Hello again! I promised I wouldn't leave you all in that cliffhanger for long! Thank you, as always, to julesley for taking the time to edit this, especially with keeping Jar Jar's dialogue intact. Man, that was difficult. Also, thank you to everyone who has supported the story! You're the absolute best.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars.


I fully believe that there should be a limit of how many Sith Lords I can encounter in a twenty-four hour period.

Honestly, I've come across two too many and both are sufficiently terrifying and sinister on their own. Do I have some sort of sign on my head that reads: "All Sith Lords welcome"?

"Where is the boy!?" Darth Plagueis repeats and I can't help the shiver that runs down my spine. I wish this universe still relied on hinged doors. At least I could partially hide behind one if that were the case.

"You seem to be mistaken, sir, I know not of whom you speak." My voice shakes as his orange-yellow tinted eyes narrow on me. "If you are searching for Senator Palpatine, he will return after the Senate hearing." He lifts his hand, turning it ever so slightly. When he speaks his voice sounds deeper, with an echo behind it.

"You will tell me where the boy is."

A sensation, like pressure against my temples, begins to take over. It blurs my vision and turns my stomach. Obey… obey… obey…

But no matter how strong the pressure is, I am fully aware of what is going on. He's trying to mind-trick me. Oh shavit.

Obey… obey… obey…

I swallow the lump in my throat and feign a monotone. "I will tell you where the boy is."

"We shall try this again: where is the boy?" He waves his hand again and the pressure increases. My ears feel like they're ringing.

"He…" I feel myself beginning to sweat. I'm about to lie to a Sith Lord. I thought my second life would at least be longer than the first. "…went with Master Qui-Gon. I don't know where."

Plagueis curses vehemently, his head whipping to the right at the sound of a door opening. For the final time, he waves his hand. "You will forget this encounter."

Not kriffing likely. "I will forget this encounter."

In a burst of supernatural speed, he disappears down the hall just as Jar Jar emerges from the central chamber. He looks at me as I lean, heaving against the doorframe and scratches his head. "Um, are-a yousa okeeday Missa Handmaiden?"

I cover my mouth with my hand as a wave of nausea upsets my stomach. I dart past him to the 'fresher and heave the contents of my lunch. By the time I am finished, I lay on the ground and groan miserably.

"Missa Handmaiden!? Do yousa need help!?"

Slowly, I turn my head towards Jar Jar and offer a weak smile. "You don't happen to have any biscuits, do you?"

"Oh! Mesa be lookin' for dem for you, okeeday?"

He runs down the hallway and a crashing noise follows soon after. I push myself up from the ground, wearily grabbing the counter to pull myself upwards. When I see my reflection, I realize I've turned a lovely shade of greenish-gray; quite similar to Lott Dod actually.

The reality of what has just occurred hits me like a ton of permacrete. I just encountered Darth Plagueis and survived. He attempted mind-tricks on me and they failed. The last time I felt sick like this was when Obi-Wan used the Force on m─ oh for kark's sake.

I think the Force hates me; or I'm somehow allergic.

I don't know which is worse.


After a quick hydro-shower and a biscuit served by an eager-to-please Jar Jar Binks, I run back to the terminal in the temporary Royal Chambers and begin typing out another message. How did Yané say I could prevent a message from being tracked!? I wish I would've paid closer attention.

My typing comes to a halt when I pull up the feed from the Senate hearing once more. As I watch and hear arguments breaking out across the amphitheater, my heart begins to sink. Padmé must've given in to Palpatine's wishes and initiated the vote of no confidence.

In essence: my plan failed.

This feeling of failure, mixed with the lingering queasiness from the Plagueis debacle and the worry over Halleth, is enough to make me walk over to the wall, turn my back to it, and slide down to the floor. I press my forehead to my knees and wrap my arms around my legs.

I'm not going to be able to change anything, am I? My presence here is pointless. It'll be like watching a car crash in slow motion while everything I love is ruined.

