Padme couldn't help but notice that Obi-Wan was upset about
something. He kept fidgeting and his expression was far from the
serene mask the other Jedi wore.
When the others left the throne room Padme stayed behind.
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow in question.
"Is something wrong Padme?" He avoided meeting her gaze.
"Is there?" Padme reached out to touch his arm. He stepped
away before she could. Her arm fell back to her side. "Obi-Wan,
you're not acting at all like yourself." He was still avoiding her
eyes.
"It is really nothing handmaiden. I haven't gotten much
sleep." Padme resisted the urge to snort derisively. Instead she
raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Knight Kenobi I command you to tell me what is wrong." She
deepened her voice and adopted her royal accent.
"You are." Obi-Wan closed his eyes and lowered his head. He
hadn't meant to blurt that out. He sighed. She was probably going to
banish him from her planet, might as well take something with him.
Stepping forward he grasped her arms and pulled her close.
Padme stood shocked as Obi-Wan's lips connected with hers. Her mind
was racing.
Gathering her wits she pushed him away. He simply stood
staring at her before turning on his heel and running out of the
throne room. Padme watched him go without making a move to stop him.
It might be best if they avoided each other for awhile.
Turning to leave she saw Anakin standing in the doorway. She
practically ran to him.
"Ani, I didn't" Anakin put up a hand to silence her.
"Padme it's okay. I saw the whole thing." Padme grinned in
relief. "Besides the rejection in here was overwhelming." Padme
frowned.
"You don't think I hurt his feelings too badly do you?" Anakin
didn't answer for a moment.
"He was definitely hurt, but you weren't the only reason. He's
been holding something in for a long time and it's festered." He took
her arm and led her down the hall. "You not feeling anything romantic
for him was painful, but there's something else." Padme sighed.
"I still feel awful Ani. I don't like to hurt people. You know
that."
"Yes Padme I do, but we've got more pressing matters to deal
with."
"Is it the Sith?" He nodded.
"Yes, and things have just gotten a lot worse."




"I will not allow this to happen." Padme's face was masked by
worry. She was gripping Sabe's hand tightly. "Sabe will not be taken
by this monster." For her part Sabe looked shaken. Anakin did his
best to comfort them both.
"Don't worry. We're putting extra guards on both of you.
Master Windu has already asked for more Jedi to be sent. They'll be
here in just a few days. Until then neither of you will ever be
alone. Sabe, you must have at least one Jedi with you at all times.
I'll be guarding Padme myself. We're not going to let either one of
you be harmed in any way." Padme didn't look happy but agreed.
"Rabe will have to take over as my decoy for now." She held up
a hand to stop Sabe's protests. "While you are playing the role of
queen you are in even more danger than you would be as simply my
handmaiden. This Sith is coming to kill queen Amidala. I will not
have you put in even more danger." Sabe looked to captain Panaka for
help.
"I'm sorry Sabe, but I have to agree with Padme. In any case,
if you are missing he may discover that you are pretending to be
Amidala and then the ruse is useless."
"I have caused you far to much trouble Your Majesty." Padme's
look turned stern.
"I will not hear you speak any further Sabe." She spoke like a
mother scolding a child. "You are dearest friend and my cousin. I
blame you for nothing and you will stop blaming yourself this
instant." Sabe conceded but her eyes were still filled with guilt.
Padme sighed. She would have to speak with Sabe later.
"Prepare we must." Yoda interrupted the queen and her
handmaiden. "Skywalker, duel with you I will." Anakin nodded,
slightly surprised.
Padme stood and made as if to leave.
"You may discuss this matter further. For our part," She
included the handmaidens. "Rabe must get into costume, and then we
have duties to perform."