Tomorrow:

For most of the day Christa had been successful in avoiding Mr. Kenobi and the others. For his visit had been more than a business call, but a social visit as well. Despite herself, she could not help analyzing Mr. Kenobi's behavior that afternoon. The way his eyes swept over her as though she were not there. She was vexed that he cared not to acknowledge her, other than to ask the whereabouts of Mr. Organa. Why bother coming at all, then, if he were not going to speak to her? Why not send Anakin alone?

As Christa sat in her room mending her favorite dress and thinking about her brief encounter with Mr. Kenobi, she heard a knock upon the door. It was a servant droid with a request from Breha to join her and the others in the drawing room. When Christa arrived, her face in a sweat, and her hair tusseled wildly about her head, the men turned and looked at her, their attention drawn from their game of cards - their eyes a silent negative appraisal of her unkempt appearance.

Breha beckoned her to join the women, who sat on the sofa and comfortably along the chaise chatting amongst themselves.

"We have bored ourselves beyond comprehension, dear. Do join us, for your lively conversation has been missed. You have been so strange today and so... anxious, dear." Then leaning forward to whisper, "But I have no doubt, a certain gentleman is responsible for that, and I can hardly say I blame you -- the man is loathesome," she chirped.

Breha was never satisifed with any conversation that did not devolve into an ugly bit of gossip.

"Oh momsy, you are too fastidious! I daresay, he has been a perfect gentleman this afternoon," said Padme.

"But he was horrible to Chrissy and for that I shan't forgive him," Breha replied, as though Padme were the most ridiculous person in the world.

Christa sat with the women, and quickly diverted the conversation to talk of dresses. But Breha was not content with this sort of small talk. There was a time when Christa would have been more than happy to engage in such conversations, but today, would have no talk of Mr. Kenobi - for her words may give something away.

"Now, now, there is to be no talk of Mr. Kenobi," Christa ordered. "Let us ignore him, for he could only benefit from being the focus of our attentions."

"Very well then. We shall talk about Mr. and Mrs. Binks. I hear the Chancellor has continued his patronage of the couple, and that Mr. Binks has advanced in the senate."

"It is the chancellor who will benefit from it more than Mr. Binks," Christa replied.

By now, Mr. Kenobi had left the card game to stand over the women. Christa turned, feeling his heated eyes upon the back of her head.

"And in what manner, may I ask, would the chancellor benefit from the promotion of Mr. Binks?" Mr. Kenobi asked.

Christa steadied her shakey hands, then replied, "Loyalty. The chancellor has taken a less than diplomatic role in the war, and should he wish to continue it, he'll have the vote of Mr. Binks in the referendums to further his cause."

"But the chancellor is an honorable man, he is doing his best to end the war."

A large sigh escaped Padme's lips. "I'm afraid not," Padme replied. "The Chancellor has given himself unlimited power, and there is now a vote on the Senate floor to elect him commander over clone troops. And since the troops are commanded by the Jedi Council, this would give them control over the Jedi Order."

"I agree," Bail entered, now away from his card game, with Anakin by his side. "The Chancellor is becoming more powerful by the day, in a manner I find rather unnecessary, regardless of war."

"This is the first I have ever heard about the Chancellor electing himself Commander in chief over the troop forces."

"This, my friend, is because the bill has been introduced to the floor, and has not yet been disclosed to the public."

Obi Wan Kenobi stroked his chin, seeming to lapse into deep thought. "If what you say is true, without doubting you of course, it is certainly very troubling."

The room was suddenly quiet, and very tense. Christa sat with her hands clapsed across her lap. She looked down, not wishing to look at him again.

"I'll not allow the evening to devolve into talk of politics," Bail Organa said. "Let us share a drink, then retire. For we have a long trip tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Mr. Kenobi asked.

"We go back to Alderaan," Bail answered.

Christa turned, and found her eyes had met with Mr. Kenobi - she then quickly looked away.