A/N: Greetings, all. I thank you for taking the time to peruse my first foray into writing Star Wars fanfiction… aside from that one crossover near self-insert Mary-Sue story that will never see the light of this illustrious website unless it gets completely rewritten… twice.

To those of you who follow me, hoping for another chapter of (most likely) A Different Toothless… I'm sorry for leaving you guys hanging for so long. This plot bunny is very determinedly nibbling at me, and my hopeful theory is that as I have already written about eighty percent of the AOTC portion, if I break it into a multi-story series, thus finally being able to push the 'complete' button (is it a button? I'm excited to find out), I will feel inspired to also finish that other story.

This first chapter is not yet AU, merely setting the scene, with a bit extra thrown in. This story will be in first person, with some rare exceptions, and the POV should be pretty clear- if not, let me know. It will begin mostly from Padmé's POV, and Anakin etc will join the party as the story progresses.

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters, locations, etc belong to their respective owners. My OC's are mine. Any resemblance to living or historical figures is probably unintentional and coincidental.

Chapter 1

Near the center of the galaxy, considered in fact by some to be the center of the galaxy, was a planet. If you approached the planet with its sun at your back, it would appear largely unremarkable- a uniform grey color, not blue and green like the verdant planets of Naboo and Alderaan, not searing golden red like the desert planets of Tatooine and Jakku, nor covered in swirling storms like Eadu. But if one approached from the side of the planet farther from the star, billions of lights on the surface were visible in the darkness, forming organized rings and sectors, making the planet appear almost as star-filled space itself. Then it was clear that the orb was the furthest thing from unremarkable- it was a city that had swallowed a planet, layers upon layers- it was the heart of the Republic. It was Coruscant.

The part of Coruscant that was morning shone silver, with glistening buildings of metal and rounded stone, a clear, pale sky, and countless speeders passing hundreds of feet above the ground– to their occupants, citizens of the planet and visitors from other star systems, this was just another day passing to join the history of the galaxy. Happy and free. That was what I was fighting for. In one of the towers, just another spire of metal among billions, I gazed out the window, observing the bustling city. Though I saw all of it, my eyes took in none of it. Though my reflection in the transparisteel was smooth, serene, not a hair out of place- Padmé Amidala, steadfast Senator and beloved former Queen of Naboo- it was a mask that hid inner turmoil and frustration.

I had been the target of an assassination attempt- not once, but twice in the past couple of days, though attempts on my life were hardly anything new. This assassin seemed particularly determined. I had lost guards before, but this time, my faithful handmaiden, my decoy and friend, Cordé, had died protecting me in the first attempt, had sacrificed herself as a target, and another friend and handmaiden, Versé, had been killed in the explosion. It was only due to the senses and skills of my new Jedi protectors that I survived again later that night. It was because of this I had to stay. I had to see my goals through to the end, not let Versé's and Cordé's deaths be in vain…

The soft sound of an opening door interrupted my thoughts, and I turned away from the transparisteel window to face the small but open room, the main room of my quarters as Senator, with its gracefully curved walls and ceiling, tasteful but subtle ornaments and art pieces, soothing dark blues and greys, and the Gungan who entered it.

"JarJar," I greeted, unable to keep a small smile from my face despite my dark thoughts. He didn't quite manage to look the part of a regal senator even in his robes, but he did try his best.

"Yousa summoned me?" he questioned with a grin after giving a brief bow.

I lifted my chin a touch and squared my shoulders. Old friend or not, this was no joking matter. "I'm taking an extended leave of absence. It will be your responsibility to take my place in the senate." His eyes popped out more so than usual, and I gave him a level look, my tone firm, but gentle. "Representative Binks, I know I can count on you."

JarJar bowed his head and clasped his hands together. "Mesa honored to be taking on dissa heavy burden. Mesa accept this with muy, muy humility, and, uh-"

"JarJar, I don't wish to hold you up," I interrupted as gently as I could at the moment. "I'm sure you have a great deal to do." Another figure had entered the room, tall, his shoulders draped in brown robes.

"Of course, milady," JarJar said, grin a parsec wide. I turned away. I trusted the Gungan, truly… He had helped save my planet and my people years before, he was earnest and loyal, with a big heart… and yet I did not want to leave this task in his hands. But I had no choice.

"I do not like this idea of hiding," I nearly snapped, striding past the brown-clad man and into the next room.

