"I feel out of place," Shaeeah admitted, looking around the room full of senators. The atmosphere was inviting, the different species laughing and dancing as if their galaxy were not being run by a madman. I sighed, despairing. Apparently, we were not the only ones living a lie for our children's sake.

Taxes had risen sharply since the rise of Vader, as Bail called him…more like it. The styles were changing, becoming simpler now that people couldn't afford many adornments. It was nice to see that people spent less money on their clothing. Curls seemed to be the style this season; almost every female with hair was sporting them.

"Sip this," I whispered, handing Shaeeah a half-full wineglass. "Oddly, it does help with nervousness." Shaeeah looked beautiful in the dress she had borrowed from Aayla, since they were about the same height now. Shaeeah had done my makeup earlier, hiding some of my facial markings just in case anyone might have recognized me. We had waited for Plo to fall asleep before taking him to Celly, Bail's sister, to watch over. Spending most of the afternoon with Leia had worn him out. Celly promised to call us if there were any problems; Bail had even posted one of his guards in front of little Leia's room.

"I've been to a few of these." I said, sipping my own wine. "I've never really enjoyed them. Leia's birth mother loved to throw large parties like this."

"What did you do, then?" Shaeeah wondered, looking around.

"Security," I said, making sure to keep my voice quiet. " We were called in for extra protection," I smiled, thinking fondly of those days.

"Sounds like fun," Shaeeah snorted.

"It was if something happened," I grinned as we walked around. "Usually it was boring, but security detail sometimes provided a challenge. My training was very strict; there were many things I wasn't allowed to do," I reminded her as we walked out to a large fountain in one of the gardens. "Sometimes my master would sneak me wine during those parties. He was always bending the rules. After a while, I noticed, I began doing the same thing."

"You miss him," Shaeeah mused, taking my hand.

I thought for a few moments before nodding, solemn. "He was my big brother…almost like my father, at times."

Shaeeah squeezed my hand tightly . "Your wedding rings," she whispered suddenly, quickly whisking them off my fingers and threading them onto the chain around her neck. "How did you forget to take them off?" I bit my lip, ashamed, while she tucked the necklace down in to her cleavage before readjusting it to make her chest stand out more.

"Did you honestly just do that?" I giggled as she took my hand back.

"I did," she grinned. Suddenly I was glad that Suu was not here.

I laughed gently as Shaeeah and I sat down on the edge of the fountain, watching the party from the sidelines. Through the Force, I could tell that Shaeeah was still somewhat nervous. We would move on once she was comfortable.

"Did you get to dance?" Shaeeah asked, sipping her wine.

"Master would make me," I laughed, looking down at my nails. "Ballroom dancing was…interesting. Dancing with the clones back on the base was more fun, less stiff," I explained, looking up. However, Shaeeah wasn't looking at me. I followed her gaze to a human male standing a few meters away. He was talking with a friend, but his gaze wandered back to her every few moments. Shaeeah looked down, blushing, and took another sip of her wine.

"What?" she asked, noticing my knowing expression.

"He's coming this way," I smirked as she downed the last of her wine.

"Hello," he smiled, giving her a small bow. "May…may I have the pleasure of a dance?" Shaeeah looked over at me, unsure. Gazing up at him, I considered. I could feel no malice in his Force presence. His intentions seemed pure, and he waited patiently for a response.

"Go ahead," I smiled, taking her empty glass. "I'll be right here," I promised.

Shaeeah smiled as the young human took her hand gently, introducing himself and leading her out onto the dance floor.

"May I?" one of the servants asked, taking the empty glasses from me and giving me a replacement.

"Thank you," I whispered as she walked away. I closed my eyes and reached out into the Force. I sensed no malice or anger in the crowd, and I could feel that Plo was peaceful, content, asleep.

"You're in deep thought," a deep voice said suddenly, causing me to jump. I looked up as a male Togruta sat down beside me, dressed in a black tuxedo similar to most of the men's.

"Its rude to sit down without permission," I chided, folding my arms. I was still somewhat embarrassed that he had snuck up on me. I needed to work on that.

"I'm truly sorry. I've been trying to gain your attention," he said, voice sincere. "I was worried that you might have been having a silent fit."

"No," I said, suddenly feeling guilty. Nevertheless, I scooted away from him a little. "Just…relaxing."

"Tye," he introduced, offering his hand.

"Sia," I smiled, playing my part. I accepted his hand and shook it.

"Beautiful name," Tye smiled widely. "May I sit with you, Sia?" I nodded, checking on Shaeeah, who seemed to be enjoying herself. "So, where are you from?" Tye asked, turning my attention back to him.

"Tattooine," I said. "And yourself?"

"Shili," he grinned. "What's on Tattooine, besides Hutts and thugs?"

"Sand," I teased, trying to remember what Aayla had taught me about flirting. Rex and Fives had both told me not to be anxious. I could relax, flirt, and play my part. Just as long as I came home to them.

"Odd," Tye wondered, stroking his chin. "I always thought it was a water planet."

"You're teasing me!" I laughed, rolling my eyes.

"You started it," Tye chuckled, getting me a glass of champagne, since I had finished my wine during our conversation. "What would ever attract you to Tattooine?"

"Home," I lied easily; it was becoming second nature to me. "What's on Shili?"

"My wives," Tye smiled, "as well as our children."

"How many?" I asked warmly.

"Three girls. I am hoping that the next one will be a boy; I'm quickly getting outnumbered," he laughed. I joined him, amused by the idea.

"Yourself?" Tye asked, looking at my bare ring-finger.

"I have an apprentice to care for," I shook my head, playing my role.

"Apprentice or lover?" Tye chuckled. "A Togruta doesn't do well alone." I blushed and looked away. I had never planned for that question. But, then again, how often did I ever meet another Togruta? It was rare that one ever left the planet.

"Perhaps," I teased, opting for mystery. I chuckled, wondering how I was going to explain that to Shaeeah later.

"That would be my luck," Tye sighed in mock drama.

"Oh?" I snorted.

"A beautiful Togruta that travels…taken by another women," he sighed playfully.

"I am sorry," I giggled, shaking my head. I stole a glance at Shaeeah as she danced along the floor with her partner.

"Or not," Tye laughed as Shaeeah's young man kissed her cheek. She blushed before taking his hand and walking over to the dessert table to find something sweet. Tye and I spoke for many hours, teasing each other, naming off the different planets we had seen, and trading stories.

"Sia," a tired young voice said. I smiled softly as Shaeeah appeared at my side. She looked tired, both mentally and physically. "It's close to two."

"Is it?" I asked, shocked.

"We have business in the morning," Shaeeah smiled, taking my champagne away from me. The truth was that Plo would wake up soon for his nighttime snack.

"Well excuse me, Tye," I smiled. "My time is up."

"Good night, then," Tye grinned, helping me to my feet and kissing my hand. "Until next time." I waved as Shaeeah and I walked away.

"He likes you," Shaeeah giggled. "He's still watching us."

"He thinks we're lovers," I laughed as we exited the gardens. "Or he did until you were kissed."

Shaeeah blushed. "Mica was very considerate and sweet. He gave me his com-link code so I can reach him. I'm going to call him from the library," she said, on the verge on giddiness.

"I'll get you a private com-link," I laughed as we walked up to our quarters.