Recovery is less of a hardship when she woke up to the glorious view of Anakin Skywalker every day. Cassandra mused, as Anakin rinsed the shampoo from her hair with an intent look of concentration. With her head tipped back over the sink, she smiled awkwardly up at him. "They have orderlies for this, you know."

"I love taking care of you." A shadow crossed his face. "When I thought I lost you, I-" Cutting himself off, Anakin shook his head. "Please, let me do this, Cass. I want to take care of you. It'll help me feel better."

If that's what Anakin needed, Cassandra would give it to him. He gave so much to her, and she was able to do so little for him in return. She was a lousy girlfriend.

Wringing out her heavy mane, Anakin eased her up from the sink and brushed her hair in long even strokes. Threading his fingers gently through the wet strands, he worked the knots free. "Don't be sad. None of this is your fault."

"I know."

When he finished with her hair, he carried her back to the bed. A droid brought in a tray with a bowl of steaming soup.

Cassandra made a face. "Ugh, not soup again."

Anakin chuckled gently at her dismay and accepted the bowl from the droid. "You have to eat, Cass."

Cassandra clasped her shaking hands in her lap. "I can't wait until I can eat solid food."

Anakin perched on the side of the bed, feeding her like it was the most natural thing in the world. It's both touching and embarrassing to have her boyfriend spoon-feeding her like a toddler.

For the past week, he'd been glued to her side, taking her to the bathroom when she needed to go. Making sure the medical droids checked on her regularly. Feeding her.

Cassandra didn't think it was possible to fall for him more than she already had. He treated her like a precious vase, fragile and easily breakable.

If she complained about her itchy leg stubble, Anakin would probably volunteer to shave her legs. And...wouldn't that be mortifying.

Scraping the spoon on the edge of the bowl to remove excess liquid, Anakin smiled tenderly. "There are red carrots in the soup. Those are solid. Besides, do you want a medical droid feeding you?"

Her gaze bounced over to the droid hovering behind him. The medical droids weren't the best nurses. "Well, when you put it that way."

Anakin's brows wrinkled, casting his eyes in shadow. "Orn Free Taa nearly succeed killing you. Soup is a small price to pay for surviving."

Melancholy, she looked toward the window. A droid had placed a white vase with a red flower on the sill. A flower from Anakin. The singular bright spot in an otherwise stark white room. "Don't remind me."

"It's all I can think about." Anakin said, turning inward, reliving the terror all over again.

The image of her thrashing in a bathtub of icy water, gasping a final breath and going still, haunted Anakin like a ghost. Her head lolling limply over his arm, her chest unmoving.

Every time he closed his eyes, he relived the moment he nearly lost Cassandra forever. He tried to shake the anguish but couldn't. As a Jedi he understood how fragile and precious love. Made all the more precious because Anakin loved Cassandra.

"I'm sorry I scared you." Cassandra had been strangely subdued since she woke from her coma. A shadow of her bright personality. Purple circles ringed her eyes like bruises. Her pale skin was dry, her cheeks hollowed. "From now on, I'll distrust any food put before me at a politician's table. Since I have a penchant for making enemies among them."

The light-weight robe Cassandra wore hung like a curtain on her, showcasing how much weight she'd lost during her illness.

A fierce protectiveness seized Anakin as he traced the fine bones of her wrist. Turning her hand palm up, he mapped the lines and scars. Caressed the web of veins visible through her skin. Bending over, Anakin pressed a kiss to her palm. "There won't be a next time. I'll cut down anyone who tries to hurt you."

He loved her so much he'd tear the galaxy to pieces to protect her.

A nervous laugh bubbled in Cassandra's throat. "I guess that's romantic...in a scary way."

Anakin kissed her temple lightly. "That's what I aimed for. Romantic and scary."

"Merlin's magic saved me." Cassandra examined a cluster of blisters on her left arm, mostly healed by bacta salve. The marks were pink, the skin dry and flaking. She peeled off a layer of dead skin and flicked it on the floor. "I'm molting like a snake."

