Author's Notes: I didn't mean for the delay for this last and final chapter. The chapter didn't read right to me, but I did the best I could. It does feel wierd finishing up one story after 6-7 years. Again, thanks to those who took the time to review. Also, for those who have been silent, please let me know what you thought of this. Thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoy.

oOoOo

Sabé floated in warm white light. The peace and tranquility of her surroundings were all-encompassing, all-pervading. Eternity could be spent here without the batting of an eye, and she was very much tempted to remain.

Still…something nagged at her, something of importance. Try as she might to remember what it was made it that much harder to focus on it. Even as she felt the memory finally come within arm's reach, a sudden feeling of coldness slowly surrounded her. Remorselessly, it inched its way from her lower body, all the way to her head. She winced as parts of her mind flared in pain. A very painful headache quickly came and went, breaking her feeling of tranquility. The memory soon became so ephemeral it was as if one tried to hold and contain the last wisps of smoke slipping through one's fingers.

Time passed, though whether it was several minutes or several days, Sabé could not tell. Eventually, an increasing feeling of weight came over her. Feeling and smells soon made themselves apparent. The ambient light that had surrounded her slowly coalesced into a diffuse orb, still raining warmth over her. The effulgence dimmed somewhat as something floated in front of it.

Sabé blinked. Shapes and colors gradually sharpened around here. A brush of a hand and she felt something warm and silky covering her body. She found herself lying in one of the ornately made four-poster beds usually left to VIP's or heads of state. The room she was in was sparsely, yet elegantly, furnished. Beautifully wrought windows, as high as the ceiling, were open to the morning air. A light breeze wafted in with the scents of morning dew and flowers. The morning sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon with the first rays bathing her face in warmth.

I'm home, Sabé thought in weary relief.

As her gaze went past the windows, she noticed a small gathering of chairs around the bed – one of them recently occupied. Still somewhat in a daze, Sabé gazed back up to see a tall, bald, dark skinned man leaning over her with compassionate eyes and a mouth set in a tired, yet thankful smile. The man wore brown robes and her eyes wandered down to a lightsaber hanging from his belt.

"Welcome back to the living, handmaiden," Jedi Master Mace Windu quietly said.

oOoOo

The next hour or so felt something like a blur. Several doctors, as well as a Jedi Healer, were called in and checked on her vitals while Master Windu watched closely. She didn't quite understand why an eminent Jedi would be in her room, but was surprised when she was informed that the entire Jedi Council had flown in all the way from Coruscant. Along with the council, she was further surprised to hear that the newly-elected Chancellor Palpatine has also arrived to personally see the damage caused to his homeworld. Before she could ask any questions, the main door opened and in walked Padme and the new Chancellor.

As the last of the doctors finished up, one walked up to Padme and spoke quietly. The Queen nodded once and everyone left the room except for her, the Chancellor and the Jedi Master. The door closed quietly behind her, but not before Sabé noticed several guards standing right outside her door.

Padme's face was a mask of conflicting emotions. Seeing this, Palpatine leaned in and whispered a few words to her. The Queen sighed and nodded gratefully as Palpatine led Master Windu to the far side of the room near another window for several moments of privacy.

"Milady," Sabé whispered. Padme swallowed and seated herself beside the bed. The handmaiden was mildly shocked at the other's appearance. The last few days had certainly taken a toll on the young woman. Although still in her late teens, the Queen's haggard eyes and sallow skin made her look almost twice that age. A world occupied and then fought for with many deaths on your side would do that to any leader worth his or her salt.

Padme said nothing for several moments, looking almost ashamed to look at the woman who played her decoy. Before the silence became uncomfortable, Sabé said, "I take it we won?" A smile graced the Queen's face.

"Oh, yes," Padme breathed leaning over to grab a frail, heavily bandaged hand. "We were able to find the Viceroy and make him capitulate. Our fighters – well, one fighter actually – were able to destroy the Droid Control Ship. The droid armies fell immediately after." Padme shook her head. "It's still a mystery how one fighter was able to penetrate the droid ship's shields when the others couldn't shoot through it."

"I guess I did some good after all," Sabé murmured to herself.

The Queen looked confused and then said, "Sabé, there's so much we don't know about after you were kidnapped. And I'm sure you have just as many questions as well. But before we do anything I need to say something first." Padme swallowed, looked away and brushed at her eyes. Coughing once, she took a deep breath and looked her friend deeply in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Sabé. I'm so very, very sorry," Padme said in a whispered, choked voice.

The handmaiden slowly shook her head. "Milady…there's no need to apologize. I did only what I was trained to do. If I had not done so then perhaps Naboo would not have been liberated."

