Some time the next day, Anakin and Obi-Wan were back at the Jedi Temple, where they stood before the Jedi Council.

"Track down this bounty hunter you must, Obi-Wan." Yoda said.

"Most importantly, find out who he's working for." said Mace Windu

"What about Senator and Princess Amidala?" Obi-Wan asked as Gabby was innocently crawling around, playing with Teddy. "They will both still need protecting."

"Handle that your Padawan will." said Yoda.

"Anakin," said Mace as Gabby crawled closer to his chair. "escort the senator and princess back to their home planet of Naboo."

Mace picked up the child and sat her in his lap.

"They'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees."

"As the leader of the opposition, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the capital." Anakin said, noting Gabby missing from Mace's lap. "And it's near impossible to keep track of her daughter."

"Where'd she go?" Mace wondered, standing up.

All the Jedi began looking behind their chairs and under the cushions.

"That little rascal could be an escape artist if she so chose," said Master Tinn.

"Did you get a bell for her yet, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Hi." Gabby smiled, hanging upside down from a vine, startling Obi-Wan.

"Agh!" Obi-Wan fell on his butt when Gabby surprised him, making her laugh.

Anakin grabbed Gabby and held her in his arms.

"Until caught this killer is, our judgement she must respect." said Yoda. "On a leash, perhaps keep the child."

"Have you seen how many times she's escaped the nursery?" Anakin said. "Why would a leash be any better?"

Anakin then had a thought.

"Master, might I suggest Master Talhin accompany me on the mission protecting the senator and princess?"

Yoda thought about it; Kara was a very skilled woman, as well as experienced with children. Therefore, he didn't take long to give his seal of approval.

"Notify Kara Talhin, we shall," said Yoda.

"Anakin," said Mace. "Go to the senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with Senator Amidala about this matter."

___________________________

So, Anakin did talk to Chancellor Palpatine about the matter of Padme's protection for herself and her daughter.

"I will talk with her." Palpatine promised. "Senator Amidala will not refuse an executive order. I know her well enough to assure you of that."

"Thank you, Your Excellency." said Anakin.

"And so, they've finally given you an assignment."

Anakin nodded.

"Your patience has paid off."

"Your guidance is more than my patience."

Palpatine was silent for a moment. He took a few steps toward his desk and told Anakin,

"You don't need guidance, Anakin. In time, you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible."

Anakin walked with Palpatine as the older man continued to talk to him.

"I have said it many times: You are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met."

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Anakin said.

"I see you becoming the greatest of all the Jedi, Anakin, even more powerful than Master Yoda.

___________________________

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan was walking through the halls of the Temple with Master Windu and Master Yoda, who was floating on a small platform.

"I am concerned for my Padawan. He is not ready to be given this assignment on his own yet." Obi-Wan said. "Even with Kara accompanying him, I do not believe this is a mission he should tackle himself."

"The council is confident in its decision, Obi-Wan." Yoda said, floating closer to Obi-Wan.

"The boy has exceptional skills." Mace said. "And not just babysitting-wise."

"But he still has much to learn, Master. His abilities have made him, well, arrogant."

"Yes, yes." Yoda said. "A flaw more and more common among Jedi. Hmm. Too sure of themselves they are. Even the older, more experienced ones."

Obi-Wan looked at Mace, who said, "Remember, Obi-Wan, if the prophecy is true, your apprentice is the only one who can bring the Force back into balance. And at the moment, looking after the princess does seem to make him think more seriously about becoming more... mature. With his sister by his side, she'll certainly keep him focused in your place for the time being."

___________________________

In the Senate apartment...

"I'm taking an extended leave of absence," said Padme. "It will be your responsibility to take my place in the Senate. Representative Binks, I know I can count on you."

"Hmm?" Jar Jar looked at Padme. "Mesa honored to be taking on dissa heavy burden."

Gabby hugged the Gungan's leg and said, "You'll do a good job, Uncle Jar Jar."

"Mesa accept this with muy, muy humility an, uh-"

"Jar Jar, I don't wish to hold you up." Padme interrupted. "I'm sure you have a great deal to do."

"Of course, Milady." Jar Jar said, bowing to the two royal ladies and then leaving.

But, Padme was far from pleased with this leave of absence.

