Blades of yellow sunlight peered through the windows of the study and splashed onto the surroundings. The otherwise dark brown shelves shined with a light tan and the holobooks it held glimmered like blue jewels. A potted flower swayed with calming motion from the breeze let in by the open window which allowed it to spread its delightful aroma around the room.

Reclined in a chair facing the welcoming sunrise of Coruscant coming into her apartment suite, Chuchi couldn't help but get lost it. The sunlight touched down on the white robe she wore and turned her light purple hair into an even lighter shade.

For hours she's been in her study revising and rethinking the speech she was going to be giving to the Senate in just a few hours. What little energy received from the night before was being used solely on putting the right words together. A data pad sat on the edge of an end table next to the chair, its view screen filled to the brim in words, with a cold, near empty cup of caf next to it.

Her speech was complete but her spirit was not. The spike driven into her from yesterday's Senate meeting still had itself lodged between her resolve and self-confidence. How she was going to pull through passing her bill, she didn't know.

The opening of the study's door took Chuchi out of her contemplation and made her turn to who entered. Walking with a stiff pace and a steaming cup of caf in hand, Ion entered.

The sight of him always did fill her with a joyous feeling. "Good morning Ion," She greeted and straightened up in the chair while quickly glancing to see if her robe was tied on properly and not revealing any slivers. "I hope you slept better than I did."

The other nodded as he replaced the old cup on the table with a fresh one. "Not so much I'm afraid. The Senate suites have been broken into before and since your making your speech today, the chances of an assassination attempt were higher than normal."

Always a brisk military man. "Thank you Ion but the midnight-watches won't be necessary." She sighed and let her gaze turn back to the window. "No one would send an assassin after me because they know this legislation will never pass. My enemies must think I'm a fool."

"They're the fools if you ask me." Ion immediately put in in hopes of cheering her up. "The Republic suffers as the corporations prosper and few stand up for those in need." Ion placed a hand on Chuchi's shoulder and gave her a smile that broke his military composure and gave him a friendly look that was uncommon to a solider. "I'm glad you're the Senator of Pantora. I can't think of anyone else to represent our world."

A smile touched her lips as she placed a hand over of his. The solid knuckles that ridged his hand were rough and yet smooth to the touch. His fingers naturally curled up a little when he relaxed them, a sign of how many times he's had them wrapped around the grip of a blaster. A true soldier indeed.

"If only the Senate would see past Lott's personal vendetta with me." Chuchi said as she squeezed Ion's hand a little tighter. "The Trade Federation tried to blockade our world and do to it what they tried to do to Naboo years ago. I doubt they have a single sympathetic bone in their spineless bodies."

Ion held back a grimace as he remembered the time his two beloved sisters were kidnapped and used as bargaining chips against his father, the Chairman of Pantora. If it wasn't for Chuchi's quick thinking and political skill, Pantora may have become a Separatist world or worse, a Trade Federation world.

"All the Federation cares about is making a profit, no matter where it comes from." Ion muttered.

Before she could agree, something popped into her head. Her minded raced away with the idea that manifested from Ion's comment and took form into something that would prove to be the ultimate trump card she could play against Lott and the other greedy Senators.

As if she was filled with the energy of a super reactor, Chuchi jumped out of her chair with the fire of inspiration glowing in her golden eyes. "Ion you're brilliant!"

"I am?" Ion managed to say just before he received a sudden hug from Chuchi. His cheeks became a darker shade of blue for a second. The hug only lasted a brief moment before Chuchi pulled away and briskly walked out of the study with the sharpest smile on her face.

After a few seconds of trying to decipher what just happened, Ion stepped out of the study to see Chuchi slip into her bedroom and close the door behind her. He then heard the distinct sound of a shower running and the opening and closing of closet doors. There was no doubt to him that she was getting ready for the Senate meeting.

Whatever he said had made Chuchi very happy and that in turn made him happy. The hug, which he never expected to receive from her, came out of nowhere and surprised him. He has seen a lot and done a lot but never had a woman acted so strangely around him. Even his foolhardy sister, Che Amanwe, has never acted this enthusiastically.

Ion found himself waiting on the couch in the living area for at least an hour. He stood up as soon as he heard the bedroom door open.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Chuchi said. She was dressed in her favorite maroon colored dress with golden hairpieces holding her hair in place. She never did wear cosmetics since her blue skin and golden facial markings always made her look stunning.

"You look beautiful," The sudden realization of how unprofessional he sounded made him want to blast himself in the foot.

No harm was done as Chuchi smiled at the comment. "Your too kind," She said and turned around to head for the suite entrance. "Shall we go to the meeting now? I feel like getting there earlier than usual."

