All right, here is the much awaited chapter. Now, I want to say that I am very flattered that you guys enjoy my story so much that you wait for updates – I understand the feeling. However, I think it's fair to say I speak for several writers when I say that demanding updates especially around this time of year when school is busy for everyone on top of Christmas for those who celebrate – does not help with the writing process. If I can update sooner, I promise I will – but it really depends on what's happening in my life and if I am in the mood to write.

That said, thank you all for the lovely feedback and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars.

It took every bit of self-control Anakin had to not demand answers from Ahsoka as they sat eating at Dex's. No easy feat – especially since the questions danced on his tongue every time the Togruta female met his eyes. It got to the point where Anakin could only taste blood whenever he chewed on his bantha burger. He still tastes copper now even as he steps into the elevator that will lead him to Padmé's apartment and he wishes he had a better chance to wash his mouth out.

But, despite his infamous impatience and the memory of what had slipped past her shields unaware that set his teeth on edge, he managed it.

Barely.

Anakin closes his eyes tightly as he remembers Ahsoka's thoughts. There had been so many emotions - a hurricane all crashing down on him at once: ConfusionAngerLongingSorrow...

After feeling all that anguish, Anakin had not wanted to leave Ahsoka alone even to see his wife for fear of what his padawan may do in such a state. But, he also felt that there was little point in staying with his padawan when he did not even know how to help her. So, Anakin had asked Obi-wan to keep an eye on Ahsoka while he went to 'figure things out' and tried to ignore Obi-wan's knowing look he caught from the corner of his eye.

Ding.

Anakin's eyes flutter open, stepping out of the elevator smoothly just as the doors finished opening. When Padmé answers her door, radiant as always, Anakin gathers her in his arms without pause. "I've missed you, love." He whispers against her sweet-smelling hair as she clings to him, laughing.

"And I've missed you, my handsome Jedi." She pulls away, a lovely smile curling her lips as she placed a hand against his cheek, rubbing her thumb in comforting circles. Her smile fades after a moment, brown eyes flashing with sadness. "It's been too long."

He presses a gentle kiss to her palm, dark blue eyes gazing at her heavily with the knowledge. "I know – hopefully this war will end soon."

"Isn't that what we all want?" Padmé sighs, running a thumb over his cheek as she gazed at her husband for a long moment before a frown pinched her features. "Something is bothering you."

Anakin snorts. "The war is quite annoying..."

"Ani." Padmé admonished, cutting him off effectively despite the small smile that curled her lips at the comment. "Something else is bothering you. Is it the council?"

Anakin let out a short chuckle. "Don't worry love, you won't have to hear any complaints about them not being able to change their ways. Not this time." As his voice became more quiet, the Jedi's expression grew more sombre, his dark blue eyes leaving his wife's face to linger on her palm.

"What is it then?" Padmé whispered.

Anakin studied the beautiful Senator's slim hand for another moment while she waited patiently for his response. Finally, after a long moment, Anakin replied: "It's Ahsoka, she's been acting...strange."

"Strange?" Padmé repeated, eyebrows furrowing with concern as she lead Anakin into her living room by the hand. Taking a seat on her couch, Padmé inquired: "How so?"

Sitting next to her, Anakin explained to his wife Ahsoka's behaviour since the incident with Bane while she listened with her growing concern for Anakin's padawan showing clearly on her face. "And today we were walking through the temple and I finally got a read on her..." Anakin paused, shuddering. "There was so much pain Padmé; confusion...longing. I wanted to help her, but she shut me out." Anakin's mechanical fist clenched at the memory of the steel doors slamming up in his mind, hiding all of Ahsoka's emotions behind it while she looked up at him with wide eyes.

Almost like she was afraid of him.

"Oh Ani." Padmé sighs, bringing him out of his thoughts by squeezing his flesh hand gently with her own. The Senator's lips pursed: "I never understood how the Republic could allow children to fight a war."

Anakin peered at his wife through his growing waves. "You think that's what this is? That the war is getting to her?"

"I'm not sure if that's specifically what's bothering her – but it's definitely a factor." Padmé states heavily. "You don't go into battle that young and come out without scars. Force, you don't go in at any age untouched."

