Chapter Five

A day later, Padmé and Qui-Gon returned to the ship. Padmé was covered in sand from their trek across the desert, but she barely seemed to notice as she darted into conferenced with Sabé. Still keeping up pretenses until Sabé revealed the truth.

Padmé's eyes darted over to Everett, who lowered her hood, dark hair tumbling out. She asked how Everett knew and the Senator gave the same answer as she had when Sabé had asked before.
"It is my duty to know things," she added. "Including when I am being kept in the dark."

The corners of Padmé's lips tilted up as she shook her head.
"Brilliant… however, your cover must still be kept until we reach Coruscant."
"Why must I keep myself hidden, Your Highness?" She met Padmé gaze, keeping it until the Queen looked away.
"Because Typho made Sabé promise."

Everett frowned, an eyebrow raising as she looked to Sabé, who was dressed in full Queen Amidala fashion. She looked slightly uncomfortable and was flushing hard enough for it to show through the thick layer of white paint.
"A guard made a Queen make a promise?" Sabé ducked her head,
"He's demanding, you should know." Padmé rolled her eyes.
"Still, Sabé, you could have had him arrested to speaking to you that way."
"But it's love," Sabé pretended to swoon. "He's so handsome, Everett." Everett titled her head to the side, fighting back a blush that threatened to give away her emotions.
"Is he?"

The conversation swiftly changed to other topics, Sabé asking for an update about what had happened during Padmé's time on Tatooine. Sh kept it brief, wanting to move on. But she told them of a boy by the name of Anakin who had won a speeder competition in order to donate the money to them for new parts.

Then the conversation switched to politics and tactics for when they reached the Senate. Everett believed that only Padmé could get the Senate to cooperate whereas the Queen believed that only Everett could get them to listen to their pleas.
"I'm not a Senator," Padmé said. "I don't know how they think."
"You're a Queen," Everett reminded her. "That means you need to know how to conduct yourself in all areas of politics. It's a game milady."
"A game it might be, but it's not a mindless one."
"Of course," Everett nodded quickly. "I'm not saying it isn't. But Your Highness, if you don't know how to conduct the senate, then I'm afraid to say that your time in politics will be quickly over."

Sighing, Padmé leaned back in her chair. Her arms crossed over her chest.
"Do you ever wish we hadn't signed up for the Legislative Youth Program?"
Everett shrugged, "I had wished to be a writer, but to serve our planet is a noble thing, milady."
"I'm not complaining, Everett. But I often wonder about those who left to pursue the arts."
"You mean Palo," Everett teased. "I didn't spend much time with your group, I never wanted to be a Queen, but I saw the way he looked at you and vice versa."

For the first time since Everett had come into the service of Padmé Amidala, she saw the Queen blush. It seemed strange. Despite their young age, neither of them had thought of each other as younglings. They were leading their people, after all. No child could do such, but with the pink that spread across Padmé's cheeks, Everett truly saw the girl's age.

Maybe they were too young for what had been placed on their shoulders. Maybe they should be spending time gossiping like the young men and ladies of the court. Set up dates and play matchmaker… But here they were, the survival of their planet making them grow up much faster than a teenager should. They couldn't change anything, so embrace it they did.

The Queen shook her head in response to Everett's inquiry.
"Sometimes, Everett, love isn't meant to last." She gave the Senator a sly smile. "… well, aside from yours. I wouldn't be surprised if there were wedding bells in the distant." Now it was Everett's turn to flush much to Sabé and Padmé amusement.
"You aren't the only one with wit," Sabé giggled.

Rolling her eyes, Everett slipped out of the room to leave Sabé and Padmé to discuss their next moves. Sabé would have to keep up pretenses until they reached Coruscant and perhaps even longer.

She ran into Obi-Wan, on his way to the cockpit.
"Are we to leave soon?" she asked. He nodded, a relieved expression his face.
"My master is to be returning shortly… he went back to pick up a youngling who will be traveling with us to be brought before the Jedi Council."
"Good… I am ready to leave this desolate place."
Obi-Wan nodded, "I, as well, wish to leave Tatooine as quickly as possible."

At that moment, a sandy-haired boy rushed to where they were.
"Help!" he shouted. "Qui-Gon's in trouble!" Captain Panaka said, coming with the boy. Obi-Wan spun away from Everett, running into the cockpit to look for Qui-Gon on the scanner. He located him, fighting with a thing skilled with a lightsaber.
"Take off. Over there! Fly flow!"

The boy looked to Everett, blinking in awe up at her.
"Hi! I'm Anakin, who are you?" Everett knelt until she was the boy's height.
"Hello Anakin, I'm Moteé. I heard you won a speeder race, congratulations." They boy beamed at her as Obi-Wan walked out of the cockpit.
"Qui-Gon is onboard, we are on our way to Coruscant," Obi-Wan told her. She stood gracefully, adjusting her skirts as she nodded.
"Are you a handmaiden like Padmé?" Anakin asked Everett. She smiled at him.
"Yes, I am. Now I suggest you find Master Jinn. I'm sure he is worried about you." Anakin nodded, scurrying off after Obi-Wan.

She watched him go, smiling at his boyish nature. He reminded her of Jacin. Her brother. He hadn't made it much older than Anakin when he had died… It was like Jacin reborn.

Her smile slowly dropped as she walked to a nearby window. They were in hyperspace, the stars flying by in blue streaks. Soon they would reach Coruscant, and she would be allowed to drop the faux identity she had been forced to create. But she would be forced to take up another mantle, one she wasn't too thrilled to take.

So… we have introduced Anakin and have had some bonding time between Everett and Padmé! It's so exciting! See you next chapter!
-Amy Thorton

All Rights belong to Disney and Lucas Films.