Anakin had left the next morning, leaving Sabé thoughtful of their encounter. It had left her with too many emotions, something she was not very fond of. Between the overwhelming voices and such a new tide of emotions Sabé needed to do something to hold it together, something to get her thoughts. That's how she found herself back at the sparring range, throwing everything she had at the poor combat droid. If the robot could have emotions, she was sure it would have fled by now, she could feel the volatile nature of her swings vibrating back to her body with each strike. She had been in there since early morning light, trying to filter through each event over the last month. She had always enjoyed this sparring facility, and specifically the room she was in now. The facility was a large dome building, much like the rest of the buildings on Naboo. Its large vaulted circular ceiling was covered in multicolored glass, allowing light to pour through in a mirage of colors. It always reminded Sabé of a rainbow shining through one of the planet's many waterfalls. The perfectly placed stones that created the walls of the building, betrayed its purpose. They had been made to move to different scenarios, adequate in training security detail and handmaidens alike. The floor itself could be shifted into various environments, deeply hidden beneath its usual marble floor. But none of these features were what made it Sabé's favorite training room – no. This was her favorite room because it was where she first started her new life. It was where Captain Panaka had brought her so many years ago, as first handmaiden to the Queen of Naboo. It was here they all trained together, her, the other handmaidens, and Padmé. In this room where they all grew and failed. In this room where they bonded as more than just bodyguards. Sabé smiled to herself as she remembered Padmé telling her of her first crush Paulo, the surprised face of Gregor Typho as she took him down for the first time, and the rare praise of Captain Panaka when forms were perfected. The moment that held it all for her, everything that gave this room meaning, was Padmé giving her a new name, her own name, Naberrie. It had been here, during a spar in the middle of the night. Sabé had snuck down, overwhelmed, restless with insomnia, and activated the combat droid. Padmé, observant as always had followed her down, despite the consequences of being caught. Padmé had revealed herself shortly after the droid had knocked Sabé straight to the ground face first. Her laugh had filled the room momentarily, stopping abruptly as she noticed the tears dripping down Sabé's face. Padmé had never seen her cry before, having seen Sabé take every hit with a different prowess, absorbing the blows with no evidence of a flinch, no intention of cowardice. It was that night that Sabé learned the extent of Padmé's compassion and care, that she swore her loyalty to her always. Padmé took the broken girl and gave her a piece of herself, a new home in her name. It was no wonder, that little boy on Tatooine, had captured her heart so. Padmé saw hope in all things, love in all things, growth, healing, joy, compassion, in all things. At these thoughts, Obi-Wan's face momentarily drifted into her mind, the startled look when she felt his thoughts in the force, the way his piercing eyes met hers and then dropped, eyelashes fanning against his face as he had moved towards her. Sabé sighed, banishing his image, as sweat dripped down the side of her face and the sparring droid came to a stop. She had resolved – no – they had silently agreed, to not think on such things, yet here she was only two days later still thinking on it. Sabé groaned, if only she was a Jedi, able to release everything into the force. Instead, she would have to work hard to bury it all and hope she could avoid him until she was able to forget. The nagging feeling in her stomach told her otherwise, reminding her of the constant pull that would stir in Obi-Wan's presence. She sighed again and remained staring at the droid, hand flexed outward to restart it, too lost in the trance of her own thoughts to notice someone leaning against the entrance.

"Most impressive Captain Naberrie." Came the loud yet smooth voice of none other than Gregor Typho.

"Thank you, Captain." She replied, turning to look at him, a smile playing at her lips. He was in his own training gear, perhaps hoping this room would be empty for his own use.

"Seems like you have improved since the last time we sparred." He smirked and Sabé could feel the jest in his statement.

"I should hope so." She countered, raising her eyebrows. "It has been at least five years."

"Care for another chance?"

"I believe it is you who should be asking for another chance?" She smirked back, relishing in the brief embarrassment that crossed his face, as if he was remembering the same moment in time's past as she was. "I do recall you 'slipping' at the end of our last match." Sabé made sure the challenge was evident in her voice. Sparring Gregor would prove more taxing than the droid. More distracting.

" I daresay, Sabé. That sounds like a challenge." He said, sauntering towards her, chest puffed out as if on parade.

Sabé looked down to herself, shifting the light fabric of her under tunic back in place, ensuring her blaster and blade were properly holstered, and grinned mischievously back to him.

