A/N: My apologizes for the lateness of this chapter. End of school stuff for my kids has been kicking my tail. Thank you to the reviewers and followers! I hope you enjoy this chapter. We are moving into Attack of the Clones and so I'm pulling from the movie script and the novelization.

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ColdOnePaul: Thank you! She will certainly be seeing Master Yoda again.

Guest: Thank you for your kind words!

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As always, all credit goes to George Lucas. I'm just a dreamer.

Seven years later ...

The sun was setting as Kat stared out the window. If she closed her eyes she could believe she was twenty two again, with hardly a care in the world. And now trouble had come almost to their doorstep again. The news that the Trade Federation had joined the Separatists threw even worse implications into the mess. That was what Padmé was now discussing with Captain Panaka and his nephew and Kat somewhat tuned it out. She just took in the sight of her home before her, enjoying it while she had the opportunity. They would be headed back to Coruscant in a few of days; no matter the dangers facing her Padmé would not miss the crucial vote on the Military Creation Act. Since becoming Naboo's Senator at the request of the new Queen Padmé had shown herself to be a staunch supporter of democracy and the Republic. When the motion had been made to create an army to fight back against the Separatists she had been one of the most vocal against it. Nothing would keep her from voting against it.

"Please do not speak about me as though I am not here." Padmé's tense voice cut through her thoughts and she turned to face the three behind her.

"In matters of security, Senator, you are not here," Captain Panaka replied. "At least your voice is not. My nephew reports to me and his responsibilities on this matter cannot be undermined. Take all precautions." With those words Panaka bowed and left the room. Kat stifled a snicker. She agreed with him but knew her friend would not appreciate the statement at all. She caught Padmé's eye and could see the irritation there though she knew her friend was well aware of the truth in Panaka's words as well as she. "We will be vigilant, Senator," Captain Typho said when Padmé turned back to him.

"I have my duty and that duty demands that I return to Coruscant."

"And I have my duty," the man said giving her a bow identical to his uncle's before he too left the room. The two females watched him go and Padmé gave a sigh. While Kat was sure the younger man was completely capable, it would have been more comfortable to know Panaka would be with them in these very dangerous times. It was almost like the Trade Federation blockade ten years before: danger surrounding her Queen - now Senator - and needing to leave Naboo with extra security.

"Sometimes I feel like time is slipping past me, Kat."

"Why do you say that?"

Padmé didn't answer right away, motioning for her to follow. The two walked through the corridors in companionable silence. Kat could feel her conflicting thoughts, knew the two directions she was feeling pulled in.

"It's something Sola said a couple of weeks ago. She asked when I would do something for me, when would I think about settling down? This isn't the first time she's voiced such thoughts to me but for some reason this time ..."

"You listened?" Padmé grinned at her response. They had known each other a long time, since they were children, and Kat was the only one allowed - or dared - to tease her in such a way.

"Yes, I suppose so. I am not dissatisfied with my life, helping others is all I have ever wanted to do, but I guess her words got to me this time. When will I do something just for me? Most of the students that joined the Legislator program with me have left public service and have families now. Even most of my former handmaidens have retired and married yet here I am." She paused and glanced at Kat apologetically. "I'm sorry, Kat, I didn't mean -"

"It's alright, Padmé, you didn't say anything wrong. I'm over thirty now and have realized marriage and a family probably isn't in my future and I'm okay with that. It might be kind of hard living that closely with someone and being able to hear all their thoughts." Kat gave her friend a smile and Padmé just shoved her arm slightly.

"Well, what if that husband could read your thoughts as well?"

She paused. "What do you mean by that?"

Padmé looped their arms together and spoke in a quiet voice. "What if that husband was a Jedi?"

"Are you sure the stress isn't getting to you, Senator?"

"Don't play coy with me, Katavé Diaanti. I might have been preoccupied with the blockade but I wasn't so totally focused on it that I didn't see the way you and the young Jedi - Obi-Wan? - were together."

It was Kat's turn to sigh. "That was ten years ago. While I might have enjoyed his company and even liked him, I'm sure it was pretty much all on my side."

"For someone who could have been a Jedi you are remarkably blind." Padmé took her hands. "He noticed you and was attracted to you just as much as you were to him."

"Is there a point to this conversation? I thought we were talking about your life. Besides, he is a Jedi; there is no future there. Marriage is forbidden to them."

"I would just like you to be happy."

"I could say the same to you."

Padmé squeezed her arm and they continued through the palace.

The Naboo Royal Cruiser skimmed through the buildings and traffic of Coruscant with ease. The three Naboo fighters surrounding it, one in front and two behind, kept a close eye out for any threats. Senator Amidala had garnered many enemies during her time as Queen of Naboo and now as Senator, enemies with endless resources at their disposal, and with the vote on the Military Creation Act looming it was well known the Senator from Naboo would be returning to the Capital. When the landing pad came in view the ship slowed and began making its descent.

