The following morning, we land safely on Alderaan. I finish pinning my hair back, run my hands over my dress to smooth it, and meet Padmé in her quarters just as she is completing her makeup. I meet her gaze in the mirror. "I hope you're ready," I tell her, gazing at her with a knowing look.

She shakes her head, both worried and amused, but she doesn't reply to that. The senator straightens her back, holds her head high, and turns to me. After gesturing to the door, she says, "After you." We stand with Captain Typho, a few senate guards, and Ahsoka as the ramp opens. Walking towards the ship is Senator Bail Organa and Senator Mon Mothma, both amazing, good-hearted senators.

"Padmé!" Organa greets with his arms stretched open as Padmé goes towards him, reciprocating the gesture.

"Bail!" she exclaims, undoubtedly glad to see a friendly face to ease her nerves. A few droids follow behind her, carrying things with them. I stay by Typho's side since I'm not a dignitary. "It's so good to see you." They shake hands, relief seeping into her voice. "Thank you so much for hosting this conference. Dealing with the refugees of this war needs to be our number one priority." Without the senators from Naboo, Alderaan, and Chandrila, I have no idea what the state of this galaxy would be in.

"Absolutely," Bail agrees. "Your presence here is greatly appreciated." He extends his hand towards the opposite end of the platform. "Come. Senator Mothma and I will take you to your quarters."

As a group, we march forward towards the building. I glance behind me towards Ahsoka falling back. She catches my watch, so I jerk my head towards the group, prodding her to keep up. The padawan hops forward a bit to stay in line with me, but she continues glancing around at the surrounding area. Jedi, even when on duty, need to learn not to show their fear or worry. It simpy makes everyone else feel wary and uncertain.

The inside is beautiful, obviously. Everything I have ever laid eyes on, on Alderaan has been stunning. They pride themselves in the peaceful aesthetic they have going for them.

C-3PO follows Padmé into a room with Organa and Mothma. At the uncertainty in Ahsoka's eyes, I rest my hand on her shoulder, staying outside the room with her, Typho catching on as well. "It will probably be a while, young one," I reveal. "Maybe to ease your nerves you should meditate. I've noticed O-" I caught myself. "I've noticed it helps when Jedi focus."

The Togruta didn't say anything, but she headed my words and sat cross-legged on the floor opposite from the door. Closing her eyes, I can visibly see a difference come over her. Barely a minute later she jumps up and looks at me. "What did you see?" I ask.

"I saw more, more clearly," Ahsoka replies.

I nod my head gently, recognizing the concern in her eyes. "Come in. Let's get Padmé." I lead her into the quarters Padmé has been given for her stay, Typho staying behind the padawan. The senators lounge on the couches, discussing how to proceed with the refugees. Stopping behind Padmé, I nod to Ahsoka, silently telling her it's okay.

Ahsoka takes a deep breath. The poor girl still unsure of herself. "Senator, might I have a word with you in private?" she inquires politely.

Padmé, forever extremely observant, creases her eyebrows for a split second, glancing at the other senators. "Of course, Padawan Tano," Padmé concedes, standing. She turns to Mothma and Organa. "If you'll excuse me."

Both senators look confused yet still nod. Padmé joins Ahsoka, Typho, and I to the side. "I know I made a mistake last night," Ahsoka began, "but that doesn't mean the threat to you is any less." Ahsoka raises her hand unconsciously for emphasis.

The expression on Padmé's face softens. "I haven't lost faith in you, Ahsoka," Padmé reassures.

Ahsoka smiles gently, glancing at me before continuing. "I know, and I appreciate that."

Typho lifts his hand to get our attention. "I don't mean to interject, but now is not the time for this," he argues. "Senator Amidala must prepare for her summit."

Ahsoka shakes her head roughly, revealing just how sure she is of her vision this time. "But I believe the attempt on your life is going to happen tonight," Ahsoka says.

"What makes you so sure?" I ask, cutting in. "What did you see this time?"

The padawan raises her chin and recounts her experience outside. "My vision was much clearer this time. I could see more than usual. Even a location. It was a large room, you were giving a speech."

This time, the captain's interruption was much more forceful. He reaches his hand out and grabs Ahsoka's shoulder roughly. I immediately frown at him. "This room, could you recognize it if you saw it?" he questions.

"Typho," I warn, gently setting my hand on the padawan's back. I understand that he's simply trying to do his job of protecting Padmé, but Ahsoka is just a child. Captain Typho takes his hand away from her.

Ahsoka turns to me and gives me a small grin. "It's okay," she say. "I think I, I think I can recognize it."

Padmé nods and meets my eyes. "Can you entertain senators Organa and Mothma while we scope out the meeting rooms?" she asks.

I cock an eyebrow but nod. "Yes," I tell her. "Although you'll owe me one." Entertaining senators isn't exactly my favorite pasttime, nor something I'm very good at.

My oldest friend grins broadly at me. "You already live with me, what more do you want?" she jokes. I roll my eyes, leaving their sides to join the company of two of the greatest senators this Republic has to offer. As I approach them, Padmé, Typho, and Ahsoka leave the room.

Bail looks at me as I appear next to him. "If I may ask, is everything okay? The padawan seemed like it was urgent," Organa notes diplomatically while most definitely watching my every tiny move to get a better understanding of what is happening. This is why I don't like spending time with senators and representatives very much. They are a little too good at knowing people.

"Padawan Tano simply brought up some urgent business Senator Amidala had left unattended," I answer. "I assure you, Padmé will return as quickly as possible, and she won't let you down at the summit."

