Authors Note: Ok sorry for the slight lull in chapters. I am really struggling with some of these scenes, as I desperately want to move ahead but feel they are necessary to the plot. Thanks for those that keep reading despite such flaws!


He had only been gone a few moments, when Sabé's guilt settled in. She hadn't meant to cause him trouble. While he could have been more tactful, he was just following orders. She would need to apologize for her behavior when he returned, but she would not apologize for staying. Somehow, she felt like she was needed here.

It was almost the hour mark when Obi-Wan returned, and she immediately felt relieved. She listened to him intently as he revealed all he had over heard, including words from the Trade Federation Viceroy. That snake of a man still held his position, yet he wanted Padmé's head for his defeat on Naboo. She listened as Obi-Wan began a call to Anakin, hoping it to be relayed to the council, as their long distance transmitter was not reaching Coruscant. He had barely begun when droidikas and other bug like warriors suddenly surrounded them. They were able to hold their own for a few moments before they were overwhelmed and Sabé found herself alone in a locked cell. They had separated them immediately, and she instantly became worried for Obi-Wan. It had felt like several hours had gone by when an older man walked in, air of importance. Sabé recognized him from the bust in the Jedi Temple, Count Dooku.

"Senator Amidala. I am a little surprised to find you here." Not good, was Sabé's immediate thought. He believed her to be Padmé.

"Duty might find us in the most strangest of places. Often times when we least expect it." She said vaguely, hoping to lure him out.

"For someone so adamantly for negotiation, I am surprised to see you have resorted to espionage."

"Pardon me? I believe there may be a misunderstanding, my dear Count. I have only come to this planet searching my own answers."

"It is not how the people of Geonosis will view this. In their eyes, you have come as an act of war." He said in a suggestive tone, slowly circling her in her small prison cell. She suddenly felt small and weak like prey, he the predator.

She stayed silent at his statement. Gaging his face, hoping a clue would reveal on how she should respond to such accusations.

"I could petition immediately for you to be set free, of course." He gestured his and through the air dismissively, warmth entering his tone for a brief moment.

"I would be most grateful for your support, Count." She said as strong as she could, praying her voice wouldn't waver.

"Of course, we would also be asking for your support, Senator. You are a sought out ally in these times. Your words do well to sway those of others. You could do wonders with separatist allies."

"I will always support open negotiations not a certain cause for war, sir." She thought of Padmé, how she would react. She was bold and daring, Sabé would try her best to be the same.

"Negotiations will get us nowhere I'm afraid." His had slightly shaking as he spoke, eyes downcast. She arched an eyebrow at this. "What If I told you that the Republic was now under the control of the dark lord of the Sith." He met her eyes then, almost daring her to deny it as if his words alone were evidence for such treachery. Sabé did as all politicians could, and kept her face blank, taking in his information from behind her mask, trying to calculate his angle for telling her such brash information.

"I am not sure that is possible, Count. The Senate are the voices of the people, he would have to be all powerful to have such control."

He sighed long and laboriously, "The dark side of the force can sway the weak minded, my dear. Hundreds of senators are now under the influence of a Sith Lord called Darth Sidious."

She shook her head slowly, daring to maintain their eye contact. "I cannot bring myself to believe you. I will always stand for the voice of the people and they are asking for peace and negotiation."

The softness he had been displaying changed into a fierce determination, one that many would wear in a righteous speech of inspiration. "You must join us, Senator Amidala. Together, we could bring peace back to the galaxy."

"I am afraid that you have confused peace with war and in that I cannot join you." She responded, her own voice mimicking his, inspirational and full of determination.

His face changed to a mask she recognized well by now, a feigned false concern. His voice lowered as he spoke. "Then I am truly sorry, milady. It will be very difficult to secure your release." He abruptly turned around, half bent forward in supposed sorrow, and sauntered out of her cell, a loud clang from the door in his wake.

Sabé's shoulders shuddered as he left. It was almost certain they would kill her. Her mind wondered to Obi-Wan, sure that he was also here trapped somewhere. Her thoughts paused as a sudden chill passed through her spine, and her breathing quickened. In her moment with the Count, she had not realized sweat had started to collect along her hairline. A chill wracked through her again as Obi-Wan was brought to her cell, hands shackled together.

