Author's Note: Do you all hate me? You should, I've been terribly unfair and downright rude, it isn't usually like me to leave a story unfinished for this long. But if it's any consolation it hasn't been far from my mind, in fact it has plagued me most every day I've left it alone. I have been rather guilty of recent so I thought that a partial update would be better than nothing. So here it is, chapter one of part 2. I haven't written the entire part 2 yet, and this may not get updated for another year, if it doesn't I sincerely apologize it isn't because I don't appreciate all your wonderful, wonderful feedback or time spent in reviewing, I've just had a terrible block for SW as of recent. (Oh, and though I did do a scan through, this isn't heavily checked, so please forgive any slips that made it through). Anyway I hope you enjoy, with much, much love, RaeAnne

PART 2: Stay Safe Tonight
Chapter: 1

She's beautiful Master…" nineteen year old Anakin Skywalker announced as he was all but pressed against the window.

His Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi didn't answer. She was beautiful. She had always been beautiful. He sucked in a steadying breath fighting emotions that had been long dormant. She was different; he realized watching her calmly walk up the long walkway from her Naboo Cruiser. She no longer had the innocence she one had, her eyes were focused and measuring not filled with the curiosity and child like glee that they had had the first time she walked this measure of pavement. No, Padmé Amidala was no longer the child queen, she was indeed all grown up.

"Why is she here I wonder? The council hasn't said have they?"

Obi-Wan again didn't answer his pupil. He didn't trust his voice—nor did have an answer even if he did. The council issued a request just hours before she was to arrive to have him and Anakin meet her and escort her to the Jedi Temple. No explanation or further instruction. Just her name written in conjunction with his had him re-reading the command.

It was unsettling the way that he felt, illogical, but unsettling all the same. What was the foundation he had staked all this emotional flotsam on? What had they shared? An instinct he couldn't ignore, a feeling of completion he had only when standing with her…all these emotions and feelings so banned by the Order was what was controlling him then—and now.

"Funny, I don't remember her being so pretty…" Anakin muttered folding his hands into the arms of his robe.

Obi-Wan remembered. Remembered all too well, his memory damned him; his heart entrapped him, only steely indifference now could save him.

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Amidala stepped onto the concrete landing pad of the Capital Building and felt her heart sink. She was one step closer to the inevitable. She breathed heavy, the smog of the city choking even at their height. Body guards flanked her sides, back and front; no handmaidens for this trip.

"Your Highness, we've been informed that there are two Jedi escorts waiting inside to take you to the Jedi Temple."

She reigned in her thoughts trying to focus, "Alright, let's go in then. I want only to you accompany me send the rest to secure the hotel room and take my things."

"As you wish," Dempsey her Captain of the Guards bowed moving away to give orders in quickly hushed tones.

Amidala wrung her hands. She had worked hard to not think about Obi-Wan Kenobi, the man who had given her, her wings and then shattered her heart but being back on Coruscant for the first time in ten years had brought her back to her deepest of her repressed feelings.

She had gotten over the hurt and even realized what he had said back then was right but what she hadn't gotten over, she despised the fact, was the love.

What would it be like, to see him again? Would a rush come over her like it had back then? Would she feel anything? Would she even see him? How many Jedi were in the Order? Thousands surely…what would be the chances he would even be on planet and that she would see him in her short stay? Slim to none surely, so really it was silly to even contemplate the 'what ifs'.

Her mind continued to weave wayward paths as her Captain opened the double doors of the building entry she hadn't even realized they had made it to.

She choked coming to a halting stop. Her eyes froze on and met the glacier blue eyes of her Jedi.

"Queen Amidala," Obi-Wan said lowly evenly as he and the young man beside him bowed.

"How very nice to see you again Jedi Kenobi," she replied stiffly struggling to sound as neutral as he had, but failed. She was glad on some level to see him.

She looked curiously at the young man beside him waiting for an introduction. Obi-Wan looked at her then to the young man with a confused and surprised look.

It dawned on Obi-Wan just then that she didn't recognize Anakin and he thought for sure that she would, "You don't remember your Highness, but I am Anakin Skywalker…"

"Anakin? Ani! Oh, of course, I remember you, I just didn't recognize you! My word you have grown up!" Amidala laughed astonished.

Anakin beamed proudly.

"We are to escort you to the Jedi Temple as quickly as possible milady," Obi-Wan stopped the pleasant feelings and good natured conversation, reminding Amidala and his padawan of their tasks.

"Right—of course," Amidala frowned tightening her posture.

Anakin mimicked the frown but fell into step beside his Master as they led the Queen down the capital halls.

