Okay, that was not a cheap attempt to get readers for my other story, but I mixed up my postings! Here's the REAL ONE:

"Yes, vanity is a weakness indeed. But pride—where there is a real superiority of mind, pride will be always under good regulation." Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Chapter 5: Obi-Wan's Women Woes

Miss Talek's Penthouse
When she walked into the drawing room again the next morning, Padmé could tell that they had been talking about her. Instantly, Miss Talek had become silent and plastered a fake smile on her face. Master Skywalker started to pace about the room, contemplating some unknown mystery.

Ignoring this, Padmé sat down next to Obi-Wan, for at least that man enjoyed her company.

Everyone remained silent for about thirty minutes until a protocol droid rushed into the room.

"Mistress Talek!" the droid exclaimed. "There is a dozen women here to see you." Muttering to itself about the impropriety of it all, the driod bustled out of the room.

Incredulous, Miss Talek very well knew who had come and it looked like, for a moment, that she was inclined to send them all away.

But, before she could do anything, Madame DesLaurier's tall frame filled the doorway and, behind her, were Padmé's fellow students.

"What an exquisite home you have!" Madame DesLauriers boomed, unaware of the deadly looks she was receiving. Without permission, she strode in the room, making it suddenly seem much smaller. All of the women with her seemed excited with the exception of Rabé. Eirtaé was acting like her usual self- without impropriety, she had strolled about the room and was touching all of the breakables in sight.

"Madame DesLauriers," Miss Talek said in a high voice. "What a… pleasure it is to see you." By the tone in her voice, Miss Talek thought quite the opposite.

With a dramatic sigh, Madame DesLauriers sat down on a chair, Eirtaé and another foolish young lady flanking her.

"Sabé is doing much better," Padmé said, guessing that this was the reason why they had come.

Apparently, the headmistress had different motives. "Master Kenobi, we had promised to have a ball."

"Oh yes Master Kenobi! You must come!" Eirtaé exclaimed, ignoring the looks Padmé was sending her.

By the look on the two Jedi's face, they were not thrilled about the prospect of being forced to attend another dance, but Obi-Wan smiled politely while Anakin ignored them and Miss Talek adopted a disgusted expression.

Bored, Anakin went and stood in front of the window, his back to the guests.

"That would be… nice," Obi-Wan said slowly.

Immediately, all the girls began to giggle and talk excitedly.

"How about we have one for the New Year," Madame DesLauriers suggested.

Numbly, Obi-Wan nodded.

"We hope you will come," Eirtaé said breathlessly, not seeming to care about the fact that her friend had prior claims on him.

"Yes, you must come," Madame DesLauriers insisted, making the man blush. Seeing Anakin standing motionless before the windows, she pursed her lips and said in a less-than-civil voice, "And I suppose your friend is welcome too."

"Headmistress!" Padmé gasped, horrified by the woman's rude behavior.

"That is, if he finds us worthy of his presence," the tall woman continued on in an angry tone. "And don't you admonish me, young lady!"

Embarrassed, Padmé exchanged weary looks with Rabé but otherwise remained silent.

The last thing she needed was another detention.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ten Minutes Later, Miss Talek's Penthouse

"Thank you for your stimulating companionship," Padmé told Miss Talek as they approached the waiting speeders.

Deemed well enough to get up out of bed, Sabé was being taken back to the Jedi Temple where she was to take it easy for the next few days. An eager Obi-Wan helped her into the speeder and only pulled away when he saw that she was perfectly comfortable.

"The pleasure was all mine," Miss Talek said with an air, curtsying to her peer.

Doing the same, Padmé gave her a fake smile before walking to the speeder in which Sabé waited. To her surprise, Anakin was solemly standing by the side of the speeder. It seemed that their agreeability of the previous night had been forgotten for, although he was obviously waiting to assist her into the speeder, a stern look was on her face.

Holding up the hem of her dress, Padmé held out her hand. He lightly held onto it but otherwise remained motionless as she stepped up. Quickly, she sat down and gave Sabé an encouraging smile.

The next moment, the smile left her face as she saw Master Skywalker walk off, flexing his hand as if to ward off the feeling of hers.

"How rude," Padmé muttered.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jedi Temple

It wasn't until she had been sitting in piloting class for ten minutes without Master Skywalker showing up that Padmé remembered that he had left. Relieved that she was not going to be in a verbal battle instead of learning, Padmé gave Sabé a broad smile.

"How are you doing?" she asked, looking at Sabé's shoulder.

"Fine," Sabé replied. "What's wrong- you seem kind of sad."

