Title: A Clever Seduction
Author: Chrissykat
Ship: Dormékin
Category: Drama/Angst/Romance
Part: Performance of a Lifetime
Rating: T Story contains content suitable for mature teens and older.
Authors Note: The characters of Dormé Jaffa, Anakin Skywalker, Palpatine, and Padmé Amidala do not belong to me and I am using them without permission of Lucas Films ltd. The Dormékin ship belongs to Cariel. I thank her for allowing me to use her concept, for inspiring me to start this fanfiction, and for making such an awesome looking story banner. I also blame her for my new obsess…new loyalty to this fandom.  We are still in the present, AOTC; right after Dormé has left Anakin and Obi wan in the sitting area. The flashback scene takes place roughly in 27BBY shortly after the events in the Prologue.

Dormé strode through a small corridor towards the dressing room with Sabé close behind. She had not realized that she had been holding her breath for much of the conversation with the Jedi, until she felt Sabé's hand fall upon her shoulder.

"Just breathe, milady." Sabé said gently.

Once they had entered the senators' dressing room, Sabé dropped the pretense that Dormé was the Padmé. "You did very well Dormé, you can relax now."

"Thank you Sabé." She gave the older handmaiden a grateful smile as the other handmaidens came forward to help her change. "I was certain I had slipped up when I did not recognize Master Kenobi's padawan."

Sabé smiled. "Dormé you were flawless. As for not recognizing Jedi Skywalker, it has been years since the senator has seen him, so your reaction was perfect. Even I was surprised at just how convincing you can be and I trained you." She patted Dormé on the shoulder. "I will go and brief the senator on the Jedi's plans." Sabé said goodnight to the other handmaidens before exiting the dressing room.

Dormé nodded, watching Sabé leave. The older handmaidens' words had been encouraging and she could not help but be proud of herself. Moteé slowly untied the tight corset she was wearing. Dormé took in a big gulp of air now that Moteé had rid her of that particular article of clothing. "Oh, I will never get used to that thing."

Moteé smirked pulling the corset away from Dormé's body. "Well, not everyone is as petite as Padmé." She placed the corset aside, ready to hear Dormé dish on everything. "So, don't leave me in suspense now. Tell me what the Jedi were like. Was either of them cute?"

Dormé slipped on her own undergarments before sitting down so that Rabé and Ellé could take down her hair. Moteé's comment about weight threw her. She glanced in the mirror with a look of concern as Rabé began tutoring Ellé on how to unpin the intricate hairdo. Was she getting a little pudgy? When Moteé insisted on hearing details about the Jedi, Dormé blushed. "Moteé, it is not like I was there to ogle the senators' new protectors." She had to admit however, for much of the conversation she had focused her attention on Jedi Skywalker.

While Ellé set to work on her hair Dormé began to wipe off the heavy makeup she was wearing. Soon enough she could glimpse a hint of the tiny brown freckles that covered her nose and cheeks.

Moteé rolled her eyes as she straightened up. "Come on Dormé. You can tell me which one struck your fancy. I know that at least one of them did. Your face is a red as muja fruit, though not quite red enough to cover those hideous freckles of yours."

Dormé put a hand to her face. The tiny 'blemishes' had always made her a bit self-conscious. Moteé didn't help this feeling by constantly telling her to cover them up at all times, that she would look much prettier if she did. "Nothing very interesting happened. They are here to protect the senator not me. Besides, you know as well as I do that we are not supposed to get emotionally involved with anyone."

Rabé and Ellé finished with her hair. They left half of it up with the rest of her brown locks draping around her shoulders. Rabé decided now was the perfect time to join in on the conversation. "She is right Moteé. Our job is to protect Senator Amidala, not try, and snag ourselves a man."

Moteé stuck her tongue out and made a face. "You are so boring Rabé. Forgive me if I want to live a little before I die. Personally Rabé, I think you need a night on the town more than any of us."

