25 Days of Christmas in a Galaxy Far Far Away

Chapter 8

Senator Amidala is hosting a Christmas party, Anakin wants to go, but the council has other ideas...until they don't...

"Good morning, angel," Anakin greeted his wife as he walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning to you too, Ani. Want breakfast?" Padme looked up for a second, smiled at Anakin, and gestured towards a plate.

"I would love to, but the Jedi council just contacted me, they want me to meet them as soon as possible." Anakin gave her an apologetic smile. He didn't want to go to the temple, he would much rather stay with Padme. "I'm so sorry."

"Do you think they'll reassign you?"

"I'm not sure."

"Because I could really use your help your help setting up for the holiday party later. I have some other senators coming over, but I doubt it will be enough to finish by tonight." Padme looked up to direct a glare at Anakin. "Just do whatever you can to try to stay on Coruscant."

"I really can't do much to influence the council's missions. If they want to reassign me, they will," Anakin sighed, and noticing Padme's glare, he decided to at least give her some hope. "But I will try,"

"Good, because it's the holidays, and I don't want to wake up Christmas morning and learn that you're hurt, or anything worse."

"Alright," Anakin grinned, "I should be leaving, and you should start preparing if you want this year's party to be as good as last years."

"Goodbye, Ani."

"Bye, angel," and before Anakin left he embraced and quickly kissed Padme.

~

Anakin met Ahsoka outside the council chambers, and from the impatient look written across the togruta's face, she had been waiting quite awhile.

"Hey, Skyguy. Your were supposed to be here 30 minutes ago," Ahsoka cheerily said, though her expression as she turned towards Anakin was far from friendly. "I checked your room, you weren't there."

"I stopped to, uh, get breakfast at Dex's. Sorry I'm late," Anakin flashed a grin in attempted to cover up the worry that had spread across his face.

"Mhm, whatever," Ahsoka didn't but the story one bit. "Come on, the council awaits us."

So the master and apprentice stepped through the door to the council.

"Knight Skywalker, Padawan Tano, it's nice to see you arrived." Mace's voice was as monotone and unfriendly as ever,

"And late as always," Obi-Wan added, offering the two a much friendlier smile and his trademark sass. "This shouldn't take long."

"Master Kenobi is correct, your assignment is simple. With traitors continuously popping up, we are concerned that there could be an attack at any given moment."

"Heard of Senator Amidala's Christmas party, have you?" Yoda asked. Both Anakin and Ahsoka nodded their head. "Attend the party, you will, as guards."

"It would be too dangerous if there were to be an attack, so many political figures will be attending," Mace spoke again. "You will not be their for your own enjoyment, do you understand." Once again, both Anakin and Ahsoka nodded their head, though Anakin was quite a bit more enthusiastic than his padawan. Hiding his emotions was something all Jedi had learned in their training, but it was never something that Anakin had mastered. The Jedi knight was certain if it wasn't for Mace's terrifying glare he would be grinning madly. He would still get to help Padme, he would still be able to attend the party.

~

"Dismissed, this council meeting is." The council members nodded in approval and stood up to leave, Anakin and Ahsoka shortly behind.

Anakin, followed closely behind by Ahsoka, stepped out of his speeder and onto the balcony of Padme's flat. For only being gone an hour, the Senator had gotten a lot done packing wise. A tree was up in the main room with lights wrapped around its branches. A box full of ornaments was in the process of being unpacked and the walls were covered in holly and tinsel. Something that smelled delicious was cooking, and the table, multiple tables actually, that for about 20 people each were already set. A red and green table cloth was laid out across all of them and the center was decorated with pine leaves and candles.

Ahsoka smiled and skipped to where Padme was unpacking lights and began to help. It was then when the senator noticed her two visitors.

"Anakin, Ahsoka! What are you doing here," she was grinning and forgot about the tangled mess of lights for a moment to stand up and greet them properly.

"The council assigned us to act as guards at your party, but for now, it looks like you may need some help," Anakin replied with a knowing smile and nod of his head.

"Well then, if you two don't mind working on the outside lights, I'll finish up what I can in here before The others show up."

"Of course," Ahsoka cheered as she finished undoing a strand of lights and carried the box outside. Was she was out of sight. Anakin gave Padme a quick kiss on the cheek before following his padawan. He was certain it was a miracle the council had let this happened, and it was a miracle he would most certainly take advantage of.

This will be continued in a later chapter. Thanks for reading!