We four stood in the middle of the room in front of the Jedi Council. Obi Wan had just finished explaining to the council everything that had occurred last night and he was sure not to leave out any details. Master Yoda thought the shortcut I had taken was a witty idea while Master Windu thought it was tacky, typical.

"Track down this bounty hunter you must, Obi Wan,Maven." Master Yoda told Obi Wan and Maven. "Most importantly, find out who he's working for." Master Windu then exclaimed. "What about Senator Amidala? She will still need protecting." Maven questioned slightly concerned and drawing his eyebrows together.

"Handle that young Timothee Skywalker will." Master Yoda then explained as he pointed his finger at me. I smiled in excitement. I had finally been given an assignment by the council. " Timothee, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees." Master Windu then instructed me.

"As the leader of the opposition, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the capital." I pointed out and Master Yoda nodded his agreement but nevertheless didn't change his mind. "Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must respect." Master Yoda told me and I nodded my understanding.

"Timothee." Master Windu then called out catching my attention. "Go to the senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her about this matter." He told me before his eyes traveling to Anakins. "Anakin, you will be staying with Master Kenobi and Master Palpatine in the search for the killer. " We four nodded and bowed, before we walked out the room to prepare for our assignments.

"Timothee! What a pleasure to see you." The Chancellor graciously welcomed me upon my arrival while I exchanged some pleasantries before explaining the situation and requesting he would try to convince Padme to leave.

"I will talk to her." Palpatine easily agreed. "Senator Amidala will not refuse an executive order. I know her well enough to assure you of that." "Thank you, Your Excellency." I smiled at him, not even skipping a beat.

"We'll, now you have finally been given an assignment on your own." Palpatine then said. "I see your patience has paid off." "Your guidance more than my patience." I then said in a respectful and humble tone before Palpatine then guided me away from the window and we both began slowly walking away from the room.

"You don't need guidance,Timothee. In time, you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible." He then told me while I didn't say anything in response, but simply continued walking alongside him. "I have said it many times: You are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met."

"Thank you, Your Excellency." I replied in a respectful and grateful manner. "I see you becoming the greatest of all the Jedi,Timothee. " The Chancellor then continued. "Even more powerful than Master Yoda." I simply gave him a smile before I soon departed to find Padme and inform her of her needed departure.

As soon as I arrived back to Padme's room, a couple of maintenance droids were working outside to repair the window Obi Wan had destroyed last night. I stood by the window observing the city aura of Coruscant, while Padme talked with Jar Jar.

"I'm taking an extended leave of absence. " Jar Jar blinked in confusion. "It will be your responsibility to take my place in the Senate. " The Gungan seemed surprised, but nodded to show he understood. "Representative Binks, I know I can count on you."

"Mesa honored to be taken on dissa heavy burden." He replied her while he folded his hands and bowed slightly. "Mesa accept this with muy muy humility and da..." "Jar Jar." Padme interrupted him impatiently. "I don't wish to hold you up. I'm sure you have a great deal to do."

"Of course, milady." He then turned away and left the apartment as quickly as he had come.  Padme turned to me,who had overheard part of the conversation.."I do not like this idea of hiding." She explained frustrated,defiant and angry at the same time. She stormed past me into her room to continue packing her suitcase.

" Oh don't worry. Now that the council has ordered an official investigation, I'm sure it won't take Master Obi Wan,Master Palpatine and my brother long to find this bounty hunter. " I assured her as I followed her into the bedroom,where Padme was already putting clothes back into her suitcase.

"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act to not be here when it's fate is decided. " "Sometimes we must let go of our pride and do what is requested of us." I divined and was surprised at myself. A divination like this could have come from Yoda's mouth sooner.

"Timothee, you've grown up." Padme smiled at me and I couldn't interpret whether she meant it sincerely or sarcastically.. She then folded up a piece of clothing and then straightened up to get another dress from her closet. " Master Obi Wan manages not to see it." I replied her and  walked over to the window where I playfully levitated a ball with the Force.

"Don't get me wrong. Obi Wan is a great mentor." Padme turned her gaze on me, lingering on my face. " As wise as Master Yoda,as unassuming as Master Palpatine and as powerful as Master Windu." I continued almost defiantly. "I am truly thankful to be his apprentice." I now said in a softer voice.

"In some ways-"But I did not finish this sentence, but took a deep breath and corrected myself. "A lot of ways ,I'm really ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials, I know I am! He knows it too, but he feels that I'm too unpredictable. Other Jedi my age have gone through the trials and made it. I know I started my training late, and so did my brother, but he is a much faster learner than I am,which is why he was promoted to a Jedi Knight. He won't let me move on."

I was surprised at my self how openly I criticized my master in front of her. I chided myself in my mind and decided to stop immediately."That must be frustrating." Padme then said full of sympathy. "It's worse!"I scoffed back and walked up to her, the ball I had long since put back down. "He's overly critical. He never listens. He.....he doesn't understand." I said and turned to her. "It is not fair!"

