Chapter One

Everett paced aboard the Naboo ship as it lowered. She was anxious to return to Coruscant, her brief vacation back home spent on paperwork. When she had first moved to Coruscant ten years ago, she had never dreamed about missing the bustling planet, but now she worried every time she left.
"Do stop that," Cordé begged. "It is making me nervous."

From across the room, Eirtaé grinned at Dormé.
"The Senator can never relax. She's eager to get back to her Jedi." Everett spun around, hands on her hips.
"Don't call him that," she said sharply. "And he isn't on Coruscant at the moment remember?"
Cordé smirked, "You keep tabs on him?"

Sitting down, Everett crossed her arms over her chest. Usually she could stand their teasing, but not now. She didn't keep tabs on Obi-Wan, but they did tend to meet for tea and whenever he would miss their weekly meetings, he would let her know. It had now been nearly six months since she last saw him.

She missed him… but she wouldn't tell them that. It had been a long six months without his company. She had Eirtaé, but she hadn't made any friends. After the Battle of Naboo, there weren't many cohorts she could rely on in the Senate. Other than Bail Organa.

The Senator from Alderaan had quickly rose to a popular position, yet unlike his predecessor, he never forgot the smaller planets. He stood for democracy and had been able to help her when she had been younger.

Her Jedi. What was Eirtaé implying? There could be no relation between them other than friendship… and were they even that? Friends? More like acquaintances. In fact, Everett doubted she could ever have a relationship again.

When she had left Naboo, she had been betrothed. Happily, in love with wedding plans already in motion. Though they had fought, Everett had been certain that they would be able to make up.

She had been wrong.

Only a few months later, she got a very detailed letter from Gregar that he didn't want to keep her from her duty and felt that a marriage between the two of them wouldn't be smart. He loved her and didn't want to hold her back. They hadn't spoken since.

As the ship landed, Everett got to her feet, shaking out of her musing. She grabbed her bag, swinging it over her shoulder. Eirtaé bumped her shoulder.
"Are you mad at me?" the handmaiden asked quietly.
"Never," Everett promised.

Cordé and two guards went ahead of them and just as Everett was about to step onto the ramp, she was blow forwards.

Hitting the ground, Everett curled in on herself. Her ears were ringing, and she couldn't open her eyes. Everything hurt. Her heart raced and she willed herself to calm down. She tried to take a deep breath, chest pounding.

Her eyes opened, bleary. Padmé was leaning over Cordé, and Everett forced herself to sit up. She held back a whimper as Eirtaé hurried over to her.
"Milady?" Eirtaé dropped down to her knees.
"Cordé?" Everett asked. Eirtaé shook her head sadly.
"We need to get inside," Gregar said from beside Padmé. The woman looked over to Everett.
"I shouldn't have come. I am so sorry."

Eirtaé wrapped an arm around Everett helping the Senator rise.
"We knew this could happen and this vote is very important," Everett said. She moved away from Eirtaé, trying to stretch herself out.
"We need to get inside," Gregar said again. Everett wrapped an arm around Padmé's shoulders.
"Cordé's sacrifice won't be in vain," she said quietly. "But we need to go."

Everett led Padmé inside her quarters, sitting the poor woman on the sofa.
"How can you be so calm?" Padmé asked.
"I've lost people before, Padmé."

Sometimes it was strange to now treat Padmé as an equal. The woman who had once been her Queen was now a Senator like Everett herself. And at times, Everett forgot that they were the same age.
"Cordé was doing her duty," Everett said. "She would want you to yours." Padmé nodded, accepting a glass of water from Dormé. Eirtaé sat down beside Everett.
"Give me your arm," she ordered. Everett sighed, pursing her lips together as she gave Eirtaé her arm. It was bruising from where she landed on it."What else hurts?" Eirtaé asked, wrapping a white bandage around the swelling.
"My side, but I'll be fine." She looked to Padmé. "We are supposed to meet with Chancellor Palpatine in a few hours. Get some rest."
"Thank you, Everett."
"Of course."

Standing from the sofa, Everett made her way to her bedroom, eyes closing in pain when she laid down onto the bed.
"Milady?" Eirtaé asked from the doorway. "Are you certain that you are all right?"
"I just need to rest," Everett whispered, already half asleep.
"I'll wake you in a while," Eirtaé said.
"Mmmmmm."

The moment the door was shut behind Eirtaé, Everett knew she was hurt more than she was letting on. The pain was excruciating, radiating from her side. Maybe she wouldn't make the meeting after all.

Poor Everett, we've just come back, and she's injured! Well, welcome back to the "A TIME TO BE" series! We are diving into Attack of the Clones. Cannot wait to go on this journey with you all!
-Amy Thorton

All rights belong to Disney and Lucas Films.