A/N: Hi all! I don't normally do this but I've been on a roll lately when it comes to my Star Wars fics. I have a load of other fics I need to finish off but this one couldn't wait. This is an AU for the events that follow Clone Wars season 5 and season 6 and for Revenge of the Sith. This is my way of answering the AU question: what if Padmé had helped Anakin in pleading with Ahsoka not to leave the Jedi Order and instead of failing, it actually succeed and she stayed? Some of the events in the season 6 episodes An Old Friend, Rise of Clovis and Crisis of the Heart are referenced in the first chapter and other events of season 6 are either mentioned as to have happened or won't happen at all. Please bear in mind that I haven't actually seen Season 5 or 6 of the Clone Wars but I have read enough about the episodes to know want went on. Also, the events that help shape the Empire in the films won't happen at all but the characters from Rebels, the Original trilogy as well as the new films meaning the Sequel Trilogy will appear but their roles will be slightly more different to what you know.

I hope you enjoy the prologue of Goodness in Life.

Goodness in Life

Prologue

Ahsoka stood with her back to Anakin, ready to depart the Jedi Order forever. Her hands were balled into fists at her sides to hide their shaking. She had declined the return of her Padawan braid from Anakin and had attempted to walk away from the one person who had believed her innocence. She was distraught and she knew Anakin was as well. It flowed through her via the Force like a cool breeze. They had been through a lot together in the time had they known one another. Now, she felt betrayed by the Jedi Council and by anyone who thought she was guilty.

For the last two years, Ahsoka had forged a strong bond with Anakin and with their troops, particularly Rex who made it no secret that he was fond of her. She was also close to Obi-Wan but even he seemed to have sidelined her when her 'guilt' had surfaced. She didn't hold anything against him. She knew he was only responding the way the council expected him to. It was the typical thing to do for someone as caught up in the council's bias views as Obi-Wan seemed to be.

"Anakin! Ahsoka, wait!"

Both Master and former Padawan turned to see none other then Padmé Amidala hurrying towards them. She appeared to be flustered as she skidded to a halt at Anakin's side.

"Senator?" Ahsoka said. She was surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?"

"I just saw Obi-Wan. He told me of your decision to leave the Order."

Ahsoka looked away, her eyes brimming with tears. "I have to leave, Padmé. They don't trust me. They thought I was capable of committing a crime I would never commit." She struggled to keep the anguish and the hurt out of her tone.

Anakin and Padmé exchanged worried looks.

Instinctively, Padmé took Ahsoka's hand prompting the former Padawan to turn around. "Come with me," She then turned to look at Anakin. "You too."

Anakin didn't have much choice but to obey his wife's orders.

Neither Anakin nor Ahsoka protested as they followed Padmé away from the temple and towards an alternate route that lead them back towards the Senate Apartment Complex.

The walk back to Padmé's apartment was quiet as the senator led Ahsoka by the hand. Anakin lagged behind them but was able to keep his pace. Close enough to Ahsoka's ear he whispered, "You know something we don't. What is it?"

Ahsoka bit her lip as she shook her head.

Anakin wasn't sure what to say or do. He had never seen Ahsoka like this. As much as he wanted to comfort her, he knew he couldn't. He was already overly attached to her.

Then, it clicked.

That was what Obi-Wan and Yoda had been afraid of. His attachment issue was consuming him and particularly eating him alive. They had feared that this could drive him to the Dark Side of the Force.

The familiar sound of the door opening to Padmé's apartment pulled Anakin out of his thoughts. He followed his wife and former Padawan down to the living area and settled himself on one of the couches while Padmé sat beside him. Ahsoka sat opposite them, trying to keep as much distance between her and them as she could.

"Before you say anything, I wanted to say, I'm sorry for everything I have done wrong." Ahsoka said, her eyes falling to her feet.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Anakin said, his voice clearly emotional. "We all make mistakes. I've made my fair share of them."

"I know." Ahsoka said, her head still bowed.

Anakin and Padmé looked at each other. They had both detected something they had never heard before in Ahsoka's tone. Was it acknowledgement that was being hinted at? Or was it their imaginations? Whatever it was, Ahsoka clearly was uncomfortable with whatever she was about to share with them.