___________________________

"I do not like this idea of hiding," said Padme, clearly unhappy.

"Don't worry." Anakin said. "Now that the council has ordered an investigation, it won't take Obi-Wan long to find this bounty hunter."

"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act to not be here when its fate is decided."

Padme started packing her bag, and one for Gabby too.

C-3PO, the droid Anakin had built years ago, oversaw that everything was in order. Unlike when Anakin and his mother were first freed years ago, Threepio now had outer parts of gold. He looked very shiny now.

"Don't forget your teddy, Baby." Padme said.

"Yes, Mommy." Gabby said.

"I believe you left that on the sofa in the den, Princess." Threepio said.

"Sometimes we must let go of our pride and do what is requested of us." Anakin said, then knelt down to Gabby. "Just like little ones must remember to listen to Mommy and Daddy because they love them."

"Anakin, you've grown up." Padme said, managing a little smile.

"Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it." Anakin said.

"Maybe he doesn't want you to grow up, Daddy." Gabby said. "You and Mommy always say you wanna keep me little forever."

Anakin chuckled.

"That is true. Don't get me wrong. Obi-Wan is a great mentor. As wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu. I am truly thankful to be his apprentice." Anakin floated a little ball around with the Force. "In some ways- a lot of ways- I'm really ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials, but he feels that I'm too unpredictable. He won't let me move on. Clearly, he doesn't remember how many times Gabby's Tigger tagged a bunch of the Jedi masters already, including him."

"Hey!" Gabby said, slightly offended.

"That must be frustrating," said Padme.

"It's worse," said Anakin. "He's overly critical. He never listens. He- He doesn't understand. It's not fair!"

"Did you try asking nicely?" Gabby asked. "You always tell me saying please and thank you makes what you want come faster."

Padme sighed and said, "All mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like. It's the only way we grow."

"What does that mean, Mommy?" Gabby asked.

"It means, mentors have a very different way of making us want to do better." Padme said. "Some are more encouraging, others take a stricter approach. Like how you get stickers for being a good girl. Some other kids get rewarded in different ways."

Anakin sat on the bed and sighed.

"Anakin..." said Padme. "Don't try to grow up too fast."

"But I am grown up." Anakin said, standing up. "You said it yourself."

Anakin looked at Padme, having a certain hunger and gleam in his blue eyes.

"Ani, don't look at me like that." Padme said.

"Why not?" Anakin asked.

"It makes me feel uncomfortable." And with that, Padme left.

"Sorry, milady." said Anakin. He looked at Gabby then. "Do I ever make you feel uncomfortable when I look at you like that, Princess?"

"No, Daddy." Gabby said, reaching up to her father. And he picked her up and started gently tossing her up and down, making the child laugh.

Padme eventually came back and saw Anakin playing around with their baby. Padme started to recall when Gabby started talking using sentences, Gabby asked why her parents didn't live together like the parents of most of the other kids she'd seen out in the streets and in their neighborhood. How exactly were you supposed to explain to a two-year-old that her parents had her because they drank spiked punch, made love in their sleep, and then got pregnant?

___________________________

Kara could clearly see her brother was struggling with his emotions right now. She sat beside him to talk.

"Everything, okay, Ani?" Kara asked.

"It could be better," said Anakin.

"Ani, you can tell me if something is on your mind."

Anakin wanted to tell Kara all about how he wished he didn't feel this way about Padme, but he couldn't stop himself, and deep down he wished he and Padme could be together-together and be a family for real, raising their baby together. But first, there was a mission to take care of.

"Let's just get going." Anakin said, grabbing Gabby's teddy bear from the couch so she wouldn't freak out about forgetting it later.

___________________________

Later, Padme and some of her friends were riding on a shuttle to take them to another part of town.

"Be safe, Milady." said Captain Typho.

"Thank you, Captain." said Padme. "Take good care of Dorme. The threat's on you two now."

"He'll be safe with me," said Dorme.

That was when a tear fell from Dorme's eye.

"You'll be fine," said Padme.

"It's not me, milady." said Dorme. "I worry about you. What if they realize you've left the capital?"

"Well, then my Jedi protectors will have to prove how good they are."

Anakin smiled, glad to hear Padme had faith in him. But before he could step out of the shuttle, Obi-Wan spoke to him.

