Fallen Angels - Chapter 10

Chapter 10, Post 1

Sabé moaned, clutching the pillow beside her as she rolled over. She felt an empty space and began to panic for a moment, and then noticed movement at the corner of the bed as Ben dressed into his Jedi garb quietly. Sabé sat up, tucking the blankets around her as she looked at him. It was still very early so she didn't know where he planned to go. "Ben, what are you doing?"

Obi-Wan turned to her slightly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you, love..."

"No, that's all right," Sabé said. "So, what's going on? What are you getting dressed up for?"

"I won't be long," he said, "I'm going to talk to your friend."

Sabé muttered a Nubian curse, and rolled her eyes. "I can't believe you, Ben. I told you nothing happened, and now you're acting like a jealous 10-year-old boy. You aren't like this, you don't have to go. I already talked to Bail and made it very clear I'm off limits to him. He doesn't need you to tell him the same thing."

Obi-Wan shrugged, turning to her again. "Then what I say to him will only reinforce what you said to him." Ben walked over to the bed, leaned over and kissed Sabé's cheek, and left.

"Bail," Obi-Wan questioned as he stormed into the study. Carrisa looked up, alarmed to see him, and then gestured quickly to the handmaiden beside her to block his way to Bail's desk. Bail stood up, signaling Carrisa and her guard to stand down. The handmaiden huffed, signaling to the younger handmaiden to stand down, and they both exited the room. Ben neared the desk, glaring at him. "We need to talk."

"Yes, we do," Bail declared and offered the Jedi a seat, but Ben declined. "I take it this matter is about Sabé?"

"I didn't consider you a threat in the beginning because Sabé said you were a good friend and that she trusted you, but I have to say, right now, your highness, I don't trust you too much," Ben declared. "How dare you try and seduce my wife!"

Obi-Wan could tell Bail was frustrated and wanted to express his frustration but he had been trained, as Obi-Wan had, to control his anger in certain situations. "I did not seduce Sabé. I asked her to dinner and asked her feelings about you. In the beginning, when I first met her, I didn't feel this way. I admired her strength, the power she held inside herself and the things she could do with her position to help the Republic. But she was retired from that service because of her duties as a mother and to you. She's a strong, stubborn woman -- her beauty inside as well as outside -- would make her attractive to any man, Obi-Wan."

"Why did you ask her to dinner?" he asked simply. "You can have any woman you want, why Sabé?"

"I won't lie to you. I didn't know what my intentions were when I asked her. I knew she wanted to know about you, where you were and if you were safe, but I lost sight of that. I forgot why I asked her to come and throughout the evening, battled with my own feelings until I finally asked her about how she felt about you now." Bail paused, careful how to phrase his next words. He saw Obi-Wan's lightsaber on his belt and knew if he said the wrong thing, it was possible that lightsaber could be used against him. Although, considering Obi-Wan wasn't a loose cannon, he felt somewhat comforted. "I kissed her."

Obi-Wan felt his blood boil --- Sabé told him nothing happened when something in fact did happen. Why Sabé would lie to him about that small detail, he didn't know. "Did it go any farther than that?"

"It didn't. Sabé was horrified and ended the dinner there and left." He sighed, massaged his forehead and then focused again on Obi-Wan. "If you want to take Sabé and leave Alderaan, I understand."

"Oh no," Obi-Wan hissed, "you are not going to play the victim here, your highness. Sabé still trusts you because she knows you won't cross the line with her again, but now I'm here. I don't trust you, therefore, I will be watching you very closely, so I would be very careful, your highness." Ben straightened his cloak, bowed, and quietly left the room. Bail moaned and then sat back down.

"It's natural he would feel the way he does," Rabé tried to explain to Sabé as she passed around the food. Normally, Rabé, Saché, Sabé and Mara had only cereal for breakfast but now, there were three other guests staying with them. Yané was one of the first to wake up, followed by Dormé by a force of habit, and the only one missing was Eirtaé, still asleep from staying up late, chatting with Saché. "But you aren't to blame for his actions, Sabé."

Yané added, eating her eggs and toast. "That's right. You did nothing wrong. Bail acted badly, thinking he could persuade you to fall for him."

"I know," Sabé cried, sitting down next to Mara and cutting her toast. "But I wish Obi-Wan wouldn't be so overly protective of me. He knows I love him and that I would never be unfaithful to him."

