Dark Legacy

Chapter 3 - Home Sweet Home

"And where exactly do you think you'll be finding all these personalized parts?" Ahsoka demands as Anakin looks down at the list on his datapad.

"First of all, some of them are standard for lightsaber construction," Anakin counters. "I know how this lightsaber needs to be, and I'm good with mechanics. I have a list here of the parts which I can modify for my purposes."

"Would you like some help collecting them?" she asks – is there really a faintly hopeful note in her voice? Well, since she's offering –

"I know you're only asking in the hopes that I'll agree so you can get a break from helping Dooku," Anakin teases, "And since I haven't seen Padme yet, I was thinking of going over there now." He pauses, mainly for dramatic effects. "You can take this list and search for the parts. Since you're my apprentice, my orders take priority."

Ahsoka grins. "Thanks, Master!" she exclaims cheerfully. "If I don't finish today, then we can do it in the morning, right?"

"Yes," Anakin agrees, smiling. "We can do it in the morning." He hands her the datapad before going back to the living room – they were in his bedroom while he complied the list, not that Ahsoka needed to be there, but she wanted to "check on his progress" – to tell Dooku about the current plans. It's quite obvious that Ahsoka had volunteered for the hunting job, but the Count doesn't say anything about it, leaving both of them free to leave.

"Maybe I should comm Master Obi-Wan to let him know that you're back," Ahsoka suggests as they leave the apartment.

Anakin contemplates the suggestion, weighing the pros and cons. "Nah, let's wait until the morning. I'm not sure what the time difference is exactly, but I think it's later there than it is here. We wouldn't want to interrupt his private time."

Ahsoka giggles. "Certainly not," she concurs, waving as she walks the opposite direction, heading further into the Temple while he goes to the exit, already looking forward to seeing Padme again. He can hardly believe that they no longer have to hide. They're not exactly being public with their marriage, but since he's a Sith, he doesn't need to worry about any retaliations from those who do learn the truth.

All other thoughts are brushed aside as he climbs into his speeder and heads toward 500 Republica. It's later in the afternoon, so Padme should be back from the Senate. She's sitting in the living room when he enters, and her face visibly brightens when she sees him. "Ani, you're home!"

She moves to rise, and Anakin is there, pulling her into an embrace. She wraps her arms around his waist, and he holds her tightly, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I'm finally back, Angel," he breathes, resting his head on hers. He inhales slowly, and all the tension from his trip drains away. He doesn't need to worry about it now. Padme is here, and that's all that matters.

"How was it?" she inquires worriedly, tilting her head back to look into his eyes. "I know you were stressed about going back to Korriban."

He grimaces. "It was... not pleasant," he finishes. He doesn't want to say that it went alright when it didn't. No more secrets, not between each other. After defeating Sidious, they had talked about what had happened and what could have happened. Anakin isn't under any delusions that he could have resisted the manipulations. He could have Fallen and turned against the Jedi. He knows it. Obi-Wan knows it. Ahsoka knows it. Dooku knows it. Padme knows it. And despite it all, none of them fear him or his power.

Anakin promised Padme that if he's struggling, he'll share his worries and fears with her. She promised him the same. Now that they can finally be husband and wife, they intend to act like a true married couple should.