Inhaling deeply, Cassandra tested her shoulder experimentally as she entered the kitchen. Everything seemed to be in working order-healed properly after two weeks in the sling. The same could not be said for her right hand which was badly scarred from dangling over a lava pit. Thick, slightly raised scars cut across the meat of her palm. Thinner ones wrapped around her fingers like bands.

Bacta could only do so much to repair injuries. Cassandra's hand had been badly mangled. Unfortunately, there was some nerve damage. Not as bad as Stephen's hands which trembled all the time.

Holding utensils for too long chafed the sensitive skin and made her fingers shake. The shakes calmed after a period of rest, but Cassandra's hand would never be the same again.

Sometimes, it brought tears to her eyes. After the diagnosis from the Temple's medical droid, Cassandra didn't get out of bed for three days, depressed by her new normal.

Anakin eventually coaxed her out with a bouquet of flowers and took her on a walk through the temple gardens through gently falling snow. In the fresh air, Cassandra received clarity about her condition. She was strong enough to adapt. The change would not defeat her.

It was what she told herself anytime she reached a low point.

She'd been taking it easy since they returned to Coruscant, but she was determined to make the most of her day, damaged hand or no damaged hand. For today was her husband's twenty-first birthday.

Anakin was in the shower, so she'd surprise him with breakfast. The poor guy ran himself ragged to save her on Mustafar. Then comforted Cassandra about her hand. His gentle support helped her greatly, allowing her to climb out of her funk.

Anakin had lost his arm and understood what she was going through. She wanted to show her appreciation with a hot meal.

Cassandra firmly believed the key to maintaining a healthy relationship was to make her partner feel valued. To do nice things just because to remind her Jedi she loved him. When couples began to feel undervalued distrust settled in and relationships fell apart.

Cassandra had to put the same amount of effort into her marriage as Anakin did. He was always surprising her with flowers and adventures in the city. What better way than to make him breakfast on his birthday?

Squelch.

Freezing, she glanced down to see what she had stepped in. Bird shit squished between her toes. Cassandra sighed, knowing who the culprit was.

Porggy.

So much for getting him to use a litter box.

She could hear the shower running and figured she had time to clean up Porggy's accident before Anakin came out.

Porggy would be perched on the sink waiting for Anakin to finish his shower. He'd been glued to the Jedi's side ever since they returned, distraught over Bane's attack on the apartment. The Porg had developed a touch of separation anxiety.

"Mistress, can I help you?" The kitchen droid Anakin had finally finished repairing shuffled into the kitchen.

"Mop the floor, please Marty." Cassandra directed the droid.

Marty fetched a mop and went to work.

Cassandra cleaned her foot with soap and water and washed her hands thoroughly before tying an apron around her waist and lining the ingredients for pancakes on the counter.

Rising up on her tiptoes, Cassandra opened the cupboards and searched the spices for the one she needed. Moving things around she found cinnamon wedged way in the back.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Anakin came into the kitchen behind her.

Cassandra glanced over her shoulder and smiled. He was dressed for the day in his robes, his damp hair curling adorably at the ends. "Making breakfast." She replied, straining to reach the cinnamon.

"Here, let me help you." Anakin reached above Cassandra's head and easily removed the bottle from the shelf. "Need anything else?"

She looked at the counter: flour, eggs, sugar, milk, and butter. "No, I've got everything I need."

He slipped his arms around her from behind and drew her close against his body. "Are you sure?" Anakin whispered huskily, his lips brushing against her ear.

Cassandra leaned back into his embrace, tipping her head back to meet smoldering blue eyes. "I'm sure." His hands glided slowly down her waist, his seductive touch sending shivers of delight through her core. "We already did that this morning." She reminded him.

A mischievous look crossed her Jedi's face. "So?" He tickled her sides, and she giggled.

"Later." Cassandra shooed him out of the kitchen, ignoring the way her legs quivered like jelly underneath her. He put his Jedi stamina to good use in the bedroom at every opportunity. It was a wonder she could keep up at all.