"But a cute snake." Anakin chimed in with a dazzling grin and wiggled his brows. "Hissssssssssssssssssss....."

Cassandra rolled her eyes at his poor imitation of a snake. An amused smile curved her mouth. "Don't try to flirt with me, Mister. I'm not in the mood."

"Hey, it cheered you up!" Anakin held the soup spoon to her lips, loaded with a carrot and cluster of blue peas. "What did Merlin say when you spoke with him?"

"I asked him about Najma. Emrys was cryptic. He claimed not to know anything about the temple. Says I'll have to discover the truth for myself." Cassandra accepted another bite of soup and grimaced at the bitter flavor. "This is awful."

The medicinal soup resembled diarrhea in a bowl. Anakin hated feeding her something she hated, but she needed to heal. "If you have enough energy to complain, you'll be up and about soon."

Eating a few more bites, she raised a shaky hand in protest. "No more. I'm done."

Anakin frowned at the half-empty bowl clutched in his hands. "In order to recover your strength, you need to eat more."

"I can't. I will literally puke if I eat anymore." She argued, swallowing thickly.

"A few more bites." He urged, lifting the spoon toward her lips.

Cassandra licked them reflexively, her heart beating fast in her ribcage. Anakin's eyes were such a beautiful shade of blue, his worry transparent. That's what she liked about her Jedi. When the two of them were alone, his emotions were out on the table. "Kiss me and I'll eat your gross soup."

Anakin's face changed, eyes lighting with interest at her challenge. A slow smile spread across his face. Angling his head to the side he leaned in, pausing with his mouth centimeters from hers. "You drive a hard bargain." He whispered huskily.

"Part of my charm." She breathed, giddy with anticipation.

He gripped the back of her neck in a firm hold, kissing her deeply. The acrid taste of the soup flooded both their mouths, but Anakin didn't mind, sweeping his tongue over hers. His fingers twined in her freshly clean hair, tipping her head back to give him better access. He kissed the tip of her nose, her chin, before his lips consumed hers again.

Gasping, Cassandra pressed a trembling hand to Anakin's chest. She trailed her small fingers over his torso, sending sparks shooting across his sensitive skin. He moaned into her mouth, his hold tightening reflexively.

Force, how he wanted her!

Squeezing his eyes shut, Anakin pulled back abruptly, his breathing unsteady. He opened his eyes, affecting a stern expression. "Now, for your part of our bargain."

Cassandra eyed the bowl of brown muck miserably. "Okay. A few more bites and that's all. But if I puke, I'm aiming for you."

Anakin chuckled at her threat. "Sounds fair."

By a miracle Cassandra kept her lunch down. She clamped a hand on her belly, sliding under the covers.

A polite knock sounded at the door. "May I come in?"

Palpatine stood on the threshold, his hands tucked neatly in the sleeves of his red brocade robe. Anakin rose from the bed and beckoned the Chancellor forward eagerly. "Of course, Your Excellency. This is a pleasant surprise." With the Force he pulled over a chair for the elderly man. "Please, have a seat."

Palpatine sank slowly into the chair. "I had a break in my schedule this afternoon and thought I'd come and check on Master Pierce."

Cassandra smiled shyly, lifting her head from the pillow. "You didn't have to, Chancellor. I'm sure you're busy with more important things."

Palpatine chuckled warmly and patted her hand. "My child, your modesty does you credit. Both Duchess Kryze and Senator Dorme have spoken highly of you. In fact, I brought a few get-well gifts from some of your well-wishers. When they learned, I'd be coming to the Medical Facility I volunteered to bring them."

Cassandra was surprised the Duchess and Senator thought so well of her. It wasn't the impression she got after eavesdropping on Dorme and Obi-Wan during their return flight from Ansion. The Senator seemed scared of her because of her magic.

Palpatine beckoned his Senate guards into the room. They carried neatly wrapped packages in their arms. Placing them on the table, they formed a protective perimeter along the walls.

Cassandra wasn't materialistic. She didn't put value on money or stuff. It was nice to know she made an impression on other people, even if she didn't understand how.

