"Chloe Amidala, it has been far too long since our last visit together."
The Supreme Chancellor said as he lead Chloe into his large office, the
setting suns shining softly through the wall of windows that lay behind his
massive desk, the busy sights of Coruscant flying past at an alarming pace.
As the Chancellor sat behind his desk, he motioned for Chloe to sit down
in one of the plush chairs across from him. Nervously tucking an invisible
strand of hair behind her ear, Chloe did as instructed, nervously twisting
her hands together all the while. "I've been meaning to talk to you for
quite some time, but it seems that we have both been busy with our own,
obligations." He said watching the nervous young girl.
"Yes sir, we have." Chloe said, unsure how to answer.
"Well I am glad to have some time alone with you before you rush off on another mission." He said smiling.
"And you have been quite busy yourself with your new emergency powers as well as the Separatists and this whole Clone War."
"But never too busy for you my dear girl." He said as his blue eyes danced with delight. "The whole Republic could be taken over and I would still have time for you."
"Well, thank you I suppose." She said once more reaching up to fix her hair.
"How is our young friend Anakin Skywalker?" He asked hoping that talk of her friend would put her at ease.
"He is doing very well. But I will miss him while am away on my mission."
"Yes, you will be heading to Naboo. Our home." Palpatine said slyly. "I have not been there since the war between the Naboo and the Trade Federation, but I do miss it. As I am sure you do as well. Your home. Your family."
"I do miss Naboo. And my family. But if I may confide in you..."
"Please do." He said interrupting. "You have in the past, and while it has been some time since our last talk together, I hope that you could still trust me with anything."
"Thank you Chancellor. I do trust you. You are like a father to me. And that would be the problem. I have not seen my family my whole life and do not have any real memories. That does not lessen the pain I have from our separation, but going to Naboo, I wonder how I will react, or how am I supposed to react? You, Anakin, the Jedi are more my family than those who gave birth to me."
"You are closer to your birth family then you will ever know Chloe." The Chancellor said ominously. "They are in you. Who you are. Yes, the interactions with the people around you affect who you are, and those you think of as your family do as well. But it is your blood that makes you, you Chloe. You cannot change blood, it's in you shaping you into the beautiful young woman before me. Do not worry about how to act with the Naberries. In your heart you will know what to do. Your heart cannot deny your family. You are drawn to them whether you realize it or not. I have watched you since birth Chloe, I know who you are. And soon so will you. Do not fear, embrace what you feel, and then you will know."
"I think that I understand what you mean Chancellor. In my heart I will know what to do. So, I will not worry. I will let things come as they may. Thank you for helping me, I have been more conflicted then you could ever imagine." Chloe said sincerely.
"Now that that is settled, I sense that something else is bothering you. Could it have anything to do with your new Jedi Master? I have heard some inklings of a volatile relationship between a certain Master and student." He said causing Chloe to blush in embarrassment.
"Yes, my Master and I really do not get along that well, but I think that with him I will also have to take things as they come. We have come to an understanding of sorts and hopefully can continue to maintain a amicable working relationship." She said still blushing in embarrassment, ashamed that the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Senate had heard of her problems.
"Then I hope everything works out for the best with you two." Palpatine said, his voice filled with sincerity.
"As do I."
"But I think that that is not all that is bothering you young Chloe." He said, pressuring her for more information.
"All the other matters in my life I have dealt with Chancellor, but I thank you for your concern." She said, unwilling to share any details of her and Obi-Wan's relationship.
"If you are certain then." He said trailing off.
"I am." Chloe said firmly.
"Well then if there is nothing else that I can help you with, I will let you go on with your business. I am certain that you still have much to do before you leave for Naboo in the morning. As I am certain that there might be something laying about for a Supreme Chancellor to do." He joked causing them both to laugh softly.
"Yes, I am certain we both have much to do." Chloe said standing up from her chair, as Palpatine did the same. "But before I go. Could I ask you one small favor?" She said causing the Chancellor to raise an eyebrow. "Do you think that perhaps you could look out for Anakin Skywalker? With the war going on, and his new life changes..." She paused hopping he would think she was referring to his new arm. "Well, he's my best friend and I worry about him." Chloe said letting her concern shine through.
"As I have looked out for you I will continue so for him." He paused nodding his head in a promise. "Like he were my own child."
"Thank you Chancellor. And I hope to see you soon. Hopefully this Clone War will burn out as quickly as it started."
"That is my hope as well." He said as they made their way to the office doors. "Good luck in Naboo Chloe, I hope that you find all that you deserve."
"Thank you Chancellor." She said bowing before him then leaving quickly before he could utter another word.
* * * * * * * * *
"So, do you have everything you need packed?" Brady asked as he and Chloe walked side by side down the loading deck making their way to the refugee ship headed to Naboo, each dressed in indistinguishable brown refugee robes, Chloe's a slight more feminine than Brady's, and a suitcase in each of their hands.
"Oh man!" Chloe said dropping her suitcase abruptly causing Brady to stop as well. "I forgot my lightsaber!" She said bringing a shaky hand to her open mouth as Brady stared on in shock.