You never forget your first love, Amidala thought bitterly, feeling the nervous ache well inside her. She was almost thirty and still she couldn't get a handle on her heart. Not when it came to him at least. She wasn't the girl naïve and innocent as she had been before. No, she was a woman. She had had relationships, she had seen most the galaxy and had ruled a planet but still the grasp on her heart was weak when it came to him. Her memories made her heart lose grip and fall constantly back to the man she had first, and only, ever given it to.

But no matter, she flipped the thoughts to the side; she had bigger issues to deal with, though in the back of her mind she wondered if there was a bigger issue then loving a Jedi. But she had things to do, she would have to take a page from the Jedi, she would put away any and all emotions. Yes, she would be the stoic, stodgy personal of complete calm…no matter the storm that raged within.

The Jedi himself however was having a bit more trouble. He couldn't get over it, seeing her… Pad—no Amidala, it was far too dangerous to return to calling her that. Padmé was a vastly different person. This was a woman, she had faint lines around her lines, eyes that glowed with discovered secrets, life lived, her eyes showed she had indeed lived and experienced life. They were no longer innocently bright. Laugh lines were ever so slightly etching around her mouth, she had felt more…someone or perhaps lots of someone's had made her laugh, had made her happy. The cuteness—the youth hadn't faded so much as it had blossomed into a stunning, breathing taking beauty. A beauty that youth could never have. He had found her beautiful before, the innocence was intriguing but now he was captivated. She was now a woman with a history, a woman with elegance and confidence…and as her eyes suggested, an intimate mystery to figure out.

As they exited the Capital, a waiting transport had them at the Jedi Temple in short minutes.

"I'll alert the council that we've arrived," Anakin spoke with authority that had Obi-Wan raising his eyebrows, as the group was shown into a small public waiting area off the main foyer, 'the young one is showing off', Obi-Wan almost laughed at the thought.

"Alright Anakin," Obi-Wan nodded slightly piqued at his student—or maybe at for not going himself—or maybe at the situation he found himself in, all but alone with the Queen.

"I need to contact the men and make sure they have your room ready your Highness, I'll be just a moment," Dempsey turned to Amidala, she nodded, he bowed and left the room.

Obi-Wan choked on a curse, now he was completely alone with her.

Amidala said nothing, sitting rigidly in a low backed chair starring just off to the side of Obi-Wan who stood facing the window showing her only his profile.

"Anakin has really grown up. I wasn't expecting to see a man—why he was just a boy the last time I saw him!" she laughed awkwardly feeling the dead air was too oppressive—too much a fertile ground for her aching heart and thoughts.

Obi-Wan didn't turn towards her even as he spoke, "People change, you can't stop it. Time does a phenomenal job of taking something we once recognized and turning into something we can't." He was angry with her; he discovered and couldn't exactly place why.

She frowned, "How sentimental," she was appalled at his snide, vindictive tone but the underlying truth to his words were not lost on her—nor was the real meaning, "You can take your symbolism, oh I know what you were hinting at, and just shove it up your…"

"The council will see us now." Anakin interrupted, cutting off Amidala promptly as he walked in. He realized he interrupted something by Amidala's quietly flushed cheeks, hard glaring eyes…, and his Master's almost undetectable smirk.

Amidala stood making a motion for Anakin to lead then she sent daggers at Obi-Wan with a stare that could have lit steel on fire. Obi-Wan nearly laughed.

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The council wasn't in their chambers but received Amidala in a room used for political meetings.

There was a highly polished round table on a raised platform where half the council physically sat while holographic images of the others were displayed for those members who were on various missions around the galaxy. Three chairs remained open.

"Please have a seat Queen Amidala," Master Windu waved to the center of the three chairs, "Please forgive our lack of ceremony your Highness we've been engaged most the day with in-house meetings that left us with little time to prepare."

"No need, I appreciate your seeing me on this rather short notice; Master Windu, Master Yoda, council," she curtsied and took her chair.

"Jedi's, you will sit in," Master Windu motioned to Obi-Wan and Anakin who stood back waiting to be dismissed.

Obi-Wan frowned but followed his padawan in taking a seat. He wasn't pleased to have to be staying; he thought it was a simple pick up and deliver, he wanted away from her as quickly as possible.

"We'll start then. We've read over your formal request but we would like you tell us now, so we might understand a bit better what exactly is going on and why you have requested our assistance." Master Windu steepled his hands, leaning back in his chair preparing to listen.

Obi-Wan despite his irritation towards her and his eagerness to flee couldn't help but be a little anxious to hear what Amidala had to say.

"Of course Master Windu; my home-world, Naboo, is on the brink of a political and civil war. The basis for this started with but is not the direct result of Zex Hayden, senator for Naboo and representative from Thane, Naboo's principal moon. I grew up with him and his views, ideals are very on target, and as he has started a think tank to restructure the government but there is a radical sect of this group not condoned by Senator Hayden, who is also very much for peace, that is threatening to start a war and overthrow the government with force if they must. They have said they are thousands strong. We don't know who the people are and all attempts to locate them have failed.

