I own nothing but Shandra Bane. Everything regarding to Stars Wars belongs to the rightful owners.
The next day we reported to the Council of last nights events.
"Track down this bounty hunter you must Obi-Wan," Master Yoda said.
"More importantly, find out who he's working for," Master Windu added.
"What about Senator Amidala," Obi-Wan said, "she will still need protecting."
"Handle that, your Padawans will," Yoda said.
"Anakin, Shandra. Escort the senator back to her home planet of Naboo, she'll be safer there," Windu said, "and don't use register transport. Travel as refugees."
"As the leader of the opposition it will be very hard to get Senator Amidala to leave the capital," Anakin said.
"Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must trust," Yoda said.
"Anakin, go to the senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak to her about this matter," Windu instructed.
We bowed to the council and left to our mission.
I was packing my clothes when Anakin came back.
"I talked to the chancellor, he agreed to give an executive order if necessary to get Senator Amidala to return to Naboo," he said.
"Good. That'll make things easier," I said.
"I know that Padme won't like leaving."
"It's for her own safety, she can get someone that she knows she can trust to represent Naboo in her place. Besides, now that the council has order an investigation it won't take long for Obi-Wan to find out about this bounty hunter and who is behind these assassination attempts. She'll be back soon."
"That's what I was planning on telling her."
"Well you know what they say, great minds think alike."
Anakin smiled. "Yeah, I guess they do."
We landed at the space port and said our good-byes. Padme to Typho and Dorme, Anakin and I to Obi-Wan.
"Anakin, Shandra. Don't do anything without first consulting myself or the council," Obi-Wan said.
"Yes, Master," we agreed.
"I'll get to the bottom of this plot quickly, milady," Obi-Wan told Padme, "you'll be back here in no time."
"I'll be most grateful for your speed Master Jedi."
Anakin and I grabbed our bags.
"It's time to go," Anakin said.
"I know," Padme said sadly. I knew that she didn't like leaving, but it really was for the best interest of her safety.
"Anakin, Shandra. May the Force be with you." Obi-Wan wished us luck.
"May the Force be with you, Master," we returned.
We stepped of the ship and headed to our transport for Naboo.
"Suddenly I'm afraid," Padme said.
"This is my and Shandra's first assignment on our own," Anakin said, "I am too."
"So am I," I admitted.
I knew that Anakin and I would work together, but it was little overwhelming doing this mission without Obi-Wan.
Anakin looked back at R2 trailing behind us.
"Don't worry, we have R2 with us," he joked.
We all laughed as headed into the refugee ship and to set of to Naboo.
We had been traveling for a couple of hours when Anakin decided to eat while Padme decided to take a nap.
"I'm glad to see you happy Anakin," I said, "it's been a while since I've seen you really smile. I'm guessing Senator Amidala has something to do with that."
"It is good to see Padme again," he said, "but when we were talking the other day I realized that there is nothing more than friendship between us."
"Perhaps it's for the best," I said, "it is forbidden for us to have personal feelings other than friendship."
"Attachment is forbidden, possession is forbidden, but compassion isn't."
"There are many different ways to define that."
"Well, I define it as unconditional love."
"So you think we are encouraged to love?" I teased.
"Yes, I do." He stared at with strange look in his eyes and a small smile I was not familiar with.
"What?"
"Nothing. I just noticed something about you recently that I haven't before."
"Oh. Well if you don't mind I'd rather you not look at me like that if you can help it."
"Why not?"
"Honestly, it makes me feel uncomfortable."
"Perhaps it's the seat, they are not the most comfortable thing to sit on."
"It's not."
"My apologies then."
When we landed on Naboo we headed to the palace for a meeting with Queen Jamilia and the governors.
We were talking about if Padme missed being queen.
"I wasn't the youngest queen ever elected," she said, "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 that you served thought you did a good job," Anakin told her.
"It's true," I added, "I heard that they tried to amend the constitution so you could stay in office."
"I was relived when my two terms were up," she said, "but when the queen asked me to serve as senator, I couldn't refuse her."
"I agree with her," Anakin said, "I think the Republic needs you. I'm glad you choose to serve."
When we got to the palace we quickly went to the throne room and the meeting soon began after a quick greeting.
"How many systems have joined Count Dooku and the Separatists," Queen Jamilla asked as she eyed me and Anakin.
"Thousands, more are leaving the Republic everyday," Padme said," if the senate votes to create an army I'm sure it's going to push to into civil war."
"It's unthinkable" Governor Sio Bibble said," there hasn't been a full-scale war since the formation of the Republic."
"Do you seen any way through negotiations to bring the Separatists back into the Republic," Jamilla asked Padme.
"Not if they feel threatened. My guess it that they'll turn to the Trade Federations or the Commerce Guilds for help."
"It's outrages, but after four trials in the Supreme Court Nute Gunray is still viceroy of the Trade Federation," Bibble said, "I fear the senate is powerless to stop this crisis."
"We must keep our faith in the Republic," Jamilla said.
With that the meeting was adjourned as everyone stood up to leave as we walked with the Queen and Bibble.
"The day we stop believing that democracy can work is the day we lose it," Jamilla told Padme.
"Let's pray that day never comes," Padme said.
"In the meantime we must consider your own safety."
"What is your suggestion Master Jedis?" Bibble asked Anakin and I.
"Oh, Anakin and Shandra aren't Jedis yet," Padme said, "they're still Padawan learners. But I was thinking-"
"Hold on a minute," Anakin said.
I had to agree with him; even though that Anakin and I are not Jedi Masters we are still in charge of security on this mission.
"Excuse me," Padme said, "I was thinking I would stay in the lake country. There are some places up there that are very isolated."
"With all do respect, milady, Anakin and I are in charge of security here," I said.
"I know, but Shandra this is my home. I know it very well, that's why we're here. I think it would be wise if you two took advantage of my knowledge in this instance."
I nodded as Anakin took a deep breath.
"Sorry, milady," he said.
"It's settled then," Jamilla agreed.