka asked as she quickly got her normal clothes back on.

"Definitely, it looked wonderful Ahsoka." Minako replied with a smile as Ahsoka exited the changing room.

"Thank you, I'm glad that you both like it. Like I said, I'm not used to the whole fancy dress thing." Ahsoka said with a smile as she brought the dress up to the counter, followed closely by Omega.

"Good afternoon ladies, did you find what you were looking for today?" The cashier asked as she scanned Ahsoka's dress.

"Yes ma'am." Ahsoka answered as the cashier carefully packed her dress into a box.

"I'm glad to hear it. So, who's the lucky bride?" The cashier asked with a grin as she did the same thing with Omega's dress.

"Our friends are getting married in a few months, but I get to be a flower girl!" Omega answered in a cheerful tone.

"Wow, congratulations to your friends, and to you too. Being a flower girl is a very important job, but you look like a young lady who can handle an important task." The cashier replied as she totaled the order.

"Yes ma'am! I'm always ready for duty!" Omega replied with enthusiasm.

"You'll make your friends proud when it's time for you to spread those petals on the bride's path." The cashier replied with a chuckle. "Alright, so the total today is six-hundred and eighty-seven credits." The cashier informed with a smile.

"For two dresses?!" Ahsoka shouted in a shocked tone.

"That's practically grand theft. Who spends that much on a dress?" Omega asked as she stared at the cashier.

"I'm guessing that you ladies don't shop for formal wear very often, do you?" The cashier asked with a chuckle.

"My sqaud and would I spend less than that on monthly supplies." Omega replied as she looked up at Ahsoka.

"I hate to say this Omega, but this is a lesson you were bound to learn someday. With rare exceptions such as Padmé, Senator Organa, and Senator Chuchi, politicians live a rather glamorous lifestyle, while those that fight and die for them are given little more than scraps for their sacrifices. We're nothing more than expendable pawns in thier political games." Ahsoka quietly said with a sad expression as she slid Padmé's card.

"So what's even the point of fighting then? Why shouldn't we just tell all of them to go and fight for themselves? Why do we have to be the ones to do all the work when we have no say in when and where we'll be sent to fight?" Omega asked as she stared at Ahsoka with an angry and sad expression.

"I used to ask myself that question a lot, I still do sometimes. But when I first met Sarah and the others, I told Sarah about all of the hardships and traumas I'd faced during the war, and she told me about hers. But when I asked her why we do it, why we even bother fighting, she looked at Bubbles and her sisters as they played on a playground. She said that we're fighting for them, so that the next generation can have a better and more peaceful life than we do; and honestly, I don't think there's anything better that we could be fighting for. We fight so that others may live in peace and prosperity, at least that's what I like to believe. It makes the hell we go through just a little less painful, knowing that our friends and family, as well as entire generations to come, can have a chance at a better, more peaceful life." Ahsoka explained with a small smile.

Omega stared at Ahsoka for a moment, contemplating what Ahsoka had just said, but then she smiled at her. "You know what general, I like that. Fighting for the prosperity and peace of others, rather than for the downfall of our enemies. Now that's something worth fighting for." Omega replied as she and Ahsoka left the store with everyone else.

"I'm exhausted now, all of that shopping really wore me out." Ahsoka said with a yawn as she stretched her arms over her head.

"Are you kidding? I've barely even gotten started." Debbie giggled as she looked around at some of the other shops in the area.

"Well you're more than welcomed to keep shopping, but I'm going to relax by the foutain." Ahsoka informed as she pointed to a foutain in the middle of the shopping square.

"I'm going with, I'm all shopped out as well." Omega said with a smile as she and Ahsoka walked over to the foutain. "Batcher, come." Omega instructed as she and Ahsoka sat down on the foutain's edge.

Batcher barked at her before quickly going to her side and lying down. "She's tired now too." Eliza giggled as she walked over to Batcher and rubbed her head.

"Well you all have fun, we're gonna look around a little bit more." Marianne informed as she and the rest of the group walked away.

"So, what should we do while we wait for everyone else?" Eliza asked as she looked at Omega and Ahsoka.

"Wanna play I spy?" Omega asked with a smile.

"Sure, you go first." Eliza answered in a joyful tone.

"Alright. I spy with my little eye, something blue." Omega said as she looked around a little bit.

"Is it Batcher?" Eliza asked as she looked at Batcher before scratching Batcher's head.

"Nope." Omega answered with a grin.

"Is it the umbrella on that food cart over there?" Ahsoka asked as she pointed at a small food cart.

"Nope." Omega replied as she shook her head back and forth.

"The sky?" Eliza asked as she looked up at the sky.

"Not even close." Omega answered with a smile.

"The water in the foutain?" Ahsoka asked as she gently dipped her hand into the foutain.

"No, but it's close to the foutain." Omega answered with a grin.

