Author's Note: Hopeless4Life – Yes, we need some dramatic music! I'm glad you liked it, hope this segment keeps you entertained as well! Meandmysharpie – Oh no! I'm so bummed to hear that you're sick again. Hope this chapter brings a smile to your face. Get well soon, okay? Hellish Red Devil – As always, your review is incredibly sweet – thank you! I was so nervous about writing Siri, but your comments have made me so glad I gave it a shot. Anakin's Girl – your comment is a timely one. AU versus Canon – I'm actually still toying with both ideas as I contemplate the ending of this trilogy. So, we'll see what I come up with! And yes, if you update WOWH, I will be there with bells on. Bene Gesserach – Oh, I'm so happy you tracked this story down; I do hope you'll join us. It was a privilege to review your story – I thought it was great! Now, on with the story!

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FIVE DAYS LATER, LESS THAN THREE HOURS BEFORE FIRST PERFORMANCE

Anakin and Obi-wan were pacing.

Siri watched them with a small smile, sincerely grateful for the distraction they were providing. By focusing on them, she was able to ignore her own churning stomach. At least for the moment. After all, it was just another assignment - one that happened to be more of a series of appearances really.

Okay, a series of Galaxy-wide appearances... Appearances where they would be wearing iceblades. And outfitted with sparkly costumes...

Force, what had they gotten themselves into?

She took a few deep breaths.

The last few days of practice had actually gone quite well, she had to admit. The nervous protocol droid had proven to be quite an adept teacher. It was clear that they knew the routine inside and out, and yet... there still seemed to be something missing. It was if their movements were so automatic that they almost appeared droid-like in their execution.

She hadn't comprehended the problem until she caught a few snippets of Anakin and Padme's routine. She had stood just out of sight, her heart aching as she saw the way they looked at each other. The emotional bond that ran between her new friends was so bright it spilled over to their routine, bringing it to life.

Oh, Obi-wan. You still can't let go, can you?

"Siri?" Padme's soft voice interrupted her reverie. "Are you ready?"

"What? Oh yes. Sure!" she replied, getting to her feet.

"Where are you going?" Anakin asked, confused. "We don't have to be there for another hour."

"No," Padme corrected. "You don't have to be there for another hour. Siri and I have to go now so we can get our hair done." She kissed Anakin on the cheek and gave a long suffering sigh, "The price we must pay for beauty."

Siri waited for the usual sarcastic comment from Obi-wan but he simply studied her, looking uncomfortable. Frowning at his silence, she scooped up her iceblades and followed Padme towards the door.

"Okay, partner," she tossed over her shoulder, praying her voice sounded natural. "I'll see you in about an hour."

"I'll be there," Obi-wan offered, turning red. With another uncertain look, Siri escaped through the door.

BACKSTAGE, PREPARATION AREA, ONE HOUR LATER

"Holy-" Siri cut off the rest of her expression, realizing it wasn't entirely appropriate. She caught another glimpse of herself in the mirror. "Wow, these droids sure do know what they're doing!"

Like Padme, her eyes had been rimmed with dark pencil for a seductive effect. However, while Padme's droid tended to go with bolder colors to match the Senator's dark hair and eyes, Siri's artist had chosen a pretty pink shade for her lips and cheeks. Somehow, the droid had even managed to put curls in her hair, pinning it up so it fell in a cascade of gold around her face.

She didn't even look like herself.

Although, I suppose that's the idea, she realized.

Leaning over to Padme, Siri confessed, "I feel like a decoration."

"You'll get used to it," Padme assured her, laughing. "This is nothing compared to some of the face paint I've had to wear over the years."

Siri's retort was cut off as Obi-wan and Anakin entered the room.

"Liri! You look beautiful!" Anakin exclaimed, striding towards Padme. Grasping her hands, he twirled her around happily and gave her a lingering kiss on the cheek.

Suddenly feeling very shy, Siri glanced at her feet before sensing Obi-wan's gaze. Looking up, she was startled by the wistfulness she saw there and her heart swelled hopefully.

Clearing his throat, Obi-wan dug a booted toe into the ground. "Kahla, you look really... nice."

