Thanks again to all who are reading, posting and lurking. Here is more for your reading pleasures :).

Emerald Green Queen: No problem in you wanting to read NC. Both stories are close to my heart so I'm happy that you are enjoying both :). As for Sabe's willingness to follow Palpy, you bring up an excellent point that will be dealt with in subsequent chapters. I can say that not all of her reasons are just professional. In the next chapter, we will see Sab'e interaction with Bail and Leia, as well as see her reaction. Palpatine is always the poltical puppetmaster so one should always assume that he does or doesn't do things for a reason. Keep this fact in mind as we continue with the story. A great point about Anakin and Padme speaking earlier than in canon. At this point, this is the only major canon change that I am involking and it is more out of preference than anything else. I have always felt that no matter what, Anakin would have found a way to speak with Padme after TPM and of course the Jedi would have frowned upon it making him even more insistent. However, they still won't 'meet' again in person until AotC like canon, but in this sequence of events they aren't such strangers and in my ruminations, the fireside scene would be even more poignant for both because there would be more of an emotional connection between the two and not the infatuation that we saw and makes me cringe as well. Other than that, the flow of canon events remains unaltered. Thanks again for reading!

Sweet Christabel: Thanks so much for reading. I'm glad you liked the flashbacks. I too have experienced a wide variety of thoughts at those moments so I thought it appropriate and helpful to the story. Hopefully Sabe can pull it all together soon.

Optimus Primal: Jedi Maximal: Anakin is in one piece, well more or less, minus his right forearm which is still mechanical. He's just Darth Vader without the suit. Glad you like.

ForestQueenArtemis: You flatter me with your very kind comments. For this story, I knew it was very important to accurately describe the relationships between the handmaidens and the Queen as the plot progresses in the present time. I'm glad too that you are also enjoying the details. I think this is something that got completely lost after TPM and needed to be revisited. Thanks so much for reading. Hope you enjoy this installment!

Home – it had been a long time since she breathed the sweet air of her small mountain town. Although Queen Kylantha had offered her personal guard to escort her home, Sabé had politely declined. Rather, she rented a speeder after giving her attendants leave to visit with their families. Her ancestral home sat atop a small hill which was surrounded by huge green trees with the majestic great mountains off in the distance. Sabé smiled to herself as she drove up the long path to the house, remembering the years of playing with her younger sisters between the trees. She sighed deeply, longing for those much simpler days.

The Grand Inquisitor closed her eyes as she listened to the peaceful calm. The Kelaria home, which was a large, three story structure with two giant ionic columns at the entrance, had been in her family for over ten generations. Sabé and both of her sisters had been born there, as well as her father many years prior. It was the safe haven where she would retreat whenever a huge decision loomed or for a much needed escape from life.

"Mommy!" Sabé's eyes quickly opened and a large smile filled her face as she heard Sienna's gleeful call, fill the air.

The mother knelt down to embrace her auburn haired daughter. As she stood up, Sabé twirled Sienna about. "I have missed you so much. How is my precious little one?"

The four year old girl smiled as she declared, "I'm fine. Papa Thorin has been teaching me how to count to a hundred in Naboovian."

"He has," she replied proudly. At that same moment, Sabé looked up to see both her mother and father approaching along with her two younger sisters, Tiya and Marya.

"My prodigal daughter has returned," announced Sabé's mother Marna as she quickly wrapped her in a warm embrace.

"It is good to be finally home."

Several attendants rushed by to unload Sabé's belongings. After they exchanged pleasantries, the Kelaria family reassembled in a large sitting room filled with antique furniture with several paintings on the walls. The Grand Inquisitor refused to put her daughter down, holding her close while breathing in the scent that was distinctly hers.

While nuzzling noses with Sienna, Thorin asked, "Have you spoken with Thomas?

Sabé and Sienna exchanged brief smiles before she answered, "I saw him on Imperial City before I left for Naboo."

"Why didn't he come?" Marna asked anxiously.

While tickling her daughter's neck, she responded, "His ship was ordered to the Outer Rim."

"Again." Thorin remarked.

The Grand Inquisitor glared briefly. Both her parents never truly approved of her marriage to Thomas, especially since he was an offworlder and came from humble origins. Yet, to their credit, they've shown nothing but love for Sienna while warming to her husband through the years. Her current situation in life had taught her how parents were far from perfect. "There are still uprisings due to the Rebellion."

"How awful," Sabé's mother uttered. "I wish they would quit their nonsense and accept Palpatine's offer of peace."

Sabé sighed shifting Sienna to her other arm. Every homecoming was marred with politics. Saché's death and then learning about Dormé Ladaniare's fatal accident on Coruscant weighed heavily on her mind. She wanted to enjoy being home before returning to her task for in a few hours her investigators would contact her about Dormé. But what truly confounded her was the disturbing encounter with Moteé. What did her warning mean? Had she lost her mind?