Even after Anakin left the kitchen it was hard to concentrate. She had to throw out the batter twice when she lost track of how much flour she added. Stupid hormones.

Pouring the batter into the skillet, Cassandra kept a careful eye on the pancakes to make sure she didn't burn them and whisked scramble eggs together in another mixing bowl. Marty cut up fresh pineapple into chunks piling everything onto a platter and took the egg mixture to the stove.

It was slow going using her non-dominant hand to cook but she was learning to adjust. One step at a time. She reminded herself. It would be okay.

Once everything was ready, Cassandra and the droid carried it to the breakfast nook and called Anakin over. Porggy perched on his shoulder, gnawing at a treat.

When Anakin was seated, Cassandra leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. "Happy 21st birthday, Anakin."

"I wondered why you were being all mysterious this morning." Anakin returned to the kiss, lips gliding smoothly over hers. He pulled back, blue eyes twinkling. "Thanks, Angel. You really didn't have to go to all this trouble. Jedi don't celebrate birthdays."

"They don't celebrate much of anything." Cassandra placed the cinnamon next to his pancakes. "On Earth turning twenty-one is a rite of passage. It means you're legally old enough to drink."

"After how your twenty-first went, I'm not sure I want to repeat your experience." Anakin remarked, thinking of the street brawl Cassandra told him she'd ended up in.

"Yeah, but you gave me a do-over after my Vegas fiasco." Cassandra fixed her own plate. "I want to make this day special for you. You've been so supportive while I adjust to my hand. I want you to know how much you mean to me."

"Cassandra, you don't have to prove anything to me." He stated swirling a chunk of pancake through a puddle of syrup on his plate. "I know you love me."

Cassandra speared a chunk of pineapple and sighed wistfully. "My mom always brought me breakfast in bed on my birthday."

"When is your birthday?" Anakin asked, pouring a glass of blue milk.

"Well, factoring in the Republic calendar and the one from Earth.... I estimate my birthday is in about three months." Cassandra guessed, squinting in thought. "I'm not sure about the math though."

"This is...nice." Anakin scooped more eggs onto his plate. "We don't often get to relax like this. I do have one question though."

"What?"

"Why is the kitchen floor wet?"

Cassandra snuck a peek at Porggy. "Our little friend had a rear-end explosion, if you catch my drift."

Anakin gave the Porg side-eye. "Aren't you supposed to use the box?" He demanded.

Trilling softly, Porggy glanced up at the ceiling innocently. It was so cute Cassandra's remaining irritation evaporated. "Let it go, Anakin."

Her Jedi heaved a long sigh. "Fine."

"Where's Threepio?" Cassandra wondered. "I haven't seen him all morning."

"Senator Organa commed me last night. He had a meeting this morning and required a translator. There aren't many protocol droids available in the Senate because they're out on diplomatic missions, so I agreed to let 3PO go."

She frowned. "I hope everything's alright."

Cassandra liked Bail. Thought he was one of the few decent people in the Senate.

"I believe it was to discuss using a trade route in the Outer Rim. The Senator has been working to increase the flow of supplies to the Capitol." Anakin replied drizzling more syrup onto his pancakes.

Cassandra nodded. The people in the lower districts were struggling to find food and other necessities. It was good they'd finally come up with a solution to the problem before it was too late. "I hope negotiations are successful."

The corner of Anakin's mouth lifted. "If anyone can negotiate a deal in our favor its Bail Organa."

Cassandra raised her glass in a toast. "May he bring prosperity to the people."

Leaning forward, Anakin clinked his glass against hers and drained his milk. "To Bail."

Propping her elbow on the table, Cassandra tipped the pitcher over his glass refilling it. A small twinge went through her hand warning her to slow down. "Well, what would the Birthday Boy like to do today?"

Anakin's lips quirked in amusement. "The Birthday Boy wants to go to the Archives and research our...connection."

"Will that make you happy?" Cassandra murmured softly.

He started in surprise. "Why are you asking me that?"

