I am back once again Peeps! I'm really, honestly sorry I haven't been posting. Summer school and work has had me tied down. Also, I took this summer to start writing an original work. It's pretty cool.

Anyways... sorry. I hope you liked my little plot twist last chapter. Some are saying it was unexpected. Thank you, that's a compliment. This a AU after all.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and the chapters to come!

-WindrissQuinn

Drummond Kaas Space (Quinn and Jake)

Leaving the lift, Starkiller made his way back to the Twilight. It hadn't been touched. Good, at least someone was doing their job right. He stormed up the ramp and closed it violently behind him, making Jake jump.

"What's the matter with you?" he asked.

"Nothing, I'm fine", said Quinn, slamming his helmet down on the seat next to him.

"Dude, you are so not fine", said Jake shaking his head. "Who pissed you off?"

"I got promoted", said Quinn scowling.

"What?! That awesome...right? I mean, didn't you want to get promoted?"

"Yes and no."

"Come on. Stop being all cryptic. What happened?"

Quinn sighed. "I got the rank I wanted...Inquisitor. But they also made me a general in the Imperial army."

Jake raised his eyes. "And there is something wrong with that?"

"Yes. Them assigning me the rank of General can only mean one thing."

"Yeah, and what's that?"

"War, Jake. All out war."

"War? Like with the Republic?"

Quinn growled impatently. "No, the Mandalorians. Of course we're fighting the Republic, Jake!" he finished sarcasticly.

He started getting the engine running on the Twilight.

"Where are we..." Jake started to ask, but then stopped. Asking more questions probably wasn't the best idea right now.

"We're just moving to a different hanger. We'll park the Twilight next to my ship and await orders", Quinn answered anyway.

Jake nodded. The best thing right now was not to talk. So he remained silent.

The got clearance into Starkiller's hanger. It was small, and his ship took up most of the room, but the Twilight was small enough to fit in beside it. Jake gaped just a little at Quinn's ship.

"That's your ship?" he said with a little awe in his voice. "More like a house with wings."

Quinn shrugged. "It's fast and it serves it's purpose. It's just a ship."

"Just a ship", Jake scoffed. "She's beautiful."

They climed out and went up the ramp to the larger ship.

"So you live here?" asked Jake.

"Not really. I lived on Coruscant for awhile, before that, they had me traveling all of the time, and before that I lived at the training facilities. But now, who knows?"

"So they just want us to wait?"

"They want me to wait. They don't know you're with me. Not yet at least. But yeah, you're waiting with me."

Quinn went off to the cockpit and told Jake not to bother him. Jake knew better than to ask anymore questions. He got the feeling that if he asked one more, Starkiller would snap his neck. So instead, he wandered around the ship, looking into random rooms, trying to guess what was behind the few locked doors, but mainly trying to figure out what he was going to do next. He had seen Quinn. He had been with the empire since he was young. They had turned him into a killer, trained from a youngling. It was sick. But now, he, Jake, was part of this. Not willingly, he thought to himself.

What would he do? According to Starkiller, there was no way out if this. But if there was a way, Jake was going to find it.

Coruscant...Jedi Temple

"Tell us again, Master Ti, what you and Master Plo found traces of in that womans body?"

"There were traces of a highly toxic poison in her bloodstream. After a complete scan for injuries, we found a tiny, barely noticable dart wound in her neck. We believe this is the point of entry for the poison", said Master Ti evenly.

"So we are ignoring the fact that she had a lightsaber wound in her chest, and are focusing more on poisons?" asked Master Fisto.

"Well", said Plo Koon. "The poison might allow us to track the killer, whereas a lightsaber wound would not."

"But when the body was found, there was no dart?" asked Master Windu.

Plo shook his head. "No. The area was searched carefully. No such dart was found."

"Was there any apparent reason that this woman was targeted?" asked Master Billaba.

"We've considered several options. The most likely is that she was targeted because of her former position working as a haindmaiden for the Senator of Naboo, Senator Amidala."

Master Windu rubbed his chin. "Maybe someone mistook her for the Senator? We know that Senator Amidala uses decoys, this woman may have looked an awful lot like her."

"A good opinion, that is", commented Master Yoda. "See find anymore information on this poison, can you. Help track the killer, it might."

Masters Ti and Plo nodded and left the counsel chambers.