Padme said nothing, but her eyes gazed up to see the various crisscrossing burn marks still evident on her friend's arm.

"You did your duty spectacularly, Sabé. Please don't for a moment think I'm trying to diminish that. All of Naboo owes a debt of gratitude to you – I, more so, above anyone else. But at what cost?" The Queen lightly traced the lacerations and in a hoarse voice said, "Did our training include being tortured in such a manner? Could any training have helped when you were…were…" Her voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. Padme's eyes roamed further up and stop of Sabé's neck.

The handmaiden lifted a hand to gingerly feel the area. Although she couldn't see them, she knew the bite marks were still visible.

Sabé squeezed the Queen's hand. "What happened to me…I wouldn't have wanted it to happen to either one of us, but it did. Had it been you, Naboo might now have signed a treaty with the Trade Federation. My job was to protect you, Padme, and I would not have it another way." Sabé's eyes lost a little focus and she swallowed. On its own, her hand went from her neck to her opposite arm, fingers gently touching the fading scorch marks.

"I – I'm not quite sure when I'll be ready to talk about everything that happened to me. I don't know when I'll be able to come to terms with what happened to me, either. It might take a while before I can put it behind me, if ever."

The Queen nodded. "However long it takes, I want you to know I'll be here for you. I'm sure it might help to know that the person who kidnapped you was stopped by Obi-Wan Kenobi." Even after she said it, Padme winced a little.

"What?" Sabé said, noticing the look.

"This warrior…he – he killed Master Qui-Gon Jinn during the fight."

Sabé closed her eyes and shook her head, remembering the wise Jedi who, along with his apprentice, rescued her while she played the part of the Queen.

"There's so much I don't know. How long have I been out?" she asked, opening her eyes.

"Four days. Our doctors were able to stabilize you when you were found some distance from the explosion of that ship. When the Jedi Council showed two days later, they had their best healers with them."

"Then I should thank them."

Padme gestured to the Jedi Master, who walked over with Palpatine in tow.

Mace took the thanks in stride and bowed slightly. "We have done what would have been done for anyone else. However" – his face hardened slightly – "I do realize you do need your rest, but it is imperative that I, and some of my council members, talk to you about what you witnessed while in the hands of this assailant."

Sabé sighed. "Of course, Master Windu…but might I ask that it be done in a little while?"

"Of course, child," Chancellor Palpatine said, patting her hand. He looked over at the Jedi Master. "The young woman has just woken up from a long ordeal, and she must be extremely hungry. Surely the council can wait an hour or so to conduct its interview while she regains her strength?"

"Of course."

Both Chancellor and Jedi made for the door. However, before he closed it, Palpatine glanced over.

"I do have one question, child," he asked. "Your assailant, the one who" – his lips pressed a little in anger – "perpetrated all these offenses: did he happen to say what his name was?"

"Maul," Sabé said quietly.

"Maul. What an unusual name."

Shaking his head, the Chancellor silently closed the door behind him.

Sabé looked at Padme who shrugged.

"He's been pretty preoccupied with what happened to you. When he arrived with the Jedi Council and heard what happened, he demanded to see how you were doing, even though you were unconscious at the time. I was with him when we came to see you." Padme smiled. "You should have seen him. He just sat next to you, holding your hand. Before he left he placed his hand on your head, as if you were a child of his. I swear he was holding back tears."

Sabé smiled slightly, but winced a little from the onset of a mild headache.

Padme came over and gave her friend a hug. "Rest a bit. I'll send for someone to bring in something to eat."

"Thank you," Sabé said. She watched the Queen close the door behind her.

Several minutes later, there was a knock at the door and in walked a familiar figure carrying a laden breakfast tray.

"Obi-Wan," Sabé said with a smile.

The Jedi nodded and gave a small smile of his own. "I was on my way up to see you, so I thought you'd like something to eat." Kenobi came over and gently placed the tray down on the bed. "The council won't be in for another hour or so, but I think you'd like to get your strength up before then."

"You're too kind," she said, nibbling on a small biscuit and taking a sip from a local tea. Neither said anything for a few minutes. Finally, feeling a little better, Sabé glanced over.

"I feel a little guilty eating in front of you."

"Don't be," Kenobi said. "Quite honestly, I…I've been rather preoccupied lately to worry about my appetite."

Sabé stopped in mid-bite and put down her cup. "I heard about what happened to your master," she said quietly. "I'm very sorry. I guess both of us have gone through trying times."

