When Anakin first heard of his assignment regarding the protection of Padme. He had to admit he had been excited at the prospect of being alone with her, as much as he tried to quell his feelings of love for the woman. He could never manage to completely destroy them.

But soon after the happiness came the indignation and shame. It did not sit with him to be sent away when someone else hunted the one who nearly killed his Master and friend. He had managed to find a balance in between the anger and happiness by taking his bodyguard duties very seriously.

And yet it was nothing like he expected. He had thought that he would be fighting off assassin after assassin, instead, all he had seen during these few days where the green plains of Naboo and the few politicians Padme had been meeting.

And today was much like any of the others Padme and he had wandered onto the grassy plains in front of the huge house that they had been living in these couple of days. Padme had laid out a blanket and a basket filled with various dishes and a bottle of fine wine.

Anakin had stood at her side scanning the plains for anything suspicious while his hand rested on his lightsaber.

Or he would have, but Padme had asked him to sit with her. At first, he had tried to refuse, saying that he had to be ready if something happened, but the woman was adamant and Anakin soon relented sitting down next to her.

So, currently, Jedi and senator were sitting next to each other while watching the gentle breeze rustle the grassy plains. Until Padme opened her mouth and posed a question.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" She muttered silently as if it was to herself.

Anakin, however, heard the soft-spoken question as he turned his head to look at her and answered her.

"It sure is." Anakin kept looking at her as he gave his answer before he quickly turned back to plains.

"Though it kind of reminds me of home," He grinned a bit a deep look filling his eyes as he thought back to the place he had grown up. "Just much greener and less Tusken Raiders looking to kill you."

This time it was Padme who turned to Anakin. She had seen his home and she knew that Anakin's feeling towards the place where complicated.

"Do you miss it?" She asked as she looked at the young man sitting next to her.

Anakin turned and looked at her shaking his head a little.

"No, not anymore." He looked down looking at the soft blanket they sat on. "But, I can't help but feel that I betrayed her when I left her back then."

Padme was well aware that Anakin was talking about his mother who they had to leave back on Tattoine as her owner was not willing to release her. She was just about to offer some comforting words but was interrupted by Anakin as he shook his head as if getting rid of the bad feelings that were welling up in him.

"My mother is strong, she'll be fine," He offered her a slightly strained smile as he steered the conversation in another direction. "What about you Padme? From what I have heard you have done a great deal in the Senate."

Padme allowed him to change the subject as she answered with a wistful look on her face.

"I suppose, but entering the Senate has been an eye-opening experience." She said that the last part with a bit of disdain.

Anakin raised an eyebrow at that.

"How so?"

Padme sighed.

"From the first day I was introduced to politics I was taught to look out for myself and never trust anyone," She began fiddling with one of her braids as she continued. "When I became queen I had thought that those times would be over that I would be able to actually help my people without the interference of greedy merchants and politicians."

She stopped he slight rant and began pulling on a loose thread on the blanket.

"When my term as queen ended I joined the Senate to change it." She gave a self-deprecating shake with her head. "I have seen the good that the Senate can do when they put their thoughts to it the number of people they could help and yet I am helpless to change it."

Anakin looked at Padme as she ranted her brows furrowed with anger as she riled herself up.

And I'm forced to watch as the greedy line their own pockets while billions suffer. I just feel so stuck, but at the same time, I know it's the place I have to be. I just wish I felt like I-"

"Belonged."

She was cut off by Anakin's soft voice. Anakin stared right into her eyes as he continued.

"I know how it feels to know you are where you should yet feel so out of place at the same time," Anakin gave a soft smile. "But, I know I'm where I should be, and, somehow, that has to be enough for now."

Padme looked at Anakin for a few seconds as they just stared into each other's eyes finding a sort of peace in each other's gaze. She then smiled a warm smile before she leaned in a gave Anakin a short kiss on the cheek.

Without waiting for his response she stood up and rushed towards the house leaving the dazed Jedi Padawan on the blanket rubbing his cheek. Anakin finally snapped out of it when he realized that Padme was gone before he rushed after her.

