I do not claim to own the characters from Star Wars or the quotes I do use.

Vataloni's View

Before Vataloni even opened her eyes, the ache in her head had exploded with full force. She moaned softly and her eyes fluttered open, only to find herself not in her own room, but a completely different one. The blinds on the large windows surrounding the bed she had been set on were open about half way, and she had to squint for several minutes before it was safe to look around some more. There was a door that led off to what Vataloni guessed was a bathroom since she spotted a marble sink directly through the door. There was a large closet to the far side of the room, and a writing desk on the other. Other then that, it was a rather empty, yet elegant room. The colours were royal greens and blues, which made Vataloni guess she was somewhere where the rich lived.

The door slid open with a whoosh, Chancellor Palpatine entered, a smug look on his face, and a glass clutched in his right hand. He raised an eyebrow, "Feeling poorly, my dear?"

Vataloni groaned loudly and tucked her knees in to her chest, burying her face in them for a moment. Her head was killing her and now he had to come and act like a smartass. She was tempted to lash out at him, but she curtly reminded herself he WAS the Chancellor after all, and she would have to watch her temper around him. Accepting the glass with a hint of a light disposition, Vataloni eyed the clear liquid carefully, making sure there wasn't anything in it that would cause her... pain.

"It's a drink that takes away your hangovers," Palpatine chuckled, flicking his hands at the curtains. Instantly, they flew up and allowed more light to slowly filter in to the room. Vataloni frowned at him, curious as to how he managed to do that, but downed the drink quickly. After a moment or two, her head began to clear and a strange feeling overtook her. It wasn't queasiness or any other sort of sickness, but the Force suddenly became very strong in the room. She knew it couldn't be herself, since very rarely did Jedi's sense their own presence. Palpatine was watching her closely, however, and she decided to discuss it with Obi-Wan later that day.

"What... happened last night?" she asked slowly, looking around the room, "And where am I?"

"You became to intoxicated I didn't think it was safe for you to wander home alone," Palpatine stated, "A pretty thing like yourself... drunk, is an easy target for predators in the shadow."

Vataloni raised her eyebrow at his choice of words, but said nothing about them, and asked, "I take it this is ... a guest room in your suite?"

"My room," he corrected, sitting on the edge of the bed, "This is my room."

Vataloni turned away from him quickly, "I think I should go... Sir. My Master will be worried when I did not return last night..."

She pushed the covers off her body delicately and stood up, noticing her feet were bare and her dress was slightly open. Palpatine chuckled, "I figured you would be uncomfortable in such a tight dress... And I do not want shoes in my bed, I'm sorry."

Vataloni flushed and quickly did up her undone dress, "Not a problem... I thank you for thinking of my comfort. I must have been such a bother..."

"You're rather charming when drunk," he said, laughing loudly, "I shall have to get you drunk more often."

"I'd rather not make a habit of it," Vataloni sighed, finding her shoes neatly sitting by the bed. She quickly slipped into them, using the Force to latch the strings shut, "Thank you for everything, Chancellor. I think I can show myself out. The Opera was lovely... Good day."

"I wish to get together," Palpatine said just as she was walking out the front door. She cringed; so close.

"Get together?"

"Yes," he said, smirking, "You still want to know of your former master, and I have more to tell. You think I would indulge information about the Sith within the ears of gossipy senators? No. We need to be alone to talk about him... If you are still curious."

Vataloni chewed on her lip for a moment, "I... I would like to know about him, I suppose. Thought I should not dwell on the past. If you want to get together... Then do it when we are both free so it will not be a bother. I really must get going, Chancellor... Good day."

Before he could say anything else, she turned on her heel quickly and strode down the hallway of the apartment, hoping he would not follow her.

Palpatine's Point

'She does not want to know...' a voice hissed in his head, 'Maybe we should wait on her... For some time, after we have Anakin.'

"Hush," Palpatine said stronger, shutting the voice up, "We will need both of them if we want to rule the Senate. One will not be good enough... I want both."

