Hey, thanks for reading, if anything is unsatisfactory plz let me know, and I'll change it. Any suggestions for future chapters is welcome.
Disclaimer: All puppets used for my evil practice is Mr. Flannel's property. All other stuff is created by my imagination. I apologize for any coincidences that my work seems familiar to yours, plz contact me and I will remove. ;-)
And now…
Chapter 2- Obi-Wan! I found a new talent!
Sabe collapsed back onto the recliner after cutting off the comm. connection, laughing her head off.
Padme came in another door, staring bemusedly at her friend and advisor.
"What is so funny?" She asked, leaning on the door frame with her arms crossed.
"Ani and Obi-Wan, they make quite a pair!" Sabe gasped, clutching her stomach.
"Ani? I haven't talked to him in years!" Padme exclaimed.
"Yes, they called, but you said you weren't going to take any calls this afternoon." Sabe answered.
"Sabe! You should have asked me!" Padme said, walking into the room.
"I did, but you just waved your hand at me, which I took as a 'go away, I'm writing letters to my hopeful boyfriends' kind of signal."
Padme looked horrified, "No…you didn't tell that to Ani, did you?"
Sabe looked away innocently.
"DID YOU?"
"Yes, I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted him to hear."
"No, I should think not." Came the reply.
"May I ask why?" Sabé asked, indicating that Padme sit next to her.
Padme complied, "I wanted to catch up with him."
"Oh really?" Sabe said slyly, "Has it anything to do with your major attraction to his physical appearance?"
Padme gaped at her, her mouth moving soundlessly like a fish out of the water.
"How did you know that? I mean, it's not true, but…"
"Come on Padme, even Orn Free Taa could have interpreted the look on your face every time you see Anakin on a holo, as madly in love."
"Excuse me? When have you become my personal matchmaker?" Padme questioned huffily.
"Well I thought you might need some help after all your failed attempts with pathetic men over the years."
"I can choose by myself, thank you very much!"
"Indeed." Sabé said, stifling laughter.
"What?! I can!"
Sabé burst into fresh giggles.
"Oh, you are impossible!" Padmé stood and practically ran from the room, leaving poor Sabé writhing on the floor.
As Obi-Wan collected their lunch, Anakin found a table for them to sit at.
As Anakin waited impatiently for Obi-Wan, another Jedi came and sat opposite him on the two-seater table.
Anakin looked up, Obi-Wan was coming this way and Anakin thought desperately for a way to get rid of the small being sitting there.
He waved his arms in front of it. The small, green creature with big ears was no doubt from Yoda's home planet. Little did Anakin know, the creature was Yoda.
"Excuse me, little one," Anakin started, mistaking the nine hundred year old Master for a Youngling, "Would you please make space for my friend, Obi-Wan?"
The individual looked up at him sternly, Anakin looked shocked, "Um, terribly sorry, sir, I mistook you for a…"
Yoda cut him off with a slight smile, "My heart warmed it is, good to hear I am still considered young! Do you think it's my seductive white hair, or my wrinkled dry-prune like face that made you think so?"
Anakin let out a nervous laugh, unable to think how to answer the venerable Master.
Obi-Wan was close enough to hear their exchange and ducked away to another table, his frame shaking from his chortles.
Anakin saw him and Force pushed him into the cake table, making Obi-Wan's face smack into a delicious-looking chocolate cake.
Obi-Wan glanced up self-conscious, his face covered in brown cream, a cherry stuck to his nose, with bits of chocolate hanging on his beard.
The Jedi in the hall all looked at him and laughed loudly, some pointing at Obi-Wan's new facial beauty treatment.
Obi-Wan was mortified and rushed out of the hall hastily.
Even Yoda was chuckling softly.
"Now, young Skywalker, the Council has an assignment for you and Knight Kenobi, wait for your partner to clean up, you must, meanwhile, I will give you some tips how to preserve your youthful complexion."
Anakin groaned audibly.
"Would you rather talk about the softest toilet paper?" Yoda said, "it takes centuries, and patience, to find out the best one, too many to choose from, there is."
Anakin slapped his head onto the table, "No, no, Master Yoda, I think I need the tips more."
"Good, young Skywalker." Yoda then started his long speech, even offering to come over that night to help him with the so-called 'squashed worm treatment', which Anakin refused with great alarm.
Finally, Obi-Wan turned up, still red looking but with a cake-free face.
They followed Yoda up to the High Council room, trailing behind Yoda, who was still giving out instructions on face masks.
Anakin and Obi-Wan rolled their eyes and made faces at Yoda behind his back.
"See you, I can, behavior not suitable for Jedi Knights, it is not." He lectured.
The two Knights stopped and meekly kept quiet the rest of the way.
Anakin and Obi-Wan bowed to the Masters and stood quietly, waiting for the Council to speak.
Mace Windu leaned forward, "The Council has reached a decision, Knights Kenobi and Skywalker, you will be Senator Amidala's escorts to Naboo for the Annual Freedom Celebration, which is held to honor both of you for your efforts in defeating the Trade Federation."
