Earlier...
Natasha Romanoff was currently standing in a communications room with Anakin Skywalker, Kit Fisto, Mace Windu, and Master Yoda.
Communicating with them via holographic transmission were Obi-Wan Kenobi, Aayla Secura, Steve Rogers, James Rhodes, and Commanders Cody and Bly.
"What's the situation on Mandalore?" Mace asked immediately.
Steve grimaced and shook his head. "Well, ever since the Republic arrived here without the consent of this planet's people, there's been civil unrest, anger, and a lot of resentment building."
"Captain Rogers, you know this was beyond our control," Kit Fisto said diplomatically. "The Senate made this decision."
"They're still supposed to be a neutral world," Obi-Wan admitted with a frown.
"I fear such heavy-handed action will only drive those who remain neutral toward the Separatists," Aayla said, voicing her concerns.
"You and all of us agree on that," the Star-Spangled Avenger replied.
"What troubles arise?" Yoda asked.
"There's little beyond what we've already reported," Obi-Wan admitted. "Though there has been the mass emigration from the planet we mentioned."
"Emigration?" Mace asked with concern.
"There are numerous ships coming and going from this planet, taking people away," Cody reported.
"Who's organizing it?" Natasha inquired.
"Those who call themselves the True Mandalorians," Commander Bly revealed.
"What?" Mace said sharply. "They're just coming and going from this planet and no one's stopping them?"
"Master Windu," Aayla said carefully. "The situation is delicate, as is this entire planet. Death Watch is the Mandalorian faction currently considered a threat by the Republic. These Protectors, as they call themselves, haven't done anything that would justify escalating the conflict."
"Duchess Satine has her hands full already, and she can't act against the Protectors as long as they truly have popular support—and the number of those departing has been increasing lately."
"So while one faction is under surveillance, another seizes the opportunity to expand its influence," Mace observed, frowning.
"Enemies, revealed they have not yet become," Yoda said thoughtfully. "A peacekeeping force, we are. Meant to manage the lives and choices of others, we are not."
"The last thing we need is a more organized Mandalorian faction as an enemy," Fisto said grimly.
"Nevertheless, the Duchess grows increasingly concerned," Kenobi added.
"How is she holding up?" Anakin asked, his attention focused on his former Master.
"...She's managing," Obi-Wan said after a pause.
"We don't have much else to add," Aayla said. "Everything else requiring attention has been sent as a data file for review."
"Concluded, this briefing is," Yoda said, tapping his gimer stick gently on the floor. "May the Force be with you."
After the meeting ended, those present in the room departed for their respective destinations.
As they walked down the corridor, Natasha noticed Skywalker following not far behind her.
She caught sight of him from the corner of her eye and decided to ask what he was thinking.
"Something on your mind?" Natasha asked Anakin, who sighed uncertainly.
"Honestly, I'm more worried about Obi-Wan."
"Can't disagree with you there," Natasha observed. "He's a Jedi Master and Satine is the leader of her people."
Anakin hummed thoughtfully. "Relationship complications."
"Like he'd ever admit it," Natasha said with a knowing smile, and Skywalker smiled as well.
The two reached a door, which opened to reveal a small room with simple furnishings and shelves.
Who was in the room?
"Hey, Mara," Natasha said with a warm smile, walking over to the young redheaded infant who squealed with delight upon seeing the Avenger.
Little hands reached out toward her, and the baby's request was granted as she was lifted into Natasha's arms.
The former spy gently touched Mara's nose, eliciting giggles from the child, and Natasha smiled broadly.
Anakin's expression softened when he heard a soft cooing sound from below. He soon felt two small three-fingered hands on his ankles and looked down...
"Oh, hey there, Grogu. Didn't see you," Anakin said, crouching down to address the small green child clinging to him. "Having fun here with Mara?"
Baby Grogu only made gurgling sounds that seemed to indicate agreement, though Anakin couldn't understand what the child was trying to communicate.
It had taken some time, but they'd finally learned the little one's name. Honestly, they probably should have consulted a more experienced Jedi to help fully communicate with Grogu.
Peter and Scott, along with Hope and Sam, had been visibly disappointed that they couldn't keep the nickname they'd chosen for him.
Dillion.
And not just Dillion.
But specifically the way Arnold Schwarzenegger pronounced it in Predator. With that exact accent.
"Thanks a lot, Clint," Natasha muttered to herself, moving to sit on the bed with Mara on her lap.
"Hawkeye, right?" Anakin said, gently placing Grogu beside Natasha. "He has a wife and children?"
"Yeah, three little terrors running around," Natasha said, tickling Mara gently. The infant giggled while gripping Romanoff's fingers tightly.
Anakin gazed at the two children with conflicted emotions.
On one hand, he enjoyed spending time with these younglings.
These children represented the future of the Jedi Order and would someday become protectors of the galaxy.
On the other hand...
"Padmé," Anakin whispered to himself.
He didn't know if his wife wanted children, but until recently, he hadn't given it much thought.
Honestly, the prospect of becoming a father someday was both terrifying and wonderful.
He wanted to experience what his mother had felt raising him... minus the slavery, of course.
These thoughts consumed him.
If he weren't a Jedi, if he could have children, everything would be different.
Honestly, this damned Jedi Code felt more like a curse than guidance.
No attachments?
How was that possible?
Every living being in the universe formed attachments.
When he'd been taught about the Force, he'd been instructed to feel it, to reach out with his feelings.
Why shouldn't he or any other Jedi in the galaxy be allowed to experience love?
He'd just witnessed his Master's melancholy over Satine.
Anakin blinked as he felt something tugging at his robes again and saw that Grogu had somehow climbed down from the bed with surprising ease and was approaching him once more.
How had the little guy managed that?
"What is it, Grogu?" Anakin asked the child, who simply tilted his head in response.
"Seems to me like he's asking you the same question," Natasha said, glancing up while bouncing Mara gently. "What's troubling you, Anakin?"
"Just... relationships, mostly," he said, concealing most of what he truly wanted to express.
"Oh? What about them?" Natasha pressed.
"It's just... it's a complicated subject."
"Anakin, it's about relationships," Romanoff said matter-of-factly. "Unfortunately, relationships are rarely simple, and the ones that are simple are a gift."
"And then there's... raising children, I suppose," Anakin admitted after a moment. "I don't know what that would be like."
"Next time you see Plo Koon, you should ask him about it. He found Ahsoka, didn't he? Raised her as his own Padawan. He could give you insight into what that experience was like."
"Maybe," Anakin murmured.
Natasha rolled her eyes. "Come on, Anakin. I know there's more going on. Talk to me."
"Steve advises against that when it comes to relationships," Anakin quipped.
"That's about romantic relationships and dating," Natasha deadpanned. "This is completely different."
"Right, right," Anakin chuckled quietly.
Natasha studied the Jedi Knight with a penetrating gaze.
What he didn't realize was that he could be rather obvious sometimes.
She might not know every Jedi, but Natasha was confident that Anakin was involved with a certain Senator from Naboo.
Someone who happened to look remarkably similar to Jane Foster, if she thought about it.
Watching the two interact, observing how they communicated—the expressions were sometimes subtle, but to a trained spy's eye, she could catch the looks they exchanged, the understated movements and gestures.
In Natasha Romanoff's assessment, it was clear that the two were deeply in love. After all, she knew what that looked like.
Eventually, whatever was happening between them would come to light. Until then, she wouldn't say anything, because it wasn't her place to interfere.
All she could do was observe and wait.