Connection
Part 2
He bowed gracefully, and scanned the area of the court. He had hoped Sabé would have finished her business with Jaquill by this time. It would be nice to have a familiar presence to get him situated and introduce him to some of these people. But she was not there, or at least had not entered the ballroom yet. In the meantime, he was getting rather a lot of attention from many of the young single women, who were wondering how best to approach him. None of them was as interested as Handmaiden Liraé, still on duty, quietly watching from beside the Queen.
Some time later, Sabé rushed into the back entrance to the Ballroom. There was an area where the Queen, handmaidens, and staff could prepare or refresh themselves, and she wanted to make sure she looked right before she appeared in public. It had been a rough night with what had happened earlier. Filing the report on Jaquill and his accomplices had taken longer than she expected, then she had to go back home to change from the clothing she tore during the brief fight into a fresh gown, emerald velvet this time, and fix her hair. All that activity had roused Meira, so it took time to get her settled back down, even with a babysitter that the child liked watching her for the night. Finally, she had made it, and though she had missed some of the presentations and dancing, she was still determined to enjoy the occasion.
The Handmaidens were allowed to take turns leaving their duties for short periods of time to participate in the festivities. Amidala was just releasing Liraé when Sabé emerged from behind the curtains. The Minister spoke quietly to the Queen, relating the news of the fight as Liraé stepped down, and slinked to Obi-Wan.
Sabé scanned the room and instantly spotted the Jedi, even with his back to her and wearing the unfamilar costume. She waited for him to turn so she could catch his eye and see if he wanted to dance. As she watched, Liraé smoothly approached Obi-Wan and set her snare. She had been concealed in the burgundy cloak that the Handmaidens wore that night, but on the way to her target, she threw the hood back to reveal waves of red hair spilling out. She undid the front clasp to show her gown, low cut at the top, and a slit running to mid thigh. The men she passed stared, but she paid them no mind.
As she reached Obi-Wan's side, she turned and looked back for just a moment. Her eyes met Sabé's. She smiled at the Minister, reached over and very deliberatly patted the Jedi's rear. Obi-Wan jumped in surprise.
Sabé assumed her coolest demeanor. The other Handmaidens looked at her with wide eyes, wondering what her next move would be. She remained calm, letting no hint of her thoughts show on her face.
Liraé batted her eyes. "Jedi, would you like to dance?" she asked.
Obi-Wan looked at her, still startled. Clearing his throat, he spoke. "I could spare one dance, perhaps." He looked over Liraé, seeking Sabé once again. Their eyes met for a second. Sabé inclined her head in acknowledgment, but gave no sign of her emotion.
Obi-Wan took Liraé in his arms and began the waltz. He focused his attention on the Handmaiden and her emanations. Although her physical charms would have been quite distracting, were he not a Jedi, there was something else about her that made him uncomfortable. He was looking for what it could be, but he was not able to pinpoint it yet.
"I'm sure a man such as you must have been through some terrible fights. You are so brave the way you helped us and our world," Liraé cooed.
Obi-Wan nodded, and answered all her fawning with noncommittal phrases. He wanted nothing more than to fulfill his social obligation and move past this woman.
Sabé was gazing around the ballroom with a look of boredom on her face. She moved closer to Saché. "Handmaiden, didn't you say something to me just the other day about getting into circulation?"
"Indeed I did, Minister," Saché replied in the same detached tone. However, her eyes were betraying her amusement. She could hardly wait to see what Sabé had in store.
"It involved getting out and having fun, if I remember correctly."
"That's exactly what it involved, Minister."
"I thought so, Handmaiden. So tell me, which of the guards is the best dancer?"
"On the dance floor or behind closed doors?" The gleam in Saché's eyes turned wicked.
"Both," Sabé answered curtly.
"If I were in your position, I would choose Holben, second on the left there. He should meet your needs quite nicely," Saché advised.
"Thank you," Sabé responded. She looked at Holben, who was very attractive indeed. Blond hair, blue eyes, tanned and muscular, he was second only to Obi-Wan in the amount of attention received from unattached females in the room. Sabé smiled, nodded to Amidala, and stepped down from the platform to cut a path through the crowd, straight to him.
The Queen signaled to Rabé, who leaned down and listened attentively as Amidala whispered something. The handmaiden grinned, then conveyed the message to the orchestra.
The musical number that had been playing was ending as Sabé reached the guard. The small group around him parted, clearing the way for the Minister. Everyone was surprised at this move. The Minister had never been one for social activities since the war. The gossip had it that she was still in mourning. Whispers started around the room.
"It's about time," one young man stated.
"Do you think he's the one who'll thaw out the Ice Queen?" another speculated.
A daughter of the Music Advisor huffed. "And I was going for him! Well, that's that for the night." She stomped her foot before she departed.
Sabé reached out her hand to Holben. "May I have the pleasure of the next dance?" she asked.
The young guard was taken aback at her request, but smiled broadly as he took her hand. "The pleasure is certainly all mine, Minister." He turned back toward his friends as the pair made their way to the dance floor with a see-what-I-got-you-can't-have-any look on his face.
The music started up for the next dance, another smooth waltz. Obi-Wan started to excuse himself when he saw Sabé and Holben begin. So, she seemed to want to play games, he thought to himself.
"Perhaps another dance, Liraé."
"Ooooh, I'd love that," the handmaiden purred.
Sabé listened to Holben as chatted about the latest speeders, and surfing on the best beaches of Naboo. She smiled politely and responded in the right places. All the while, her glance would dart around to check on Obi-Wan and Liraé's place on the floor. She was more than a bit satisfied to see that the Jedi was less than comfortable with his current companion. His covert glances toward her proved that. She also caught sight of Captain Panaka beaming in approval of her dancing partner. He had never liked her relationship with Obi-Wan, so he was quite happy that she was with one of his guards. Poor dear family friend Panaka, she thought. If only he knew what I have in mind.