"Missa Handmaiden?" I look up, seeing Jar Jar hovering in the doorway. "Would yousa like another biscuit?"

His hopeful smile begins to crack through the misery I'd begun to wallow in. I haven't had much chance to interact with Jar Jar, however, he has always been kind whether I've been dressed as a Queen or as myself.

"That's kind of you, Mr. Binks, but I don't have much of an appetite."

He hesitates for a moment before entering the room. "If you're still a-feelin' sicken, I canna help yousa!"

I shake my head. "Thank you, but I don't think you can help me with what I'm dealing with."

"Oh…" he trails off sadly. To my surprise, he joins me on the floor. We make an odd pair, a towering Gungan next to a depressed, curled-up Handmaiden. "Is it because yousa miss home, too?"

"That's part of it, yes."

"Well… don't-a give uppa yet! Wesa still have time to get back, maybe even without-a gettin' crunched."

Despite myself, a giggle escapes me. "No, I would like to avoid being crunched, if possible."

"So-a, issa gonna' be okeeday." He smiles widely at me. "De Queen's gotten a plan, mesa tinks."

"For your sake and mine, I hope you're right, Mr. Binks."

He shakes his head. "No-no-no, mesa called Jar Jar Binks, not Meester Binks. What issa your name?"

Maybe it's because of stress, or exhaustion, or the fact that his friendliness is making me want to cry, but I extend my hand towards him and shake it. "Sabé. You can call me Sabé."

"It's nicen to meet yousa, Sabé."

I sincerely hope this won't backfire on me.


From USERUNKNOWN to qgjinnattempleint; owkenobiattempleint 0349 GST
Subject: [Encoded 95683]

"Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi,

The boy, Anakin Skywalker, is in danger. Individuals capable of great evil are searching for him. Please utilize all caution and keep him safe. May the Force be with you.

Sincerely,

A Friend"

- Data message sent from unknown source to Jedi Temple user interface


It feels like days have passed by the time Padmé returns to the apartment. We rush to change her out of her outfit into something easier to move around in. She is unusually quiet, though she does breathe a sigh of relief when we remove the ornate headdress from atop her head.

"So…" I begin hesitantly. "How was the hearing?"

"It was pointless." Padmé states, with a bite to her tone that is unmistakable. "Between the likes of the Trade Federation and Mas Amedda, we didn't stand a chance of receiving help."

I wince as Rabé combs through her now tangled hair. "I'm sorry. I can understand why you called for the vote."

Padmé's brow furrows. "What are you talking about?"

Is she so upset that she's forcing her memory of the hearing away? "I missed part of the hearing, but I saw that the vote of no confidence was called for."

Eirtaé hands me a heavy, velvet overcoat to drape over Padmé's shoulders before asking: "Sabé, exactly how much of the hearing did you actually watch?"

"Well… I caught the beginning and the very end?" I answer quietly, wishing I could explain the reason why I missed so much of it.

Have I mentioned I hate Sith Lords?

"So you basically missed everything." Rabé shakes her head. "Oh Sabé…"

"I didn't mean to!" My voice rises in pitch. "Trust me, I would've much rather watched the hearing than deal with─" I stop myself before a particular name spills out. "─um, I was hungry… very, very hungry."

The three of them roll their eyes in unison before Padmé continues. "I didn't call for the vote, Sabé."

I blink once. "I'm sorry, but did you just say you didn't call for the vote?" I point to the terminal in confusion. "But, on the feed it said that the vote was called for!"

"Yes, but it wasn't me." Padmé sighs. "It was like I had your voice in my head, warning me not to do it. The Senator from Eriadu called for the vote."

Hope begins to surge within me. Holy shavit… Padmé listened. Padmé listened.

Things can be changed! Padmé isn't under Palpatine's thumb!