Frowning, Siri strode towards him and quietly hissed, "Nice? We're supposed to be in a relationship, you know!"

Putting a gentle hand on her hip, he added, "You're truly breathtaking."

Fighting the sting of tears, Siri forced a grin and whispered, "That's better."

Padme sighed, sensing the Jedi's disappointment as only another woman could. Giving Anakin's hand a final squeeze, she released him and strode forward, resting a hand on the small of Siri's back. "Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, we have to find our skimpy costumes."

The tension eased, Obi-wan let out a genuine chuckle and nodded his head in understanding.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Padme hurried Siri towards the dressing room.

ONE HOUR LATER, OUTSIDE DRESSING CHAMBERS

"Where are they?" Siri fumed, fidgeting with her new bracelet. She blew out a frustrated breath, aware that her nerves had returned in full force.

"They'll be here," Padme insisted, tightening the thin straps of her costume. The deep blue dress swirled around her knees as she moved, the fabric's movement elegant and romantic. Padme had been surprised to find that she was quite pleased with the effect. The costume was much less revealing than she had feared.

Siri's, on the other hand, was fairly racy. One of her shoulders was bare, the other arm encased in a sheer purple sleeve that looped around her finger, keeping it in place. The matching bodice was fitted snugly and the skirt hung to her knee on one side and to her upper thigh on the other.

Siri had not been pleased upon first viewing, to say the least.

"Is anyone out there, Liri?" she had asked, her voice terse.

Glancing around, Padme saw the surrounding area was empty. "No, it's just us."

"Good." Seconds later, a finely knit cloak flew through the air, disappearing into Siri's chamber. Moments later, the Jedi emerged, the garment fastened up to her chin, effectively hiding her seductive costume. "This cloak is not coming off until I have to step on that blasted ice."

Smiling at the memory, Padme quietly offered her help with the offending jewelry. With a couple deft flicks of her fingers, she expertly fastened the bracelet onto Siri's wrist and settled it into place.

"Thank you," came the grateful response.

"You're welcome. Now, try to relax. You and Dake are going to be fine, I promise."

Siri opened her mouth to respond but her words lodged in her throat as she sensed a commotion coming from somewhere behind them. Exchanging confused looks, Padme and Siri turned, their bodies tensed to defend themselves if necessary.

It wasn't.

Obi-wan and Anakin slowly crept into the room, clad in their performance attire. Both were frowning, both were nervous... Both had a smattering of sparkles on their purple and blue hemline, respectively.

Clapping a hand to her mouth, Padme bit her tongue in an attempt to keep her laughter from spilling forth. She chanced a glance at Siri and noted the woman merely looked stunned at the sight of The Chosen One and his legendary Master dressed in such showy garb.

"I've seen it all now," Siri teased, her face brightening as she realized she wasn't the only one displeased with the clothing choice.

Joining in on the fun, Padme whispered, "I guess they left their light sabers at home, huh? Couldn't threaten those costume droids without them, hmmm?"

Anakin glared at her before commencing a desperate attempt to pry off the offending beads. Catching on to his plan, Obi-wan did the same after shooting a confused look at Siri's ample cloak.

"Unintentional revenge is the sweetest kind," Siri sighed happily.

"Who said it was unintentional?" a familiar voice boomed. Startled, the group glanced up into the face of a smirking Mace Windu.

"Master!" Obi-wan and Anakin cried. "What are you doing here?" Siri merely looked mortified and tried to make herself invisible.

"I'm a judge, remember?" he prompted. "I have to attend a pre-show meeting to learn about my contractual duties. I just wanted to wish you well before the big performance... and I wanted to see whether the men liked their costumes."

"You did this?" Anakin wondered, pained at the thought.

"Well, let's just say I had TX-306 give some tips to the costume droids. See you after the show." With that, the Jedi Master grinned and gave a slight wave, disappearing through the door.

They all stared after him, mouths hanging open in disbelief. Before they could find their voices, the loudspeaker squawked to life:

"Would all performers please report to the Backstage area? Repeat: all performers to the Backstage area."

Resigned, Anakin shrugged, "This is where the fun begins."