"Oh! The stipes on Ahsoka's lekku?!" Eliza asked with enthusiasm.

"Yes!" Omega answered with joy.

"Clever thinking Omega. Alright Eliza, your turn." Ahsoka said with a smile as she looked at Eliza.

"Okay. Um, I spy with my little eye, something... silver." Eliza informed with a small smile.

"Oh that's a tough one. Let me see." Ahsoka said as she looked around the plaza a little bit. "A lamp post?" Ahsoka asked with a smile.

"Nope." Eliza answered as she shook her head back and forth.

"The credits in the foutain?" Omega asked as she looked at some sliver credits in the foutain they were sitting on.

"No, not those." Eliza answered with a giggle.

"That man's necklace?" Ahsoka asked as she looked at a man wearing a silver necklace.

"Try again." Eliza replied with a smile.

"I can't find anything else that's silver colored." Omega said as she looked around a little bit.

"Wait! My lightsabers have silver handles!" Ahsoka yelled with joy as she looked down at her lightsabers.

"Yes!" Eliza yelled with exitment. All three of them laughed together as Ahsoka placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

"They seem like they're havig a good time." A man quietly said as he sat down next to someone on a bench near the foutain.

"Indeed, though it does make reading a bit difficult." A woman replied as she stared at the book in her hand.

"Tyranus the mighty, I don't believe I've ever read that one. Personally I was always fond of a more classic tale." The man informed as he stared out at the crowd of people walking around the plaza.

"I enjoy some of the classics, to which classic are you referring?" The woman asked as she closed her book and set it down beside her.

"A tragedy, one of my favorite genres." The man answered as he pulled a book out of the satchel he was carrying.

The man set the book next to the woman's and she gently picked it up. "Plagueis the wise?" The woman asked as she opened the book.

"A great read, for the right person anyways." The man said as he picked up the book the woman had just set down.

"It seems like an interesting read. Might I borrow it?" The woman asked as she flipped through the book a bit.

"Of course, just try and return it by the blood moon. I'm going on a trip." The man answered as he flipped through the book the woman had set down.

"As am I, perhaps we shall see each other again soon then." The woman replied as she placed the book into her bag.

"One can hope. Good day ma'am." The man said with a nod before standing and leaving. "Oh, and one last thing. Do you have the time by any chance?" The man asked with a smile.

"Afraid I've lost my watch, perhaps you should ask her." The woman replied as she casually nodded in Ahsoka's direction.

"Thank you." The man replied as he walked towards Ahsoka.

"Okay, I spy with my little eye, something... AH!" Ahsoka started to say, until the man tripped and fell against her, knocking both of them into the foutain.

"I'm so sorry ma'am! I had my head in my book and I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you alright? Please forgive me." The man apologized as he gently grabbed Ahsoka's wrist and helped her to her feet.

"I'm okay, things happen. Besides, I was getting a little hot anyways." Ahsoka replied as she and the man both stepped out of the foutain.

"I'm so sorry. Here, allow me to pay for your dry cleaning." The man said as he reached into his pocket for some credits.

"That's very kind of you sir, but I don't wear anything that requires dry cleaning. I'll just throw it all in the dryer when I get back home. Thank you though." Ahsoka replied as she shook herself off.

"You're welcome. Again, I'm so sorry ma'am, I hope you have a good rest of your day." The man said as he bowed his head to Ahsoka, then slowly walked away.

"Well, I guess we should see if everyone else is ready to head back to the palace." Ahsoka said as she rung out her shirt a bit.

"That's probably a good idea." Omega replied as she wiped some small pebbles off of Ahsoka's back. The small group left the plaza to go and finde Padmé and the others, being none the wiser to what had really just happened.

The man that had bumped into Ahsoka walked for a few minutes before pulling out a com device. "Stalker to base, I've delivered the mail, and I've aquired a special package." The man spoke into his com as he looked down at a large silver watch in his hand.

"How quickly can you deliver the package?" A woman's voice asked through the com.

"Instantly." The man answered as he put the watch on, studying its intricate design and various buttons.

"Very good." The woman replied before hanging up the com.

"Well, I think we've shopped enough for today." Padmé said with a smile as she looked back at everyone.

"Thank God we're done!" Buttercup yelled as she sat down on the ground.

"Uh!" Donnie said as he flopped onto his stomach next to her.

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad." Padmé said with a giggle as she looked at Usagi and the others, all of whom looked just as burnt out.

"I don't think I'll need any new clothes for the rest of my ridiculously long life." Kaede groaned as she sat down on a bench.

"I'm going to be a queen someday, and even I probably won't need to buy any more outfits for the rest of my life." Usagi said as she and Naru sat down next to Kaede.

"Well, why don't we head back to the palace then. We can see if Anakin and Omega's brothers have returned yet." Padmé suggested as she started walking towards the palace. Everyone slowly followed her until they spotted Omega and Ahsoka waking around.

