An AU in which Ferus Olin never left the Jedi Order and Padme Amidala never married Anakin Skywalker. :P
Soon
Ferus Olin glanced up from the mug of ale in his hand to look around again at the low-level bar. The most interesting sentients were congregated here, but there was only one person he was interested in at this point, and he still didn't see her.
The drink had long since failed to keep his attention, so Ferus took a moment to study the few beings closest to him. A Twi'lek dancer was engaging a Wroonian man in conversation, and by the looks of things, they would be engaged in quite a bit more before the night was out. Ferus shook his head slightly, lifting the mug to take a quick swallow.
The others in the bar were a wide mixture of criminals and smugglers- those the Empire would love to track down and see thrown in prison, but the new government hardly had time for that. There seemed to be bigger threats out there these days, he noted with a small smile. He'd picked this place well to meet with his informant- no one seemed interested in noticing the lone man in the corner.
"How's the drink?" A cloaked woman approached slowly and sat down in the seat across from him. The cowl of her hood kept her face hidden in shadows, but Ferus caught a glimpse of her full lips in the bar's dim lighting.
He pushed the mug toward her, leaning back against the stained seat cushions. "Try it, if you want," he said, tamping down a smile.
She nodded and picked up the mug, feigning a dainty sip. "It grows on you, I suppose." She pushed her hood down, revealing a heart-shaped face with a pleasant smile and large brown eyes. Ferus nodded toward her. "How long have you been waiting for me?"
"Not too long." Ferus waved over the robo-waitress and waited while his informant ordered a quick dinner. "I must say, your holo-pictures don't even begin to do you justice, my lady."
Despite the dim lighting of the bar, Ferus still saw the distinct coloring of a blush along her cheeks and her neck. He smiled.
"I would return a compliment," she replied, "but I'm afraid I've never heard of you before."
"No harm in that. The less anyone knows of me, the better off I am." He leaned forward, resting both arms on the table. "Were you able to get it?"
She slid the datachip across the tabletop toward him. "Every last system now loyal to the Empire, but more importantly, those who are unwilling, are listed here. If you can rally them, it would be a crushing blow to Palpatine." She lowered her voice and glanced around. "Is it true Master Yoda is still alive?"
"Yes, he is. And we're building an army even as we speak." Ferus slipped the small chip into one of the belt pouches. "Thank you for this, my lady, but I'd advise you to keep low. I wouldn't want such a pretty thing as yourself to be under the Emperor's wrath."
She laughed, and he noticed dimples in her cheeks. "I will do my part to help you. I've been in worse situations before, and this one will be no different."
Something in her voice caught his attention, and Ferus nodded slowly. "No stranger to the more extreme conditions, I take it?" He smiled. "You're not like most senators, my lady."
"I never claimed to be," she returned, hiding a smile behind a sip of water.
Moments of silence passed while she ate, and Ferus returned to studying the other occupants of the bar. Some had left- the Twi'lek and Wroonian were the first he noticed missing- and others had come in. A thin human man had taken a seat at the bar and had ordered a drink, which sat there untouched.
Ferus straightened, and he caught a glimpse of the object just hidden in the man's hand.
"Padme." He took her hand, and she looked up at him, surprised. "We should probably get going so we don't miss the film."
"Wha..?" She followed his quick glanced toward the man and realization dawned. Returning her brown eyes to his face, she smiled and clasped his hand. "That sounds wonderful. Thanks for meeting me here and letting me get a bite to eat. It's been a long day."
He stood and pulled his coat from off the back of the chair, draping it over her shoulders as she stood. Padme pulled the garment closer around her, smiling up at him. Ferus put a hand on her shoulder, and she leaned closer to him.
"Thanks for sending those pictures of your sister's wedding. I'm sorry I missed it, but I know she understood." Ferus raised his voice enough to be heard over the buzz of noise so the man would hear.
Padme nodded. "Well, you did have the very important business trip to go on."
They exited the bar and Ferus noticed the man was following them after a few moments. He kept his arm around Padme's waist, following her slight lead toward one of the public lifts that would take them to the higher levels of Coruscant. The man wasn't in sight when they boarded the lift, and when the doors closed, Padme sagged against the wall in relief.
"So, is this normal for you?" he teased.
"You have no idea." He caught the glint of amusement in her eyes, and something in his chest warmed at the sight. "That was some quick thinking back there."
Ferus nodded. "Thank you."
"So what movie are we going to see?"
His mind froze. "Uh…well, I actually hadn't thought that far ahead. Your pick?"
Padme laughed. "Charming," she said, swiping away a strand of her hair. "Are you usually like this?"
"I like to talk fast, think later, if that's what you mean." His comment was rewarded by another laugh, a bit longer this time. Ferus leaned against the railing of the lift, watching her.
The lift dinged all too soon and slowed to a stop. Padme stepped out first, glancing back at him as if to be sure he was still there.
"My place isn't too far, so I think we'll be okay walking. Besides, it won't be too dangerous- not with a big strong guy like you to protect me." Her smile was just perfectly flirtatious, and Ferus found himself getting just a teensy bit dizzy.
Ferus nodded, offering her his arm this time. Padme smiled in gratitude and accepted the gesture in silence, and the short walk to her apartments passed quickly.
"Do you think he was really following us?" she asked.
"Unfortunately, I've no doubt of it. I'm afraid of what that means for you." He looked down at her, noting how much smaller she was in contrast to himself.
"Oh, don't worry about me. The Emperor knows full well how loyal I am to democracy and freedom. I'm just glad I was able to help you out as much as I could before…" She stopped, and he detected the note of a sob in her voice. In a moment, she straightened and all evidence of sorrow had passed. "It is my pleasure to help you; if it means a free Republic again, I will do what I must."
She stopped at the door of her apartment. "Thank you for walking me home, Ferus." Padme smiled shyly, glancing down at the sidewalk.
"It was my pleasure, and thank you." He smiled, not sure how to go on.
Padme nodded and turned to go inside, but Ferus caught her arm. "Wait."
"What is it?" She turned, and he saw the look of relief in her eyes.
"When can I see you again, my lady?"
For a moment, she toyed with a smile. "Soon."
Thanks for reading! :)
