Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.
Time-line: 10 & 11 months after Naboo, about a week after Election Day.
Chapter 6: When Padme Crashes at Rae's...
'It's days like theses that make me reconsider my career choice,' Padme thought, sinking into the couch provided for her. It had been a long meeting at the Senate and the day wasn't quite done yet. As evidenced when Palpatine came to call. Biting back a groan, Amidala rose to greet her former Senator. "How may We help you, Chancllor Palpatine?" she asked. Palpatine talked for a good twenty minutes, but Padme honestly couldn't tell you what he was yammering about. Oh wait! It was something about taxes? She gave a non-committal answer, realizing that she couldn't think properly. 'I think it's time I put Rae's passcard to good use,' she thought, already putting things into order for her to slip out. The sun was already fading, so Padme grabbed her satchel and informed her guards where she was going in case of emergency before vanishing into the residential sector. Thirty minutes later, she was letting herself into Rae's apartment in one of the less seedy 'downtown' buildings. A shower and a cup of tea later, Padme was feeling much better. The keypad beeped and the door swooshed open.
"Ah~! Such a wonderful sound," Rae's voice said. A slight jingling followed by a quite clink signaled that Rae had put down her keys.
"Did you finally get a speeder of your own, Rae?" Padme asked. She thought she heard the sound of Rae's boot heels clacking against the durasteel flooring accompanied by a faint, 'uwagh?'
"Ya know... it's moments like these that I get why everyone hates when I do that," Rae remarked, entering the sitting area without any indication that she'd been surprised by Padme's presence. The scent of cheap booze and old grease assaulted Padme's nose, along with the faint smell of bile and blood.
"Rough day?" Padme asked. Rae sighed, peeling off her light jacket and tossing it into the laundry basket.
"Oh, like you wouldn't believe," she said, tromping over to the linen closet to gather a washcloth and towel.
"All day Senate Meeting followed by twenty minutes of Palpatine one-on-one," Padme deadpanned. "Try me." Rae smirked at her house guest, inclining her head, as she walked back toward her room to gather her clothes.
"Dex had me on the grill until about eight when a few of the patrons stared to get rowdy. One guy threw his drink at another guy and then guy two threw his drink at the first guy. I stepped in before a brawl started but when I punched the second guy, he emptied it all over me. Then I broke the other guy's nose, knocking him out, before dragging them out the back," she told the Queen, walking back toward the bathroom, clothes in hand.
"I think you've gotten more violent since you got that job, Rae," Padme remarked dryly. Rae shrugged.
"Eh, maybe. Hey, would you choose a movie or something while I get cleaned up? I need a shower something fierce," she said. Padme agreed and picked up the remote, beginning to flip through the channels while Rae went to the 'fresher. Ten minutes later, the bouncer came out feeling like a real human. "AH~! Much better~!" she said in rapturous joy, exiting the 'fresher and rubbing at her hair. "So, what are we watching tonight, my friend?" she asked, entering the kitchen and pulling open her fridge.
"I found a comedy show. I thought it... therapeutic," Padme said. Rae hummed, popping open a bottle of soda.
"A violent video game would be therapeutic, but comedy works too," she said, plopping down in her armchair, slinging her legs over one arm and taking a swig of her drink. Padme giggled at the woman, sipping at her tea.
"I had wondered why the pillow was arranged in that manner," she remarked, prompting a cheeky grin from her semi-wild friend.
"It's comfy this way~!" Rae sang. Padme shook her head and un-paused the show.
'And ya know, it just figures...'
"Hey Padme?"
"Hum?"
"Thanks."
/*/
The next morning Rae fixed breakfast for Padme and drove her back to 500 Republica. "Thank you, Rae. I really needed that," Padme told Rae. The young bouncer shrugged.
"Hey, we all need a break from time to time. Besides, I did give you a key." Padme laughed and agreed before taking her bag and vanishing back into 500 Rebulica. Rae sighed and drove back to Dex's. It was time to get back to work.
And if Rae was slightly less bloodthirsty in her job, no-one commented.
/*/
A month later, Rae woke up to the sound of the shower running. Sighing, she got up and fixed breakfast. Padme walked in, rubbing her hair and wearing a sheepish smile. "Well good morning, your highness. Eggs?" Rae said, holding out the frying pan. Padme grinned.
"That would be appreciated," she said, sinking into the nearest chair.
"You just missed Obi-Wan and Anakin, Padme," Rae remarked, expertly flipping two eggs worth of scrambled goodness onto the young woman's plate. "They were here just yesterday."
"A shame," Padme sighed. "It would have been nice to see them again. How long has it been?"
"Eh, 'bout... gosh. Four months? Give or take?" Rae answered, slipping bacon onto her own plate. "Crispies?" she said, offering the skillet to Padme. The younger woman shook her head and Rae replaced the skillet on the stove. "Suit yerself. So! What brings you here this time?"
"Just wanted to visit, that's all. It's been a long time since I've had a girl's day and since I have the day off..." Rae chuckled.
"You thought you'd kidnap me huh? Naughty naughty little miss Queeny," she sang, though she was grinning. Padme still blushed. "Well, I had work today but~! I've been pulling double duty these past two weeks, hoping to get a little extra spending money so I could start building a weapons collection. There's this nice little shop nestled in among some homegoods stores that has some nice pieces of remorseless metal," the bouncer said, eyes going a little starry.
"I really think you've become more violent since arriving here, Rae," Padme said, mildly disturbed. Rae chuckled and waved a hand.
"Nah, I've always wanted a weapons collection. Now I've just got access to some truly remarkable pieces, a steady job, and knowledge of impending doom. It's a nice motivator to get stocked up on the good stuff," she told her friend. Padme sighed, shaking her head. "Also, Dex has enrolled me in Nightclub Security School so I have a reason to know about weapons and how to use them. For now, let me call Dex and see if I can get the day off to hang out, m'kay?" Padme could only nod as the woman bounced off to put action to words.
"We've unleashed a monster," she muttered. Of course, when said monster came bounding back all dressed for a day out, Padme wasn't complaining and the two spent a lovely day shopping and getting their hair done. Rae got hers cut short with two long locks in the front that she could pull back when needed while Padme just had it shampooed and trimmed.
"Ah~! Feels so nice~!" Rae trilled, shaking her head to feel the short strands fly. Padme giggled at the other girl's antics but couldn't deny it felt good to get pampered.
/?/
A/N: This is what happens 90% of the time.
Guest: Thank you~! I decided early on that once Rae figured out she was basically a Mary Sue, she'd acknowledge it and then milk it for all it was worth. I'm glad you find her amusing! I do have a few 'what if' kind of scenes written where she gets pulled forward in time, but so far she hasn't been in contact with Rey much. I have enough chapter pre-written (Working on chapter 42...) so writing up a Special Chapter shouldn't be too hard. Something like... In Which Rae Trashes the Sequel Trilogy? Just have her yell at everyone while swatting them with a rolled up newspaper? Ah, I'll figure something out.
Remember, reviews are love.
Regenengel3