"I spy with my little eye, a big happy family." Omega said as she rushed over to Padmé and the others.

"There you all are." Padmé said with a smile as Omega ran over to her.

"Did you two get bored shopping?" Minako asked with a giggle.

"Very." Ahsoka answered as she walked over to Merida.

"What happened to you? You're dripping wet?" Merida asked as she stared at Ahsoka.

"A gentleman tripped and bumped both himself and I into the foutain. Thankfully I was able to shake most of the water off." Ahsoka answered with a smile.

"Well I'm glad that you're both okay." Merida replied as she scratched the valley between Ahsoka's montrals.

"I love it when you do that, it reminds me of the day we first met." Ahsoka said with a content sigh.

"You remember that?" Merida asked with some surprise as she continued scratching Ahsoka's head.

"I do. Despite being in my feral state at the time, I remember you scratching my head shortyly before Master Skywalker found us. It made me feel safe." Ahsoka replied as she leaned into Merida's touch a little bit more.

"Well if this makes you feel safe, just wait until we get home and try on our fun time outfits. You'll be feeling a lot of things then." Merida giggled as she gently nudged Ahsoka's shoulder with her own.

"I'm already feeling some things." Ahsoka whispered before gently nipping Merida's nose.

"Seriously, could you two at least pretend to have some self control while we're in public?" Padmé asked as she stared at the two of them.

"This is us having self control." Ahsoka replied with a giggle.

"Well, I suppose we should head back to the palace before you two love birds strip each other in the street." Padmé said with a sigh as she lead everyone towards the palace.

"Don't give 'em any ideas." Sarah chuckled as she looked at Ahsoka and Merida, who just stared at her with innocent expressions.

"Come on everyone, let's head home." Padmé said with a giggle as everyone walked back to the palace together.

"This was an incredible trip, I hope we can see more of your glaxy one day." Nigel said as he looked around Theed one more time as they all walked.

"You're always welcomed to return whenever you'd all like to." Padmé replied in a kind tone.

"Thank you, that's very kind of you." Marianne replied as she took some footage as they walked.

"Well, here we are. Would you all like to spend the night here at the palace?" Padmé asked as she lead everyone through the palace gates.

"That's a very generous offer, but we need to head back to our galaxy and send our footage into the foundation before we travel to Australia." Marianne replied with a smile.

"I understand, though I do hope to see you all again soon." Padmé replied as everyone stopped next to the ComVee.

"We hope to see you again as well. It was so nice to meet you, thank you for showing us around your beautiful home and city." Marianne thanked as she hugged Padmé.

"It was my pleasure." Padmé replied as she hugged Marianne back.

"Alright, I suppose we should get everyone back to the Galapagos. Take care Padmé, we'll be back probably by tomorrow." Ahsoka replied as she went to open a portal with her transport watch, only to find that it wasn't there. "Uh oh." Ahsoka said as she started feeling her pockets.

"What's wrong?" Ami asked as she looked at Ahsoka.

"My transport watch is gone. I know I had it on when we left though." Ahsoka answred as she looked on the ground for her watch.

"Gone? What do you mean your transport watch is gone?" Ami asked as she stared at Ahsoka.

"I mean that it's gone, it's not here. I had it on when we left but it's gone now." Ahsoka answered in a flustered tone.

"Calm down, we can open a portal to it's location and grab it." Mako infomred as she fiddled with her own watch. "Okay, we might have a problem." Mako said as she continued pressing buttons on her own watch.

"What is it?" Usagi asked as she walked over to Mako.

"Ahsoka's watch isn't transmitting a signal anymore. There's nothing to lock onto." Mako informed as she looked at a list of active transport watches on her own. Next to Ahsoka's name was the word offline.

"Perhaps it was damaged when you fell into the foutain earlier." Nigel suggested in a calm tone.

"No, the watches are waterproof and made of a very strong material. The only thing that's ever damaged a transport watch was a litteral ship crash, and the impact only shorted it out, it was easily repaired on Mandalor." Rei replied with a thoughtful expression.

"Who would take Ahsoka's watch, and how?" Blossom asked in a curios tone.

"The man at the foutain! He must've used some kind of slight of hand trick to take her watch after he helped her out of the foutain." Omega suggested with a stern expression.

"That's the most logical possibility, but why? Was he just a common thief who happened to take my transport watch, or was I targeted because he knew what it was?" Ahsoka asked as she thought back on the incident at the foutain.

"I don't know, but the fact that it's offline suggests that at the very least he was messing with it." Ami replied with a small frown.

"I'll call the local police and request the video footage from the surveillance cameras in the area." Padmé informed as she pulled out her com device.

"Well until we see the footage, there's little more we can do about it. Let's get you all back to the Galapagos." Usagi said as she opened a portal back to earth.

"Lead the way." Debbie said as everyone got into the ComVee before Nigel turned it on and started driving.