It wasn't long before the waltz ended and the band leader announced the next number. "Ladies and Gentlemen, our next dance will require picking up the pace a bit. Please form circles for The Royal Round."
Everyone gasped as Amidala rose, and stepped to the dance floor. Even though the dance was called The Royal Round, the reigning monarch rarely participated. She gestured to Governor Bibble to join her, and they took position.
As Liraé moved Obi-Wan into the circle, he asked, "What's this dance? I'm not familiar with it."
"It's an old court dance," Liraé explained. "Men on the outside circle, women on the inside to start, but we'll do a kind of weave in and out. You'll go to the right, we'll go to the left. clasp hands with each one and do an inside step as you pass. It's very simple, don't worry. It'll start slowly, then the tempo will pick up. It's fun, but I will say, I don't like sharing you. I was hoping to get to know you better tonight." She winked and smiled alluringly, shaking her shoulders to position her cloak back and give Obi-Wan an unobstructed view of her charms.
Obi-Wan responded with a half grin. Now he knew he wanted to ditch this girl.
//Is that sweat I see forming on your brow?// came into his mind. He shifted his look to the part of the circle where Sabé was standing with Holben.
//Sabé?// He was surprised by the contact. It was the first time she had lowered her shields to him in two years.
//Yes, it's me. Do you want out of this?//
//I'd like nothing better// He responded.
Liraé sensed something going on. She looked from Obi-Wan to Sabé, and back again.
//Do you still trust me?// Sabé asked.
Now that he had calmed down from the news of Meira and the concealment of her paternity, Obi-Wan realized that he did want to trust her, even needed to, for some reason.
//Yes,// he sent back.
//Then just do the dance. I'll take care of the rest.//
The music began, and all the spectator's eyes were on Amidala in her elaborate gown, as she appeared to float across the dance floor. She was a vision in blue and green jeweltones with iridescent ruffles. Her movement recalled the grace and beauty of a tropical bird.
Checking the positions of those in the circle, Sabé decided to take a different place.
"Holben, let's go stand between Rabé and Rowan and Eirtaé and Max. I haven't been able to talk to them much tonight," Sabé suggested.
"As you wish, Minister," he said, leading her to the spot.
The music started. Liraé showed Obi-Wan the required step, which was really quite simple. The pace started slowly enough that everyone had a chance to practice a step or two before it picked up very much.
The circle moved, and Obi-Wan found that he was changing partners fairly often. After a few changes, he suddenly faced Sabé's mother, Raisa. She was studying the Jedi with a hard look.
"Madame Ambassador, is anything wrong?" Obi-Wan asked, with great apprehension.
"No, nothing's wrong, Jedi. I was wondering what you're doing with my granddaughter's eyes, that's all," she said in a low voice, just before the change.
Amidala began adding a few simple variations to the dance as the pace quickened. Her brilliant dress caught the light and made her appear all the more fantastic. She was the center of attention as Sabé met Obi-Wan at the edge of the circle near the balcony.
Sabé took Obi-Wan's hand. She looked to either side meeting Eirtaé's and Rabé's eyes. They inclined their heads just slightly.
//Ready, Obi-Wan// Sabé sent.
//Past ready// he sent, accompanied by a sigh.
Amidala executed a flamboyant turn, Sabé moved to the outside circle in the pass, grasped Obi-Wan's hand firmly, and pulled him with her past the curtain to the outside balcony. Rabé and Eirtaé closed up the hole left by the departing couple and continued the dance. Their partners stifled laughter and cooperated.
At the end, the circle broke up and the next number started. Amidala returned to her throne on the platform. Liraé and Holben were left wondering where their conquests had gone.
The spurned guard stared at the handmaiden and decided he didn't mind being abandoned by the Minister so much after all.
He strutted up to Liraé, full of confidence. "Care to dance?"
The handmaiden was fuming. "No, thank you," she said, dryly and stalked off the floor.
Outside, Sabé and Obi-Wan moved to a corner of the balcony that contained floral decorations which offered a hiding place.
"We can't stay gone too long, you know," Sabé whispered. "At least I've got you out of Liraé's clutches." She giggled softly. "I think that's the first time the Queen's acted as a decoy for me."
"Does that girl always behave in such a brazen manner?" Obi-Wan asked. He was chuckling as quietly as he could.
"No," Sabé answered. "In fact, she doesn't. She's fairly new at the job, but I've heard that she's usually very serious and dedicated to her duties. Keeps to herself and is rather bookish otherwise. This is a side of her we've not seen before. I believe Saché's rather put out that her position as Palace Flirt was just threatened."
"Please be careful," Obi-Wan's tone turned serious. "My feelings tell me she bears watching. Not that I should worry. You've handled two situations already tonight. Should I tell you that you've impressed me?"
Sabé smiled at the compliment, and felt her cheeks burn and her pulse quicken, but tried to play it off with a shrug. "Jaquill was drunk, that's not exactly a challenge. I overdid it, breaking his arm and leg. It's just that when he grabbed me, I knew I wouldn't take it." She shook her head. "Now that you mention what you sense about Liraé, I can't quite remember how she got here. I didn't recruit her, Panaka brought her to me. I must dig and find out more..."
"But not tonight," Obi-Wan said. "We're safe for now." He took her hand. "Let's go for a walk before we return to the party. I want to hear more about Meira."
At his touch, Sabé looked into Obi-Wan's eyes. She saw that he hadn't lowered all his resistance to accepting Meira and the path that Sabé had set her on, but he was willing to work at it. She wondered just how much to tell him about the girl. She centered, and decided to let instinct guide her.
