Here is chapter 4 and Padme arrival on Coruscant. :)

Chapter 4

Revelation and Proposition

Here she was: Coruscant, the imperial capital of the infamous Empire. It hadn't change since the last time she was there, four years ago. Actually, it just looked the same, except for the imperial propaganda… There was more of it, of course.

When they had landed on the city-planet, Padme wondered if this was a good idea. In two months, she would be eighteen, a legal adult and a major. In two months, her protection by laws would be over and she could be submitted to any punishment in the case she would do something wrong.

But you won't do anything wrong, reminded her a little voice in her head. Because you know the Emperor was not joking when he said that you wouldn't be always under minor protection…

'' So, do you love your room?'' she heard Dorea Thorne asking behind her. ''Do you think you girls will have enough places here?''

'' Sure,'' said Elle, a tall girl, clearly overweight with short brown hairs and little brown eyes. ''The three of will be perfectly happy here.''

'' The three of us?'' asked Padme with a questioning look. Femark was actually sleeping in a single room and Dorea in another one.

'' You know, Berry, me and my double size!'' joked Elle.

Padme burst in laugh. Yeah, sure, Elle was proud to be a «double size» and was proud to yell it on every roof. To Elle Diamond, fat girl were the best and the strongest and she never hide her passion for aliments. No wonder she was now studying to be a cook. Food was her life.

'' Anyway, just make yourself comfortable and Padme, do not forget you start tonight at the restaurant,'' reminded her Dorea.

Just like her brother, Dorea was a tall blond girl, a real beauty. She was a model and also a waitress in a popular restaurant, The Golden Knife. Rea, like her brother called her, assured her she could make 100 credits a night just in tips. So this was something really interesting for the young woman. So, on the week end, Padme was to work six hours a day at this restaurant. Dorea provided her the usual black uniform: a short skirt and a shirt with short sleeves. She had to wear her hair in a sophisticated bun. Elle got a job in the kitchen as an assistant cook.

'' I wish I could also start tonight,'' complained Elle. ''Fem will be out with a girl he met on his last visit so I'll be all alone…''

'' You know, I would prefer to stay here… I do not feel really comfortable about working in such an important restaurant… Imagine if I drop something…''

Elle started to laugh. Of course, Padme had no experience in restoration services. This might be funny after all…

'' I should go eat there just to see you dropping wine everywhere, that would be epic!''

'' Yeah, sure, epic!'' ironized Padme. '' I just hope the Emperor won't show up… My worst fear actually… Dorea assured me he never comes. She told me about Tarkin, Frey and other ones but never of Palpatine himself.''

'' And Vader?'' asked Elle.

Padme froze, hearing the name of that monster.

'' I would die, he's so scary, so intimidating. I had the marks of his hand for weeks on my arm…'' said Padme with a small voice. ''He was so strong… Ah, and I don't want to talk about him…''

Elle shook her head in disbelief.

'' But you do realize by being here, that there are lots of chances to see or meet him somewhere… I don't want to scare you, but you should have chosen any other school or planet but the one where Palpatine and his precious Vader are living…''

'' I know…'' said Padme, closing her eyes. ''I still don't know why I had the feeling to come here, on Coruscant. It was like it was the thing to do, you know, coming here, living here, even if they were here…''

Elle took a step closer to her friend, eyeing her with concern.

'' Padme…'' started Elle with a prudent voice. ''Don't tell me you are considering…''

'' Of course not!'' said Padme, annoyed. ''Don't worry, I clearly got the Emperor's warning about what I should say or not… I'm not a kid anymore, I'm not going to endanger myself or those I love.''

'' Good, then, because I don't want to see you end up in any imperial prison, or worst.''

Padme did not respond to Elle, instead, she started preparing herself for her first shift of work. Talking of Palpatine and Vader just made her more nervous than before… No, everything would be alright. There was no need to be scared or to be nervous. She'll get a lot of money tonight, which was a good thing. Yes, just focus on the money.

