A/N: Here it be, the morning of what will become a really bad day for most people. The reason for Sabé's first comment is drawn from the fact that when I watched the movie there was a real sense of calm before the storm, especially during Padmé and Anakin's 'look' scene (where they're looking across Coruscant at each other and there's no dialogue, just that choral music). I wanted to try and convey some of that feeling.

Chapter Forty-Five – Growing Tension.

The Jedi Master and the Senatorial Assistant awoke at the usual hour the next morning. Sabé had to return home to prepare for the loyalist committee's meeting and Obi-Wan had a Council session later that morning. Their busy schedules did not allow for lengthy lie-ins.

As Sabé tugged on her boots prior to leaving, she stopped and gave a quiet sigh. Obi-Wan looked up from buckling his belt. "What is it?"

"I don't know. Something feels strange today." She paused, then shrugged. "Maybe I'm just getting a migraine or something."

Obi-Wan moved to sit behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "I'd like to say it's nothing," he said, "but I feel it too. Something significant will happen today. I've felt this before."

"I'm not contracting some kind of Force-ability from you, am I?" she asked in mock-seriousness.

He smiled. "No. I'd say you were just demonstrating normal human sixth sense. You just feel like something's out of synch."

She looked at him over her shoulder. "What do you feel?"

He hesitated, thinking. "It's hard to explain. Stronger than that. But somehow just the same. It's the way of the Force."

Sabé touched her forehead to his. "Perhaps it will mean the end of the war."

"I hope so." Changing the subject, he said, "I'm going to come back with you this morning. You can pretend to meet me in the turbolift. I need to have a talk with Senator Amidala."

"What about?"

"Anakin."

Sabé tried not to look too uneasy at where the conversation was going, but she knew she wasn't very convincing. Padmé and Anakin's relationship was something that they were both aware of but never really talked about. "Why speak to Padmé about it?" she began lamely.

Her gave her a condescending look. "Please, Sabé. We both know how much he cares for her. You know more than I do, I'm sure."

She glanced down at her knees. "I can't talk about it."

"I didn't think you would, somehow," he retorted, standing and walking to the window. Outside, the sun was trying its hardest to break through the thick bank of clouds that had decided to descend on Coruscant.

"That's not fair, Obi-Wan."

He sighed, lowering his head for a short while before glancing back up. "I know. Sorry."

"What's the matter?"

"I can't help worrying about Anakin. I know he's not my responsibility anymore."

"But he's your friend."

He turned to look at her. "Yes. Since he stopped being my student he became just that. Like the brother I never had."

"It's only natural you would worry about your friend. What is it that bothers you?"

"His recklessness, his friendship with the Chancellor, his argumentative nature." He paused, frowning. "Knowing that he's the Chosen One is no good for him. He's arrogant. But his abilities can't be denied."

Sabé shot him an understanding look. Her years as a handmaiden had made her a good listener. "This war is putting strain on everyone. Many things may change when it ends."

Sabé reflected this conversation as they made their way to the apartment. Neither of them felt much like talking. 'If the war ends today,' she thought, 'this day will be recorded in history forever. This normal, cloudy, bright, insignificant little day.'

Her profound thoughts did not last long as she drove the speeder back to the hanger. There was too much pressing on her mind concerning the loyalist committee. She truly wanted to tell Obi-Wan the details. She knew he would agree with Bail's notions, but seeing as she had given her word she could do nothing. Padmé certainly wanted to tell Anakin. As guilty as it made Sabé feel, she wasn't sure she was happy with the idea of the impetuous Jedi Knight knowing what was going on amongst some of the delegates in Palpatine's Senate.

'Palpatine's Senate. That's exactly what it is these days.' With this sobering reflection in mind, she and Obi-Wan hopped out of the speeder and rode the turbolift up to the apartment. Padmé was dressing when they arrived, so they waited, finding 3P0 organising the upstairs sitting room, in which the meeting was to be held.

"I don't know how this room gets so filthy," 3P0 complained, cleaning a table that appeared to be virtually dust-free.

Sabé smiled and left him to it. She sent Obi-Wan down to wait in the marble lounge while she disappeared to change. She slipped a deep green robe over her jumpsuit and fastened her hair back out of her face with a diadem. She met Padmé in the corridor on the way downstairs and was amused to see that she too had chosen to wear green that day. "Obi-Wan's here," she began.

"Really? Why?"

"He wants to talk to you."

Padmé raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Me? What about?"

"That remains to be seen," Sabé covered.

While Padmé spoke to Obi-Wan, Sabé sat through a tedious discussion concerning 3P0's outlook on the war. Eventually, Padmé called for Moteé and Ellé, giving Sabé an excuse to go down and eat breakfast. Obi-Wan had already left, and the Senator appeared sombre. Without another word on the subject, the group sat down to their food.