Hold up… Eriadu? Why does that name sound so familiar…

Padmé continues on, despite my wondering. "Senator Palpatine seemed disappointed that I didn't follow his advice. You would've been thrilled."

"Huh, it's as if you think I don't like him."

She huffs out a laugh. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"

"Ridiculously charming, I know." I smile brightly at her. "Now hold still or this headdress is going to fall off and stars, that would be such a tragedy."

To my surprise, Rabé asks to stay behind instead of going to the next meeting with Palpatine. I actually get to leave the room! I get to function as a typical Royal Handmaiden in the company of others, what a novel concept!

Eirtaé and I follow two steps behind Padmé as we enter Palpatine's office. Jar Jar waits inside, waving at us in greeting. I acknowledge him with a nod and a small smile as I take up my post at the entrance. Eirtaé stands on the opposite side, quietly observing as the Queen watches the sun setting in the distance.

She remains like this for a long while, just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon. Jar Jar slowly approaches her. "Yousa tinking yousa people gonna' die?"

"I don't know."

"Gungans get pasted too, eh?"

I'm beginning to wonder if Jar Jar is trying to comfort her as well, even if in a slightly backwards manner.

"I hope not."

"Gungans no dyin' without a fight, wesa warriors. Wesa got a grand army." He leans forward towards her. "Dat's why you no liken us, mesa tinks."

After having met Jar Jar Binks, it makes me think on the long standing enmity between the Naboo and the Gungans. It's amazing how horrible things like invasions and war can bring people together.

"Your Highness?" Panaka enters the room, somewhat excitedly I might add. "Your Highness." He bows, a smile on his face. Huh, he doesn't even seem to care that I'm here instead of Rabé. "Senator Palpatine has been nominated to succeed Valorum as Supreme Chancellor."

Padmé fixes her gaze on Palpatine as he says: "A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one." She turns away from him as he opens his mouth. "Your Majesty, if I am elected, I promise to put an end to corruption."

Oh, I'm so sure he will.

"Who else has been nominated?" She asks, and Panaka the ever-faithful-Palpatine-fan answers.

"Bail Antilles of Alderaan and Ainlee Teem of Malastare."

"I feel confident our situation will create a strong sympathy vote for us." Palpatine sits down and his next words are said so triumphantly that it makes me sick. "I will be chancellor."

"I fear by the time you have control of the bureaucrats, Senator, there'll be nothing left of our people, our way of life." Yes, Padmé. Put him in his place.

"I understand your concern, Your Majesty." I shoot Eirtaé a glance and she shakes her head in response. "Unfortunately, the Federation has possession of our planet."

"Senator, this is your arena. I feel I must return to mine." Padmé turns towards the Senator. "I've decided to go back to Naboo."

Kriff. Why couldn't we just sneak out without telling him instead?

"Go back? But, your Majesty, be realistic." He rises from his seat in mock alarm. "They'll force you to sign the treaty."

"I will sign no treaty, Senator." She rounds on him. "My fate will be no different than that of our people. Captain."

"Your Highness." Panaka answers.

"Ready my ship."

We all turn to leave even as Palpatine follows after us. "Please, Your Majesty, stay here where it's safe."

Padmé turns to him one last time and we follow suit. I resist the urge to smile. "It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions. I pray you will bring sanity and compassion back to the Senate."

I stare him down, committing fully to the internal promise I've made to stop him and his plans. I'm thankful for the position of being invisible.

No one pays attention to a Handmaiden.


Never has the sight of a ship been so beautiful to me.

We're going home! We're going home! I could sing it from the highest skyscraper!

But I won't, because that would be somewhat counter-productive.

As we approach the ship, Qui-Gon, Anakin, R2-D2, and Jar Jar wait for us at the loading ramp. Qui-Gon bows to the Queen and says: "Your Majesty, it is our pleasure to continue to serve and protect you."

"I welcome your help. Senator Palpatine fears that the Federation means to destroy me."

