Alia stood outside of Padme's apartment... pacing back and forth, trying to work up the nerve to knock on the door.

She stood up straight and fixed her cloak, she raised her hand... ready to knock on the door, but it suddenly swung open... and there stood Padme.

"A-Alia? What are you doing here?" Padme asked.

Alia stood there... staring at Padme, looking at how pregnant she was.

"I-I had to come see for myself..." Alia mumbled.

"Alia... Anakin isn't the father, if that's what you are wondering," Padme replied... moving aside to allow Alia to walk in.

"B-But he said he slept with you...." Alia frowned.

"N-no you've got this all wrong..... Alia, you are my best friend I would never do anything like that to hurt you," Padme said with a small smile.

"Then how are you pregnant? Who's the father?" Alia questioned.

"Remember Clovis? Well we've been seeing each other again.... and it just happened, but he doesn't know," Padme smiled... but her smile suddenly disappeared.

"Clovis? You mean that snobby guy?" Alia replied.

Padme laughed.

"W-what made you think Anakin was the father?" Padme said... walking further into her home.

"I-I had a dream... you were giving birth, and you suddenly died," Alia frowned.

Padme froze.

"Did you see if my child survived?" Padme questioned.

Alia shook her head no....

"All I saw was you.... and you were in pain, a-and I just  stood there," Alia whimpered.

Padme sat on the couch, that looked out into the city... she placed her hands on her belly, and smiled...

"Here! Feel this!" Padme smiled, grabbing Alia's hand.

Alia felt the small human, kick around in Padme's belly... she couldn't help but giggle.

"H-How are you feeling?" Alia asked.

"He keeps kicking up a storm," Padme smiled.

"He?! What makes you think it's a boy?" Alia laughed.

"My motherly intuition," Padme laughed.

"Well with a kick that strong... it's got to be a girl! Girl power forever!!" Alia laughed... completely forgetting about everything.

They both laughed.

"I heard about Anakin's appointment... you must be proud!" Padme replied.

"H-He may be on the Council... but they haven't granted him the Master rank yet," Alia sighed.

"He needs patience... and in time they will recognize his skills," Padme shrugged.

"They still treat him as if he's a padawan learner... they all fear his power, and that's the problem," Alia frowned.

"Alia..." Padme sighed.

"Sometimes, I wonder what's happening to the Jedi Order.... I think this war is destroying the principles of the Republic," Alia shrugged.

"Have you ever considered that we may be on the wrong side?" Padme questioned.

Alia shrugged.

"I don't wanna believe that... but you are sounding like a separatist," Alia replied.

"Alia, this war represents a failure to listen... Now, Anakin is closer with The Chancellor than anyone. Please, please ask Anakin to talk to The Chancellor... and have him stop the fighting and let the diplomacy resume," Padme said.

"I-I don't know if I can do that.... please don't make me ask him, I can't be your errand girl..." Alia replied.... looking uneasy all of a sudden.

"What is it?" Padme asked.

"Nothing..." Alia mumbled.

"D-Do you think the dark side is calling out to him?" Padme questioned.

"Maybe.... but I think it's calling out to me as well," Alia replied with a hint of confusion.

"Let me help! Just like I use to when we were younger" Padme smiled.

"Y-You can't help me... I wish you could, but I must figure this out for myself," Alia said.

"I sense there are things you are not telling me," Padme replied.

"Y-you say you didn't sleep with Anakin... b-but why is he saying he did?" Alia questioned.

"A-Alia we just kissed... that's all, and he started to cry... s-so I held him," Padme said.

Alia looked at Padme... and watched her expressions, trying to figure out if what she was saying was true.... and Padme was telling the truth.

Alia stood up, and headed towards the door.

"I-I should go... I have a meeting early tomorrow," Alia spoke up.

Padme stood up and walked towards Alia... pulling her into a hug.

"Come visit me... before you leave for you mission, I do miss talking with you," Padme smiled.

Alia nodded...and left.