Dark Legacy

Chapter 19 - Naboo

Author's Note: Just a heads up, but I am really struggling to write this fic. I might need to make updates monthly at some point.

~ Amina Gila

Obi-Wan comes over for dinner, of course. It's nice to have him here, along with Padme and Ahsoka. It makes Anakin feel... happy, content, to have the most important members of his family, save Dooku, in the same room. He's not quite as surprised that they're having an in-depth discussion about politics as he should be.

Their conversation started when Obi-Wan mentioned the confrontation earlier with Luminara and Mundi – a part of him can't believe that Depa, Plo, and Aayla stood up for him – and it progressed from there. Ahsoka is decidedly annoyed about the way some Jedi are so much against the Sith, even if she had expected it. Anakin had made her promise to be careful when she's alone in the Temple; he wouldn't want her to be attacked or worse by Jedi who feel that they're "helping" by hurting her.

"The Senate finally voted to have a new election for Chancellor," Padme relates with a relieved laugh. "I was beginning to wonder if it would ever happen. There are a few candidates, including Bail, though it seems he has the highest chance of winning as of now. The official vote will be in two days. He's asked me to be his vice Chancellor if he wins, and I agreed."

"I'm sure you'll win," Anakin offers, though he hardly knows enough about the political arena to make that determination. Still, he does know that Bail is highly respected, and his opposition to Palpatine was well-known enough that those who fear another Palpatine won't worry. It should get him more votes. And the fact that Padme is supporting him will help as well.

"If you do become vice Chancellor, the Queen will have to appoint a new Senator," Obi-Wan comments, taking another bite of food.

Padme nods. "The Queen has already told me that she wants me to return to Naboo after the election, assuming Bail wins, so we can discuss the situation in person. I think she might select Sabe. She's worked with me – and in my place – enough to be able to fill my role without a problem."

"What does she have to say about that?" Ahsoka questions curiously.

"Sabe is... excited, I think, to have the chance to fill my role, though she's a bit nervous as well," Padme answers. "If the Queen chooses her, I know she'll accept."

Of course, she will. She's so much like Padme that Anakin would be shocked speechless if she turned the offer down. He isn't sure what he thinks about the prospect of his wife becoming the vice Chancellor though. The Republic is already in chaos, and her position will put her at the top of it. She'll be responsible for sorting it all out, which means that she'll be even more busy than she has been, and he... doesn't really like that thought.

More than anything, he wishes that they could settle down somewhere and just be together, but her love for her job, and his inability to stay still make that hard. It will have to work, and if they continue to communicate as openly as they've decided they need to... it will be alright. He has to hope, because if he starts looking at the negative aspects of the situation, he'll never stop.

Their discussion turns to other matters, and when dinner is over, Obi-Wan bids them farewell before returning to the Temple; he's planning to talk to Dooku before it gets too late, and Ahsoka goes to her bedroom, ostensibly to go to bed, but from the emotions flickering through their bond, he suspects she's actually talking to Lux. And that leaves him and Padme alone in the living room.

He lounges on the couch, Padme curled next to him as they stare out the window at the passing traffic. "You're going to Tatooine in a week, aren't you?" she asks, breaking the silence.