"Anakin. Don't do anything without consulting either myself or the council."

"Yes, Master," said Anakin.

"Kara, keep an eye on your brother."

"Don't worry, Master Obi-Wan." Kara chuckled. "I will keep him out of trouble."

Anakin rolled his eyes at the two older Jedi.

Then, Obi-Wan looked at Padme and said,

"I will get to the bottom of this plot quickly, milady. You will be back here in no time."

"I'll be most grateful for your speed, Master Jedi." said Padme.

"It's time to go." said Anakin, carrying Gabby in his arms as she was yawning, just waking up from sleeping on the shuttle.

"I know."

"Anakin," said Obi-Wan. "May the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you, Master." said Anakin, and he exited the shuttle with Padme, Kara, C-3PO, and R2.

"Suddenly, I'm afraid." Padme said.

"This is my first assignment on my own." Anakin said. "I am too. Don't worry. We have R2 and Kara with us."

Gabby held up her teddy bear.

"And Teddy too." Anakin chuckled.

Padme and Anakin laughed together for the first time in a long time.

___________________________

"I do hope he doesn't try anything foolish," said Obi-Wan, watching his Padawan and the senator leave.

"I'd be more concerned about the senator doing something than him." Captain Typho said.

Obi-Wan said nothing, but he wondered if Padme getting pregnant at a party had anything to do with Typho's remark. He and the other Jedi still had no clue who the father was or if Padme even knew herself. All she would tell them was that what mattered most to her was that her daughter grew up loved and cared for properly. But Obi-Wan did sense something going on whenever his Padawan looked at the senator.

___________________________

Later, in a diner in a place called Coco Town...

"Someone to see ya, honey!" said a waitress droid. "Jedi, by the looks of him."

"Obi-Wan!" said a Besalisk male, whose name was Dex.

"Hello, Dex." Obi-Wan smiled.

"Take a seat. I'll be right with ya." Dex said.

"You wanna cup o' jawa juice?" asked the same waitress.

"Oh, yes. Thank you." Obi-Wan said, taking a seat at a booth.

And then in came Dex.

"Hey, old buddy!" Dex said.

The two friends shared a big hug and sat down at the table together to talk.

"So, my friend, what can I do for ya?" asked Dex.

"You can tell me what this is." said Obi-Wan, holding a familiar dart.

Dex took a look at it and was astonished.

"Well, whattaya know! I ain't seen one of these since I was prospectin' on Subterrel, beyond the outer rim."

"Can you tell me where it came from?" Obi-Wan asked as the waitress brought his juice. "Thank you."

"This baby belongs to them cloners. What you got here is a Kamino saberdart."

"I wonder why it didn't show up in the analysis archives."

"It's these funny little cuts on the side that give it away." Dex said, taking a better look at the dart. "Those analysis droids only focus on symbols. Huh! I should think that you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and..." Dex laughed for a bit. "... wisdom."

"Well, if droids could think, there'd be none of us here, would there?" Obi-Wan remarked. He took the dart back and took another look at it with some thoughts. "Kamino. I'm not familiar with it. Is it in the Republic?"

"No, no. It's beyond the outer rim." said Dex. "I'd say about, uh, 12 parsecs outside the Rishi Maze. Should be easy to find, even for those droids in your archives. These, uh, Kaminoans keep to themselves. They're cloners. Damn good ones too."

"Cloners. Are they friendly?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Oh, depends..."

"Depends on what, Dex?"

"On how good your manners are, and how big your uh, pocketbook is."

___________________________

Later that same day, Obi-Wan arrived in the Temple library, and he was met by Madame Jocasta Nu.

"Did you call for assistance?" asked the librarian.

"Yes, yes, I did." said Obi-Wan.

"Are you having a problem, Master Kenobi?"

"Yes, um, I'm looking for a planetary system called Kamino. It doesn't show up on the archive charts."

"Kamino..." said Jocasta, thinking. "It's not a system I'm familiar with. Are you sure you have the right coordinates?"

Obi-Wan logged into one of the computers and typed in the coordinates he had.

"According to my information," Obi-Wan pointed to part of the screen. "It should appear in this quadrant here, just south of the Rishi Maze."

Jocasta pressed a button to search, but nothing showed up.