"What would you like to know?" Sabé asked.
"Why did you go to all the trouble to hide her from me and the Temple? Even if the tests and her paternity brought her to our attention, you could have always refused. We don't take babies by force." Obi-Wan's expression saddened for a moment. "I'd at least known of her and not missed this part of her life."
"You heard the cover story?"
"Yes. A war widow, Sabé? That took me by surprise," he said.
She looked away for a moment. "A necessary deception under the circumstances. I'm sorry it turned out this way. My family and my position are prominent enough to make it important to avoid even a hint of impropriety. As soon as I found out about the pregnancy, I was going to resign, but Panaka and the Queen asked me to take on the new job of Junior Minister. Amidala wanted me to stay, both as a friend and as a member of her team, even when I could no longer serve her as a handmaiden."
Obi-Wan sighed as he gazed out into the night. "I can understand. I wouldn't want you or the baby put in a bad light. If that is what your society demands, then you took the right course of action. But you still could have told me. I did behave poorly before I left, but I would have helped you in any way possible." He hesitated a moment before looking straight at her. "Perhaps we gave up on each other too soon."
Sabé looked up, a hint of regret in her eyes. "Perhaps. But we did have many other things distracting us at that time. You had ascended into Knighthood with a new Padawan. I had to help my mother and our world recover." She shook her head. "It just wasn't in the cards for us then, Obi-Wan. Now that you know, will you please stay in touch?"
"I will. She's my child, after all. I'll see you both tommorrow before I leave for my meditations. I'm going camping for a while. I need to find some answers," he said.
Sabé studied his face and saw the uncertainty reflected there. "If that's what Master Qui-Gon suggested to you, that's what you should do."
Obi-Wan bit his lip. "I haven't heard from or seen my Master since his...departure. I've come close to feeling his presence, but no more than that."
Sabé realized what a difficult admission that was to make for the Jedi. It also signaled to her just what sort of state he was in before he arrived at Naboo. "You haven't?" she asked with concern. She broke away from Obi-Wan and started pacing. "That could be a good sign, maybe it means that he thinks you don't need his guidance. Or it could be...," She stopped, and gave him a grave look. "You should go, as soon as possible. The Force will draw you to the right spot."
Obi-Wan was puzzled. "How do you know that?"
Sabé shot him a look of sympathy. "Just trust me, I do. See what your feelings tell you."
The Jedi closed his eyes and cleared his mind. He let the image come to him. Slowly he recognized it as where he and Sabé had been together those two years ago, the place where Meira was conceived.
"It's strong in the Force, isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered. "Especially with the Living Force. That's what facilitated the conception. It would have also enhanced the child that was created there. Have you noticed her gifts?"
"I have seen that she has remarkable insight. But you shouldn't worry about that right now. We'll be here when you return from your meditations. That will be the time to talk." Sabé glanced back at the ballroom. "We'd better get back before Panaka sends someone out after me. He's worse than my father sometimes." She took Obi-Wan's hand again. "Come, I know a back way."
They took a side hall through a dark corridor and came to a curtain. "On the other side is the ballroom. Just stay by the Queen if you don't want to dance anymore. You're a guest of honor, but you're also a protector, so you're allowed to be there. I'll stand by Saché on the end."
They emerged, and each took their place. Obi-Wan planted himself firmly by the Queen, who acknowledged him with a nod. Sabé glided smoothly to the right and assumed her position on the end. They both noticed Liraé's baleful glare towards them from the far side of the room. Obi-Wan ignored it, but Sabé permitted herself to return it with a slight smile.
Raisa came from nowhere to stand next to her daughter. Sabé felt a question on the way before it was ever voiced.
"Has the Jedi come for you and Meira?" the older woman inquired politely.
Sabé turned to face her mother. "What do you mean?"
Raisa responded with a stern look. "I know I've had my problems, and that you and I are not close, but I didn't get my position by being a fool. Even if the baby didn't have any of the Jedi's features, it's apparent that there's some relationship between the two of you, just from the glances that you steal at one another."
"He was looking at me today." It was a statement of affirmation and hope for Sabé.
The older woman heard her question answered in that sentence and its delivery. "He didn't come for the two of you. He didn't even know about her. My girl, you've gotten into a mess."
Sabé reverted back to a controlled manner. "It's all right, Mother. Everything will happen as it should."
Raisa made a noise expressing her doubt, and moved back to the floor to join her husband.
After few more toasts and dances, the end of the festivities drew near. Sensing the imminent closing ceremony, Obi-Wan and Sabé bid each other a covert goodnight.
//Tomorrow, before I leave, then?//
//Yes, in the Palace gardens, in the morning//
Obi-Wan had breakfasted with the Queen and some of her advisors at an early meeting. He thanked Amidala for her hospitality, and praised the courtesy of the Naboo. That met with the approval of the Ministers present, and they invited him to join them again, once he had finished his business out of town.
He packed and had his belongings left with the Majordomo. He then sought out Sabé and Meira. Jeré came upon him in the hall.
"Looking for the Queen, honored Jedi?" she inquired politely.
He smiled at her. "No handmaiden, I'm looking for Sabé and Meira. Have you seen them?"
Jeré nodded with amusement. "Yes, I can take you there. This way..." She indicated the path they were to take.
The scene he came upon was quite a surprise. In a small clear patch of grass, a wading pool was set up. Jar-Jar was lying down in the water, and a small stream shot up from his mouth. Meira was laughing hysterically at this antic, and jumped from the edge of the pool to land on the Gungan's belly. Sabé was nowhere in sight.