"Back to the lab then, I guess", said Shaak Ti.

"Yes I suppose so. Go ahead, I'll meet you there."

She nodded, and continued to walk away, towards the temple's lab.

Plo Koon had to stop off at the library before heading to the lab. He had left Anakin with the librarian and was quite certain that the boy was driving her insane. He had that effect on people.

Sure enough, Anakin was not studying Jedi history, but leaning back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. He quickly stood up when he noticed Master Plo standing near him.

"Um...I..." Anakin studdered.

"Not attending to your studies again, I see", said Master Plo.

"Well...I", muttered Anakin. The truth was, he really didn't want to study old Jedi textbooks. He wanted to blow them all up, if his master would have let him. Maybe someday, he thought wryly.

"Well, no matter anyways", said Master Plo. "I need you to help me research something. What do you know about poisons?"

"Poisons, Master?"

"Yes. Maybe one that would kill instantly?"

Anakin grinned inwardly. He knew exactly what kind of poison Master Plo was looking for. It was the poison from the dart that Starkiller had taken from Motee's body. Everything was going perfectly.

"I'll be happy to help with anything I can, Master Plo", he said.

"Well, come along then", said the Jedi.

Anakin followed the master to a set of secure doors guarded by one of the temple Jedi guards.

"Wait here, I'll be back in a few moments", said Master Plo. "I have to let Master Ti know that you are coming with me."

Anakin shrugged. "Okay", he said, leaning against the wall.

As soon as there was no one in sight, the guard pulled off his helmet.

"Hey Skywalker", said dark haired man.

"Hey...Rak, isn't it?"

"Yeah. Nice of you to remember. What are you doing in this part of the temple?"

Anakin shrugged. "I could ask the same of you. Do they shift you all over the temple?"

Rak nodded. "Yup. Wherever they need me to go."

"Does your job ever get, I don't know, boring?"

Rak sighed. "Well, to be honest, sometime it does. But it's a job, and I got promoted to knight so I could take it, so I'm content."

Master Plo Koon came out very suddenly. "Kinstra, your on duty. No removing your helmet."

Rak quickly put his helmet back on. "Sorry Master Plo."

Plo just shook his head and muttered something about this irresponsible generation.

"Come along Anakin", he said, leading the way into the lab part of the med wing. Master Shaak Ti was already waiting for them.

"So Anakin", she said. "Plo says you know a little something about poisons?"

Anakin nodded. "A little from what I've seen wen I was a pilot. I've been a lot of places, so I've seen some pretty weird stuff."

"Come", she said. "Look at this one. Do you recognize it?"

"It's a very small amount, but it looks like the poison they use in Kamino saber darts."

"Kamino?" asked Shaak Ti. "Is that a planet?"

"Uh huh. They're cloners. Damn good ones too. Kamino is beyond the outer rim."

"Cloners", Master Plo muttered to himself.

"Yup. Anything else I can help you with Masters?"

Shaak Ti shook her head. "No, thank you Skywalker. You have already been extremely helpful."

He nodded and bowed his head to each of them respectfully and left, patting Rak's shoulder armour on his way out.

After Anakin left, Plo turned to Shaak Ti. "We need to inform the counsel", he said.

"Tonight?!"

"Yup."

Padme shook her head. "I swear, if you girls pull anything like this on me again, I will fire you all!"

"No you wont", said Dorme from where she was painting Padme's nails a matte blue color. "Stop moving so much."

Padme sighed and sank back down in her chair. "What should I wear?" she asked.

Corde, Arica, and Dorme shared a look. Padme noticed. "What?" she said.

"Weeelll", said Corde. "Us girls", she said, motioning to the various handmaidens scattered around Padme's bedroom. "We all decided that we wanted to get you something new. Now now", she said, shushing Padme as she began to protest that she already had way to many clothes. "We know that, but we wanted something that you could wear for you. Not something for the senate, or for parties, but just for you. So, Dorme did the shopping and we got a few things. From us, because we're not just your haindmaidens, we're your friends."

Arica brought in a few bags and small boxes. Padme knew where those boxes came from. Her favorite jewelry store on Coruscant.

"You didn't have to", she protested.

"Oh yes we did", said Arica smiling.

Ellé, one of the other handmaidens gently nudged Arica. "It was mostly her idea", she said in her soft, quiet voice.