"I hate to say it," said the librarian, "but it looks like the system you're searching for doesn't exist."

"Impossible. Perhaps the archives are incomplete."

"If an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist," said Jocasta.

But that made Obi-Wan stop and think. The Jedi records didn't know quite everything. The Enchantra system wasn't part of the records before, and yet the Republic accepted an alliance with them not that long ago. The royal families of the many kingdoms had magical powers of various kinds. If any of them had the power to help him find Kamino, he had to take a chance and ask them for any information they had regarding the coordinates and world of Kamino.

___________________________

On the travel shuttle, Padme and Anakin were having a meal together at one table while Kara took Gabby so they could be alone.

"Must be difficult, having sworn your life to the Jedi," said Padme. "Not being able to visit the places you like or do the things you like."

"Or be with the people I love." Anakin said.

"Are you allowed to love? I thought that was forbidden for a Jedi."

"Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life. So you might say that we are encouraged to love. And I'd say my relationship with Kara and the way the other Jedi look at our princess both serve as proof of that."

"You've changed so much." Padme smiled.

"Ah, you haven't changed a bit. You're exactly the way I remember you in my dreams."

___________________________

Meanwhile, back at the Jedi Temple...

Obi-Wan was doing a little investigating of his own regarding the planet of Kamino. He had no idea if the royals from Enchantra got his message, nor did he have time to wait to find out. Finding Kamino was a critical clue in finding out who was trying to kill Senator Amidala and her daughter. He was going to have to figure this out himself.

But, he needed to ask for a little help from a wiser Jedi than he, and that Jedi was currently teaching a class of younglings.

"Reach out. Sense the Force around you." Yoda instructed his students. The kids all wore bowl-like helmets on their heads and held lightsabers as they trained to deflect attacks. "Use your feelings, you must."

Without even looking away from the students, Yoda began tapping his cane on the floor as he called for the younglings' attention.

"A visitor we have."

"Hello, Master Obi-Wan." said the little ones.

"Hello," said Obi-Wan. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Master."

"What help can I be, Obi-Wan? Hmm?" Yoda inquired.

"I'm looking for a planet described to me by an old friend. I trust him, but the systems don't show on the archive maps. I've sent word to some of Enchantra's worlds, but have not heard back yet."

"Mmm. Lost a planet Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing. How embarrassing."

The children started giggling at Yoda's joke.

"Liam, the shades. Gather round the map reader. Clear your minds and find Obi-Wan's wayward planet, we will."

Obi-Wan looked around the map and pointed where he believed the planet to be. But there was only a blank space.

"It ought to be here, but it isn't." Obi-Wan explained. "Gravity is pulling all the stars in the area towards this spot."

"Hmm. Gravity's silhouette remains," said Yoda. "but the star and all the planets, disappeared, they have. How can this be? Hmm... a thought? Anyone?"

"Maybe one of the magical creatures made it disappear?" guessed one kid.

"I doubt even Sultana Lanaisha's genie magic could make an entire planet vanish." Obi-Wan said.

"Another thought, anyone?" asked Yoda.

"Master?" said another kid. "Because someone erased it from the archive memory."

Yoda chuckled and said, "Truly wonderful the mind of a child is. The Padawan is right. Go to the center of gravity's pull and find your planet you will."

Obi-Wan began walking with Yoda as they conversed.

"Hmm. The data must have been erased." said Yoda.

"But, Master Yoda, who could empty information from the archives?" asked Obi-Wan. "That's impossible, isn't it?"

"Dangerous and disturbing this puzzle is. Only a Jedi could have erased those files. But who and why, harder to answer. Meditate on this I will. Hmm."

___________________________

Meanwhile, where we last saw Anakin and Padme, they were on a shuttle headed to a safe place for Anakin to protect the senator and her daughter, well, both their daughter.

The shuttle on which the Amidala girls and their Jedi guardian rode soon came to land on the lovely world of Naboo, Padme's home planet where both she and her daughter were born. Lots of blue skies, puffy white clouds, lots of greenery down below, and a large palace with green marble dome roofs.

Anakin carried Padme's luggage as Padme walked with a suitcase while pushed Gabby's hover stroller, where the little one was taking a nap.

"I wasn't the youngest queen ever elected," said Padme. "But now that I think back on it, I'm not sure I was old enough. I'm not sure I was ready."