Later that night, she arrived at the Golden Knife. The place was, obviously, full of customers. Important customers.

'' Ok, Padme,'' said Dorea, giving her an holo-tablet and pointing her a section of the restaurant. ''This will be your section, Green 10. There are ten tables in Green 10 section. It is one of the most private sections of the restaurant where customers go to talk business. Tonight, you have a bunch of Senators coming from the Senate. I trust you with them, they are regular clients and I told them they were going to have a new waitress tonight. They are not in a hurry so you can take your time with them, understand?''

'' Yes…'' said Padme, trying to remember everything that she had said.

'' Remember to always smile, to refill water or wine. Also, when you'll get the orders, just make sure to separate the tables by letters ok? So A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J, ok? When you go to collect an order, you have to say your section's name, so: Green 10! So the cooks makes sure all the orders are there, ok?''

'' Ok…''

She was speaking so fast…

'' When you have to take the dishes off, call Tristan, the boss boy of section Red 25 and Blue 20. With his help you'll take the dishes off the table and bring it to the kitchen so it can be cleaned, ok?''

''Yes…''

Shiraya... How could a restaurant be so complicated?

'' Finally, do not give any of your informations to customers, ok? We do not want people to think that our waitresses are some sort of escorts, ok? You are only allowed to say your name, ok?''

What?

'' Yes, don't… Don't worry about that, Dorea…'' said Padme. ''My goal is to make money, not to bring attention on me…''

'' Good, then!''

And so, Padme walked to her section. There were around twenty senators and not every tables were filled.

'' We'll be complete, Miss,'' said a voice that she recognize as the voice of Bail Organa.

Bail Organa… He was still the same, well; he was wearing a small beard now.

She started to take the orders on her holo-tablet when suddenly…

'' Padme? Padme Naberrie?''

Padme turned to Bail and smiled to him.

'' Good evening, Senator Organa. It is a pleasure to meet you again,'' she said, politely.

Dorea would not be happy to see her speak with clients… Her job was to serve, not to make conversation.

'' The pleasure is all mine, my dear!'' he said, looking very happy to see her again. '' Are you new here? I never saw you before.''

'' Yes, I am,'' said Padme, trying to appear very busy so she could continue to work. ''It is my first night, actually, so I'm kind of pretty… busy.''

Then, Bail turned to his colleagues.

'' A brilliant young lady, really. I trust you are now attending university?''

'' Yes, Sir…''

He then smiled and returned to his conversation once she was finished with the orders.

After collecting their food, she waited for them to finish their meal. Once it was done, she and Tristan collected everything. Everything was going fine at this moment until.

'' Do not wait for me; I am to pay the bill!'' she heard Organa said to the others. When they were all gone, Bail came to her to pay for their meals.

No one was around.

'' I was deeply saddened to heard about you leaving the program,'' he told her. '' I guess the Emperor highly suggest you to quit it?''

'' Yes… He did.''

'' What about a cup of tea, at my home? Breha would be very happy to see you again. She's not visiting very often, so if you don't want to miss her, you should come. Plus, I think we could talk of some important matters...''

Padme hesitated. Was it a good idea?

'' Listen, I'll send you a driver after your shift. Then you'll decide if you want to come to our place or not, is that good for you?''

The proposition was tempting. It could be nice to speak with him again… When he left, Padme couldn't help but watch him leave. Something strong was starting to rise again in her heart. Something that was deep and hidden for too long…

Her shift over, she easily found the driver.

'' So Organa's apartment or your flat, lady?'' asked her the driver.

'' Take me to Senator Organa's place, please.''

She was greeted by a silver protocol droide that leaded her to the vast living room.

'' Padme, my dear!'' she saw Breha Organa coming to her.

The woman was still beautiful beside her constant sad face. Padme had heard about her numerous miscarriages. Poor woman. She was desperate to be a mother and was not able to conceive. When the news were talking of the delicate subject, Padme always found herself praying for the woman to finally achieve her goal to carry a little baby. She and Bail deserved it, they were good people. Any child would be happy with them.