Even Mon Mothma, I notice, has a hard time believing me. Bail's eyebrows raise slightly. "You know," he starts, glancing out the window across the Alderaan landscape, "I have known you for as long as I've known Miss Amidala. Never once have your excuses for her been believable." The red-haired Senator smiled at Bail's statement. His stern dark eyes stare deep into my soul as he gazes at me. "Now, Cattleya, what is your lady really doing?"

I don a polite smile. "Sir, you should know, I'm no longer employed by the senator," I reply.

"And you're stalling," Mothma cuts in. "We recognize a filibuster anywhere." I bite the inside of my cheek. Damn you, Senators. I think politics were easier when Padmé was Queen. "What is Senator Amidala up to?"

I sigh. Even Obi-Wan's stern look is nothing compared to two respectable senators. "Padawan Tano had a vision predicting an assassination attempt on Padmé," I reveal. Both senators frown at the revelation, but I lift my hand to stop them from asking questions. "Right now they are looking for the room Ahsoka saw in her vision so they can formulate a plan." Neither senator looked very happy, but they take my explanation and carry on with a more pleasant conversation. All the while I'm fearing for my friends safety.

That night went smoothly at first. Guards were posted everywhere. Bail began talking, welcoming people to the summit and then introducing Padmé. Looking as regal as always, she began her speech, but I simply could not focus on her words. Every word from her was important, and I knew they resonated with the members in attendance, but I could not process them. My worry for Padmé overcame my interest to listen. Most of my purpose in life has revolved around the senator from Naboo. Even with precautions, the bounty hunter could very well be successful. No, can't think like that. Padmé will live.

As soon as I think that statement, I notice that Ahsoka had left my side. Typho saw the empty space as well and looks at me with wide, worried eyes. Not even a few seconds later, a blaster bolt is heard and seen hitting Padmé.

"Padmé!" I can't help but exclaim as I rush to her side, lifting her head into my arms. The crowd gasps as they realize what happened. I press my cold hand against her neck, feeling the warm flesh thump beneath my fingers, indicating that she's alive. I look up at Typho as people gather around us. "Get a medic. Now." Smoke rises from Padmé's shoulder, and I spot blood. Bail is kneeling across from me as he sets his hand on Padmé's, also feeling her light pulse.

Barely any time passes for a medical droid to show, and Padmé is taken to her quarters. Only Organa and I are allowed into the bedroom. The droid works quickly to patch the wound, telling us she will be perfectly fine as he is doing so. Once the droid leaves, Ahsoka hurries in, looking extremely guilty. "Padmé, I'm sorry," she says.

"For what Ahsoka?" Padmé asks. "You did all you could."

"Did you find the assassin?" Bail inquires, causing Ahsoka to turn to him.

"She ran off before I could get her," Ahsoka answers. My hand makes its way to her shoulder, wrapping my arm around her in comfort.

"She?" Bail notes.

"Yes, she," Ahsoka replies with surety. Ahsoka looks to Padmé, still laying on the bed. "I am positive now that it is Aurra Sing who is out to get you. Please return to Coruscant immediately, for your own safety."

"Padmé, I agree with the padawan," Organa interjects.

"And you know I do as well," I add. I kind of agreed with the padawan the entire time, but Padmé is sometimes too stubborn for her own good.

Bail nods in agreement. "It is far too dangerous for you to give your speech tonight."

Padmé tries to sit up a little but stops at my unforgiving glare. "If someone wants me dead, they will follow me wherever I go," Padmé says.

The young Togruta stills tries her best. "But you know my visions are all mixed up. What if what I saw was the attempt that just happened."

"Padmé, I'm not willing to gamble with your life," Bail tells her. "I should have called it off the moment Cattleya had told me of the padawan's visions."

Despite the leeway Ahsoka had been making with swaying Padmé to leave, she takes a new direction, shaking off my arm as she leans forward and glances quickly between the rest of us. "Wait a minute. I think I have a way we can get around putting you in jeopardy and have you attend the conference."

I grin. "Those plans are always perfect for the senator." It was Padmé's turn to roll her eyes.

Ahsoka turns to me. "You have experience acting at the senator, right?"

Padmé sits up, startled and still in pain. "No!" she exclaims, realizing the plan already. Sadly for Padmé, I knew the plan as well. Ignoring Padmé, I turn to the padawan and nod, ready. Anything for milady. "I told you no more risks."

My dark eyes stared into the same shade of Padmé's. "And I gave you my word that I would do anything to protect you, handmaiden or not."

I don Padmé's signature silver cloak, against Padmé's wishes. Walking into the summit room, there was a deafening applause from the crowd as I walk towards the front table with guards, Typho, Bail, and Ahsoka surrounding me. My hair is elaborately braiding, hanging down under the hood shadowing my face. The earpiece is heavy in my ear as I hear Padmé giving me words of strife and comfort. She's definitely something.

I recite every word perfectly as Padmé says them into the mic piece playing her words into my ear. Everything goes smoothly until Ahsoka runs from the room, followed by Typho and two guards. I ignore and quell my worry as I continue my duty. "And if you strike my voice down, know that a chorus of thousands shall rise up in its place," I repeat perfectly, immitating the strength in her voice. "For you have no dominion over the righteous. We are the defenders of truth."

Her voice stops, so I end the speech. The audience takes the sign of completion and applaud, louder than the one they had greeted us with. Bail concludes the summit and we hurry to find Ahsoka and Padmé as the padawan had not returned to the room with Typho. As Bail and I enter the room, we spot two guards handcuffing the infamous bounty hunter Aurra Sing with Padmé and Ahsoka safely on the other side of the room.