The doors slid open to Anakin's quarters. He smiled at Cassandra and gestured her to proceed him into the rooms. Her small shoulders were slumped and her stride sluggish as she placed her suitcase and staff on one end of the sofa.

Goose trotted across the carpet to the bank of windows. Curling her tail around her feet, the Flerken stared out at the afternoon traffic. R2-D2 joined Goose, whistling. If the Flerken understood binary, she gave no indication.

Anakin's girlfriend was physically and emotionally exhausted from their trials on Ansion.

He was relieved to be back in Coruscant where he could better protect the sorceress. The battle for Ansion revealed Cassandra lacked the disposition for war. It was no reflection on her personally, she just didn't handle the aftermath well.

Not everyone did. Anakin suspected the trauma she experienced during the 'Blip' when she was a teenager had left deep scars on her psyche. To say nothing of the abuse she suffered at Emrys' hands when he abducted her and forced his magic on her. She wasn't weak. She could fight but she did not deal with the emotional elements of a battle well.

Anakin watched her meander slowly through the living room, running her hands absentmindedly along the furniture as if marking their tangibility. He had to be patient with Cassandra. She'd always been particularly anxious and prone to panic attacks.

His gaze drifted to the Porg napping peacefully in his favorite armchair. The little creature had fared well in his absence.

As if sensing Anakin's attention Porggy blinked sleepily and warbled. Spotting the Jedi, Porggy screeched excitedly and flew toward him.

The Porg hugged the front of his robes, enveloping him with an eyewatering stench. Anakin gagged and pried the bird off his chest. "3P0!"

Threepio shuffled out of the back hall, carrying a basket of dirty linens. "Master Anakin, Miss Cassandra! Welcome home!"

Glaring at the protocol droid, Anakin thrust the Porg at him. "What did Porggy get into? He stinks!"

Offended, 3PO sniffed. "I have taken proper care of the creature since Master Obi-Wan left it in my care! The Porg's manners leave something to be desired! It gets into everything! Don't get me started on some of the messes I've had to clean up!"

Used to his droid's long-winded complaints, Anakin glanced down at the Porg again. It stared back with bright adoring eyes. "Well, it needs a bath."

Cassandra, catching the tail end of the conversation, arched a brow. "Porggy is your pet. You should be the one to bathe him. He is, after all, your responsibility."

Anakin felt a flicker of irritation at her criticism. "On Ergamot, you were the one who insisted we bring it along!"

She shrugged. "Porggy loves you. He chose you as his person. Ergo, he is yours."

Well, guess she wasn't going to be any help. Porggy gurgled happily and flapped its stunted wings in Anakin's grip.

Ten minutes later, Anakin stood in front of the kitchen sink lowering the Porg into warm, sudsy water. Cassandra perched on the counter to watch, an amused smirk on her lips. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." He grumbled half-heartedly, massaging soap into Porggy's soft downy feathers. The bird positively reeked with body odor. "This is a job for a maid. Not a Jedi."

"Someone has a high opinion of themselves." She remarked, unfazed by his attitude. "This is good for you. Know, what I love about animals?"

"No."

"They are truly innocent. It also makes me a little sad."

Anakin rinsed the Porg off. "Why sad?"

"Because they trust humans when they shouldn't. Often humans who are cruel and abusive. Animals are too good for us. We don't deserve them." Cassandra said with absolute conviction.

Meeting Porggy's trusting gaze as he dried the creature off, Anakin felt a twinge of guilt. "Now, I feel awful."

Hopping nimbly off the counter, Cassandra propped a fist on her hip. "Then stop treating Porggy like a pest. He's family."

Family? Anakin put the Porg on his shoulder and cleaned up the counter. He supposed that he, Cassandra, the Flerken, and Porggy were their own family unit along with 3P0 and Artoo.

Even if Cassandra was not yet his wife, Anakin considered her the most important person in his life. "Is there anything you'd like to do?"

"Not really. I'm pretty wiped." Dark circles ringed her eyes, and her lips had a purplish cast to them. "I'm going to turn in. In the morning, we should head to the archives to research those relics."

Cassandra referred to the items found in Dr. Khal's satchel, along with photos of the secret chamber and a thick journal filled with notes. The Jedi Archives were the most comprehensive source of information in the galaxy. If there was anything to discover about Najma Temple, they'd find the answers in the archives.

