Chapter 13 A Mission and a Discovery

At breakfast that morning, Gala slid in the seat beside Jesse with a smirk on her face.

"I don't like that look." Jesse said.

"Tough."

"Well, if you don't have anything nice to say, goodbye." Jesse said standing up. "I have a mountain of dishes to wash that's bigger than any I saw on Naboo."

"No, you don't." Gala said.

"Excuse me?"

"I said you don't have KP."

"And why not?"

"I'm doing it for you instead."

"You are?" Jesse asked, not daring to believe it.

"Yes. I talked to Master Gwinka, and he agreed."

"He did?"

"Are you not hearing me the first time?"

"I am, I just can't believe it. Wow." Jesse was still reeling in shock. "That's really great of you. But are you sure? I mean' I don't mind it so much…"

"Positive."

"Thanks." He hugged her. When he looked up, he saw Obi-Wan leaving.

"Gala, I'll see you around. I have to talk to someone. Thanks again!" Jesse hurried after the Jedi.

"Obi-Wan! Wait up."

Obi-Wan turned.

"What happened with Anakin?"

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "Well, the council didn't want to train him, so Qui-Gon said he would."

"Huh?"

"He says he'll take Anakin on as his padawan."

"But you're his padawan."

"He says I'm ready for the trials."

Jesse's eyes went wide. "Really? Wow! That's… that's awesome!"

"And the Senate has decided to place a no-confidence vote for Supreme Chancellor Valorum."

"Meaning?"

"Basically they're kicking him out and putting someone else in."

"They can do that?"

"This is democracy."

"He seemed really nice…" Jesse said thoughtfully.

"I have no interest in politics. I only told you because now it looks like the situation on Naboo won't be dealt with."

"What will the queen do?"

"She says she's going back. Qui-Gon, Anakin and I are going too."

A funny lump rose in Jesse's throat. "Anakin's going?"

"Qui-Gon has to keep an eye on him."

"And of course JarJar's going. And Padme." Jesse blinked back tears.

This is silly. He told himself. Get over it. So what if you're being left behind. Be glad you got out of KP.

Still, he couldn't help feeling left out.

Obi-Wan put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll tell you everything when we get back." He tried to cheer him up.

"Right." Jesse nodded and tried to smile. "May the Force be with you." He watched Obi-Wan leave. The urge to kick something was very strong, but he held himself back.

Jedi don't throw temper tantrums. He reminded himself. You're lucky you got to stick around as long as you did.

"Jesse?" Master Gwinka came up behind him.

Jesse took a deep breath to calm himself before turning. "Yes, Master Gwinka?"

"Come with me. I need to talk with you."

"Yes, Master?" Jesse followed the old Jedi.

"It seems you made quite an impression on Queen Amidala."

"I did?" Jesse thought back. As far as he could remember he hadn't said one word to the queen.

"Yes. Well actually, one of the handmaidens to be more precise."

"Padme?" Where was this going?

"Yes. And so the queen wishes you to accompany her to Naboo."

"She… she what?"

"Normally the council would not even consider such a request, but for some reason or another they are letting you go."

"They're WHAT?"

"Jesse, please, maintain a normal speaking tone."

Jesse cleared his throat, trying to digest what he'd just been told. "Yes, sir. I… why are they letting me go?"

"I'm not sure of the specifics, but they feel you should."

Jesse could live with that.

"Now, you are to accompany the queen, not the Jedi who are going. That means you will be taking orders from her. Understood?"

"Understood."

This could be awkward.

"Good. You are to meet the queen and her escorts in the hangar in fifteen minutes. May the Force be with you."

"Yes, sir... I mean thank you."

Master Gwinka smiled at him and was gone, leaving Jesse reeling. Fifteen minutes. They were the longest fifteen minutes of his life. He waited outside the hangar until the dot, then entered. There was no way he was going to get into trouble again. Instantly, he spotted the queen.

"I am pleased to gave you accompany us, young Jedi." She said.

Jesse bowed. "I thank you for having me. Your Highness." He quickly added the title. Padme winked at him. Jesse made a mental note to thank her later.

"Our ship is over this way." the queen said.

Jesse fell into step beside JarJar.

"Wesa goen home!" he whispered excitedly.

Jesse nodded, feeling a shiver work its way right to his toes. This was a mission. Not an accident, he'd been requested specifically. No indication as to why, but he was here nontheless. That's all that mattered.

Standing next to the ship, were Qui-Gon Jinn Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker. Jesse nodded at them, feeling like he was looking on from a completely different world.

"Your Highness, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you." Qui-Gon bowed.

"I welcome your help." Queen Amidala replied. "Senator Palpatine fears the Federation means to destroy me."

"I promise you, I will not let that happen." Qui-Gon answered.

The queen nodded, then entered the ship. Jesse felt another tingle as he followed the queen to her cabin.She turned to look at him.

"Would you please go tell the Jedi and Captain Panaka that I wish to speak with them as soon as we are in hyperspace?" she asked.

Jesse nodded, not quite sure how to answer. He finally decided on very formal. "As you wish, Your Highness."

He ducked out of the cabin and paused for a minute. Which way was the cockpit? He wasn't quite sure, so he made a guess that luckily turned out to be accurate. Inside the cockpit were the Jedi and Panaka. Jesse cleared his throat, and they turned.

"The Queen requests your presence as soon as we are in hyperspace." he said, trying to sound important. Anakin raised his eyebrows at him.

"Thank you, Jesse. We'll be in shortly." Qui-Gon said, trying not to laugh.

Jesse nodded and left, resisting the urge to give a little bow. He didn't want to seem too stuck up.

When he re-entered the cabin, Padme was no where in sight.

"JarJar, where's Padme?" he whispered.

JarJar shrugged.

"Ok." Jesse looked around.

It seemed a little rude to ask the queen, and he felt a little shy atound the other handmaidens. He closed his eyes and concetrated on the Force, trying to feel where she was. The answer came blaring back. Padme was right beside him. Jesse opened his eyes. How was that possible? The only one around him was JarJar, the handmaidens, and the queen. Jesse took in a sharp breath. He stared at Queen Amidala, not believing his eyes. It was Padme.