" Foolish, you were " Yoda scolded Athena " Wrong to follow, the assassin you were ".

It was the following morning and Athena was in hot water for disobeying and following after the assassin. She was standing in the middle of the Jedi Council room and they were all meeting with her about the situation and her behaviour.

" I saw my chance and I took it, I am a Jedi and I'm more than capable of protecting myself, when it comes to it " Athena responded and Master Windu shook his head.

" Young Athena, you must understand " Master Windu says " You are the Jedi Senator, a very important position to us and the senate. We cannot have and do not want you to die anytime soon, you must listen and obey our orders, it is to protect you ".

Athena nodded as she looked at all of the council members " What is the plan now? " she asked.

The situation had changed, the person who wanted Athena dead was still out there.

" We want you to go back to Naboo, you will be safer there " Master Windu informed.

" Of course, we will have someone escort you back " Master Ploo added.

" Although, I deeply respect all of you and your decisions, I have to refuse. We have the vote coming up and I am one of the leaders in this, I can't just leave at a time like this " Athena argued as she tries to remain calm, even though irritation was bubbling up inside her.

" Must you have to " Yoda spoke as Athena shook her head.

" I'm sorry, but I am staying. Unless the Chancellor orders it and the voting can happen without me, I have to stay and as far as I know, I need to for this vote to happen. Is is my duty as Jedi Senator and right now, I am more of a Senator than I am a Jedi. Therefore, I need to put my Senator duties before my Jedi ones, which I might add that I'm not even training as one at the moment. At the of day, I have to do what is best for the people I represent. Even if my life is in danger and even if I'm disobeying the ones I respect the most, I will do what is right " Athena argued, trying not to yell.

" Now, if you'll excuse me " Athena excused herself before storming out of the room.

Ploo Koon looked at Yoda, the meeting with his Padawan went exactly as he had expected. Ploo knew Athena would put everyone else's lives before her's and not listen to their judgment's and order's. That is why Ploo had come up with a plan and discussed it with the other council members before Athena's meeting.

⎯

Anakin and Obi-Wan stood in the middle of the Jedi Council room.

" Track down this bounty hunter you must, Obi-Wan " Yoda spoke.

" Most importantly, find out who he's working for " Ploo Koon added.

" What about, Jedi Senator Amidala? She will still need protection? " Obi-Wan asked, still very concerned about his friend.

" Handle that, your Padawan will " Yoda answered.

Anakin quickly looked up at Yoda as he spoke.

" Anakin " Ploo Koon spoke and Anakin looked at him " Escort my Padawan back to her home planet, Naboo. She will be safer there and don't use registration transport, travel as refugees ".

Anakin now understood, why he felt Athena's irritation earlier. He knew that she would be happy about not being present at the up coming vote.

" As one of the leaders of the opposition, it will be very difficult to get Jedi Senator Amidala to leave the capital " Anakin pointed out.

" Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must respect " Yoda says as he placed both hands on his cane.

" Anakin, go to the senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak to her about the matter " Windu spoke before ending the meeting.

Anakin and Obi-Wan bowed before leaving.

⎯

" I will talk with her, Jedi Senator Amidala will not refuse an executive's orders " Chancellor Palpatine says to Anakin, who was standing in front of the Chancellor in his office " I know her well enough to assure you of that ".

" Thank you, you're excellency " Anakin says with a small smile, feeling at ease after talking with the Chancellor.

" And so, They've finally given you an assignment " Chancellor Palpatine says as Anakin nodded " Your patience finally paid off ".

" Your guidance more than, my patience " Anakin corrected.

" You don't need guidance, Anakin " Palpatine says as he walked away from the window and Anakin followed behind him " In time, you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you'll be invisible as I've said before, you are the most gifted Jedi, I've ever met. I see you, becoming the greatest Jedi, Anakin. Even more powerful than, Master Yoda ".

⎯

Obi-Wan, Ploo-Koon and Yoda were all walking down the halls of the Jedi temple. Yoda floated next to them, Yoda and Ploo-Koon had filled Obi-Wan in about their meeting with Athena. A silence had taken over them after as they were all in deep thought. Their thoughts were about Anakin and Athena, Obi-Wan was the first to speak up.

" He's not ready to be given this assignment on his own yet " Obi-Wan says, he was worried about his Padawan going on his first offical mission without him.

" The council is confident in it's decision, Obi-Wan " Yoda reassured.

" The boy has exceptional skills " Ploo-Koon complimented.

" But he still has much to learn, Master " Obi-Wan sighed " His abilities have made him, well arrogant ".

The three Jedi stopped walking and formed a circle around each other as they continued to talk.

