Chapter 25 - Going Home
One Week Later
"Are you sure you should be moving so soon?" Padmé asked worriedly.
"I'm absolutely fine, Padmé," Voraté huffed for the thousandth time. She stuffed some more items into their luggage before turning back to their closets for more. "The wounds on my back and legs were healed before I arrived on Coruscant and I barely get a twinge from my arm now."
One of the mechno fingers on her new hand started spazzing and making grinding noises. Voraté sighed and tugged a hydrospanner out of her toolbox and tinkered with the gears inside the metal appendage. She didn't mind the arm since it was only temporary, but the low-quality part glitched several times a day. With a few quick twists, she tightened the screws and nudged a wire back into place.
"Not again?" Padmé looked up from where she was accepting some armor and weapons R2-D2 was handing her and placed them into the baggage. "Thank you, Artoo. That's the third time today."
"That's what you get with shoddy workmanship," Voraté shrugged. "Not to worry. By this time next week, or maybe sooner, I'll have a new arm. Anakin is bringing the designs and prototypes with us to Naboo."
All the time she'd spent in the Temple healing halls and on forced bed rest in the Nubian Senatorial quarters had been excruciatingly boring; she was used to filling every waking moment with training, directing her people, protecting Padmé, or fiddling with some sort of tech. Luckily, her sister had predicted this would happen and brought her a pad to record her ideas on. She had come up with a design for her arm, which she had combined with Anakin's when they had met up a few days ago to celebrate his new status as a Jedi Knight. They basically had the same idea, to make the arm out of vacierite with songsteel plating. Voraté decided she was going to incorporate a life signature scrambler directly into her arm, along with secret compartments for her hybrid quarterstaff and any other small items she might have. Losing her arm had not been ideal, but what's done is done, so she was going to make the most of it.
R2-D2 beeped a warning as the elevators hissed open in the common area and a set of heavy and light footsteps came towards the sleeping area. Captain Typho stepped into the room.
"Ladies, you have a visitor," He said in an even tone.
Voraté raised an eyebrow. Why hadn't he commed her to let her know they had a visitor? And why did he look like he was suppressing a smile?
"We're not receiving any visitors now, Captain," Padmé said, tilting her head slightly.
"Not even me?" An amused voice asked. Rabé peeked her head around the corner with an impish grin on her face. She was completely healed, save for a few pinkish burns on her neck.
"Rabé!" Voraté and Padmé squealed. They dropped whatever they were holding and ran to embrace their sister-in-arms. The three women collided in a circle of tightly hugging arms and exuberantly shouted in joy. Typho grinned at their enthusiasm and quietly made himself scarce.
"How are you doing? Are you sure you should be walking?"
"We thought we lost you!"
"I'm fine!" Rabé chuckled, returning their tight embraces. "The burns on my neck are still healing, but the healers say those should disappear soon. I've been given a clean bill of health."
Voraté squeezed her arms tightly around her friend, thanking the stars she had returned. "I didn't get a chance to say this before. Thank you for saving my life."
"Anything for you, my sister," Rabé said honestly. "Now," She put her hands on her hips and stared seriously at them. "I have some questions for you two. Captain Typho gave me the shorthand version of what's happened since I was injured. I'm out of action for a few weeks and the two of you get embroiled in a war?"
"It's not our fault," Padmé sighed dramatically. "The Trade Federation Viceroy wants my head and the Separatists hired the assassins to cement their partnership with the Federation."
"Huh. Captain Typho also said something about a battle on Geonosis," Rabé raised an eyebrow at the women. "Padmé, please tell me you weren't there."
"Of course she wasn't. I'm still in charge of her security. What do you take me for?" Voraté rolled her eyes. "Though I'm still surprised you didn't charge off after us." She poked Padmé playfully.
"I was tempted to follow you to Tatooine," Padmé admitted. "And if you'd told me you were going to Geonosis, I would have come to help."
"Which is precisely why she didn't tell you," Rabé surmised. She tugged them into the common area and down with her onto the plush gray couch. "So besides that, what have you ladies been up to?" Her eyes twinkled as if she already knew the answer.
