"Well, my dear," said Mr. Bennet, when Elizabeth had read the note aloud, "if our daughter should have a dangerous fit of illness, if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley, and under your orders." Mr. Bennet to Mrs. Bennet, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

Chapter 4: Miss Sabé's (Un)Fortunate Plight

That hour of intensively reading microscopic print had fatigued Padmé to the extent that she did not notice her friend's missing presence when she returned to her quarters that night. Sabé did not return that night, and it wasn't until the next morning that Padmé realized this. The headmistress's attempt to make Sabé close to the Jedi Master only made Padmé feel nauseous.

"Where's Sabé?" Padmé asked as she sat down at the breakfast table. Beside her, Sabé sadly shook her head. In need of an answer, Padmé looked to the headmistress. Much to her horror, Madame DesLauriers was congratulating herself on her foresight. "I highly doubt Miss Talek allowed Sabé to return on her own- what an undignified thing that would have been!" the tall woman all but crowed, Eirtaé nodding in agreement beside her.

"My guess is that she stayed the night at Miss Talek's," Rabé whispered, concern heavy in her voice. Earlier that previous day, they had soon discovered after class that Miss Talek was not a Jedi like they had all thought but a daughter of a wealthy senator.

"Miss Padmé!" a metallic but rather prissy voice called out. It was See Threepio, and he hastened towards her with a datapad in his metallic hand.

Padmé eagerly took the datapad and started to read it.

"What does it say?" Rabé asked eagerly, looking over her friend's shoulder to see. Everyone else at the table became quiet so they could hear.

"I am sorry if I alarmed you by not returning last night," Padmé read aloud. "Rest assured- I am in good hands. I had many… undesirable encounters last night and Miss Talek, in her great kindness, has insisted that I remain with her until I'm better. Master Kenobi has been here offering comfort and seeing to it that I'm well taken care of. Do not worry about me, for despite the fact that I was attacked, mugged, and nearly raped, there is nothing much wrong with me."

Indeed, when she looked up at the table, Master Kenobi was not there.

"This is absurd!" Padmé cried out, slamming the datapad down on the table so forcefully that it probably broke. She gave the headmistress a very angry glare. "You should not have put her in so much danger."

The headmistress did not show any regret. On the contrary, she actually seemed more pleased in herself. "I told you it would work," she conspiratorially Eirtaé who heartily agreed. "It will be only a matter of time before we have a wedding," she laughed, rubbing her hands together before attacking her food. Apparently, nearly loosing one of her students had given her a big appetite.

"If she doesn't get killed first," Rabé muttered under her breath so that only Padmé overheard her.

"I guess it is a comfort to know that, although she was almost killed, it was for the good of getting Master Obi-Wan," Padmé said dryly. By then, she and Rabé were the only ones who were not eating. "I need to go to her," she told Rabé as she bent down to pick up her heavy bag.

"No- you can't!" Rabé protested, holding Padmé down. "You can't miss piloting class- we're signing up for our first piloting slot."

"I didn't do my homework," Padmé said, suddenly filled with dread. More than ever, she needed to go. Though the reason Rabé offered wasn't convincing enough, she eventually convinced Padmé to stay. She soon regretted it the moment she walked into her first class.

"Take your seats without talking," Master Skywalker commanded as they slowly began to filter through the huge door into the classroom.

Frustrated and a little worried, Padmé numbly sat down in her desk and sat her notes before her. While Master Skywalker lectured, she could only sit there worrying about her friend.

"Who can tell me the difference between a snub and a starfighter?" he asked halfway into the class.

Raising her hand, Eirtaé said something so insulting to her sex that Master Skywalker sighed and rubbed his temple.

"Miss Padmé," he called out, fixing his gaze on the daydreaming woman. "Since you seem to know everything, what's the difference between a snub and a star fighter?"

With a start, Padmé realized that he very well knew that she had not been paying attention, for his bright blue eyes seemed to mock her. Hastily, Padmé thumbed through her notes, knowing that the answer was somewhere in there. Meanwhile, he impatiently drummed his fingers on the wooden podium.

"Miss Padmé," he said quietly. Something in his cold tone caused her to look up and find him smiling at her in a malicious way. With a flick of his hand, her notes flew from her desk into his hand. "That was your homework for last night- you do not need your notes, unless…" he said, his lips curving further, "you did not what I had assigned."

