"Milady, here is your meeting schedule for this afternoon. Is there anything else you require?"
"No Sabé, thank you. I will call you if I need anything."
Sabé left the office of her friend and employer, Senator Padmé Amidala. As she walked away, she shook her head. Another day of back-to-back meetings. She worried that if Padmé did not slow down she was going to work her way into an early grave. There were two reasons why her friend worked as hard as she did. The first reason was that Padmé felt it was her duty to better the galaxy for all living beings through her position as the Senator from Naboo. However, besides this more noble reason, Padmé worked because she feared attachment. In particular, she feared getting hurt due to an attachment.
Padmé was very beautiful, and men fawned over her all the time. Unfortunately, when she first became the Senator of Naboo she dated a few senators who used her to gain political favor and then dumped her. This hurt Padmé deeply because it made her feel inadequate. After the third time a fellow senator used her, Padmé vowed to never let it happen again. She kept herself so busy that she did not have time for socialization with anyone except her handmaidens.
Sabé understood Padmé's reasons for working, but she knew it was unhealthy. Before her friend was senator, Padmé had dreamed of finding love and having a family. Now she buried herself in work to hide herself because a few idiots had hurt her. Padmé was repressing her dreams because of a few bad experiences
Sabé walked to the window of the Senate office building and glanced in the direction of the Jedi Temple. If only Padmé could find a man like her Obi-Wan, someone kind, caring, and romantic. Life as a handmaiden was stressful, but she could always count on Obi-Wan to listen to her when she needed him. Padmé needed someone like him so that she did not have to bear the weight of the galaxy alone.
"I wonder what Obi-Wan is doing now," sighed Sabé. She knew he had a meeting with the Jedi Council this afternoon about his former padawan. She sincerely hoped it went well, because Anakin was making her boyfriend crazy. Apparently, Anakin had a work obsession just like Padmé. Sabé wondered what his excuse was. Just then, a buzzer sounded calling her to Padmé's office.
Bowing her head slightly as she entered Padmé's office Sabé greeted her with a simple, "Yes Milady."
"Hello Sabé, I was wondering what are you doing tonight?"
"Oh…. I am going out to dinner with Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Padmé's face fell, but she quickly recovered and smiled at her friend. "That sound's nice, I hope you have a good time."
Sabé caught the shift in her friend's expression and asked, "What will you be doing this evening, milady?"
"Nothing, I was going to stay at home."
Sensing the loneliness in Padmé's tone, Sabé offered, "Would you care to go to dinner with me and Obi-Wan, I'm sure he wouldn't mind?"
"Oh no, I could not intrude like that. You go and enjoy your dinner. Besides, I ummm… have some senate reports I need to read before tomorrow anyways."
Sabé sighed, "If you insist milady. Is there anything else you need?"
"No, thank you. Actually, I think I am set for the rest of the day. Why don't you leave now and get ready for your date."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. Have a wonderful time tonight."
Bowing, Sabé replied, "As you wish milady." She then turned and left the office. She would gather her things in the next room and leave for her apartment. She felt bad leaving, she knew Padmé had wanted her to stay and chat with her tonight. She would have cancelled her date with Obi-Wan, but Padmé would not have allowed it now that she knew about the dinner plans.
As Sabé took a taxi to her apartment she reflected on her friend's predicament. If only Padmé could find someone like Obi-Wan to be with, she might find greater fulfillment in her life. She might also be a lot happier. A great feeling of melancholy fell over Sabé as she thought of her friend. Hopefully Obi-Wan would be able to lift her spirits later tonight.