A/N: Guys. Guys. I opened my inbox and then I looked at the review count and. Guys. Over 1000 reviews on this story? Seriously? Like. I mean. You're all amazing. Thank you. I am so lucky to have you all. I'm still kinda in shock. Don't know how I got this lucky, but really glad I did. Thanks. Now, uh, onto the chapter?

To Change the Galaxy

Chapter 38: Priorities

As I kept my eyes firmly shut and my head buried in my arms on the table, I slowly found myself coming to the conclusion that being caught and arrested by the clone troopers might actually be slightly worse than having to face Obi-Wan. Slightly. It would be better if one of the ships was Saché. Saché would probably let me use her as a shield and distraction against Obi-Wan. Also, she was unlikely to torture me for information to use against my friends. So that was a plus.

"Sabé? Are you alright?" A hand touched my shoulder gently.

I jerked upwards.

Padmé took a quick step back, her face wrinkled with concern.

"Oh, I'm fine, I'm great," I babbled as I tried to turn my focus back to where it should be— "You're here! That means we weren't invaded by clones—great! And, really, I'm glad to see you're okay. I heard you had to escape through a bathroom window. Sounds terrible! Are the twins here too?"

"We have the quite the entourage here, actually." Padmé's face smoothed out as she slid into the chair across from me. "Queen Apailana was concerned that Tait might put the blockade back into place so we all evacuated. That's why we're here early. It also means the twins are here, as are all the children. Saché's here too, and so are Moteé, Ellé and Captain Typho."

"Captain Typho?" I echoed.

Padmé smiled. "Yes. He very heroically flew my skiff off Coruscant to draw the so-called Empire's attention away from me and Anakin as we made our escape. About a day ago, he managed to lose his tails somewhere along the Hydian Way and contacted the Queen for further instructions. She thought he would be best placed with us, as his disappearance from Coruscant undoubtedly drew the Empire's attention."

"Huh." I wasn't really sure how I felt about that and, to be honest, didn't have the brain capacity to try and figure it out at the moment. "So, what's the plan then? Do we have one?"

"We do have one, but Sabé, truly." Padmé reached across the table and grabbed my hand. "Are you alright? Anakin seemed to think you weren't."

I snatched my hand back from her and scowled. "Well, Anakin should mind his own business. Don't we have more important things to be worrying about anyway?"

I was not talking about this with her. If I had my way, I would not talk about this to anyone. Ever.

"Perhaps." Padmé slowly drew her own hand back as she frowned at me. "But we do have some time and—Sabé, you have always been there for me. And now it has cost you the job you loved, your home, and even your freedom. Because of my actions, you are now a fugitive."

"Padmé, that wasn't your—"

"I don't imagine we'll ever agree whose fault it is," Padmé interrupted. "Regardless, I do feel responsible. Offering you support is truly the least I can do for you. Which I cannot do unless you tell me what is happening. Please."

I shifted in my seat and stared stubbornly at my hands. Padmé did have an overly developed guilt complex and an annoying habit of thinking my decisions were her responsibility. She'd been like that ever since I had decided to be her decoy. And if listening to me feel sorry and embarrassed would help her get over that, then—but—

I glanced furtively towards the galley doorway. "Where's Obi-Wan?" I asked in a hushed voice. That man had a terrible way of appearing places he definitely should not be and overhearing things he definitely should not overhear.

"With Anakin. Eirtaé gave us parts from one of her warehouses so that we can repair your ship. Anakin dragged Obi-Wan with him to help with repairs. Anakin was quite determined to keep Obi-Wan with him, actually."

Okay, maybe Anakin sticking his nose where it didn't belong wasn't all bad.

"Fine then. Fine." I straightened up and leaned forward, pointing at Padmé as seriously as I could. "But you have to promise—no laughing at me. I know I'm stupid and I know under different circumstances my idiocy might be kind of funny but it's these circumstances so it's not funny, at least not to me. Okay? Do you promise?"

"Of course, Sabé. I promise."