Not even for a second did Padmé falter. "I would have completed it had I not spent my time in detention."

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "How is it," he asked in a sardonic voice, "that you can certainly find the time to go to a tea party but not to do your homework?"

Her face remained cool as she gazed at him. "As a mature adult, Master Skywalker, you would surely understand that I always put my responsibilities before pleasure and that I always strive to do so without complaining or causing others grief."

"Detention."
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That Afternoon, Miss Talek's Penthouse

After classes and a lot of begging, Padmé found herself walking past guards into Miss Talek's apartment. Surrounding her was sheer elegance and, despite herself, Padmé was awed as she walked down a huge hall.

And straight into something hard.

"Master Skywalker!" Padmé cried out, cringing upon finding out that the hard chest she had run into belonged to none other than her nemesis.

"Miss Padmé!" he cried out once he'd recovered from the shock of being run into. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see my friend, Sabé… Master."

"Shouldn't you be at the Temple… studying perhaps for that quiz tomorrow?"

"I will," she replied calmly, gesturing to the heavy bag on her back, "but I first wanted to make sure that she was doing all right. During this conversation, Padmé wondered what he was doing there. Were Miss Talek and he romantically involved? His behavior towards the woman had suggested otherwise, but then again, it was not customary to find a Jedi Master wandering about the home of a young lady like it was his.

"She's doing much better," he said as he led her through several hallways and past a large drawing room. He stopped before a large door and, bowing to her, quickly walked off.

Shaking her head, Padmé went inside.

Though her message had been vague and sarcastic in nature, Padmé was not prepared for the sight of Sabé lying in bed feeling to badly to move. For the first timein days, Sabé's hair had been let down and it rested on the pillow and framed her tired face.

"Sabé?" Padmé whispered, unsure of whether her friend was even awake.

Instantly, the girl's blue eyes opened and she smiled upon seeing her friend. "Padmé!"

Quickly, Padmé sat down on the bed and gave her friend a hug before dumping her bag down on the ground.

"Are you alright?" Padmé asked worriedly, noting Sabé's pale face.

"Yes," Sabé said, obviously pleased to see her. "You needn't have worried- Obi-Wan… I mean, Master Kenobi, has been taking good care of me." Sabé blushed at her slip, drawing a pleased smile from Padmé.

"I am unsure of who is the most pleased about your being here- Madame DesLauriers or Master Kenobi." Padmé sighed. "What happened?"

Shifting in the bed, Padmé seemed reluctant to tell until Padmé fixed her with a hard look. "I got off at the wrong place. It was rather frightening. This weird man tried to sell me some deathsticks, but when I told him that I didn't want any, he robbed me."

Riling, Padmé angrily thought of a few choice words to call her headmistress.

"Seeing how… ah, helpless I was, all these males tried to do terrible things to me." The blond haired girl took a shaky breath so she wouldn't cry the tears that were welling up in her eyes. "I was so scared," she said in a hoarse voice. "I pulled out my blaster but one of them got me first." Reluctantly, she showed Padmé the huge bandage on her shoulder. "If I hadn't called Miss Talek for help and Obi-Wan… I mean, Master Kenobi hadn't shown up… I… I…" she trailed off, a tear rolling down her pretty face.

Though curious as to how Obi-Wan had conveniently stumbled upon her friend, Padmé never got to find out for, at that moment, the door slowly opened and a pair of familiar eyes peeked in.

"Master Kenobi," Sabé said with a faint blush.

As invited, Obi-Wan stepped in and, in a flustered way, stood before them. "I… just wanted to make sure you were doing alright," he stammered, a boyish smile on his bearded face.

Silently, Sabé nodded.

"I would like to thank you for so diligently looking after my friend," Padmé said gratefully, pleased by the Master's obvious affection for Sabé. "She is far more comfortable here than she would have been at the Healer's Ward."

"It was a pleasure to have her here," he blurted, also going a little pink. "I mean, not glad that she's hurt, of course, but that she's here hurt. I mean…" Embarrassed, he looked between Sabé's soft smile and Padmé's encouraging gaze. Abruptly, he bowed and left.

"Your Master Kenobi seems to like you very much," Padmé told Sabé.

"He's not my Master Kenobi," Sabé insisted.