Anakin opened the packages while she chatted with Palpatine, discussing the state of the Senate: divided.

"Do you think there's a chance more systems will leave the Republic?" She asked, trying to get a better grasp of the political climate.

"This whole situation is an unfortunate tragedy." Palpatine answered sorrowfully. "Every time we attempt to bridge the gap and reach out a peaceful hand its slapped away."

"The Separatists are traitors to the Republic." Anakin countered severely; expression ruthless. "They willingly follow Count Dooku who is aligned with the Darkside. They are extremists and can't be reasoned with."

"Astute as ever, my boy. The Separatists have given us little choice but to fight against them." The Chancellor agreed reluctantly, as if he wished a different outcome. Then his thin lips turned up in a hopeful smile. "Thankfully, we have Jedi like you to lead our armies during this crisis."

"I thought there was a bill on the Senate floor to make talking with the Separatists illegal." Anakin added, sweeping his hair off his forehead. "How likely is that to pass?"

"The motion will pass." Palpatine declared firmly, his expression uncompromising. "While I am open to peace talks it is not wise to let discourse happen behind the scenes. It could lead to a great deal of confusion and turmoil."

That actually made sense. Cassandra thought. Behind the scenes wheeling and dealing could escalate rather than deescalate the war. Thereby placing Anakin in more danger. "Chancellor, since you're here I have to ask about Orn Free Taa. Do you think he'll be arrested for trying to kill me?"

Palpatine cupped her face lightly in his dry papery hands. The affectionate, grandfatherly gesture surprised her. "My dear, I have every faith the Senator will be brought to justice with the help of the Jedi. Your only task now is to recover your strength." He dropped his hands to the armrests.

One of his guards whispered something in his ear. Palpatine nodded and stood. "Forgive my abrupt departure. An important matter has come to my attention."

Anakin's expression glowed with admiration. He bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you for coming, Your Excellency."

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

Anakin's commlink flashed on his wrist for the umpteenth time. The Council trying to get through. He felt no urgency to answer.

Cassandra shifted on the mattress to get comfortable. "Aren't you going to answer that?"

Bunching his fist in his lap, he kept his gaze fixed on Cassandra. "The Council can wait."

Her forehead crinkled uncertainly. "You should go to the Temple. I'll be alright by myself for a while."

Anakin's shoulders tensed. He forced his muscles to relax and adjusted the pillows behind her head. "All I care about is you. Missions can wait."

"Seriously, I'm fine." Cassandra insisted, waving toward the door. "Go and see what they want."

Frustrated, he scrubbed a hand over his face. "Fine. I'll be gone an hour, tops."

Unless they assigned him a mission. Cassandra reached for him, her blanket pooling in her lap. "I have my sling ring. If anything happens, I'll escape." She promised.

Anakin crouched to kiss her cheek. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and caressed the side of her neck with an index finger. "Be careful, Angel."

Leaning into his touch, Cassandra peered up at him from her lashes, the flecks of green in her pale brown irises shining like emeralds. "I always am."

It took every ounce of willpower to leave her alone. In the lobby he motioned for a pair of clones to join him. With their helmets on, Anakin couldn't identify them, but they recognized him and stood at attention.

"Sir?"

"I have an assignment. You will guard Master Pierce in Room 301." He pointed down the corridor he came from. "No one is allowed in that room except for me, understand?"

The clones saluted him in unison. "Yes, sir."

"Good, you are dismissed."

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

Anakin entered the Council Chamber prepared to tell the Council off for interrupting his duties. He stalked to the center of the room, freezing as his gaze landed on the only Jedi in the room, with a Flerken crouched on his lap. "Obi-Wan, where's the rest of the Council?"

The older Jedi frowned at Anakin's brusque tone. "The war is heating up. The Jedi, including the Council are doing their duty by being on the frontlines. I've been messaging you for days! Master Fisto had to lead the 501st because you weren't here!"

Anakin sliced his hand through the air. "Don't lecture me about duty! You have no right! Not after your screw up on Mandalore."