"Yesterday, I heard the most terrible news," Padmé said sadly, tears threatening to well up in her eyes. Deciding that then would be the best time to make the announcement, Padmé strode to the front of the classroom. "Could everyone please be quiet for a moment- I have an announcement of great importance to make."

A few minutes went by, but eventually everyone, including Eirtaé, became silent.

"I have some dreadful news," Padmé said slowly, wiping her eyes. Her hands gripped the side of the podium as she tried to find the strength. "Yesterday, we lost a beloved friend, sister, and colleague." Padmé took a deep breath. "Saché, a handmaiden of mine when I was queen and a dear friend, has passed onto the next life."

A few girls began to cry softly but everyone was shocked.

"It is a very sad thing," Padmé agreed, tears freely falling down her face. "She was a most dedicated, loyal friend and we shall all dearly miss her, but she would not want us to mourn her passing." Her eyes looked in a determine way at each and every one of her companions. "She had been the one who urged me to become queen, and it was her who wanted me to pursue my dreams. Because of this, I wish to announce that I intend to run for the Senatorship of Naboo."

The women's snuffles turned to gasps.

"I will need your help," she confessed. "This is going to be a long and hard road, but with the encouragement of my close friends, I know I can go far."

"What is going to be your platform?" Rabé asked practically, a little miffed that Padmé had not told her first.

"Reaching out to the citizens of this Galaxy by promoting peace and good will," Padmé replied.

"You know, you ought to make a club or some sort of a support group," Sabé suggested.

Padmé pondered it for a moment. "That is a good idea," she agreed. "How about S.P.E.W.?"

"Spew?" Rabé said doubtfully.

She nodded. "Senators Protecting Everyone's Welfare."

"Oh," Sabé said, "that's kind of catchy."

Soon, everyone was excitedly discussing Padmé's bold plan. They had all gathered about the desk at which she sat and were all giving her ideas.

That was the scene Master Windu stumbled upon when he came by to see how Anakin was progressing.

Meanwhile, they all continued to giggle and talk loudly, but they did not notice the Jedi who had entered into their presence.

This all ended when Eirtaé attempted to run out of the classroom to get something. "Master Windu," she said breathlessly, sloppily bowing to him.

"Where is your professor?" he asked in a less than amused tone.

Instantly, everyone rushed back to their seats and faced the front. No one answered.

The Jedi Master strode to the front of the classroom and gazed down upon them all.

Seeing that no one else was going to speak, Padmé raised her hand and spoke only once the Master had nodded. "Master Windu, someone close to Master Skywalker died yesterday and he left to attend the funeral."

"Apparently he didn't feel the need to inform us," Mace Windu said grimly. "Who was it that died?"

She shook her head. "He didn't tell me, but he was quite upset about it."

He regarded her for a couple of moments before pulling out a comlink. "Master Kenobi, could you please come down to the piloting classroom- we have an incident."

At this, Sabé blushed but Padmé didn't notice- she was too intrigued.

A couple of minutes later, Obi-Wan strode in. "Is something wrong?" he asked warily, sensing the tension in the air and noting the swollen eyes of the women.

"Master Skywalker is apparently off planet," Mace Windu said. "Would you care to fill his place until he returns?"

It seemed that Obi-Wan was hesitant and would have refused, but a slight look at Sabé convinced him otherwise.

"Oh, and Miss Padmé," Mace Windu said before he walked out the door, "I would like to have a private word with you in the Master's common room this afternoon."
Gulping, Padmé nodded numbly.

The door shut behind Master Windu and all the young ladies then turned their attention back to Obi-Wan.

"Well, as I was not planning on teaching you today, I do not have a lesson plan," he apologized, even more unnerved by Sabé's respectful but still overwhelming presence. Though she just sat there quietly blushing, it seemed that Obi-Wan was afraid of making a fool of himself. "So, what have you all learned so far?"

"Not much," Eirtaé blurted out though most of the class protested this. "Padmé spends most of the class time fighting with him. You could just stand up there and do nothing yet teach us just as much as he does."

"I see," he said thoughtfully.

At that moment, the door burst open to reveal Miss Talek. At first, she seemed confused when she noticed Obi-Wan was standing there instead of Anakin, but she eventually entered and went and sat down at her usual spot.

"You mean he spends most of his time fighting with me?" Padmé asked angrily.

"Ladies, please stop fighting!" Obi-Wan cried out, holding up his hands. He used a heavy Force suggestion to calm them down. "What has you all in such a bad mood?"

"A friend of ours died," Sabé said softly.