"You do humble yourself," Padmé laughed. "I believe him every inch as attached to you as you are to him." Standing up, she grabbed her heavy book bag before saluting to her friend. "I'm going to let you get some rest- I promised Master Skywalker I'd study."

"Padmé?" Sabé said in a warning tone, causing her to stop in front of the door and look back. "Try to not get another detention."

Keeping the thought in mind that he could not punish her outside of the Temple, Padmé walked down the hallway and, pushing open the door, entered into the drawing room.

Or so she thought.

Much to her horror, she found Anakin sparring with a remote. His shirt was off and sweat gleamed on his muscular body and the muscles on his rigid stomach were so well defined that Padmé could not help but stare.

But then, he whipped around and saw her.

Startled, Padmé hastily said, "Oh, I am so sorry!" When the remote hit him in the side, she hastily left before he unleashed his wrath on her.

Finally, she found the drawing room and joined her two other companions. Miss Talek sat on the couch grading papers while Obi-Wan sat in a chair opposite of her, fidgeting with a silk pillow. Without saying anything, Padmé sat down next to Miss Talek and, in using a book as a hard surface, began to write her report on a piece of parchment.

Some time later, Anakin wandered in, smelling nice and refreshed after a long shower. Though he did not make a comment to draw attention to himself, Padmé knew a snide comment must have crossed his mind upon seeing her diligently studying. He went over to the nearby study and began to write.

Later on, as Padmé was pondering an appropriate conclusion to her essay, she heard Miss Talek exclaim, "How quickly you do write!"

Sensing a battle, Padmé put her homework aside and watched with anticipation.

"You are mistaken- I write rather slow."

"Who do you write to- a lover?" Miss Talek asked eagerly, practically leaning over his shoulder. When he did not respond, she attempted to take the paper away from him and see for herself.

Impatiently, he snatched it away. "To a friend, but if that's what you'd like to believe, you're more than welcome to do so."

Seeing that this conversation was over, Miss Talek looked for something else to talk about. "It must be rather dull to spend your days doing such things as this."

"I find it to be rather relaxing."

"True, but as a young woman, I seek accomplishment in other areas," Miss Talek said with an air. It was rather evident that her looming over him was greatly annoying Anakin, for he set down his pen with an impatient sigh.

"Women these days," Obi-Wan exclaimed. "They do the most odd things- decorating, endless shopping- such worthless things! There is some lady, I hear, who is what it truly means to be accomplished." Obi-Wan's twinkling eyes found hers and caused her to blush.

From the corner where he once again paused in his writing, Anakin announced, "There are three women in my entire acquaintance whom I can consider truly accomplished."

This interested Padmé. "You must have a strict definition then," she said, curiously waiting for his reply.

The Jedi sat down his pen and broodingly looked at the wall in front of him. "Indeed, in addition to being well educated and knowledgeable about life, she must enhance her being through good works and a determination to help others. Without the last, the others are worthless, but due to varying stations in life, it is possible to have the last without the first two and still be accomplished." Finished, he picked up his pen and thoughtfully twirled it around in his fingers.

Amused by his opinion, Padmé good naturedly replied, "Then I'm surprised that you know three, Master Skywalker."

At this, he whipped around and fixed her with a hard look. "Why are you so hard on your sex?"

Padmé had anticipated this rebuttal and thus lightly responded, "I'm sure not even you, Master Skywalker, can disagree with Master Kenobi when he says that women these days sadly put an emphasis on the wrong things."

Gravely, he nodded before returning back to his task.

"Sabe… Miss Sabé," Obi-Wan hastily corrected himself with a blush, "told me that you were looking for a volunteering position. Have you tried the crèche? They're always glad for help."

"No, I haven't, but thank you," Padmé said, becoming quiet as she considered this possibility.

When it became apparent that Anakin wasn't going to pay her any attention, a bored Miss Talek's eyes roved about the room and, upon seeing Padmé not doing anything, quickly crossed the room to her. "Miss Padmé, would you care to take a walk about the room with me? It is so refreshing after having sat in one place for so long."

Instantly, Padmé knew that the woman was not doing it out of kindness but to irk Master Skywalker, but she nodded. Standing up, she allowed Miss Talek to slip her arm through her own as they began to slowly walk.

"Would you care to join us, Master Skywalker?" Miss Talek called out after a moment, sending him a sly look.

"No thank you," replied he, "I'd only be in the way of either of your two motives."