"Ready when you are… Gregor" At the mention of his name, he smiled back at her. It felt just like they were ten years ago, before all the titles. His uncle had challenged them both to no end and after the last match had sent him off planet to learn more as he was not just another 'girl'. Gregor had never treated her that way. It did help she took him down several times, but regardless they often ensured each other of their mutual respect in both combat and knowledge. He had welcomed her on as Captain with an air of acceptance and approval that others would have never given her as a woman. He had set the tone for most of her career, to be respected, and she would never forget that.

Sabé's thoughts came to a swift halt as Gregor cracked his knuckles and started his dance to her left, feeling out her stance.


Sabé had quickly lost track of time, losing herself in just the physicality of the match, thinking only on her movements. It was only after their third go around did she realize she that she would soon be pressed for time in meeting with Padmé. They had both grown tired anyway, coming to a draw at each turn, taking a few minutes of a break in between, just to begin again. At this break however, Sabé motioned a goodbye to Gregor. Sweat was dripping down her face and Sabé was sure her tunic was drenched. She took her now damp towel and dabbed at her forehead again as she left the room and headed for her quarters to prepare. Sabé peeled each soaked layer from her skin and turned to the refresher, letting the water heat up until steamed billowed out. Sabé basked in the heat of the water, letting it pour down on her now sore muscles. She finally felt all of her muscles relax, the tension that was held in them finally lessening. She'd have to thank Gregor later, for putting up with her endless aggression.

She left the warmth of the refresher and turned to the lone mirror in her room, drying her long brown hair. It had grown longer than she had ever had it before, ringlets meeting her lower back. She pinned back the sides of her hair with her favorite clip, a crescent moon, leaving the rest of it down as it dried. Padmé had explicitly said tonight was not formal, nor was she to arrive in uniform, but dinner as friends. She had gone so far as sending Sabé a dress to wear leaving a message with it, "Because you always wear jumpsuits." Sabé was grateful for it. She rarely found herself in anything more than her uniform or a simple jumpsuit or tunic. The dress really was quite beautiful, despite its simplicity. It reminded her of a simple sundress she would have worn many years ago, accompanying a young queen to the flower gardens of Naboo. It was a lightweight fabric and light blue in color. It's short off the shoulder sleeves bared some of Sabé's shoulders and it cinched at the waist just enough to give shape without revealing more. I flowed out nicely, barely grazing the tops of her shoes. Her favorite part was what her and Padmé had installed in all of the dresses before, secret compartments for weapons. A pocket lined the outer layer of the skirt, hidden in its layers, enough room for a small blaster. The belt that cinched at the waist contained small metal clipped designs that mimicked the pins she often wore in her hair that could double as a weapon. Even in peace, they never felt they could be too prepared. Sabé tucked her blaster into the pocket and placed a small blade into the side of her shoe. Even though the Jedi Council believed the threat was neutralized with the creation of the clone army, Sabé would always be prepared.

Gregor was outside in his Captain's uniform as Sabé came to the doors of Padmé's room.

"Captain." She greeted him. "I must thank you for such a challenge this afternoon. It was much needed."

He smiled back to her before opening the door for her. "A pleasure as always, milady."

Sabé nodded in return and entered the room, taking a graceful head bow to Padmé as she came into view. The quarters the Queen had given Padmé were stunning. Silk fabrics draped from the ceilings and by the windows, windows that bestowed the most perfect view of Theed, capturing its waterfalls and greenery. The walls were a pale blue that matched the sky and reflected almost enchantingly on the marble floor below. One of the windows led to an outer balcony overlooking the nearby lake, where a small table and two chairs were set elegantly for dinner in Naboo tradition.

"It was as we thought all along." Padmé relayed to her. They had finished dinner at this point, as the protocol droid began to clear their silver plates. They had spent the evening reminiscing in her first years of senator and how strange the past few months reflected that time. "The Trade Federation was responsible this time, as they were then."

"They do certainly know how to hold a grudge." Sabé mused. "They have proved time and time again how right Captain Panaka was all those years, always be prepared."

"Yes, they do." Padmé began. Sabé noticed the slight flicker of emotions cross Padmé's face, as her tone turned to one more serious than they had held all evening. "I will never forget everything all of you have done for me. Everything that you have done for me." She finished, her eyes thoughtful.

"You speak as though my service is over." Sabé jested light heartedly, expecting Padmé to do the same in turn. Her smile faltered as Padmé's face remained serious.