"Don't worry." He stepped through beams of sunlight as I went to my closet and accepted a dress from Eirtaé. "Now that the council has ordered an investigation, it won't take Master Obi-Wan long to find this bounty hunter."

"I haven't worked for a year to defeat the Military Creation Act to not be here when its fate is decided." That was the root of my frustration. This act could mean the difference between continued peace and war with the Separatists, war greater than the Republic had seen in centuries. I was the head of the opposition, I needed to be there in person- as much as I trusted him, JarJar Binks didn't exactly have the same political skills. Hiding from the assassin would still accomplish what was likely their goal: to keep me from the vote, and though I of course valued my life, it rankled to avoid action, to behave so cowardly, to hide and wait, to let them win.

"Sometimes… we must let go of our pride and do what is requested of us."

I stood from placing a folded dress in my suitcase on the bed and regarded the young man for a moment. "Anakin, you've grown up." And there in a nutshell was the other part of my problem: Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi apprentice assigned to escort and protect me, five years my junior, and a slave on the planet Tatooine for the first nine years of his life. He had helped me and my entourage escape the desert planet, and later disabled the ship that controlled the droids that were laying siege to my home. He had then joined the Jedi, and I hadn't seen him in ten years, though we had sent occasional letters. Once a small boy, he seemed to have at least doubled in height, and I couldn't deny his face had aged into a handsome and striking one, even without the giggling and comments of my handmaidens. Just about to exit his teenage years, he had matured somewhat, in having been through battles, capture, and in learning the wisdom of the Jedi, though still seemed nearly as rash and impulsive as I remembered. But I doubted he had much childhood innocence left in the first place when we met him, being born a slave. Not many nine-year-olds were willing to enter a death-defying race to save people they barely knew, no matter how much bravado they possessed.

But now, he had indeed grown, and I could sense his eyes following me whenever we were in the same room. He had called me an angel when we first met, and while it had been sweet and amusing when he was nine, it seemed his feelings hadn't changed in the intervening years. From his actions in the past few days, I would say they had only gotten stronger- that is, Eirtaé and Dormé forced me to admit they had. But everyone knew that among the Jedi that love- or, marriage, at least- was forbidden.

"Master Obi-Wan manages not to see it," he replied, facing the window. "Don't get me wrong. Obi-Wan is a great mentor." Anakin picked up a glass bauble on the windowsill and I watched as it rose from his palm and hovered in the air, held up by only his will and the Force. I was briefly tempted to walk up and poke it, make sure there were no hidden strings or repulsors, though I knew there were none. "As wise as Master Yoda and as powerful as Master Windu." The ball floated in front of his hand as he turned it, then he caught it and put it back in its place on its stand and looked at me again. "I am truly thankful to be his apprentice. In some ways– in a lot of ways– I'm really ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials… But he feels that I'm too unpredictable. He won't let me move on."

I saw the earnestness in his gaze and felt the irritation rolling off of him. "That must be frustrating," I said as I continued packing.

"It's worse," Anakin continued, seemingly eager to vent to a sympathetic ear. "He's overly critical. He never listens. He- he doesn't understand. It's not fair!"

I wondered how often he was able to speak his mind like this among the Jedi- likely not often, he had probably kept this in for a while, and recent events added a layer to his frustration. He sounded like the child I once knew in his complaint. But despite his rant, I could tell that he truly cared for and respected his master. "All mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults than we would like," I said. "It's the only way we grow."

He let out a defeated sigh and sat on the end of the bed, hands folded in his cloak. "I know."

"Anakin," I murmured, trying to comfort him. He lifted his head to meet my eyes. "Don't try to grow up too fast."

"But I am grown up," he said, standing. I had to look up now into his eyes, his blue searching my brown. "You said it yourself."

I couldn't look away for a moment. His eyes seemed to so desperately hold mine, to try and convey some hidden message I wasn't sure I was ready to hear.

"Please don't look at me like that," I finally managed to say, turning and breaking my gaze.

"Why not?"

I looked back at him. "Because it makes me uncomfortable," I said firmly. And it did.

"Sorry, milady," Anakin said, stepping back with short, professional bow while I continued packing.

Eirtaé raised an eyebrow as I accepted another garment from her and I fixed her with a blank stare, then proceeded to pretend to ignore her.

Low voices came from the entry hall, but as none seemed alarmed, I only spared a glance in their direction. Footsteps came towards the room and I looked up again to the doorway.