"What?" He asked in an angered whisper.
"Just kidding." She said picking up her suitcase once more and walking past him. In long strides Brady caught up with her quickly latching onto her arm and turning her around to face his blazing eyes.
"Why are you pulling this? I thought we were past that?" He hissed.
"I am past it, but you cannot seem to stop treating me like a child. Yes, I have packed everything I will need, you do not have to ask me like you would a small child Master Black. I am an adult, by any who would consider, and I do not need you to help me take care of myself." She hissed back at her Master, wrenching her arm away as soon as she was finished speaking.
"Fine!" He grunted, continuing his initial pace to the large ship. "Now hurry along." He called behind him. "We can't miss our ship."
With an exasperated sigh Chloe picked up her suitcase and caught up with her Master, where he waited on line behind a numerous number of refugees. Shrugging her shoulders she placed her suitcase down and sat on it, knowing the wait would be a long one. Reaching into the pocket of her robe, she clutched the small holo-disc that lay there, flashing back to her early morning farewell with Anakin, and his promise to look out for Obi-Wan. Obi- Wan.the only man she ever dared to think of in a more than platonic way. The one who had turned her world upside down, and the one she was leaving behind to do her duty. As he followed his own. Sighing once more, Chloe thought back to their last embrace, the feel of him in her arms, his lean torso pressed against her soft one. The desire that she knew coursed through both of their bodies. Knowing that it would be a great deal of time before that might ever happen again. As she sat there thinking of Obi- Wan, Chloe barely noticed the crowd around her dwindle and board the ship, until a swift kick to her suitcase lifted her from her dream world.
"Come on Chloe. We're boarding." He said as he kicked her suitcase once more, shaking her, but not causing her to fall, looking up at him, her eyes burning with rage, she uttered not a single word, but stood quickly grabbing her suitcase and turning to face the door to the refugee ship. Looking her over one last time, Brady shook his head in disgust, she was the most beautiful and infuriating person he had ever met, and not knowing how to deal with her made him angrier than he had ever been. Shaking his head once more. He walked onto the ship, knowing she would soon follow.
Looking around the loading dock Chloe took a deep breath, wondering when she would see the bustling city planet again. Scanning the area she took every little detail in, capturing it to her memory. Glancing over near one of the buildings she caught sight of a hooded figure, leaning up against the doorway, and without a second thought she knew. "Ben." She whispered sadly. As if he had heard her whisper, Obi-Wan lifted the hood off his cloak revealing his face. From their distance apart, she couldn't see the tear stains that lay against his cheek, nor he hers, but they each raised a hand, palm facing the other in goodbye, as Chloe slowly turned on her heels and walked onto the ship, the engines starting the moment the doors closed behind her. Searching the crowded mass before her, Chloe quickly found Brady among the refugees. Wiping her face she walked over to him determined. "Naboo, here I come."
"Yes sir, we have." Chloe said, unsure how to answer.
"Well I am glad to have some time alone with you before you rush off on another mission." He said smiling.
"And you have been quite busy yourself with your new emergency powers as well as the Separatists and this whole Clone War."
"But never too busy for you my dear girl." He said as his blue eyes danced with delight. "The whole Republic could be taken over and I would still have time for you."
"Well, thank you I suppose." She said once more reaching up to fix her hair.
"How is our young friend Anakin Skywalker?" He asked hoping that talk of her friend would put her at ease.
"He is doing very well. But I will miss him while am away on my mission."
"Yes, you will be heading to Naboo. Our home." Palpatine said slyly. "I have not been there since the war between the Naboo and the Trade Federation, but I do miss it. As I am sure you do as well. Your home. Your family."
"I do miss Naboo. And my family. But if I may confide in you..."
"Please do." He said interrupting. "You have in the past, and while it has been some time since our last talk together, I hope that you could still trust me with anything."
"Thank you Chancellor. I do trust you. You are like a father to me. And that would be the problem. I have not seen my family my whole life and do not have any real memories. That does not lessen the pain I have from our separation, but going to Naboo, I wonder how I will react, or how am I supposed to react? You, Anakin, the Jedi are more my family than those who gave birth to me."
"You are closer to your birth family then you will ever know Chloe." The Chancellor said ominously. "They are in you. Who you are. Yes, the interactions with the people around you affect who you are, and those you think of as your family do as well. But it is your blood that makes you, you Chloe. You cannot change blood, it's in you shaping you into the beautiful young woman before me. Do not worry about how to act with the Naberries. In your heart you will know what to do. Your heart cannot deny your family. You are drawn to them whether you realize it or not. I have watched you since birth Chloe, I know who you are. And soon so will you. Do not fear, embrace what you feel, and then you will know."
"I think that I understand what you mean Chancellor. In my heart I will know what to do. So, I will not worry. I will let things come as they may. Thank you for helping me, I have been more conflicted then you could ever imagine." Chloe said sincerely.
"Now that that is settled, I sense that something else is bothering you. Could it have anything to do with your new Jedi Master? I have heard some inklings of a volatile relationship between a certain Master and student." He said causing Chloe to blush in embarrassment.