"Good. Good." I stared at Padmé, who looked back at me patiently. I squirmed a little. I really didn't want to say this. But… "Ugh, okay, look, I'm a little in love with Obi-Wan and have been forever only I never said anything because, well, Jedi and, like, not Anakin-Jedi but Obi-Wan-Jedi which is very different and then Obi-Wan told me something that made me, like an idiot, think that maybe it wasn't as hopeless as it actually is but Obi-Wan figured it out and then he started to turn it into a joke and my feelings are definitely not a joke and then to make it worse, I started ranting at Anakin this morning because he was being stupid and I said that I—well, you know, I said my actual feelings out loud and told Anakin to stop treating it like it was something funny because it's not actually easy feeling stuff for someone who can never—well. Look, it's not a funny situation from my end of things and I told Anakin that but Obi-Wan overheard and—I mean, it was bad enough that he had guessed what I felt, rejected me and then tried to turn it into a joke; I didn't need him to hear me say the actual words out loud and then he wanted to talk to me about it and I definitely do not need that kind of humiliating rejection in my life, not again, once was bad enough, and now my friendship with Obi-Wan is ruined because I can never talk to him again. I'm going to have to avoid him for the rest of my life, Padmé. There is no coming back from this kind of mortification and disappointment, even though I should've known better—it doesn't matter, because the bottom line is that I am never talking to him ever again, ever, and—I liked being friends with Obi-Wan. It wasn't—" I stared down at the table, blinking rapidly to clear my eyes. Helplessly, I admitted, "I love him, Padmé, but I wouldn't have traded his friendship for anything. And I ruined it. My stupid heart ruined it."

"Oh, Sabé," Padmé sighed.

I glanced up from the table. She had stood up and, next thing I knew, she had wrapped me in a hug. For a moment, I stayed still as a statue. Then, almost desperately, I hugged her back.

And cried a little.

When I got the tears out of my system and the hug came to an end, I gave Padmé a watery smile, wiping at my now runny nose with my sleeve.

"I guess, on the positive side," I tried, "The whole Republic turning into an evil Empire thing is going to make it way easier for me to avoid him than it would've been back on Corsucant when the galaxy was still sane?"

Just then, the lights flickered back on. The ship began to hum.

"And," I added, "Look at that! Our ship also seems to be functioning again."

Padmé huffed out a laugh, shaking her head at me fondly. Then, her smile turned into something more serious. "Sabé, can I tell you something that I don't think you want to hear?"

"Oh stars," I sighed as I swiped at my eyes with my other sleeve. "Maybe. But I reserve the right to ignore you if I want."

"That's fair," Padmé agreed with another faint smile. "Especially as I admit that I am still not entirely certain what happened with you and Obi-Wan. But I do know you and I do know Obi-Wan. Have you considered…" Padmé hesitated. "Well, have you considered that maybe there were some misunderstandings?"

I reared back, shaking my head. I opened my mouth to respond when Padmé held a hand out to stop me.

"No, please, Sabé, hear me out. I do understand what you mean about Obi-Wan and Anakin being very different Jedi and having different interpretations of the Jedi Code. I just cannot imagine Obi-Wan seeing your feelings as a joke or treating them as something to be laughed at."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I mean, he did say something to that effect when he overheard me talking to Anakin. But he definitely made a joke about me when we were talking the night before!"

"But was it about your feelings for him? I know you said he guessed what you felt for him, but are you certain he did? Did he tell you that?" Padmé pressed.

"Well, no," I squirmed again. "He didn't, really. But! But, Padmé—" I had not misread that entire conversation—I couldn't have! "He told me he had nothing to offer me and when I told him that I hadn't asked him for anything, he grinned at me and asked if I had ever asked for anything!"

Padmé frowned. "Nothing to offer you? He said that?"

"Yes! I mean, why would he say that if he hadn't figured anything out? And after that, he made a joke about me!"

"He made a joke about you not being able to ask for help," Padmé clarified. "Which, to be fair, is true. I certainly don't think he meant it as a jab about how you felt for him."

I hesitated. "Well. I mean. Maybe. You might have a point. I guess. But he also could've been making a joke about me being too much of a wimp to tell him that I love him? Even though I only kept my mouth shut because I knew nothing would ever come of it!"

Padmé stared at me. "Do you really think that's what he meant? Does that sound like him?"

I slumped. "No. It doesn't. It was probably about how bad I am at asking for help. Although I've gotten better?"

"You have, a little," Padmé agreed. "But he truly said 'I have nothing to offer you'? Those words? Precisely?"

"Yes. He said, 'Sabé, it's not you' and then 'Sabé, I have nothing to offer you.' Those words, exactly." It was like they were burned inside my brain. I wasn't going to forget them anytime soon.

"He said it's not you?" Padmé repeated.

"Yes! And that he has nothing to offer me! What else could he possibly have meant?"