"Well, there's…" Padmé was interrupted as the common room doors swished open again.
Beleré walked into the room and straightened her spine and reverted into security officer mode as she saw the newcomer. Recognition sparked in both ladies' eyes as they examined each other. Rabé stiffened, but the peace-loving woman didn't pull a weapon.
"Lady Taren," Beleré bowed respectfully. "I'm overjoyed to see you have recovered. Your act of heroism is well-known among our people."
"Beleré," Rabé said with a tinge of shock as she studied the woman. "Or is it Lady Darsten now?"
"It is," Beleré confirmed. "I was chosen as one of Queen Jamillia's primary handmaidens, but please just call me by my given name. I've been reassigned to Senator Amidala's security detail for the foreseeable future."
"I see," A thoughtful look crossed Rabé's face. She looked between Beleré and Padmé before breaking out into peals of laughter. She lightly punched Padmé in the arm. "Why didn't you tell me you've fallen in love?"
"What… how?" Padmé gasped, lightly rubbing the spot. "How did you guess?"
"You may be wearing signature dampeners, but you two are wearing your hearts on your sleeves." Rabé grinned. "I don't need to be Force-sensitive to see it."
"I guess we'll need to work on that," Beleré relaxed her rigid stance and shook her head good-naturedly. She sat next to Padmé on the couch and gave her a peck on her lips. Padmé graced her with a smile and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"You're not angry?" Padmé asked Rabé with a hint of worry.
"Not at all," Rabé shook her head. She took Beleré's hands in her own. "I can sense you have changed since the last time we interacted. You've grown up and come to terms with whatever strife you were dealing with during the trials. I'm happy for the two of you." A wicked grin crossed her face as she leaned back in her seat. "Now, we just need to find someone for Voraté." A blush rose unbidden to Voraté's cheeks and Rabé let out another peal of laughter as she saw it. "Or maybe not. Who did you manage to bewitch?"
Voraté was saved from having to answer as her comm buzzed. She unlatched it from her belt and answered it. "Rivan."
"My lady, Jedi Knight Skywalker is here to see you." Typho clearly said.
"I knew it," Rabé clapped in excitement, her black hair swishing around her face.
Voraté's blush deepened. "Send him up."
"Not a word," Voraté warned as Rabé's laughter died down and she opened her mouth to say something.
"What? It's about time you two got together." Rabé hugged her. "Even ten years ago, I could tell you and Anakin were meant to be together. You had a glow about you whenever you were with him. So… when's the wedding?" She said in a teasing voice.
Voraté rolled her eyes at her friend's antics as the doors swished open and Anakin entered the room. R2-D2 squealed in delight and rolled into the room, stopping just before he ran into Anakin. The droid beeped happily as Anakin petted his silver-blue dome. "Hello to you too, Artoo. Oh, I'm sorry," Anakin apologized as his baby blue eyes flickered between Voraté and the other women. "I didn't realize you had company. Should I come back later?" He made to leave.
"No, it's alright, Anakin," Voraté sprang up.
"Let us know when you set a date," Rabé whispered loudly and winked at her.
Voraté made a face at her and quickly guided Anakin towards a window for some privacy, away from her overexcited sister-in-arms.
"I take it Rabé knows about us?" Anakin craned his head to look back at them as Voraté led him over to the windows overlooking a plaza with an elaborate fountain and shaped greenery.
"Yes," Voraté sighed as she looked at the three women huddled close and whispering to each other. "She and Padmé are no doubt already planning a wedding ceremony. They've both been insufferable ever since I told them we got betrothed."
"When did we get betrothed?" Anakin asked; a look of panic settled on his face as he found he couldn't remember the occasion.
"Ten years ago," Voraté reminded him, a little amazed he didn't know the tradition. But then, it was little-known and not a binding contract. "You gave me a japor snippet necklace matching your own. It's a Tatooine tradition among the locals. Between family members, a japor snippet signifies a loving relationship. Between couples, it signifies their intention to be together."