Obi-Wan and Anakin were utterly mortified; they would have to spend their day by the Senator and her handmaiden's sides.
Anakin cleared his throat, "Excuse me, Masters, is there no other assignment you could give us?"
Yoda shook his old head, "Senator Amidala need protecting, the bounty is high for her death, many assassins are targeting her."
Obi-Wan groaned inaudibly.
Kit Fisto leaned back in his chair, "And, besides, we need to get you two out of the Temple, you've been causing too much trouble."
Anakin smirked, "Can't Obi-Wan protect the Senator himself? I mean, he's perfectly capable of completing the mission without me."
Shaak Ti responded, "Oh no, you must go too, we need to get you and the Senator hooked up by the next week, half of my savings depend on that."
Anakin's mouth dropped open, "So it's true, you are betting on me!"
Master Yaddle sighed, "Of course! I lost most of my stash, I did, because you failed to ask her out three days ago. Better be quiet and get out of here, you should, before I beat you around the head with my stick."
Obi-Wan coughed to hide his laughter.
"You must go to her apartments tomorrow without fail," Mace Windu instructed them, "leave for Naboo by the end of the day."
The two Knights bowed and half ran for the door.
Padme wrapped her cloak more tightly around her, making sure her hood was up over her head, as she quietly stepped out of 800 Republica. She headed towards the criminal side of Coruscant, wanting to have some time alone.
She entered a shady bar and sat at the long counter, waiting for the bartender to come to her.
"What can I get you, beautiful?" The bartender winked at her.
Padme shivered, wondering if it was such a good idea to come out so late at night without an escort.
"I'll just have a glass of firewhisky, thanks." She replied, keeping her head down.
As the he walked away, a heavily drunken man flopped down next to her, his head lolling on the table.
"Hey sweet, howyouredoin'?" He asked, his words slurred.
"Fine, thanks." She answered, keeping a tight hold on the concealed blaster in her dress.
"So, what brings you ta this sleezy bar at night?" he continued, watching her with unfocused eyes.
"Overload at work." She moved away slightly as he fell towards her, then suddenly got control of himself once more.
"Oh? Do you need someone to make you forget all about it?" He asked, smiling at her in a lustful way.
"Uh, like how?" She answered apprehensively.
"Come to my place, I'll show you." He got up off the stool and gestured towards the door.
She refused, pulling the blaster out a little way.
The man came back and tugged at her hand.
His grimy, long fingernails dug into her white skin, causing pain to shoot up her arm.
"Let go of me!" She said in a commanding voice.
He didn't answer and this time pulled at her dress.
Padme held her dress down firmly and warned him again.
"I'm great in bed though!" He complained, his loud voice disturbing some customers, making them turn around to look at the commotion.
"I'm warning you…" She said, her muscles tense and on high alert.
The man pulled her close to his body and began ripping at her blouse.
Padme drew her blaster calmly and shot the man in the arm.
The man dropped to the ground clutching his injury, spitting out several choice Huttese swear words.
Padme turned and ran out of the bar, heading in the general direction of her apartment.
After several minutes she knew she was lost, she walked breathlessly into a dirty side alley.
She jumped as a noise startled her. She waved her blaster carefully around, sweeping gun's muzzle in all directions.
As she turned back to the front, she banged into someone.
"What have we here?" Said a slimy voice.
Strong, unyielding hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her hood off.
She screamed for help, no answer came. She tried to bring her blaster up to shot the man, but he knocked it out of her hands.
Padme looked around wildly and saw nothing but shadows surrounding them.
From the darkness, several shapes came out, Padme recognized them as her capturer's cronies.
The beings around her all whistled in admiration.
"Let's take her home, boys!" Their leader said, pulling Padme along, he suddenly stopped.
"You won't be going anywhere." A man shrouded in a dark cloak stood in their way.
The other beings moved closer to him in a threatening manner.
A bright crystal blue lightsaber ignited and Padme's mind breathed a sigh of relief, A Jedi!
The man's grip on her loosened, and her kidnappers all backed away slightly.
"I'm giving you a chance to run now, or you will get hurt otherwise." He challenged in his deep voice.
The leader's followers all ran off into the shadows, leaving the leader still holding onto Padme.
The Jedi stepped closer, using his imposing height to intimidate the other man.
Finally, the man lost his nerve and scampered away, blending into the gloom.
Padme's shoulders sagged, glad the danger was over.
"You shouldn't be alone in this place, Milady." The Jedi said.
"Yes, I know, who may I ask, is my brave savior?" She asked, peering into the depths of his hood.
She could see his mouth curve into a smile.
He removed his hood with a flourish, "Anakin Skywalker, at your service, Senator." He bend and brushed his lips across the top of her hand.
Padme was astounded, when did my little Ani turn into this commanding, handsome Jedi?
Anakin smiled at her silence, sensing some of her feelings of happiness and disbelief.
He had known, from the first moment he sensed trouble as he was walking along, that it was Padme, who needed help. He had purposely drawn his hood up so that she could not see his blush which unfortunately sprung up even at the slightest thought of her.