Padme turned to me, green met brown. She gulped. "All mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow." She said and then turned away from my gaze to stow more clothes. I sighed and took a seat on the edge of the bed. "I know."

"Timothee." She straightened up and looked at me honestly. "Don't try to grow up too fast." "But I am grown up." I said before I stood up as well. I was a few inches taller than her. I looked down at her and met her beautifull brown eyes. "You said it yourself." I added.

My green eyes affectionately wandered over Padmes exquisite features from her smooth glowing skin, well-plucked eyebrows, pretty brown eyes, rosy cheeks, and then down to her luscious full lips that I desperately desired to taste. My bit my lower lip, wanting nothing more than to feel the feather soft touch of her plump and kiss able lips against my own.

She broke eye contact. "Timothee,please don't look at me like that." I tilted my head. "Why not?" I asked her innocently  as a mischievous grin started to form on my lips.  "It makes me uncomfortable."Padme snapped  back before she turned away and continued packing her suitcase while I just continued to grin at her.. "Sorry, milady."I  then said half-heartedly

We spent a good five more minutes in the room before we were finally done with the packing. After that, we headed out to the loading transport with Obi Wan,Maven,Anakin and Captain Typho to head to the Coruscant refuge dock where and Padme and I would then be transported safely to Naboo.

Anakin and I were sitting together and talked together while Obi Wan and Maven sat in front of us where their seat faced us, They wasn't paying much attention to us, mostly just keeping their focus outside at the city we were passing through or on their own conversation..

We arrived at the landing dock just as Padme, Dorme, and Captain Typho got out of their seats and walked towards the front of the transport near the entrance where we were. We get out of our sets and joined the others at the entrance.

"Be safe, milady." Captain Typho instructed Padme while we stood at a safe distance allowing them to have their moment without us interrupting them. "Thank you, Captain," Padme said sweetly before growing more serious and placing a gentle hand on Dormé's shoulder. "Take good care of Dormé. The threat's on you two now."

"He'll be safe with me." Dormé assured Padme as she gave the Captain a wayward glance before turning back to Padme with sad eyes. Two soft tearsfell down her face and Padme gently wiped the tears off of Dormé's face.

"You'll be fine." Padme said softly in a quiet voice but Dormé shook her head. "It's not me, milady." She then said as she took Padme's hand in her own. "I worry about you. What if they realize you've left the capital?"

"Well." Padme then said with a smile as she turned over to me."Then my Jedi protector will have to prove how good he is." I made aconscious effort not to smile and had adopted a confident, controlled posture. But inside I was thrilled by Padme's compliment.

 "Timothee." Obi Wan spoke to me, who turned to the others. "Don't do anything without first consulting either myself, Maven, Anakin or the council." "Yes, Master." I answered obediently, but inside I was boiling and wanted to respeak. I should do nothing,absolutely nothing, without asking permission first? Didn't I deserve a little more respect? Hadn't I proven myself as a padawan who could be relied upon?

"Obi Wan,Anakin and I'll get to the bottom of this plot quickly, milady." I heard Maven say to Padme. I was still boiling inside. Wasn't that exactly the course I myself had suggested to them, right when we were sent to guard the senator?

"You'll be back here in no time." Obi Wan then assured her with his warm smile but Padme only nodded in return. "I'll be most grateful for your speed, Master Jedi." Padme answered , while my brother turned to me.

He hug me and wrapped his arms tightly around my neck. "Please, please,be safe, Timmy." He whispered into my ear as I held him close in a tight hug back. "Keep Padme too and don't be do anything stupid."

 "I won't,Ani." I said as I lightly pulled away with a smile. "I'll keep her good company everyday until you ,Master Palpatine und Master Obi Wan find the assassin." "Good." He replied as he gave me a light pat on my shoulder before finally he let me go.

Anakin then gave Padme a hug. I didn't like it when Padme talked to Ob Wan and Maven like that and hugged Anakin like that again. At least I didn't want Padme to think Obi Wan, Maven and Anakin were more important than me.

 "It's time to go." I instructed while Padme gave Anakin a tight squeeze before letting go. "I know."Padme answered me , but she seemed anything but pleased. She then said farewell to Dormé and Captain Typho as well while I grabbed the luggage and made my way out of the transporter where R8-D8,who had said goodbye to R2-D2, was waiting for us.

"May the Force be with you."Obi Wan then said with a big smile to me who gladly returned to smile to him. "May the Force be with you, Master." I then responded before giving my brother and Maven a nod as well. "And you too,Anakin,Master Palpatine."

I meant that very seriously. I really wanted Obi Wan, Maven and Anakin to find out who was behind the assassination attempts so that the galaxy would be safer for Padme. But I also had to admit that I hoped it wouldn't happen too soon. My duty had placed me alongside the woman I loved, and I would have been unhappy if this mission turned out to be short-lived and I was soon taken away from her again.