Jar-Jar sat up abruptly. "Ohhh, big gooberfish! Huge Opee!" The child laughed even more.
Obi-Wan was annoyed that the girl got on so well with the silly Gungan. The playmates finally noticed him.
"Hi-di-ho, Jedi," Jar-Jar called out, waving. Meira waved and ooohed as well.
//Sabé!// Obi-Wan called.
"I'm here, Obi-Wan," she said, rising from behind a bush that had blocked his view of her. She had been in the water too. She was wearing a bathing suit and her hair was still drying.
She smiled at him. //You thought I'd just leave him alone with her? You should know better,// she teased.
Embarrassed at having his assumption discovered, Obi-Wan bit his lip ever so slightly.
Jeré had one hand over her mouth in an unsuccessful attempt to hide her huge smile. Obi-Wan shot her a glance and she just shrugged.
He approached the the pair, and Jar-Jar carefully picked up Meira and held her out to him, flashing him a large and happy grin. As Obi-Wan took the child, he spoke. "The bosses are supposed to take care of the little ones." At the Jedi's withering glance, he moaned and slunk away.
"Great," Obi-Wan muttered under his breath. "The pathetic lifeform is giving me parenting advice."
Meira did not notice Obi-Wan's fuming. As he held her at arm's length, she was still excited from play, dripping and wiggling in his hands. Sabé grabbed a towel, and joined the two of them, to dry off her daughter.
"Jeddi," Meira shouted with glee.
"Yes, my girl. The Jedi stopped by to see us," Sabé confirmed.
"Hug," she demanded. The child surprised both of the adults as she pushed against Sabé with her feet to launch herself at Obi-Wan and clasp him around the neck.
Obi-Wan stood and looked very undignified with the wet girl hanging onto him and giggling.
Sabé could hardly stifle her laughter, but she did, and grasped the child firmly, pulling her away to finish drying her. "I'm sorry Obi-Wan, she moves fast."
"Jedi reflexes," he remarked as he stood there with large water spots all over his fresh robes. The two Gungans snickered at the sight.
"Looks like there's going to be a slight delay in your plans. Here, give me the robes, we can put them on the bushes to dry. It's a sunny day, that won't take too long," Sabé offered. She gave a meaningful glance to Jeré, who got the hint.
"Come on, Jar-Jar. It's time for a walk," Jeré stated, taking the taller Gungan by the arm and gently pulling him away from the family.
"Oh! Before mesa forget, mesa got a little bitty pressi for yousa," Jar-Jar said proudly. He pulled a small box from the vest that he was putting back on.
"For me? Why General, yousa shouldn't have!"
Jar-Jar looked downright bashful as he handed her a fine brooch. It was a green jadelike stone set in gold.
"It'sa lovely. But mesa thinks I have seen this before somewhere. I can't quite place it..." Jeré said, examining the pin.
"No, no, you'sa not seen that before," Jar-Jar said quickly. "It'sa just for you."
As the Gungans' conversation faded away, Obi-Wan looked around. Seeing that they were now alone, he removed the cloak and his tunics. The pants and boots stayed on, as they were not damp at all. Sabé brought out another towel and put it on the ground next to hers for Obi-Wan to rest on. She took some toys from a bag and gave them to Meira to occupy her while the two of them relaxed.
"It's a lovely day. The warmth is soothing, it reminds me of that back rub your master gave me while we were returning to Naboo," Sabé said.
"What back rub?" Obi-Wan asked. Suddenly, he got a strange feeling. This had to be important.
"Oh, that's right, you were in another part of the ship. I had strained myself with practice, and Master Qui-Gon noticed my discomfort. He applied a healing technique to my back and in no time the pain was gone. It felt very good. Are you trained in that?"
Casually, Obi-Wan replied,"I don't have his experience, of course, but I'll try. Tell me where he applied the pressure and how it felt."
"All right," Sabé said, turning over on her belly, back up to Obi-Wan. She was thrilled to feel his touch again, and hoped it would be as good as it was before. "He started between the shoulder blades, and moved down, one hand on either side."
Obi-Wan began following the path she described, growing more dismayed with each step.
"Let me think, then he went back up, circled with fingertips only, down and around the small of the back, then to the side, just above my hips. He went no farther around the front than right about here," she indicated a midway point," then I felt a concentration of warmth in my midsection. Does it sound familiar?"
"It does, but I've never done the technique before. I'm not well trained in it, so I'll give you something different," he said cheerfully. There was a false sound to his levity, but Sabé was enjoying being the center of his attention so she did not catch it. Even though it was a much more mundane backrub, she reveled in every moment of it.
When he finished, she was so relaxed, she had almost dozed off. He got up to check the robes and found they were dry enough to put back on. Sabé turned back over to see him dressing again. Hiding her disappointment, she stretched and sat up. "I know, you have to go. Thanks for the therapy. I owe you one."
"No, you don't," he said. "If you must, consider it a return of the favor you did me last night. I'm still grateful for the escape."
Sabé could tell he was upset. There was something about him now that was subdued. She decided it best not to ask at this time, but to make his departure as worry-free as possible.
Meira looked up from her toys. "Jeddi go bye?" Her voice was sad.
"Yes, I'm going for a while. I'll see you again, very soon, I promise."
"Come here, I'll hold you and we'll tell him good-bye together," Sabé instructed the girl.
He gazed at them long enough to burn the images of the two of them into his memory before he waved and turned to go.
His walk through the palace halls took him near the handmaiden's quarters. As he passed the door, he heard a high pitched scream.
"My favorite brooch-the gold and green one-it's gone," wailed Liraé.
Obi-Wan exhaled a deep sigh and just kept on walking.
Peering out from behind a great statue, Saché and Jeré watched the Jedi collect his backpack and set out from the Palace.