"I'm not certain. But… that's quite peculiar." Padmé was quiet for a moment, but she definitely had her thinking face on so I didn't say anything. Finally, she spoke up. "You're really not going to like this, Sabé, but I think you have to talk to Obi-Wan."

"What? No! Did you miss the part where I said I could never talk to him again? Because I meant that!"

"I heard it. I also heard you say that Obi-Wan's friendship was important to you and that you wouldn't trade it for anything. If that's true, Sabé, then I don't think your friendship has to be ruined. I think you need to talk to each other. Obi-Wan won't be unkind to you, Sabé, about you loving him. It's not in his nature. And—" Padmé just frowned in thought. "Well." She shook her head. "Never mind that. Talk to him. Have an honest conversation. Your feelings aren't anything to be ashamed of, Sabé."

I couldn't help myself—I made a face at her. Nothing to be ashamed of? What kind of idiot fell in love with a Jedi? Well, I corrected, a Jedi who wasn't Anakin.

"No, truly, Sabé. The heart wants what it wants. You can't help loving Ob-Wan, any more than you can stop the stars from burning. You can only change how you act and you did all you could to be respectful of Obi-Wan and his beliefs. He'll know that. And I do believe your friendship is very important to Obi-Wan. As both of you value that friendship, if you talk to one another, nothing has to be ruined at all."

"It's going to be so awkward, Padmé." I couldn't stop myself from whining.

"Most likely." She didn't even have the decency to lie to me. What kind of friend was she?

"Ugh," I groaned. "I hate when things are—"

"Incoming!" A familiar voice shouted.

I turned towards the door.

"Miss Sabé!"

Trinna ran into the galley, beaming.

"Trinna!" I jumped to my feet and braced myself just in time to catch her in a huge hug. "How are you?"

"Hi, Miss Sabé," Jewsi smiled as she, Shia and little toddler Meral followed Trinna into the galley at a more reasonable pace.

Saché strolled in behind them, a baby Skywalker in her arms and Zett trailing behind her with the baby togruta in his.

"I held them off as long as I could," Saché said. "Here. Take your child back, Padmé. Little bugger's getting heavy."

Padmé clucked. "Don't say that, Saché. Luke's perfect. He's growing just the way he should." She stood up and took Luke back anyway, momentarily enthralled by the way he reached out of his blanket to bat at her face.

"It's lovely to see you all," I grinned, really meaning it. "Did everything on Naboo go smoothly? Did you all get off planet okay?"

Trinna let go of me and stepped backwards to join the others.

"It was a little scary," she said. "Most of us got hidden in crates again so we could travel with Miss Saché without anyone suspecting anything."

"Not all of us though. Me, Meral and the babies went with Senator Amidala, Miss Moteé and Miss Ellé on the secret ship," Shia said a little shyly. "It was nice, wasn't it, Meral?"

Meral, who was holding tight to Shia's hand with both of hers, nodded solemnly her lekku curling at the ends.

"The secret ship?" I frowned.

"We took a Chandrilian freighter to Naboo," Padmé answered. "We didn't have an official record of our landing in Theed, thanks to the Queen. We were also able to leave with no official record of our departure, thanks to Captain Typho's diversion."

"Typho caused a diversion?" I echoed.

"A lot happened while you were off inciting a rebellion," Saché shrugged. "Doesn't matter, really."

"Who's all here again?" I asked, frowning. "Anakin and Obi-Wan were saying something about three ships?"

"Yeah, so my ship is here, obviously," Saché said. "And the Chandrillian freighter that Padmé, Moteé and Ellé took is here. And Captain Typho's ship is here too. I don't know where he got it from but that thing looks like it's two jumps away from falling to pieces."

"Looks can be deceiving, Menakam." Gregar Typho strode into the room, scowling at Saché. "Reccen." He nodded briefly in my direction before turning towards Padmé. "Milady, it is a relief to see you. It appears congratulations are in order."

Padmé beamed at him. "Thank you. This," she cooed at the bundle in her arms, "is Luke Skywalker. Leia is with Moteé and Ellé, still, I assume?" Padmé turned to Saché.

"Yeah," Saché said. "She was pretty fascinated by Moteé's necklace. I was not about to interrupt and risk a crying fit."

"Skywalker?" Typho echoed, blinking and looking vaguely shocked.

"You're not the only one she didn't tell about that," Saché said a little grumpily.

"Nice to see you, Captain," I hurriedly interrupted before we could get lost in that black hole. "Sounds like we've all had the quite the adventure since we saw each other last."

