Chapter 5: On My Own
In the presence of the delegation, Anakin was dragged out of the meeting room and forced into the turbolift.
"Anakin, you are so stupid," the handmaiden muttered darkly, jabbing at the power button all the while digging her nails into his arm.
"You let go of me or I will break every single nail on those fingers of yours," Anakin said through gritted teeth. He yanked his arm away so forcefully that the handmaiden lost her balance and glared at him.
"You're well on your way," the handmaiden whined, displaying yet another broken nail. "Let's do your nails and see how well you like it when I rip them all off one by one…"
"You shall do no such thing," Anakin snapped, jamming his finger into the button to make the turbolift stop. "I have had enough of your nonsense."
"Fine, you're on your own now, Skywalker."
Skywalker? Did she actually just call me that?
"I can survive on my own without a handmaiden- since when do Jedi need handmaidens anyway?"
The handmaiden said something under her breath that Anakin couldn't hear.
"Did you just call me a-"
"I believe you just missed your floor," the handmaiden said coolly, a smug look surely on her hidden face.
Red flooded to Anakin's face. "I… uh, decided that I didn't like that floor," he stammered before awkwardly exiting off the next floor.
"Oh, by the way, you might be receiving a com from P.W.S.A.H.," the handmaiden called out.
"What is P.W.S.A.H.?"
"Public Welfare Serving Abused Handmaidens."
"Sure- have them give me a call. For now, you can consider yourself fired."
At this, the handmaiden smirked. "Nice try, Skywalker- I just happen to be your wife's confident- I would not recommend you firing me unless you want the entire Galaxy to know all your dirty secrets… which I might do anyways."
"If it has anything to do with someone known as Darth Sidious, I have confessed to all that," Anakin said with a casual wave of his hand.
"No, actually that wasn't what I had in mind- M'Lady was fortunate enough to tell me that you can't fall asleep if you don't have…"
"You wouldn't dare!" Anakin gasped.
"I sure would."
All of the sudden, Anakin just shrugged. "See if I care. I have a few cards up my sleeves that Padmé doesn't know." Satisfied, he strode off.
"Oh, Anakin, I do know," the woman murmured under her breath. When he was long gone, she placed a shaking hand on her womb. "I happen to have a few cards of my own."
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Coming next: Anakin addresses the Senate and receives an
odd transmission.