Immediately, his face filled with compassion. "I am sorry."

"It's alright," Padmé said briskly. "Good has come out of it."

"I'm not sure I understand," he said, his brow wrinkling in confusion.

"I have decided to run for a position in the Senate," Padmé announced. "It's what she would have wanted."

He became silent.

"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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That Afternoon, Master's Commons Room of the Jedi Temple

After assuring the guard that she had indeed been invited, Padmé was allowed to enter into the Master's wing of the Jedi Temple. The smile that had previously been on her face disappeared and she replaced it with a more solemn countenance.

Soon, she found the prescribed area. When she stepped inside, she found Masters Yoda, Mace Windu, and Obi-Wan sitting together and talking about something with a serious tone.

Right as Padmé was contemplating whether she should leave or not, Obi-Wan sensed her presence and looked up with a smile. "Ah, Miss Padmé," he said brightly.

The two other Jedi Masters looked up at her and politely nodded.

"Talking about you, we just were," Yoda said, scrutinizing her.

Though curious, Padmé remained silent and stood a respectful distance away.

"Miss Padmé, would you care to join us for a walk?" Mace Windu asked.

Minutes later, she found herself strolling through the corridors of the Jedi temple with the two human Masters while Yoda floated in a sledge next to her.

"It has come to our attention that you owe Master Skywalker several detentions for disorderly behavior," Mace Windu began, fixing her with a serious gaze.

"Yes, Master."

"Are you in fact disorderly?"

"I'm afraid so," she admitted in an ashamed manner. "There is a personality conflict between Master Skywalker and me."

"Much in common you two have," Yoda said.

Disagreeing, Padmé nevertheless remained silent.

"Have you ever considered the possibility that he might be attracted to you?" Mace Windu asked.

Going a bright red, Padmé stopped in her steps. "Oh, no," she said hastily. "Believe me, he does not like me."

It seemed that the three Jedi didn't agree, for they all exchanged looks.

"Well," Obi-Wan said finally, "I might be willing to disagree with that. Ever since his mother dies, Anakin has seemed rather… unattached."

"And that is saying something, considering his past," Mace Windu amused.

"His past?" Padmé echoed.

The dark skinned Master nodded. "Yes. Anakin was born a slave on Tatooine. On a mission, Obi-Wan discovered him and brought him here to the Temple. Ever since, he has proven to be an… enigma. Two years ago, he nearly turned to the Dark Side."

"I had heard about that," Padmé said quietly.

"He hasn't been the same since," Obi-Wan said sadly. "We've been watching him carefully to… make sure he doesn't start back down that path."

"Once started down the path of the Dark Side, forever will it dominate your destiny," Yoda said gravely.

"So, there is a possibility that we have a Sith Lord teaching us?" Padmé asked in a horrified tone.

"No," Mace Windu said quickly. "Although he certainly struggles, his loyalties lie with the Jedi."

"Is that why he acts so… different?"

"What do you mean by 'different'?" Mace Windu asked sharply, stopping and turning to face her.

"He had me do the weirdest thing for detention the other night," she said uneasily. "He was looking for a way to stop death."

A pregnant pause ensued.

"A fear of failure, Master Skywalker has," Yoda said. "Afraid to loose another loved one, he is."

"This is rather disturbing," Mace Windu said. "I will see to it that he stops that immediately.

"What did he have you do last night?" Obi-Wan asked curiously.

"He… he was crying when I came in," Padmé admitted slowly. "He had just found out that someone close to him had died… I comforted him."

"Shown great kindness to an enemy, you have," Yoda congratulated. "A generous person, you are."

"Miss Padmé, we did not wish to alarm you," Obi-Wan said. "We just want to let you know what kind of a man is behind that mask he wears," he sighed, "because it will be a long time before he reveals it to you."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That Evening, Piloting Classroom

Since Master Skywalker was obviously not going to be present, it had been decided that an unwilling Obi-Wan was going to watch over her detention.

"What are you going to have me do?" Padmé asked fearfully, not really liking the strictness that the Jedi as a whole seemed to embrace.

"Well, Anakin has been grumbling about how much fanmail he has to answer," Obi-Wan said with a laugh. "How about we tackle it?"

Not liking the idea of being forced to read letters to Anakin from ditzy teenagers, Padmé slumped her shoulders as she looked at the huge box that was resting on the desk. Unwillingly, she pulled up a desk and plopped a handful of the letters onto the desk and, readying some envelopes, a pen, and some parchment, set about the task.

