(Star Wars) ~ Alice

XV

Anakin waited a few moments before he casually strolled out into the hanger bay; Padme's shuttle was already gone. "Hey dad." Jabba turned around, a shocked expression on his face. "Son?" When his yellow-green eyes landed on Skywalker, a fatherly smile tugged at his lips. "Son... What are you doing here? I just saw your wife." Anakin smirked, glancing away from the Hutt. "I know, she's been teasing me about my birthday for a few weeks now, so when she said she was coming to see you I decided to stalk her a little." He explained, leaning casually against a wall. "Stalking your wife? I didn't know you were so evil; I'm Proud." He started chuckling, shaking his head at his son.

"However, as a good father-in-law, I think I should give her a call..." Jabba teased him, seeing Anakin raise an eyebrow. "I think you're right Dad, besides her shuttle was my ticket back to the flagship. Seeing as I missed her, I'm gonna have to call her to come and get me. If you don't mind that is...?" He left it as a question but still pulled out his comlink and pretended to send the signal when in reality, the flagship was already coming this way. Rex and Ahsoka piloted the cruiser into the hangar bay. Padme ready to hop out of the ship and join her husband while Obi-Wan and his wife were ready to help Dak and Alice get on board. Once the ship had landed, Mouse ran to her husband as fast as her feet could carry her. "I believe my husband's off duty? Ani, why are you dressed like that?" She greeted them, giving Anakin a subtle nudge to explain himself.

"Sorry Angel, I just couldn't help myself. I wanted to see what you and Dad were up to so I borrowed this old set of armor and tried to follow you. The walls are too thick so I guess you still have me stumped!" He explained with a light laugh, all the while watching Dak and Obi-Wan slip Alice aboard the ship behind Jabba's back. The Hutt chuckled, amused and awed by their love for each other. "Well, I won't keep you; give the little ones a hug for me. Safe travels, children." Jabba bid them a farewell and watched the pair leave hand in hand before returning to his throne room. The ship was only just out of the hanger and moving into open space when a servant ran up to him. "Mighty Jabba, forgive this interruption, but there seems to be a security breach; a slave, the one called Alice has escaped, your grace."

Jabba turned towards the spacefield, watching his son's flagship fly away. "Well I'll be damned..." He turned back to the servant. "Ready my comm; I need to call my son."

"Right away Master..." The servant bowed and rushed out of the room; moments later, the comm was ready. "Son." He greeted stiffly, his short arms crossed. "Yes dad?" Anakin tried to sound casual but to Jabba, he sounded just like that small boy he found disobeying him years ago.

"Where's Dak?"

"How should I know?" He asked, putting his hands in his pockets but his body language was tense. "Anakin Skywalker, do not lie to me." Jabba chided, reminding him of the boy's childhood and how many times he was disciplined. "Let me guess; he's taking care of Alice, right?"

"Um.... Man, your security is fast." He mumbled under his breath. Anakin may have been a great crime lord and possibly an even better poker player but when it came to confronting or lying to his father, he failed miserably every time. "I'm not mad." Jabba sighed, his arms dropping. "I should've known better than to try and separate any of you from your loved ones; remember a few years ago with Mé? I've learned my lesson."

"You're not going to order her back?" Anakin asked, wanting to make sure. "No but I am going to recommend your team getting back into the swing of things." Jabba continued. "I shouldn't have found out until you were out of range; you've lost your touch, son."

"I was planning on re-wiring the system but I didn't want to permanently glitch your system." He answered, trying to save face without sounding smug. The Hutt shook his head, chuckling. "From now on, if any of you get a slave girl and end up falling in love with her, I'm staying out of it." This time Anakin smiled warmly at the Hutt for a moment before he spoke. "Thanks Dad." Jabba just shook his head as the holo transmission ended.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Alice was laying on a stretcher while a med droid was examining her; Dak watched from the end of the stretcher. "Hey Dak?" Anakin called, his voice low as his head popped into the room. The gangster turned around, worry clear on his face. He walked out of the room, with one last glance at Alice, to talk to his brother. "Please tell me something good."

"Oh Force, please tell me that means I can take her home now." Before either one of them could continue the conversation, the med droid came out. Dak immediately turned to the machine. "Well?"

"The subject is very weak; poor living conditions and almost no nutrition are to blame for that. I have given her medication that will curb the effects of her illness but she will be sicky for some time." The droid answered promptly. "Can I see her? Is she awake yet?" Dak nearly gripped the droid by its shoulders but refrained, trying to calm down. "The subject is awake but drowsy. You may have visitation but she will tire easily so it must not be for a long period." It answered before hovering away. Dak turned to Anakin and hugged him. "Thank you so much, Anakin... Thank you..." He let go and composed himself before going into Alice's room.

"Bunny?"