"Well thank you everyone. I could not be more surprised", said Padme smiling.

They handed her the largest bag first. Grinning, she pulled out something that was silver and shimmering. Standing up, she held the dress up to her. It was slim, with a high slit in it to allow movement. "Oh", was all she could manage to say.

"Do you like it?" said Sabé.

"Yes I do, very much. Thank you!"

The other boxes contained a necklace, earrings, high heels, (to make Padme look taller) and hair jewels. The last box Padme opened was not from any store she knew. She opened it to find an delicate silver armband with a purple stone set in it. "Where is this from?" she asked.

Arica smiled briefly. "It's a gift", she said. "From Moteé's fiancé. He said he wanted to thank you for everything you did to honor her. He gave it to me to give to you. Do you like it?"

"It's lovely", said Padme, her eyes watering. "He didn't have to. It must have cost him..."

"He made it."

"Then he missed his calling. He should have been a jeweler, instead of a soldier."

Straightening up, she smiled at all of them. "What happened to Moteé was tragic, but she would want us to keep going, keep fighting for the Republic, and stay happy. Thank all of you for being there for me."

They all nodded, then Corde glanced at the clock. "Oh my gosh, It's getting late, and we still have to get you completely ready. Let's go girls!"

The next two hours flew by in a whirlwind of activity. Padme was dressed, hair finished, makeup expertly applied. They didn't give her heavy makeup, but simply accented her fine features. When she was done, the girls stepped back to admire their work.

Padme was a sight beyond anything Mara had ever seen. She was amazing, like a delicate angel. Something in Mara ached like she had never felt before. She and Padme were so different. Padme was a Angel, sometimes avenging, but mostly loving, caring, and kind. Mara on the other hand, was a Demon, living by the sword, without a family save the men she called brothers, fellow demons. She enjoyed the kills, she loved the danger, and yet, somewhere deep down, she was still a woman, longing for someone to look at her the way she remembered her father looking at her mother, the way she saw young couples walking hand in hand down the streets of Coruscant. She wanted someone who knew her, could make her laugh, who would treat her like a precious treasure, and not a weapon. And people like Padme could have it all, everything they wanted. Friends, family,...love. Something she herself would never have. She had always thought to herself that people took family for granted, complained even sometimes about their families this or that. Those were the people that didn't deserve them.

Around her, the girl chatted and giggled with and about Padme, until finally Mara informed them that it was time for her to take Padme. They all wished Padme good luck, and Mara hopped in the drivers seat. Padme stepped carefully into the back, making sure not to step on her hem. Mara got out and closed Padme's door behind her.

"Ready?" she asked.

Padme nodded. "I feel more nervous than when I had to make my first speech as Queen of Naboo", she laughed in a slightly unsettled voice.

"I wouldn't worry to much. He's pretty chill."

Padme gave her a slight smile, but said nothing. From her window, Padme watched the lines of traffic moving through the duskey night sky. She was a little unsure of this plan, but she felt beautiful. She hoped this evening would turn out fine.

It wasn't long before they arrived. Pasme gasped. "Here?" she said. They had come to a stop infront of one of Coruscant's finest restraunts.

"Yup", said Mara smiling. She stepped out. and open Padme's door. Turing to the male Twi'lek valet she said "Please park for me."

He smiled and nodded. Mara helped Padme get out and straighten her dress. "Thanks", she said.

Padme heart was racing and she didn't know why. This was all so new and strange. "Where should I go?" she whispered to Mara.

"They'll seat you. Let me get an attendent."

She was back in less than ten seconds with... the manager?

"Senator Amidala! We are most honored to have you here tonight. If you would follow me, I will show you to your table."

With a quick glance back at Mara she followed the manager. Mara waved to her before wandering off to find the bar. She wanted somethig strong tonight to celebrate the start of a very successful mission.

Padme followed the manager to a private dining room. Taking a deep breath, she glanced quickly around the room.

Dim lighting, plush carpet, and it was quiet. Padme felt herself relax slightly. The smells that kept floating through the air smelled heavenly.

There was someone already seated at the table, but he stood when she approached.

"Senator Amidala?" he asked.

Padme felt herself smile inside, despite herself. This guy was as nervous as she was.

Graciously, he slid her chair out for her. She sat, trying to calm herself. Focus Padme. This is no different than any other dinner you've ever had in your life. But try as she might, she couldn't shake it. He sat down across from her, bashfully avoiding her eyes. It was cute, Padme decided.