Obi-Wan angrily shook his head. "It should be I who should be apologizing, Sabé. You would not have endured so much had I not – "

"Obi-Wan," Sabé said in a quiet, yet firm voice, "we could waste a lifetime and go insane with 'if only's. We were both taken completely off-guard by that warrior. The Queen informed me that you fought and bested Maul. Am I correct?"

Obi-Wan nodded and frowned slightly. "I didn't even know this Sith's name, but 'Maul' seems very appropriate enough."

"Sith?" Sabé asked, finishing her tea.

Kenobi looked to speak and then closed his mouth. "I shouldn't say too much until the council has spoken to you."

Sabé said nothing but blinked when she noticing something about Kenobi's hair. As a handmaiden, and especially as a decoy, she'd been trained to notice changes of any sort.

"Your braid."

Kenobi touched the side of his head that once held the long plait signifying his status in the Jedi Order. He gave a tight smile and said, "While you were out, Master Yoda informed me that the council had officially conferred on me the title of Jedi Knight."

"I would say congratulations are in order," Sabé said with a tinge of sadness, "but I'm sure you would have liked to have received the title under better circumstances. What I can say, Obi-Wan, is that you definitely deserve it."

"Thank you," Kenobi said in return. His smile actually got a little larger and he chuckled quietly. "I do have to say, you had Qui-Gon and I fooled with your being the Queen. You probably heard my jaw hit the ground when Padme came forth and told Boss Nass who she really was in order to make an alliance with the Gungans."

"I guess I should be flattered," Sabé said with a twinkle in her eye. "It's not every day one learns that they were able to fool the Jedi."

The Jedi's eyebrows rose slightly and a corner of his mouth twitched. "I think I would have figured it out eventually," he said in amused tartness.

The handmaiden's smile grew larger. "I doubt it."

Before either could say anything more, there was a knock at the door. It opened to allow Mace Windu in. He paused briefly when he looked from Kenobi to Sabé.

"Obi-Wan, your presence is not required for these proceedings," he said quietly.

Kenobi bowed slightly. "With respect, Master, I would like to know more of what happened." His face darkened slightly. "Considering it was I who allowed the Sith Lord to kidnap whom he thought was the Queen at the time."

The Jedi Master pursed his lips and gave a brief nod. "Very well," he said and stepped aside. Masters Yoda, Kidi-Adi-Mundi and Adi Gallia all walked in. Obi-Wan looked from one to another.

"We felt that having the entire council present might put undue pressure on you," Mace said to Sabé. "Plus, the other members wanted to look through the remains of the ship you escaped from."

All the members sat down on chairs nearest to the bed. At a nod from Yoda, Mace started.

"Sabé, we need to ask you some questions concerning your kidnapper, as well as what transpired between the times you were kidnapped, to when you arrived here. Some of our questions may be pointed, so please bear with us."

"One other thing, child," Master Gallia gently interrupted. "We've read the medical report given to us by our healer as well as your own doctors. We know what was done to you," she said compassionately. "You do not need to go into detail, since we understand that it must be painful to dwell on it." Her eyes darted towards Kenobi and she nodded once at his having dealt with the person responsible for such barbarity.

"Thank you," Sabé sighed in mild relief.

"Sabé," Kidi-Adi-Mundi said, leaning forward, "before we begin, did this individual have a name or title that you remember?"

Sabé slowly said, "Yes. He called himself Maul, Darth Maul."

The Jedi Master's face gave away nothing, though he did glance meaningfully at the others.

"Please go on," Mace prompted

Sabé spent the next hour or so going over most of what she remembered during her ordeal. She'd told it as best she could, since some details were somewhat murky. Some details, unfortunately, were quite ingrained in her mind. Though she sparingly described her torture with a lightsaber, more than one Jedi's eyes flashed in the room. Nothing could debase an elegant weapon as a lightsaber more than if it were used as a weapon of pain.

Once the story of her captivity had finished, the Jedi then asked the woman about Maul himself, his appearance, any mannerisms, how he spoke and especially if he said anything of importance.

While the Jedi digested most of what she said, Sabé interrupted by asking, "What is so important about this person that it concerns the entire Jedi Council?" She looked from one Jedi to another, until her eyes fell on Obi-Wan. "Wasn't he just some form of Jedi that you killed?"

Kenobi looked a little uncomfortable as he glanced over at the other masters.

"This person," Mace began, "appears to be a member of an order whose sole purpose was the destruction of the Jedi. The Sith were thought to be extinct over a thousand years ago. Needless to say, we are somewhat surprised and concerned that they are, in fact, still around."

Sabé shuddered a little. "Are you saying there might be more of them out there?"

"Know this for certain, we do not," Master Yoda replied, breaking the silence he'd kept throughout the entire meeting. "Important this last question is, handmaiden: Speak to anyone else this Sith did, while in his ship you were?"