An hour later saw Senator Organa the first to arrive for the meeting. Giddean Danu was the next. Fang Zar and Chi Eekway met each other in the hangar and rode the lift up together. Mon Mothma and Bana Breemu, a graceful and quietly spoken Senator from the Humbarine Sector, shared an air taxi. Padmé escorted them all to the upstairs sitting room and sent 3P0 to fetch refreshments.

"Thank you for enabling us to meet here," Bail said to Padmé as they all sat down.

"You're welcome, Senator."

"And thank you all for coming today. I trust everyone is aware of the topics discussed yesterday." A round of nods confirmed this statement and Bail continued, "Good. To business then. Those who have not yet signed the petition of the Two-Thousand can do so." He placed the important document on the table.

Chi Eekway was the first to pick it up, passing it round the room until it reached Padmé. She hesitated a moment but eventually signed her name. It didn't escape her notice that Sabé's name was higher on the list than Chi's, and she shot her cousin an unreadable look.

"Does anyone know of any others that would rally to our cause?" Mon Mothma asked in her soft voice.

Sabé stepped forward to question Padmé. "What about Jar Jar? His heart is in the right place."

Padmé nodded. "Good idea."

Bail concurred. Several other names were put forward by the other senators and Bail noted them down. "Right," he said, putting the data pad away, "I'll approach them later. I feel we should present the petition to the Chancellor as soon as possible. I've taken the liberty of making an appointment with him for later today, about 1600 hours. Who has that time free?"

"I do," Padmé said at once, glancing at Sabé.

"Me too," she announced.

Fang Zar was also available, but none of the others.

"May I make a suggestion?" Sabé put in.

"Go ahead," Bail told her.

"When you made the appointment with the Chancellor, did you identify yourself or did you put it down as the loyalist committee?"

"I said it was the Delegation of the Two-Thousand. Why?"

"Well, I'm sure the Chancellor suspects that some in the Senate are dissatisfied with the way he keeps asking for more executive power, not to mention this recent appointment of governors, and I'm sure that he suspects some of us. But I don't think he suspects you, Bail. In light of that, I think it would be more to our advantage and yours if we keep you out of the public side of this committee for as long as possible. I don't think your name should appear on the petition either."

Padmé nodded in approval. "I agree."

Several other senators concurred and Bail finally agreed himself. "I'll stay out of the meeting this afternoon then."

"I think that would be best," Bana Breemu said, nodding her elegantly hooded head.

"What if when we have presented the petition," Fang Zar voiced, "the Chancellor still does not return to democracy?"

Chi Eekway, her blue-skinned face the only part of her anatomy visible beneath her voluminous robes, shifted in her seat next to Padmé. "There are some who would make him give up his power." Chi Eekway was a Twi'lek senator from the planet of Wroona, known for her sense of justice. She did not have much experience of Senatorial duties, and took much guidance from Terr Taneel.

Padmé opened her mouth to reply, but shut it again upon seeing 3P0 enter the room carrying a tray of small glasses of Aqualish hoi-broth. He offered the tray around and Giddean Danu held up a hand to refuse the thick liquid. 3P0 seemed to have an air of understanding. "It is an acquired taste."

"We cannot let this turn into another war," Padmé proclaimed.

"Absolutely that is the last thing we want," Bail assured her.

3P0 teetered over to Fang Zar, offering him a drink. "Senator."

Mon Mothma spoke up. "We are hoping to form an alliance in the Senate to stop the Chancellor from further subverting the constitution. That's all."

"I know a Jedi I feel we should consult," Padmé said.

Bana Breemu looked up from inspecting her clasped hands. "That would be dangerous."

"We don't know how the Jedi fit into all this," Mon Mothma explained.

"I only wish to discuss this with one," Padmé countered. "One I trust."

Sabé frowned slightly, walking around to stand opposite Bail. She would bet ten credits that the Jedi that Padmé wanted to consult was not the same as the one she had in mind herself.

"Going against the Chancellor without the support of the Jedi is risky," Giddean Danu mused.

"The Jedi are not any happier with the situation than we are," Padmé said in a defensive tone.

Chi Eekway leaned towards her, an expression of calm on her blue face. "Patience, Senator."

"We have so many Senators on our side," Fang Zar pointed out, "surely that will persuade the Chancellor."

"When you present the petition of the Two-Thousand to the Chancellor, things may change," Bana Breemu said placidly.

Bail nodded. "Well then, let us see what we can accomplish in the Senate before we include the Jedi."