"No thank you. Unlike you, I prefer to spend what little private time I have in corresponding with my family. Goodnight ladies." With that, Rabé took her leave but not before informing Dormé that Padmé wanted her decoy to make sure the Jedi had everything they needed.

Dormé put her face in her hands, rubbing her eyes. Her duties never seemed to end but she consoled herself with the fact that at least this task would give her the opportunity to see the handsome Jedi padawan again if nothing else.

Moteé handed Dormés dress to her. "I guess you have a full night ahead of you what with tending to the Jedi's every need." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Guess that means you won't be joining me at the clubs tonight."

Shrugging her shoulders Dormé held back an accompanying yawn. "I suppose not." In truth, she was somewhat relieved. After the day she had just had, Dormé was less than ecstatic about going to some crowded, noisy club.

Hardly bothered by the slight setback Moteé invited Ellé to join her. "I hate going out by myself Ellé; you'll come with me won't you?" With a pout on her lips and her hands folded together, Moteé easily swayed the younger handmaiden to join her on her for a night of fun.

Ellé bounced up and down, delighted at the invite. "This is going to be so exciting. I've never been for a night out on Coruscant."

Moteé put an arm around the girls shoulder. "You and I are going to have so much fun. Dormé here will be terribly jealous in the morning when we tell her all about it, won't you Dormé?"

Dormé gave Moteé and Ellé a weak smile. "I am sure you'll have a tremendously good time Ellé. Just be careful of how much you drink. Moteé has a way of forgetting she even brought someone with her when she finds a man to spend the nighttime hours with."

"Good advice from the girl who used to drink to excess when we went out. I am not a babysitter Dormé. After all, it's not my fault that the gentlemen flock to me more than they flock to you." Moteé countered.

Ellé giggled a bit unaware of the underlining tension between the two older handmaidens. "The men must be drawn in by both of you. They'll probably just ignore me." She looked down at her feet.

"Nonsense, you are a beautiful girl Ellé." Dormé said. She was standing behind the screen, as she slipped into her dress. "I am sure the men will be captivated by you." She finished attaching the last hook into place. Stepping out from behind the screen, Dormé smiled at Ellé.

Moteé again rolled her eyes. "You are worse than Rabé when it comes to all that sentimental drivel Dormé. I swear sometimes I fear I will fall asleep just listening to you both. Let's go Ellé, time for some real excitement." She began leading the younger handmaiden out the door.

Glancing back, Ellé gave Dormé a wave before departing with Moteé. Dormé waved back as the door shut. She closed her eyes; Ellé reminded Dormé so much of how she had been when she began her training. Naive as she was, it was a wonder how she had managed to get through that first meeting with Chancellor Palpatine.

FLASHBACK

Dormé sat nervously waiting. The chancellor had informed Queen Amidala that he wished to speak with her newest handmaiden in training. Dormé was convinced that he had discovered the use of her grandfathers' name on the application. She had used his name instead of her own because it held more stature. Now Dormé feared her secret was out and he would send her back to Uriash, or worse to some prison planet.

Wringing her hands together, Dormé practically jumped out of her skin when the chancellors' assistant told her that Palpatine would see her now. Slowly she approached the door to his office, which slid open. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside, the door swooshed closed behind her, causing her to look back in a bit of a panic.

Palpatine sat behind his desk. He glanced up from his work to see the young handmaiden entering. She looked very much like the Queen and he was certain he had made the correct decision in choosing her. "Ah, you must be Dormé Jaffa. Please child, come in, and sit. Can I offer you some tea?" He gave her what one could only describe as his best comforting smile.

Dormé curtsied before the chancellor before taking a seat in the chair he had gestured her to sit in. "Thank you, Chancellor, I do not drink tea though, but thank you", she whispered politely not wanting to offend him in anyway, but wanting to show the proper respect.