" Yes, yes " Yoda agreed " A flaw more and more common among Jedi. Hmm, too sure of themselves, they are. Even the older, more experienced ones ".

" Athena is different though " Obi-Wan started as he turned to Ploo-Koon " You have trained her very well, her abilities are extraordinary, she is very strong in the force and you can feel it in her presence, she's not arrogant either ".

" Thank you " Ploo-Koon says " While, she is not arrogant. She lacks knowing, when to put herself first. She's very selfless and focused on her duties as Jedi Senator that she forgets to take care of herself. Athena is an ambitious young woman and that can be her flaw sometimes ".

" Yes " Yoda agreed " Always putting others and her duties before herself. Athena has, ever since her training. Clouds, her ability to know when to take care of herself, it does ".

" It is, how I knew the meeting with her would go the way it did " Ploo-Koon added.

" I fear Anakin, may be somewhat of a bad influence on Athena " Obi-Wan says " Is it really wise for them to go on this mission alone? They're still Padawan's after all? ".

" Or Athena could be a goo influence on, Anakin " Ploo-Koon reasoned, having full faith in Athena.

⎯

" You wanted to see me , Chancellor " Athena asked as she walked into his office and stands in front of his desk.

" Ah yes, Jedi Senator " Palpatine greeted as he sat at his desk " I would like for you to go back to, Naboo. Where you will be safer, this is an executive order ".

" What about the vote? " Athena asked.

" I am sure Senator Amidala can manage just fine, I suggested that representative Binks take your place as extra support " Palpatine says with a smile " I know this not, what you want Athena. But I assure you, it is in your best interest. Think of it as an experience, I'm positive you will become stronger than this. After all you are an extremely gifted Jedi ".

" Thank you, Chancellor " Athena says with a nod.

" You must go now, you are expected to leave within in an hour " Palpatine says as he smiled at Athena.

Athena walks out of the office and sees Anakin leaning against the wall in front of the door, he immediately pushed up off the wall and smiled brightly as soon as he saw her.

" I suppose, you're my escort? " Athena asked as she smiled back.

" That is correct " Anakin replied as they walked back to Athena's apartment, so she could pack.

" Good, I would much rather have you by my side than anyone else " Athena says and Anakin felt his heart flutter at hides words.

" You look beautiful " Anakin suddenly says and Athena blushed.

" Thank you " Athena says flustered.

Making Anakin smirk, knowing he made her flustered.

⎯

When they arrived, Anakin excused himself to go get his bags. Athena started placing everything she needed to pack on her bed.

Suddenly Athena heard a knock on her bedroom door " Come in " she called out.

Padmè walked into the room and smiles at her sister.

" I heard the senate and the council ordered you to go back home " Padmè says " They knew you wouldn't listen, unless you were ordered by both ".

" You are correct " Athena replied " I wish I was staying here though, this vote is so important ".

" Don't worry, Jar Jar and I will- " Padmè started but stopped when Athena shot her a look " Well, I will handle it " she corrected herself before sitting on her sisters bed and watched as Athena packed her bags.

" I know everything will be okay in your hands, I just-I just still feel needed here. I know my presence and connections were a great influence to our cause " Athena sighed.

" Which also brings a greater danger to your life " Padmè reminded and Athena nodded in response.

" But on the bright side, you do get to spend more time with Anakin " Padmè added giving Athena a suggestive look.

" What's that suppose to mean " Athena says confused " And why are you giving me that look ".

" I don't know.....is my little sister not telling me something? " Padmè asked.

" There's nothing going on between us " Athena quickly denied.

Padmè rolled her eyes and gives her a look.

" What it's true, Anakin and I are just friends " Athena says " Nothing more, nothing less ".

" But you could be more " Padmè pointed out " he looks at you like you're the only girl in the galaxy, as if your his whole world, Athena. There's so much love and admiration in his eyes every time he looks at you, every girl wants a guy to look at them, the way Anakin looks at you ".

" Padmè " Athena says sternly " You know, the Jedi code ".

" I do, but I also know my sister and you look at him with the same amount of love and admiration as he looks at you and you never looked at Clovis, the way you look at Anakin " Padmè says.

" It is forbidden to love " Athena says.

Athena couldn't deny that she felt something for Anakin.

" To be in love is to be human " Padmè says quietly to Athena.

" I'm a Jedi, I know I am better than this " Athena says.

Padmè sat up and hugged her sister.

" Just as much as you are a Jedi, you are human as well and these feelings are okay " Padmè comforted.