Shaking his head to clear out any wondering thoughts, he caught up to her. "Right,"

The Senate Building was packed as usual with many Senators conversing with one another in the halls before the meeting began. In a small room between the hallway and the rotunda repulsor pod, Chuchi calmly gathered herself and went over her thoughts and notes for the upcoming battle with her arch nemesis, Senator Lott Dod of the Trade Federation. The room served as a preparation area for senators and representatives before they entered the Grand Conviction Chamber.

Ion slightly pulled back the left sleeve of his uniform to reveal a chronometer strapped to his wrist. "The meeting is about to start,"

Taking a deep breath, Chuchi put down her datapad and stood up. "Thank you Ion."

She walked to the door that separated the room from her repulsor pod and stopped right before it. "Moon goddess guide me," She whispered and spoke a swift prayer in her native tongue before walking into the Grand Conviction Chamber with Ion following behind her.

Since she was one of the first to enter the chamber, she bared witness to the flow of senators that came into the chamber just before the meeting was called to order. It was like watching a hive of Killiks waking up in unison and beginning to work.

The central podium rose from the ground with the Supreme Chancellor, Vice Chairman, and Head Secretary in it. The podium came to a rest in the exact center of the chamber. Mas Amedaa tapped his wooden staff three times to grab everyone's attention.

"This senatorial meeting is now called to order." The Chagrian's voice was carried throughout the chamber by a series of speakers that created more or less of an artificial echo that made it seem like he was speaking from only ten feet away.

The Vice Chair took a look at his datapad and frowned since the first item to be brought to the Senates attention was Senator Chuchi's bill from yesterday. "Legislation Act 707B regarding the relocation and welfare of refugees is hereby brought to the floor." He turned slightly to look at Chuchi who had already detached her repulsor pod and maneuvered it to hover near the center of the chamber.

"I request to speak, Vice Chair Amedaa." The young Pantoran senator said.

The chairman nodded. "The Senate recognizes the Senator of Pantora. You are free to speak."

Murmurs and whispers came from all corners as they looked at the young Senator. Those who don't already support one side of the argument of the other remained silent and studied the situation. The outcome of this meeting will determine if Chuchi's bill will pass and the wellbeing of millions of people.

She let the moments gravity sink into her for a short moment and took comfort in the fact that Ion stood like a wall right behind her. "My fellow Senators, I have -"

"Wasted enough of our time," An ugly remark came from the corner of the chamber. Rising steadily to the center, Senator Lott Dod leveled his repulsor pod so that it was a few feet above Chuchi's. It was a cheap attempt to make him appear higher and therefore more important. The Neimodian was ever so rude and didn't even request to be recognized before the Senate.

"Ah Senator Dod, I was wondering where you were." Chuchi remarked with a sly grin.

The Neimodian scowled at first and then replaced it with a neutral expression. "And I am wondering why you wish to bother us with such a trivial matter. Do us all a favor and excuse yourself from the chamber."

A loud crash from Amedaa's staff hitting the floor of the podium caught both the debating Senators attention. "Senator Dod, you do not have the right to dismiss Senator Chuchi. She will speak freely for as long as she needs without any interruption." Mas Amedaa didn't want to have to listen to Chuchi's speech all over again but he detested anyone who tried to exert a power that only he had. "Please continue Senator," Amedaa nodded to Chuchi.

Getting Dod to shut up was a small victory all on its own. With nothing standing in between her and the ears of the Senate, Chuchi began to speak.

"My fellow Senators and Representatives, I thank you for hearing my plight one last time. The catastrophe of war has spread far and wide with malicious intention that ruins the lives of those fortunate enough to survive it. A war may be fought with weapons but who makes those weapons? Who helps house and feed those who fight in the war? Who makes just as many sacrifices as the beings that fight valorously to defend their home worlds?"

Tension was skyrocketing amongst the legislative body and many Senators were half raised from their seats in anticipation. No one was ignoring her this time and she was ready to defend her cause with all her life.

"The people," She answered finally. "The very same people who elected us to our positions,"

She paused to let a sting of guilt penetrate those Senators who have sided with Lott Dod.

"Without them, what are? A government without its people is nothing and to let them suffer is the same as letting the state, as a whole, suffer. We already have soldiers and we already have the weapons, ships and supplies needed to protect the Republic. Why should we turn a blind eye to something that can be solved now and permanently?"

She turned her head slowly from side to side to get a look at all the faces fixated on her with intrigue. In all of them she can see deliberation going through their thoughts.