Sitting back down, he could feel the waves of panic Dormé exuded. Palpatine relished the sensation. He was sure he would have little trouble manipulating the little lost girl of Uriash. "Queen Amidala has told me about your brave journey to speak with her. Horrendous how the regulation of child labor laws in Uriash has gone unchecked. I have offered the Queen help in solving this matter. Soon enough we shall see to it that no child suffers as you have." Dormé's weak smile only assured him that he would succeed in winning her over.

"Thank you Chancellor." Dormé bowed her head in gratitude. She bit her lip wondering if that was all he wished to speak about with her.

Palpatine banished that thought with his next statement. "I have also spoken with your grandfather. He was rather shocked to hear about his granddaughter becoming a handmaiden." Shocked was putting it mildly. Raghvin Jaffa had not even known he had a granddaughter much less one who was using his name to attain a position with the Queen of Naboo. Upon discovering this bit of information, Jaffa had been less then pleased but had decided to let it go lest his family name suffer more degradation then it already had in years past. The added bonus of Dormés position gaining something for him was also a very powerful motivator for Jaffa's silence on the matter.

Dormé looked up at Palpatine in shock but she was quick to mask it. She had never even met her grandfather. Her mother had told her that he had disowned her because she had married a working class man. Edren Janren, Dormés father had come from a lower class family. Jaffa was furious when his daughter threw away her life of privilege to be with some 'street rat'. "How…how is my grandfather?" She asked, curious about the man who could easily destroy her future.

Baiting her was going to be easier then he thought. Palpatine began spinning the lies he had already constructed, "He is quite well. However, he was surprised that he had even had a granddaughter, but he was incredibly proud that you have come into a position of great importance."

She didn't know why she felt compelled to do so, but she began divulging just why her grandfather had no knowledge of her. "It is no surprise that he did not know about me Chancellor Palpatine. He disowned my mother for marrying someone of lower class origins. After that, he never contacted her again."

Palpatine gazed over at her. She had no idea he was already fully aware of the scandal her mother had caused, nor did she realize he was pulling the details from her using only a small amount of his powers. "Yes, he said the same thing. Your grandfather and I are old friends. He confided in me that he feels just awful about how your parents treated you. He assures me that he never meant for his anger and animosity towards your parents, to affect you."

Dormé shook her head, disturbed that her grandfather would feel so. "If you speak with him again, please tell him that he is not blame. I think my parents simply forgot about me with all the other troubles they were having." With all the fighting they did, it was a wonder they even acknowledged her presence as often as they had.

"My dear girl, a parent should never disregard their own child's welfare. After all, you are the future of this galaxy." He smiled as he sipped his tea.

More relaxed then when she entered his office, Dormés smile was not as forced this time. "Those are kind words chancellor, though I hardly doubt I have a great role to play in the future of our galaxy."

If only she was aware of what he had planned for her. "Nonsense dear child, you are being trained to perform an important service for the republic. With your beauty and youth, why, I am certain you will attain all your heart desires."

Dormé blushed at his compliment, looking down into her lap. The chancellor was a kinder man then she had ever met before. She wondered why she had been so nervous about meeting with him.

All too easy, he thought before setting his teacup down. "Now, I know you will be departing for Naboo later today, but your grandfather has entrusted me with looking after you. After meeting such a…fine, intelligent girl, I am glad I accepted his offer."

Once more, her grandfathers concern for her moved Dormé. She held back the grateful tears as she spoke. "I do not know what to say." As he stood up, she too rose to her feet.

Palpatine came around his desk, pleased with how well everything was going. He placed a wrinkled hand upon her shoulder as he guided her to the door. "There is no need for you to say anything my dear. You just do well with your training. Should you ever need any assistance with anything at all, do not be afraid to call upon me. I would be most pleased if you would think of me as…a grandfather." He smiled down at the girl who was now right where he wanted her to be.

Dormé looked up at the chancellor, her wide brown eyes filled with admiration for this man. "That…that is more than I…" This time she could not hold back the tears and they trickled down her cheeks. Though she knew it was definitely inappropriate, she hugged the chancellor.

