Chapter Fourteen


Everett sat up in bed, heart racing. She swung her feet over the edge, shivering as she felt the hardwood floors. She stood, moving towards the window. She leaned against the cool glass, staring at the greying sky.

In a mere few hours, she would be leaving Naboo for only the third time in her life. And it would be a while until she returned home. Her room was mostly empty, filled with boxes. All that remained was her clothes for the trip. The rest had already gone ahead of her to the apartment in the Senate.

Her conversation with Gregar the night before had sent him storming off in anger. Neither of them had been expecting this, but Everett had known the chances. The moment Chancellor Palpatine announced his running for Chancellor, she knew the risks.

Gregar had been the most displeased. He believed that she could do what she needed on Naboo… until he finished his training with Captain Panaka at least. Then he could go with her, but he still had a few more years.

But Everett hated space, she hated being on a ship, and she would rather be on Coruscant than having to travel back and forth for every session. Their argument had gotten heated, and he stormed off. She didn't try to follow him, they both needed to cool down… but unlike their usual argument, he didn't come back.

Someone knocked on the door and Eirtaé slipped inside.
"Milady," the blonde greeted.
"Hello Eirtaé, can I help you?"
"I am to go with you to Coruscant and I thought I ought to inform you."

Everett's head tilted to the side in confusion.
"Does Her Majesty know about this?"
"It was her suggestion and besides…" Eirtaé's shoulders lifted in a small shrug as the corners of her lips tilted up. "I quite enjoy your company."
"And I of yours." Everett smiled at the handmaiden. "It will be nice having a familiar face."

Stepping behind a curtain, Everett slipped into a traveling outfit then grabbed her shawl. She had something to do before the entire city awoke.
"I'll be back shortly," she told Eirtaé, who had begun packing the rest of Everett's belongings.

She found herself standing outside Gregar's apartments. She rapped her knuckles against the door. There was no response. She knocked again and her shoulders dropped when nothing happened.
"Senator?" a quiet voice asked.

Turning, she saw the neighbors' daughter.
"Hello Haley."
"Mr. Gregar didn't come home last night, Senator."
"Oh?"
"I didn't hear him." Everett knelt in front of Haley, taking her hands into hers.
"I'll be leaving for a while, Haley, I need you to take care of Gregar for me."

The little girl's grey eyes brightened.
"Really?"
"Yes, for me."
"I'll try," the girl promises. "You know I will."
"Yes, I do." Everett gave the girl a tight hug then stood. "If he comes home, tell him that I said goodbye."
"Forever?" Haley questioned.
"No, just for a little while."

For how long that little while would be, Everett didn't quite know. She hoped it wouldn't be too long, only a few months then she could visit. But she had to get settled in her new apartments.

When she and Eirtaé boarded the ship, Everett found Anakin sitting in a corner. He had a blanket folded beside him and she wrapped it around him as the temperature dropped when they were in space.
"You'll get used to it," she promised. "And I'm sorry we couldn't go swimming." Anakin gave her a smile.
"It's okay."

The two of them sat in silence for a while, Anakin falling asleep halfway through the trip. His head fell onto her side, and she didn't move for fear of waking him. She had yet to see Obi-Wan, but she knew he was on the ship.

She didn't see Obi-Wan even after they landed. Eirtaé and Everett were escorted to their new quarters, Eirtaé getting to unpacking as soon as the door shut behind them. Everett stepped onto a balcony, staring out at the city.

Constant bustle wasn't her favorite thing in the world. She already missed the land, the trees, and everything about Naboo. This planet felt empty yet overly packed. But she ought to get used to it.

Moving inside, she sat down on the bed, watching Eirtaé putting away her clothes.
"Do you need help?" Everett asked. She wasn't used to having someone else do it for her. Eirtaé shook her head.
"Nah, I'm used to this… When do you go before the Senate officially?"
"In three days," Everett muttered. "It's absolutely terrifying." Eirtaé pulled out a pale green dress with colorful flowers embroidered on it.
"You should wear this."
"Won't it make me seem overly innocent?" Eirtaé pursed her lips.
"Maybe that would be a good thing? It would make you seem less of a threat and then you'll show them how dangerous you can be."

The door buzzed and Everett moved to the next room to answer it. She pulled open the door to see Obi-Wan standing on the other side.
"Hello there," he said with a small smile.
"Hello," she greeted. He held out a small plant. "Is that from Naboo?" she asked, taking it from him.
"You said you would miss the greenery," he murmured. She smiled brightly at him.
"Thank you very much." He gave her a small bow.
"Until we meet again, Milady."
"Until we meet again, Obi-Wan."

She shut the door behind them, cradling the plant close to her chest. She couldn't quite remember the name, but she admired the yellow petals with faint pink markings. It was made to bloom then die but come next spring, it would bloom again. Life within death. It was almost poetic.


I hope you all enjoyed this! However, Everett's story is not complete. There is still stuff about her family that I wish to share with you and come on, there are still feelings that need to be fleshed out between Everett and Obi-Wan.
I have already started on the next story! But in the meantime, if you are looking for stories, please go check my other ones!
Anyway, thank you guys for sticking around. I hope you all enjoyed! See you next time!
-Amy Thorton

All rights belong to Disney and Lucas Films.