A/N: Uh, hi everyone. Sorry for the long wait and short chapter. Thank you all so much for reveiwing, and please, continue to let me know what you think, especially with this one. I'm really worried about this chapter, because it's... well, just let me know your opinion, please, especially if there are any sentences you had to re-read to understand. Thank you all so much and I hope you enjoy?

To Save the Queen

Chapter 20: Return

Standing outside of the supply close was Obi-Wan Kenobi. We all stared at him.

"Your highness," Kenobi bowed, looking almost as ridiculous bowing to people inside of a supply closet as we looked crowded into one, "Master Jinn wishes to speak to you."

I raised an eyebrow, "He is here?"

"No, your highness. He has contacted me through my comm link and wishes to speak to you," explained Kenobi.

"Thank you, Ambassador Kenobi," I replied gravely, "I will take the call."

I glanced at Rabé and Eirtaé who were both standing in front of me, close enough together that it would be a very tight fit if I tried to squeeze out of the closet between them. I waited for a beat, wondering how I was going to get close enough to take the comm link from Kenobi. Rabé and Eirtaé exchanged quick glances and looked at where I was stuck in the back. Eirtaé grimaced and Rabé gave me a sympathetic look. Then, Rabé moved forward, Eirtaé moved backward and they both stood off to the right, making themselves as small as possible.

I almost winced as I glanced at the tiny walkway they'd managed to make for me and the bucket that was directly in my path. Not seeing any way around it, I lifted up my skirts, accidentally showing all a million of my petticoats to Kenobi as I squeezed my way to the front of the closet, tripping as I made it past Rabé and Eirtaé. I was amazingly thankful for the thick white make up because I knew I was blushing scarlet underneath it.

Dropping my skirts back down and giving them a brisk brush with as much dignity as I could, I reached out my hand. Kenobi, whose eyes were definitely smirking at me, gave me the comm link.

"Ambassador Jinn?" I asked, struggling to remember Eirtaé's lecture about comm link etiquette, "You asked to speak to me?" There, I thought with some satisfaction. I identified myself without having to actually say my name, which I remembered Eirtaé saying was undignified, for some reason.

"Yes, your highness," Jinn's deep voice came clearly over the comm link. "I am pleased to inform you that the venture I took on has worked. We will be returning with the needed parts in about two hours."

I stood there in shock for about five minutes before recovering myself, "I am very pleased to hear that, Ambassador. Thank you for your help."

"Of course. Expect us soon, your highness," Jinn advised, his tone making it clear the conversation was over.

"We shall," I responded gravely, handing the comm link back to Kenobi. "Thank you, Ambassador. Come, it would seem there is no longer any pressing need to inspect the supplies," I resisted the urge to make a cutting comment about Jinn's stupid plan as Kenobi stepped aside to let me walk out of the closet. I heard Rabé and Eirtaé follow behind me.

Before long, we made it to the throne room and I sat down regally in the throne, my head spinning. I couldn't believe that Jinn's plan had worked. It was crazy, insane, and yet…

Slowly, I came to the conclusion that, as a Jedi, Jinn must have some kind of extra sense, or extra luck or something and just went with it.

However, after that, the boredom started up again.

But, before I could nod off, I heard a commotion outside. I subtly craned my neck to see what was going on. A lot of people were rushing back and forth past my doorway, all chatting and laughing and sounding relieved. Jinn had probably gotten back with the parts, I thought, wishing I could run out there with everyone else.

But, embracing my inner Queen (who had the patience of a saint), I remained seated as everyone else scurried back and forth. Luckily, before even the Queen's patience could be tried, a small dark haired girl in a blue tunic glided into the room.

I couldn't stop myself. A grin spread across my face for one brief moment before I controlled it.

"Padmé," I greeted with a nod of my head.

Padmé grinned at me too, looking as though she was only barely stopping from jumping up and down.

"Your highness," She bowed low before me. As always, I felt a sense of surrealism come over me (the Queen was bowing to me!), but quickly squashed it down.

"Come, let us hear your report," I stood up.

Padmé bowed to me again and then fell in line behind me. We quickly reached our private quarters. The moment the door closed behind us, Eirtaé, Rabé and I pounced.

"So?"

"What was it like?"

