The senator at the start of this chapter is a character that I found on Wookiepedia. According to that source he was involved in a gambling scandal with a fellow Senator where they would take bets on which systems would leave the Republic for the Separatist movement and he was later censured by the Senate. I wanted to use an actual Senator at the time just not one that had been used before.

I would also like to thank all of you for your kind words in your reviews.

Chapter 5

Padmé turned towards the speaker and found Senator Char Bibbeck leaning casually against a pillar. "Senator Bibbeck, how pleasant to see you," she lied.

"How can you speak to the entire assembled body of the Senate after you were so publicly involved with the battle on Geonosis?" he asked, shaking his head. "All those votes against the very military that saved your life. What a dilemma you face."

"I face no dilemma. I respect and appreciate the army that appeared out of nowhere on Geonosis and saved us, but I stand behind my calls for peace," she said. "Nothing good ever comes from war."

"That's not always the case," he replied smugly.

"I assume you're still making bets on which systems will be leaving the Republic?" she asked politely. "All that extra money won't be flowing into your pockets any longer I'm afraid."

He glared at her as he stalked forward. "Those accusations hold no truth and you have no right to make them," he growled.

"Of course, that's why there is an ethics probe that has been started to investigate your dealings with Senator Wallen," she replied, finding it hard not to smile at his distress.

"They have no proof," he snapped.

"I believe I received a message while I was away stating that they had found a link to your private accounts in the Outer Rim, Senator," she replied. "If I were you I would tread more carefully, it's only a matter of time before a hearing is called and the Chancellor finds out."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I would never threaten a fellow Senator, I'm simply passing along what information I know," she said sweetly.

"Your innocent act may go over well with the majority of the Senate, but I assure you it doesn't work on me."

"I have no intention of arguing with you Senator," she said. "We agree to disagree."

"I look forward to the day you act falters and the rest of the galaxy sees that you are no better than the rest of us. Your beloved people my idolize you but it takes more than that to survive the world of galactic politics."

Padmé saw Anakin hurrying towards her, his face tight with the apprehension she felt certain he was picking up from her. She wanted to give him a reassuring smile but she could not risk such a move in front of her fellow Senator.

"Is there a problem Senators?" Anakin asked when he joined them. He had pulled himself to his full imposing height and towered over both of them. He looked every bit the brave Jedi protector and Padmé felt her heart beat that much faster at the sight of him.

"Of course not boy," Char spat.

She felt Anakin tense beside her and discreetly reached down to touch his wrist. "Senator Bibbeck and I were just discussing our differing views on the events of Geonosis," she explained, her eyes pleading with Anakin to calm himself.

"You should be honored to serve with Senator Amidala," Anakin said spontaneously. "She's the one that shot Count Dooku after all."

Char's eyes widened in surprise and then a smug grin lit up his face. "You certainly know how to use a blaster then Senator."

"Quite effectively," Anakin added, his eyes narrowing at the other man.

"Anakin," Padmé hissed, squeezing his arm in warning. His intentions were good but he still had a lot to learn about the world of politics. "That's enough."

Char's eyes widened even more as he stared at the young man, realization dawning over him and prompting him to take a step back. "Anakin Skywalker?" he asked.

"Yeah," Anakin replied, surprised by the man's reaction to him.

"I'm very sorry to have bothered you Senator," Char said quickly. "I honestly don't know what came over me. I'll just be on my way." He smiled weakly at them and then turned from the, practically running down the hall in the opposite direction.

"What was that all about?" Anakin asked. He was equally surprised to find Padmé staring at him with a bemused expression on her face. "Padmé?"

"You're quite handy to have around," she teased, slipping her hand around his arm as she encouraged him to walk with her to her office. "First you save my life countless times then you get that slimo to leave me alone. I think I'll keep you around."

"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything."

"You didn't have to," she answered. "Your name was enough to get to him."

"Care to explain?"

"It all comes down to the fact that you're now the hero of the Republic," she said. "Palpatine has been using your name since the battle to rally the support of the Republic and intimidate those that sympathize with the Separatists."

"What? Why? You're just as much a hero as I am."

"I'll agree with that," Bail Organa put in as he hurried to catch up with them.

"Bail," she greeted warmly. "It's good to see you again."

"And you," he replied. "I'm pleased to see that you are doing well. I was told you'd been injured on Geonosis but it takes more than a nexu scratch to keep you down."