He watched Vataloni step onto an elevator at the end of the hall, a thoughtful expression on her face. He grinned, "Oh she wants to know... But it's her new ways of life that will not let her know... In time... When I call for her again, she will heed me."

'She is strong, and will rebel against your control,' the voice snapped, 'She is no longer the child we once looked after...'

"She still is," Palpatine laughed, stepping back into his apartment and using the Force to keep the door locked, "Her mind is trapped in the Jedi world... We need to set her free. This is where you could play in..."

'How am I to do that?'

"You and I are one..." Palpatine mused, "You are the Sith, I the Chancellor... Get in her mind... My voice in her head will soon drive her back to me, or madness will have her removed from the Jedi Order."

'I suppose I will sound alltoo familiarfor the girl...'

"She's a woman, in her mind," Palpatine stated, "Don't treat her like one... Treat her as we used to... Break her."

'Of course... I'll be back with what I find out...'

Palpatine felt his head lighten slightly, knowing the Dark side of him was off toworm its way into Vataloni's brain, and hopefully corrupt her thoughts. He smiled and stared out the window at his Republic, whispering softly, "Good... All is going as it should..."

Vataloni's View

"He got you drunk!" Obi-Wan exploded, standing up suddenly when Vataloni told him what had happened the night before. They were sitting in his apartment, drinking something or another to help with the headache that had returned to her. She almost didn't tell her Master what the previous night's events, but she started feeling guilty about it, and told him everything.

"I woke up in his room!" Vataloni exclaimed, suddenly feeling ashamed, "In his bed... Obi-Wan I can't remember what happened!"

"He's smart enough not to do anything to you," Obi-Wan said, assuring some of the worries that were going through her head, "But I still can't believe how un... un something he was being! I can't think of the word... You'll have to excuse me, but I hardly call his behavior proper."

"He said he'd tell me about my Master," Vataloni said softly, looking at her hands, "Every single time I would ask something... He gave me a drink. The last thing I remember was that we were in the restaurant... That's all."

"Try to put it behind you is all I can say," he sighed, moving a little closer and wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "If you dwell on it... It will eat you whole."

Vataloni looked up into his eyes and smiled, then climbed up into his lap, resting her head in the nape of his neck. Neither said anything, but there was a silent affection that took place as he gently stroked her hair, staring off into the distance.

'Getting a little too cozy to new Master... Eh, Vataloni?'

Her eyes shot open wide and she sat up, a terrified expression on her face. Obi-Wan frowned, "What... What's the matter?"

Blinking hard a few times, Vataloni took a deep breathe and cuddled back down into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. The voice she had heard... It was her Master's... the Sith! How was it in her mind? Was she just too tired? Perhaps her mind had decided to finally rebel and play a trick on her.

"I'm tired," Vataloni whispered into his ear, "My mind plays tricks on me... Maybe I need sleep..."

'I assure you... My young apprentice, I am not your mind... I am not a trick...'

The voice was back, yet it spoke in a mocking tone, a singsong voice. Vataloni shivered and her headache suddenly vanished, yet her head was heavier, as if someone had placed a book atop her head.

"Vataloni...?" Obi-Wan muttered, pushing her face out so he could have a proper look at it, "Vataloni... You look pale..."

'Oh he is a smart one... A cunning Jedi, no doubt. Is that why my little green Yoda gave you to him... So you would be influenced so easily by some handsome flesh?'

"Stop!" Vataloni whimpered, pushing herself off Obi-Wan, "Please... Please stop!"

"I'm not doing anything," Obi-Wan said firmly, standing up and gripping her under the elbow gently, "Maybe you should see a medic."

'What would you tell them, Vataloni, my apprentice? That the voice of your Sith Lord is in your head... You'd be called mad... I suggest you stay quiet.'

"I'm fine," Vataloni mumbled, "I... I don't know what came over me..."

She knew to tell him what she had heard would push him away, to make him think she was losing herself in the midst of war, so Vataloni held the voice to herself. Obi-Wan looked her over with worry, trying to find something physically wrong with her. Vataloni smiled weakly, then burried herself against his body, "Hold me..."