Her tears fell onto his robes and he had to check the irritation he felt. "Now, now, dry those eyes. You are too pretty of a girl to look so terribly sad." Palpatine gently pulled her away from his robe and watched as she wiped the tears on her face.

"I…I am just so honored that you would show someone like me such generosity." Dormé stated. "I am sorry if I offended you chancellor. I should not have…oh I am so stupid" She spoke the last of her apology in a whisper to herself.

By now, Palpatine was growing weary of Dormés presence. His relief was profound when they reached the door and it slid open for them. "Well now, I am hardly offended my dear girl, but I daresay you must hurry along now or you will miss your transport."

She bowed to him, "Thank you again Chancellor Palpatine". Dormé stepped out of his office turning to look at him once more.

"The pleasure was mine Dormé. Hurry now." He said shooing her off in a fatherly way. She bowed once more then hurried off to catch her transport back to Naboo.

END FLASHBACK

Dormé smiled at the memory. The chancellor had been immensely kind to her over the years. She had yet to need his assistance, but was glad to know that should she ever be in need of help she would have someone to turn to.

Taking one last look in the mirror to make sure she looked presentable, Dormé exited the dressing room heading back towards the living area to tidy up and check up on the two Jedi protectors.

As she walked back into the living area, Dormé spotted Jedi Skywalker standing by the window. He did not notice her entrance so she cleared her throat before speaking, in an attempt to get his attention. "Excuse me." Her voice trembled as she spoke.

Anakin had been daydreaming about Padmé as he gazed at the skies of Coruscant. Hearing the woman's voice, he spun around, hoping to see her. To his extreme disappointment, he saw only one of her handmaidens. "Oh…um…does Senator Amidala need something?" He asked, trying to sound professional.

"No…milady has retired for the evening. She asked me to make sure you and Master Kenobi had everything you needed. I could fix you both something to eat or drink if you wish?" Dormé said her eyes fixed on the man in front of her. He was certainly attractive enough and obviously quite fixated on Padmé.

"Uh, no thank you miss. When Master Kenobi returns, though he may want something." He shrugged his shoulders before turning back to look out the window.

Dormé nodded but by then he wasn't looking at her anymore. She stared at him for a moment or two before turning around and going into the kitchen to fix something to eat. The last time she had eaten anything was earlier that morning before all the chaos began and now she was starving.

Anakin sighed. He really wanted to speak with Padmé again. Ten years had passed since he has seen her last, yet she hadn't changed a bit. She was still as angelic and beautiful as she used to be. His ears picked up the sound of her handmaiden in the kitchen. There was something odd about the girl. Something in the sound of her voice that was strangely familiar but he was certain he had never seen her before.

While she waited for her bread to heat up, Dormé stirred some dried, ground up Nola grass into the mixture she was stirring. She smiled with her eyes closed at the wonderful aroma. Putting the spoon down, she went to find something she could snack on after dinner. Luckily, she had made some of her conundrum the night before.

Dormé resolved to retrieve the dessert once her dinner had finished and went back to stirring the aromatic soup.

The delicious smell wafting from the kitchen broke Anakin out of his thoughts. He began sniffing the air, with each step moving closer to the doorway of the kitchen. "Mmm, that smells heavenly."

Dormé scooped out a bowl of the soup. Anakin spoke up just as she turned around. He was standing right behind her. She was so startled that she jumped, spilling the soup on the front of his tunic and onto her own hands.

Anakin looked down at his now very damp and hot clothes. He cringed as the liquid began to burn his skin.

Utterly embarrassed, Dormé set to work trying to wipe off her scalding hot dinner from his outfit. "Oh, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to…you just startled me…and I…oh…oh dear." How could she have been so clumsy?

She kept patting away at his chest, which only pressed the hot material against his skin more. "Stop, stop. Its alright…I shouldn't have snuck up on you." He gently pushed her hands away taking the towel out of them. Anakin lifted his gaze to her face and smiled. She looked close to tears. "Don't worry about it, really."