"Well", she finally said, after a long awkward silence. "It's not quite fair that you know who I am, and I have no clue as to who you are."

His ears turned red. "Ha, sorry. My name is Adrian. Adrian Zarek."

Padme raised an eyebrow. "You don't mean that you own..."

"All of the major casinos, cantinas, and dancing companies? Yeah." He paused. "But I'm not really a party guy myself. I just make the profits from other who are."

"Really? So you're a business man? Not a bad start", said Padme smiling.

He grinned. "Well, when I took over the original company that had been my dad's, it was almost in ruins. My dad had got the company into a lot of debt. But, I decided to change that. So, when he passed, I became owner, CEO, everything. I built everything you see today from ground zero. We employ a lot of people galaxy wide." He paused for a breath. "I'm sorry. I'm talking about my business...on a date."

"It's fine", Padme said. "You seem really passionate about it. Never apoligize for opening up to someone about your interests. If they don't have the time to listen to what interests their date, they should just go home."

He absentmindedly rubbed his orange hair. "Wow, thanks. Usually, people think I'm boasting, or showing off, but my interprises really do interest me. But the only people who would listen are stuffy old business men who lack the imagination to ever try anything new."

Padme giggled. "Sometimes I feel that way too", she admitted. "A lot of the other senators are either old, corrupt, or set in their ways. There's only a handful of us who are really trying to make a difference, it seems like."

Adrian shrugged. "Let them be old and stuffy." He raised his glass. "Here's to the new generation, which will hopefully be a better one."

"I second that", said Padme with a shy smile.

Off at a table in the main dining room, Mara sat lazily sipping her drink. This was going too well...

Suddenly, she felt something. Something wrong. She looked around the posh seating area and bar, trying to see anything unusual. There was nothing however, and she uneasily settled back into her chair. Time to check in on the date.

She slid an earpiece on. It was an Imperial model, small and almost undetectable. Immediatly, it tuned into the room. She smiled to herself. Quinn defintely had a knack for electronics. The armband he had made for Padme was fitted with an audio bug and a tracker. She hoped Padme would really love the armband and wear it often. It made Mara's job so much easier.

Adrian was normally a smooth talker, but tonight... Mara smiled. He was stricken. She had to admit, Padme was a good looker when she dresses up, or at any other time for that matter.

But to her, the conversation was BORING. All giggles and compliments... ugh.

She turned her attention back to her drink. Almost empty. Getting up, she walker back over to the bar.

"Give me a double shot of strongest you've got", she said to the bartender.

He looked at her closely. "You sure about that, ma'am? Our strongest is pretty hard."

"Don't care."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself." Taking a key card out of his pocket, he scanned it next to a locked shelf. It unlocked, and took a small crystal bottle filled with icy blue liquid. He poured out two shots and slid them to her. "You sure?" he asked again.

"Positive."

"Alright then. But be warned. No one's been able to keep two down, let alone one. So good luck." He turned to a group of young men who were lounging at the tables near by. "Gentlemen, this young lady thinks she can take two shots of FireIce. Come watch."

Mara rolled her eyes. Dumbass she thought. I can take anything you throw at me.

The guys crowded around. "You're joking, right lady? People have been trying to keep that stuff down, but no one's done it yet. They just pass out, 'cause it's to much to handle."

Mara put on one of her flirting faces. "What? you don't think I can handle it? I bet you... hmm let me see." she paused. "I bet one hundred credits that I can keep not one, but two down... and not pass out until one hours time is up. You wanna take that bet mister?"

The guy laughed. He had "My daddy's a rich man" written all over him. "Sure baby", he said, winking. "I'll take it." Then leaning back towards his pals he whispered loudly, "I bet I can take her too, if I want."

The guys all laughed. Mara pretended not to notice. She had sharp ears, but might as well not advertise the fact.

Gripping the first shot glass, she stared down the rich boy and took the whole thing in one gulp. Before she had time to think, she quickly downed the second. Woah, it was pretty strong. She shook her head. Things were a bit fuzzy, but still she didn't feel like she had overdone herself.

"Done", she said. "I'll wait an hour, then I'll pick up my money. Thanks." She turned and went back to her table, her steps even and straight. The guys at the bar stared in disbelief.