Athena was about to reply but stopped when she felt Anakin enter the apartment, understanding what was happening Padmè just pulled her sister into one last tight hug, before letting her go. Anakin entered empty bags in hand, he looked at Athena worried, he quickly dropped the bags and swiftly walked over to her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked down at Athena.

" Are you okay? I felt a change in you're mood all the way back from the ships, did something happen" Anakin asked.

" I'm okay " Athena replied as she grabbed Anakin's hands and brought them to her waist and gave them a reassuring squeeze before letting go, her eyes never leaving Anakin's.

" it's my fault, I was just a little sad that Athena was leaving " Padmè says " And she was conforming me "

" I understand, but it will be the best for now to keep Athena safe " Anakin says giving them a understanding smile.

Suddenly Captain Typho's voice could be heard through the door " Jedi Senator, Senator Amidala. Representative Binks has arrived ".

⎯

" I'm taking an extended leave of absence " Athena says to Jar Jar as they stood in the living area of the apartment. Padmè was standing next to him and Anakin was waiting in the hallway outside of Athena's room as he gazed outside of the tall windows of the hallways.

" It will be, you're responsibly to take my place in the senate " Athena continued " Representative Binks, I know I can count on you and Senator Amidala ".

" Mesa honoured to be takin on disa heavy burden, mesa accept this with muy humility and uh-" Jar Jar says, trying to sound formal and graceful.

The sisters grinned at Jar Jar.

" Jar Jar, I don't wish to hold you up " Athena says " I'm sure you have a great deal to do and my sister needs to brief you on everything ".

" Yes, come representative Binks " Padmè added " Jedi Senator Amidala has a great deal to do as well ".

" Of course, mi-ladies " Jar Jar says before him and Padmè bowed to Athena and walked way too Padmè's office.

Athena turned and met Anakin's stare as she walked over to him, she grows more and more unhappy with every step she took. Anakin sends her a reassuring smile.

" I don't like this idea of hiding " Athena stated as she walked past Anakin and walked into her room, so she continue packing.

" Don't worry, now that the Council has ordered an investigation, it won't take Master Obi-Wan long to find this bounty hunter " Anakin reassured.

Athena didn't look at him as she went to her closet and looked at her dresses hanging on the hangers. Before taking the ones that caught her eyes off their hangers.

" I haven't worked for a year to defeat the military creation act and put my Senator duties before my Jedi ones to not be here when it's decided " Athena argued sternly, she turned around and looked at Anakin as she folded her clothes before packing them in her bag.

" Sometimes, we must let go of our pride and do what is requested of us " Anakin says wisely.

" You've grown up, Anakin " Athena complimented before walking back to her closet to pick out some more outfits.

" Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it " Anakin commented bitterly, he walked to Athena's widow and picked up the practice ball resting on her window sill. Athena watched as he used the force to make the ball float. She then walked back over to her bag and pack the clothes in it.

" Don't get me wrong, Obi-Wan is a great Master " Anakin started, Athena looked at him but he refused to meet her eyes " As wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu ".

Anakin let the ball fall gently in his hands and turned back around to face Athena.

" I am truely thankful to be his apprentice " Anakin says and Athena eyed him before getting something from her dresser " In some ways....a lot of ways..." he set the ball back on the window sill " I'm really ahead of him " Anakin says.

" I'm ready for the trails " Anakin declared, his voice holding anger " But he feels that I'm too unpredictable, he won't let me move on ".

Anakin walked to the foot Athena's bed.

" That must be frustrating " Athena simply says.

" It's worse " Anakin exclaimed as Athena walked over to her closest to grab some shoes " He's overly critical, he never listens, he-he doesn't understand, it's not fair " Anakin's voice got louder with every word.

Athena turned around as Anakin looked at Athena.

" All mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults then we would like " Athena says as she walked back over to her bag and Anakin sat at the end of Athena's bed " There was a time, when I felt what you're feeling with my own Master. but it's the only way we grow, Ani ".

" I know " Anakin sighed as he looked away from Athena.

" Anakin " Athena says firmly " Don't try to, grow up to fast ".

" But I am grown up " Anakin says as he stood up, his tall figure towered over Athena and she saw the love and admiration Padmè was talking about, Athena bit her lip as she continued " You said it yourself ".

A smirk appeared on Anakin's face as the air around them got hotter. Athena just ignored the butterfly's in her stomach and gives him a stern look.

Anakin's smirk grew, when he saw Athena's cheeks become red.

" Please, don't look at me like that " Athena says sternly as she looked back at Anakin.

" Why not? " Anakin asked as he leaned closer to Athena.

" It makes me feel uncomfortable " Athena snapped before walking to her closet.

Anakin was amused by Athena's reaction and his smirk grew " Sorry, milady ".