For this story "caf crawling" on tumbler is how they met. (it's a cute story.) I should warn you, I stink at romance. This will probably lean more towards political drama.

Padme looks over at Satine and giggles lightly.

Satine looks up from her data pad, "you seemed amused."

Padme points at Senator Chuchi, "it seems we are not the only ones."

Satine watched as the Pantoran practically melts staring at the Coruscant guard commander. The clone was working out a security checklist for the gala later that night.

"is she crushing on that clone?" Satine asks, slight surprise lightening her tone.

"his name is Commander Fox, and yes, she is." Padme stands up, "meet me in my room. I'm getting Chuchi and were going to have a discussion." she smiles as she pulls her friend to her feet.

In Padme's living room she hands her guests tea. They accept and Chuchi asks, "what did you want to talk about?"

"you and Fox."

Satine was surprised that Chuchi was able to hold back her spit-take.

Chuchi swallows and asks, "what?!"

"I've seen how you look at him. How long?"

"there is nothing going on between me and Fox! I know you and General Skywalker are married but, he's a Jedi. If you were caught he would be kicked out of the order. It's much..."

Padme cuts her off, "that's not what I meant. It's clear that you two aren't dating, but it's also clear that the feelings are there."

Chuchi sighs, "yes, I've fantasized that the two of us would marry and have "kits" but He's a clone. It would never work. It would destroy everything I've built and the punishment is much harsher for a clone. I don't want him to get hurt."

Satine nods in understanding, "Obi-wan and I have a similar dilemma."

"no you don't," Chuchi says, fixing both of them with a glare, "you don't get it do you? If we were to act on our feelings then I would be pulled off the political circuit and sent back to Pantora. Fox would get sent back to Kamino to get reconditioned. They'll take his memories and I'll never see him again." she stares down at her tea, "I don't want to lose him. I don't want him to die."

Padme moves to sit next to her and rubs her back. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize..." she pulls the younger Senator into a hug when she starts crying. "there, there, it's okay. We all have to make sacrifices."

Chuchi pushes her off and composes herself, "some of us more than others." she puts down the tea and coldly leaves the room.

Satine gives Padme a reprimanding look, "I would expect a senator as articulate as yourself to have handled that better."

Padme sighs.

Fox scans the crowd for anything that didn't fit. He'd left thire in charge of the prison, he'd call if anything went wrong. He sees Round tilt his head towards the door. Fox watches as Chuchi entered. As per usual, her dress covered her from neck to ankle. the dress was varying shades of violet and had full sleeves. He could see the suppressed anger as she walked and judging by who she ignored, senator Amadala was at fault.

She danced with varying men, including Orn fre taa and a senate guard. It was obvious she held no interest in any of them, the anger blocking any enjoyment on her part. Fox sighs and moves about the room to watch for anything off. He decided that he would check on Chuchi later. Just to make sure she was okay.

The last of the party-goers left three hours after it was over and two troopers had to carry out a particularly drunk senator. Fox goes to Chuchi's room and knocks on the door.

"who is it?"

"Commander Fox, Ma'am."

after a moment, "come in."

he opens the door and looks at her. Her hair was disheveled and she'd been wiping off her make up.

He stands at attention, "are you alright, Ma'am?"

she gets up and throws herself at him, catching him in a hug. His arms go in the air as she starts crying. He lowers them and returns the hug. He starts rubbing circles into her back.

They stand like this for a few minutes before he carefully pushes her off. "I noticed you weren't enjoying the dance."

she wipes her tears, "I only went so nobody would ask why I didn't."

he nods. He goes over to her radio and puts it on a soft dance channel. "care to dance, Ma'am?"

she smiles and takes his extended hand. His dancing was a little clunky but she didn't mind.

Half an hour later she stops. He looks down but doesn't move when she pulls off his helmet. She gazes at his tired and confused eyes. "I love you, Fox."

without a beat he says, "I love you too."

she reaches up and holds his cheek, her fingers brushing his curly black hair. Stress had given him several gray hairs and bags under his eyes. She knew she didn't look much better. She pulls away and sits on the arm of the couch.

"I can't do this."

"I know." he says, a sadness in his voice. He lifts her chin to look at him, "maybe, when the war ends." he stares at her face and felt himself lean forward.

He pulls back as his helmet beeps. He lets her go and feels the disappointment behind him as he puts on the helmet, "Fox here."

"very good, my boy. I've got some information on Cad Bane." Palpatine says.

Fox listens before leaving.

Fox comes out and almost walks into Senator Burtoni, the kaminoan. She looks between him and Chuchi's room, "and what were you doing in the Senator's room, clone?" she drawls out the last word.

He glares beneath the helmet but keeps his tone level, "I needed to conduct a security sweep."

"for thirty-six minutes? Seems awfully long."

"just being thorough, Ma'am."

she looked like she didn't quite believe him but moves out of the way. "I'm watching you, clone." she says as he walks away.

He sighs as he looks over his paperwork. He never went back to Chuchi's room after chasing Cad Bane. Already running on two hours of sleep he decided he didn't have the energy to fight off his own emotions. He pulls up her schedule and messages her a good time to meet up. He passes out on his desk.

She opens her door and lets him in, "good morning, Fox"

"morning, Ma'am."

she sits him down in the chair and sits herself across from him, "I'm assuming you skipped breakfast."

He nods and she pushes a plate of food towards him. As he eats she says, "I've been thinking about our situation and I think I've found a solution."

he raises an eyebrow at her.

"really, it's the only solution. I don't want to act as though we've never met and I don't want to destroy everything because of a forbidden romance." she sighs, "I want us to be friends."

he smirks, "you want to friendzone me?"

"yes. It's the only way we can spend any time together without fear of anyone finding out. There will be boundaries that we must never cross but..."

"yes."

"what?"

"I want to spend time with you, and I will respect the boundaries." he laughs, "Commander Bly would even swear by the friend zone."

she smiles, "good. Let's shake on it. Friend Fox." she sticks her hand out and he shakes it.

My writing turned out more romantic than I expected. I blame Dee Henderson and her great books.

were you hoping for a kiss? Well, nope. Leave a review.