Amidala-Skywalker

Part 3

"Senator Amidala, this is a closed council session."

Padmé flew straight from the adoption center to her apartment only to find it empty. After figuring he'd gone back to the temple, that's exactly where she went to look for Anakin. One of the padawan learners on the lower levels brought her before the council and right to her secret husband. "Why are you here?" Mace Windu continued, rather irritated that a senator just walked into their confidential meeting.

"I apologize for interrupting, Master Jedi... but I've come with news about Ahsoka."

"She's no longer our concern, please take this news elsewhere." He responded, his tone almost bored-sounding. "Now hold on, Master." Anakin glared lightly at him, his eyes softening when he turned towards his angel. "I apologize for his rudeness, Senator. He forgets sometimes that some people still care about her wellbeing." He continued to glare at the mocha-skinned Jedi across from him. "What news?"

"I found her on the lower levels of Coruscant's east side which I'm sure some of you might know is no place for anyone trying to survive... Anyways, we came to the decision that I would adopt her." Whispers broke out amongst the council, Windu, and Yoda looking at her analytically in silence. "Pardon my nosiness, Senator, but if you've adopted her then why isn't she with you?" Obi-Wan Kenobi spoke up, eyeing his former apprentice's shocked expression. "That's the thing... Due to an act implemented long ago, Coruscant requires two parents on the adoption form."

"Where is she now?" Anakin stood up, ready to run off to wherever she said. "The adoption agency has her in their custody. I'm afraid taking her there has sealed her fate for the night... If it's not too troublesome to ask, I would like to speak to both you and Master Kenobi further on this matter." Obi-Wan stood up, adjusting his robes. Yoda grunted softly, drawing their attention to him. "Speak freely, you may. Hear this, we all should." Padmé looked wary of his request for a moment but then brought back up her neutral expression. "Very well, Master Yoda... I was hoping one of you might consider signing for her, specifically Anakin seeing as he was her mentor."

"Me?" Anakin feigned shock more than he actually felt it. "You want me to adopt her with you?" She nodded as Master Plo Koon spoke up next. "Out of all the men in the galaxy that you could've picked... you chose the one who is the only one worthy of such a title. I support the senator's choice in young Skywalker." Across the circle, Mace couldn't keep his mouth shut. "This goes against the Jedi code; adopting a child isn't something the Jedi can do. None of us are allowed to have our own families."

"On the contrary, Master, I believe the senator is simply asking for a signature - not a commitment." Obi-Wan was quick to defend both Anakin and Padmé. "While that really is all I'm in need of, he'll have the same rights to her as I do if he signs. Code forbid or not, I will not keep her from him if he so wishes to be in her life." Aayla Secura looked at her skeptically. "So you are asking him to be her father, as in beyond the adoption contracts?" Padmé shrugged lightly as she turned to address the twi'lek. "I'm asking him to sign but I'm only clarifying that I won't keep him from her if he so chooses to be in her life. If there's one thing I know undoubtedly about Master Skywalker, it's that he's more than just committed to the Jedi Order."

"But by adopting Ahsoka Tano, he'd legally be committing to her as well." Ki-Adi Mundi countered, still unsure of which side of the issue he supported. "However, Master Plo is correct. Anakin has always been committed to her training; he is only one who should be her father if she must have one."

"You all seem to realize that this attachment goes against everything this council stands for!" Mace insisted, furious that his fellow members actually supported the senator's suggestion. "The order will not allow this, we are done here."