"When do you think they'll realize how deeply they're bonded?" Saché wondered.
Jeré shrugged and let out a dismayed groan. "They're too close to see the obvious. At the rate they're going, this could take years!"
Obi-Wan began his walk out of Theed. He stopped briefly at the new Qui-Gon memorial and thought of a few choice things he might have been brave enough to shout out loud, if not for the spectators gathered around.
He turned away from the gigantic sculpture, and started on the road that led to the forest. An older man in a speeder pulled up to him, and smiled. "Need a ride?"
Obi-Wan looked up and saw it was Sabé's father. He nodded. "Thank you, I wouldn't mind at all."
They had polite conversation on the ride, but soon they were to the edge of Theed.
Pulling over, Hasin asked, "You've got everything you need?"
Obi-Wan reached over and checked his pack. "Yes Sir, thanks."
Uzza looked concerned. "Out here, all alone...all you sure you'll be all right?"
The Jedi assumed an expression of mock indignation.
The guard laughed. "I know, I know; you're quite capable of taking care of yourself. It's just that I am a family man, and trust me, my young ladies would be heartbroken if anything were to happen to you. You've made quite an impression on little Meira."
Obi-Wan shrugged as he smiled. "I hope a different impression than the one Jar-Jar has left on her."
"I would say so," Uzza grinned. Then he turned a bit more serious. "Here," he said, reaching into a compartment on the speeder. "Take this comlink, it's a spare. Any message will sent directly to the Royal Guard office. Don't hesitate to call us if you need more supplies, a lift back, anything at all."
Obi-Wan started to wave it away, but Uzza wouldn't have any of that. "I mean it, Jedi Kenobi. Take it, if not for yourself, then for my girls. We'll all sleep better at night."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I understand." He took the device and tucked away in the pack. He held out his hand to the man.
Uzza grasped him and gave him a firm encouraging handshake. "Good luck, Jedi. I hope you find what you're looking for."
Sabé and Panaka met in the Captain's office, their normal routine before their reports were presented to the Queen. This morning she found Panaka staring at notes on his datapad. He was slouched back in his chair, head in one hand, an air of grief around him.
"Captain, what's wrong?"
He sighed. "Things are progressing with the investigation of the incident after the parade a couple of nights ago. Jaquill did cooperate."
"As well he should," Sabé commented, her tone indignant and haughty.
Panaka looked up, irritated with her. "It's not that simple. I've worked with him before. What you saw...well, it wasn't the man I knew." He hesitated, then went on. "There's something I've been thinking about showing you. I wasn't sure if I should, but now it makes little difference. It's a holo of his testimony after he came out of detox."
"Detox? What was he taking?"
"He was loaded with a lot of weird stuff. The chemists haven't tracked it all yet. Here, I've got to go down the hall. Please watch it before you judge him," Panaka implored. He sat the projector down on the table and left.
Sabé activated the holo. Jaquill appeared to be looking straight at her, though she knew that he was talking to an investigator.
He glanced up, a hollow look in his eyes, then faced forward. "Thank you for coming. There are things I must say to all of you now, just in case....," Jaquill swallowed hard. "In case something happens to me. I want to make my peace with everyone."
Sabé knitted her brow, and looked at the image hard. The investigator echoed her thoughts. "Are they that dangerous?"
"They are," he replied. "They took me and made me into that thing that attacked Minister Calle. I want you to know that what I said there was not how I feel, not about her or the Queen. Please get them before they ruin another life. My career, my dreams, are over now. Stop them, whatever you do."
"I plan to," the investigator assured him. "Tell me more. How did they get to you?"
"They are insidious. They find out what you want most of all, and they promise they will get it for you if you work with them, no matter how impossible it sounds. I think they started drugging me before they approached me directly. It's the only way I would have ever joined them, at least I hope so."
The investigator remarked, "I checked your record and asked around. Everyone who knows you assured me your service has been outstanding until recently. What could you want so much that you would turn? Wealth? Power?"
He seemed to look at her with apprehension in his eyes. "A woman," he choked. It's Minister Calle I want. I've been in love with her ever since she came into service as a handmaiden."
At first Sabé was too surprised for thoughts. Her mind reeled at what he had just said. She reached back for the arm of the chair near her, and fell into it.
He continued, "Let me go on before I lose my nerve. I never felt I could approach her. When she received her promotion not long after the war, I knew she was out of my league."
Painfully, he went on. "I do have to beg her forgiveness for this. What pushed me over the edge was seeing her in the Square with the Jedi a couple of nights before our incident. She was on his arm like she belonged there. I couldn't take it, so I went to have a couple of drinks, and found I couldn't stop. They told me never to take alcohol. I thought they were just upholding high moral standards, so I didn't have a problem with abstaining before. But it reacts badly with the drugs they fed me and that's what she saw in the alley. Believe me, if I had been in my right mind and witnessed anyone treating her the way I did then, she wouldn't have had to break any bones. I'd have done it for her. That and anything else she asked."
Sabé switched off the holo and sat silently for a moment, reflecting on the testimony. It wasn't long before Panaka returned.
She glanced up at the Captain. "What will happen to him?"
Panaka looked as if were going to cry. "He turned up dead on the way to the detention center."
Sabé gasped. "We're really in trouble, aren't we?"
Panaka replied, "Yes, my friend, we are."
Sabé rose, and bowed to Panaka. "I'll meet you in court in an hour. First, I believe I should send a prayer to the Gods."
"I think that would be most appropriate at this time."
As she left the office and walked down the ornate hall, she whispered under her breath, "Farewell, Jaquill. May you find peace."