"You know something that you aren't sharing with us." Anakin said, his tone hard and commanding.

Ahsoka bit the inside of her cheek, tasting blood. She knew her cover was blown. "I know about your marriage."

Anakin felt his stomach drop.

Padmé bit her lip.

Looking over at his wife, Anakin could see that Padmé was surprisingly calm despite the lip biting.

"There's that look again." Ahsoka murmured.

Anakin and Padmé turned their gaze to Ahsoka.

"What look?" Anakin asked nervously.

"That look. The one you and Padmé just exchanged."

"How long have you known?" Padmé asked gently before casting her husband with a look that told him to be quiet.

"I was suspicious during the Malevolence crisis. I had more suspicions during the Blue Shadow Virus crisis and then I heard some senators talking about a lone Jedi losing his lightsabre during the Senate Building Hostage Crisis. Now, I don't know about you, but I know very few Jedi, none in fact, that have a habit of losing their weapons." Ahsoka crossed her arms over her chest, looking rather pleased. No one could back Anakin this far into a corner and live to tell about it.

Anakin's shoulders slumped. He knew she had him. Like her, he didn't know any Jedi that lost their weapons. Apparently he was the only one. He scratched the back of his head. "Oh, you heard about that."

"Idiot." Ahsoka muttered.

A smirk crossed Anakin's face. "Only you would say that."

Ahsoka raised her eyebrows as she nodded.

The tension that had lingered in the room a moment ago was now gone.

"How long has this been going on?" Ahsoka asked, reclining back so that her back was against the back of the seat.

"Just on two and a bit years." Anakin said half-heartedly shrugging.

"And you failed to tell me of all people?" Ahsoka pretended to be hurt.

"We had to, Ahsoka. Anakin didn't want to keep this from you." Padmé said in near desperation.

"I know you had to," Ahsoka said casting the senator with an apologetic look. "I understand how hard this must be for you both."

Anakin looked genuinely surprised. "You do?"

Ahsoka nodded. "I've seen the way you freak out every time Padmé becomes involved in one of our missions. You would risk everyone else's lives to save hers."

Anakin wasn't an idiot. He knew what she was referring to. "If you're referring to the Blue Shadow Virus incident then yeah, I did freak out because I wasn't about to lose you too."

Ahsoka was touched. She really was. Anakin had shown concern for her before but nothing like this. "It wasn't just the Blue Shadow Virus incident. Don't forget what happened on the Malevolence."

"You weren't even on the Malevolence. How could you possibly know…? Oh." Anakin's face fell.

"I could sense your feelings and emotions half a parsec off but good job in shielding yourself from Obi-Wan and Master Plo." Ahsoka could have gone further in her mock scolding but chose not to.

Padmé looked at Anakin but he couldn't bring himself to look at her.

"Please," Anakin begged Ahsoka. "Don't leave the Order. You're one of us. You're part of the team."

Ahsoka had to bite her tongue to stop a nasty retort from sliding out of her mouth. For a long agonizing moment, Ahsoka thought over what she knew of Anakin and Padmé's marriage and how this benefited them as well as her. She knew blackmailing Anakin was going to go down real well but she had to try.

"I'll stay," she said at last as she paused for dramatic effect. "If you fill me in on everything I have been missing out on for the last two and a bit years."

Anakin's eyes narrowed into slits. "Are you emotionally blackmailing me?"

Ahsoka blinked, feigning innocence. "Me? Never." A smile then slid across her face. "Fine!" She raised her hands in defeat. "Yes. I'm blackmailing you. Happy now?"

"There. A little honesty never hurt anybody, now did it, Snips?" Anakin wrinkled his nose as he smirked in satisfaction.

Padmé rolled her eyes. This was going to be one long night. She sat and listened as her husband and young friend bickered over little things but she was sure of one thing. It was good to see them smiling and letting off a bit of steam.

"So, what now?" Ahsoka asked eagerly once the laughs had died down.

"Well," Anakin said scratching the back of his neck. "I know one thing." He looked over at Padmé who frowned. Anakin then turned back to Ahsoka. "This has to be kept a secret. No one can know."

Ahsoka nodded. She would have died for Anakin if she had to. "One question." She said holding up one finger and before folding her arms over her chest. "Does Master Obi-Wan know?"

