" Be safe, Milady " Captain Typho says to Athena as the transporter landed.

Ploo-Koon, Obi-Wan, Padmè and Captain Typho accompanied Athena and Anakin to the transport dock.

Athena and Anakin haven't spoken since the incident.

Ploo-Koon and Obi-Wan were giving Anakin some advice and guidance.

" Thank you, Captain " Athena says as she turned to Captain Typho and Padmè " Take good care of my sister, the threats on you two now ".

" I'll be safe " Padmè says with a sad smile as she looked at her sister. A tear ran down Padmè's cheeks as Athena placed a hand on her shoulders.

" You'll be fine " Athena reassured her sister as Anakin, Ploo-Koon, and Obi-Wan were behind standing Athena waiting for her.

" It's not me, I'm worried about Athena " Padmè says " I worry about you, what if they realise that you've left the capital? ".

" Well then, my Jedi protector will have to prove just how good he is " Athena says smiling and that makes Anakin let out his own smile " And if anything, I have a chance to prove how well I've trained " as she dug into her skirt pocket and pulled out her lightsaber before putting it back into her pocket.

Athena and Padmè then hugged each other tightly.

" Anakin " Obi-Wan called out. Anakin watched as the sisters pulled away and Athena turned to her Master, so they could say their goodbyes, Anakin turns to Obi-Wan " Don't do anything without first consulting either myself or the council ".

" Yes, Master " Anakin answered.

Obi-Wan then turned to Athena " I'll get to the bottom of this plot quickly, Athena " Obi-Wan promised" You'll be back in, no time ".

" Thank you, Obi-Wan " Athena says to him with a smile.

Obi-Wan was ordered by the Council to investigate, who the bounty hunter was and Ploo-Koon was going to conduct his own investigation with the Jedi Council.

" And before you know it, you can resume your Jedi training " Ploo-Koon says with a smile " I do miss going on missions with my Padawan ".

" I miss them too " Athena replied with another smile before turning to both Master's " I am most grateful for everything you are doing for me, Master Jedi's ".

" It's time to go " Anakin says to Athena as the door to the transporter opened.

" I know " Athena says as she gives Padmè one last hug.

" I will see you soon, little sister " Padmè says as they pulled away and Athena nodded.

Athena turned back to her Master.

" May the force be with you " Ploo-Koon says to Athena before they both bowed to each other.

" May the force be with you " Athena says back as Obi-Wan and Anakin say the same to each other.

Anakin turned and grabbed two larger bags and Athena grabbed the smaller ones before they started walking with R2 was following behind them.

" Suddenly, I'm afraid " Athena admitted honestly.

" This is my first assignment on my own, I am too " Anakin admitted, they glance at each other before Anakin looked at R2 " Don't worry, we have R2 with us ".

Athena and Anakin laughed as R2 beeped in response.

Obi-Wan and Ploo-Koon watched as their Padawan's and the droid walked away to the transporter. Anakin and Athena blended into the crowned as they boarded the transporter.

" I do hope, he doesn't try anything foolish " Obi-Wan thought out loud.

" I would be more concerned with her doing something, rather than him " Ploo-Koon replied as both Master's walked back into the transporter before then doors shut behind him.

⎯

Athena and Anakin walked onto the transporter that was heading to Naboo, one of the workers kindly took their bags before they entered. R2 silently followed behind them as Athena glanced over at Anakin, he was rubbing his eyes in a tired manner and Athena was worried that he might not be getting enough sleep.

Anakin pushed Athena in front of him gently as they walked through the crowd of travelers and refugees. Athena found a less crowded spot, she grabbed Anakin's hand and walked over to it. It had a makeshift bed, a small makeshift table and two stools. Athena turned to Anakin.

" You should get some rest, Anakin " Athena says worriedly " You look exhausted, have you been sleeping? ".

Anakin looked a little uncomfortable about the topic and Athena didn't want to pry, but she was generally worried about him.

" I haven't been sleeping very well " Anakin trailed off, not wanting Athena to think he was weak because of his nightmares.

" Its okay, Ani " Athena says as she placed a comforting hand on his arm " You don't have to talk about it, but rest please....now ".

" But if- " Anakin tried to argue but stopped when Athena gave him a look, Anakin stopped arguing knowing there was no point in arguing with her. He moved his hands up and fixed Athena's hood that had fallen down " Okay, I will. But promise me that you'll wake me, if you need anything or something happens ".

" I promise, Ani " Athena says as Anakin gave her a small smile and she returns it.

