Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of the characters in Star Wars. Some of the characters are my own and were inspired.
It was a cool pleasant night. The air on Coruscant was gradually warming with the approach of summer.
Sophie Cruiser hurriedly paced her apartment as she tried to sort her thoughts. She ran her hands through her hair over and over again.
I haven't slept the past few nights, why do I think tonight will be any better?
She sighed; her master had only been gone three days, but her anxiety soared. As she continued her pacing, Sophie focused on three facts.
One, my Master will return in a few days.
Two, I am supposed to make contact with him tomorrow.
Three, there's no possible way I'm going to sleep tonight.
Sophie's stomach lurched at the thought of anything happening to him; Master Obi-Wan had become like a father to her.
Having been discovered by Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker, the council thought it would be best to pair her with Master Kenobi.
The Council sent Anakin and Obi-Wan to the newly discovered planet, Earth, to look for potential Jedi; that's how they found her.
Master Obi-Wan will be alright. He always is.
Sophie stopped pacing and walked over to her window overlooking the city. She glanced at her clock.
It's already 11:45. I'm not even going to be able to make a decent argument with Separatists in this morning.
Since Earth had just been discovered by the Council they decided that there needed to be a representative from Earth in the Senate.
Sophie decided that since she already had to be here she didn't want anyone else to have to leave their home planet for such a far away place.
So she volunteered to serve as both a Jedi and a Senator.
Dutchess Satine is going to be very displeased with me.
At least he will be there tomorrow.
Sophie squeezed her eyes shut tightly; how she longed for him. Without a second thought she grabbed her cloak and set out for the gardens.
As Sophie walked briskly she tightened her cloak around herself. It wasn't illegal for Jedi to be out and about at these hours, but it was frowned upon.
The last thing I want to hear right now is another lecture from Master Windu about my responsibilities and how my actions reflect the people I represent.
Within minutes she arrived at the gardens.
Neat and tidy greenery dotted the grounds along with beautiful fountains. Sophie crept along to her usual spot a gigantic oak tree accompanied by a fountain.
There's an old legend that two Jedi in love would meet at this certain fountain every night. One night they heard a group of older Jedi nearing the fountain, so to avoid being caught they both jumped into the fountain never to be seen again.
This, will hopefully clear my mind.
Sophie leaned her head back and let her body relax against the oak tree as she listened to the flowing water; she began to slowly fall asleep.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
'Well, what a pleasant surprise' chimed a voice all too familiar. Sophie spun on her heel to see him. Grinning broadly with his arms crossed across his chest he stood gazing intently at Sophie.
Blonde unkempt hair fell into his light blue eyes; a faint scar ran along the edge of his right brow.
His white teeth gleaned against his creamy bronze skin.
He was dressed in his usual attire: black robes with the ShadowKnight crest etched in silver on the upper left corner, black boots, and his two golden hilts which produced crimson blades.
'Well, look who it is, ShadowKnight. What are you doing here?'
He walked towards Sophie slowly.
When he got close enough to touch her, he gently cupped one of her cheeks in his hand, rubbing a finger gingerly across it.
'I just couldn't stand to be away from you my dear.'
Sophie blushed; 'I do wish we could see each other more, my dear Slick.' She sighed sadly.
Slick began to lift Sophie's lips to his own in a kiss when…..
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
WAKE UP, SOPHIE WAKE UP.
Sophie sat up with a start. Ahsoka gave her a deathly stare.
What are you doing sleeping in the gardens Sophie? I've been looking for you all morning.
Sophie stood to her feet stretching her limbs as she rose.
My bad Ahsoka I must've fallen asleep.
Honestly I don't know what I'm going to do with you sometimes child. What were you doing out that late at night anyway?
Sophie's dream still lingered in her mind bringing with it a surge of pain. Oh how she worried about and missed him. She knew he was reckless and that one day it would catch up with him.
I couldn't sleep.
Ahsoka gave Sophie a concerned look; she knew Sophie was worried about Master Obi-Wan, because she was worried herself.
Oh but Ahsoka, if I'm not mistaken weren't you the last one to be found out of place? Was it not you who was found at three in the morning in the room of 1,000 fountains?