"...maybe it's because of Anakin," Yané suggested and all heads turned towards her. "I mean, because Anakin was unfaithful to the Jedi Order and married Padmé, he worries on some level that you're lying to him about your feelings and intentions."

Sabé frowned, staring blankly at her. "That's very insightful, Yané."

Rabé shrugged, sitting down herself as Yané passed her the juice. "In any event, he still has a right to be protective of you, Sabé. He's probably acting this way because of Mara ...because he doesn't want her to become too attached to Bail."

"Maybe," Sabé whispered, fiddling with her food. "But it's absolutely frustrating when he's like this!"

"When who's like what?" Padmé, asking rubbing her eyes as Eirtaé and Saché followed behind her.

"We're talking about Obi-Wan. He left early this morning to have a 'talk' with his highness," Yané said.

Padmé frowned, sitting down beside Sabé. Yané passed her a bowl of eggs, some juice and toast. "I'm afraid I'm not caught up on the local gossip as you girls are, but why is Obi-Wan angry with Bail?"

Saché snickered. "Trust me, Padmé, its better you don't know."

"Milord," Carrisa asked as she entered the study, followed by another handmaiden. "Master Yoda has sent a coded transmission, saying that he and Master Windu will arrive here on Alderaan later tonight." She handed him the data pad with the information.

Bail read the coded message and then handed it back to her. "Forward this information to Sabé Maberrie. She will need to see this too."

"If I may ask, sir, what happened after the Jedi came?"

"You mean Obi-Wan? It's nothing to be alarmed about, Carrisa. I did something I shouldn't have done and now Obi-Wan doesn't trust me. He's not a threat, although he may see me as one," Bail explained and smiled to the handmaiden. "Thank you for asking, Carrisa, but it's nothing to worry about."

"Yes, your highness," she whispered, bowed and left the room, the other handmaiden trailing behind her.

"Must we walk this early?" Padmé begged as Sabé walked ahead of her towards the garden.

Sabé turned towards her, running backwards as she looked at her. "You're seven months pregnant, Padmé and you've been eating non-stop since you got here. You need to stay fit for those babies, otherwise it'll take you forever to get back into shape. Believe me, exercising now will help a lot."

Padmé sighed and picked up the pace, walking at the same distance as Sabé. "Not to be nosy, but what happened yesterday when you talked with Obi-Wan? It was very quiet in there."

"We argued briefly, then it calmed, more arguing and then we somehow made our way to the bed." Sabé explained. "But now he knows about Bail's feelings for me. It won't be easy for him when I spend time with Bail regarding our stay here and what we're doing about you once those babies are here."

Padmé frowned and walked faster. Sabé ran up ahead of her. "You know it's something we're going to talk about anyway, Padmé."

"I know, but I'd rather not think about it now," she said. "I'm here with you and friends I never thought I'd see again. I don't want to ruin the blissful time we have now over matters we'll probably settle two months from now."

"That's fair."

Padmé smiled and then gestured for Sabé to look ahead as she collided into Carrisa. Sabé apologized, helping Carrisa to her feet even though she wasn't seriously hurt. Padmé noticed the holopad in her hands and for a moment, dreaded what she had come to say. "A coded message from Coruscant arrived early this morning from Master Yoda and Master Windu. His highness said to forward it to you because it was important that you see it as well." Carrisa explained and handed her the data pad.

Sabé paced around the path as she read the holopad. "Master Yoda and Master Windu will be arriving here later tonight, which was a lot earlier than they expected.." Sabé skimmed through the message, and then stopped reading. "That's all it says."

Padmé frowned, sensing there was something else. "Are you sure?"

"There's some other minor details, but nothing of importance," Sabé rambled. "I'm sorry, Padmé, but I forgot I had an important meeting today, and I need to go. Carrisa, will see lady Padmé back to my suite?"

Carrisa nodded, and Sabé jogged off towards the palace.

"Bail," Sabé cried, walking into the study. Two handmaidens flanked her and then Bail told them to leave, "I need to talk to you. I got the coded message from Master Yoda and Master Windu, but I need to know, is it true?"

"Yes, I'm afraid it is true."

Sabé bit her lip, the tears threatening to overwhelm her and then finally, she cried, the holopad fell to the floor as she dropped to the floor herself. Bail rushed to her side, holding her arm. "I don't know what I'm going to say to him...How can I tell him this happened!"