Dormé knelt down to pick the bowl up off the floor. "No, I should have been more careful." After the long day she had her emotions where now getting the best of her.

Anakin finished wiping his tunic off then knelt down beside her. He watched her pick up a few of the shattered pieces of her bowl before noticing how red her hands were. "Your hands, there burnt, let me see them."

Only now, after Anakin made mention about of her, did she notice how red they were. The pain from her burns began to register. Dormé winced but gently let go of the broken bowl.

He took her hands in his own. After years of lightsaber use, his hands were incredibly rough and he hoped he would not cause her any further injury. To his surprise, her hands were almost as rough. She had a few calluses as well. He examined each hand carefully. Thankfully, only the backs of her hands suffered any injury. "Some bacta salve should take care of these. Do you have any here?"

Dormé nodded looking up at his face. "Yes, I believe so. There should be a first aid kit under that counter." She pointed to one of the counters on the far side of the kitchen.

Anakin got up and went to search for the kit. He looked back at her for a moment, "I've had to use this stuff so many times. It's a wonder my skin isn't made of bacta salve by now." He laughed before continuing his search.

His comment made Dormé smile. "Well, after the day I have had this just gives it the perfect ending." She gave a bitter laugh but winced when her hand scraped against the fabric of her dress. "Ouch".

After finding the salve, Anakin sat back down next to her on the floor and began to spread the gooey, viscous liquid over her burns. He realized that he did not even know her name and let out another weak laugh. "Here I am tending to your wounds and we don't even know each others names."

Dormé blushed at her lack of manners. She was grateful that he did not seem to be too offended. "Rather uncouth of both us I suppose." She giggled

Anakin joined in her laughter. "Master Kenobi would be incredibly grumpy if he knew I had forgotten my manners. I'm Anakin Skywalker." His fingers spread a bit more salve onto her burns before wrapping her hands up in some gauze.

"My name is Dormé and thank you." They stared at each other for several silent moments. She could not help but notice how blue his eyes were.

Taking his first real glimpse of her, Anakin realized that Dormé had tiny freckles over her nose and cheeks. He had never seen anyone with them before but he had to admit they made her look incredibly attractive.

Dormé was the first to look away, feeling like they had stared at each other for far too long. "I should clean up this mess." She mumbled and went back to picking up the broken pieces of her bowl.

Anakin stood up straightening out his tunic. Turning on the sink, he cleaned his hands of the bacta and dried them. "Yes, I should probably check in on Pad…I mean…the senator, make sure everything is alright."

It was silly of her to think he would want to spend any more time with her. He had other duties to perform. She looked up at him and smiled brightly. "I will let you see to your duties, of course."

He smiled at her before heading back into the sitting room.

Dormé sighed, beyond frustration. She tossed the broken bowl into the trash then grabbed another towel to wipe up the soup that had spilled onto the floor. The entire time she mumbled at how ridiculous she must have sounded to him. He was a Jedi and though she knew little about them, they were obviously important people. Her she was babbling away like an idiot with him.

Anakin went over to the camera screens to make sure Padmé was all right. To his disappointment, the camera in her room blurred as if something had covered it. "Oh man, Obi wan is going to kill me." He moaned aloud.

Just as Anakin spoke his name, Obi wan came back into the room. "And just what am I going to kill you for now, my young padawan?" He strode over to the younger man who looked extremely upset.

Before Anakin could answer, Dormé came back into the sitting area. When he spotted her, he grinned, thankful for her timely intrusion. "Uh, I believe the young woman wants a moment of your time master."

Obi wan turned spotting the handmaiden. There was something incredibly familiar about her. His gaze lingered as he tried to remember and when he did, he was quick to disguise the surprise and vague amusement from his face. It appeared Senator Amidala was not above using the same ruse twice.

Dormé looked up, "Forgive my interruption. The Senator asked me to make sure…that…I mean to see if you and your padawan were comfortable. I…I made some soup if either of you are hungry." She stumbled over her words trying not to make eye contact with Anakin. One embarrassing moment with him was enough for the night.

