The ship is quiet. The lights dimmed and most of the people on the ship are asleep. Selena however is wide awake, she had just finished comforting Padme about the recording from Naboo's governor. Padme was worried about the safety of her people and Selena felt that her duty as her friend was to comfort the young queen.

The tired padawan sits on a chair in the room and lets out a deep breath. She senses someone's eyes on her and when she turns she is met with the eyes of Anakin Skywalker.

His eyes are filled with tears and he is shivering using his arms to try to keep himself warm.

Without even a second thought Selena walks over to him and asks the boy with sincerity laced in her voice and asks, "Ani are you alright?"

"It's very c-cold", he says still shivering.

Selena took off her cloak and draped it over Anakin, hoping to warm him up.

"Here take this. You're from a warm planet Ani, way too warm for my liking, and space is cold"

"Thank you Lena", Anakin says.

"Of course Ani"

"I made you something", he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a necklace, "I made this for

you. Sou you'd remember me. I carved it out of a japor snippet... It will bring you good fortune".

She smiles at him and as soon as he puts the necklace in her hand she puts it on her neck.

"It's beautiful Ani I love it! And I will always remember you many things will change once we hit Coruscant but my caring for you will always remain", Selena tells him.

"I care for you too. Only I miss..", Anakin starts tears falling down his cheeks.

"...You miss your mother"

Anakin nods and Selena engulfs the boy in a giant hug.

"Can you stay with me?", Anakin whispers.

"Of course"

☆☆☆

Qui-Gon stands in the council room its members all seated in a semi-circle around the room. Obi-Wan stands on his right and Selena to his left as he explains to the council the situation at hand.

"....my only conclusion can be that it was a Sith Lord", Qui-Gon informs the council.

Looks of confusion and shock are present on all of the council members and Mace Windu is the first one to speak saying, " A sith lord?".

"Impossible! The Sith have been extinct for a millennium", Ki- Adi Mundi says.

"The very Republic is threatened, if involved the Sith are", Master Yoda voices.

"I do not believe they could have returned without us knowing", Mace Windu says.

"Hard to see, the dark side is. Discover who this assassin is, we must", Yoda says.

"I sense he will reveal himself again", Ki- Adi says.

"This attack was with purpose, that is clear, and I agree the Queen is the target", Master Windu states.

" With this Naboo queen you must stay, Qui-Gon. Protect her", Yoda tells Qui-Gon.

"We will use all our resources here to unravel this mystery and discover the identity of your attacker... May the Force be with you", Mace tells the three Jedi.

"May the Force be with you", Yoda says. 

A/N: About 2 or 3 more chapters left in this act until AOTC.