Ahsoka turned bright red at that and crossed her arms across her chest.
Nevermind that smart one, you are supposed to be on Mandalore by 12:00 and it's already 11:15.
Well we better get going then shouldn't we?
Sophie and Ahsoka raced to their star fighters. When they arrived Sophie jumped into her star fighter and punched in the coordinates for Mandalore, Ahsoka following in her lead.
Within minutes the pair were deep in hyperspace.
Dreaming of lover boy I take it?
Sophie blushed at the reference to Slick. Ahsoka knew about him and so did Dutchess Satine, but they were the only two.
Love is forbidden for Jedi, Sophie knew this, but after all they had been through, she couldn't help herself when it came to him.
That's none of your business Ahsoka.
They should be here today Soph. Try not to look so uptight, it's not a flattering look for you honey.
Sophie chuckled to herself. Ahsoka had become like a older sister to Sophie, and the younger Jedi was treated just as a little sister would be.
Leave my love life and my political career alone Snips if you don't mind. You have no experience in either field, so I don't believe that you of all people can give me advice.
Oh whatever, lover girl.
When Sophie and Ahsoka landed on Mandalore they were immediately rushed inside the place by orders of The Dutchess Satine.
Satine had come to treat Sophie like the daughter she never had.
She treated her very well, made sure she was taken care of, taught her the ropes of politics, and was always there for her.
But The Dutchess still got upset when Sophie was late.
Sophie Cruiser, where have you been? What happened to you?
Sophie glanced at her reflection, she had dirt and mud caked all over her body and twigs sticking out of her hair.
She bowed her head low.
My apologies Dutchess, I overslept.
Actually Sophie fell asleep in the gardens, and then she overslept.
Sophie cast Ahsoka a look, to which she snickered.
Good gracious, asleep in the gardens? No matter, we had better get you cleaned up and ready, the meeting starts in 20 minutes.
Dutchess Satine rushed Sophie upstairs where she was made to bathe and dress. When this was finished Satine went to work applying makeup and fixing Sophie's hair.
When Satine finished, Sophie glanced in the mirror; long brown curly locks fell mid-way her back.
Big brown eyes smeared with gold powder and lined in black stares back at her.
Her red lips, which lay against creamy bronze skin, turned up slightly at the image of her own reflection.
She wore a royal blue satin lace gown that billowed across the floor beneath her. This was the only significant change; this attire was much different than her usual maroon and black backless jumpsuit.
Satine looked Sophie over, the approval apparent in her eyes.
You look beautiful, as always my dear.
Sophie smiled in return; she never considered herself pretty, not like the other girls back home. She had more of a fierce look about her, eyes too sharp, mouth too thin, and her jawline too rigid to be considered pretty.
Just remember Sophie, keep your chin up and shoulders pushed back. Smile politely and try to enjoy yourself. We are here to negotiate peace, not institute more bloodshed. The more work that is done here the less work the Jedi are tasked to do, and we can end this war without anymore violence.
Satine reached for the young girl and embraced her; Sophie's nerves calmed a bit.
Thank you Dutchess, I promise that I will do my very best.
The two exchanged smiles with each other before headed back down stairs to the meeting about to take place.
As she descended the staircase Sophie's eyes roamed anxiously for the two men she had been looking forward to seeing.
After exchanging pleasantries with a few other senators Sophie finally found the two she had been looking for, the ShadowKnight brothers.
She met his eyes only for a moment.
The two men bowed respectively to Sophie.
Good afternoon Senator Sophie.
Good afternoon Senator Slick and Senator Tasser.
The ShadowKnight brothers are Slick and Tasser ShadowKnight. They represent their home planet, Ryloth.
Tasser is the oldest brother, but Slick is the one that has Sophie's heart.
The weather on Mandalore is quite refreshing compared to the weather of Ryloth isn't it, Senator Slick?
Slick smiled politely at Sophie, though it didn't touch his eyes. Something was off about the young man today, both Sophie and his brother could sense his anxiety.
The weather on Madalore is lovely, but I do prefer my home planet's.
Slick avoided eye contact with Sophie, while Tasser cast her an anxious glance.
Sophie's worry began to grow; she knew something was defiantly wrong…..