Padmé looked considerably displeased by this. Clearly, not being able to tell her husband what was going on was affecting her far more than it was Sabé. But then again, Sabé was all but convinced that Obi-Wan would agree with her. The same could not be said for Anakin.

"Will you present the petition, Senator, or shall I?" Padmé asked Fang Zar.

"You do it," he replied. "Your past connections with Palpatine may be an asset."

Padmé inclined her head. "Very well. Sabé and I will meet you at the Senate prior to the meeting with the Chancellor."

"Is there anyone else that could be included in the party?" Sabé asked. "I can only think of Jar Jar."

"I'll look into it," Bail offered.

At that moment, 3P0, who had quietly left the room after distributing the drinks, came tottering back. "Pardon my intrusion," he began.

"What is it, 3P0?" Padmé said wearily.

"There's a visitor for Miss Sabé."

Sabé frowned. She hadn't been expecting anyone. "Who is it?"

"Master Kenobi."

Years of hiding her emotions allowed her to keep the surprise from showing on her face. "Thank you, 3P0. I'll be right there." To the curious senators she said, "Forgive me. I had quite forgotten that I asked Master Kenobi to spare me a moment of his time. I intend to try and discern where the Jedi stand in all this." With a nod she followed 3P0 down to the marble lounge where Obi-Wan stood waiting, a small fighter docked at the terrace.

"Good morning," he greeted.

"It's good to see you, Master Kenobi," Sabé acknowledged. She turned to the golden droid standing nearby. "Where are Moteé and Ellé?"

"Mistress Padmé dismissed them for this morning."

"Ah." She walked over to 3P0, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you."

"Oh it's quite alright, Miss Sabé. I help where I can. After all, I am–" His sentence was cut short as Sabé found the off-switch.

Obi-Wan smiled briefly. "That must come in handy."

"It's not good to do it too often. It messes up his circuits." She crossed the room to embrace her husband before leading him to sit down. "What are you doing here? It's the middle of the day."

"I came to see you before I go."

Her heart sank upon hearing the single syllable. "Go?"

"We have the location of General Grievous," he told her. "The Council are dispatching me to engage him."

She looked down at her lap and nodded, tears stinging her eyes. Grievous had killed so many Jedi. She couldn't bear it if he should kill hers.

Obi-Wan put a comforting arm around her and pulled her close. "It will be alright."

"I hope so." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I knew I would have to deal with situations like this. I took the risk when I married you."

He raised her chin with a gentle hand and met her eyes. "Any regrets?"

She did not need to think about her reply. "Not one."

He kissed her slowly, hoping it would not become a goodbye. "I should let you return to your meeting," he said when they drew apart.

"Yes. We have an appointment with the Chancellor later."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow at that, but asked no questions. "I must go. I'll be in touch later."

Sabé could not help adding a 'hopefully' in her head. "Is Anakin going too?"

"No. He has a mission of his own here. I can't give details."

"I wasn't going to ask."

He smiled and stood up, helping Sabé to her feet in a gentlemanly gesture. They held each other once more, only breaking apart when Obi-Wan repeated that he had to leave. Sabé moved over to switch 3P0 back on, composing herself before she did so.

"–a protocol droid…Oh. What happened there?"

"I think you had a slight glitch," Sabé covered. "It seems to be sorted now."

"I do hope so. I don't wish to go down to maintenance."

"I'll be in touch, Miss Naberrie," Obi-Wan said, bowing.

Sabé nodded, "I look forward to it, Master Kenobi. Safe journey."

"Thank you."

'There it is,' Sabé thought. 'Understatement of the year.' She watched him fly away until his ship was unrecognisable amongst the other streams of traffic. Then she turned on her heel and headed back upstairs, not looking forward to offering more explanations.

Thankfully, Padmé saved her by asking, "Did you find anything out?"

"Yes," she said to all. "Master Kenobi is being sent to engage General Grievous. He's been located at last."

"You didn't tell him anything about our discussions, I hope," Bana Breemu put in, scrutinizing her nails again.

"No, of course not."

"I'm glad to hear it. It simply struck me as odd that a Jedi would specifically come to see you with that information."

Padmé was looking distinctly uncomfortable at Bana's words, but Sabé stayed calm. "Senator Amidala and I have known Master Kenobi and his former Padawan since the Trade Federation invaded Naboo. We consider them good friends, although we do not see them as often as we would like."

That seemed to satisfy Bana, and Bail stepped in, saying, "Well, perhaps the capture of Grievous will aid our presentation of the petition."

"We can but hope," Mon Mothma said.

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A/N: Next chapter, Vader is spawned and decides to take a little trip to the Jedi Temple.