Sabé's brow wrinkled. Just as she'd told her tale earlier, there were moments where she felt there should have been more to say but parts of her memory were still clouded.

When she didn't say anything after a full minute, Mace Windu sighed.

"We suspected as much. Your injuries were so severe that it's possible you have had some memory loss."

"There is another possibility," Adi Gallia ventured. "This Sith had you in his power for some time. It is possible that during his" – her lip curled – "interrogation of you, he may have caused some damage to your memory."

"Is there anyway to fix it?" Sabé asked.

"It may not be wise at this time," Mace said replied. "Your body and mind have gone through a very traumatic experience. Plus, there's no guarantee that trying to repair the damage might not aggravate the condition. All we can hope is that, with time, some of your memories do come back." He, along with the other council members, stood up. "We thank you for your time and know that it must've been difficult for you to recount." Mace then turned to Kenobi. "Obi-Wan, we'll be holding the service for Qui-Gon tonight."

With that, all the masters filed out of the room. Kenobi solemnly watched them go.

"Service?" Sabé asked as the door closed.

"It's a tradition when we pay our final respects to a fallen Jedi."

"I didn't know him too well. But if it's allowed, I'd very much like to say good-bye to him as well."

Obi-Wan smiled. "Of course."

Since Sabé was still quite weak, a wheelchair was found for her to sit in. Obi-Wan pushed her out to the main courtyard where most of attendees were slowly making their way to one of several stone built altars of meditation that overlooked the waterfalls of the capital.

Inside, many people were gathered around to pay their last respects to the Jedi. The entire Jedi council, Boss Nass and several other Gungans, Queen Amidala in full regalia as well as Chancellor Palpatine all congregated within the shrine. Qui-Gon Jinn's body already lay in the center on top of a large stone bier.

Sabé sat between the Queen and Obi-Wan. At a prearranged signal, flames rose from the bier slowly consuming the body. As the flames climbed higher and higher into the star-laden sky, she caught Padme's eye.

"Sabé," Amidala said quietly. "My term as Queen will soon end. I have been thinking of running for senator now that the position is open." She placed a hand on the other's shoulder. "When you're well enough, I'd like you on my personal staff. Chancellor Palpatine has also extended an invitation to you to come visit Coruscant. He feels it's the least he can do for your role in helping Naboo."

"I'd be honored, milady," Sabé said squeezing her friend's hand. She turned her attention back to the center of the room but – due to all she'd endured – found her mind wandering as she stared at the dancing flames. Light-headed and mesmerized by the fire, she heard low voices from her right.

Master Windu stared at the fires as well as they slowly consumed the body of Qui-Gon Jinn. Although outwardly composed, his thoughts were troubled. One of their own had been struck down by Sith. The very fact that they had obviously hidden themselves so successfully for a millennium was even more distressing. While there had been some disbelief when Qui-Gon had first come to the council with this news, the information given to them by the handmaiden had erased any and all uncertainty.

He turned to Yoda.

"There's no doubt," Mace said. "The mysterious warrior was a Sith"

Yoda nodded. "Always two there are. No more, no less. A master and an apprentice."

"But which was destroyed?" Mace asked. "The master or the apprentice?"

Sabé's eyes lost focus as that last sentence floated over.

Master…apprentice…master…apprentice…

A coldness formed in the pit of her stomach as a sudden memory blossomed in her mind.

There knelt Maul before a holographic projector. The ghost-like robed figure berating him for being duped by a decoy. Sabé strained to look underneath the cowl of the robes. All she knew was that it was extremely important. Only the sneering mouth and chin could be seen. A few more inches and she thought she could see…

Nothing.

The memory quickly dissipated, making her swoon a little. Obi-Wan leaned down and look at her in concern.

"Are you alright? You seemed to blank out there for a moment."

Sabé slowly nodded. "I'll be fine. It's just that, for a moment, I thought I remembered something that was very crucial."

"If it was that important, then it should come back to you eventually," Obi-Wan said thoughtfully.

"I hope so," Sabé said. "I won't rest until it comes back to me."

Several feet away, dark, brooding, unfathomable eyes slid surreptitiously over to her at hearing those words. It seems that it had been a good idea to suggest to the Queen that she keep the handmaiden close by as an aide. The young woman wouldn't be visiting Coruscant until she'd fully recovered. The offer had been the least that could have been done, especially with…everything for which she was responsible. Every available security measure would, of course, be extended when she came to visit.

Then again, the person thought, these were such chaotic and uncertain times.

Even when visiting a Chancellor…accidents did happen.

-FIN-

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