I glance to my left, beyond Panaka, and see Anakin watching us curiously. I meet his eyes briefly and offer a small smile, which he returns.

"I assure you I will not allow that to happen." A feel another pang of guilt as Qui-Gon walks with Padmé. Is there a way he can be spared? There has to be something I can do.

As I step onto the ramp, I hear Jar Jar cheering behind me. "Wesa goin' home!"

"C'mon, Artoo." Anakin and the droid follow behind us and the loading ramp closes. I breathe a sigh of relief as Padmé moves towards the throne room. Maybe we can actually take off without any incidents this time.

I hear a clattering behind me and glance over my shoulder to see Jar Jar standing in a pile of supply packs. A shelf to his right, that seems to be about shoulder-height for him, swings on one pin. I move back to help him and the Gungan smiles brightly at me.

"Hello dere, Missa Sabé─" My eyes widen as I slap my hand over his mouth. He nearly falls backwards.

"Shhh!" I hold my finger to my lips. "If anyone would've heard you, I'd be in big trouble…" I trail off as I feel prickling on the back of my neck, as if someone is watching me. I crane my neck to see Obi-Wan staring directly at me, eyes narrowed and a victorious smile on his face, just as the doors to the landing bay close.

Kriff.

"I amma so sorry." Jar Jar apologizes repeatedly as I help him put away the supply packs.

"It's alright, Jar Jar." I pat his arm before turning to leave. "Maybe don't say my name again until once our home is free, okay?"

He nods solemnly. "Yousa can count onna me!"

As I hurry to catch up to Padmé, looking determinedly at the ground as I pass Obi-Wan, and assist the others as she takes the throne. I assume my post by the door, facing her and behind Obi-Wan and Jar Jar, as the others confer with her over her plan to take back Naboo.

The conference turns into more of an odd tag-team effort on Panaka and Qui-Gon's part after we enter hyperspeed.

"As soon as we land, the Federation will arrest you and force you to sign the treaty." Not if we have anything to say about it, Panaka. Jar Jar turns back to me and waves.

I really shouldn't have said my name earlier.

"I agree. I'm not sure what you wish to accomplish by this." It's a little ominous whenever Qui-Gon and Panaka agree on something.

"I will take back what's ours." She firmly replies.

"There are too few of us, Your Highness. We have no army." Panaka continues the argument, along with Qui-Gon. Have I mentioned how weird it is that they're agreeing?

"And I can only protect you. I can't fight a war for you."

"Jar Jar Binks." Padme startles the Gungan, who leans around Obi-Wan and points to himself.

"Mesa, Your Highness?"

"Yes, I need your help."

We all listen as Padmé reveals her plan to reach out to the Gungans. Jar Jar's eyes grow wider every second. "Yousa tellin' me yousa wantin' to talk to de bosses?"

"If that is the only way, then yes; can you take us to them?"

He scratches the back of his head, right beneath his ear flaps. "Mesa willing to try, Your Majesty."

I catch the look Qui-Gon and Panaka share and imagine what it would be like to smack them both upside the head. If they'd stop being so stubborn and listen to Padmé, it would make our lives easier.

As if he can sense my irritation, Obi-Wan glances back at me. I narrow my eyes threateningly, silently daring him to say anything. His mouth twitches before he turns back around.

I'm in so much trouble.


"It is so strange to hear Panaka and Master Jinn in agreement." Eirtaé states as soon as we enter our chamber.

"I know, right?" She turns to me, one eyebrow raised at my enthusiasm. "What? I can't have the same feelings about the situation?"

"Maybe not so loudly…"

Padmé sits on one of the beds and sighs. "I know they are doing their best to protect me, but I can no longer sit by and allow the Federation to control our home." She looks at me, regret evident in her posture. "Will you be willing to disguise yourself again, Sabé?"

