The Queen had been unusually silent following her announcement that they were all going home, even when both Rabé and Sabé had questioned her plans on what exactly they were supposed to do once they got there.
Not only was she being silent, but she was walking at a very determined and fast pace toward their ship that awaited them on the landing platform.
Just before reaching the ramp, Qui-Gon Jinn stepped forward with a curt bow. "It is again our pleasure to serve and protect you, your highness."
Padmé left out a slight huff. "Yeah, right." She murmured under her breath as she entered the vessel with Qui-Gon following closely behind, biting his lip in aggravation.
It wasn't long after they had flown out of Coruscant's gravity field that the Jedi Master had requested an audience with the queen. As the Jedi entered the ship's small conference room, Padmé caught Obi-Wan's eye and grinned as he winked at her.
Qui-Gon was the first to break the silent glares being exchanged between he and the young queen.
"I really don't understand what you wish to accomplish by such a radical move, your majesty."
Padmé's vision narrowed as she gazed across the room at the bearded Jedi. Was that a bit of cynicism she had heard in his voice? She was pretty sure it was. So, the man was still patronizing her. Her hands gripped tightly into fists.
"I'm going to take back what is ours." She said with the lower pitch of voice she used in negotiations, believing it made her sound older than she was.
"And how are you going to do that?" Qui-Gon asked his hands flailing out in incredulation. "Obi-Wan and I can only do so much. We can't fight a war for you."
"I know that." Padmé shot back with a slight edge to her voice. What did he think she was? Stupid?
Qui-Gon leveled a glare in her direction. "Then what are you planning on doing? Fight the droid army with two Jedi, a handful of soldiers and a bunch of girls?"
Once again Padmé's eyes squinted in anger. Definitely patronizing cynicism. "If I have to and I'll do it with or without your help." She answered back vehemently.
A small smirk appeared on the older Jedi's face as Obi-Wan fought back a grin of his own, however his was appearing for a much different reason. Most beings they had encountered on their missions were intimidated by the mere presence of Qui-Gon Jinn. Be it his height, his mannerisms, or his tone of voice. Even Obi-Wan as a young padawan had been nervous around him. But here was a bit of a girl, not yet sixteen years old, standing toe to toe with his Master. He found the situation highly amusing and had to hide his smile during several glance-backs from his Master.
"Perhaps Jar-Jar here can help you. I'm sure he is an excellent fighter." Qui-Gon noted with slight sarcasm as he motioned backward to the lanky gungan behind him, while Obi-Wan faked a cough.
However, what was obviously meant to be a snippety remark, had sparked an idea in Padmé's head. She looked at the gungan curiously and then recalled something that Jar-Jar had said to her back on Coruscant.
"Jar-Jar Binks." She addressed the gungan directly.
"Meesa, your highness?" The surprised creature replied.
"Yes." Padmé' answered with a grin. "I need to speak with you."
She then turned her attention to Qui-Gon and with a smug expression announced – "You are excused Master Jedi."
From behind, Obi-Wan noted the tenseness in his Master's shoulders right before he spun and exited the chamber. Obi-Wan met Padmé's gaze again and offered her all the support he could with a smile before turning to follow his Master.
With rapid steps Obi-Wan recognized as frustration, Qui-Gon stormed his way to their guest cabin, turning to face his apprentice before moving inside.
"I'm going to meditate, padawan. And I don't wish to be disturbed."
"Good idea, Master." Obi-Wan said, immediately covering his mouth with his hand, attempting to hide the slight smile he couldn't seem to stop. Qui-Gon apparently did not miss the implication because the older man immediately turned without another word and the door slid shut behind him with a hiss.
Obi-Wan went back to the conference room and leaned against the wall outside of the main door. He wasn't necessarily wanting to know what the queen's plans were. After all, he trusted her to make the right decision. He just wanted to talk to her. The way she had stood up to Qui-Gon was impressive.