"Is that what I smell?" Obi wan sniffed the air. Strangely enough, the closer he got to his padawan the stronger the smell of the soup was. "Did you already have some Anakin, or did you decide to wear it instead?"

Anakin blushed, "No master, there was a minor accident. Luckily no one was to seriously hurt." Again, he tried to sound professional. He felt horrible enough as it was that his clumsiness had led to Dormés' burned hands.

Obi wan shook his head, rubbing his beard when he noted the handmaidens wrapped up hands. "Need I remind you Anakin, that we are here representing the Jedi Council and to protect the senator. However, we should also try not to cause any damage to her handmaidens."

"I am sorry Master." Anakin said his head bowed. There were times when he felt he would never live up to Obi wans' expectations.

Dormé was never one to speak out of turn and she had no idea what prompted her do so then, but she found she could not bear to see Anakin berated for something that was so obviously not his fault. "If I may, it was not your padawans' fault. I…I slipped and the bowl fell out of my hands. If anyone is to blame it is me." Her eyes locked with Anakin's before she shyly looked back at the Jedi Master.

Obi wan had witnessed the Lady Sabé in the role of decoy years ago. Unlike so spoken Sabé, even when not acting as Padmé Amidala, he could tell that this handmaiden was of a unique personality. "Well, if there is anything I or my padawan may do, perhaps help clean up any mess created?"

Shaking her head, "No, that will not be necessary. The soup is in a pot on the stove if either of you are hungry." Dormé gestured behind her towards the kitchen as she spoke.

"I thank you." Obi wan said with a kind nod of his head. "It smells very good, but I am not hungry at the moment. A cup of tea would not be frowned upon however that is if it is not to troublesome."

"I would love some soup." Anakin finally spoke up. The aroma had caught his attention before and now his stomach was beginning to protest.

Dormé smiled shyly, "Of course, I will bring you a bowl and some tea." She slipped back into the kitchen. She setup a teacup and saucer for Master Kenobi, placing the teapot on the stove to warm up. Pulling out two more bowls, she carefully scooped the liquid into them. She could hear the Jedi talking about the cameras in the Senators room. Padmé had obviously covered them over causing some apprehension on Master Kenobi's part. Pouring the hot water into the teapot, she grabbed the only tea Padmé had available and put it down onto the tray. Wiping her hands on a towel, Dormé picked up both bowls, put them onto the tray. Lifting the tray, she returned to the sitting area.

When Anakin saw her approach, he smiled. When she handed the bowl over to him, he took in the wonderful smell. "Mmm, it smells delicious."

Dormé smiled "It's not much, just a simple recipe I created". She placed the teapot down in front of Master Kenobi who bowed his head in thanks. "I am sorry but this is the only tea that the senator has." She said apologetically.

Shaking his head, Obi wan reassured her. "This is fine. Thank you." He readied his tea while Anakin immediately set to work on his soup.

Dormé was interested in the current situation involving Senator Amidala. "Is there something wrong with milady? I could not help but overhear, you both sounded a bit concerned a moment ago?"

This time Anakin was the first to speak up. "The Senator has blocked off the cameras in her room. I guess she didn't like the idea of me…I mean us watching her."

Dormé sighed. "Milady is very careful when it comes to her privacy. With the great deal of attention she receives from the media, she has to be."

"Unfortunately, with the recent attempt on her life, I am afraid that her actions will endanger her life more than necessary. This is a matter of security after all." Obi wan crossed his arms as he spoke.

"I understand. I am sure she has programmed the R2 unit in her room to warn you of any danger, but I will see if I can convince her to uncover at least one of the cameras so that you have a better chance to catch whatever fiend is trying to kill her." Dormé offered politely.

Obi wan was always impressed with the dedication Padmés' handmaidens had for her safety. "That would be most appreciated, Lady…" it was then he realized he had not learned her name.

Before Dormé could answer, Anakin had swallowed his spoonful of soup and was introducing her. "This is Dormé, master."