"Because I have a feeling it's a question you're not often asked." Except by her.

Instead of brushing her off, Anakin gave full consideration to her question. "Jedi are taught to care for others more than ourselves." He paused and them smiled. "But yes, in this instance going to the Archives will make me happy because I'll be able to better understand my connection to you."

Heat rose in Cassandra's cheeks. She knew he meant it. He wasn't being gallant to deflect her. "Alright. Let's finish breakfast and go to the Archives. Should we bring Porggy along?"

Anakin glanced at the bird on his shoulder. "Madam Jocasta will have my head if he has an accident in the library."

Cassandra winced. He had a point.

"Artoo can watch him."

The droid in question whistled an affirmative from the corner of the breakfast nook. R2-D2 would keep Porggy out of trouble.

"Then we better get going. The construction crew is going to fix the living room today." Cassandra gathered the empty dishes. At that moment her hand began to cramp reaching its limit for physical activity. The dishes crashed to the floor.

Anakin rushed over to her. "Are you alright?" He took her right hand, turning it over.

Her nostrils stung with the effort to hold back tears as she gazed down at her shaking hand. Cassandra nodded, afraid if she spoke, she'd cry for sure.

Anakin sensed her depression anyway and drew her close. "It's alright, Cass. No harm was done." He soothed, stroking her hair. "Nothing is broken."

The dishes they used now were made of a thick hard plastic. Designed not to break if dropped. Anakin had gotten them from the refectory kitchens to help her maintain her independence. He knew how much she enjoyed cooking. This way she could continue doing the thing she loved.

The kitchen droid picked up the fallen dishes. "I will wash them now. Do you require anything else, Mistress?"

Cassandra swallowed the lump in her throat and shook her head. "No, that will be all Marty."

Anakin had to fight the compulsion to coddle her. He was in a similar position once and knew it would only hurt his wife further. "See? No harm done."

"I know, I'm okay...this is taking time to adjust to."

"Take as much time as you need."

Cassandra relaxed her hand, knowing from experience if she kept her grip loose, the shaking would stop quicker. When they walked through the living room she saw the scorch marks on the wall, "I trashed the place pretty good when I fought Bane."

"I don't care about that, Cass. So stop feeling guilty for something that wasn't your fault." Anakin told her as they stepped into the corridor.

She sighed. "You're right. The place is going to be fixed so I don't need to hold onto the past."

They made their way from the Jedi Quarters downstairs to the Archives. Along the way, Anakin nearly collided with a servant carrying a towering stack of sheets. The girl was half-buried by linen. He reached out automatically and steadied her. "Careful, or you'll fall."

A head of blond hair poked out from the sheets. The girl squeaked, face turning fire engine red. "I-I'm s-s-s-orry, M-Master S-S-Skywalker!"

Cassandra guessed she was around fifteen or sixteen. Close to Ahsoka's age.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Anakin grinned sheepishly. "Don't apologize. The fault was mine. I should watch where I'm going..." He trailed off not knowing the girl's name.

"I'm...Ivi. I work at the Temple as a maid. Started a week ago." The girl said shyly, lowering her eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Ivi. I got to get going. Master Pierce and I are going to the Archives." Anakin told her.

Ivi stared at Cassandra in awe. "You're the sorceress!" She blurted then clapped a hand over her mouth. "I-I'm sorry that was rude."

The girl reminded Cassandra a little of herself. She smiled softly. "Yes, I'm the sorceress. Want to see some magic?"

Ivi nodded eagerly like a bobblehead. Anakin took the kid's burden from her for a moment.

Cassandra was used to people in this galaxy hating her. A friendly face was a nice change of pace. Raising her good hand, she summoned her magic. Golden motes spilled from her fingertips.

The lights swirled around the girl who giggled in delight. "What are they?"

"Fireflies. On Earth they come out at night, lighting the dark with their glow. In the summer, I'd keep my bedroom window open and watch them in the yard." Cassandra waved her hand, and the fireflies vanished in a shower of sparks. "The real thing is more impressive. These are just illusions."