Anakin walked over to the makeshift bed and laid down, Athena made sure to keep a watchful eye on him as he got comfortable and closed his eyes.

⎯

" If you want food, please line up ' a droid announced.

They had been travelling for quite some time and Anakin was still sleeping peacefully as he was sleeping Athena and R2 talked.

Athena turned to said droid " R2, can you get some food for me and Anakin, please? " Athena asked.

R2 happily beeped in response and went and got the food.

" No, no, mom, no " Athena heard Anakin mutter in his sleep as he began shuffle.

Athena quickly rushed over to Anakin's side and sat on the edge of the bed, she places a hand on his shoulder, Anakin immediately woke up from her touch and looked at her. His eyes widened as he realised where he was, R2 had come back and began beeping worriedly.

" You were having a nightmare " Athena told him worry laced in her voice, Anakin sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

" Yeah " Anakin says quietly.

" You were dreaming about your mother, weren't you? " Athena asked.

Anakin stood up and leaned against a wall before looking over at Athena.

" I left Tatoonie, so long ago that my memory of her is fading " Anakin says opening up " And I don't want to loose it " his voice began breaking, Athena didn't say anything and Anakin continued.

" Recently, I've been seeing her in my dreams. Scary dreams, I worry about her " Anakin says as he walked away from the wall and he see R2 holding some bread and bowls of food, before Athena had a chance to reply, Anakin had changed the subject " R2, got food? ".

" Oh yeah, he did " Athena says " Are you hungry? ".

" Yeah " Anakin replied.

They make their way to the make shift table and sat across form each other. Athena placed some bread in front of them as R2 put some mush in some bowls, Athena then grabbed the bowls and placed them in front of them " Thank you, R2 ".

" We went into light speed, a while ago " Athena informed as she looked up and met Anakin's intense stare. Athena shifts uncomfortably, catching Anakin's attention and breaking him away from his thoughts.

" So that means, we will be at Naboo soon " Anakin says as they dug into their food " I look forward to seeing Naboo again, I've thought about it every day since i left, it's by far the most beautiful place I've seen ".

" It may not be as you remember it " Athena says as she takes a bite of her bread " Time changes perception".

" Sometimes it does.....sometimes for the better..." Anakin says.

Athena knew that he was talking about her and their friendships, but she ignored the comment and changes the subject.

" Do you ever think It's difficult? " Athena asked him and Anakin gave her a questioning look as he took a bite of mush " You know, having sworn our lives to the Jedi. Not being able to visit the places we'd like to see or do the things we wish to do... ".

" Or be with the people, I love " Anakin added.

" It's forbidden for a Jedi to love " Athena reminded and Anakin gave her a half smile as he looked down at his food for a moment before meeting Athena's eyes again, Anakin's half smile made Athena's heart flutter and she couldn't help but smile back.

" Attachment is forbidden " Anakin stated " Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is essential to a Jedi's life. So you might say, we're encouraged to love ".

Athena felt her heart flutter again as butterflies began to stir in her stomach.

" You've changed so much " Athena commented as she looked away from her food.

Anakin felt disappointed at her answer.

" You haven't changed at bit " Anakin says, trying to get a reaction from her and Athena looked at him " You're exactly, the way I remember you in my dreams ".

Athena cleared her throat as her cheeks turned red and Anakin smirked when he saw the red beginning to rise on Athena's cheeks.

They then began to finish their food.

⎯

" Athena, were here " Anakin says as he gently shook Athena's shoulder.

She had fallen asleep after they finished their meal.

Athena's eyes fluttered open as she sat up, Anakin moved so she could stand.

Athena stretched and smiled at him " Thank you for letting me rest ".

" You needed the rest as much as I did " Athena smiled " Come on, we must go now ".

Athena nodded as they walked out of the transporter.

⎯

Athena, Anakin and R2 walked off another transporter that dropped them outside, the palace of Naboo. Anakin and Athena grabbed the luggage and started walking through the palace grounds.

" If I grew up here, I don't think I would ever want to leave " Anakin says.

" I don't doubt that " Athena laughed.

" No, really " Anakin replied " When I started my training, I was very homesick and very lonely. This city and my mom were the only pleasant things, I had to think about ".

He wanted to mention Athena but chose not too.

" The problem was the more I thought about my mom, the worse I felt. But I would feel better if I thought about the palace. The way it shimmers in the sunlight or the way, the air always smells of flowers " Anakin continued " And the soft sounds of the distant waterfalls, the first time I remember seeing the capital. I was very young, I had never seen a waterfall before. I thought they were very beautiful, I never dreamed one day that I'd ever live in the palace ".

