Hi everyone.. hangs head
I'm very sorry to have been gone for so long, but as an apology I have two chapters waiting in the wings that will hopefully get this fic rolling. So bear with me while I try to get back in the game.
Despite the nature of politics, Sabe found she had never tired of the complexities of relationships between the individual and the state. A politician's work was never done, for even after the business of the day had been completed, there was a certain inevitable amount of paperwork. So it came as no surprise to Sabe that the High Chancellor headed for her offices within the complex after an impassioned, resounding speech before the Imperial Senate. There had been a momentary discussion between Amidala and the Emperor about Luke's presence; the boy had risen and pressed in close beside him and it had taken every skill Sabe possessed to keep from snatching the child away. In the end, Luke had been left with him and he seemed intent on learning something or other, for he was watching the Emperor raptly. Sabe had taken Leia's hand and allowed the child to swing their joined hands between her playfully as they followed the High Chancellor's entourage to her private offices. Sabe kept a sharp eye on her mistress and noted her stiff walk. Typho, too, had taken a close position to Amidala and offered her his arm at one point, which she had gratefully taken.
Amidala's office, frequently packed from one end to the other with fractious dignitaries was surprisingly empty and Typho had escorted his mistress to her chair and helped her sit down. As Typho stepped back, Sabe met his eyes and watched as he shook his head warningly.
"How are you, milady?" Sabe asked as she and Leia took a couch near the window.
"Well enough." Amidala panted, and Sabe rose to her feet to check her mistress' condition.
"Do you need your breather?" Sabe asked, and bit her lip when Amidala shook her head. Whether it was the movement of her head, or simply a combination of her speaking and then walking a long distance, Sabe didn't know. But the rhythm of her breathing changed abruptly to a wheeze. Sabe sighed, and dug quickly into the center drawer for a mask kept there. She slipped it over Amidala's mouth and motioned for Typho to connect the tube to the tank in the corner. He hurriedly did so, and Sabe knelt before her mistress, smoothing her hair back.
"Slow, deep breaths milady," she cautioned. It took a few minutes for her breathing to slow once more, for the medication in the heavily oxygenated air to sooth the inflamed alveoli in her lungs. She remained seated for fifteen minutes or so, leaning heavily back in her chair with her eyes closed while Sabe waited for Typho to turn the tank off before removing the mask.
"Are you all right, mama?" Leia asked anxiously from across the room. Amidala sat up slowly and opened her eyes. She took an experimental breath and then nodded.
"Yes sweetheart, I'm all right." She said softly.
"Do you want to go home?" Sabe asked, and Amidala shook her head.
"Not just yet. I was hoping to accomplish something while I was here today." She smiled thinly, and Sabe returned it, rising to her feet.
"I'm glad to hear you intend to stay for a few moments at least." Another voice called, and Sabe looked up to find Bail Organa standing in the doorway. He stepped gracefully into the room, his arms held out to the side in anticipation of the full body scan Typho would run before permitting him any further. "I apologize for eavesdropping, milady. I had intended to ask if I might enter your offices as I noticed you seemed ill. I had hoped to speak with you on behalf of the Loyalists."
Typho completed his scan and nodded curtly at the High Chancellor before taking his position at the doorway to prevent anyone else from entering unannounced. Amidala sat up a little bit straighter, and moved her hand subtly in the old handmaiden's code. Sabe rose to her feet and moved to take Leia's hand, but the child bounded to her mother's side and whispered intently in her ear. Bail watched her hungrily, with an unreadable expression on his face.
"Oh, sweetheart, I love you too." Amidala said aloud, and brought a thin hand to her cheek. She took Leia's tiny hand within her own and clasped it, tightly.
"Milady?" Bail asked quietly. "May I speak?"
"Yes." Amidala sighed impatiently, but Bail ignored it and moved to stand before her desk. After a tense moment, she motioned for him to sit and he did so, leaning forward intently.
"How are you?" he asked, and Amidala lifted her chin sharply at his question.
"I am well, now.You wished to speak of the Loyalists?" She prompted coolly, drawing Leia in to sit on her lap.
"You should be able to anticipate my message from the Loyalist committee, milady." Bail drawled, clasping his hands and resting them against his bent knee. "As I recall, we both had a similar agenda when we began the committee some eleven years ago."
"Time flies." Amidala ground out through gritted teeth. "Is there anything new that you wish to speak of?"
Sabe inwardly shuddered at her mistress' cold tone, but it seemed to have no effect on Bail. He met her gaze evenly, and smiled.
"No, milady. Our position is ever the same, in the pursuit of democracy and freedom. We would seek peace for the sake of our children." He gestured subtly at Leia and Amidala instinctively drew her daughter closer.
"Then I suggest that our meeting has come to an end."Amidala snapped. Bail stared at her sadly for a moment, before rising to his feet and bowing, slightly.
"Good day, milady." he said. Sabe stepped forward to see him out as Amidala returned her attention to Leia, who was smiling and laughing.
Sabe did not speak as she escorted Bail to the door and saw him out into the hall. His gaze lingered on her for a long moment, then flickered to Leia, Amidala and back to Sabe once more. Inside, the child's laughter seemed to be infectious, for the High Chancellor leaned her forehead against her daughter's happily.