"With the passing of this bill, we will divert and commit capital to fund a relocation service that will see to the establishment of colonies for the refugees to occupy until their homes are rebuilt and suitable to live in once again. I have taken into consideration all consequences this bill will have. It will hardly affect the flow of capital towards the war effort and it will not deepen the economic depression the Republic is already in."

A scoff from Lott Dod interrupted the speech and shifted everyone's attention to the Neimodian senator. Mas Amedaa was about to tell the Senator to remain silent but Chuchi waved a hand at the Vice chair to signal him to let Dod speak.

"You have a question Senator Dod?" Chuchi said innocently as if there was no tension between the two of them. Ion on the other hand was tempted to blast the slimy creature for interrupting Chuchi well planned speech.

"Why yes I do Senator," Lott said snidely. "I and the rest of the Senate would like to know how exactly you plan on funding such an expensive operation without affecting the war effort or economy."

Lott thinks he's won by pushing her to answer a question that was bound to ruin her platform. But not this time, Chuchi had solved that problem earlier this morning.

"It's quiet simple really," She said and traced a figure across the computer screen in her repulsor pod. "I have outlined the article where it explains how the relocation service will accomplish its mission. I am transmitting a complete copy of this to your computers now." She said and hit a button that shared the document with every Senator's computer. She then waited patiently for everyone to read over it with her gaze closely focused on her opponent.

After a few brief minutes she could hear a wave of dismayed outcries coming from many of the fraudulent Senators. It brought a smile to her face to hear the irate Senators fore she knew that each one who displayed anger towards her and the bill were completely on Lott Dod's side. These corrupt senators will soon have what's coming towards them and then some.

"W-what is the meaning of this?" Lott Dod almost yelled. His face was a pale color that betrayed his worriedness.

Chuchi grinned sharply. "With capital being in short supply I believed it would better took a more direct approach in gathering the ships and personal needed to undertake the relocation of millions. Essentially this bill will have the Republic hire the Trade Federation for transporting and supplying the refugees."

A wave of voices soon pored over. Most of them were neutral comments or discussions while others were cheers and others boos.

In her mind this was the best plan. The Trade Federation had the ships and the resources to transport and supply the refugee colonies with what they need to survive. Food, medicine, building materials, ships; the Trade Federation had it all. The bill also outlined that the Republic will hire the Trade Federation at a low rate which would leave them little to no profit when they subtract there expenses. In other words, the Trade Federation would be working for charity.

"I object!" Lott was fuming now. "This is illegal, unconstitutional! I will not accept such a bargain!" He screamed over the noise in the chamber.

"You would've been right about this being unconstitutional if you had not signed the Treaty of 1647." Chuchi said. "By agreeing to the treaty the Trade Federation remains neutral for the duration of the war and it is also allowed full representation and voting rights in the Senate." This was common knowledge but what she was about to say next will flip the Neimodian on his head. "And according to the Republics founding constitution, a Senator can only represent a governmental body. In essence the Treaty of 1647 transformed the Trade Federation from a private business into a governmental body which can be subjugated to any ruling of the Senate."

Dod almost fainted when he heard this. She claims that the Senate could force the Trade Federation into this deal even if it's against his will. The Neimodian didn't want to believe it but she was right. The only way out of this was to either renounce his seat in the Senate of forfeit neutrality or accept the bill's terms and take a heavy loss to profit margins.

Chuchi can see the defeat in Lott's blank eyes and she knew now was time for the finishing strike. "I have made my case and I am hereby calling for an immediate vote on the legislation now."

"I object!" Lott cried out desperately to buy time. "This is too rash an unexpected to vote on now. We must think of the repercussions."

"Overruled," A sudden and strong voice pulsated throughout the chamber, silencing all. Chancellors Palpatine, the leader of the Republic, stood from his seat. "There is nothing to consider Senator Dod. Senator Chuchi has made an excellent case and we are all prepared to vote."

Lott Dod opened his mouth to protest but he quickly closed it as he realized there was absolutely nothing he could do to stop this except to vote against the bill.

The vote was called and every Senator submitted their votes. Everything was about to be decided in a few minutes and it was nerve racking for just about everyone. Two outcomes were possible. Either a few Senators keep their profits high or millions of refugees receive shelter and food to last them throughout the war.

The votes were tallied electronically and the outcome was broadcasted to Mas Amedaa's terminal. He scanned over the results and then taped his staff three times to call for everyone to be silent.

"By a majority vote, Legislation Act 707B is hereby voted in favor of passing."