"Oh, I didn't realize…" Anakin's eyes bugged out a little. "My mother taught me how to carve them; she didn't say anything about what giving one implied. That is to say, I wouldn't mind…" His expression softened and he looked into her eyes. "You knew what it meant… and you accepted my necklace." He said wonderingly.
"I've never been one to trust easily," Voraté smiled up at him. "But when I met you in that little junk shop, I never even thought twice about befriending you. You're the only one I have ever trusted enough to give my heart to. I love you, Anakin."
She grinned at Anakin's starstruck expression and pressed her lips to his. His stunned figure thawed and he returned her kiss, brushing his lips gently against hers. He increased the pressure gently until she could feel his tongue subtly seeking entry. She tipped back her head and let him in. He kissed her deeply, making her blood rush through her veins and tingles of pleasure race through her. Several heartbeats later, they broke apart, panting a little.
"I love you too, my angel," Anakin said softly, his blue eyes full of emotion. "More than anything in this galaxy. I don't think I could bear to lose you."
"You won't have to face that possibility," Voraté insisted. She interlocked her fingers into his and held on tightly. "I'm not going anywhere."
"I know," Anakin smiled and gazed into her eyes.
He leaned forward for another kiss and Voraté parted her lips in anticipation, but his lips had barely brushed hers when her comm buzzed again. She sighed in disappointment as she unclipped it from her belt and answered it.
"My lady," Captain Typho's voice sounded over the device again. "Our transport back to Naboo and a small contingent of escort ships have arrived ahead of schedule and have safely landed in Sector N-12. Shall I arrange for a cruiser to take you ladies there now or would you like to depart tomorrow as planned?"
Leaving today would have its benefits, but familiar paranoia took ahold of Voraté as she considered the security side of things. Old habits died hard. "Have you scanned the platform and the surrounding areas?"
"Yes, my lady," Typho confirmed. He didn't sound put off by her concerns. He too took the Senator's safety very seriously. "I personally led the search for any suspect items; we found nothing. The ships carry no discernable markings and do not wear Nubian colors. Coruscanti air traffic control has also agreed to list our crafts as Alderaanian, with Senator Antilles' blessing. No one, not even the Separatists, will know those ships will be carrying Senator Amidala."
"Very good, Captain. In that case, I would like to leave for Naboo today. Let me confirm with Padmé." Voraté put Typho on hold.
She looked back up at Anakin, who hadn't moved away from her. She grasped his hand.
"Are you ready to leave today?" She asked. This change of plans probably threw a wrench into his schedule, but she was sure he understood the reason for it.
"Of course," Anakin nodded. "I'll need to grab my things from the Temple and inform Obi-wan and the Council. It shouldn't take more than an hour."
"Alright, I'll send you the platform information. Be sure to wear civilian clothing; I'd like to remain below the radar as much as possible."
"Yes, my lady," Anakin smiled and brought her in for another kiss.
Voraté sighed as the deep and slow kiss sparked something in her, but unfortunately, this was neither the time nor place to act on their desires. Anakin drew away and gave her a wink, as if he knew her thoughts. He blushed a little and rearranged his cloak in front of him as he stepped away and exited the room. Voraté took a moment to revel in the fact that she was able to evoke such reactions from Anakin before she willfully regained control of herself and went back to her sisters.
"Looks like things were getting pretty steamy over there," Padmé teased as she joined the ladies on the couch.
"Yeah, yeah," Voraté rolled her eyes.
Her sister knew no bounds and loved to tease her. She supposed it was Padmé's way of cheering her up and keeping her from thinking too much about the negative aspects of their lives. She'd done this a lot when they'd been children too.
"The Nubian transports have arrived to take us back to Naboo," Voraté reported. "Typho has done a comprehensive sweep of the area and confirmed it to be safe and we're not documented as Nubians in the official flight lists."
"Oh, did Bail come through for us?" Padmé asked.