"I'm suddenly afraid. "Padme said to me as we walked toward the huge freighter. Next to us rolled R8-D8, who whistled merrily to himself. "This is my first assignment on my own, and I'm scared too." I turned around and looked Padme in the eye. "But don't worry. We have R8 with us." I grinned broadly at her, what Padme returned it and together we entered the freighter.

Then we entered a kind of large room. People were scattered everywhere. A large food line slowly wound around the entire freighter. People were staring at our big ones as we walked into a back corner. The ship lurched to life.

Padme sat down at a table for two while R8 had already rolled away to get food. I grinned after him. Always on the move.  After I put down the pastries I quickly grabbed an extra blanket of a pastrie before tossing multiple more pillows onto the bed next to the table. Padme chuckled slightly at my actions as she then pointed at the extra blanket I had tossed on the bed with a raised eyebrow at me.

"Still always sleep with an extra blanket?" She asked me with a bit of humor and I couldn't help but shrug vaguely at her question. "After growing up on Tatooine, can you blame me?" I then asked her. "I guess after growing up on such a hot planet I've always slept with extra blankets since then because everywhere else has always seemed cooler." I then explained while she just gave a nod and a shrug. "Makes sense."

Without another word, I pulled the covers of the bed back and climbed in with my back facing Padme. Soon  I found myself drifting off to sleep. However, My peaceful sleep didn't last very long. Before I knew it, I was lost in the throes of a restless nightmare of my mother.

"No, no, Mom,please, no." I mumbled , my voice strained with anguish. My body twitched as tiny drops of sweat glistened on my forehead, consumed by the vividness of my visions.I suddenly felt someone's hand place gently  on my arm, attempting to rouse me from my troubled sleep. Startled,I  jolts awake, momentarily disoriented before realizing my  surroundings.

Padme looked at me  with concern etched on her face. "Yes,milady?" I asked her with a mixture of sleepiness and confusion in my voice. "Are you all right?" Padme asked me in concern. "You seemed to be having a nightmare."

 I studied Padme intently, silently questioning if I has unwittingly revealed my innermost fears. As she hands me a bowl of mush and bread, I take a moment to collect myself. "Yeah."I answered her and rubbed my eyes. "Are you hungry?" Padme asked me now. I pushed my hair back with my hands and shook my head slightly, my appetite dulled by the intensity of my nightmare.

Padme dismissed R8-D8, who dutifully scurried off, leaving us alone at the table. I stood up from my seat and took a seat directly across from her. "I'm not hungry." I murmured, back before giving up knowing she couldn't get through to me. "We went to lightspeed a while ago." She informed me, her eyes softening.

"I look forward to seeing Naboo again." I explained her.  But then I grimaced in disgust when I saw the dirty white mush in my bowl and sniffed the stuff.  "Naboo." I finally said again and looked  at Padme again. "I've thought about it every day since I left. It's by far the most beautiful place I've ever seen..."

At these words I almost looked deeply into her brown  eyes, and she blinked and turned away a little. "It may not be as you remember it. Time changes perception." "Sometimes it does." I agreed with her. When Padme looked back at me, a knowing smile graces my lips as I was still looking at her as intesinely as before. "Sometimes for the better."

"It must be difficult-" She made another attempt to divert my gaze from her. "-having sworn your life to the Jedi. Not being able to visit the places you like. Or to do the things you like." "Or be with the people I love."I replied with a mixture of vulnerability and honesty,and already saw where it led. "Are you allowed to love?" Padme then asked me frankly. "I thought that was forbidden to Jedi."

I shook my head. "Attachment is forbidden."I began in a toneless voice, as if I were reciting a text. " Possession is forbidden.Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life. So you might say we're encouraged to love. "

Padme studied my face. The sad smile on my face. The way my eyes lit up when I talked about the Jedi.... My hair that went in all directions. The new way I spoke, as if I now had infinite knowledge and wisdom. "You have changed so much." Padme whispered .

I shook my head again. " And you haven't changed a bit. You're exactly the way I remember you in my dreams. I doubt if Naboo has changed much either." At that, I wished so desperately that I could take Padme's hand. Instead, I smiled at her, but she flinched back, completely surprised by what I had said. "It hasn't..." She agreed with me, her voice was almost a breath.

"You were dreaming about your mother earlier, aren't you?" She then asked me in a gentle but troubled tone after an awkward pause had passed between us.  If it had been anyone else, I would never have told her about that, but it was Padme. The woman I loved.

"Yes...I left Tatooine with my brother so long ago that . . . my memory of her is fading." I admitted to her in an extremely quiet voice. "I don't want to lose it." I then said as my voice cracked slightly at the end. "Recently I've been seeing her in my dreams. Vivid dreams... Scary dreams. " I said as my voice started shaking slightly as I remembered the terrible visions.

"I'm worried about her. It horrifies me because I don't actually know if what I'm seeing is even true or not." Padme didn't say anything back, and I'm not really sure there was anything she could say. Instead, she just looked at me with complete compassion which I certainly appreciated.