These thoughts plagued her the rest of the day, until she and Sienna went to dinner at Rabé's home in Theed. Both she and Eirtaé had two children each and were a few years difference in age to her Sienna. While their children ran amok, the three friends enjoyed being with one another.

"How long as it been since we were all together?" Eirtaé pondered aloud.

Sabé took a quick swig of her red wine before answering, "About three and a half years, I think."

The blond haired woman shook her head while placing her glass down. "No, no. Since the six of us were together?"

Rabé, reclining in her seat, smiled sadly. "At least twenty years. If not more."

"Has it been that long?" The Grand Inquisitor rhetorically considered.

A heavy silence momentarily filled the small room as the three ladies sipped their wine, until it was broken abruptly by Rabé's loud cackling. Both Sabé and Eirtaé gazed at her curiously, silently questioning what amused her.

"Oh, I was just recalling the time that Saché was on serving duty and she spilled a bowl of freshly squeezed shuura fruit all over that old Duke from Zolan."

The others laughed incessantly as Sabé said, "And then she made it worse when she tried to clean it off by dipping his napkin into the red wine instead of the water."

In unison, the former handmaidens tilted their heads back as their mirth filled the room. Sabé had forgotten how much they used to laugh back at the Palace. It seemed another lifetime ago. If only things could have remained the same.

"Where is Yané these days?" The former decoy asked as her amusement lessened.

Eirtaé answered, "She's sponsoring several charter trips into the Outer Rim to deliver relief supplies to all the Separatist refugees."

"I thought the Emperor had announced that he had dealt with the situation?" Rabé asked pointedly.

Sabé slightly shrugged. "I think it is one of those issues that will never be resolved. So he takes the stance that by doing something small, he has fixed the problem."

Eirtaé smirked. "If only Padmé had lived long enough. I'm sure she would have come up with something…more appropriate."

Sabé took several gulps of wine before placing her empty glass down. "Yes…perhaps. Then again, she may have retired from politics after the baby was born."

"I doubt it," Rabé remarked. "Knowing Padmé as we all do, she would have probably worked until the day she delivered. And then would have been back in the office the next day."

The Grand Inquisitor leaned in towards her friends and with a sly grin asked, "Who do you think the father was?"

Eirtaé and Rabé glanced at each other momentarily before returning turning back to Sabé. The brunette former handmaiden then answered, "Didn't you hear the rumors?" The former decoy shrugged her shoulders as Rabé said, slightly exasperated. "That Padmé was involved with a Jedi Knight."

Sabé with an astounded look shifted her gaze towards Eirtaé. "I went to visit her about a year before she passed away and a Holonews reporter asked me if I knew who her Jedi lover was."

"What did she do?"

Eirtaé chuckled briefly. "She had Typho…escort him off the property."

The ensuing chuckles that filled the room were forced as the three pondered the life Padmé was denied to live. Sabé then asked, "Was it Anakin Skywalker?"

Rabé shrugged. "I don't know, but if I had to guess, I would say so. Ever since the last liberation celebration we were all together, I know they communicated frequently after she stepped down. In fact, he and his Master were assigned to her protection after her ship was destroyed on Coruscant."

The Grand Inquisitor reclined into her chair, forming a steeple with her hands as she thought. "Sola mentioned only meeting Anakin when they were hiding on Naboo."

"That's because Obi-Wan Kenobi was off on some other mission," Eirtaé pointed out.

Sabé noticeably stiffened. "She also said she didn't believe anything happened at Varykino."

Rabé rolled her eyes. "If you were there with a handsome man who you knew was off limits, would either of you be able to resist?"

Both Eirtaé and Sabé tried to keep straight faces, but erupted into laughter. "I don't have to imagine," Sabé finally admitted.

"What are you talking about?" Eirtaé asked. "Not like anybody except maybe the Emperor or Vader would tell you anything about being with Thomas."

"True," Sabé responded. "However, that's not what I was talking about"

"Spill it," Rabé ordered.

The former chief handmaiden feigned a look of utter seriousness as she uttered, "A true lady does not kiss and tell."

"Bantha fodder," Eirtaé cried out.

"Yes, I do seem to remember somebody comparing stories with Yané about her exploits during her time at the Royal Academy," Rabé teased.

Sabé sighed deeply as she shook her head. "Call it a youthful lack of discretion."

"Oh come on, Sabé." Eirtaé pleaded. "It's not like we hear juicy gossip anymore."

The Grand Inquisitor chuckled as she rolled her eyes. "Okay, I had a, well uh, a sort of…encounter with Anakin's Master."

"Obi-Wan?" Both women exclaimed.

Sabé nodded. "When we were stranded on Tatooine during the blockade crisis, we had a…moment together."