After the business of court, Sabé and Panaka headed back to their respective offices to take care of their other duties. When Sabé entered the room, she noticed that there was something different. The place was not as she had left it. She looked around, trying to see if anything had been moved, but the room appeared to be untouched. Realizing that it didn't seem to be an object out of place, she inhaled, and caught the slight residual aroma of a perfume. It was not hers, and she didn't recognize it as the scent of any of her regular friends and visitors.
She closed and locked the door, sat down and began working at the terminal. Under "Personnel Files" she typed in "Liraé, Handmaiden to Queen Amidala"
Obi-Wan had been in the forest a week now. It had taken some time to purge himself of his anger at his old Master, but he was relaxing and progressing in his renewal of the spirit.
On the evening of the seventh day, he began his meditation again. This time, the images of the fight with the Sith came, the way they had every night. His pulse quickened and his body responded as though he were actually engaged in battle. He pushed the images out, like always, forcing them from his mind, refusing to accept them. He tried meditation again, even though he was still agitated.
He closed his eyes, and began the exercise *Be calm. At peace. Let the Force guide you.*
"Obi-Wan, you gave excellent advice to Anakin when I passed. You said he should let me go. Now you need to follow that yourself."
Obi-Wan jumped up from his meditation to find himself facing the spirit of his Master. The apparition he had been hoping for was just as he expected it. Qui-Gon looked much as he did the day the Sith cut him down. He was wearing the same robes. The only difference was that now a blue aura surrounded his tall form.
He was moved when he looked into Qui-Gon's cool steel-blue eyes, almost to the point of tears.
"Master, I have so much to say to you. Now, not only for myself, but on behalf of Sabé too. Why did you do it to her?"
Qui-Gon's head raised slightly and looked away. Obi-Wan knew this look well. It meant he had caught his master playing fast and loose with the rules and not wishing to explain his reasons to his Padawan. His tone was dignified and proper when he responded.
"What do you mean?"
Obi-Wan's anger almost returned. "I'm a Knight now, stop playing games with me. I'd accepted the way you manipulated me over the years. It was part of being your Padawan. I'd even grown accustomed the way you used others in order to accomplish our missions. But what you did to Sabé was uncalled for. She had a life, a career, goals of her own. She did not deserve to be steered toward parenthood without her knowledge and consent. Nor did I, as a matter of fact."
Qui-Gon remained silent.
"Yes, Master. The back massage. I know about it now. The one used by Jedi healers to promote fertility, the same one you used on Sabé. And after that, when you encouraged us to spend time together, knowing..."
"Do you regret that, Obi-Wan?"
He threw his hands up in frustration. "Well, yes and no ... considering the result."
"That feeling will pass as you come to accept them into your life."
"But what about my calling as a Jedi? What about Anakin? You gave me that assignment. I can't shortchange him." Obi-Wan leaned back against the nearest tree. "It's too much," he said, running his hand over his head. "I can't take care of three. I can barely handle my Padawan."
The spectral master nodded wisely. "You won't have to. For now, let Sabé take care of her portion and you take care of yours. Be together when you can. Everything will happen as it should."
Obi-Wan felt he had reached a dead end, that he had stretched himself to his limit. A part of him knew that was not true, but it was a small voice right now, compared to the overwhelming feelings of inadequacy that ruled his thoughts at the moment. .
"Master, I miss you so much, You were right, I did...no,I do...have much to learn. Sometimes I feel lost. I don't know how to give any of them what they need. You make it sound as though it should be easy," the young Jedi confessed.
Qui-Gon's expression softened. "Obi-Wan, you are up to the task. They all deserve your affection and you will share it with them."
"Affection, Master? I'll do the right thing, and see to their needs as best as I can. But how can I give them affection? In many ways we hardly know each other. There are times Anakin resists me just because I'm not you." Obi-Wan hesitated before he continued. "I'm not sure if Sabé wanted me in her life anyway. Even at the time, she was prepared to end the relationship. Why else would she have kept the child a secret?"
Qui-Gon sighed as he saw the lost look in Obi-Wan's eyes. For the first time, he wondered to himself if he hadn't left his former Padawan with too great of a burden to bear.
"Obi-Wan, I'm sorry if this seems too much for you. I implored you to take care of Anakin because there was no one else I could trust with the boy. My first apprentice, while a fine Jedi, is not gifted with a talent for relating to children. I hope you understand that I gave you the responsibility because you alone have the spirit to guide him."
Obi-Wan understood this and nodded. "I understand, Master."
Qui-Gon continued. "When I encouraged your relationship with Sabé, I didn't know I wouldn't be around to help you with her and the baby. Now, I will tell you why she kept Meira hidden. Left on her own, she would have told you, and brought the girl to the Temple. She does respect Jedi tradition, even with her misgivings. I knew this, and I arranged certain matters to encourage her to act as she did. I hope you can forgive me when you hear more and understand."
Obi-Wan found himself stung at this admission. His own master had been involved in keeping secrets from him before, but never information so deeply important to him, not only as a Jedi, but also as a man.
Qui-Gon spoke in reassuring tones to his former apprentice. "Sabé welcomes you in her life. She always would have. But she knows neither of you can neglect duty. Work with her, Obi-Wan. The two of you will make an excellent team."
"The only one I have ever truly bonded with is you. I don't know that I have it in me to be that close to anyone again," Obi-Wan confessed.
Qui-Gon looked surprised. Obi-Wan read the expression and thought the master might disagree with him when he replied to that statement. Qui-Gon seemed to begin one answer, but then drew back for a moment to consider what he might say. Obi-Wan thought about asking him to say what he had intended, but thought that if Qui-Gon decided it was better to be silent, then perhaps it was.