*********************************************************************************************

The next morning an urgent knock came at the door. Anakin opened it to find a Senate Guard on the other side. The man's face was partially concealed by a dark helmet. "Can I help you?"

"Master Skywalker, you have been summoned to Chancellor Palpatine's office along with Master Pierce. Immediately."

Well, kriff. So, much for research. Anakin thought and called for Cassandra. They followed the Senate Guard out of the temple to a waiting shuttle that whisked them to the Senate.

More guards than usual patrolled the landing pad in front of the main entrance, putting Anakin on high alert. Mixed among their number were the white armored forms of clones.

Walking slightly in front of Cassandra, Anakin entered the atrium. "Has there been a threat?" He asked their escort quietly, aware how easily voices carried in the cavernous space.

The guard evaded the question. "Sir, I am not at liberty to answer your question. Please, inquire with the Chancellor."

Once they reached the Chancellor's office the guard peeled off and returned to his post. Palpatine stood in the center of his office in deep conversation with Mas Amedda, Dorme, Bail Organa and Orn Free Taa.

Even here, there was a contingent of guards posted around the office. Had the Senate received threats? Anakin had no qualm about interrupting the discussion. "Chancellor, Senators."

Palpatine paused midsentence and turned a bright smile on the Jedi. "Anakin! A delight to see you as always!" He chuckled heartily and clapped Anakin on the arm. "My goodness! Every time I've seen you, you get taller!"

Anakin hunched his shoulders self-consciously in response to the height comment. He hadn't grown any taller. He didn't think. "How may I be of service, Your Excellency? The Senate seems to have increased security since I was last here."

Palpatine's eyes twinkled delightedly. "We've received threats because of a bill on the floor and have taken the usual precautions. However, I am not unduly worried about an attack."

Anakin frowned.

"Don't look so serious, my boy. This is merely an informal debriefing about the events on Ansion." Palpatine proclaimed cheerfully. "Please, have a seat. Ah, Master Pierce! A pleasure to see you again as well!"

"Thank you, Chancellor." The sorceress murmured while everyone seated themselves on the cushioned seating area that ran along the right side of Palpatine's desk.

Mas Amedda drew over Palpatine's desk chair, keeping a constant grip on that ridiculous staff of his like he was afraid if he set aside, it would be stolen.

Surveying the assembled group, the elderly politician grasped the arms of his chair, as if he were sitting on a throne. "Permit me to make introductions before we begin. Many of you are already acquainted with Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. But some of you have not had the pleasure of meeting Master Cassandra Pierce. She is a sorceress that comes to us from a planet far outside our galaxy."

That earned Cassandra curious looks from both Organa and Free Taa. The latter seemed vaguely displeased by the presence of an outsider.

"My friends, thanks to the efforts of Senator Dorme and Master Pierce we have a treaty with Ansion. A blessing in these dark times to maintain our long-standing ties with members of the Republic." Palpatine said gravely.

"To be fair, I did very little." Cassandra corrected, twisting the hem of her shirt in her fingers.

"According to Senator Dorme, you single-handedly protected the capitol city with your magic. For that, you should be commended." Palpatine countered, expression kindly. "On behalf of the Republic, I thank you for your service in these trying times."

The other Senators applauded politely.

Uncomfortable with the attention, Cassandra scooted closer to Anakin. Her cheeks were flushed.

The Chancellor continued. "In recognition of your efforts, I grant you citizenship in the Galactic Republic."

The sorceress gasped and clutched Anakin's knee.

Anakin regarded Palpatine gratefully. Essentially, Cassandra had been here on refugee status. Granting her citizenship gave her protections and rights she sorely lacked before.

It was a weight off his mind.

Once she got over her initial surprise, Cassandra summoned a reserved smile for the politician. "I am truly honored, Your Excellency. I hope I can live up to your expectations."

Palpatine beamed beneficently. "Think nothing of it, my dear. I am happy to help." He clapped his hands together. "Now, Anakin I'd like an accounting of the battle, if you please."

"Of course, Your Excellency."

A/N:This chapter is shorter than I intended but it works. I had an ephiphany writing the last chapter. As I wrote Cassandra I inadvertently gifted her with my own anxiety. That's why she's easily spooked.