Anakin licked his lips as he shook his head. "No, but I think he knows something's up. Whether he's pieced something together I can't tell. He's too difficult to read."

"Hmm," Ahsoka said pursing her lips. "Reminds me of someone else I know." She muttered.

"Ahsoka this is serious. You know what will happen if the council finds out." Anakin said as Padmé slid next to him.

Ahsoka didn't miss the protective look that quickly passed across Anakin's face as he wrapped an arm around Padmé but she chose to ignore it. "I know, master. But don't you think Obi-Wan should know?"

"No," Anakin said much too quickly. "He is too caught up in the ways of the Order. If he knows about this then all this secrecy will be for nothing."

"Not necessarily." Ahsoka said.

"What do you mean?" Padmé asked curiously.

"Is what you told me true?" Ahsoka asked Anakin. "About the whole Obi-Wan/Duchess of Mandalore thing?"

"Ah…" Anakin said trying to ignore the look of annoyance Padmé was giving him. "Yeah. You could say that."

"And you failed to tell me? Anakin!" Padmé said, obviously disgusted, her annoyance still showing.

"Obi-Wan said he'd kill me if it got out." Anakin protested.

"Wait a second," Ahsoka said waving her hands, regaining her master's attention. "Didn't Satine die at Maul's hand?"

Anakin went wide-eyed. "Actually, no. She didn't." He blurted.

"What do you mean she didn't?" Padmé asked, suspiciously.

Anakin gulped. If there was one thing he hated it was lying to Padmé. She could read him like a holo-report. "All right!" he said raising his hands. "Satine faked her own death. Obi-Wan knew about it just to throw Maul off her scent."

"Where is she now?" Ahsoka asked.

Anakin shrugged. "Only Obi-Wan knows that and he won't even tell me. He had to appear like the mournful ex-lover so Maul wouldn't try anything else to get his revenge... again."

"You mean he knows where she is and he's not telling? That must be really annoying for you."
Ahsoka teased.

Anakin looked at her appalled. "Yes, that's what I said. Weren't you listening? Quit teasing me!"

Ahsoka rolled her eyes and groaned. "Can we get back to the original issue at hand?" Anakin looked at her somewhat blankly. "Your marriage." the Padawan elaborated.

"Oh, right."

Ahsoka held back another groan. "We need to keep this quiet so I am putting myself on the line."

"You don't need to Ahsoka. We don't expect you to." Padmé said gently.

"I know," Ahsoka said with a sincere nod. "I want to. You are both the closest thing to family that I have. I would not miss this for anything." She cast a look at Anakin. "No matter how forbidden."

Anakin and Padmé looked at her before looking at each other. Some part of them was glad that someone they both trusted was in on their secret. Ahsoka wasn't exactly the last person they wanted in the know but she wasn't about to go blabbing.

"So now what do we do?" Ahsoka asked.

"Nothing." Anakin said quickly.

Padmé and Ahsoka looked at him.

"What do you mean?" Padmé asked.

"Nothing changes, regardless if Ahsoka knows about us." Anakin clarified. "Life goes on as it would as if Ahsoka didn't know."

Padmé and Ahsoka looked at each other before nodding at Anakin in agreement.

Nothing was going to change but in a way, things were… simpler. Anakin felt some of the weight lift from his shoulders. The burden of having to hide his marriage for the last two years had taken its toll. Looking over at Padmé he could tell she was feeling the exact way but the burden was still heavy. Ahsoka was one of the most loyal people Anakin had ever met and there was no doubt in his mind that she could be trusted.

"Welcome to our little family." Anakin said with a smile.

"Ani." Padmé muttered nudging him in the arm with her elbow.

"Kidding… not really." Anakin said raising his hands in mock defeat.

Ahsoka felt her spirits rise. The day had been one of the hardest she had ever faced as a Jedi and there was going to be even harder days. She couldn't leave now. Anakin needed her more then ever and in a lot of ways, she needed him.

"I hope you'll have me." Ahsoka said biting her lip and rising to her feet.

Padmé stepped forward and rested a hand on Ahsoka's shoulder before pulling her in for a hug. "Of course. You're just as important to us as we are to you."