Sighing inwardly at Anakin's behavior, "Yes, thank you Anakin and thank you Lady Dormé. Please assure her that it is only for her safety."

"Of course, I shall say goodnight to you then." Dormé bowed for what felt like the millionth time that evening before heading for the senators bedchambers, bowl of soup in hand.

Anakin watched her leave, feeling a bit of unexpected disappointment at her departure. He brushed it off as Obi wan attempted to gain his attention.

"Anakin, are you listening to me at all?" Obi wan stood in front of him, arms folded across his chest.

"Yes, master of course." Anakin said moving across the room with Obi wan to stand by the windows.

Obi wan shook his head, following the younger man over towards the windows. He made no further remarks about Anakin's behavior, but did inform his padawan of the security situation on all floors of the building. After awhile the pair drifted into silence, with Anakin thinking about Padmé, while Obi wan focused upon whom the senators would be assassin might be.

Dormé wandered down the hallway towards Padmés bedroom. She hoped that she could quickly convince the senator, perhaps then she could retire for the night. Stepping quietly towards the doorway, Dormé saw that Padmé was still awake speaking with Sabé. Not wanting to disturb them, she waited patiently to enter.

"Dormé, please come in." Padmé said when she saw her decoy. "Sabé was telling me how well you did with the Jedi."

"Thank you milady; I did not mean to interrupt. I have straightened out the living area and the Jedi are comfortable. They did ask me to…to ask you…about the cameras." Dormé spoke softly.

Sabé glanced over at Padmé, folding her arms over her chest. "I told you that Master Kenobi would be unimpressed with you covering them up. It is for your safety that they were installed."

Padmé groaned inwardly. "Yes Sabé, I am well aware of that. However, having two men eyeballing my every move while I am in the privacy of my own chambers is something I will not have." Truthfully, she would not have put up such a fuss, but she could clearly see how her presence affected Anakin. The thought of him watching her while she slept just made her very uncomfortable.

Dormé put her bowl down as she stepped closer to Sabé and Padmé. Remembering what she had said to Anakin and Master Kenobi, "Perhaps, if you allow one camera milady, to put our minds and those of the Jedi at ease". After all, her handmaidens were just as concerned for Padmés' safety as these Jedi seemed to be.

"That is out of the question Dormé. R2 has been programmed and that should be enough for you and the Jedi." Padmé argued stubbornly.

Sabé paced back and forth trying to come up with an ultimatum. Watching Dormé and Padmé together, the most obvious solution came to her mind. How had she not thought of it before? "I think I might have a way to solve this little problem. Dormé can stay here; she is, after all, your decoy."

Padmé pondered this plan. It had merit. Dormé was an excellent decoy and if there were to be another assassination attempt, the Jedi would put a stop to it long before the young handmaiden suffered any harm. "That might work." She turned her gaze to Dormé.

"Dormé, I must ask that you play the role of my decoy. You will sleep here and I in your chambers." Her gaze went back to Sabé. "Once Dormé has changed and is in bed, make sure one of the cameras is uncovered, so that the Jedi believe you have persuaded me to see reason."

Dormé, flabbergasted by the former decoys idea, had little time to react. Padmé had already gone to pull out a nightgown for her to wear, while Sabé began helping her out of her dress. The older handmaiden paused to examine Dormés' hands. "What happened here?"

Embarrassed about her moment of clumsiness, especially seeing as how one of the Jedi was involved, Dormé pulled her hands away carefully. "Nothing, I just spilled some of the soup I made." She tried to sound nonchalant. They had stopped stinging as the bacta went to work and she would be able to have them unwrapped in the morning.

Sabé shook her head. "We will have to hope they are healed enough now. You must look like the senator even as you sleep." The older handmaiden began to pull away the gauzy material.

Dormé sighed as Sabé peeled away the last of the gauze. Her skin was still slightly red but not as fiercely as it had looked. She hoped that in the dark, the Jedi would not notice her hands.