When Jinn did speak, it was as a Master, Counselor and Father, all in one. "Don't underestimate your heart. When you were my dear Padawan, we forged a unique connection; it was not meant to be duplicated and it will never be replaced. But you have the capacity to love others according to their needs. It is a great strength, one that you should not suppress. Let the Living Force guide you, let Anakin, Sabé and Meira help you. It would be the best way you could honor me." Qui-Gon waited for a response, studying his former apprentice intensely.
Obi-Wan dropped to his knees, nodded to his master and began meditation again, this time seeking the Living Force. He could feel Qui-Gon's approval and it warmed him inside.
"Remember, Obi-Wan, What you give of this will be returned to you, with interest. The Force and I will always be with you." Then he was gone.
Obi-Wan fought back sadness at losing touch with his master once again. He turned his focus onto the present and how he should proceed.
***
It was a quiet clear night with a full moon. The Royal Bedchamber's balcony doors were open and the fresh breeze gave a cool and pleasant air to the room. The curtains fluttered softly. Amidala was fast asleep, but she stirred occasionally and smiled, as if reaction to a happy dream.
A door from one of the secret passages opened, and a cloaked figure entered. "Your Highness," a voice whispered. The Queen rolled over, but did not respond.
The intruder reached into the depths of the cloak and extracted a small glass vial. Approaching the Queen, one gloved hand undid the stopper. The figure got closer, it was almost able to reach over and pour the contents into Amidala's slightly open mouth.
Blaster fire whizzed from behind a heavy curtain on the opposite side of the room and the pieces of the shattered vial fell to the floor. The sound awakened the Queen, who sat up with a start.
The figure looked in the direction the shot had come from. As it did, the hood fell back. Even in the shadows, the bright moonlight revealed the red tresses of the failed assassin, Liraé.
"Stop now, before it gets any worse," a calm voice ordered. Sabé stepped from behind the curtain, her silver pistol still aimed straight at the traitor.
Liraé reached down and grasped a handful of Amidala's hair, and pulled it roughly. The Queen flinched at the pain, but did not squeal. "I still have her, Sabé. You don't dare fire!" At that, she moved Amidala upright in front of her.
Sabé lowered the blaster, crossed her arms, and smiled.
Amidala reached over and behind her head, grasping the aggressor's hand. She turned towards Liraé, breaking the woman's grip and gave her a swift kick to the solar plexus. Liraé fell, and before she could catch her breath, Saché emerged from another curtain and was over her with the blaster aimed between her eyes.
"Another mistake," Sabé stated. "Do you want to make any more?"
"Unlike yourself, Her Highness does see the value of regular attendance in martial arts training and practice, Liraé," Saché said, gloating as she kept her aim steady.
Liraé kept silent as she glared at the three women.
At the detention center, Sabé and Panaka stood and watched Liraé through a one way glass. The former handmaiden sat and stared at the window, with an unwavering sullen expression on her face.
"The guards on her-are we sure of their loyalty?"
"Absolutely," Panaka answered. "They're well known, have shown no aggressive tendencies and tested clean on the drug screen."
Sabé relaxed slightly. "Good. I hope this goes a long way toward solving the inside problems. How about her tests? Are they back?"
Panaka bit his lip. "They are. She's clean. It appears she needs no chemical persuasion."
Sabé's eyes grew wide. She shook her head. "It just keeps getting worse."
"How did you determine that it was Liraé you should look for?" Panaka asked.
"I started digging. No one we knew could vouch for her, and that sounded suspicious to me."
"She came with highest recommendations from Chancellor Palpatine himself," the Captain said, his tone astonished. "That's why I brought her in."
Sabé took a seat and leaned back, looking up at Panaka. "And how well do we know the Supreme Chancellor? Anyway, when I tried to speak to someone who had personally witnessed anything she'd done, it was always a dead end. All the leads I followed indicated that she was recommended by another high authority."
Panaka looked chagrined.
"Don't worry," Sabé said softly. "No one will know."
It took a while, but by the second morning after his vision, Obi-Wan had hiked back into Theed. On the way, he had turned on the comlink to monitor any news that might have broken in the time he was gone. He learned of Liraé's treachery, and was proud to hear of Sabé's part in her apprehension.
The Majordomo at the Palace greeted him, and arranged his return to his room. As he cleaned up, he peered at his unshaven face, and studied the growth accumulated from his time in the woods. He took the razor, and started to go back to the clean style he had been accustomed to, but stopped a moment and thought. He chose to leave part of the beard and worked around it.
After dressing in fresh robes, he took care of such business as sending Anakin a message.
He found the Queen at one of her few spare moments and asked her if she would care to add to the message. Amidala must have seen the change in him. She seemed pleased, and in her portion of the transmission, made a sly comment to Ani on his Master's new look.
When the holo was sent, Obi-Wan turned to the Queen. "I heard news of your close call. I'm glad to see that you were not injured."
"It might have been worse, if not for Sabé. You were right to advise her to watch Liraé," Amidala said.
"She'd have figured it out in time. I'm sure of that," Obi-Wan said, brushing off the compliment. "Anyway, what will happen to the criminal?"
"Supreme Chancellor Palpatine sent for her the moment he heard of the incident. He wanted to take full responsibility for her actions, as he was the one who had recommended her for the job. He assured me that she would be punished appropriately." The Queen's expression took on a mysterious look. "I have no doubt that whatever he has in mind for her will be far more severe than anything we would have done."
Obi-Wan tried to call Sabé, but she was out of touch most of the day. He assumed that she was busy with the duties of her office, so he didn't worry too much over it. He spent the time accompanying the Queen as she made the rounds meeting with officials.
When Rabé came on to relieve Eirtaé, she leaned over to Obi-Wan. "Meira is sick today, and Sabé has her at the healers."