'' Breha, I am very happy to see you again,'' said Padme, hugging her.

Breha took a moment to detail her from head to toes.

''Look at you,'' she said. '' You are now a very beautiful woman. I guess you are a heart breaker!''

Padme lightly laugh.

'' Not, not really,'' said Padme. ''I am not very popular with boys. I think they are still afraid to see some Stormtroopers coming behind me to take me away, and kill them at the same time.''

'' Yes, of course, well, maybe you'll find a pretty trooper to be happy with!''

Padme choked.

'' No, never!''

Both of them laughed until Bail finally came in.

They talked of the last four years and of course, of the Empire. The subject became very tense when Bail told Padme that Palpatine send away most of the senators that were not humans.

'' Lots of systems are losing their voice in the Senate,'' he said with a serious tone. ''I spoke to the Mon Calamari senator after he was kicked off the Senate. They are miserable there. And do you think that the Empire is letting the Calamari alone, no, they developed a major gas enterprise on one of their island, collecting gas from the ocean and, by the same time, destroying entire populations living under the sea.''

'' This is awful…'' whispered Padme. '' But do they have a small control on it? How is their economy?''

'' It was report that only humans were working on this business. And this is not all…'' said Bail.

He came closer to her, while Breha left the room.

'' We have reason to believe that Palpatine is building a new weapon, a secret weapon that could be very murderous...''

Padme couldn't believe what she was hearing. A secret weapon? Why would he need some secret weapon? The man was already ruling the entire galaxy! But Padme was no fool, these kind of subjects were not talk among the Senate, she was certain of that. And if it was secret, that would only mean one thing…

'' Senator Organa…'' suddenly said Padme in a calm voice. ''Are you a part of the Alliance? Is that why you are aware of the existence of this secret weapon?''

The man kindly smiled to her.

'' Yes,'' he said. '' And as proud as I am to be a part of it, I must keep it a secret. You see, being a part of the Senate is one of the best ways to keep an eye on the Emperor's affairs…''

'' But what if you were to be caught? Trust me, Sir, they do not joke when they said that you'll regret it if you mess with them…''

'' I am fully aware of the risk, Padme.'' Bail took a break and then, grabbed one of her hand looking at her straight in the eyes.

'' Padme…'' he started. '' I believe you are a strong young woman, with good ideas and lots of leadership. We need young people like you for our movement, Padme. You are already an important figure of the rebellion.''

'' What? Really?'' Padme couldn't believe her ears.

'' Of course! And I knew the moment I saw you give that speech during the conference, four years ago, that you were going to be one of us. Even if it was… risky, Mon Mothma and I thought you were brilliant. A child, speaking her beliefs with bravery! I never thought this day would come so fast, but here you are!''

No, he couldn't ask her that… She was not going into that! If it was to come to the Emperor's ears, or to Vader… No, as much as she wanted to, it was impossible.

'' Senator… Bail,'' started Padme. '' I don't think I can be a part of it, as much as I want to… I was warned not to be implied in anything that could go against the Empire. People I love could be hurt because of that...''

'' No one will ever know. I am a part of it since the rise of the Empire and I'm still going undercover. You can do it too and…''

'' No, it would be irresponsible…'' she finally said. ''I'm sorry, but I must go. I also think it would be better not to see each other anymore… Good luck Bail.''

It was a hard decision but it was the right one. Why would they think she could be a good addition to the Alliance? She was just a normal girl, at least, she was trying to be one. She was a danger for everyone around her... How could Organa not understand that?

She could not be a part of it. It was better this way. As she leaved the apartment, she felt the tears coming in her eyes. Why was she reacting this way? It was the right thing to do! When she took place in the speeder so the driver could take her home, she did not see the dark figure standing in the shadow, watching her with a deep interest…

So, what do you think? Bail Organa was a little bit too excited to Padme in his rank! :P