Ivi bombarded her with questions. "How did you do that? Is magic like the Force? Can anyone do it?"

Cassandra stifled a laugh at the kid's enthusiasm. "I spent years training to learn magic. Its hard work but you're right. Magic is different from the Force. You aren't born with the power, you learn it."

"So anyone can learn?"

She shrugged. "Like with anything, some people have the aptitude, some don't."

"Ivi, Master Pierce and I must go." Anakin interrupted the girl firmly.

The kid blushed again. "O-of course! I'm sorry to keep you Master Skywalker."

"Don't worry about it." The Jedi handed over the pile of laundry. "It was nice to meet you, Ivi."

Ivi peered around the sheets. "Nice to meet you too and Master Pierce." She scurried down the hall and out of sight.

Cassandra watched her go, bemused. When she turned back to Anakin he was smiling at her. "What?"

"The kid has a case of hero-worship for you, Cass." He told her.

"Really?"

Huh. Cassandra just thought Ivi was being friendly.

Touching her arm, Anakin steered her across the foyer toward the Archives. "Don't sound so surprised. Not everyone in the Temple dislikes you."

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

"I'm afraid the precise nature of the material you are seeking is not available, Master Skywalker." Madam Jocasta apologized in her querulous voice.

Annoyed, Anakin folded his arms. "How is that possible? The Jedi Archives are the largest repository of knowledge in the entire galaxy!"

"I-I'm afraid the matter has been declared confidential by the Jedi Council." The librarian told him.

"That's just great!"

"Anakin." Cassandra reproved, laying a calming hand on his bicep. "It's not her fault. If the Council restricted access, there's nothing we can do."

"That is not strictly true, Master Pierce." Madam Jocasta interrupted. "You may petition the Council."

Welp, they were screwed. Obi-Wan was on the Jedi Council.

Cassandra guessed they'd have to go about this the old-fashioned way and hope they got lucky. "Madam Jocasta, can you show us where the restricted material was kept? Perhaps, something was overlooked, and we can find our answers by searching the holobooks."

"I-I suppose that is acceptable." Madam Jocasta said hesitantly. "The area the material was located is open to any member of the Jedi Order." She glided out from behind the information desk, tucking her hands in the voluminous sleeves of her robe. "Please, follow me."

The librarian escorted them up to the second level to a set of shelves tucked in the back. She gestured to the third row of holobooks. "I wish you luck in your search." Her skeptical tone told Cassandra that Jocasta doubted they'd find anything of use.

Cassandra wasn't going to give up until she was sure they combed over every inch of the bookshelf. She winked at Anakin and rolled up her sleeves. "Let's get to work, handsome."

He smiled confidently. "We've got this, Cass."

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

Balanced on the top rung of the ladder, Cassandra reached for a volume on the shelf. "Almost got it."

Fiery pain shot through her scars as she stretched those final inches, causing her to lose her balance. Cassandra's boots slipped on the rung, pitching her backward.

"Cass!" Anakin caught her, staggering under her sudden weight. "Oof."

"Hey, I'm not that heavy!" She objected, offended.

"I didn't say you were. I told you to let me climb up the ladder. They aren't very sturdy." Anakin countered and set her on her feet. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I overdid it a little." She showed him her shaking hand.

"The ladders tip easily."

Cassandra didn't tell him it was her bad hand and not the ladder that caused her to fall. She looked at the books scattered around their feet. "Hey, at least I cleared the shelf." She declared proudly, beaming from ear to ear.

"Yeah, yeah, help me clean this up." Anakin knelt and began gathering the holobooks. "If Madam Jocasta sees this, you'll be banned from the Archives."

"You're right. I'm a bad, bad girl." She said in a breathy voice. "How are you going to punish me?"

Anakin stumbled into a shelf sending a second shower of books to the floor. He turned to her, astonished. "W-what?"

"I was kidding!" Cassandra patted his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." To soften her joke, she kissed the top of his head. "Love you."