A huge grin on his face.

***

Getting back on his feet had always been one of Sar's strong points. Even after his encounter with the Sith back when he and his Master had gone to Eoliv he had picked himself up and moved on fairly quickly. This time was no different.

Sar had gotten his feelings under control and locked them away deep inside. However, no matter how hard he tried he could not quell the complicated emotions that had sprouted from the killing of Jango Fett so he did the next best thing. He buried them.

But somehow he knew that it would only be a matter of time before they bubbled to the surface and he would seek to rectify that when he had time. For now, Sar stashed Fett's helmet in the cargo hold of his ship before he contacted the council.

He did not have to wait long as a holographic image of Mace Windu and Yoda soon appeared before Sar. He gave a respectful bow.

"Masters"

"Ah, Sar, it's good to hear from you did you discover anything?" Mace Windu asked as the hologram shimmered slightly due to the strong winds outside.

"I managed to track down Jango Fett, unfortunately I could not capture him alive but," Sar pulled out a data-pad he had found on Jango's corpse. "I managed to find this data-pad. He managed to delete his hyperspace logs, but I found out that a great deal of Trade Federation ships has gathered way outside of their space."

Mace Windu frowned at the last part.

"Trade Federation ships? Where?"

Sar looked at the name of the planet on the data-pad before he responded.

"Geonosis, Master."

There was silence for a few seconds before Windu continued.

"Very well did you discover anything else?"

"Indeed I did Master. It would seem that the cloners are convinced that Master Sifo Dias ordered a clone army ten years ago," Sar sighed. "But from what I can tell the project has largely been organized by Tyranus."

Windu raised an eyebrow at the familiar name.

"Tyranus? you mean-"

Sar nodded. "Indeed Master I believe it to be the same Tyranus I encountered years ago."

He could see Yoda and Windu's expressions turn thoughtful and worried.

"Troublesome Tyranus' involvement is, given us much to consider you have," Yoda rubbed his small chin with his fingers before he said. "Return to Coruscant, consider our next actions we must."

Sar stopped Yoda from cutting the transmission by quickly suggesting what had been on his mind.

"Master! With all due respect I believe it would be wiser to send me ahead to Geonosis," Sar saw that he had the two Masters attention so he hurriedly continued. "As much as it pains me. I do not believe that a peaceful solution is still possible. The Geonisans have shown increased support for the Separatist movement and know with the Trade Federation present there I am certain that they will formally form an alliance."

Sar's gathered breath as he continued.

"Whether or not the vote turns out in favor of open hostility with the Separatist the threat that they will present after they form an alliance will force the Republic to form an army, but this also means that the one who is responsible for this sudden alliance will be present on Geonosis," Sar looked more determined as he finished his long-winded explanation. "Therefore I would like to go there and confirm who it is."

The two Jedi Masters looked at each other before looking back at Sar who stood calmly and awaited their answer.

"Very well Sar, head to Geonosis and await support from us," Mace Windu answered. "We will go and witness the vote before visiting these so-called cloners."

Sar bowed.

"Thank you, Masters."

"May the Force be with you, Sar." Windu cut the transmission after the usual Jedi farewell.

As soon as the hologram shut off Sar collapsed onto a chair giving a deep sigh of weariness.

It was really going to happen after all these years of peace the galaxy would see yet another war that would impact all life within the galaxy.

Sar began rubbing his forehead with his fingertips almost as if he was trying to grind the tiredness out of himself. He would become a soldier and fight a war.

Sar sat himself up entering the coordinates for Geonosis. He was ready to fight, he had to be. He had promised himself to stand with his Order no matter what the circumstances and he intended to honor that promise even if it meant he had to walk through a war.

As the ship entered the familiar state of hyperspace Sar leaned back in his seat closing his and entering meditation.

Sar had no idea what this war would bring, but he intended to be ready no matter what was thrown at him.

This was after all the will of the Force.