A/N: Here we go, a rather short but necessary chapter to fill in the gaps of what happened when Obi-Wan and Anakin got back to Padmé's apartment.

Updated A/N (2010): I've added to the conversation between Sabé and Obi-Wan here after it was pointed out to me that she shows no curiosity about the fact that Obi-Wan leapt out of the window! So I fixed the problem : )

Chapter Twenty-Three – Analysis.

When the Jedi returned they found Sabé dressed in her handmaiden's cloak, dozing on the sofa. Obi-Wan noticed she was also wearing shoes and frowned, wondering why she had gone out and where to. Anakin was struck by memory, recalling the time when she had slept on Obi-Wan's bed in Theed Palace. He remembered how his Master had smoothed her cheek tenderly and how he had wondered why. He glanced over at Obi-Wan, suddenly having the urge to tell him to be mindful of his feelings. How dare he lecture about betraying feelings if Anakin was correct in his suspicion?

Captain Typho stood outside Padmé's door like a sentry but approached when they appeared, unknowingly interrupting Anakin's thoughts and saving Obi-Wan from a potential argument.

"I'm glad to see you back in one piece!" he whispered. "What did you find?"

"Evidence of bounty hunters," Obi-Wan told him.

"Evidence?" Anakin raised his eyebrows. "Master, we found a bounty hunter."

Obi-Wan chose to ignore this. "We are uncertain as to who was behind the attack. We followed a female bounty hunter and questioned her, but she was merely a pawn. Whoever it was she was working for killed her before we could acquire a name. She was obviously working for a higher ranking bounty hunter, but without him we are no closer to discovering who wants the Senator dead."

Typho nodded gravely. "What's the next step?"

"We will speak with the Jedi Council in the morning."

"Very well."

"Is Pad…Senator Amidala all right?" Anakin asked, fully aware of the glare Obi-Wan was sending his way.

"She's asleep again," Typho said. "Sabé saw to that as well as the disposal of the creatures."

"Actually I had them analysed," Sabé said sleepily from her place on the sofa.

"Did we wake you?"

"No, Captain, I wasn't asleep."

She sat up. "Padmé asked to be informed when you returned."

She began to walk towards the door but Anakin caught her arm. "Tell her in the morning. Let her sleep."

Sabé looked at the other two.

"I think that's a good idea," Typho offered. "We'll deal with her then."

"All right, I'll do as you ask. But she won't be happy."

Obi-Wan smiled. "I'll make you a promise. If you wake her early we'll report to her before we go to the Council. But don't expect me to make exceptions for her all the time."

Sabé nodded and noticed Anakin's look of gratitude to his Master. She was touched by his concern for Padmé's welfare. Typho disappeared to get some sleep and Anakin took up his position outside Padmé's door. Sabé and Obi-Wan made their way to the sofa and sat down.

"Here's your robe, by the way," she said with a faint blush, handing it over.

"Thank you." He slipped it on.

"I can't believe you jumped out of a six-hundred-story window onto a droid barely bigger than your head," she chided gently. "Do you Jedi have no sense of self-preservation?"

"None whatsoever," Obi-Wan replied, deadpan. "I admit I didn't exactly think it through, but all's well that ends well."

"How the blazes did you get off it?"

"Quickly. The bounty hunter shot it. Fortunately Anakin is a nifty, if terrifying, flyer."

"Thank you," Anakin said from across the room, a proud grin gracing his face.

"I'm not sure I want to know the details," Sabé decided.

"That's probably for the best. Did you say you had those creatures analysed?"

"Oh, yes." She reached into her pocket and handed him a data pad. "Just what you'd expect, rare, highly poisonous."

Obi-Wan looked over the pad with a growing frown. "I don't suppose it told you where they can be found."

"No. There are only so many things those droids can tell you. That little piece of information obviously wasn't one of them. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go to bed."

"Of course. Good night, Sabé."

"Good night."

Once back in her room, she tried to sleep, but it was difficult. She simply could not switch off. She sighed and rolled over, pulling the covers tighter to keep warm. Sleep would not come to her that night, but she at least rested.

Eventually she left the comfort of her bed and went in search of clothing. She settled on a simple tight black jumpsuit over which she wrapped a flowing skirt of velvet and shimmersilk. This was black too with tones of forest green. She sat down on the bed to pull on her boots. As always, she concealed a small blaster in the folds of her skirt and a vibroblade in her boot. She couldn't put a date on when she'd started carrying weapons everyday, but she was sure it was well after the incident with the Trade Federation. She tiptoed past the Jedi, meditating cross-legged on the floor, and made her way to Dormé's room. The handmaiden was already awake, reading a data pad.

"Good morning, M'Lady."

"Morning, Dormé. May I come in?"

She stood back. "Of course."

Sabé sat down at Dormé's dressing table and explained Obi-Wan's compromise. "So, we should wake the Senator soon. She won't mind passing up a few hours of sleep if it means she can have a full report."

"Very well, M'Lady."

"What were you reading when I came in? If you don't mind my asking."

"Oh." Dormé blushed. "It was a note from Captain Typho."

Sabé smiled. "What did he say? Anything wonderfully romantic?"

"Yes, it's sweet." She smiled shyly.

Sabé was happy for her, but she couldn't help feeling envious too. She felt rather down that day and her heart felt heavy in her chest. She tried not to look at Obi-Wan as he and Anakin reported to Padmé, but he caught her wrist as she turned to go.

"Sabé."

She looked up in surprise. "What is it?"

"A word in your ear. There is a strong chance that with all these attacks the Senator may be requested to leave Coruscant."

"Out of the question. She won't go."

He glanced around and leaned closer. "I know that, but you must be ready to persuade her. I believe she is in grave danger."

"How bad?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm worried."

Sabé sighed. "All right. Thank you, Obi-Wan."

He nodded and returned to where Anakin was waiting.