"And?" Rabé asked urgently.

"And…nothing," Sabé answered. "It was nice, but that was it. Jedi aren't allowed attachments," she spouted in a scornful tone.

"I told you!" Eirtaé said excitedly as she slapped Rabé's shoulder. "I knew something happened. Pay up."

Rabé shook her head. "I don't think our friend appreciates the fact that we were betting on her personal life."

Sabé chuckled as she placed her hand on Rabé's shoulder. "It's quite alright. Besides, Saché confessed not too long after the liberation. I found it quite amusing that you all tried to not so subtly find out what happened."

"Well, it was a source of many late night talks," Eirtaé remarked. "Even Padmé was in on it."

The former decoy laughed. "That doesn't surprise me either." She then looked thoughtful for a moment before asking, "Do you both believe Padmé and Anakin Skywalker were lovers? I always thought she was too…traditional to do such a thing."

Rabé grinned. "I think she was a lot more hot blooded than anybody would ever guess."

"How do you know that?" Eirtaé asked curiously.

"It is amazing what people will tell their hairdresser," Rabé admitted, unable to stifle her giggle.

Both Sabé and Eirtaé joined in on their friend's laughter until Sabé quickly became solemn. She turned away when the others noticed that tears were forming in her eyes. "What's troubling you?" Rabé asked while cocking her head to one side.

The Grand Inquisitor released a deep breath as she leaned both arms onto the table. "Sola Naberrie asked me to investigate the circumstances of Padmé's death."

Both former handmaidens lolled into their seats, their faces filled with stunned shock. "Why would she ask such a thing?" Eirtaé managed to inquire.

Sabé smiled sadly. "I believe she felt with my office, I could get answers." She paused briefly before adding, "but there are even more pressing matters. I just learned that Dormé was killed in a speeder accident on Imperial City."

"When did this happen?" Rabé asked worriedly.

"Two days ago. I already have my investigation teams on it." She then grabbed both of her friend's hands and asked, "Please don't do any unnecessary traveling until I get to the bottom of this. This all gives me a terrible feeling."

Eirtaé looked at her worriedly. "What do you know?"

"Unfortunately, not enough," Sabé admitted. "All the same though, be on guard for the time being. After I get the information for Sola, I will be returning to Imperial City so I can get to the bottom of this."

"Do you require assistance?" Rabé asked.

"No," Sabé responded with a smile. "Just promise me you both will lay low."

"We promise," Eirtaé answered, "But please let us know what is happening."

"I will," the Grand Inquisitor said. "And if it becomes necessary, I will send a security detachment.'

Both women became worried as they gazed at their friend's earnest expression. Sabé had never been one to overreact, making the danger seem much more real. Rabé placed her hand on Sabé's and pleaded, "Be cautious yourself. Just because you are important, it may not exclude you."

"I know that all too well," Sabé softly responded.

Darkness had covered the landscape when Sabé left Rabé's home. Since Sienna had been sleeping too peacefully to rouse, Rabé promised to look after her until Sabé returned from Theed Palace. The Grand Inquisitor's mind raced as she pondered the evening's conversations. The one that truly stuck out foremost was Padmé had taken a lover –a Jedi on top of that. Despite Rabé's proclaimed insight, Sabé believe that if she indeed had become involved with Anakin, they were beyond just simple, lustful lovers. Padmé never did anything piecemeal.

Tarai, Queen Kylantha's chief handmaiden, stood silently as Sabé approached. Dressed in a simple scarlet robe, she bowed respectfully as she said, "It is an honor to receive you, Milady." She then motioned for the Grand Inquistor to enter the Palace.

"Is everything in order?" Sabé asked as they walked down the darkened corridors.

Tarai nodded. "I took the liberty to call up all of Queen Apailana's files concerning Senator Amidala."

The older woman slightly smiled as they entered the Palace's archives. Quickly, she sat at one of the terminals to call up the information. Meanwhile, Tarai moved towards the exit. "If you no longer require my assistance, Milady, I will retire for the night."

"Actually," Sabé said while turning to face the handmaiden. "I would appreciate any help you could provide, if it isn't too much of an inconvenience."

"Not at all, Milady," Tarai answered. "Queen Kylantha ordered that I remain at your dispose."

"Very well. Let's get started." Sabé moved to an adjacent seat, allowing the handmaiden to work the terminal.

"What do you wish to look up first?"

Sabé contemplated her request briefly. "Who brought Padmé's body back to Naboo?"

The handmaiden nodded and immediately keyed in the request. "According to this, Senator Amidala's body was brought to Theed Palace by Viceroy Bail Organa of Alderaan and an unidentified man."

"Unidentified?"

"Yes, Milady. There is no record of his identity. However, there is a holorecording of their arrival."

"Play it."