"Who's the boy?"

"What did you do about the storm?"

"How awful was Qui-Gon?"

"How on earth did we win?"

"Sabé thought we were going to be stuck on Tatooine forever!"

"We had a back-up plan and everything!"

"I'm so glad we won't have to use it."

"Now what?"

"Was it as sandy and hot out there as it looked?"

"Sabé almost blew your cover."

"I did not!"

"You got caught coming out of a supply closet! That's kind of suspicious!"

"I gave a really good excuse for that!"

"And you keep talking to Kenobi."

"He doesn't suspect anything!"

"What is a podrace exactly?"

"Oh please, he's not stupid."

"What are we going to do now?"

"Quiet!" Padmé laughed, holding up both of her hands to stop us from continuing, "Too many questions! But yes, Tatooine was hot, sandy and miserable. There were all sorts of unsavory sentients around and there's still slavery. I couldn't believe it! The boy who won us the race is a slave and we stayed with him and his mother. His name's Anakin and he's really sweet. And, he was absolutely amazing in the podrace! Everyone else kept cheating, and running into each other, but he was fantastic. He kept a cool head and he won! Ani won! So we got our parts and we're all ready to go. As soon as we get to Coruscant, I'll be Queen again and plead our case before the senate. And Rabé, a podrace is… it's madness. That's the only way to describe it. It's fast, it's dangerous and you need unbelievably good reflexes to even have a chance of competing. And what do you mean, Eirtaé? How did Sabé almost blow my cover? And what did you say about a supply closet?"

Eirtaé gave me a somewhat reluctant look. I sighed and waved for her to continue. Eirtaé, bless her heart, didn't want to get me in trouble, but felt that it was her duty to let the Queen know about the possible danger. I understood. So I just stood there, feeling ridiculous and a bit like a fake in the Queen's amazing black travel gown while Eirtaé listed off my sins.

When she was done, Padmé was silent for a long time.

Then, very quietly, she asked, "A supply closet?"

I winced, "Sorry."

Padmé began to chuckle, shaking her head at me, "Sabé, you are strange. Why didn't you just go back to our room?"

"Er," I began to flush, "Well, I—uh, I was kind of afraid, um, that, well, that Eirtaé would kill me," I finished in a rush, biting my lip in worry.

"Well," Padmé continued, "You covered pretty well for yourself. But next time? Just go back to the room. Rabé will make sure Eirtaé doesn't kill you, okay?"

"I will?" asked Rabé, looking alarmed.

"You will," Padmé affirmed before continuing, "And, please, no more midnight talks with Padawan Kenobi. I understand why you had them, and I can't even say that I wouldn't have done the same. But, Sabé, we need to be extra careful, because we're not who we say we are. Do you understand?" she asked.

I felt my heart sink and I nodded miserably, "I understand," I murmured, "I'm sorry, milady."

"That's alright," she gave me a reassuring smile, "Just, please, don't do it again."

I nodded again, still looking down at my feet.

"Although," added Padmé slyly, "I would have loved to have seen everyone's expression when you came out of tha—"

Thump, Thump, Thump!

We all whirled toward the door.

"Your highness! Your highness!"

I hurriedly opened the door, afraid of what might be going on.

Captain Panaka was standing outside. He shoved past me and closed the door behind me.

We all stared at him in shock.

"Milady, I need to speak with you about…certain happenings," Captain Panaka announced formally, facing Padmé, not me.

"Of course, Captain," Queen Amidala agreed regally, "What have you to say?"

"Alone, your highness, if I could," Panaka said tightly.

We all exchanged looks.

Padmé turned back to Panaka, "Of course Captain. Sabé, wait in the throne room. I'll meet you there once the Captain and I are done. We'll talk more later," she explained, sounding every inch a Queen.

I bowed, every inch the handmaiden, "Of course, your highness."

Padmé nodded at us and left.

I sighed, "Come on. Back to the torture chamber for us."

"Wonderful," Eirtaé agreed grumpily.

Rabé laughed, "So good-natured and upbeat, you two. Come on," she grinned. "Let's go."

Eirtaé and I looked at each other.

"Stupid optimists," I grumbled good-naturedly.

"So irritating," Eirtaé agreed, with a small smile.

And the three of us left the room.