Inside the vessel Kat waited at the landing ramp, two Naboo guards in front of her, Cordé disguised as Padmé behind her, and then more Naboo guards. She could sense their nervousness, she too was worried, but they were doing what had to be done to protect the Senator. It had been quite sometime since Padmé had used a decoy but Panaka and Typho both agreed it would be wise to employ such tactics this time. Predictably, Padmé had argued, not wanting to put her friend in such danger, but Cordé had agreed with the men; she knew the risks and was willing to take them. Dormé had been sent ahead to make sure the Senator's apartment was safe and ready and Kat had insisted on coming as well. Master Bel had sent her back to stay with Padmé and so by her side she would remain. The ship set down on the landing pad and the landing ramp lowered. Kat could see the pilots of the three starfighters already walking in their direction as they exited the cruiser.

She felt something approaching as her feet hit the permacrete of the landing pad but before she could say or do anything there was a tremendous blast behind her, the concussion sending her flying like a doll across the ground. Reaching out with the Force she managed to slow her slide and grabbed a railing post before it pushed her over the edge and plummeting hundreds of stories. Her body jerked to a stop and she felt something pop in her left shoulder. Her ears ringing from the explosion, Kat could do nothing but lay there, dazed and with burning pain in her hand and up her arm. She slowly became aware of alarms blaring and the smell of smoke.

"Kat?! KAT?!" a frantic female voice yelled. She managed to roll onto her back and Padmé was suddenly leaning over her, Captain Typho at her shoulder. "Thank the stars you're alive!"

"What happened?" she managed to ask.

"An explosion in the ship."

"Is everyone okay?" She looked up when her friend remained silent and she saw the truth in her eyes. "Who?"

"Milady, you are still in danger and Kat needs medical attention. Let's have this conversation somewhere safer." Typho's voice was tense with worry.

"Listen to him," Kat said and he looked at her gratefully. Padmé nodded, reaching down to help her up. With Typho's assistance they got her to her feet and the three of them hurried to the waiting airtaxi, the droid R2D2 following along behind them.

"I shouldn't have come back."

"Stop talking such nonsense. This vote is important. You have worked too long and too hard to defeat it to not be here when it's fate is decided," Kat lightly scolded.

"But you ... and Cordé ..."

"We've been through this already. Cordé knew the danger and was willing to take that risk in order to see you safely here for this vote. And I am perfectly fine."

Padmé turned from where Dormé was arranging her hair, a frown on her face. "Fine? You have burns on your hand and your shoulder was dislocated."

"Burns that will heal and a shoulder that has already been reset and will be fine."

"Does nothing ruffle your nerves?"

"I'll let you know as soon as something does." Padmé just rolled her eyes and stood to finish dressing for her surprise address to the Senate. Word had spread that she had been killed in the assassination attempt and they had not bothered to contradict it. Her sudden appearance in the Senate would have quite an impact.

"I will make my speech and then go to see the Chancellor. Perhaps he will have received some information on who did this." Kat shrugged with her uninjured shoulder. She didn't like Chancellor Palpatine. She didn't know why but she always felt he was hiding something. Perhaps it was because he was a politician; she didn't like most of the ones she'd encountered in her two previous trips with Padmé. But in the ten years since his election it just didn't seem like he had done much to fix the problems in the galaxy.

"Let me know how that goes and please be careful."

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"We have a new assignment for you and your apprentice, Master Kenobi," Mace told him. "There has been another attempt on the life of Senator Amidala. Her ship exploded moments after landing this morning. The Senator was unharmed but a few guards and one of her ladies were killed in the blast. At the request of Chancellor Palpatine, you and young Skywalker are being tasked with staying near the Senator and protecting her while we try to discover the identity of her attacker." Obi-Wan stiffened at the words but no one seemed to notice. He had tried not to think of her in the years since they'd parted but he hadn't been completely successful. He had no way of knowing if she was even still in Padmé's service but to hear that one of the former queen's ever present attendants had been killed sent a wave of panic through him.

"What caused the explosion?"

"It appears something hit it from the outside but there wasn't much left of the cruiser to be inspected," Mace told him. "The two of you are expected this evening." Obi-Wan recognized the dismissal and made his bow, Anakin following suit. As they turned to leave Yoda called out to them.

"Displeased with this order the Senator was. Warm welcome do not expect."

Obi-Wan was not surprised at this, he well remembered how strong willed the former Queen of Naboo was. He could sense the disappointment in his Padawan, however, and frowned inwardly. Anakin had not concealed his crush on the young Queen and though he had hoped time would diminish those feelings, that seemed to not be the case. He would have to have another discussion with his young apprentice about how those feelings were not appropriate.