The magic words seemed to do the trick. Anakin's stern features melted into a picture of contentment. "I love you too, including your unique sense of humor." He brushed his knuckles against her cheek tenderly. "You remind me not to take life so seriously."

Cassandra grinned and leaned her forehead against his. He smiled back. "Someone has to put a smile on your face. We're the best team I know."

Plunking down on the floor, she sorted through the books setting the irrelevant ones aside. Anakin joined her going through his own stack. They sat side by side leaning against the empty shelf working in companionable silence. Hours passed as they read the holobooks, none of which held the clues they were looking for.

Just when Cassandra thought she might scream from frustration Anakin hit paydirt.

"Hey, look at this." Anakin angled the book so she could read. "I think I found something."

A lock of hair tumbled over Cassandra's shoulder as she bent for a closer look. "...The Republic newly formed, sought the aid of the Jedi Order. They sent a pair of Jedi who were bonded in the Force. They referred to them as a Dyad." She glanced at her husband. "What's a Dyad?"

He stared back blankly. "Why are you asking me?"

"You're the Jedi." She pointed out.

"Doesn't mean I know everything about the Force-"

The overhead speakers crackled to life interrupting them. "All Jedi report to the South Tower immediately!"

Cassandra looked at Anakin. "What's going on?"

Cramming the holobook into a satchel he brought, Anakin surged to his feet. "I have to go."

"I'll come with you." Cassandra volunteered. "You may need my help."

"I suppose there's no way I can convince you otherwise?" Anakin said dryly.

"Nope." She told him cheerfully and threaded her arm through his. "Conjure up a portal. We'll see what's going on. Hopefully its nothing too serious."

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

Cassandra had no words for what greeted them. Remains of fleshy sacks were scattered everywhere. She was afraid to discover what had hatched from them. Anakin drew his lightsaber and hurried toward the sounds of fighting, robe billowing around his lean frame.

"Poodoo! The thing's got my lightsaber!"

"Ah! Its eating Master Windu!"

"Run!"

"Run for your lives! They're everywhere!" Arms in the air Threepio appeared from around the corner, shuffling along as quickly as his stiff joints would allow. He cried out in relief when he saw Anakin. "Oh! Thank the Stars! Master Anakin, help me!"

Guess his meeting with Bail Organa was over.

The droid edged closer wailing and flinging his arms about. Cassandra stared in disbelief at what clung to the protocol droid. "Kittens!"

This was the emergency? Kittens were hardly a threat. The kittens clinging to 3PO were in every possible shade. Yellow, brown, and gray tabby, calico, white and black.

"Where did they come from?" She wondered.

"I think I know." Anakin said grimly.

She glanced at him in confusion. "Huh?"

"The Flerken spawned." Her Jedi explained.

"Goose had babies! They're Flerkittens!" Cassandra exclaimed, excited.

"Get them off!" 3PO flailed around, the Flerkittens mewing in protest.

One tumbled free from his shoulder and landed on its feet with a tiny hiss.

"Look at them!" Cassandra cooed. "They're adorable!"

Anakin groaned in dismay as she immediately lost focus. "Not, now Cass! We have to round them up!" He pried the Flerkittens off the droid with the Force and raced to help the other Jedi.

"Relax, we can handle this." Cassandra said, following calmly. This was hardly a crisis. "You guys herd them, I'll summon a portal to an empty room. Easy-peasy."

It was not easy-peasy. Anakin had to free Windu from the tentacles of a gray Flerkitten attempting to eat him. One of the creatures had gotten a hold of a lightsaber and swung clumsily at Master Plo's ankles. Another had clamped its jaws to the end of Aayla Secura's headtail.

Obi-Wan had his eyes closed, hands outstretched trying to control the Flerkittens. There were too many of them for him to control at once. Jedi scrambled to contain the Flerkittens and were being overwhelmed by their sheer numbers.

Anakin estimated there had to be around a thousand Flerkittens. Perched on a banister and looking immensely proud of herself, Goose watched the chaos unfold with a twinkle in her eye.

Kriffing, Flerken.