"I tried to contact you earlier, but Sabe said you were busy with suitors." He explained.
Padme looked down, "Yes, my mother has been contacting many eligible young, successful men from around the galaxy for me to choose from, she says I need to settle down soon."
Anakin's heart sank a little at the thought of competing against so many rich, wealthy men to get to Padme.
"Oh, I see." Anakin responded after an uncomfortable silence.
"What were you doing here? Surely the Council would not have given you permission to wander around the bowels of Coruscant?" She asked, interested.
"Uh, they granted my permission, but not Obi-Wan's. They have sent me to look for him, he went out a few hours ago, claiming to need a walk outside the Temple.
"So have you found him?" She asked.
"I was going, when I sensed you." He answered.
Padme smiled, glad she could have some time with Anakin at last, without her handmaidens gossiping around.
"Should we go and find him then?" Padme suggested.
Anakin nodded, beckoning Padme to follow him, while he searched for Obi-Wan using their bond.
What is he doing at a bar? He thought exasperated as he finally caught hold of his former master.
They arrived at Obi-Wan's bar, Sexy mama.
Oh no… Anakin braced himself, knowing what was coming.
He opened the door, screwing up his face in anticipation…
Padme let out a snort when she saw Obi-Wan.
Anakin sighed as though he was used to it.
His Master, a Jedi Knight looked upon by many Jedi, was swaying drunkenly atop a table in the middle of the bar, his robes and hair in disarray, holding a huge bottle of Corellian wine in one of his hands.
To top it all off, he was singing off-key, a high beat song, that had reached the top of the charts in Coruscant, to the amusement of all the witnesses.
Anakin groaned, shaking his head at his former master.
"It's time to go, Obi-Wan!" He shouted over the din.
"Wassup? Oh, lookee everybooby, itz Aniiiiii." He attempted to scramble off the table towards Anakin, resulting in him falling onto an extremely fat Hutt woman, who smiled seductively at him.
Obi-Wan seemed to not notice, pulling her head towards his him, his lips puckered up in a comical way.
Padme was in fits of hysterical giggles, covering her mouth with her hands in a vain attempt to not let anyone see.
Anakin walked calmly across to Obi-Wan intending to stop him kissing the woman of his nightmares.
He dragged Obi-Wan off of her lap, leaving the woman with a disappointed face.
"Aniiii, why can't I kissa Sabe?" Obi-Wan muttered hotly.
Padme gasped, this is new information, Sabe will be glad.
Anakin looked at her, "Senator, please refrain from telling Sabe that Obi-Wan likes her."
Thwarted of this opportunity, Padme still agreed, though reluctantly.
While Anakin was talking to Padme, Obi-Wan broke free, running for the table again, this time hauling Anakin up with him.
Anakin stood there awkwardly with Obi-Wan leaning heavily on him.
He closed his eyes in utter mortification when Obi-Wan started to sing again.
"I love to sing! I love to sing!
I love to rock! Yeah! I love to rock!
I love singing from the top of the Jedi Temple!
Stuff the Masters! Stuff them all!"
Here Obi-Wan drew his lightsaber, which Anakin seized before anyone could get hurt.
"SING WIFFF ME ANIIII!!!" Obi-Wan shouted at the top of his lungs.
Anakin tried to edge away, but Obi-Wan had his arm slung across his shoulders.
Anakin glanced at Padme, who looked like she was enjoying herself immensely and had ordered a multicoloured concoction to drink while watching the scene.
Obi-Wan had broken into a new song, blaming all of the Order's restrictions and rules. He proclaimed his heart's desire…
"I'm soaring, flying, there's not a beer in heaven that I can't reach,
If I'm trying, then I'm breaking free,
I know the planet can see me…"
Here he waved his arms about madly,
"…In a way that's different than who I am,
Creating wars between us, till we're separate hearts…"
Anakin could only guess it was Sabe whom he was lamenting about, and that a premonition had told Obi-Wan wars were about to occur,
"But your faith, it gives me strength, strength to believe…
I'M BREAKING FREEEEEEE!"
At this point, the audience were covering their ears.
"SING ANIIII!" Obi-Wan urged him again, "GO SOLO!"
Anakin shook his head, wanting to run and hide, until Obi-Wan smacked his back.
"If you don't sing, I'll tell Padme about…" He started.
Anakin sung loudly to cut off Obi-Wan's rambling.
"WE'RE SOARING, FLYING," He sung, not trusting his voice to work.
When he heard the words come out, he was astonished, so was the crowd.
A Jedi can sing? He thought, dumbfounded.
Obviously the spectators thought so, clapping and cheering in approval.
Obi-Wan joined in, ruining the song again.
"There's not a beer in heaven that we can't reach…"
As the song progressed, so did Anakin's confidence in his singing abilities.
At the end, Anakin looked over at Padme again, who was grinning broadly and clapping loudly.
He bowed and shouted at Obi-Wan, who was making extravagant bows, pointing at several ladies and blowing them kisses.
"Obi-Wan! I found a new talent!"
Well, here you go, a bit long…but oh well. Plz review, again... any suggestions welcome ;-)