Never before had met any one like her, and he had met plenty of beautiful girls in his travels. A twinge of worry shot through him, but he quickly assured himself he was in no danger. Only once had he ever even gotten close to falling in love.
It was three seasons ago while negotiating a peace treaty on a remote mid rim planet. He had met a beautiful blonde servant girl who had thankfully shown her true colors at the last moment and swore her love to another, leaving Obi-Wan and his heart unscathed and unattached.
As he waited, Obi-Wan once again assured himself he was safe. What would a queen want with a Jedi apprentice anyway? Surely, if she was wanting to become romantically attached with someone, she would choose someone of higher rank, of higher importance. Perhaps there was some prince on some planet she would rather be with. Or maybe a Jedi Master, he laughed quietly to himself.
No. This was just a fling. Just like all the rest. He was sure of it.
Sure at least until she came through the door and smiled at him, and he discovered with great alarm that as soon as they were alone in the hallway, he couldn't keep his hands or his mouth off of her.
"Can we go to your cabin?" He murmured, backing her into a darkened corridor, raining kisses across her cheek and along her ear.
"The handmaidens are there." Padmé murmured back before his mouth claimed hers, moaning softly as his strong hands smoothed along the outline of her breasts.
"What about the storage compartment?" He asked, drawing her bottom lip into mouth, as his hands now fumbled along the clasps at the back of the high-necked velvet gown she wore, desperate to feel her smooth skin beneath his touch.
"Give me ten minutes to change." Padmé gasped as his hands had successfully undone three clasps in rapid fashion and were now caressing her bare back.
"Eight." He replied before kissing her again and grasping her hand to pull her in the direction of her own cabin.
Their path, however, was completely blocked by a dark brown Jedi robe.
"Not again." Padmé murmured from behind Obi-Wan.
"Padawan." Qui-Gon said firmly. "I need to speak with you."
"Can it wait Master?" Obi-Wan asked, squirming slightly.
"No." Qui-Gon answered. "If you'll excuse us." He directed to Padmé.
The Jedi Master motioned his young apprentice down the hall. But before following his student, he cast a solid glare in the direction of the young queen, though not only focusing on her eyes this time. Something offended him and she glanced down to her dress. So, a few clasps were undone, but she was still completely covered, and Qui-Gon couldn't tell from looking at the front ofit anyway.
Padmé quickly walked to her own cabin and immediately went to the 'fresher to look in the mirror. She began laughing when she saw her own reflection. The red of her lips was smeared all around the white surrounding her mouth, and the red dots under each eye were now blobs across her face.
"What's wrong, Master?"
Qui-Gon stood on the opposite side of their shared cabin for a moment before turning to face his apprentice. He had to be careful, approach this indirectly. He couldn't just bark orders at the young man any more. He was nearly a Knight.
"I forbid you to see Padmé Amidala." He suddenly blurted out.
"What?" Obi-Wan laughed. "Why?"
So, she didn't tell him. It was a relief, but a worry at the same time.
A relief that Obi-Wan didn't know. Because if he did and he was still carrying on with the young woman, then they would be having a very different conversation right now.
It was also a worry, because the boy needed to know. He needed to know what he was getting himself into. Before it was too late.
She had promised to tell him and he had to give her time to keep that promise. In the meantime however, he had to do whatever he could to stop his apprentice from becoming attached to such a girl. Queen or not. She was beneath him.
"I don't trust her, Obi-Wan."
"What?" Obi-Wan muttered again with a laugh, his mouth now agape in shock.
"Padawan. I must ask you to trust my judgment."
Obi-Wan's mouth clamped shut. Qui-Gon was his Master, his teacher, his friend. He had never let him down, always had been there for him. Of course he trusted him. He had to. His Master had always known what was best for him.
"Okay, Master." He quietly replied, noting the smile of relief blooming on Qui-Gon's face. However, Obi-Wan wasn't smiling any more.