A/N:Okay, one chapter before I rush off to biblestudy.Haha this chapter is so odd, perhaps even a little dodgy. Honestly, I was reading the whole story the other day and it struck me how silly it gets. Although, I must admit, that was my intention - I needed some silliness and light relief from the angst of RotS. Anyway, hope you like this chapter.
Anakin-Padme: Sorry, Padme doesn't feature in this story! Bit ofa pity.
sarah: Yeah, something told me (the plot bunnies, maybe?) that she'd like dancing too, lol.
The dancing Cavalier: Thanks for reviewing! Glad you're enjoying it
ShalBrenfan: Thanks for your support! The end is in sight, hope you'll like it
Trinity Day: Thanks :) that was my intent
Leigh the Wonderlord: I'm glad that you still like this fic despite the Mary Sue-ish-ness! I tried not to Mary Sue her, but I think she had a mind of her own. Oh well, every author needs a Mary Sue once in a while :). As for the politics thing, I think she would think that. She just wouldn't say it out loud. To anyone. She is a normal girl, after all.
Slayer rock chic: Well, no, as I said, Padme's not in this story. I'm in the process of writing an AniAmi fic now, though.
cherryblossomjen: Actually, I don't particularly like Telisse either. If she were a real person, I'd find myself irritated with her. Oh well - she wanted me to write her that way, so I did! Glad she's not too Mary Sue-ish, and that you like the story!
Just a note to everyone - go read my other stories and review them too! I, personally, think they're better, hehe.
On with the chapter!

Chapter Five

"Who else could have had access to the speeder?" Obi-Wan asked the prince, trying to puzzle out the mystery.

"I don't know!" Kimmel answered, frustrated, as he paced back and forth.

"Your Highness, calm down," Obi-Wan instructed. It seemed more natural to use Kimmel's proper title – he had the air of a leader, and yet seemed completely unaware of it. "I am only trying to help."

"I know," Kimmel replied. He took a deep, steadying breath. "I'm just worried about Telisse."

"I know you are, Your Highness, but you must try to keep your mind clear. We must discover who sabotaged the speeder before something else happens."

Kimmel sat down and rubbed a hand across his eyes. "We have already spoken to the mechanics and guards – none of them know anything. They are the only ones who could have…" His eyes widened and he sat bolt upright. "The Council," he breathed.

"What about the Council?"

"The Advisors' Council have access to all areas of the palace," Kimmel answered.

"Have any of the Advisors shown any hostility towards your sister?"

"Not openly as far as I have seen," he said, slumping back into his chair. "But there is one Advisor who never speaks directly to Telisse, and always disagrees with her…"

"Do you think this Advisor could have tampered with the speeder?" Obi-Wan asked him sharply.

Kimmel shook his head and shrugged. "I don't know," he answered. "I like to think she couldn't have, but it's a possibility."

Obi-Wan began to stride out of the room. "Summon her and we will get to the bottom of this before your sister returns," he said over his shoulder. "The sooner we deal with this problem, the safer both of you will be."

"…and I think about her every day," Anakin finished, a beautiful smile on his face.

Telisse couldn't help but feel a slight pang of jealousy – his glowing description of Queen Padmé Amidala made her seem everything she was not – beautiful, confident, compassionate – a born leader. Well, not born – Amidala had been elected. But she seemed much more suited to leadership than Telisse, who had been born into it.

Stop feeling jealous, she ordered herself. You have no right to be. You have no claim over Anakin – he is free to love who he chooses. At least you got him to really talk to you. Be happy with that.

"Do you miss her?" she asked him, already knowing the answer.

"Almost as much as I miss my mother," he replied, turning his head to face her.

"I miss my parents too," she sighed, looking into his eyes. His eyes…so blue, so warm – full of understanding and sympathy and a new respect. She could drown in those eyes.

"Did you have time to grieve after your father died? Or were you and Kimmel thrown immediately into leadership?" he questioned.

"We had a week – but it involved public appearances and speeches and various events. We never had much time to ourselves," she answered readily. "I suppose for me, dancing is part of my mourning. I can express how I feel without inhibitions." She smiled as she remembered something from her past. "Dad used to get me to dance for him and mum sometimes when I was little. He encouraged me to keep dancing. Mum got Kimmel to take me to my first club, too. So I guess it keeps me linked to my family."

Anakin nodded, and opened his mouth to say something, but he felt someone coming through the Force. He stood up, placing his hand at his lightsaber hilt, ready to ignite its glowing blade at the sign of a threat. Telisse scrambled to her feet behind him.

"Who is it?" she asked, a tremble of fear in her voice. She had now truly become aware of the danger surrounding her.

"I don't know," he answered her. Slowly, he moved forward.

A speeder zoomed up to the alley, and Anakin relaxed. It was a palace speeder, come to take them back.

Anakin helped Telisse up into the speeder, and she felt a bolt of electricity tingle up her arm at his touch. But a glance back at his face told her, disappointed, that he had not felt it.

When Telisse walked into the palace and into the Advisory Room, she was surprised to find it empty but for her brother and Obi-Wan.

"Where are all the Advisors?" she asked, stopping short.

"I sent them back to their families," Kimmel replied flatly. "Secci was responsible for sabotaging your speeder. Who knows how many others wanted one of us dead."

"Secci?" she breathed, shocked. "But – but she was one of our most trusted Advisors!"

Kimmel nodded grimly. "Telisse, I don't' want you leaving this palace until the elections are over."

"What?" Telisse could hardly believe what she was hearing. Her brother never gave her orders. "Kimmel, it would be just as dangerous in here as out there!"

"Not with two Jedi here. I'm not taking any more risks."

"What about our last Outings? And the public address? Are we just supposed to stay in here and do nothing?" she exclaimed, voice rising. What about my life? How will I ever see my friends or go dancing?

