SHADES OF GREY.

(Set during Star Wars Clone Wars, Ahsoka is Obi-wan's Padawan.) Padme never admitted her love to Anakin.

With the loss of his mother and the aftermath of Geonosis, Anakin left the Jedi and disappeared... After his ship crashes on an uninhabited planet, Obi-wan is rescued by a group of 'Resistance Fighters' lead by Anakin; but his former Padawan is changed, angry and bitter - can Obi-wan help him find peace, or will Anakin turn to the darkside?

CHAPTER TWELVE.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

Looking at Padme as he walked towards the bridge, Anakin smiled. "I'm fine Padme," His wound from Maul's lightsaber was all but healed. "What I need to do, is contact the parents of the children so I can take them home."

"They're all from the same village?" Padme asked, remembering what he'd told her last night.

"The slavers attacked the village, while everyone was running scared, they rounded up as many children as they could and forced them onto their ship." The entire attack had lasted less than five minutes.

Padme's eyes were wide as she shook her head, "That's horrible."

"The village's Leader contacted me," Anakin smiled, gently taking her hand, "At least I can give him good news."

"I'm proud of you, Ani," Padme smiled at him,as they walked into the Bridge. "In two days, you took down a group of slave traders, and destroyed two Sith Lords."

Grinning, Anakin shrugged, "I guess I'm having a good week..." He frowned at Obi-wan and cocked his head, "It wasn't an accident was it?"

"What, wasn't an accident?" Obi-wan asked, smiling at Anakin innocently.

Rolling his eyes, Anakin sighed, "Finding me." Walking forward, he folded his arms, "In fact, I'm betting the only 'accident' was crashing your ship."

Shaking his head, Obi-wan smiled, "Actually, it was just a coincidence, Ahsoka and I were supposed to be escorting Senator Greyshade back to Vorzyd V, our ship malfunctioned when we made the jump to hyperspace."

"So you suddenly asking me to help you with Maul-?"

"Was Master Yoda's idea," Obi-wan sighed, shaking his head sadly. "We've only just received word that Senator Greyshade, never made it to Vorzyd V."

Anakin grimaced and shook his head, "You can't figure out what happened?"

"Oh, we know we were sabotaged." Obi-wan managed a small smile, "We just don't know who took the Senator, or where they are now."

Grinning, Anakin shrugged, "I think I can help with that." Closing his eyes, Anakin took a deep breath, focusing the Force, bending it to his will... Snow and Ice surrounded him... five angry men... Senator Greyshade tied up, the leader of the group standing over him, pointing a blaster into his face, "You'll have the credits brought here, or you'll die."...
"He's on Bakarr," Shaking his head, Anakin sighed. "I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you were assigned to protect him because he'd been receiving threats?"

"According to him, he owed a lot of people money." Smiling, Obi-wan shook his head. "I still can't believe the control you have over your powers."

"I had a lot of time to practice," After his mother had died, he had promised he would never fail again.

Obi-wan frowned at Anakin in concern, "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Nag, nag, nag..." Anakin grinned at Obi-wan, rolling his eyes, as he shook his head, "I'm fine." Anakin frowned and shook his head, "What are we going to do with the children?" If he helped Obi-wan, then he couldn't take the children back to the village at the same time.

Ahsoka thought over his question before thinking of something. "What if they were taken to the Jedi Temple until we're done finding the Senator? That is... if you are willing to help us?"

Anakin grinned at her, glancing at Obi-wan. "That depends... Am I going to be stunned this time?"

"Well," Obi-wan shrugged and grinned a little. "I suppose that all depends on whether or not we have to convince you to stay." Anakin rolled his eyes.

"I guess I could help out for a while," He smiled at Padme, then looked back at Obi-wan. "I have a lot of lost time to make up for."

xx

Ayleth grinned at Anakin as she stood with the rest of their team "So, what are we doing this time?"

"Well..." Anakin grinned back at her, "... Hopefully nothing that gets us caught."

The team scowled at him for the reference to what had happened when they didn't have Anakin with them.

Kitster laughed, "He's never going to let you live that down."

Vezian folded his arms, "It wasn't our fault!"

Anakin cleared his throat before grinning again. "We are going to send the children to the Jedi temple with Master Windu and Master Yoda. Whether you go with them or not is up to you. I however will be going..." He paused to sigh in mock exasperation, "...with Obi-wan and his padawan, Ahsoka to help them rescue a senator that they seem to have misplaced... again" He muttered the last part under his breath.

"You'd think he'd have learned by now..." Krea grinned at her twin sister, before looking to Anakin. "... I think I speak for all of us, when I say that we're coming with you."

Another voice soon joined in the conversation. "I hope you realize that I am also going with you as well."

Anakin turned to see Padme causing him to groan and roll his eyes. "With all due respect, it is hardly the work of a senator to be fighting."

"That's why it's called 'aggressive negotiations', am I right?"

Anakin had to try quite hard to keep from smiling. "Can't you just stay out of trouble for once?"

Padme folded her arms and lifted her chin, "Haven't you given up trying to argue with me yet?"

"It's pointless to argue with her Anakin." Obi-wan sighed as he joined them, "I just spent fifteen minutes telling her she couldn't come..." He glanced at padme, then shrugged as he faced Anakin. "I think you can guess who won."

Anakin couldn't help but snort a little at his response. Looking at Padme he sighed, "Fine, but if you get into trouble-"

"You'll be there to rescue me," Padme smiled at him, "so, when are we going?"

Anakin shrugged, smiling as Ahsoka jogged up to them. "As soon as we're all on board my ship."

Obi-wan raised his eyebrows, "And who said we were using your ship?"

"I'm sorry," Anakin folded his arms, "who was it who asked for my help?"

Rolling his eyes, Obi-wan sighed. "Well, at least I'll be able to keep my dignity this time."

Draping an arm over Obi-wan's shoulders, Anakin grinned. "You're flying with us now," he said, following the rest of his team onto the ship. "Dignity's got nothing to do with it."