Ahsoka relaxed. She had become rather close to Padmé in the two years she had known her. They understood each other. They were willing to protect each other. They were also fiercely protective over Anakin.

As he watched his wife and young friend, Anakin found himself smiling. The council would consider the friendship between Anakin and Ahsoka 'illegal'. Heck, they considered almost everything Anakin did illegal. He was THAT loveable. Forcing his himself forward, Anakin found himself hugging his two favorite girls.

Ahsoka felt slightly unnerved by Anakin's gesture of affection. The only two people she had shown genuine affection for were Lux and Master Plo. Of course her relationship with Lux had had gone nowhere. She was just glad Anakin hadn't gotten wind of it. He would have teased her endlessly. Master Plo had always been the closest thing to a father she had ever known and leaving would end that. She couldn't have that.

Having always felt at ease with Anakin, Ahsoka was surprised at how quickly her nerves and uneasiness disappeared.

"Okay, you can both let me go now." Ahsoka said after a long peaceful moment.

Anakin and Padmé laughed as they released her.

"So you won't leave?" Anakin asked.

Ahsoka thought for a moment. "No," she shook her head. "As much as I now loathe the council and their decisions, I will only stay for your sakes. You both sacrificed yourselves and your careers for me. I cannot thank you both enough."

Anakin who now had his arms around Padmé exchanged looks with her. "You're family to us. We would do anything for you."

Ahsoka smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

"Why don't you stay with us tonight? We can fill you in a little more."

"I'd like that." Ahsoka said with a smile.

Anakin and Padmé returned the gesture.

"You know, I never thought I would actually say this, but I'm glad Ahsoka worked it out for herself." Anakin grinned at Padmé.

"Oi! Hi. Still here." Ahsoka protested, waving her arms madly at them.

Padmé laughed. Like Master, like Padawan. She thought shaking her head.

Despite the pain she had faced over the last couple of days, Ahsoka allowed herself to relax. While the council might no longer trust her, she knew that Anakin would support her in anything she decided to do for here on in. Despite the lack of blood ties, he was her big brother while she was his little sister.

Anyone that had worked with them in the past could see that and could deny it all they liked. They wouldn't have cared.

For the first time in a really long time, Ahsoka felt as if she was finally home.

"Oh! I nearly forgot." Anakin fished around inside his tunic pocket and pulled out something Ahsoka recognised as her silka beaded Padawan braid. He held it out to her.

Ahsoka stared at it for a moment before taking it and reattaching it to her lekku. "It felt odd not having it on." She admitted.

"It was odd for me not seeing you wear it." Anakin agreed.

Ahsoka gave him a thankful grin. " I don't normally say this, master, but thank you. Thank you to you both. For the countless time today."

"For what?"

"For saving me. If it wasn't for you and Padmé, I would have been dead."

All the fondness Anakin had for his young Padawan was beginning to overwhelm him. "I never had any doubts that you were framed, Ahsoka. I hope you know that."

Ahsoka nodded. "I know. I'm glad you I had you both on side."

Padmé and Anakin exchanged grateful looks.

"Can I add something to our little… agreement?"

"Sure," Anakin said. "Name it."

"No more 'couple' looks around me. Unless it is necessary."

"You have yourself a deal." Padmé laughed.

"I have something I would like to add." Anakin said slowly.

Oh no, Ahsoka thought. This can't be good. "Go for it." She said instead.

"If you say anything to embarrass me in any way, I'll kill you."

Padmé elbowed Anakin in the ribs. He ignored the pain that was now coursing through his upper torso. "Ani." She mumbled. "Be nice."

"I'm just being truthful." Anakin argued.

"Yeah, ah-huh. Too truthful." Ahsoka shook her head.

"Let's just get through tonight and see how things turn out." Padmé said.

"I'm good with that." Anakin said.

"Me too."

Anakin looked over at Ahsoka who obviously loved this new reality. He knew he should have been glad but a tiny little voice in his head told him otherwise. Choosing to ignore it, Anakin jumped into the conversation that Ahsoka and Padmé were having. He allowed his defensive barrier to fall as he so often did when he was home and allowed himself to just roll with it.

I hope you enjoyed that. The first chapter will published soon so in the meantime...

To be Continued...