Several things happened the second after Amedaa announced the passing of the bill. Most of Senators stood up in unison and clapped cheerfully while those who voted against it grumbled and sank into their seats with bitter distaste. Chuchi felt a jolt of joy pass through her and Ion was happy that Chuchi was successful. The Chancellor himself smiled and nodded towards Chuchi in agreement to what she's done.

Chancellor Palpatine raised his hand to call for silence. "I, Chancellor Palpatine, sign this bill into law and with it I hereby create the Republic Refugee Service. May we all see a brighter future after this day."

Chuchi didn't stick around for the encore of cheers and applause. Her repulsor pod hovered back to its resting place and she and Ion exited the Senate Chamber.

As soon as the door to the room closed she let out a loud sigh of relief. All of the excitement has left her a bit drained of energy, leaving her tired and wanting to rest.

"That was amazing," Ion said. "How did you ever come up with the idea to force the federation to do all the work?"

Chuchi smiled. "You gave me the idea earlier. The Republic didn't have the resources to mount an effective refugee service but the Trade Federation did. All it took was the right words to convince the Senate to agree to it." She shrugged casually. "It's ironic how the greediest organization in the galaxy will now be ferrying refugees to colonies and providing them with provisions. By my estimates the Trade Federation will have to transfer at minimum of ten percent of their assets to the Refugee Service. Think of all the lives we saved and the hope we brought." She paused for a moment, thinking deeply. "And it's all thanks to you Ion."

That look Chuchi gave him. It was something he's never seen before. The soft tint of her eyes and the creasing of her lips, is she falling for me? Me of all people? "It was nothing…" He suddenly realized how close their bodies were to each other with them only being separated by a thin sliver of space.

"No, don't say that. You gave me what I had lost and without you this would've never happened." She shifted her weight between feet nervously and for once in her life, she wasn't sure how to express herself. With words that is. "It was confidence that you gave me, the one thing that I was stripped from me. I… want to… thank you…"

She was now placing a little more weight on the tips of her feet and leaning slightly forward. Ion was a tall and broad shoulder man who dwarfed her in size. With a push from her toes to give her a boasted height, she placed a soft touch of her lips on his cheek.

It happened too fast for Ion to think of an explanation as to why she would ever kiss him. He always imagined a Senator never would want to get involved with a soldier. But rational thought escaped him along with his military cool. Like a kneejerk reaction he immediately blushed and felt like a school kid who had just received their first kiss.

Chuchi, still hovering next to his chest on still half raised toes, looked up into him and with a small and yet powerful smile that told him that she was eternally grateful.

Ion opened his mouth in an attempt to say something, anything actually, but the sound of a sliding door brought him back to reality. Chuchi practically fell back onto her heels and nearly fell over as Ion did his best to flush the darker color from his face. Thankfully the Senate Building's doors were energy efficient and took a handful of seconds to open all the way.

Senator Amidala entered Chuchi's preparation room and found her standing close to what she assumed was a body guard. She then noted that she was standing very close to the man with a stiff facial expression that made her look like she just took a stun bolt. The body guard looked even stiffer with his arms angled straight down his side and his chest was solid and hardly moved from breathing.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Padme said.

Her friend was quick to speak. "Oh no we were just… considering... what our celebration options were." Chuchi was hard pressed to come up something believable. "We wanted to celebrate the passing of our bill." She quickly added.

Padme felt a vibe in the air. She didn't need the Jedi senses of her husband to tell something was going on. "Congratulations then. It was perhaps the best speech I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. And the look on Lott Dod's face when you pulled the constitution over his head, priceless."

"Thank you Padme," Chuchi said. "It means a lot to me to hear that."

Padme studied the two a little more. She began to notice the signs of a budding relationship beginning to blossom. The way they stood, talked and moved told her enough. "If you two are going out then might I suggest the Manarai Mountains for a nice little retreat." She said and then gave Chuchi a wink before leaving the room.

The two stood there silently. Chuchi wondered if her friend suspected anything. She didn't want anyone to know about her feelings for Ion because she didn't know if he wanted to return those feelings.

"I guess…" Ion began. "I'll go get the speeder…" He said, blushing yet again. "I've heard that the mountains on Coruscant were a good place to relax and… get to know others…"

Chuchi smiled and nodded. "I agree," She extended a hand to him. "Shall we?"

Ion gently took hold of the hand and they left the Senate, hand in hand with strong feelings blossoming in their hearts.

I'll admit this was a little difficult to write because I stressed myself trying to get the political lingo right. Well it's done now so I'll be working on the next ficlet in the series. Oh and you can expect some more Chuchi and Ion romance fics in the future.

Thank you so much for reading,

xander867