"What can he possibly mean?" Miss Talek asked sarcastically, giving Padmé a wink. "The man can only talk in riddles. Shall we ask him?"

"Oh no- we should not give him the satisfaction of knowing that he has aroused our curiosity," Padmé said and, although her words were directed to her companion, she pointedly looked at Master Skywalker while she spoke.

Miss Talek was more impulsive and immediately insisted upon knowing what he meant by it.

"You two either have innocent reputations to ruin by gossiping- and then I would only be in the way- or you are both aware of the fact that your… figures are at their best while standing." Blushing, he chewed on the end of his pen before turning around.

While Padmé could only laugh, Miss Talek was horrified. "Master Skywalker! What an indecent thing to say. Master Kenobi, how can you tolerate him speaking in such a manner?"

Over on the chair, the Master shrugged, determined to keep out of this sure cat fight.

"Since his former master won't say a thing, how shall we punish him?" Miss Talek asked, giggling as she spoke.

"Ignore him- hurt his ego," Padmé said wisely. "A man such as he cannot stand being ignored."

"Is this another result of your having studied my character?" he retorted, whipping around again and giving her a frustrated look.

"Yes, and it has been my goal in life to avoid people who wallow in pride and vanity," she replied.

"Yes, those are weaknesses," he readily agreed, "but as to whether or not those are my faults I pray you will take more time in finding out."

Not able to stand the fact that she was being excluded from the conversation, Miss Talek interrupted, "So, what are the conclusions of your observation, Miss Padmé?"

Padmé tore her eyes away from his penetrating gaze and regarded her companion.

"Master Skywalker is perfection. He knows it without trying to humble himself by hiding it," she said slowly, attempting to keep a straight face.

"I do have faults," he insisted much to her surprise. "I keep them hidden, which is perhaps the greatest sin of all." He licked his lips. "I do have a temper- though I would like to say I do not- and my good opinion, once lost, is gone forever."

"That is a shame," Padmé sighed, "but you have been honest and humble in your confession- I can't laugh at you for that."

"And your fault," he said despite her protests, "is being opinionated and passionate to a fault."

"And yours is a determination to hate everyone," she retorted angrily.

A smile formed on his lips. "And yours is to intentionally misunderstand them."
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Jedi Temple

After just one night of detention, Padmé was already dreading the next encounter with the moody Jedi Master. Not caring if she was late, Padmé slowly walked into his classroom well beyond the time he had requested.

And stopped dead in her tracks.

He was there, seated behind that large desk of his, but this wasn't what alarmed her. Eyes squeezed shut, tears rolled down his handsome face as a gloved hand reached up to wipe them away. Shoulders shook as he cried and, for the moment, he was oblivious to her presence.

"Master Skywalker?" Padmé said quietly.

No reply.

"Master Skywalker?" she asked worriedly, deciding to enter the room. She quickly went to his side and, after a moment of hesitation, rested her hand on his broad shoulder.

Startled, he looked up at her. "Miss Padmé!" he exclaimed in a surprised tone that showed he had forgotten all about her obligation to come.

Monster or not, Padmé could not stand to see him suffer alone. "What's wrong?"

"I have lost someone… very dear to me," he said quietly, his bloodshot eyes finding hers. No longer was he the moody and unfriendly Master that had instructed her that afternoon- he was a young man who hurt terribly.

And it was her duty to help him.

Hesitantly, she reached out and, placing her hands on his head, pulled him against her. He turned his head and cried into her chest as she stroked his hair, whispering soft words to him. One gloved hand and one real clutched at her shirt, pulling her closer.

"I should have been there," he cried with a shuddering breath, his tears dampening the front of her shirt. "I could have stopped it…"

"You are only human," she soothed. "There was nothing you could have done."

The young man apparently didn't agree. More tumultuous sobs wracked his once strong shoulders. "I'm a Jedi- I am better than this," he murmured, turning his face to where he could look her in the eyes. In his blue orbs, she saw how lost he was.

"Shhh…" Padmé whispered, smoothing out his brow.

For the briefest of moments, something in his eyes flickered and he pulled away. He shakily ran his hands through his hair before looking back up at her with gratitude but Padmé misinterpreted it as anger.

"I'll leave you," she mumbled, already turning to leave, but she suddenly found a strong hand grabbing at hers.