"I am saddened to say that while I am Queen I hold very little power—more a figure head then ruler and, that in spite of my position the government I serve has become corrupt on most every level. But the people are dedicated and can't see what is really going on. If something isn't done soon war will be waged by this group that call themselves Project Action. My position as Queen is precarious, in a poll done early last month it was shown that the people are loyal not so much to those holding offices but to me, for I am what they see, I am—to them—the government. I could use this loyalty and try to sway those to Senator Hayden's point of view but the backlash to that would be disastrous, more likely than not all would lose faith in their government and in me, we can afford to lose trust if we hope to rebuild politically.

"We have exhausted all attempts for a peaceful resolution. I detest war but I have resigned myself to the fact that this very well might not achieve finality without a measure of war. However, Senator Hayden and I have come up with one last effort that we hope will bring unity.

"Next year is the Naboo government elections, all positions are to have new people, figure head as well, I am no longer eligible to run. As a sign of solidarity and a show of goodwill, Senator Hayden and I are to be married. This will bring him into good graces with the people of Naboo and those residing on Thane will see that change is happening. Our hopes are that once we are married that the radicals will be pacified for the moment and once Senator Hayden begins his campaign for the King of Naboo they will be further calmed and will hold off any of their war plans since they know change is coming, it is a far chance we know, but we are not equipped for a war…"

Obi-Wan inwardly blanched, hands gripping the arms of his chairs, the wind knocked out of him.

"We are sorry to hear of your predicament, but there is little we can do about that, it is matter of for your people to handle, we do not meddle in those kinds of affairs…"

"Yes, of course, I know Master Windu…I told you all of that so you might understand this…Project Action has named a target for their hatred…they believe me responsible for the corruption of the current government and have been taking strides to eradicate the corrupt starting at the top. One of the attempts on my life was made by one of my most trusted advisors…despite all efforts we have no idea who is in this group, or how far they reach. I have no one to trust…" Amidala's voice dared to crack and the council could hear her very real fear and see the tears glistening in her eyes.

"The wedding is in two weeks…if I could just have protection for those two weeks…I think after it would be alright. "

"Queen Amidala, though it is not our place nor did you solicit it, we offer some insight. This plan you and the Senator have concocted, though I am sure you did so with grand hope and pure motives is not at all sound. You are putting much at stake and risking much…you have very little chance at success, do you realize this? These are radicals, they will not be stayed because of a maybe…they act out because they want conflict and are using anything as excuse. We know this because we've seen it before…" Master Windu stopped abruptly.

Amidala held in a breath, she couldn't look anywhere but Master Windu's face, not at Obi-Wan…never at Obi-Wan, she couldn't bear to see what might be there. "I understand…we understand, but we must try."

The council was silent seemingly convening on a higher—most assuredly a force plane. Master Yoda nodded finally and Master Windu spoke, "Queen Amidala, we will give you protection but we ask something in return."

Amidala, Anakin and Obi-Wan blinked. "Anything Master Windu," Amidala answered swallowing.

"First we must ask for your trust and absolute discretion."

"You have it," she answered without hesitation.

"Good. What we ask is that along with being your protection you allow our team of Jedi's free reign to explore and search your planet. Full access without restriction."

Amidala's brow furrowed with question, "Your Jedi's may have whatever they desire without question, but may I ask what you might be searching for?"

"All I can say Queen Amidala is that we believe there might be more to this group Project Action, just what, we cannot comment. This is where the trust comes in."

"I understand."

"Good. Now because familiarity will help in securing your safety in your palace and searching your planet we are assigning Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi as team leader and accompanying him will be Jedi Knight Ariana Kincade and Padwan Anakin Skywalker. They will be in touch with you and if that is all I'm afraid we have to cut this meeting short—Kenobi I assure you can handle it from here. There is a full dossier being sent to your file, Kincade has been briefed and will be meeting with you and Skywalker this afternoon," Master Windu commanded the room and gave directions with clear lines before rising with the council and following Master Yoda out of the room by way of the rear door.

Silence quickly engulfed the room as the remaining three stood stiffly letting everything sink in.

"Anakin please show Queen Amidala back to the waiting area, I'm sure her guard is there. When you are finished wait for me in the south hall," Obi-Wan viciously neutral and apathetic directed his learner in harsh, clipped words, then dismissing Amidala in the same way, "Your Highness."

Amidala blinked watching him stride away. That was all, he gave her nothing more, not any sign he felt anything…about anything, about what she had said, he was nothing but ice cold indifference. She felt like weeping.