You walked into the council chamber. It had been a week since your breakdown. Mace knew you weren't yourself mentally and so he agreed to run the order until you were better. You still didn't feel yourself, you knew you likely never would, but you had to rebuild yourself. You were still very clearly vulnerable, and most who saw you on the walk to the council chamber had asked if you were okay. To which you responded with a gentle smile and a nod. You sat in your chair and got a few looks of surprise, you knew you would be asked questions. And you also knew that some would even try to pierce your mental shields.
"Grandmaster Skywalker, are you alright?" Kit asked, his tone gentle and kind, "yes, thank you for asking, Master Fisto," you replied. Your tone wasn't the usual confident one you held, which worried those who noticed. Namely Shaak, Obi-wan, Plo, Depa, and Anakin. "Might we learn of why you've been away from these meetings?" Mundi asked, his tone being confrontational, "think of how you'd feel if you were 17 and in his position," Shaak growled surprising the Cerean "the grandmaster should be able to-" "shouldn't be a child, but here we are. You want my reason Master Mundi? I've been dealing with the headache you and the Republic often cause me," you interrupted. Your tone being that you spoke to those with as a padawan and youngling, when masters would scold you for the slightest mess up. "Grandmaster Skywalker, your age does not matter, nor does your rank, your tone was disrespectful," he scolded "I'm not in the mood to deal with your dogmatism. And I'm not in the right head space to deal with you either. Usually I can tolerate it but not at the moment," you sighed rubbing your forehead. "Well in case you weren't aware, we have garnered disproval within the senate, they did not want to deal with the hutts and yet you-" "I am dealing with a problem that Master Yoda should have. I do not care about the senate's opinion about this order right now. I haven't got the mental capacity to deal with those corrupt and greedy politicians. And before anyone says anything, yes I'm aware that not all are. I'm speaking of the majority," you interrupted. You could sense shock within the other masters, which was expected. "Grandmaster Skywalker, you are letting your emotions get the better of you," he stated "okay? And I need to care about that why?" you replied. You then turned to Mace "not another word," you said, the usual authority lining your tone, "have the slaves been freed?" you asked "they have my friend, the galaxy is rid of slavery," he replied "not yet. Have the clone troopers been given the option to leave the military?" you asked looking around "not yet," Mundi stated "then it is not rid of slavery. Master Kenobi, arrange a meeting with Chancellor Amidala, we need a motion to give clones that option," you ordered "Grandmaster, they are bred for war, soldiers of the Republic. They are to not serve any other purpose," Mundi argued "they have a connection to the force like every other living being, clones or not. That may be what they were bred for, but it is not what they will stay as forever," you stated "and I want their inhibitor chips all removed first," you added.
As you were talking with Padme you were mentally smiling. She was one of the few important women in your life who weren't constantly wanting your love and affection. Padme got it whether she wanted it or not. "So why don't you tell me why you're here? Surely not to talk about our weeks," Padme asked putting her glass of wine down "I'd like to allow the clones the ability to leave the military without consequences. I found out what happens to those who have deserted. They're hunted by other clones and killed," you explained "are you serious?" Padme gasped and you nodded. "I'll put out the announcement in a few moments, tomorrow is the day I lay down the emergency powers, anything we both want to happen will have to be done today," she explained and you nodded again. You walked up to your sister-in-law and suddenly hugged her. "Thank you," you whispered "for what?" Padme asked cupping your cheek "for everything. You've always been there for both me and Anakin. If it weren't for you then I probably would be a sith by now, we both would," you explained and she looked surprised. "Y/n don't tell me you're in love with me too," she commented with a smirk "I may love you, but I'm, not in love you. I've already got nine girlfriends, don't ask how, I have no idea. You're like a big sister to me," you replied. "Well then as long as you give me a niece or nephew then we'll be fine," Padme said "you're getting one in a few months," you admitted with a smirk "not even Anakin knows yet," "can I know who the mother is?" she asked "Riyo Chuchi," you replied and her jaw dropped "I knew there was always something between you two," Padme said. "Would you like to come over for dinner tonight? So me and Anakin can get to know your girlfriends?" she offered "sure," you replied "and don't bother hiding it, I know you're pregnant," you commented "how did you find out?" Padme gasped "you got a growing baby bump, and I can sense a powerful kid growing inside you," you replied. She lightly slapped your cheek before hugging you back. "I love you too," she whispered.
