Whirlwind of Chaos

Chapter 42 - A Thread of Peace

Author's Note: Thank you, loldelegate! :)

~ Amina Gila

"Where have you been?" Padme demands, when Ahsoka finally locates the others right near Mina's office. "We were looking everywhere for you, so we finally came here to wait."

"I told you I was scouting around," Ahsoka replies nonchalantly.

"Did you find anything?" Anakin asks.

"Nothing of significance," Ahsoka replies, "I couldn't do much without risking being caught, but it will be useful if the war ever comes to Raxus." It's about the best she can say, without outright lying and Anakin realizing something is off. He probably already does, but he's not going to press it.

"Then let's get out of here. We don't need to lead the war here ourselves," Padme replies shortly, clearly still unhappy with having to wait so long. It was a risk, but it was worth it.

They fly back to Mina's residence as soon as they can, preparing to leave.

"It was nice to meet you," Lux comments, approaching them.

"And you," Ahsoka agrees, "I've never met a Separatist before that I'm not fighting."

"I've never a Jedi or any Republic citizen before," Lux responds, sharing a smile with her for a moment.

"I'd say I hope we meet again, but I think that could only happen on the battlefield," she replies dryly, and Lux nods.

"Unless it is at the peace talks," Anakin points out.

"I hope something will come of your trip too," Lux adds, "For everyone."

Ahsoka can't say why she momentarily gets the feeling she may end up interacting with him a lot more in the future than she's expecting, but she shrugs if off, as Mina and Padme approach, and they head for the speeder to return to the transport ship.

***

Anakin still doesn't see why negotiating would be illegal. By the time they get back to Coruscant, there's apparently already a motion in the Senate dealing with the Separatists offer for peace. Padme rushes off immediately to attend the emergency meeting.

He wishes it didn't feel like he... did something wrong. Because it was still against the law, and more than that, he knows Obi-Wan would never have approved. Maybe this time it was right, like Ahsoka said, though. But still, he doesn't know where the point to draw the line is, if he starts thinking like that. It feels like he ought to tell the Council about this, but he knows he can't because apparently, that could get them all accused of treason.

He's back at the Temple to catch up on schoolwork when Ahsoka calls him. "It worked," she says, grinning, "The Senate voted to start negotiations."

And that, at least, makes it worth it, because the war might end. Maybe Anakin is incapable of being powerful enough to bring it to an end, but he still helped with this, and this might actually work.

"Palpatine is asking to speak with you," she adds, "I'm going to see him now, but I'll let him know you're coming after that if you can make it."

"I'll be there," Anakin assures. Can he really tell the Chancellor no to meeting him? Even if he doesn't really understand why he's taking the time to do it?

When he gets there, Ahsoka is still in the meeting with Palpatine, and Anakin finds himself momentarily wondering what she's always talking to him about for so long anyway. She does have a lot going on as a general that not even he knows.