"That's one way of putting it," Typho said.

"So, what's the plan?" I asked.

"We're splitting up," Zett spoke up for the first time, shifting the togrutan baby to his other arm.

"Oh?" I asked as neutrally as I could. If I recalled correctly, Zett had not been a huge fan of that plan the last time I'd seen him.

"Some of the finer details still need to be decided upon," Padmé said.

"But, basically, I'm taking four brats—"

"Miss Saché!" Trinna, Jewsi, and Shia protested in unison. Meral looked more scandalized that I knew a toddler could while Zett rolled his eyes.

Saché smirked and continued as though she'd never been interrupted. "—and dropping two of them off on Uytar and the other two on Sern Prime."

"Both planets supported Palpatine returning his emergency powers," Padmé explained. "The Queen and her handmaidens have been in contact with their governments and believe they support the return of the Republic, although of course no one's said anything outright. Regardless of the planet's official stance, however, we do have very trustworthy contacts on both planets who will ensure the children's safety."

"Tobe and Adan are going to Uytar to stay with a farmer who lives in the middle of nowhere and Sors and Lelila are going to two different families on Sern Prime," Zett said.

"The farmer on Uytar is a former intelligence agent that I have worked with closely on numerous occasions and he is willing to take in both Tobe and Adan. Since he lives so far from a major city and is secretive at the best of times, their appearance in his life shouldn't be remarked upon too much. On Sern Prime, Sors and Lelila will be living with two brothers and their families. One of the brothers is married to one of Rabé's distant relations and both Rabé and the Queen have utter faith in her. The families also have a history of taking in refugees, so Sors and Lelila's presence won't be suspicious. And, of course, as they are next-door neighbors, the children will be able to see each other daily," Padmé expounded.

"Meral and me are going back to Naboo," Shia said as Meral drifted even closer to her. "Is it true you grew up in an orphanage, Miss Sabé?"

"It is," I smiled. "The Matron there was very good to me." Even if I didn't recognize it at the time, I thought privately.

"That's where we're going. The same place you grew up. She's really nice?" Shia looked a little anxious.

"A number of orphanages agreed to take in refugees, before the Republic fell," Padmé said before I could respond. "We are planning on placing Shia and Meral on a refugee ship bound for Naboo. The Queen and her handmaidens have already added their names to the manifest and directed them to be placed at your old orphanage. It's very close to the palace and…" Uncertainty briefly flashed across Padmé's face.

"The matron there loves all the orphans in her care as if they were her own," I answered firmly, to reassure both Shia and Padmé. "I don't know if I'd say she's nice, exactly, but she always cares and she is always acting in her children's best interest. And the palace is very, very close. I used to watch it from the attic window, when I was little, actually."

"Really?" Shia inched closer to me, hope clear on her face.

I smiled at her. "Really. That's honestly part of why I became a handmaiden. I saw the palace almost every day and I wanted to be a part of it. The orphanage helped make me who I am. It's a good place. Truly."

"We're going with you," Jewsi piped up.

I turned to look at her, frowning a little. "Pardon?"

"Me, Trinna, Zett and Hydaak are going with you and Master Kenobi."

I blinked. Then, for the sake of simplicity, I started with the easiest question first. "Hydaak?"

"We named the baby," Zett said. "We couldn't safely figure out what he was actually named but it didn't seem right to just call him baby all the time. So Miss Tala found us some information about togrutan names and we all voted on one. Hydaak won."

"It means little brother." Trinna smiled at the content baby in Zett's arms. "So he knows, wherever he ends up, that he has a clan. He's not alone—he's ours."

"Hydaak. That's an excellent name." I meant it. Unfortunately, I had other questions. "But what do you mean you're going with me and Obi-Wan?"

"Well," Padmé had her politician face on. "We originally hoped that you and Obi-Wan would take the children to Alderaan and Chandrila. Their placements are… a little less secure, perhaps, but we thought you and Obi-Wan would—well. It's not set in stone, by any means. We were going to have Captain Typho, Moteé, and Ellé take this ship and continue to spread the holovids to other planets—so long as you agree, of course, Captain—"

"I will serve wherever you need me." Typho sketched Padmé a quick bow that she thoroughly ignored as she continued.

"But, if you wanted, Sabé, I'm sure Moteé or Ellé could help with the children and you could continue with—"

"Why wouldn't Miss Sabé come with us?" Trinna frowned.

Oh no.