The Jedi was alarmed. "Should I go to them?"
"No, join them later. It's not serious, just one of those childhood complaints." The handmaiden then took her place behind and to one side of the Queen.
When he got back to his room, he checked the chronometer. He saw that the hour wasn't too late, so he entered a name on the vidscreen.
Sabé answered, but she did not send an image. The voice sounded strained and tired. "Obi-Wan?"
"Sabé...can I come and look at the baby? If she's sleeping, I promise I won't wake her. I just want to see her, and you too, if that's all right." He held his breath, awaiting her answer.
After a few seconds, she replied. "Yes, if you want to come now, I don't mind. She is sleeping. I'll be ready when you get here."
He made his way across the square to the block of apartments that housed the Queen's key staff. Finding his way to the one where she lived, he quietly knocked.
Sabé opened the door, her finger to her lips. Even though she was quite fatigued, her eyes opened wide when she saw him. She grinned and nodded in approval. "The goatee is very handsome," she whispered. He smiled warmly, glad she found it so.
She motioned to the girl's room and let him in to see her.
The child was sleeping in a crib. Light filtered in through the window, softly illuminating the room. Obi-Wan knelt down to peer through the slats and study his daughter.
His daughter-the very concept left him in awe. He looked at her face, saw the eyes, hair and chin were his features, and the nose and the shape of her lips were Sabé's. She continued to slumber, and her father felt an overwhelming love for her come over him. She was beautiful, she was perfect, she had to be the most intelligent child in this galaxy and he must be sure she was protected. As his complete acceptance of her set in, he felt closer to peace in a way he had not known since before Qui-Gon's death.
Obi-Wan turned and looked up at Sabé. She was smiling, glad to see that he was happy with his daughter at last. She motioned for him to come back into the outer room of the apartment.
"Thank you for coming to see her, Obi-Wan. I know you won't get to visit often, but whatever you can do, it will help." Sabé rubbed her eyes, trying to stay awake. "I'm sorry. The last two nights have been difficult, first dealing with Liraé, then the baby getting sick. There's still so much to say..."
"You can say it in the morning," Obi-Wan told her. He led her to her bed. "I'll be here to watch Meira, I'll call you if we need you." He waved his hand at Sabé. "Now, sleep."
As Sabé slept, her dreams, usually bits and pieces of chaos that she couldn't remember, began to take shape.
She was on a catwalk, looking up. Qui-Gon Jinn was fighting the Sith, and making some progress in the battle, but he needed help. She felt a call upon the Force that levitated her to the next catwalk.
The Sith and Jinn had progressed to a series of force fields, and she was running as fast as she could to catch up, a lightsaber in her hand. She was getting close and would be able to assist the Master in just a moment. A field closed, separating her from the two combatants. She was anxious, she had to get to Jinn's side and join the fray. She saw the Master kneel and rest, the Sith pace and cherish his fury.
The fields opened, she ran again, getting closer this time. She was confident that she could catch up, but just before she was there, the last field closed. She gasped, taking in air, preparing help with Jinn's moves once she could join him. She watched every move of the staff and saber, she bounced up and down, hardly containing herself. Her teeth ground together, every muscle in her body was tense and tight...
She awoke with a start, still shaking with the adrenaline that was coursing through her body. Hand to her chest, she tried to calm herself. She realized that it was more than a nightmare.
Only a moment had passed before Obi-Wan was at the door, leaning against the frame. He was shaking also, and looked very sheepish. "I'm sorry. I dozed off. I didn't mean to send that to you." He looked away. "No one's supposed to see. I let my guard down."
Sabé studied him for a beat, then reached out. "Come here, I want to talk to you. Is Meira still asleep?"
"Yes, I checked her right after I...we... woke up. She's fine." Obi-Wan sat next to Sabé on the bed. He still would not look her in the eye and did his best to conceal his shame.
She took his hand. "Don't apologize for what happened. You've nothing to be ashamed of. You may show me the rest of it, if you wish. You've carried it around too long"
He faced her, surprised. "You would see that side of me and not despise me? I failed everyone. If The Council knew, they would take me off duty. Anakin would be taken from me. I haven't dared let it slip. I finally relaxed, and I lost control."
Sabé gave his hand a slight squeeze. "The Temple will hear nothing of this. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's keeping secrets," she smiled in encouragement.
Obi-Wan shook his head and gave her a mock glare. "Don't I know that!"
She nodded, then said, seriously, "It's just the two of us. When you're ready."
He hesitated, then Obi-Wan held out his other hand.
Acting on instinct, Sabé moved her fingers to intertwine with the Jedi's.
She was there, reliving the conflict, seeing the events as Obi-Wan did. When Master Jinn was struck down, she felt the snap in her mind as Jinn severed the bond to spare his Padawan the agony, but in doing so, all that was warmth, light, love, and life abandoned the young Jedi in an instant.
Obi-Wan screamed in denial. The next moment he chose to shut down all his bonds with others. As each of his connections ceased, he increased his focus on preparing for the imminent conflict. He had never felt so alone in his life, but it was a necessary sacrifice. Every bit of his energy would be needed to survive the next fight. He wanted the Sith to pay for taking the Master from him.
When the field opened, Sabé saw that he was a more aggressive fighter than he had ever been before. He moved faster, letting the rage and fury push him to new heights. Suddenly, his opponent took that anger and turned it against him. As Obi-Wan flew though the air, and found himself hanging on the one piece of machinery against the wall, she even knew his pain as it cut into his fingers. Still, his overriding thought was not to fail the Master again. The Sith kicked the lightsaber down the shaft and taunted him. He began showering him with hot sparks, stinging Obi-Wan's face and eyes, trying to induce the fall.