Knowing how difficult it is for her to even ask this, I force a bright smile on my face. "You know, I was just beginning to miss a headdress. I think it fits my personality well, don't you?"

"Well, this one will be much easier to deal with and…" Rabé reaches into a wardrobe container and removes a red and black ensemble. "You won't have any long skirts this time."

"No more kick-step?" I ask hopefully.

"Only if you want to."

"While I may have mastered the art, I will refrain to make sure no one feels inadequate in my presence." This time, instead of an eye roll, they laugh before beginning the switching process once again.

As Padmé removes her makeup with a wipe, she meets my gaze in the vanity mirror. "We need a signal if I need to come forward to speak with the Gungan leadership."

I wince when Rabé yanks at a knot in my hair before saying: "You can't be serious, Padmé. It would be far too dangerous to do so." She resumes brushing out my hair as if she hadn't just assaulted my scalp.

"I agree. Jar Jar Binks may be…" Eirtaé hesitates, "…an ally, but that doesn't mean his leadership will feel the same way."

"If it means our people will be closer to being free, I am willing to do anything."

I try to lighten the mood once again. "Is this a dig at my diplomatic skills? I'm offended."

"Sabé, I have complete faith in you. I just think we should be prepared for any circumstance should it arise."

I raise an eyebrow at her. "By that you mean; you're planning on doing this anyway and you wanted to warn us ahead of time so we will all take the fall when Panaka reams us?"

Padmé is silent for a moment, suddenly refusing to meet my eyes. "Would I do such a thing?"

"Yes." We respond in unison.

She huffs and begins pulling her hair into a bun, until Eirtaé walks over and begins helping her. The conversation turns away from discussions of negotiations until we begin musing on what we'll do in the future.

"I think I'll look into working at a salon." Rabé says as she wraps my hair around my new, much-easier-to-manage, headdress. "After all this experience I've had, I might even be able to work at the Elite Salon in Theed, or train future Handmaidens?"

As we affirm that she would be an amazing stylist, likely sought out from across the galaxy, Eirtaé begins laying out her plans: "My family wants me to continue my career in the political field… but I'm not going to do it." She shrugs at my look of surprise. "I might be good at it but I don't like it at all. I only ran against you, Padmé, because it was my family's wish. You were definitely the right choice to lead us all."

Padmé's eyes are suspiciously watery before she wipes at them with the back of her hand. "That's kind of you to say, Eirtaé. What would you like to do?"

She shrugs again. "I haven't gotten that far, yet. I have time to decide since we all know you'll be re-elected."

"Yes, Padmé." I add. "Thanks for making sure we all have jobs." She throws a blending sponge at me and I squeak when it hits my face. "Well, that's just rude. Maybe you shouldn't be re-elected."

"What about you, Sabé?" She asks me, smiling. The other two look at me and I'm struck by a sense of panic. I have absolutely no idea as to what I'll do in the future. If I go by the movies' standard, I'm not supposed to even be involved with the events of the Clone Wars.

Knowing the future of the galaxy, but not my own, is incredibly unnerving.

"Besides eating my own weight in biscuits and learning another language, I haven't decided."

"Maybe you can be a liaison to the Gungans." Padmé suggests, her smile turning mischievous. "Especially since you've already given Jar Jar Binks your name."

As Eirtaé and Rabé gasp, I offer her my fiercest glare. "I'm definitely not voting for you again."

The ship shudders once, revealing we've dropped from hyperspeed. The heaviness of what we're about to face begins to sink in.

It's time to take our home back.


To Mari: I'm glad the cliffhanger came as a surprise! I read in the Plagueis novel that he mind-tricks a Handmaiden into telling him where Anakin is and I had to include it somehow. Thank you for your lovely reviews! I always enjoy reading them. :)

A/N: Soooo... does anybody have any theories about Sabé's strange reactions to the Force? Also, did she get busted by Jar Jar? All will be revealed soon! Thank you all for reading and please feel free to leave a review!