Sabé's eyes roamed over the rocky desert terrain. Florrum was about as pleasant as she expected it to be. Its geysers spewing sulfuric acid every few moments were just an added bonus to its desolate presence. Even more surprising was the company she seemed to have acquired on the planet: pirates. If the planet was boring and bleak, Captain Hondo was its greatest contradiction. She had first encountered him as he and his pirate crew stumbled drunkenly onto her camp one evening, singing songs in a language she didn't know. It was the most laughable stick up she had ever experienced, guns held deliriously towards them and each other, beyond the ability to recognize. It didn't take long for Sabé and her few comrades to get the group under their control in surrender. She seemed to have gained the respect of the Captain by allowing their freedom immediately, letting him know her intentions were none of ill and they were there for their own purpose and not to get involved in his shenanigans. It had helped that he seemed to also take a liking to her, having sat down immediately haphazardly by the fire, pulling another flask from his coat and regaling her with tales of piracy, something Sabé was inclined to entertain for way too long into the evening. He had come around several times since then and Sabé couldn't seem to shake him.

"Tsabin!"

Hondo's booming enthusiastic voice came shaking her from the memory and causing her eyes to move from the landscape back to him. It was still early in the morning on her fifteenth day being on this planet and the caf had yet to makes it's way through her system.

"Tell me, my pretty lady, have you found what you are looking for, or do I have the pleasure of you presence for longer?"

Sabé mentally rolled her eyes at his greeting; it would always be strange hearing her old name again. He was always overly enthusiastic when talking to her, as if he had known her for years, but she hoped dealing with his presence wouldn't be for naught. While she hadn't divulged her purpose of being here, he had already been helpful in scouting out some useful areas of the planet and in finding resources. He often shared his own with her, though she tried to avoid it, as she was never sure if it was earned or stolen.

"I am afraid I have not, Captain, and I will be here much longer than I hoped." She replied, a small smile gracing her features at the wide grin she had received in return to her response. He was something else, she mused as she turned back to survey the landscape, a small trail of dust could be seen moving across the barren field. The sun had barely risen, casting its gold light over the dusty surface. She lowered her goggles, hoping to get a closer look at what might be causing the stir so early in the morning. The dust was thick around the vehicle, but Sabé could just make out what looked like a transport vehicle of some kind.

"It is time, Sabé." Padmé said, her tone serious and her eyes boring into Sabé's, dessert left forgotten on the table between them. "I need you to serve democracy, the people, with the same fervor and loyalty you have always held for me. There are things that need to be done."

"They sure do work early, those ones. Always causing a ruckus early in the morning. I often find myself cursing their name after a long evening of fun." Hondo exclaimed from over her shoulder, breaking her from her thoughts. Sabé turned around just in time to see him wag his eyebrows as he said the word "fun".

"Do you know them?" She asked carefully. She did not want to pique his interest too much.

"Know them?! I may be a pirate but even I have more honor than that." Despite his words his jovial tone remained and Sabé simply quirked an eyebrow to him in response. "Nobody is lower than traffickers. Captain Hondo would never stop so low." He continued, gesturing at himself in an extremely grandiose manner. Sabé shifted her wool cloak back behind her shoulders and raised the goggles back to her head, choosing her next words carefully.

"Did you not jut receive random last weak for some prisoners?" She laughed lightheartedly as she spoke, twisting her words into more of a jest, smirking in what she hoped would be perceived as a flirtatious manner.

"You wound me, my pretty lady. That is a matter of business! But to steal people from their homes and sell them to others?! No. Pirates are more noble."

Sabé kept her mask in place as relief and excitement washed over her. Finally, after fifteen days they had found what they were looking for, she knew she let this pirate stay around for a reason and now he had finally fulfilled it.

"Captain, do you know perhaps where they usually camp?" Sabé hoped the aloofness she felt would seep through her voice. Hondo's eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at her critically, a smirk coming over his face.

"Of course!" Came his usual enthusiasm. "But, my dear Tsabin..." He paused, allowing a silence between them, no doubt building his own idea of dramatic suspense. He took a moment to shake the invisible dust from his shoulders and to stretch his arms in front of him before coming to stand next to her. His arm found his way over her shoulders and he towered next to her, leaning down to her ear and spoke, his voice low and more severe than she heard before,

"Everything comes with a price."