Thanks for the reviews! It looks like Evil Padme is more shocking than Evil Obi-Wan! :)

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Obi-Wan was seething, and only his great control was keeping him from igniting the lightsabre he always carried hidden under his senatorial robes, and cutting Sidious in two pieces—there, in his office, in front of the Jedi.

Less than two hours before, Padme had been a victim of an attempt against her life. Bless the Force, she had escaped unharmed. But it had been pure chance, a last minute decision that had made her travel on a fighter as a security pilot, and let her decoy Corde take her place on the Naboo Senatorial Cruiser.

Obi-Wan knew that Dooku was behind this life attempt and the others that had preceded it, and if Dooku was involved, Sidious was too.

Killing Padme, one of the opponents of the Military Creation Act would serve a double purpose. Palpatine would get rid of a political opponent and, once Dooku was discovered to be the instigator of the murder, the Senate would certainly vote the Act, and, probably a war declaration too.

Sidious was evidently getting tired to wait, and it was not surprising he was trying to eliminate some of the senators that tried – or apparently did, as in Obi-Wan and Padme's case – to prevent a war.

The election time was drawing closer and Palpatine needed the situation to precipitate—soon.

But you shouldn't have tried to kill Padme, Obi-Wan thought, eyeing the older Sith. I've been the most vocal opponent to the Military Creation Act. I'm the one you should try to kill, not her! You will pay for this, too!

Obi-Wan willed himself to calm down, choosing to remember the face Palpatine had made when, a little time before, in the Senate Rotunda, he had mournfully announced Padme's death only to see her appear on the podium of the Naboo delegation.

The expression on the man's face had been priceless! He had been a step away from having one of his supporters in the Senate declare they had to go to war to avenge her, when the supposed victim had appeared and repeated she and her party were against the option of an armed conflict.

"It's with great surprise and joy the chair recognizes the Senator of Naboo, Padme Amidala," Palpatine had managed to say, a grimace that should have passed as a smile on his face. The surprise had been certainly genuine…as for the joy, well, it was another matter.

Obi-Wan returned to concentrate on what Palpatine and the Jedi – Masters Yoda, Plo Koon, Ki-Adi-Mundi and Mace Windu – were saying.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold off the vote, my friends. More and more star systems are joining the separatists," Palpatine said in a sad, concerned tone.

"If they do break away-" Master Windu began, only to be interrupted by the Chancellor.

"No! I will not let that happen!" the older man said with vehemence, and Obi-Wan had to fight a smile. Sidious was such a convincing actor.

"But if they do," Windu continued, stubborn, "you must realise there aren't enough Jedi to protect the Republic. We are keepers of the peace, not soldiers."

Deciding to take part in the conversation he had been asked to attend as the Loyalist Committee leader, Obi-Wan turned toward Yoda and asked, in a respectful tone, "Master Yoda, do you think it will really come to war?"

The old Jedi closed his eyes and murmured, "Worse than war, I fear... Much worse."

Obi-Wan felt his blood freeze and so probably did Palpatine. Had the Jedi sensed what was really at work?

"What?" Palpatine almost croaked.

"What do you sense, Master?" Obi-Wan prodded, needing to know more.

"Impossible to see ..." Yoda answered, eyes closed. "The Dark Side clouds everything. But this I am sure of," he opened his eyes, "Do their duty the Jedi will."

Obi-Wan relaxed imperceptibly. So the Jedi had no idea of what was going on. Good.

Palpatine's com unit buzzed as the hologram of one of his aides said, "The rest of the Loyalist Committee is here, Chancellor."

"Send them in," Palpatine answered.

Obi-Wan, the Jedi and Palpatine stood up as Padme, Bail Organa, Horox Ryyder, Orn Free Taa and the others members of the Committee entered the office.

Obi-Wan and Padme's eyes met for an instant – a moment of silent understanding – then separated as the young woman was greeted by the Jedi.

Master Yoda tapped Padme with his cane and said, "With you the Force is strong, young Senator. To see you alive brings warm feeling to my heart."

Obi-Wan wondered if Yoda would say the same if he knew what kind of thoughts were probably running behind Padme's mental shields.

"Thank you, Master Yoda. Do you have any idea who was behind the attack?" Padme answered, appreciative.

"Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners, on the moons of Naboo," Mace Windu replied as Obi-Wan covered his smirk behind a hand.

"I don't wish to disagree, but I think that Count Dooku was behind it," Padme said, as he sat near Yoda.

There was a stir of surprise among the Jedi, and Obi-Wan's smirk became a scorn. The blindness of the Jedi was almost unbelievable.

"You know, M'Lady," Mace Windu explained, "Count Dooku was once a Jedi. He wouldn't assassinate anyone, it's not in his character."

I guess you would say being a Sith is not in his character too, Obi-Wan thought with sarcasm.

"He is a political idealist, not a murderer," Ki-Adi-Mundi added.

Of course, it would not do any good to the Jedi Order's reputation if it turned out one of his former members, a revered master, was a murder, Obi-Wan replied mentally.

"In dark times nothing is what it appears to be, but the fact remains Senator, in grave danger you are," Yoda commented.

There was a long pause, then Palpatine turned toward Mace Windu. "Master Jedi, may I suggest that the Senator be placed under the protection of your graces."

Padme frowned, "Chancellor, if I may comment, I do not believe the-"

"-situation is that serious? No, but I do, Senator," Palpatine interrupted her.

"Chancellor, please! I don't want any more guards," Padme protested and Obi-Wan agreed. Having Jedi in their way was not something they needed.

"I realise all too well that additional security might be disruptive for you," Palpatine said, "but perhaps someone you are familiar with... an old friend like... Master Jinn..." The Chancellor looked at Master Windu, who nodded.

"That's possible. He has just returned from a Border dispute on Ansion."

"You must remember him, M'Lady...he watched over you during the blockade conflict," Palpatine added.

"This isn't necessary, Chancellor," Padme insisted, darting a glance in Obi-Wan's direction. The young Sith shook his head. This was not a battle they could win.

"Do it for me, M'Lady, please, I will rest easier," Palpatine almost pleaded, playing his role of concerned man till the end. "We had a big scare today. The thought of losing you is unbearable."

Padme nodded in capitulation, as the Jedi prepared to leave.

"I will have Qui-Gon report to you immediately, M'Lady," Mace Windu said on his way out, as Obi-Wan and Padme exchanged a look. Perhaps they could find a way to take advantage of the situation. Among the other things, Jedi were skilled at protecting people, and Obi-Wan had to admit he would feel better knowing Master Jinn was looking over Padme, as he and Asajj could not do given their other tasks.

Yes, the Jedi would be very useful indeed….