How about a breath of fresh air after that last chapter? I meant this one to be more about Fox but the bunny droid kind of took over. There was a time when Satine thought of 1K0 as just about her only friend (see The Duchess Diaries) Soniee is just learning what a great ally she can be.

When they reached the landing pad it had just started to rain again. Soniee kicked off her heals and lifted the hem of her dress out of the gathering puddles. Then she looked up, feeling the drops cool on her face.

"Did he hurt you?" Fox asked softly.

She frowned but didn't look at him. "He's the one who's on the way to the med center." She could just see the flashing lights of the ambulance out of the corner of her eye speeding away through the skyways.

"They said he tried to..."

"It's over." She interrupted him. "I-I don't want to talk about it."

The helmet nodded, he would respect her wishes but he was still worried about her. "Are you okay, then?"

"Not exactly," She tried to put a name to her emotion. "I'm angry." Angry at herself for not being strong enough to put a stop to it sooner. Angry at Palpatine? Was it really him? She still couldn't quite believe that it was that sweet old ba'buir who had been messing with her all this time, that he could get into her mind, that he could influence her deepest desires. It wasn't possible. "I just want to shoot something."

"Shoot something? Like with a blaster?" Fox asked amazed.

"What? I am a Mandalorian."

He must have been smiling under that helmet. "A Mandalorian wearing a Mesh'la evening gown standing here getting soaked in the rain."

She smiled at him, so thankful at that moment for his reassuring presence. "What would you suggest, al'verde?"

"Well there's a firing range at the base."

She brightened.

"But it's not for civvies, only troopers and officers."

She frowned.

"You don't happen to still have that temple get-up you had on when I met you?"

She knew exactly what he meant, the outfit she had borrowed from Barris, that she had worn when he had mistaken her for a Padawan, a commander. "It's at Padme's!"

"Then we have a stop to make."

The were met at the door of Padme's apartment by 1K0. "Is the party over so soon?" The droid went into full panic mode the moment she saw the dress, arms flailing "What have you done?"

For the first time Soniee really looked at the state of the gown. She was soaked from the rain and she hadn't even noticed it when it happened but the slit down the front of the skirt had been ripped several centimeters higher. She blushed. "It was raining."

1K0 glared at Fox. "Is this your doing?"

"I'll just wait out here." He stepped back outside the door and let it slide shut in front of him.

"Never liked clones..." the droid muttered, took Soniee's hand and led her toward the bedroom to change. "A nice dry pair of pajamas and bed for you, Miss Ordo."

"Actually 1K0, I'm not staying. Just came back to change. Fox is taking me out to blow off some steam." She wasn't sure why she was telling the droid this and when she said it, it sounded rather like a date. She hoped Fox didn't think of it like that.

"Well come along. We'll have to see what we have to fit the occasion."

It wasn't as easy to peal the dress off now that it was soaking wet and Soniee was actually glad she had 1K0's help in doing so. Then while the droid was fussing over the tear and the fabric, Soniee grabbed her Padawan costume and slipped into the 'fresher. She carefully removed the gold comb from her hair and put all of it but a small lock just behind her ear, into a messy bun. Then she braided the last little bit and let it hang down over her shoulder. There! The perfect Jedi apprentice. The clothes had been washed and folded presumably to be returned to the temple since she had only borrowed them. She smiled at how comfortable they were again now as she put on the leggings and tunic.

When she stepped out 1K0 was there waiting for her with a new garment draped over her metal arms. "I hope you were not intending to impress your date with that ensemble."

"No, that wasn't my intention." Soniee answered patiently. "It's not a date."

The droid made a sound that was remarkably like a sigh. "You have no idea how good it is for me to hear you say that, Miss Ordo. If young master Kryze ever found out about it he would be ever so jealous."

Soniee's eyes widened. "You... know about Korkie and me?"

"The Duchess spoke of her wish that I should make the alterations to her wedding gown should you ever need it."

"She..." Soniee knew she would cry if she really considered that. She didn't have time right now but she had to ask. "She had a wedding dress?"

"It was created for her wedding to Pre Viszla that never occurred, a design by his mother."

"The Viszla designer in Keldabe..." Soniee muttered.

"Well if you don't need this for your date. I shall just put it away." 1K0 turned with the garment she was holding.

"Wait." Soniee stopped her. "Can I at least see it?"

1K0 must have been busy because although the fabric looked sort of familiar the design was nothing like what Satine would have ever worn. The short skirt, leggings, and top were modest but still young looking and fun, perfect for a night out on the town.

"Did you alter these for me just this evening?" Soniee asked.

"Now that I have your measurements it will be quite easy to transform the wardrobe into something that better suits my new mistress's needs."

"I appreciate it." Soniee told her sincerely. "Just don't make over everything. Some of them should be left as they were when she wore them."

"I quite agree, Miss Ordo."

"And please, call me Soniee."

She pulled on a pair of comfortable boots and grabbed her helmet and then on a sudden inspiration she grabbed the outfit that 1K0 had selected for her 'date' and shoved it inside the helmet just in case.

She opened the door and smiled at Fox who was waiting for her now with his helmet off. Then quickly she turned back to the droid. "Thanks, 1K0."

"You are welcome, Mistress Soniee."

She closed the door behind her and sighed. "Well I'm all ready," she told Fox holding out her arms to show him her costume.

He smiled back at her a little sadly and then said, "They caught Ahsoka. She was at an old munitions factory where they made nanodroids."