"Well," Padmé began before appearing to realize rather abruptly that if she told the truth I would have to kill her.

And besides… maybe…

"I'll go with you guys and Obi-Wan. Of course, I will. I'm sure Padmé just wanted to make sure I agreed with the plan first. It's always polite to ask, you know." I tried to ignore the sudden anxiety rising in my gut.

But Padmé was right—I didn't want to lose Obi-Wan's friendship. Which meant I had to talk to him. And if we were trapped together on a ship with four children—well. We'd have no choice but to figure ourselves out. And, if things went wrong, there would be plenty of little Jedi around to focus on instead. But that was a problem for later. Right now…

"What about you, Padmé?" I asked. "And Anakin and the twins?"

Padmé and Saché both grimaced.

"Uh-oh," I said. "What?"

"Well," Padmé began, "I have to talk to Anakin but—"

"He's not going to go for it," Saché crossed her arms over her chest. "There's no way."

"I think he will dislike our other options enough that he'll agree," Padmé said. "Hopefully."

"Hopefully what?"

I craned my head over the crowd of people in the galley.

Anakin and Obi-Wan stood in the doorway, officially making the room way too crowded.

My face also began to burn. Maybe I'd made a mistake. Maybe I should've switched spots with Moteé or Ellé—what had I been thinking? We were going to be responsible for children! And if I couldn't even look at him—

"Anakin," Padmé smiled. "We were just talking about our plan moving forward. While on Naboo, we were able to briefly contact Master Yoda again and he had a wonderful idea that would let us and the twins stay together."

"Did he?" Anakin looked suspicious, which seemed wise to me.

"Yes. He recommended that no more than two Force sensitives be together in the same place originally. When I explained our situation to him, he understood immediately why the four of us ought to remain together, despite—"

"That does not sound like Master Yoda," Anakin frowned.

"Regardless," Padmé plowed on with none of her usual politician's grace, "He said that if we wanted to stay together as a family, we had a few options. Now, do keep in mind this isn't forever. I strongly believe we have a very good chance of overthrowing the Empire and restoring the Republic. But it has also been made abundantly clear to me by numerous people," Annoyance flickered over Padmé's face, "That it might perhaps be a good idea for me to take a bit of a break and spend some time getting to know our children before becoming entangled in the restoration of the Republic. So, in the meantime, while Master Yoda is finding the surviving Jedi and Queen Apailana is forming an alliance with similarly minded planets, we're going to live on Tatooine."

For a long moment, Anakin said nothing.

I took the opportunity to sink back into my seat. Trinna frowned at me as I attempted to make myself look smaller. I gave her a weak smile but did not explain myself. Obi-Wan probably couldn't see me sitting down. Also, Saché was right—Anakin was never going to go for this. It would probably be best to be out of the line of fire. Which Trinna would realize soon enough on her own.

After a long pause, Anakin said, voice carefully calm, "We're going to live where?"

"Tatooine," Padmé said with false cheeriness. "Master Yoda said that because it's on the outer rim there are plenty of undiscovered Force sensitives living there so the twins shouldn't stand out and Cliegg, Owen and Beru were so kind when—"

"No. Absolutely not. No, Padmé."

"Well, Anakin," Padmé huffed a little. "I know you hate Tatooine but it's either there, near your very kind relatives, or we have to live alone on a terrible, uninhabited swamp planet called Dagabah, so—"

"Dagabah," Anakin said immediately. "We're moving to Dagabah."

"Younglings," Obi-Wan suddenly said very loudly, "Why don't you show Miss Sabé the ships you came in on?"

"Oh, yes," I agreed with alacrity, even as I determinedly did not look at Obi-Wan. "I would love that. Captain Typho, Saché, why don't you come with us too?"

"Of course." Typho's brows were furrowed with confusion but he still obligingly moved towards the door.

"I'm all for being anywhere but here," Saché said with all the subtly of rampaging shaak. "Come on, brats, lead the way."

"We're not brats, Miss Saché," Jewsi sighed with the world weariness of someone twice her age as she and the others started to move. "And it's not nice to call us that."

I grabbed my cane and stood up too.

"Good luck," I muttered to Padmé as I passed.

She grimaced at me. "You too," she murmured back, shooting a subtle glance in Obi-Wan's direction.

I grimaced back at her and then left the galley, very stubbornly keeping my eyes on the ground in front of me and ignoring how close I passed by Obi-Wan as I slipped out the door.

Expected Update Time: February 29th or before hopefully; definitely before March 23rd