She slowly slipped out of a sleep that had all too often given her nightmares.

In the dark she tried to recognize something on the face of her watch; which had lovingly been decorated by her two nieces Ryoo and Pooja. When she read the time she jumped up with adrenaline pumping, freshened up and changed into a floor-length dark blue robe; which, as he had told her, emphasized her beauty many times over.

Then she hurriedly left her chambers and headed in a certain direction.

She had often been to the Jedi Temple and yet she didn't know her way around a bit. Which, given the circumstances - that she was traveling alone - wouldn't exactly help. When she finally gave up and reluctantly reached for a hologram in her small pocket to activate it, she bitterly realized that she had been heading in the wrong direction the entire time. Because as the hologram fluttered to life, she saw a thumbnail of the whole temple. Actually, she had to go to the eastern corridor, because that was where the large training ground was.

When she had memorized the way there, she swiftly started to move once again. If she walked through the center of the temple, she thought, she would save a lot of time.

When she passed the archive, she was amazed, because there was a lot of hustle and bustle there.

Apprentices and children (probably from refugee families) milled about everywhere, Padawans helped chief librarian Nacosta Su carry books, Jedi Knights chatted, and others simply read at the edge of a mighty fountain enthroned in the center of the great hall. Even though she was used to such a picture from the Senate, she still found it breathtaking to see the Jedi so relaxed in their free time - very different from on the battlefield.

But she forced herself to keep going. She was too excited to see him again.

"Senator Amidala! Padmé!" The young, former senator from Naboo turned and looked straight into the eyes of a not a bit aged Ahsoka Tano.

Padmé's face froze into a mask for a moment, but then she smiled warmly. It was the smile with which she had also seduced her husband Anakin.

"Ahsoka?! How nice to see you! What are you doing here?", she cried and took her in her arms full of joy.

Ahsoka returned the kind gesture and said, "It's nice to see you again too!" And smiled at it. "When the Republic fell, I figured the Jedi couldn't train enough Padawans. That's why I came back."

Padmé smiled kindly. "Yes, I think you're right. Did they restore you to Padawan status?"

Ahsoka beamed with joy and her sharp fangs flashed out. They were typical of a Togruta. "Indeed they have! I'm really very happy about that! Master Kenobi and I met yesterday. He said that if Master Skywalker wanted, he could accept me back as his Padawan. Do you think he would?"

Anakin, Padmé hadn't seen him for so long. He had left for Alderaan more than a month ago to fight on the side of the rebels against the Imperial forces. When Ahsoka had left the Order, Anakin had suffered greatly. Yet - and they both knew it - it was the Council's own fault that Ahsoka had left. Because she had been convicted, without any evidence, of something she hadn't committed. When the truth had finally come out, Ahsoka's faith in the Order and especially in the Council had been shattered.

"Ahsoka, I know Anakin well enough to know that he will certainly accept you again." Ahsoka looked hopeful. You could see that the war had left visible damage. She was only 17 and already, her mind was shattered. Of violence, blood and death. She had - Padmé was sure of that - as many nightmares as Anakin. But at least Anakin had someone to comfort him, Ahsoka had none.

"Where were you actually going?" Padmé asked to distract from the topic. "I'm meeting in ...," she hesitantly looked down at her communicator, "5 minutes with Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker at the East Training Grounds. Damn it! I'm late!"

Padme beamed. "Great! That's where I have to go too."

Ahsoka grinned conspiratorially. "Senator, would you do me the honor of accompanying me?" Ahsoka asked in a fake voice.

Then they both broke out in loud laughter that echoed down the long and high hallways.

"Of course, Padawan Tano. How can I say 'no' to that?" Padmé whispered in a contrived tone. Since the two had caught suspicious looks, Padmé thought it more appropriate to keep quiet with Ahsoka. It didn't seem to bother either of them, however, and so they walked side by side in the direction of the eastern training ground ...

—
Hello to all the readers!
I have already published my story in German and found a translator finally. If you could leave me a feedback on this I would be very happy! Translated by Pertified Pie!
Thank you! :)