It took an hour to herd all the Flerkittens into a rayshielded cell with Cassandra's help. The sorceress closed the portal, drenched in sweat. "Phew, glad that's over."

"For now." Anakin said grimly. "The Council will decide what to do with them."

They returned to their quarters exhausted from catching Flerkittens. Anakin fell onto the new sofa with a groan every muscle in his body aching. At least one thing had gone right.

The construction crew had fully repaired the living room. The scent of fresh paint lingered faintly in the air. Cassandra fetched something from the bedroom and flopped on the empty cushion beside him. "Here."

He cradled the wrapped package in his hands. "What's this?"

"Your birthday gift." She answered.

Anakin pried the paper off. A hunk of amber-colored stone rested in his palm. Trapped inside was a bouquet of flowers. "This is...what is this?"

"Remember when you took me into the city when I first got here and bought me flowers for my birthday?"

"Yeah."

"You were the first boy to ever give me flowers. It meant a great deal to me, and I didn't want to watch them wither and die so I used a spell to preserve them in amber." Cassandra scooted close to his side and touched the stone. "I tried to think of what to give you for your birthday and this came to me."

Anakin was touched by his wife's heartfelt gift and had to blink back tears. It was the nicest thing someone had done for him in years. "I love it." He said in a hoarse voice.

"Happy birthday, Anakin." Cassandra whispered and hugged him.

Her Jedi stirred in her arms. A mischievous smile spread slowly across his face. "You know what I want more than anything?"

Knowing what he was about to say, Cassandra played along. "What, Cuddles?" She purred, seductively.

"I want to make love to my wife." Anakin breathed, heated gaze dropping to her lips.

Cassandra pushed his brown robe from his shoulders, tugging his tunic out of his pants. "A birthday wish, I am more than happy to grant." She said and kissed him hungrily, renewed energy chasing her fatigue away.

Anakin carried her swiftly to their bedroom, shedding their clothes with his power along the way. He laid her on the bed, panting heavily with desire. He hooked her leg around his hip. "I love you." He said, drinking in every inch of her beautiful skin.

Arching off the mattress, Cassandra pressed her mouth against his and all coherent thoughts flew out of his brain.

Gasping, Anakin tore his lips from hers and kissed his way down her body until he found the juncture between her thighs. He lifted her hips wrapping her legs around his neck so he could watch her expression as he went down on her.

Cassandra's eyes rolled in the back of her head, her fingers twisting the sheets helplessly as his tongue glided over her. Anakin savored every whimper, every cry from her sweet lips. Her thighs squeezed him as she orgasmed, her body shuddering in delight.

Pride swelled his chest as he stared down at her flushed face and glazed eyes. Anakin's lovely, perfect wife. The most precious part of his life. He lowered her legs, sliding between them.

Cassandra reached for him; he captured her injured hand in a gentle grip. Her fingers trembled faintly. Bracketing her in with his arms, Anakin leaned over her. "Does it hurt?" He would stop if it was too much for her.

She held his gaze. "Not right now. Don't stop."

Anakin used his power to brace Cassandra's hand to keep it still so it would not seize up on her. Then he sank into her, groaning. The feeling of being inside her was utterly exquisite. Everything about her felt so good.

Cassandra cupped the back of his neck, smiling softly.

Moving inside her, Anakin held her close until she came again, causing him to lose control and follow her over the edge. He clutched her to him, shuddering through his own release.

"That was great." She panted when she caught her breath.

Anakin uncoiled his fingers from her hair, sliding them down her arm in a tender caress. "I'd never give you anything less, my love." He declared and rolled onto his back, gathering Cassandra close.

In the afterglow of their lovemaking, he relaxed, just wanting to hold her in his arms and know she was his'.

Content, Cassandra drifted off as she often did after they had sex. Anakin didn't mind. He liked to listen to the sound of her soft breathing and feel the steady beat of her heart under his palm.

A/N: Yay! I finished it! This one was fun to write! I hope you enjoyed it. Here are some more Flerkitten pics below!