"Hmm, not too bad; luckily bacta salve works quickly." Sabé stated giving Dormé a quick smirk as she let the younger girls hands go.

Padmé returned with one of her nightgowns. "Here, this will do nicely."

Dormé looked at the nightgown Padmé had brought over. The cut and style was like nothing Dormé would wear. To try to sleep in something like this had to be terribly uncomfortable. "Are you certain this is necessary milady?"

Thinking that her decoy was still somewhat unsure in her duties, Padmé was quick to be reassuring. "You have been one of the best decoys I have had Dormé, with the exception of Sabé here of course." She smiled over at Sabé. "This task will be easy; all you have to do is sleep. The Jedi will do the rest."

Sighing, Dormé took the nightgown from Padmé and slipped it over her head. As she thought, the material was anything but comfortable. There were no sleeves but the straps were beaded and dug into her skin. Dormé wondered just how Padmé slept in something like this.

"Only one more thing to do", Sabé said as she walked around to Dormés' back. She unpinned Dormés hair. The slightly curly brown locks tumbled down, lying gently on her shoulders. Sabé fussed with Dormés' hair for a bit longer before stepping back. "There, that's perfect."

Padmé nodded. "Alright, I will take my leave now. You just get into bed and Sabé will uncover the camera before she leaves." She put her hands on Dormés' shoulders. "You will be fine Dormé."

"Yes milady." Dormé responded quietly. She watched as Padmé went back to pick up the soup bowl before departing through the secret hallways that her handmaidens used. Dormé shook her head, realizing upsettingly, that she would not be eating tonight. She climbed into the senators' bed, pulling the covers over herself.

Sabé went over to one of the cameras and pulled the covering off it. She looked over at Dormé once then she too hurried out, following Padmés' steps.

Now she was alone, trying to pull off the performance of her life. Desperate to fall asleep after the insanity this day had brought, Dormé closed her eyes. She opened them soon after and shifted to her side. As she moved the straps on her nightgown slipped further down her arms. Grunting in frustration, she yanked them back up.

Eventually, sleep won out over everything and Dormés' eyes fluttered closed. Her last thoughts were that it was going to be a very long night.

"You've made a commitment to the Jedi Order, a commitment not easily broken." Obi wan reminded his young padawan as they moved through the suite.

Anakin simply nodded his head. His mind was not truly on the conversation though. Being near Padmé again was, as he had told Master Kenobi, intoxicating. "I know, I know."

Obi wan went on to reiterate that Padmé was a politician and not to be trusted. Anakin found Obi wans' statement rather unfair. "Your generalizing master, the chancellor doesn't appear to be corrupt." Anakin would be haunted by these words years later.

They continued their debate but paused, feeling a shift in the force. Anakin looked over at Obi wan in shock.

"I sense it too." Obi wan confirmed and they raced toward the senators' bedroom.

Dormé had only just fallen asleep when both Jedi burst into the room. Anakin practically threw himself onto the bed, swinging his lightsaber. The broken body of a deadly kouhun hit the opposite wall. She glanced up in shock at Anakin who peered down curiously at her. The lights from the city illuminated her face; she was beautiful, but Padmé didn't have those little freckles, only…He whispered, "Dormé?"

Obi wan crashing through the window quickly drew their attention away from each other. Anakin looked away, thrown by this development. Deciding he had better follow Obi wan, he jumped off the bed but not before looking back at Dormé one last time, "Stay here". He ran towards the door just as Typho, Sabé, and several guards rushed in.

Sabé sat down on the bed in front of Dormé. "Are you alright?"

Dormé lifted her hands to her face. Sabé and Padmé had forgotten one crucial thing when they had formed this plan, the makeup to cover her freckles. Anakin must have noticed them right away. She glanced up at Sabé in somewhat of a daze, "I think we have a problem."

Tbc

Oh dear, what will happen next? I know that you might be slightly bored with this story because it is going rather slow. I promise to you all, things will begin to pick up shortly. Please leave a little feedback for me. 