"The people you served seem to think you did a good job," smiled Anakin. "I heard they even tried to amend the constitution so you could stay in office."

"I agree. Your people adore you now as well as they did then. And everyone is looking forward to the day your bundle of joy carries on that legacy."

"I was relieved when my two terms were up." Padme confessed. "But when the queen asked me to serve as a senator, I couldn't refuse her. Nor when they asked if I would allow my Gabriella to go through princess training."

"I agree with her. I think the Republic needs you. I'm glad that you chose to serve." Anakin looked at his sleeping daughter and smiled as she was dreaming and cuddling her teddy. "And I have no doubt this little lady will grow up to be as great a leader as her mommy."

___________________________

Padme soon got to meet with the current queen of Naboo, Queen Jamillia, and you can bet Padme had some serious words to say. By now, Gabby was awake and sitting in a chair as she watched what was going on. Though, she seemed more interested in looking around at the humongous castle she was in.

Kara kept an eye on Gabby to ensure she didn't wander off or get lost.

"If the Senate votes to create an army," said Padme. "I'm sure it's going to push us into a civil war."

"It's unthinkable," said Governor Bibble. "There hasn't been a full-scale war since the formation of the Republic."

Queen Jamillia looked at Padme and said, "Do you see any way through negotiations to bring the separatists back into the Republic?"

"Not if they feel threatened." Padme said. "My guess is they'll turn to the Trade Federations or the Commerce Guilds for help."

"It's outrageous," said Bibble. "but after four trials in the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is still the viceroy of the Trade Federation. I fear the senate is powerless to resolve this crisis."

"We must keep our faith in the Republic." said the queen, amid Gabby playing hopscotch across the floor... until Anakin picked her up and put her on his shoulders .The queen got up and finished with, "The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it."

"Let's pray that day never comes." Padme said.

"In the meantime, we must consider your own safety."

"Gabby!" Anakin scolded, as Gabby had put her little hands over her father's eyes to play around with him. "Gabby, I can't see!"

Kara failed to hold back her giggles.

"Aren't you going to help me?" Anakin whined.

"Oh no, I'm enjoying this too much." Kara laughed.

"What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?" asked the other man.

"Oh, Anakin's not a Jedi yet. He's still a Padawan learner. But I was thinking-"

"Hold on a- Gabby! Let me see what's in front of me!" Anakin said.

Gabby just giggled as she messed around with her father some more... until he took her off his shoulders and held her firmly in his arm.

"Gotcha."

"Behave yourself now, little one." Kara said.

"Yes, Auntie." Gabby said.

"Excuse me," said Padme. "I was thinking my daughter and I would stay in the lake country. There are some places up there that are very isolated."

"Excuse me. I'm in charge of security here, milady." said Anakin.

"And this is my home. I know it very well. That is why we're here." Padme said. "I think it would be wise if you took advantage of my knowledge in this instance."

Anakin sighed and said, "Sorry, milady."

"Besides, I think your security skills still need some work where toddlers are concerned." Padme said, realizing Gabby wasn't in Anakin's grasp anymore. Just her bear. "And where's Gabby?"

"What?!"

Anakin looked around frantically and groaned.

"Gabby, where are you?" Anakin called, looking around for the toddler.

"I'm beginning to wonder if super speed may be one of her powers," said Kara, looking around.

"Just help me find her!"

Anakin and Kara checked under the queen's desk, behind the chairs, even behind the guards. But no princess.

"Ugh, not again- Whoa!"

Anakin fell forward.

"Tigger Tag!" Gabby giggled.

"Found her." Anakin said.

"Perfect. It's settled then." said the queen.

And thus, the meeting was adjourned.

"You gotta stop running off like that, little one. It's gonna get you into trouble one of these days if you aren't careful." Anakin scolded. "You nearly got me into big trouble back there, you know."

Gabby looked up at Anakin with puppy eyes.

"What- Why are you looking at me like that?" Anakin tried to remain serious, but then he found himself falling deep into her eyes in a way where he just couldn't help feeling guilty for getting mad at her. "Aww. How can I be mad at you when you look at me with those eyes?"

Anakin nuzzled his daughter's little nose and got her teddy bear to keep her occupied as they went with Padme to head for the lake country.