"I don't know. Master Yoda and Master Windu were barely able to escape before it happened."

"Yané said Palpatine took control over the Senate and was arresting Senators loyal to the Jedi, but I had no idea he would go this far and eliminate all of them!" she cried. "I was out running with Padmé. I told her the message from Master Yoda and Master Windu but when I saw that last line, I couldn't tell her this happened."

"I know..."

"Everything they stood for—peace, justice...They were the guardians of the light and now, there's no one to protect the people of the Republic against this evil," Sabé realized. "Bail, something has to be done. Palpatine cannot go unpunished."

Bail frowned, hugging Sabé again. "I know. Something will be done, I promise, Sabé."

tbc

Chapter 10, Post 2

Sabé trembled as she struggled to stand up. Her tears lessened but she could still feel the pain and shock. For seven years, the Jedi had been her adopted family. Master Luminara Unduli was her adopted mother, and good friend. She went to her for advice and her opinion, but now she was gone like the rest. They were all gone. Sabé glanced at Bail, wiping her face.

"Obi-Wan was here. I know he went to see you, where did he go?" Sabé questioned. "I need to talk to him about this. He needs to know what happened...what happened to them."

"He probably went back to the suite."

Sabé fixed her hair, wiped her face again and then calmly left the study.

"Where's Sabé?" Ben questioned as he entered the suite. Rabé was finishing up, clearing the table as Yané came from the kitchen, carrying a wet cloth and soap to wipe the crumbs. Mara was sitting on the floor, against the bed, playing. "I need to talk to her."

"She told me to come back because there was something she needed to take care of at the palace." Padmé said, "She received a message from Master Yoda and Master Windu. I think there was something else on there, something important, but she wouldn't share it with me."

Ben frowned. It wasn't like Sabé to keep secrets. First it was Bail's feelings for her and now it was something else. He also realized the reason why she didn't tell Padmé was maybe it had something to do with Anakin. "Did Sabé say how long she would be?"

"I'm back," Sabé announced. Rabé, Yané and Padmé stared at her. She moved forward, holding the holopad in her hands as she approached Obi-Wan. "Obi-Wan, there's something you need to know ...I don't know how to tell you this, so I will let you read the last paragraph on this holopad."

She handed it to him. Ben breathed slowly as he read it. He reacted the way Sabé thought he would - his knees buckled and he dropped onto the floor as she had. Sabé knelt down beside him, hugging him as he cried. "I know. I'm sorry, Ben." she whispered.

Yané, Padmé and Mara stared at Obi-Wan as he sat there on the floor. Mara even stood up and went to hug Obi-Wan. Saché and Eirtaé left their rooms, curious about the commotion, and then Eirtaé gasped when she saw Obi-Wan on the floor crying.

"So...why...what are we supposed to do now?" Saché asked after Sabé explained what had happened. It was a tragedy, of course -- the Jedi were gone. The Jedi Temple was empty and would probably be destroyed in the coming days. Palpatine would have everything he'd wanted since the beginning, the Jedi eliminated, the Senate under his control and every citizen of the Old Republic under his grasp.

Sabé shrugged. "I don't know. The good news is that Master Yoda and Master Windu survived the purge and are on their way here to Alderaan. They'll be here later tonight. They'll know better on what course of action we should take." She looked to Obi-Wan. Naturally, he was still in shock. "Ben, what do you think we should do?"

He blinked, turned and looked at her. "All we can do now is wait until Padmé's children are born. They're the galaxy's last hope, if we're ever going to fight this."

"A rebellion?" Yané added. "Would that be wise?"

"Bail Organa and Mon Mothma of Chandrila were planning a rebellion. They asked for my help," Rabé said and looked at Sabé. "I didn't tell you the whole truth, sister, because I couldn't. I am one of the commanders in the rebellion - that's why Bail wanted to see me that day."

Saché frowned and leaned forward. "Wait a minute, I don't understand. If you knew months ago before all of this, how come you didn't warn the Jedi?"

"Because she didn't know Palpatine would go that far, Saché," Sabé said. "But now the Jedi Order is gone and the Senate is under Palpatine's control, we need to know what we should do next. We can wait for Padmé to give birth, but that'll be a couple more months. We need to do something now."

"I agree," Yané said.

"I'll talk to Bail. He's third in command in the rebellion. No one knows where Mon Mothma is at the moment, so currently, we're missing a second."

