I own nothing but Shandra. Everything involving Star Wars belongs to the rightful owners.

My name is Shandra Bane, I am 18 years old and a Padawan Jedi learner. When I was 15 my Jedi Master was killed during a mission; the council decided to place me with Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker until I was placed with a new master. However, due to the limited number of Jedi I have been with them ever since.

Obi-Wan and I get along fine; he is a great mentor and I consider him a good friend. I consider myself lucky that I was placed with such a great master.

Anakin and I, however, did not get off to a good start; we kept on competing to see who was better at our skills. Now, I think of him as my best friend. maybe even feel stronger than that; I try to keep my feelings to myself and hide them as well as I can. It is against the Jedi code to have these kind of feelings; we are suppose to let go of any personal attachments beyond friendship and if the council found out I would be thrown out of the Jedi Order before I become a true master Jedi.

We were on our way to Senator Amidala's to protector her; an assassination was attempted when she arrived to the Capital and the Council thought it would be best if we were assigned the mission. They only thought that because Obi-Wan and Anakin had worked together 10 years ago to stop the Federation from taking over Naboo when she was queen; they were old friends. I, however, had never meet the Senator in person; from what I heard she was a good politician and cared greatly for the peace and democracy of the Republic.

"You seem a little on edge," Obi-Wan told Anakin as he smoothed out this clothes- again.

"Not at all," Anakin denied.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes; even I could sense that he was nervous.

"I haven't felt you this tense since we all fell into that nest of Gundarks."

Anakin scoffed. "You and Shandra fell into that nightmare, Master, and I rescued you two- remember?"

"Hey, he pulled down with him while I was trying to pull him up," I insisted.

"Oh... right," Obi-Wan said. We all chuckled.

"Anakin, you're sweating," I told him, "relax, take a deep breath."

"I haven't seen her in 10 years," Anakin explained.

This was another reason why I was keeping my feelings to myself, and how I am able to keep them under-wraps; clearly Anakin has feelings for this senator and I wasn't going to interfere.

When the elevator doors opened we were met by a gugan.

"Obi?" he asked, "Obi! Mesa soo smilen to be seein yousa!"

"It's good to see you as well Jar Jar," Obi-Wan said as they shook hands," and this is our friend Shandra."

"Nice to meet you," I said.

"And thisa mesa take it isa yousa apprentice," Jar Jar looked at Anakin, "nooo... Ani? Little bity Ani?"

"Nice to see you again Jar Jar," Anakin said."

"Follow me. Shesa expecting yousa."

Jar Jar lead us to other room where three people were standing by the balcony.

"Senator Padme," Jar Jar said," mesa palos here! Lookie, lookie, senator. Desa Jedi arriven."

Senator Amidala was just as I pictured; a vision of perfection. She had dark brown hair tied up in a bun, green eyes (don't know what Natalie Portman's real eye color for sure, going with green), flawless pale skin, and she was wearing a beautiful blue dress. I could see why Anakin was so smitten, and I was also jealous; how could I compete with someone like that - beautiful and smart.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, milady," Obi-wan said as they shook hands.

"It has been far took long Master Kenobi," she said.

"This is a friend of ours, Shandra Bane," Obi-Wan explained," she is a fellow Jedi I have taken under my care for the time being."

"Pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise, milady," I said as we shook hands.

She looked over my shoulder at Anakin and her eyes widen.

"Ani? My goodness, you've grown."

"So have you. Grown more beautiful, I mean," Anakin tripped over words, "well, f-for a senator, I mean."

"Ani, you'll always be that little boy I knew on Tatooine," Senator Amidala smiled.

"Our presence here will be invisible, milady, I can assure you," Obi-Wan said as we moved to sit on the sofas.

"I'm Captain Typha of Her Majesty's security forces," the man introduced himself, "Queen Jamillia has been informed of your assignment. I am greatful you here Master Kenobi. The situation is more dangerous then the senator will admit."

"I don't need protection," Senator Amidala said, "I need answers. I want to know who's trying to kill me."

"We are here to protect you, Senator, not to start an investigation," Obi-Wan said.

"We will find out who is trying to kill you Padme," Anakin interrupted, "I promise you."

"We will not exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner," Obi-Wan said.

"I meant in the interest of protecting her, Master."

"We will not go through this exercise again, Anakin. And you will pat attention to my lead."

"Why?"

"What?"

Oh, no. I hated when they fought; Anakin is always trying to prove that he can do things on his own, which makes things tense with him and Obi-Wan. If he wasn't so hard-headed and stubborn he'd make a good Jedi.

"Why else do you think we were assigned to her if not to find the killer," Anakin said," protection is a job for local security, not Jedi. It's over kill Master. Investigation is implied to out mandate."

"Only if the killer makes another attempt while we are protecting her," I said.

I knew Anakin wouldn't like me siding with Obi-Wan, but I was trying to end the argument quickly.

"Shandra is right," Obi-Wan said, "and until then we will do exactly what the council has instructed. And you will learn your place, young one."

"Perhaps with your presence the mystery surrounding this threat will be revealed," Padme said, "now, if you'll excuse me. I will retire."

We all stood up and Padme and her hand-maiden turned to leave.

"I know I'll feel better having you here," Typho said, "I'll have an officer stationed on every floor, and I'll be in the control center downstairs."

Typhon and Obi-Wan continued to talk about the security while Anakin and I stayed with Jar Jar.

"Mesa busten wit happiness to be seen yousa again, Ani," he said.

"She hardly even recognized me Jar Jar," Anakin said, watching Padme walk toward her room.

"It's been 10 years Anakin," I said, "people change a lot over time."

"I know, but I've thought of her everyday since we parted, and she's forgotten me completely.

"I doubt that Anakin."

"Shesa happy," Jar Jar said," happier den mesa seein her in a longo time."

"You're focusing on the negative, Anakin, Be mindful of your thoughts," Obi-Wan said as he rejoined us, " she was pleased to see us. Now, let's check the security."

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