"Yes, my Master and I really do not get along that well, but I think that with him I will also have to take things as they come. We have come to an understanding of sorts and hopefully can continue to maintain a amicable working relationship." She said still blushing in embarrassment, ashamed that the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Senate had heard of her problems.
"Then I hope everything works out for the best with you two." Palpatine said, his voice filled with sincerity.
"As do I."
"But I think that that is not all that is bothering you young Chloe." He said, pressuring her for more information.
"All the other matters in my life I have dealt with Chancellor, but I thank you for your concern." She said, unwilling to share any details of her and Obi-Wan's relationship.
"If you are certain then." He said trailing off.
"I am." Chloe said firmly.
"Well then if there is nothing else that I can help you with, I will let you go on with your business. I am certain that you still have much to do before you leave for Naboo in the morning. As I am certain that there might be something laying about for a Supreme Chancellor to do." He joked causing them both to laugh softly.
"Yes, I am certain we both have much to do." Chloe said standing up from her chair, as Palpatine did the same. "But before I go. Could I ask you one small favor?" She said causing the Chancellor to raise an eyebrow. "Do you think that perhaps you could look out for Anakin Skywalker? With the war going on, and his new life changes..." She paused hopping he would think she was referring to his new arm. "Well, he's my best friend and I worry about him." Chloe said letting her concern shine through.
"As I have looked out for you I will continue so for him." He paused nodding his head in a promise. "Like he were my own child."
"Thank you Chancellor. And I hope to see you soon. Hopefully this Clone War will burn out as quickly as it started."
"That is my hope as well." He said as they made their way to the office doors. "Good luck in Naboo Chloe, I hope that you find all that you deserve."
"Thank you Chancellor." She said bowing before him then leaving quickly before he could utter another word.
* * * * * * * * *
"So, do you have everything you need packed?" Brady asked as he and Chloe walked side by side down the loading deck making their way to the refugee ship headed to Naboo, each dressed in indistinguishable brown refugee robes, Chloe's a slight more feminine than Brady's, and a suitcase in each of their hands.
"Oh man!" Chloe said dropping her suitcase abruptly causing Brady to stop as well. "I forgot my lightsaber!" She said bringing a shaky hand to her open mouth as Brady stared on in shock.
"What?" He asked in an angered whisper.
"Just kidding." She said picking up her suitcase once more and walking past him. In long strides Brady caught up with her quickly latching onto her arm and turning her around to face his blazing eyes.
"Why are you pulling this? I thought we were past that?" He hissed.
"I am past it, but you cannot seem to stop treating me like a child. Yes, I have packed everything I will need, you do not have to ask me like you would a small child Master Black. I am an adult, by any who would consider, and I do not need you to help me take care of myself." She hissed back at her Master, wrenching her arm away as soon as she was finished speaking.
"Fine!" He grunted, continuing his initial pace to the large ship. "Now hurry along." He called behind him. "We can't miss our ship."
With an exasperated sigh Chloe picked up her suitcase and caught up with her Master, where he waited on line behind a numerous number of refugees. Shrugging her shoulders she placed her suitcase down and sat on it, knowing the wait would be a long one. Reaching into the pocket of her robe, she clutched the small holo-disc that lay there, flashing back to her early morning farewell with Anakin, and his promise to look out for Obi-Wan. Obi- Wan.the only man she ever dared to think of in a more than platonic way. The one who had turned her world upside down, and the one she was leaving behind to do her duty. As he followed his own. Sighing once more, Chloe thought back to their last embrace, the feel of him in her arms, his lean torso pressed against her soft one. The desire that she knew coursed through both of their bodies. Knowing that it would be a great deal of time before that might ever happen again. As she sat there thinking of Obi- Wan, Chloe barely noticed the crowd around her dwindle and board the ship, until a swift kick to her suitcase lifted her from her dream world.
"Come on Chloe. We're boarding." He said as he kicked her suitcase once more, shaking her, but not causing her to fall, looking up at him, her eyes burning with rage, she uttered not a single word, but stood quickly grabbing her suitcase and turning to face the door to the refugee ship. Looking her over one last time, Brady shook his head in disgust, she was the most beautiful and infuriating person he had ever met, and not knowing how to deal with her made him angrier than he had ever been. Shaking his head once more. He walked onto the ship, knowing she would soon follow.
Looking around the loading dock Chloe took a deep breath, wondering when she would see the bustling city planet again. Scanning the area she took every little detail in, capturing it to her memory. Glancing over near one of the buildings she caught sight of a hooded figure, leaning up against the doorway, and without a second thought she knew. "Ben." She whispered sadly. As if he had heard her whisper, Obi-Wan lifted the hood off his cloak revealing his face. From their distance apart, she couldn't see the tear stains that lay against his cheek, nor he hers, but they each raised a hand, palm facing the other in goodbye, as Chloe slowly turned on her heels and walked onto the ship, the engines starting the moment the doors closed behind her. Searching the crowded mass before her, Chloe quickly found Brady among the refugees. Wiping her face she walked over to him determined. "Naboo, here I come."