His eyes met hers, "Are you all right?" He asked coming closer to examine her. She nodded, all she could think to do in the moment, feeling chilled despite the immense heat radiating from the planet. He was very silent and deep in thought. She assumed he must have also been visited by the count.

"Do you think it could be true?" She asked.

"No, the Jedi would have sensed it."

"I can't believe there is an army… Everything Padmé has worked for… Gone. She is risking her life for nothing." She could hear the despair entering her voice and silenced herself.

The silence around them grew, a sense of foreboding entering the air.

"Do you think we will die here?" She whispered, not daring to look at his face. She hated feeling weak and helpless.

"Possibly." He replied calmly. Too calmly.

"They think I am Padmé." She informed him softly, his eyes widening. "At least my death will give her safety for a bit longer."

"So no brilliant plans of escape then?" He tried to joke with her. She always had been a strategist, but even she knew in this moment there was not much they could do.

"I suppose we will have to just, wing it and hope for a rescue." She smiled a dry smile, doing her best to join him in lightening the atmosphere around them, ignoring the fatigue setting in. It was not long before they were both led away by more Geonosians into an arena. It reminded her of books she had read, gladiators facing their demise in the coliseum. In the center of the arena were four tall pillars. They each were lead to one and chained, arms above their heads. They stayed that way for several moments, Sabé looking to Obi-Wan, wondering what they could be waiting for.

The answer came moments later as she went to voice her question to him out loud and none other than Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker were led out in a chariot, doomed to the same fate. Sabé stared at Padmé, who was avoiding her gaze. Her eyes moved from her to her companion and she glared with more ferocity than ever before. Obi-Wan spoke first, more calm than she was.

"I was beginning to wonder if you'd got my message."

"I retransmitted it just as you have requested, Master. Then we decided to come and rescue you." Anakin responded, slightly embarrassed. At this statement Sabé cut in.

"Good job!" Her voice was calm but deadly, sarcastic anger threaded through each word. The padawan had looked up to her, just to face the ground again. Sabé turned to Padmé.

"It was my idea." Padmé admitted.

"We will address this later." Sabé admonished, turning her attention to the new creatures entering the arena.

She watched in dismay as a Reek, Acklay and Nexus entered the arena, prodded on by the Geonosian staff. This was not going to be easy.

"I've got a bad feeling about this." Anakin lamented, mirroring Sabé's own thoughts.

"Just relax. Concentrate." She heard Obi-Wan respond from beside her.

"What about Padmé?" Anakin asked concerned.

"She seems to be on top of things." Sabé was relieved to look over to find Padmé was indeed on top of things, on top of her pillar working her shackles off. Sabé was glad to see her resourcefulness was on point as always. The Acklay had started its way to Obi-Wan and Sabé. Obi-Wan of course, used this to his advantage, allowing the creature to free him from the pillar, hands still bound. Sabé watched with growing concern as he did his best to evade the creature. Her watchful eyes were torn away by Padmé's scream. The Nexus had managed a strike across her back. Sabé was thinking quickly, trying to find her own way to get off this pillar and protect Padmé. Her focus was pulled suddenly by the sound of the pillar crumbling next to her. She looked up to see it falling towards her own. Hopeful, she watched as it smashed the top of her own, releasing the chain that held her there. She ducked and rolled fiercely to the side, the deadly stone falling just short of her head. She looked up to see Anakin riding the Reek towards Padmé, instructing her to jump. Sabé did not miss the small kiss to Anakin's cheek. She had no time to think on such a gesture as they rode to her next, Padmé pulling her up. Once on board the animal, she turned to see Obi-Wan trying his best to keep the Acklay away with a Geonosian spear, but to no avail, as the creature screamed above him. Sabé swung her large chain behind her and cast it forward, wrapping around the leg of the Acklay and pulling it to the ground. Obi-Wan ran towards them, force jumping to land behind Sabé who tired her best to stabilize him with shackled hands. They were quickly surrounded by droidekas. It had been a good attempt and might have worked if they were not in enemy territory. They all looked up to the sound of a lightsaber blade as Mace Windu faced Count Dooku. The audience soon filled with several lightsabers and the battle began. Sabé was grateful for the Jedi, as they threw two lightsabers to Anakin and Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan promptly leaned forward to her, releasing her from her shackles. He covered her as she reached for a fallen droid blaster. She felt flashbacks of Naboo came to her mind, as they fought side by side against the droids once more.

