Uncomfortable

After getting another guard on this floor outside the senator's bedroom, I remain inside with her. I'm not going to risk another attack.

"Ratha. I want to thank you."

"You should sleep senator." I respond, my eyes closed. I'm aware of everything in my direct area.

"I don't think I could."

"Rest assured, you're safe with me."

"My problem is not safety."

"Then what is it?"

"Your brother." I chuckle at her answer.

"His pervertedness?"

"No. I think I may be attracted to him. I know that he feels the same way but he can't do anything about it. He is a Jedi."

"I understand more of your predicament than you would believe senator. Still, you should try to sleep anyway. The senate will need you to be ready for a heated debate tomorrow and I must report to my master." The response is a tired yawn and I can tell from her force signature that she is trying to get back to sleep.

Tobius? Master Kit?

I am here, little one.

Master Kit. There has been another attempt on Senator Amidala's life.

Where is Master Kenobi and his padawan?

Chasing after the assassin.

You have been left alone with the senator?

Yes master.

Would you like any more Jedi assistance?

That would not be necessary master. There is lots of security here and I am with the senator. Same room in fact.

Tobius is on his way off planet now. He's going on a mission for the council.

Alone?

Yes.

Oh.

Your concern for him is unnecessary. He is a knight you know.

I am aware master. I just-

You just need to think carefully about your feelings little one. They could be potentially destructive.

Yes master. His presence fades out. I meditate for a further hour. Admittedly, I am getting a little tired.

"Ratha?" Padme's voice again.

"I thought I told you to get some sleep senator."

"I will if you will. I can't stand the idea of a friend suffering for me."

"I am not suffering milady."

"Did I not tell you not to call me that?"

"You did. However, I am alike my brother in many ways, including selective memory. My apologies."

"I will accept your apology if you get some sleep. There is a sleeping mat over there if you want it."

"I shouldn't. You're in danger and I would hate myself if you died because of my own weakness. It goes against everything the Jedi stands for."

"Please, my friend."

"I have gone without food, drink or rest for three days before and I have still been fine. I will live senator."

"Sabe! Dorme!" What did I do? Two handmaidens come rushing in.

"What happened my lady?"

"I want this Jedi in a bed. Use force if you have to."

"Senator..." I start.

"No. Just sleep."

"Why are you so insistent on this?"

"You'll understand soon enough." Then I feel a sharp, stabbing pain in my back. I see a needle in Sabe's hand. What is this? I become drowzy and all I want is a bed. I try to stand up but I only collapse again with a loud thud. I drift into unconsciousness.

Third person P.O.V

Sabe and Dorme make sure that nothing on the Jedi's body is broken and Captain Typho enters moments later. There was a reason Padme requested the Skywalker siblings especially. Ratha has what she needs and Anakin would let her get away with murder in exchange for her affections. It is not murder that the senator wants. She only seeks a weakness in the strongest Jedi. If she did this then the Sith Lord would let her family go. She injects a special drug herself that will make the 17 year old spill her darkest secrets. Not really telling them, showing them through the force.

The room shifts under the power of Ratha's illusion and the scene before them is on Dantooine. Two people are on a balcony, one of them is clearly the padawan, the other is unknown to senator Amidala. They are clearly a Jedi though. The scene plays out before them as they confess a love for each other and a secret plan to be wed. This is her deepest secret. Padme had never seen the youngest Skywalker so happy. This is how the young Skywalker claims to understand Padme. The room shifts again and they are in a meditation chamber in the Jedi temple. They see vision twisting and turning and eventually everything is a light blue and black mix. All humans glowing light blue, objects a darker blue. It is obvious to Padme that this is what she sees when Ratha meditates.

Yet again, the illusion around them changes. They see terrible scenes. The Jedi temple up in flames, younglings dead. Then Padme sees something that she does not expect. The scene takes place on a lava planet. Padme herself lies still on the ground, barely breathing. Ratha exits the senator's private ship.

"You turned her away from me!" Anakin cries, his voice filled with rage.

"You did that yourself." Ratha shouts back, unable to take her eyes off the unconscious woman between them.

"You and Obi-Wan told her I was evil!"

"Anakin. It isn't too late. Come back to us. You can be there for the birth of your child. Please!"

"I did this for her. Our child can live in peace in my new empire."

"Your new empire? Brother, listen to yourself!" His head snaps up to look her in the eyes.

"If you're not with me." He ignites his lightsaber. "You're against me." Ratha also ignites her lightsaber in defense.

"No. Don't do this Anakin. Palpatine has betrayed the-"

"YOU are the traitor!" He spits his words at her before lunging at his sister, relentlessly attacking her. He is trying to kill her. The illusion fades and Padme is left staring at Ratha, wide-eyed. That was a vision of the future. His child? Her child? Did they have a child in the future? Sitting back on the bed, she puts her head in her hands.

"My lady. What should we do with the Jedi?"

"Leave her there. She will remember nothing of this." The handmaidens leave and Padme lies in her bed, incapable of sleeping after what she has seen. She has been lucky in what she has found out. The Sith Lord would most definitely be happy with what she has found for her. Maybe she will let her family go without injury. Still, the young senator feels nothing but pity for Ratha Skywalker. She has to deal with those visions and more. Plus, she has to deal with her love for another Jedi. It's no wonder she doesn't want to sleep at night. Then the senator falls asleep herself.

Ratha's P.O.V

Tobius' scream echoes through the cell. I am chained to the back wall and I can only cry for him and torrents of Sith lightning pulse through him. He collapses on the ground again. His breaths are uneven and his tortured expression tells me all the pain he is going through. The man in the black suit that calls me sister is stood in the corner of the room, watching my torment.

"Where is Skywalker?" I can not physically talk for the hysterical crying. Tears flood down my cheeks and there is a small puddle forming on the floor. I stare at Tobi as he tries to lift his head.

"Rath... Don't." He says before a red lightsaber digs into his shoulder. His tortured scream fills my mind.

"NO!" I screech at the top of my lungs. "I-I-I'll t-t-tell you when h-h-he's free." I manage to say for tears. The man that used to be my brother raises his lightsaber and slices Tobi's head clean off.

"There is freedom in death." My screams are louder and it hurts to produce them, but it is all I have left.

"Wake up! It's a nightmare come on!" I see Anakin's face and flinch away into the wall, trembling slightly. He looks at me, completely unaware of what happened in my dream.

"What's wrong with her? Is she injured?" Obi-Wan asks.

"Nightmare. It's all over now." Anakin says, trying to reassure me. I slowly get up and straighten out my robes. Then all three of us leave together. When we get back to the temple Tobius greets us and I hug him tightly.

"Um... Ratha?"

"I don't care. Just give me this." He returns the hug.

"She had a nightmare about you." Anakin informs him as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well I'm fine. You should know that." He looks into my eyes with concern and I avoid his stare, looking to the floor. He knows that something is wrong. Anakin and Obi-Wan report to the council while Tobi and I go back to our bedroom. It's time for me to explain my visions.