"They were nothing more than a couple of scratches and the Jedi healers are quite gifted," she said. "Bail, allow me to introduce Padawan Skywalker."

"Everyone already knows who you are," Bail said as he shook Anakin's hand. "You and your Master."

Anakin smiled awkwardly, unsure of how to respond to such a statement. "Thank you… I think."

Bail laughed and patted Anakin's shoulder. "Ever the humble Jedi I take it," he teased.

"Don't worry, he warms up to you," Padmé said, her eyes sparkling with merriment at Anakin's discomfort at being the center of attention. "Was there something you needed Bail?"

"Yes, I was hoping to speak with you in private," he said, glancing at Anakin. "If that's allowed."

"Of course," Anakin said, making a point of stepping away from Padmé,

"Thank you Anakin," she said as she ushered Bail into her office. "Dormé if you would take any calls for me, that would be greatly appreciated."

"Of course, M'lady," Dormé said. She watched the young Jedi from her desk as he sat down in one of the plush chairs and closed his eyes. She assumed he was mediating and paid him no attention as she resumed working.

"I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me," Bail said as he sat down across from Padmé's desk. "Too much has happened in the time that you have been gone and I feel better about discussing it here in a secure environment."

"I am most eager to be brought up to date," she said. "I'm afraid that I did not manage stay on top of the happenings in the galaxy while I was in hiding." She mentally added that she had been far too busy falling in love with the very Jedi that sat outside her office to even care that the Republic could have crumbled in her absence; at least she hadn't cared at the time.

"I'm afraid that I should start by informing you that Representative Binks was manipulated into calling for the vote to extend the Chancellor's emergency powers," Bail started. Padmé sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose and then waved for him to continue. "After we received word from Master Kenobi about the discovery of the droid factory on Geonoisis, Mas Amedda implied that you would have done the very same in such a situation and within the hour Palpatine was granted even more power."

"I would never vote in favor of granting him more power than he already has," Padmé insisted through clenched teeth. "He's been in office far longer than he ever should have been, even under the laws of reelection. Now that this crisis is close to actually being resolved he should be stepping down from his post, not continuing to manipulate the senate and every crisis that comes along in his favor."

"I know that Padmé," he said sympathetically. "The Republic needs new leadership but the Chancellor's approval ratings are rising now that the Separatist leaders have been apprehended."

"Someone needs to pose a motion for a vote of no confidence."

"Why not you? I doubt that it would surprise anyone."

"He was my Senator when I was Queen; I helped him get to where he is now. I could not make the same motion again, not without risking certain ramifications and political fallout," she insisted. "I would be unable to help the Republic if my career fell apart simply because I did not agree with the man we voted to lead us."

"Of course not, but you could be the one to get the wheels turning. Suggest the vote in the next Loyalist Committee meeting, perhaps we could find someone there that could push the motion through the Senate."

"Senator Farr has always been someone that I could turn to within the Senate, perhaps he would be willing to take this stance," she said. "He has been vocally opposed to the Chancellor for the last several months."

"Indeed," Bail agreed with a nod.

"The only other person on that committee that I would trust to do this for the good of the Republic would be you, Bail," she said. "Too many of our fellow Senators have become corrupted by the promise of power that Palpatine dangles in front of them for favors."

"You must remain positive that this situation will resolve itself and then those among our ranks that have chosen to pursue a relationship with those involved with the Separatist movement will be held accountable. We cannot give up the hope that we will be able to get the Republic through this mess and restore it to its former glory."

"Our priority needs to be restoring peace and aiding those that have been affected by their government's decision to side with the Separatists."

Bail chuckled and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I have missed your dedication to the Republic while you were in hiding Padmé," he said.

"I have missed being able to engage in talk of politics without being worried about the naïveté of my Jedi protector," she admitted. "I'm afraid Anakin views the world of politics as black or white and does not fully understand the nuances that make the Republic tick."

"We'll have to keep an eye on the boy as his celebrity grows now that he has essentially been declared a galactic hero by Palpatine."

"Indeed," Padmé agreed.

A gentle chiming sounded moments before the doors hissed open and Dormé tentatively stepped into the spacious office. "Forgive me for interrupting Senators," she said with a bow of her head. "M'lady, the Queen is on hold. She requested that she speak with you personally."

"Tell her Majesty I will be with her in just a moment," Padmé requested.

"Of course, M'lady," Dormé said, backing out of the office as quietly as she had entered.