"I'll be second," Sabé voiced. Obi-Wan turned and looked at her. "I tried for many years to prevent something like this from happening, Ben, and now it has. They were my family, too."

"I know how you feel, Sabé, but anger is not the right path. I feel angry too, but you can't lead if revenge is the only thing on your mind. Anger, hatred, will cloud your judgment and you'll make poor decisions."

Sabé huffed. "I know. I've heard you say that to me before.."

"Sabé, you can't do this!" he cried. "I will not have you risk your life and die."

"Do you believe in me, Ben?"

Obi-Wan's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her, confused by her question. "You know I do --"

Sabé held up her hand. "Then believe I will make the right choice, and this is something I have to do. Not because of what we've lost, or what Padmé's lost...it's because ...I was blinded to so many things. The Jedi were blinded, too, because they didn't want to see the truth. I know the truth now and the truth is that even though we can't do a lot now, it'll matter in the end."

Rabé stood up. "I'll make an appointment with Bail, for the two of us to meet and discuss the next thing we should do. Master Yoda and Master Windu are invited to come if they don't arrive late."

"This isn't your fight," Obi-Wan reminded her as he closed the door behind them. "I realize they were your family too, but Sabé, you cannot let revenge cloud your judgment."

Sabé rolled her eyes, annoyed he would think this was about revenge. Maybe in a way, he was right. The Jedi had become an extended part of her family. They were Mara's family too. She looked up to the Jedi Council, and despite the many times she came into conflict with them, she always respected their views. "I don't know how many times I can tell you this isn't about revenge, Obi-Wan."

"You don't have to tell me. I know you're angry about this -- I am too, but you can't let your revenge be your reason for doing this," he advised. "If your reasons aren't revenge, then tell me, what they are?"

"Justice. I know all of this could have been prevented years ago, Ben, and it kills me nothing was done then. I could have done something. I did. I warned them to be wary of Palpatine but they didn't believe what I knew in my heart was true. Their souls will never be at rest until something is done otherwise they've died in vain."

Obi-Wan flinched, fearing the same thing. He knew if nothing was done, their deaths would mean nothing and that would hurt more than knowing they were gone. "All right, I support you." Sabé smiled slightly. "But I still want to go with you to this meeting."

"Of course."

Bail sighed as his mind drifted to the holo letter he had to give Sabé. He still couldn't get over what happened. It was a horrible thing...Sabé...If she had stayed on Coruscant after Obi-Wan left, he realized that she and Mara probably would have died too. Her life would have ended before her true destiny would have begun. Bail stood up, walking to the window and looking out to the garden as Sabé, Ben and Rabé entered the office. He turned to them slightly. "Master Kenobi, I didn't know you would be attending this meeting."

"I came to support my wife."

Sabé stepped forward, thankful for one hour, Obi-Wan was going to behave himself around Bail. "I volunteer my services to the Rebellion."

"Volunteer?" Bail asked, "Sabé..."

"I'll do anything you ask, act as decoy, smuggle information."

Bail looked to Obi-Wan and he nodded his approval. "Sabé, this is too dangerous.."

"...I know the risks, Bail, and I know it would be the same if I were exposed or captured."

"To be honest, my friends, there isn't too much that can be done. Since Palpatine had mass-murdered the Jedi and seized the Senate, it won't be long until he declares himself Emperor and inner rim planets part of his Empire. Alderaan will soon be under the hand of the Empire, but Palpatine won't invade Alderaan because we have no resources that would be useful to him. As long as we stay under his radar, and he doesn't feel we're a threat, he won't bother with us -- which gives us the upper hand."

"What do you want to do?" Obi-Wan asked. "You're saying that for now, Palpatine doesn't consider us a threat, but I doubt that will last long. Eventually, he'll want to know Alderaan's loyalties."

"I said I can smuggle information for you." Sabé added hopefully.

"It's too risky, Sabé. You have a daughter that needs you."

"Well then, what exactly do you expect me to do if you won't let me help?"

Bail was silent. Sabé glanced at Obi-Wan. He looked away from her and she knew. "Both of you, I can't believe.." she said, "I realize you both care for me deeply, but you can't expect me to hide here and wait."

"Sabé..." Bail started.

"Forget it, I should have known you'd see things his way," she said, glared at Ben, and then angrily left the room.

tbc