A blue, slightly faded image filled the screen as the recording activated. It showed the Tantive IV landing in the main hanger of Theed Palace as Queen Apailana and her attendants were waiting. After the landing cycle, two figures, one a tall, broad shouldered man, obviously Senator Organa and the other a much shorter person, came down the gangplank. Sabé's eye bulged as the camera moved in on Bail's companion.

"Pause it."

The image halted on the figure who was wearing cream colored tunics and a large beard. Sabé muttered, "Obi-Wan."

Tarai looked at Sabé curiously as she asked, "Do you know him, Milady?"

The Grand Inquisitor nodded. "He was once a very famous Jedi Master." After gazing at the hazy image for a moment longer, she returned her attention to the waiting handmaiden. "Go back to the record search."

"Yes, Milady," Tarai obediently replied, causing the ghost from the past to disappear. "What do you want to look for next?"

"Did they give any indication as to what happened?"

The handmaiden shook her head. "She died at the medical facility on Polis Massa as a result of complication due to childbirth…" Tarai paused as she quickly read ahead.

"What is it?"

"This is strange," the chief handmaiden said, scrunching her face. "After Bail Organa left Naboo, Queen Apailana received a priority message from Emperor Palpatine informing her that he had proof that the Jedi had killed Senator Amidala."

"What?" Sabé asked exasperated.

"That's not all," Tarai answered. "He also ordered that there was to be no autopsy and after her burial, under no circumstances was her body to be ever exhumed…to do so would result in a penalty of death."

The Grand Inquisitor sighed deeply. "I don't think that was too strange…perhaps an overreaction. Padmé had always considered Palpatine a mentor and I know he took her death hard. "

Shaking her head, Tarai said, "No, that's not it."

Sabé looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"According to the records, the Emperor's recorded message arrived at 0430 hours, but an error in the relay system prevented it from reaching the Queen until 2215 hours, which was a few hours after the Tantive IV left Naboo. That made it look…"

"Like the message arrived after the fact," Sabé finished.

"Begging your pardon, ma'am, but the Palace's communication relays are some of the best in the galaxy. Senator Amidala herself had them improved after the Trade Federation crisis so there would always be back-up units in case the main systems failed," Tarai pointed out.

Sabé nodded. "A priority message from Coruscant should have been rerouted which should have only delayed the Queen receiving the message for no more than an hour." She then asked, "Padmé had a skiff. Whatever happened to it?"

As the chief handmaiden keyed in the search, the Grand Inquisitor's mind was reeling. How had the Emperor known that Padmé died…unless…

"Here it is, Milady," Tarai said, bringing Sabé out of her thoughts. "Senator Amidala's skiff was offloaded by Viceroy Organa's ship and was then transported to the shipyards out at Mensha. According to their recent inventory, it is still parked and sealed."

The Grand Inquisitor reclined in her seat as she contemplated the situation. "Do we have access to Queen Apailana's personal logs?"

Tarai shook her head. "No, Milady. That information is protected by Royal privilege."

"If we had permission, could we access it from here?"

The handmaiden studied the anxious woman's face and hesitated before answering, "Yes, Milady."

Sabé fidgeted in her seat briefly before saying, "Then I thank you for your help, Tarai. I think can handle the rest of the record search on my own."

"Of course, Milady."

She nodded and watched Tarai until she left the room. Sabé then moved over to the terminal's main seat and quickly sealed the room. Apparently, none of Amidala's successors had deemed it necessary to change the security lockdown password, she mused with a grin. Sabé then hurriedly entered her Imperial override code to gain access into Queen Apailana's personal files. The pangs of guilt bristled her as she was violating Kylantha's trust; but, this was too important to ignore. After a brief search, she found what she was looking for, recorded in the Queen's own voice.

"Serrae Tundensen's personal journal for the twentieth day of the ninth month. I received a rather disturbing message from Emperor Palpatine this morning. After my numerous inquires expressing my concern over the circumstances of former Queen Padmé Amidala's death, I was told that if I continued my protests, Emperor Palpatine would view my suspicions as seditious. Furthermore, he would then have no choice but to dispatch his elite 501st stormtrooper legion to remove me from the throne. He thinks that I may have come under the influence of the burgeoning Rebellion."

"My personal instincts tell me to not back down, to stand up to our former Senator and demand these answers. However, as Queen, I cannot act in a way that could bring harm to my people. Padmé Amidala was a fine example of knowing when to fight and when not to fight; however, I think, despite her profound wisdom, her willingness to stand up for what she believed was what truly ended her life and that of her unborn child. May the spirits and Padmé forgive me for abandoning the truth. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say that I'm afraid…"

Sabé sat stunned as the message concluded. She also felt that by pursuing the matter further, more unfortunate things were going to happen. Yet, if she also deserted this path, then no one would ever know the truth.

TBC-Thoughts, comments, suggestions are always welcomed :)