Anakin nodded; the both of them could testify that. "So, what should I do? She's not letting me talk to her." He questioned, rubbing his gloved hand over his face at the sudden feeling of weariness that came over him.

Padmé smiled softly. "Let her know you're there for her in other ways. I know Ahsoka – eventually she will open up on her own. She just needs time." Padmé squeezes his hand again, then released it as she stood. "Now, would my handsome Jedi like some hot-chocolate? I hear even the council thinks it's good for the soul."

Anakin can't help but snort at the comment, a small grin tugging up his lips. "Yeah. That would be great love, thank you." As his wife entered the kitchen however, Anakin's smile fell, blue eyes resting on the nearest window. Staring into the lights of Coruscant , he thought of Padmé's advice which he never would have questioned a week ago, perhaps even today if it hadn't been for three words:

"I know Ahsoka..."

Anakin swallowed, his fingers curling into a fist again as he thinks sadly. 'How can we know her – when she doesn't even seem to know herself?'

II

That night when he lies next to his wife, Anakin stares up at the dark ceiling – his mind wandering to his padawan who he hopes is getting some much needed sleep (peace). Cautiously, he finds himself at her steel door – not knocking, just waiting. He steps towards it in his mindscape and places his hands on it, trying not to mind the cold when he was so used to warmth. "I'm here for you Snips." He whispers, leaning his cheek against the cold door. "You know that. Please tell me you know that." He pretends he doesn't feel the burning behind his eyes even as the darkness closes in and he gets no answer.

Just like that – Anakin falls into sleep.

I~I

His dreams are instantly filled with confusing images and sounds that he doesn't remember within seconds of seeing them. He feels hot, then cold – happy, then full of sorrow that he cannot explain...This goes on for what seems like infinity, then it just suddenly stops. He finds himself in a dark room with only a beam of moonlight lighting up a neat circle on the floor in which a familiar figure kneels with her hands seeming to be fiddling with something. He frowns, taking a step forward which causes her to sit up – her back tensing as she turned her head. Anakin sucked in a breath, "Ahsoka."

"Anakin." She whispered back, gracefully getting to her feet giving the opportunity to see what was grasped in her hands...her lightsaber. His eyebrows furrow in confusion, his mouth parting to ask a question only to be silenced when she suddenly places a hand against his cheek. He stares at her, and she stares back – her features softening the longer she gazed at his face. "You know, you've always looked out for me." Ahsoka murmured, briefly taking Anakin aback.

After a moment he chuckles. "I think it's safe to say we've both looked after each other."

Her smile is slight, wobbly and seems too bitter to be a response to his words. "Not always." She breathes, almost too quiet for him to hear. Almost.

His hand grips hers, worry clouding his features. "Ahsoka – what are you talking about? What's wrong?"

"Hopefully nothing." She replies, though her voice breaks even as she rubs her thumb over his cheek. "Nothing that I can't fix." Her voice hardens with determination while his grip tightens and he steps nearer shaking his head in confusion.

"What's that supposed to mean Snips?" He questions, trying not to lose his patience when she lets out a soft laugh. She offers another smile as her answer – and Anakin is stunned to see how real it was compared to her other smiles as of late. Real, but not the familiar one he had come to know. Some of his patience breaks. "Why won't you just tell me what's wrong? I can help you!" He all but begs.

Ahsoka sighs. "I know you can Master..." She stands on her toes and gently tilts his head down so that she can brush a tender kiss against his brow. The tenderness of the action takes all his fury away, leaving him to lean towards Ahsoka and wrap his arms around her tightly. She returns the embrace, pressing another kiss to his forehead: "But it's my turn to help you." The words sound like something sacred as well as a hint to something that Anakin can't understand...

"What does that mean?" He inquires, pulling away to see her smiling face which begins to fade away as she pulls herself from his embrace. "Ahsoka – what does that mean?!"

"Don't worry Skyguy." She replies as her form flickers like a dying candle. "It will be all right."

Anakin reaches for her in desperation – but she disappears like smoke, and then so does he.

I~I

When Anakin awakens to his wife asking him how his sleep was, he smile and says: "Dreamless" ignoring the small nag at the back of his mind that made him doubt it.

As always, feedback in the form of constructive criticism, compliments and/or questions are much appreciated.