Much to her great surprise, she found that the task was rather enjoyable. Not all the mail was from adoring fans, and the letters that were she found to be rather amusing:

Mr. Skywalker

I am very annoyed with you. Ever since you became a hero, I have no end of grief with my sons. They jumped off a roof and hurt themselves (and it was a good thing they fell onto a pile of manure), hit people with sticks they claim are lightsabers, wave their hands in front of me claiming to mind-trick me. And when they "spar", my living room is a shambles. I cannot confine them to just one area of the house as they move all over, "just like a real Jedi!" says one. They have even taken to dressing like Jedis. Never mind that all the kids make fun of them.

You're their role model. Do something! I just want some peace and quiet around here.

Mrs Flintstone

Padmé could only too well imagine how Anakin would handle those kids. Quickly, she wrote a reply saying that she would personally see to it that Anakin handled this problem. She could only hope that he would live up to her word.

Next to her, Obi-Wan quietly snorted as he read a rather lengthy letter. "Here," he said, handing her the note.

MASTER JEDI SKYWALKER

I am writing you this letter to inform you that my client Dr Rigs is suing you personally for "borrowing" as you informed security his speeder.
As a hero to the Republic he would not have laid charges if permission was asked and it was later returned with no damage. However my client received notification from the council the next day that his speeder was impaled into the senate building and that he is responsible for the cost of its removal and the damage it caused to the senate building. Because of the recklessness of your conduct it is needless to say the speeder is written off. Due to this circumstance my client no longer has a means of personal transportation and must resort to air taxi transport, which is expensive and totally inconvenient. My client has also suffered business loses as he cannot travel to his patients apartments. I am informing you that you are personally responsible for the repayment of you actions. This includes: the council fees 50,000,000 credits (the removal of the speeder and the damages caused by the speeder). The cost of replacing the speeder which was purchased last moth 230 000 credits, the loss of business of Dr Rigs which equates to 5,900 credits and also the cost of air taxi transport 400l.98 credits.

"Leave that one on his desk," Padmé said through her giggling. "That will be a lovely surprise for him when he returns.

"50234001.98 credits!" Obi-Wan exclaimed after he finished the calculations. "He could sell his sorry self and not get this much!"

"It's always a possibility," Padmé said soberly before bursting into laughter again. Eagerly, she picked up the next letter and quickly read it. "Oh my!" she exclaimed, blushing in embarrassment. "That was very, very bad!"

Playfully snatching the letter from her, Obi-Wan read it out loud: "My dearest Mr. Skywalker, We met at the opera last week when the Chancellor kindly introduced us. Was that a…" he trailed off, too embrarressed to continue. "I… that does not sound like something Anakin would do," he said hastily before daring to look at it again. "Dreamy kisses, Lady Morgana."

"Lady Morgana," Padmé said thoughtfully, knowing the name said familiar. "I've heard of her- she is rather… loose if you get my gist," she laughed. "Definitely not the type that he'd like."

"That's a relief," Obi-Wan exclaimed. He had been pondering a way to confront Anakin about that.

"Awww, this is cute," she said about the next letter.

Deer Mr Skywalker,

My mom says I can rite a letter to you becoz I did all my chores. She usually won't let me do this as she says you are a very busy man and will not have time to read yor fanmail.

Its my lifeday nex month. I wuz wondering if you can visit me. It would be so cool and make my friends sooo jellus. I'm having a big party and yo're invited.

Pleez?

Yors truely,
Jorge Shrub

She had only known him as a moody Jedi, but the kind words of the innocent boy briefly made her consider the Jedi in a different light.

"All children seem to adore him," Obi-Wan said thoughtfully. "Set that one on his desk also."

"What about the one from our… interested friend?'

"Though it would be funny to see his reaction, you'd better burn it."

Suddenly, Padme burst into laughter as she held up four identical looking envelopes. "It looks like someone was a little worried that he wouldn't get her letters." Laughing even harder, she said, "Here's the best one."

This is so cool, you know, like awesome, I sort of can't believe that I'm actually writing to you, that is, you know so cool, did I say that this was awesome, you rock.

"Yes, the whole address thing is a problem- everyone knows it," Obi-Wan said. "Anakin had better watch his back when he goes out- he might get mobbed one of these days."

"Thank goodness I'm not so pathetic," Padmé said proudly, tossing the letter into the trash.

"I think we've read enough," Obi-Wan said disgustedly. "I think he can go through the rest."

"Thank you!" Padmé said gratefully though she was a little disappointed to end the fun. "Have a good night."

"And you too," he said readily. "Oh, and tell Sabé that I said goodnight, will you?"

Grinning, Padmé assured him that she would.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------