With exaggerated calm, Obi-Wan rubbed Goose's head. The Flerken purred contentedly. "I beg your pardon?"

Seeing Obi-Wan behave nonchalantly, Anakin snapped. "You were distracted by Satine Kryze. Cassandra wouldn't be in this position if you had done your kriffing, job!"

"This has no bearing on the situation at hand. We are here to discuss your mission." Obi-Wan snapped back, his own voice becoming heated.

Anakin gritted his teeth. "Right. I forgot. As a Council Member you're absolved of any wrongdoing."

"That's not true, Anakin. I feel terrible about what happened." Obi-Wan countered. "Although, now we are the subject I'd like to discuss your inappropriate behavior. You are becoming too attached to Master Pierce."

Bending his head, he laughed bitterly, dark and full of sharp edges. "Cassandra doesn't deserve any of this and I certainly don't deserve a lecture for protecting her. Its my duty to keep her safe. A duty I take seriously, even if you don't."

"Anakin." Obi-Wan's tone softened.

He looked up. "What?"

"We have been at odds ever since our return." The older Jedi threw up his hands. "And I don't know what to do to fix it. I've been trying to give you space."

Through the Force, Anakin sensed his master's sincerity. He truly believed what he said. But how could he trust him? Look what happened to Cassandra. Obi-Wan lied to him when he swore to protect her.

Anakin crossed his arms defiantly. He asked coldly. "Do I have a mission or not?"

Obi-Wan sighed tiredly. "Tomorrow you will leave Coruscant to relieve Master Fisto on Tanabata."

"Understood."

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

Sunrise streaked the sky with pinks and golds. Cassandra nestled in the crook of Anakin's arm, watching the city come to life. He kissed her temple. "I don't want to go."

She toyed with a strand of his hair. "I'm not thrilled either. I'd like you to stay but people need your help."

"All I want to do is hold you, and never let go." Anakin traced the curve of her shoulder. "But I also can't ignore my duty as a Jedi."

"As for me." Cassandra kissed him gently. "I'm taking a break from diplomatic missions. They're detrimental to my health."

The band of anxiety squeezing Anakin's lungs snapped and relief flooded in. "What will you do?"

"Rest and recover. If I feel up to it, visit the Archives to continue our research." She answered.

Anakin tipped her head back and looked into her eyes. "On my next leave, I promise to take you away from Coruscant so we can be alone like a normal couple."

"A normal couple." A pleased smile stretched across her face. "Sounds nice. I think both of us need some normal."

"Before, I go, I have something for you." Anakin reached inside his robes, shyness making him nervous and clumsy. "Here." Holding the medallion by the chain, he dropped the necklace into her open palms.

Cassandra's eyes widened and her lips parted. "Anakin." She turned the bronze medallion over, discovering his Padawan braid clipped to the back. "What...is this?"

"My Padawan braid. Jedi aren't allowed personal possessions. I don't have much, but I wanted to give you a part of myself."

She teared up, rubbing the etched surface of the medallion. "Oh, Anakin, this is the most romantic thing you've ever done for me. I don't know what to say, other than you are enough."

With his thumb, Anakin swiped away the single tear that rolled down her cheek. "I'm glad you like it."

"I love it!" Cassandra exclaimed excitedly, beaming at him. "Thank you. I'll cherish it always."

Taking the necklace, Anakin swept her hair over her shoulder and fastened the medallion around her neck. "The symbols on the front are for good luck. I hope it'll offer you some protection while I'm gone."

"Anakin Skywalker's own brand of magic." She said fondly.

"I have to go." Anakin kissed her and pulled away. "Be safe."

"I'll be fine." She dismissed. "You're the one who needs to be safe, going into battle."

"Hey, have a little faith, I'm not that reckless." He teased.

"Well..." Cassandra bit her bottom lip hesitantly before continuing. "You're a little bit reckless."

A/N:This chapter turned out to be a major rewrite. Edited several times before I was happy! Hope you enjoyed it.