"Sabé," I said, my voice level, but I was sure my emotion and relief shone through in my eyes and on my face. There stood one of my oldest and most faithful handmaidens, my best friend, her left arm in a sling and her right face and arm pasted with bacta patches, battered but here and alive.

"Padmé," she responded, crossing the remaining space and pulling me into an embrace. I hugged her back, and though it was briefly and gingerly it was no less heartfelt.

"Thank the gods you're safe at least," she said.

"I could say the same."

Sabé shrugged indifferently and winced. "Eh, me. I'm nobody important." But as she offered a wry grin, I could see the sadness and shock valiantly buried behind her eyes.

She finally noticed the new addition to the room. "Hello… forgive me, Master Jedi, I don't believe we've been properly introduced."

"Guess," Eirtaé said, placing another suitcase on the bed.

Sabé tilted her head and frowned. "No… Anakin? Little Ani? You've sprouted like a denta bean!"

Anakin grinned and ducked his head while I laughed softly. "I said nearly the same thing when I saw him."

"As charming as I remember, Sabé," Anakin replied.

Sabé shook her head. "Flatterer. You just remember me beacuse I'm the one who wore the white makeup and fancy dresses."

"As entertaining as this is, we really do need to be packing," I said. "We should be done in a couple of minutes, Anakin. Could you see if Master Kenobi is back yet?"

"Of course, m'lady," the Jedi replied, nodding and stepping out. The door closed and Sabé turned back to face me.

"Dormé gave me the two-minute version, but how are you really holding up?"

I heaved a sigh. "I'll be fine. The attacks just came as shocks. They've happened before, I knew they could happen…"

"But Cordé and Versé are gone," Sabé finished softly, voicing the thought I was unwilling to.

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. I didn't have time to break down right now. "I'm just glad I have you two and Dormé," I said. Sabé gave me a hug and I took a shake breath. "Just please don't you try to sacrifice yourselves for me too."

"That's our job, milady," Eirtaé said gently.

"We'll do our best to stay alive so long as you do the same," Sabé promised.

"You better," I said, smiling weakly at her.

"A lighter topic," Eirtaé decided, packing a travel bag of toiletries.

"Anakin Skywalker," Sabé said with a nod. "Not so cute and little anymore, is he?"

"Still very much cute," Eirtaé corrected her, "And just as utterly devoted to Padmé."

"He doesn't look half bad, does he?" Sabé reflected, sitting on the bed. "Pass a hairbrush, would you, 'Taé?"

"Don't call me that," the blonde handmaiden sighed, before handing her a brush.

"Considering all the people with explosion-and-bed hair, you'd think the med-center would have more supplies with regards to personal grooming," Sabé grumbled, tugging at a knot. "Well, Padmé?"

"Well what?"

"Ani. How long are you staying with him?"

"He is guarding me until we can find the source of these assassination attempts and put an end to them," I said. "Ideally, no more than a week, including transportation."

"What ever shall you do to pass the time? Stare into his dreamy blue eyes?" Sabé said with mock wistfulness.

"Sabé! He's a jedi!" Eirtaé protested out of principle.

"Just a learner."

"Which means he has more supervision and rules to follow," I reminded.

"Shame."

"Oh, because you've never stared after dreamy blue-eyed-"

Sabé hushed her fellow handmaiden with a pillow tossed to the face.

"We are leaving soon, you know," I reminded. "I don't want to be remaking the bed."

"Sorry, milady," Eirtaé said.

Sabé bobbed a small curtsey. "But if there wasn't work for us to do, there'd be no point in keeping us, milady."

I sighed again as my friend replaced the pillow on the bed and using her one arm smoothed it out with exaggerated care. But my spirits were lighter, which was no doubt their aim. Being the only two who had chosen to stay on as my handmaidens from my days as Queen, having known them for ten years, I felt most like myself around Sabé and Eirtaé, despite their often contentious relationship.

"Done. You're all packed, milady."

"Thank you." I reached for the handle of a case and Eirtaé gave me a look.

"I know this is hard, but do have some fun, Padmé. The timing is horrible, true, but you really deserve a break."

"And have fun with Anakin."

"She's right," Eirtaé admitted. "If he still looks at you that way after all these years, Jedi or no, it must mean something."

"For the sake of old friendship, at least, don't go all senator-stuffy on him. And for yourself- this is a chance to simply be Padmé."

Admittedly, I did long for a break, to be able to be just Padmé Naberrie for a while. I wished I could forget everything and take time to relax and think about fun and gossip and boys with friends, all the things I hadn't in so long. This was a chance to relax a little at least, but I didn't know if I could.