"Order a trip down memory lane?" She laughed to him.

"I could have done without the Acklay this time." He responded with a wry smile.

Obi-Wan fell in stride behind her, back to back as they started a dance of their own. He deflected lasers as she struck her attacks, moving together in harmony. He had seen her in battle before, when her skill had been a surprise to him. But now she surprised him more than before. She had grown considerably, taking deadly aim and even going into hand-to-hand combat with several enemies. Her training had served her well and guilt settled in him as he remembered their conversation on his starship. He had underestimated her, even if his intentions were truly to keep her safe and follow orders. He was taken from his thoughts at the surprise of the Reek heading their way and they were thrown apart. Obi-Wan had taken the brunt of the blow and Sabé ran to cover where he fell, waiting for him to regain his position. Sabé looked around again, keeping her eyes open for Padmé. She was relieved to see she had taken cover behind the fallen chariot. Her relief was brief as she felt a presence behind her, followed by the scream of the Acklay. She shot at it several times, doing her best to dodge its attacks. Obi-Wan turned to face her as she dodged a fierce swipe to her side. Armed with a lightsaber, it took Obi-Wan only a few moments do dismember and destroy the creature, coming to stand next to Sabé again. Their rescue was short lived as they were corralled together and surrounded by battle droids. Only a handful of Jedi remained and she was relieved to see Padmé to her right as one of the survivors. Dooku found this moment to call for their surrender.

"We will not be hostages to be bartered, Dooku!" Master Windu called back.

"Then, I'm sorry old friend." The droids turned to aim their weapons at them once again. Sabé was out of ideas and they were out of options.

"Look" came a startled outburst from Padmé. Above them, ships had appeared, Master Yoda along with them.

"Around the survivors, a perimeter create." The Master called. The fight continued, backed by the gun ships. Obi-Wan's hand suddenly clasped her arm as he led her to one of the ships. They were shortly after joined by Anakin and Padmé. Sabé pulled Padmé into her arms in a strong hug relieved her friend was safe. She pulled herself from her, gazing over her to check for injuries, as Obi-Wan yelled for them to hold on. Their fighters attacked the ascending Federation Starships continuing their assault until Sabé noticed a few speeders heading in another direction.

"Look over there!"

"Its Dooku." Anakin confirmed. "Shoot him down!"

"We're out of rockets sir!" The pilot responded to his command.

"Follow him." Anakin ordered.

"We're gonna need some help!" Pamdé interjected.

"There isn't time. Anakin and I can handle this." Obi-wan shot back. Dread filled Sabé. This wasn't the first time she had seen two Jedi off to battle a Sith. The last time one didn't return. She shook her head at the thought of Obi-Wan and Anakin dead, stopping herself from letting the thought continue. Having been noticed, the two speeders with Dooku flew off, appearing behind them and began an onslaught of lasers in their direction. The starship shook with the oncoming attack. Unable to grab quickly enough, Padmé and a clone trooper began to fall. Sabé reached for her, but was too late as Padmé went tumbling to the sand below. Sabé's jumbled thoughts were broken by Anakin's screams.

"Put the ship down!"

"Anakin! Come to your senses. We have a job to do!" Obi-Wan admonished, his gaze fierce.

"I don't care! Put the ship down!" Anakin now turned to face her. "She is your responsibility! Command them to put this ship down!"

"Anakin…" Sabé started, voice low. "Padmé will do her duty, just as we are to do ours. She would want us to keep going." Anakin glared at her, having expected her support in this matter. Her own words broke her heart. Having been witness to Dooku's intentions, she knew where they were needed. Anakin turned angrily away from her and her thoughts drifted to the Diner. Obi-Wan had mentioned anger, and now she knew why a padawan might be turned away.