"Leia, I don't know what I would do without you." she whispered softly.
Bail's eyes flashed darkly for a moment, the furrows of his brow deepened briefly before smoothing once more. Before Sabe could think to question him, he nodded curtly to her and slipped silently down the corridor until he was out of sight.
Two hours and a pile of pads later, Sabe had been given the unenviable task of collecting young Luke from the Emperor and had done so reluctantly, both because she anticipated the child's resistance and her own intense dislike for Palpatine. The child had been somewhat sulky all the way back to Amidala's office, and had then run in to inform his mother of his upcoming coming tour of duty. True to his word, he neglected to mention his assignment, for which Sabe was grateful. Amidala had even taken the news well, whispering her hopes for a brief journey and a safe return.
Although the weather service had made no plans for rain it had done so of its own accord. Sabe had helped the twins don their cloaks and herded both children out into the waiting speeder and had watched as Typho walked carefully across the rain-slicked landing platform with Amidala's arm in his. Her gait had slowed to a shuffle, but she seemed to be breathing well enough. Sabe had helped her in and settled her into her seat quickly as they lifted off. Rain sloshed down the windows and hid their view of the TIE fighters in tight formation about them. No one spoke, even the children were silent as they began their slow spiral down to the landing platform. Sabe shifted uncomfortably in her seat and drew her cloak more tightly about herself. Leia was snuggled close to Amidala, who dozed awkwardly with her head resting against the transparisteel. The little girl was staring out the window, her tiny fingers tracing a small circle onto her knee absently. Luke was also lost in thought, but one small hand was clenched, as was his jaw. He'd been rather subdued most of the afternoon, whether from his irritation at being dragged to the Senate, or simply a result of his time spent with the Emperor, Sabe couldn't guess. The speeder banked slowly to the right, and then to the left again as it decelerated to come to a subtle stop hovering above the platform before settling down and taxiing into the private hangar. Sabe shifted from her seat at last, stretching and unbuckling her lap belt.
"All right, milady." Sabe called softly as she slid from her seat and gently touched Amidala's knee. "We're home now. How are you feeling?" she asked in concern.
The High Chancellor woke with a visible start, looking around the speeder in confusion before she nodded lethargically.
"Tired." She admitted. Sabe waved Luke and Leia out of their lap belts and motioned for them to hop out of the speeder as she helped Amidala to her feet and guided her out to Panaka, who was waiting for them at the base of the steps.
"Would you like a bath before you retire, milady?" Sabe asked as she stepped down behind her. Panaka was careful to put Amidala's small hand in the crook of his elbow before he ambled off slowly.
"Yes, but see to the children first." Amidala's voice was thin, she was walking very slowly and kept her eyes glued to where her feet shuffled on the tarmac. Sabe met Panaka's eyes cautiously, and he nodded. He would make certain the High Chancellor made it to her chambers safely. Clutching the fluttering ends of her cloak in both hands, Sabe hurried past Amidala and joined the children, urging them toward the residence and out of the rain as quickly as possible.
It had come as no surprise to Sabe that Amidala had taken to her bed for the remainder of the day. She'd assisted her mistress out of her formal gown and tucked her back under the covers. Amidala had been asleep before Sabe had turned the lights down and left her to rest. The children, too, had opted for a rare afternoon nap as Sabe had returned to find them snuggled together watching a holodrama in the main living room. Sighing to herself, Sabe leaned against the doorframe and watched them silently. Even in sleep, Luke's hand rested within his pocket. He shifted restlessly, tossing his head slowly from side to side. Thinking to comfort him, Sabe carefully padded to the couch and reached out a hand to smooth his wayward hair away from his brow. She had no sooner reached for him when Luke started awake and snatched her hand in midair. He held it with such a crushing grip that Sabe winced.
"Luke, it's me." She told him urgently. His eyes were hooded, Sabe almost imagined that they smoldered. His grip tightened still further and Sabe barely stifled the urge to cry out. "Luke, it's me." She panted, trying to twist her hand out of his. He seemed far away somewhere.
"I see you, Sabe." Luke began in a low voice that was not his own. "I see you every day. Quiet, complacent, diligent as a handmaiden of Naboo should be. But I know your measure. If you want to remain in the service of your mistress I suggest you cease meddling in my affairs."
"Luke," Sabe pleaded, "Luke, please! You're hurting me!"
In the depths of Luke's eyes, Sabe saw something evil staring back at her for a moment before it receded once more. Luke blinked his eyes slowly as he returned to himself, releasing his death grip on Sabe's wrist. She snatched her wrist away from him and cradled it to her chest. Luke sat up and began to rub his eyes. He inched away from his sister and swung his legs over the edge of the couch. Sabe watched him carefully for a moment, not speaking as Luke lifted his chin and met her eyes.
"Is something wrong, Sabe?" he asked after a moment.
"Why would you think there was?" Sabe asked roughly. Luke looked taken aback at her tone, but met her gaze quizzically.
"You look like you've seen a ghost." He observed, and Sabe caught her breath.
"Perhaps I have." She murmured. "Perhaps I have."