Bail got to his feet and bowed ever so slightly to Padmé. "I'll take my leave now, if that is all right with you."

"I'd like to continue our conversation later," she said, getting to her feet to walk him to the door. "Perhaps we could share a meal in the near future."

"Certainly," he agreed with a warm smile.

"Give my love to Breha," she said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek in parting.

"I will," he said and then with a nod at the curious Anakin seated in a corner he took his leave.

Padmé again retreated into her office and took her seat behind the large desk and pressed the receiver on the comm panel. "Your Majesty," she greeted.

"Senator, I am quite happy to see that you are doing well," Jamillia replied. "We had been informed that you had been injured in the battle."

Padmé wanted to sigh but she held it in and instead kept her face calm. "I assure you that the injuries I sustained have been seen to properly by the Jedi healers and will soon be completely healed."

"Excellent," Jamillia said, a pleased smile pulling at her painted lips. "I had an audience with your father this morning. He informed me that your family is worried about your health after participating in a battle and he made a plea to have you return to Naboo to recover from your ordeal."

"I assure you that I am more than fine, your Majesty," Padmé insisted. "I would much rather remain on Coruscant and resume my duties in the Senate."

"I understand your concern and your dedication, Senator, but I have already spoken to the Chancellor to relay the request," the Queen said. "I also requested that you bring your Jedi escort with you. I would very much like to hear your own accounts of the events on Geonosisi in person."

"That is not necessary, your Majesty," Padmé said. "I will return to Naboo as soon as it can be arranged."

"The sooner the better Senator."

"It will be arranged, your Majesty."

"Wonderful. I look forward to greeting you upon your return."

With a soft click the transmission ended and the small holographic image of the Queen slowly faded. Padmé rose to her feet and paced the length of her office, deep in thought as she considered everything that she had learned in the last few hours. Things were beginning to fall into place to paint a picture of deep seeded corruption and abuses of power.

Anakin's entrance into her office was not unexpected and in fact had taken longer than she had expected. Once she had worked out her sudden excess of energy she had returned to her seat and begun reading through more transcripts from meetings and the large number of bills that had been presented in her absence.

"M'lady, my Master just contacted me to inform me that we will be returning to Naboo in the near future," he said when he stood across from her.

"It is on the Queen's request that we do so," she said, glancing up from her data reader. "Trust that under normal circumstances I would never intend to leave the Capital."

"Of course," he said with a slight nod of his head. "I was under the impression that this was a direct order from the Chancellor himself."

"On the Queen's behalf," she explained. "She wishes to have an audience with both of us about the situation on Geonsis."

"I understand," he said. "I will see to it that your security team is well briefed on our imminent departure."

"Thank you Anakin."

"M'lady," he said as he started for the door.

"Anakin, wait," she requested softly and he stopped, glancing over his shoulder at her. "Come here, please."

He did as she requested and slowly rounded on her desk until he was standing right in front of her, all imposing height and intoxicating presence. She had to tilt her head back to meet his warm blue eyes and she once again felt the Senator slip away to make room for Padmé. She reached up to gently touch his cheek, a soft smile playing at her lips as she watched him.

"Padmé," he murmured his voice husky and warm. He stepped even closer to her, one arm sliding around her waist to pull her to him as his other hand holding hers to his cheek.

"I love you," she whispered as she gently urged him down to kiss her. She found that she did not care that they were kissing in such a public place, that anyone could intrude on them and discover their secret, instead she allowed herself to get lost in the sensual sweeps of his lips across hers as he held her close to him. When she finally pulled back the kiss she lovingly traced his lips with the pad of her thumb, smiling shyly when he kissed her finger.

"What was that for?" he asked softly. "Not that I'm complaining."

"I just needed to remind myself what's worth fighting for," she admitted. "Things could still get worse in the Republic but remember that no matter what I love you Anakin Skywalker."

He took her face in his hands, his roughened thumbs gliding over her cheeks as he looked down into her eyes, every bit of teasing light had disappeared from his eyes and instead an intensity that almost frightened her lingered. "I will always love you Padmé," he vowed softly. "Always."

She placed another soft kiss on his lips and then reluctantly pulled out of his embrace. "I need to get back to work," she said reluctantly.

"I understand," he sighed. "I should go let Typho know our new plan."

She smiled sadly as she watched him go but as soon as he was out of sight she returned to her work.