"Thank you. I'll try," I said.

Sabé tried to lift a suitcase but I gently swatted her bandaged arm aside and took it myself, while Eirtaé opened the door with her free hand.

We stepped through, and Anakin's eyes flicked to us from where he stood brooding in a corner, while Obi-Wan turned from his discussion with Dormé and Captain Typho.

"Good morning, milady, and Eirtaé and Sabé, if I my memory serves me," Obi-Wan said with a short bow in our direction.

"It is good to see you again, Master Kenobi," Sabé said.

"You as well," he smiled. "I wish you a speedy recovery, and am sorry about your loss… all of your losses," he added, glancing to Eirtaé and I.

"Thank you," Sabé said, and Eirtaé and I nodded.

Dormé and Typho finished their conversation and Anakin stepped over to us.

"I have managed to secure a transport, so we are ready to leave if you are, Senator."

"Yes, thank you."

"I'll take your bags, milady," Anakin said. I gave a grateful smile to him, which he returned, and I exchanged one last glance with Sabé and Eirtaé before following Typho out the door.

As the transport glided towards the shuttle pad- Anakin and I were to travel with refugees for security- I continued to turn over the matter of the Military Creation Act in my mind, worrying about its outcome. I glanced around and noticed Anakin was looking at me again– he quickly looked away, but I thought I saw a concerned expression on his face. Right– he had probably sensed my anxiety. I took a deep breath and let it go. There was nothing I could do right now to help the situation. I might as well enjoy myself as much as I could, as my handmaidens had suggested, I reasoned, squashing the voice in my head that felt guilty about being happy while away from my duty. I was going on a hopefully stress-free trip, to my home no less.

The transport came to a stop and I turned to bid goodbye to my companions.

"Be safe, milady," Captain Typho said.

I gave him a warm smile in return. "Thank you, Captain. Take good care of Dormé. The threat's on you now." Sabé would normally be my decoy now Cordé was gone, but with her injury since it was known that I was unharmed, the task fell upon Dormé's shoulders.

"He'll be safe with me, milady," Dormé confided, knowing just what to say to lift my spirits.

"You'll be fine," I said, not sure if I was reassuring myself or her.

Some of Dormé's smile slid from her face. "It's not me, milady. I worry about you. What if they realize you've left the capital?"

"Well, then my Jedi protector will have to prove how good he is," I said, exchanging a quick grin with said protector.

Obi-Wan pulled his apprentice aside for a moment. "Don't do anything without first either consulting myself or the council."

"Yes, Master," Anakin murmured.

The Jedi turned to us again. "I'll get to the bottom of this plot quickly, milady," Obi-Wan promised. "You'll be back here in no time."

"I'll be most grateful for your speed, Master Jedi," I said.

"Time to go," Anakin said.

"I know." I stepped out onto the pavement and heard master and apprentice exchange farewells.

"Anakin, may the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you, Master."

My eyes roamed the platform, taking in the bustling city surrounding us as I inhaled the somewhat polluted air, my fingers brushing against the fabric of my clothing- rougher, more common garb than I usually wore, allowing us to blend in with the thousands who left the planet daily in search of life elsewhere. We started walking away from the airbus, and as the distance grew between us and my usual entourage, I felt strangely isolated in the endless city that sprawled around us.

"Suddenly I'm afraid," I said in a low voice.

"This is my first mission on my own. I am too," Anakin admitted. After a minute he grinned and glanced back. "Don't worry. We have Artoo with us."

I laughed with him as the trailing droid tootled cheerfully, and flashed the Jedi a grateful smile as I felt some of the weight lift from my shoulders.

Far behind the trio, Obi-Wan and Typho watched them leave. "I do hope he doesn't try anything foolish," the master confessed.

Typho gave a soft snort. "I'd be more concerned about her doing something than him." The two shared a wry glance, commiserating over their headstrong charges, and Dormé could only shake her head in agreement before bidding the Jedi farewell as they went their separate ways.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Chapter 2 is being edited! In the meantime, I recommend To Save the Queen, by AwayOHumanChild, whose writing is incredible and which story inspired me to include a few handmaidens in here- I draw upon their personalities from this story more than anything else.

Happy St. Patrick's day to those of you who read this within the next hour… Hawaii time or later…

Questions, comments, suggestions- leave a review before we venture into the great AU.