" Well, tell me. Did you dream of power and politics, when you were a litttle girl or becoming a Jedi Knight" Anakin asked Athena.

" No " Athena laughed as a gentle breeze came in " Both were the last things, I would have thought of. But Padmè was appointed queen and I was appointed Princess, and after Padmè's two terms were up I was supposed to be queen but I left for the jedi and then after a while I became Jedi senator, now that I think back on it, I don't think I was old enough or ready for it ".

" The people you served thought you did a good job " Anakin reassured " I heard, they even tried to convince you to stop you're Jedi training so you could take office ".

" It may of been what they wanted, but not what they needed. Truthfully, I was relived, when the Jedi took me as a youngling. But I'm glad they asked me to be Jedi Senator because I could be doing my Jedi duties as well as my Senator duties. But the down side is I don't get to see my older sister Sola and my parents as much " Athena says

" You and Padmè have an older sister? " Anakin asked and Athena nodded.

Anakin and Athena shared a smile and continued to walk in silence.

⎯

Athena and Anakin entered the meeting room of the palace, a room Athena knew all too well. Queen Jamillia gives Athena a smile from her throne, Sio Bibble was there as well as a few other advisors and the handmaidens and guards stood around the room.

" We've been worried about you " Queen Jamillia says as Athena walked up to her, Jamillia wrapped Athena into a hug.

" I'm so glad you're safe, Athena " Jamillia smiled as they both pulled away.

" Thank you, your highness " Athena says before she makes her way to her seat " I only wish, I could have served you better by staying on Coruscant for the vote " She commented as she sat down and Anakin stands behind Athena protectively.

" Given the circumstances, Jedi Senator, you know it was the only decision, her highness could make " Sio Bibble says.

Jamillia turned Athena with a serious face " How many systems have joined, Count Dooku and the separatists? " she asked.

" Thousands " Athena sighed " And more are leaving the republic everyday, if the senate votes to create an army, I'm sure it's going to push us into a civil war ".

" It's unthinkable " Sio Bibble exclaimed " There hasn't been a full scale war since the formation of the republic ".

" Did you see any way, through negotiations to bring the separatists back into the republic " Jamillia questioned further.

" Not if they feel threatened, my guess is they'll turn to The Trade Federations or The Commerce Guilds for help " Athena answered honestly.

Anakin didn't understand what they were saying but was content as he looked between Athena and Jamillia.

" It's outrageous, after four trails in the Supreme Court. Nute Gunray is still the Viceroy of The Trade Federation, I fear the senate is powerless to resolve this crisis " Sio Bibble spoke up.

Athena and Jamillia shared a look as Jamillia spoke

" We must keep our faith in the republic " Jamillia says calmly before she stood up and everyone that was sitting down including, Athena stood up as well . Jamillia walked over to Athena and the two began to walk side by side to the door " The day, we stop believing in democracy can work is the day we loose it ".

" Let's pray that day never comes " Athena added as Anakin followed behind her.

" In the meantime " Jamillia declared " We must consider your own safety ".

" What is your suggestion, Master Jedi, to protect our Master Jedi Senator? " Sio Bibble asked Anakin.

But Athena answered before Anakin could " Oh, we're not Jedi Master's yet. Anakin and I are only Padawan learners, but I was thinkin-" Athena started.

" Hold on a minute " Anakin interrupted with an annoyed and irritated tone.

" Excuse me " Athena says sternly as she eyed Anakin, causing him to get more irritated " As I was saying, I was thinking we could stay in the lake country. There are some places up there that are very isolated ".

" Excuse me " Anakin says rudely to Athena, ignoring the confused glance that Athena gave him " I'm in charge of security here, Milady ".

" And this is my home, I know it extremely well. That is why we're here " Athena pointed out " I think it would be wise for you to take advantage of my knowledge in this instance ".

Anakin took a deep breath before replying " Sorry, Milady ".

Athena gave him a slight nod before turning around and walked down the few steps of the room with Jamillia.

" Perfect, it's settled then " Jamillia says to Athena " Athena, I had an audience with your father yesterday. I told him, what was happening and he hopes you will visit, your mother before you leave.....your family is very worried about you ".

Anakin watched Athena's reaction, she smiled softy but he could tell that she was annoyed.

" Thank you, Your Highness " Athena replied " I will visit them, before we leave for the lake country " Anakin felt his stomach turn at the though of meeting Athena's parents " We will freshen up before seeing my parents, thank you for everything. Your highness  ".

Queen Jamillia smiled at her before Athena curtsied at her " You're welcome, Athena. Stay safe ".