"For the last Outing and the public address, we will be escorted by the Jedi and full security. Telisse, you could have been killed today. I'm not letting it happen again. I don't want you going anywhere without one of the Jedi or full security," Kimmel said firmly. He knew his sister was not enjoying these words – but they were for her best interests.

"Kimmel," she said in a quiet, angry voice. "You can't just keep me here all week. If I don't get out, I'll lose my mind. You can't stop me from leaving – you can't watch me all the time."

She spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, almost knocking Anakin out of the way.

Kimmel dropped his head in his hands. "She's right – I can't watch her all the time."

"It's for her safety, Kimmel. We will make sure no harm comes to her," Obi-Wan assured him. He looked at Anakin, who was standing in the doorway. "Anakin go after her and make sure she's all right."

"Yes, Master," he said, and he left the room.

When Anakin reached Telisse's room, the door was shut and he could hear her moving around inside. He knocked.

"Telisse? It's Anakin," he called through the door.

There was a pause. "Don't come in. I'm – uh – changing."

He leant against the door. "You know, your brother's only doing this to protect you. He doesn't want you to get hurt."

He heard her sigh. "I know," she responded. "And it's nice to know that he cares about me. But he doesn't have to confine me to these walls. There are other ways to ensure my safety."

"Such as?"

"Well, I don't know," she said, sounding flustered. "Get you to be my security? Something like that."

"Even if I were, I can't protect you all the time- I can't physically stay with you all day. Like now, for instance. Something could happen now, and I can't help because you've locked the door."

"With good reason," she countered.

"Good reason or not, I can't protect you in there unless you let me in," he informed her. He sighed and hit the door with the back of his hand. "Are you done yet? I told Master Obi-Wan I would check on you."

"Um…yeah, I'm done, just a second."

Anakin heard footsteps and the lock click open, and the door slip open. He walked in – and saw Telisse climbing up onto the balustrade of her balcony.

"Telisse!" He darted forward and pulled her down. "What are you doing?"

She glanced down at his hand on her arm, but made no move to break out of his grasp. "What do you think I was doing, Anakin? I'm getting out of here. I've already dressed to go, and I won't just stay here all night," she said, gesturing to her clothes.

He stared at her. She wore an elegantly cut dress made out of a floaty material that shimmered different shades of blue, green and turquoise as she moved. The dress had only one sleeve, which flowed delicately down her arm, leaving her neck and right shoulder bare. The skirt draped gracefully down to her knees, and an intricate silver belt hugged her waist. Her normally messy, long light-brown hair was twisted up into a simple knot at the top of her head, leaving thin wisps and tendrils to fall and frame her face. She looked elegant and beautiful, so different to her usual untidy appearance.

He blinked. "You look – you look beautiful," he said, slowly releasing her arm.

"Thank you," she smiled shyly, sad for the loss of contact. She stood up straighter. "I'm still leaving," she informed him, hoisting herself up onto the balustrade.

"Well, I suppose I'd better come with you," he said simply, and he vaulted over the rail.

"Telisse!" a female voice called as they entered the club. They turned to see two teenage girls hurrying towards them.

"Zenni, Kathelle!" Telisse cried, throwing her arms around the two, whom Anakin took to be her friends. "It's been ages since I saw you two!"

"Well, we know you've been busy," the shorter of the two grinned. She glanced at Anakin and then pointedly at Telisse.

"Oh! Anakin, this is Zenni, and this is Kathelle," Telisse introduced. "And this is Anakin, my…friend."

"Hi," Kathelle, the shorter one, smiled.

"Nice to meet you," Zenni added. She shot a teasing, questioning look at Telisse, who shook her head ever so slightly.

"Come on, let's go dance," Kathelle said, taking her friends' hands and dragging them to the dance floor. "You want to come?" she asked Anakin over her shoulder.

He shook his head. "No, thank you."

Telisse threw him a smile before following her friends.

"Have fun," he mouthed to her. He walked around and took a seat where he could keep an eye on her. He smiled as he watched her shake off her inhibitions. He was still marvelling at the difference in her when she danced.

After an hour or so of doing nothing but watching the club patrons, Anakin was intensely bored. His legs were stiff, and the music pounding out of the speakers was beginning to give him a headache. He was just about to get up when Telisse appeared and sat down beside him, beaming. Her smile faded as she caught sight of his face.

"I'm sorry, Anakin," she said over the music. "You're not having any fun, are you?"

He lifted a corner of his mouth in a wry half-smile. "Not exactly."

"Come on then," she grinned, grabbing his hand and pulling him to his feet.

"Where are we going?" he asked, bewildered, as she wove through the crowds of people.

"To dance."

"Dance?" They had reached the dance floor. "I can't dance."

"Sure you can," Telisse smiled. "Just let the music take over." She began to move, spinning around and waving her hands.

Anakin began to dance, his movements feeling stiff and awkward. He felt foolish and stilted.

"Close your eyes," Telisse yelled over the music. "Let yourself go."

He obeyed, shutting out the faces around him. He began to relax and loosen up, really enjoying himself. Then the music changed to a slower song, and he opened his eyes.

Telisse extended her hand. "Will you dance with me?" she asked, somewhat timidly. "As my friend, of course," she added quickly, seeing his hesitation.

"Sure," he replied with a smile, taking her hand. He slipped his arm around her waist and she placed her hand on his shoulder. They began to move slowly in a circle, and she sighed softly and nestled in a little closer, resting her cheek against his chest. He glanced down at her, feeling a little uncomfortable – but the expression on her face was so content and genuinely happy that his discomfort melted away.

She was becoming the real girl he had begun to know as his friend – and she was truly becoming happy.