She paced back and forth in her small room. The summons would come any moment and she would once again be face to face with him. Ten years was a long time but those feelings she had first discovered during the battle for Naboo had not faded. She kept them locked away, only pulling them out occasionally. There had been those couple of trips to the Capital with Padmé since returning from her training with Master Bel and there had been some hope in the back of her mind that their paths might cross. They hadn't and she had left each time feeling slightly disappointed but resigned. His name had popped up on the holonet occasionally but not enough for her tastes; not enough to keep her informed of how he was doing. And now he would be close by for possibly some time, trying to keep Padmé safe in the face of this mystery attacker. Would he even remember her? A knock on her door told her it was time. Taking a deep breath and smoothing her skirts with a hand that shook just a little, she entered the hallway and followed Dormé to the sitting room.

The two brown robed figures were already speaking with Padmé and Captain Typho, Jar Jar standing nearby, when they entered and took their places. When they all turned towards the newcomers Katavé felt like the breath had been knocked from her body. She didn't even really hear the words being exchanged between the Jedi and Padmé. Before her stood not the dashing young man she remembered but a devastatingly handsome man in his prime. Even though his Jedi robes she could see still broad shoulders. His auburn hair had been allowed to grow out and he now sported a beard, which didn't cover the maturity in his face. The piercing blue eyes were the same. Her heart beat rather erratically and she took several deep breaths to calm herself, looking down and fidgeting with the bandage on her hand as she did so. Knowing he would probably be able to sense how flustered she was Kat tried to release all those emotions into the Force as Master Bel had taught her. She happened to glance up and caught Obi-Wan's eyes on her, almost losing the small bit of composure she'd managed to build up. There was relief on his face, which she didn't understand, but flashed her a quick smile which she returned.

"My two attendants," Padmé introduced, gesturing in their direction. "You have not met Dormé, Master Kenobi, but you probably remember Katavé. She served me during the blockade." Kat knew exactly what she was up to but kept her face calm.

"Yes, I remember Kat quite well." Obi-Wan gave her another smile. "It is a pleasure to see you again, milady."

"And I am glad our paths have finally crossed again, Obi-Wan." He kept his eyes on her a moment longer before turning back to Padmé.

"Our presence will be invisible, milady," he assured her.

"I am very grateful you are here, Master Kenobi," Typho spoke up. "The situation is more dangerous than the Senator will admit."

"I don't want more security. I need answers. I want to know who is trying to kill me. I believe that there might lie an issue of the utmost importance to the Senate. There is something more here ..."

"We are here to protect you, Senator, not to start an investigation," he said carefully. Kat could sense that he was a bit conflicted on this matter.

"We will find out who's trying to kill you, Padmé. I promise you." They all stared at Anakin as he spoke up in contradiction of his Master. The young man's face visibly flushed in embarrassment and she felt a measure of sympathy for him. He was obviously eager.

"We are not going to exceed our mandate, my young Padawan learner." Obi-Wan's tone was sharp and Kat had a feeling this wasn't the first time the two had had this particular argument.

"I meant in the interest of protecting her, Master."

"We are not going through this exercise again, Anakin. You will pay attention to my lead."

"Why?" Kat's sympathy for him fled at that one word. She knew it could be hard when you were still a student but mentors are there for a reason. And to openly question his Master like that? She met Padmé's puzzled gaze from across the room

"What?" Obi-Wan asked, astonishment in his voice.

"Why else do you think we were assigned to her if not to find the killer? Protection is a job for local security, not Jedi. Its overkill, Master. An investigation is implied in our mandate."

"We will do as the Council has instructed," Obi-Wan countered. "And you will learn your place, young one."

"Perhaps with merely your presence about me the mysteries surrounding this threat will be revealed," Padmé, ever the diplomat, broke in to diffuse an unexpectedly tense conversation. "Now if you will excuse me, I will retire." The two Jedi bowed as she left the room followed by Dormé. Kat made to go with them but Padmé motioned for her to stay. She sighed and stepped up to join the three males.

"Well, I know that I'm glad to have you here," Captain Typho said. "I don't know what's going on but the Senator can't have too much security. The Jedi Council seems to think that miners have something to do with this but I don't agree."

"What have you learned?" Anakin asked and Kat didn't miss the warning look Obi-Wan shot him. "We'll be better prepared to protect the Senator if we have some idea what we're up against." She couldn't argue with his logic and from the expression on his face neither could Obi-Wan.

Typho made a gesture of frustration. "Not much. She leads the opposition against the creation of an army, determined to deal with the Separatists with negotiations and not force. Even though the attempts on her life have failed it seems to have only strengthened opposition against her."

Obi-Wan ran a hand thoughtfully through his beard. "And since the Separatists would not logically want an army formed ..."

"We're left without a clue," Typho finished for him. "I'll have an officer on every floor and I'll be at the command center downstairs. If you'd like to look around the place I'm sure Kat can show you around." He gave the Jedi Master a quick bow and exited into the turbolift.

The two Jedi turned towards her expectantly and she nodded, motioning them to follow her. Anakin was stopped by Jar Jar who seemed to want to talk and so Obi-Wan alone came with her.