"Please stay," he begged.

Staring, Padmé dazedly sat down in the chair in front of him. "I'm sorry about your friend," she whispered, looking away. "I too just lost a friend. She was a former handmaiden of mind and a good friend." She quickly blinked away tears lest he should mock her for her weakness. "We hadn't kept in touch as much as we would have liked, but I got a transmission this morning saying… saying…" Bursting into tears, Padmé covered her face with her hands. "She was only nineteen. Nineteen- people shouldn't die so young."

"I am sorry," he mumbled, reaching out and rubbing her back in an unsure way. "If you would like… I could take you to Naboo- I'll be leaving here and it will be along my way…"

"No," Padmé whispered, looking up at him with determination in her eyes. "It was Saché who urged me to become Queen, and it was her who urged me to become a Senator some day- I cannot miss out on my studies," she said fervently. "I cannot let her down."

"You want to be a Senator?" Anakin said weakly, a hint of disgust in his voice.

Padmé nodded. "I want to help people," she said. She then told him of her dreams- becoming a Senator, getting married, and starting a family. Throughout it all, he encouragingly nodded thought the grim look remained on his tearstained face.

"You will accomplish that all, I'm sure," he said once she'd finished, "but if you want to get a husband you might want to work on that attitude of yours."

Despite herself, Padmé laughed. "Thank you for the advice. And if you ever want to get married, you might want to get over your pompousness."

He sighed. "I will be leaving tonight- I have many places I need to go, including Tatooine." When she gave him a curious look, he explained, "That was where I used to live. Master Kenobi will most likely be your teacher for the next few days. Please do not give him a hard time."

"You're the only one I do not get along with. By nature, I am a friendly person," she said darkly, riling when he snorted.

"Whatever. I will leave instructions with him concerning your remaining detentions."

At this, Padmé jumped up. "Oh, I almost forgot about it. What do you want me to do."

To her surprise, he merely waved his hand dismissively. "By just sitting here with me, you have done me a greater service than any manual labor could have. Thank you."

Nodding numbly, Padmé got up and left. Despite this momentary truce, she knew that their rivalry was far from over.

What she did not know was that, as she walked off, an admiring gaze followed her.

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Spoiler for the next chapter: Obi-Wan's Women Woes-

"I have decided to start up a support group," she continued on, "but I need a sponsor. Would you perhaps be interested?"

"I am sorry," he said sincerely, "but I am rather busy and would not have enough time to dedicate to it."

Sensing that it was her duty to help persuade him, Sabé said quietly, "But Obi-Wan, you would be such a great help- you are an esteemed Jedi Master and a hero of the Clone Wars."

At this, the Jedi Master blushed. "I really can't," he stammered. A thoughtful but rather mischievous look crossed his face. "I can think of someone else who would be more than happy to help you."

"Who?" Padmé asked eagerly, quickly picking up her pen and a piece of scrap parchment.

"Anakin."

Despite herself, Padmé snorted in a most unladylike manner. "Anakin?" she gasped.

"Master Skywalker," Obi-Wan corrected gently. "No, he seems to have plenty time on his hands."

"But he hates me!" she protested.

"He does not hate anyone," he replied. "Okay, he might severely dislike a few people, but he does not hate. Besides, just think of how much it would annoy him." The mischievous look became even more vibrant in his eyes.

Liking the idea very much, Padmé grinned.

"Padmé, I do not think that is a very good idea," Rabé warningly whispered into her ear.

"So, what is your platform going to be?" Obi-Wan asked, yawning as he took a sip of his decaf.

"S.P.E.W."

At that precise moment, Obi-Wan choked on his decaf and sprayed it all over Eirtaé who screamed.

"Spew?" he aked hoarsly as he tried to help the young lady wipe the decaf off of her face.

Padmé nodded enthusiastically. "It means Senators Protecting Everyone's Welfare."

"I see," he said one more.

Upset, Eirtaé fled from the room and slammed the door behind her, but no one seemed to notice nor mind.

"Yes, I think Anakin is going to enjoy this," Obi-Wan said with a grin.

It was payback time.

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It was pointed out to me that I had unknowingly disabled my Anonymous Reviews- another blunder due to my ignorance when it comes to technology!

I have been origionally posting my fics on and I will post rapidly on here 'til I catch up!

Have a good weekend, and may the Force be with you!
AF