They had just landed their transport, running quickly from the ship to the hangar as it was blasted from their position. Obi-Wan turned to her.

"Wait here. Dooku is not a foe to be underestimated."

For the second time she did as she was told without question.


Time seemed to pass in slow motion as she listened to the clashing of lightsabers. When it suddenly went quiet, Sabé moved close enough to peer through the opening in the Cliffside. Her first line of sight saw Obi-Wan lying across an unconscious Anakin's legs. She saw the wounds on his left arm and leg. She gasped as she saw Dooku coming closer to them, lightsaber drawn, and charged forward into the hanger without second thought. Raising her blaster just in time for the Count to dodge and halt his movements to dodge the blast, his lightsaber moments away from finishing the Jedi.

"Foolish girl." He sneered at her, turning fully towards her, slowly making his way closer. Sabé's instincts screamed for her to run, her blaster no match for a skilled Jedi Master. Yet, she raised it again, almost careful to not aim too closely to him. She had seen enough of Jedi's deflecting blaster blots to know the damage they could cause. Instead she focused on his feet, hoping it might keep him from inching closer.

"I have heard much about you, Captain." He spat out the last word as he continued his path to her. "Bodyguard to a Queen, ingenious strategist, council to the senator, and apparently a skilled soldier. Its too bad you have only been used your whole life as a decoy, just for it to end in this moment." She ignored his taunts, slowly backing away, aiming another blaster bolt to his feet. A bolt he easily dodged while reaching her, lightsaber swinging in her direction. She had just enough time to evade it, hearing it make contact with the stone wall behind her. She rolled to the side, falling farther behind him. "Haven't you ever thought you were meant for more?" Her thoughts quickly shifted to her conversation with Obi-Wan at the diner. 'I still feel there is more.'

"You were there." She stated more than asked, bringing herself upright, blaster still raised to him, remembering the feeling of someone following them.

"Perhaps." He smiled a feral smile, eyes glancing over to the fallen Jedi, as he turned back towards her. "You and Kenobi sure seemed cozy." Sabé did her best to keep her face impassive and her breathing calm, although she felt anything but. He was toying with her she knew it. If she could just keep him busy until help arrived, if help arrived. She moved until she was directly between the Count and the Jedi despite not being enough to guard them.

"Do you really believe you could be worth more? A simple musician's daughter? Not even your own parents wanted you." Her step faltered, just a little, but enough for him to notice, an ensnaring smirk highlighting his face and he lunged for her. Sabé moved swiftly to the side once more, but not fast enough, as the heat of the lightsaber grazed her, leaving a nasty burn down the length of her arm. She screamed in pain, her arm felt on fire, as she moved quickly away from him once more.

"The truth hurts doesn't it? Knowing no one wants you, knowing you will meet your end soon enough, even if it is not by my own blade." Sabé's eyes widened, her impassive face slipping momentarily, replaced by a steeled gaze back in his direction, eyes narrowing once more. "Oh, how delightful, then you know, do you? Your face says it all; it is a no wonder you so willingly threw yourself in my path. Brave but foolish" She tried to keep him moving, leading him farther from the Jedi behind her. Slowly his lightsaber had lowered as he arrogantly taunted her with her own nightmares. "It is a pity, my dear, that you could not have been more useful." She watched as his guard wavered for just a moment, and took the opportunity, aiming square for his chest. She watched in what felt like slow motion as the laser bolt made its way to its intended target. She had somehow caught him off guard. However, he was still evasive as ever, the bolt grazing his shoulder instead. Her breath caught as yellow eyes glared with a fire that threatened to burn away her very existence. "You will die here!" His voice spat out angrily, darker and more ferocious than before. His arm stretched out toward her and she felt herself lifted from the ground, her intake of breath coming to a crushing halt. She struggled against the invisible grasp to her throat, praying to all the gods above that she hadn't failed Padmé, that she was safe, that the Jedi would live. Her last sight before her blurred vision turned to black was a small green figure coming through the entryway, and she was slammed to the ground.