"Yes, Senator Antilles has been most helpful in securing your safety," Voraté nodded. She was glad for the Alderaanian senator's friendship. He may have lost his bid to become the next Supreme Chancellor, but he was no less of a powerful ally. They were lucky to have him on their side in the upcoming war. "I would like to leave today instead of tomorrow. It's in our best interests to keep any potential adversaries off-balance."
"I agree," Rabé said, Beleré humming her approval as well. "Safety-wise, it's the best option and I would like to see Naboo again. I miss it."
"Then we shall leave today," Padmé affirmed and headed to their sleeping chambers, followed by R2-D2. "We have everything packed. There's no reason we can't leave now. Is that why Anakin left so quickly? To get his things and meet us at the platform?"
"Yes," Voraté confirmed. She flicked a switch on her comm to regain contact with Typho. "Padmé is in agreement, Captain. We leave within the hour. Tell the ships' crews to rest in the meantime and have the platform crews help load provisions for the journey. Send the cruiser to transport us there as soon as possible."
Typho told her the specific platform number and she sent that off to Anakin before joining Padmé, Rabé, and Beleré in the bedchamber. She gave the room a quick once-over and nodded in approval; they had indeed packed everything. It was a good thing they had decided to start packing today in anticipation of their departure for the following day. She lifted her baggage with one hand and grasped a smaller bag containing her toolkit and readers with her mechno arm. The ladies followed suit with their own baggage, giving Artoo a smaller luggage to drag along.
"Shall we, my sisters?" Voraté led the way to the exit.
She wasn't sad to be leaving Coruscant. The bustle of traffic and city-life had always put her on edge and that was before kouhun-wielding assassins were added into the mix. She couldn't wait to set her eyes on the rolling green hills and crystal clear waters of her planet. She knew it had been only a few weeks since she was last there, but it felt like months, especially after the events on Geonosis.
Her eagerness to leave must have shown on her face as the ladies also moved with vigor, eager to leave Coruscant. Artoo tooted as he rolled faster to keep up with them.
"We must stay at Varykino while you recover," Padmé insisted as they entered the elevators. "I have a feeling we won't get to see much of it after we join the war."
"In that case, we'll have to make the most of it," Rabé said. "I, for one, would like to see the Towering Moss Cliffs of Pelita. There's something about it that's always calmed me. It's also rumored to have healing effects on the wounded."
"We should go to the Cameela Waterfall as well," Voraté suggested as they reached the ground floor and headed outdoors. "The flowers are in full bloom and have created the most fragrant scents. Very calming."
"That sounds divine," Rabé smiled, closing her eyes for a moment, trying to picture it.
Voraté schooled her expression and stepped into the point position as they approached the cruiser docking on the platform. She allowed herself a smile as she recognized the guards onboard the transport.
"Hello Melladé," Voraté greeted the former handmaiden, turned lieutenant of Naboo's security forces. "Is everything ready for our departure?"
"Yes, Captain Typho was overseeing the guards loading the last of the provisions when we left," Melladé said, bowing slightly. "All that's left to do is to board and take-off."
The ladies and astromech droid boarded the small craft and they zoomed off. Voraté kept her eyes on the sky and the surrounding cruisers, vigilant for any signs of attack. Their journey to Sector N-12 was swift and without trouble, save for an overzealous Veknoid, who had been speeding and cut them off at an intersection.
As soon as they touched down on the platform, Voraté hopped off and followed Padmé into the main ship. Captain Typho and the security officers who were standing at attention bowed slightly. The groups exchanged niceties and greetings before sweeping onto the ship. Voraté beamed as she saw Anakin standing inside the ship with a gray, threaded poncho draped over his arm. They quickly stored their things in compartments in the sideboards and buckled into their seats. Voraté chose a seat next to Anakin and unobtrusively held his hand. Padmé gave the order to take off and the pilot was quick to obey. Voraté relaxed fully as the ship rumbled around them. They were going home.
A/N: Almost to the last chapter! Thank you to everyone who's stayed with this story. It means a lot to me. :)