"How?" one said. "Why?" said another. Mara just ignored them. She felt warm and comfortable, but not tipsy. She tuned back into the date. They were at dessert course, which meant they were almost done.

"So what is something that you really enjoy doing?" said Adrian.

"Hmmm. Really enjoy, or something that's just fun?" said Padme.

"Really enjoy."

"Okay, let me think. Well, I really really love swimming, though I don't have a ton of free time. You see, I grew up on Naboo, literally swimming before I could walk. My family has a private lakehouse and we used to go there a lot. Mainly during the summers."

Adrian nodded. "That's nice. My dad was always too busy to take me anywhere, but my mom always would take me to those amazing parks near the south part of Coruscant. I was an only child, but there were always other people there. Yes, yes I know. Not as cool as lake houses, but still fun. I'm born and bred on Coruscant, so it's the best we had."

"I like that Coruscant has some parks", said Padme. "Otherwise it would be such a dead planet. I miss the green of Naboo sometimes."

"And you miss the lakes", said Adrian laughing.

"That too. I have a small pool... well, more like a really big bathtub at my penthouse. Not really big enough to swim in."

"Weelll... said Adrian. "I do own one of the most exclusive water resorts on Coruscant. We could go there sometime... that is, if you want to keep... I don't know..."

"Are you trying to ask me out on a second date?" said Padme, secretly hoping he was.

"Well, if you... wanted to, yeah."

"I think that would be lovely."

"Really? Wow, um okay. Sounds great. Thanks."

"I do have to ask you one thing though", said Padme.

He looked at her, suddenly nervous. "Yeah?"

"I have this... thing I have to attend. One of my Senator friends and his wife is throwing it. You wouldn't be opposed to, say, going with me?"

He grinned. "Um sure. Absolutely."

She smiled shyly. "Thanks Adrian."

Mara grinned as she listened. The couple was almost done with their last course. She had just collected her one hundred credits from the rich jerk, and now was only waiting on Padme to finish up.

Suddenly, something stung her. Something was wrong. She had felt it lingering throughout the evening. Something nagging on her senses. Quickly looking around she saw the door that led to the private dining room. She jumped up and started sprinting as fast as she could towards the room.

Padme stood. "I had a really nice time Adrian, thanks. This restraunt was really nice."

He stood with her and helped her slip her light jacket on. "It was my pleasure Padme. I too had a great evening. Be sure to tell Ma...Arica thank you for me. If it wasn't for her, I would probably be eating chips and watching holonet re-runs tonight."

"You do that too?" Padme laughed. "I do that after a long and particularly stressful day at the senate.

He offered her his arm. "Well, I'm like any other twenty-something year old. Just more responsibili..."

His words were cut short by a bolt from a blaster smashing through the window and hitting right behind them. Padme screamed, but Adrian shoved her to the floor only just in time. The second bolt past right where her head had been. Unfortunetly, the sniper, whoever it was, was an undeniably good shot. The third bolt followed the second so close, that Adrian had no time to move out of the way. It hit him square in the chest.

He gasped, and sank down to his knees with a shocked look on his face.

Just then, Mara came busting through the door, blaster in hand. Rolling behind a food cart, she sent several shots back out the hole in the glass where the first shots had come through. Jumping up, she grabbed Padme by the arm and pulled her behind the table. "Stay here", she hissed. She popped out and sent a fewe more shots in the general direction of the sniper before darting over and dragging Adrian with her. They could hear sirens in the distance.

Mara leaned down and slung Adrian's arm over her shoulder. Half dragging half stumbling, she got him through the door that she had just come from. Padme followed, crouching, hoping she wouldn't get shot.

She made it through the door, and Mara slammed it shut behind them. Police and Medics were arriving and the whole restrant was in an uproar. Padme knelt by Adrian's head.

"Is he going to be alright?" she asked Mara.

Mara pursed her lips and said nothing.

The rest of the evening was a blur. The police needed details, medics quickly came and took Adrian away, and lo and behold, even a jedi or two showed up. Padme looked across the room and caught eyes with the one of the last people she wanted to see right now. Anakin Skywalker.

Well Peeps, hope you enjoyed. I'm not sure when I'll post next, so I made this chapter a bit longer than I origianally planned. Talk to me in the comments, pretty please? I miss you guys ;)