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      SO OFTEN Araminta was just an accomplice, Obi-wan's shadow hauled along to meetings or briefings, standing to the side and listening. It was not unusual and she was more than used to it after two years with the Republic, and she did not expect anything different.

Which is why when Obi-wan showed up at her door in the early afternoon with an unreadable expression, she had furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Yes?" she asked indignantly, not used to being bothered outside of hours. Hardly anyone except Anakin bothered her quarters ever. Unless this was an emergency– which seemed unlikely given Obi-wan's calm demeanour.

"Your presence is requested in the communications centre," Obi-wan told her.

"My?" she echoed. Obi-wan only nodded.

The assassin hesitated for a moment before leaving her quarters, sheathing her knife and falling into step with her charge. The temple was winding down for the evening, the hallways quieter than usual as they passed through the shadows.

"What's going on?" Araminta questioned as she walked with him, trying to hide the genuine curiosity in her voice and play it off as light-hearted.

"Well that would defeat the purpose of a meeting," Obi-wan said matter-of-factly.

Araminta rolled her eyes but stayed quiet, trying not to think too much on the vagueness of the situation as they arrived, trotting down the stairs and towards the console.

Windu looked up as they entered, and to the right Yoda was hobbling over. Araminta's confusion only grew at the Jedi Masters' presence, and Anakin's reassuring look from where he was standing didn't help much.

She looked at Obi-wan with raised eyebrows, the Jedi only passing it on to Windu. "Thank you for coming, Solarii," he addressed. The greeting itself made Araminta narrow her eyes.

"Windu," she greeted, inclining her head. "Can I ask what this is about?"

"We believe Senator Clovis is conspiring with the Separatists," Windu proceeded to explain. "We need to find out what he's planning."

"Clovis?" Araminta responded. She briefly knew the name of the Banking Clan member, but politics were not something she followed closely. "And... you want me to interrogate him?" she said plainly, trying to figure out what this had to do with her. If the Jedi were asking her to torture someone it was surely the end times.

"No," Yoda spoke up, drawing her attention to the only person shorter than her. "Treat Senator Clovis as a criminal, we should not."

"The slightest misstep could cause a major incident," Obi-wan told her.

"We feel that if we provoke him, we'll never find out what he's up to," Anakin chimed in.

"We need someone who's not a Jedi to get close to him for us, someone he won't suspect," Windu continued.

"Selected Senator Amidala, we have," Yoda said before Araminta could even begin to assume she was the 'not a Jedi' chosen.

Araminta tilted her head. "Well then why am I here?"

"Senator Amidala directly asked for you to be by her side," Obi-wan jumped in. Araminta's face shifted at the news. "In fact she put up a rather big fuss when we tried to say you had strict orders to stay at my side."

Araminta looked back at the man who had reinforced her orders to Obi-wan's hip not that long ago. "She and Clovis entered the Senate in the same year and served on the same committees. They were good friends," Windu said. "Because of this, Senator Amidala had reservations about spying on an old friend and colleague."

Obi-wan stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Your presence as a bodyguard was one of her conditions to consider accepting the assignment. Given the importance of it, you're more than allowed to change your duties temporarily."

Araminta shrugged Obi-wan's hand off of her shoulder. "I don't have a choice, do I?" she asked snidely. The lack of an answer was answer enough. In any other situation, it may have been funny that the Jedi were asking something of her. She should applaud Padme.

But the Senator was her friend, and at the end of the day, Obi-wan's orders were hers to follow.

The assassin sighed. "You can tell the Senator I'll protect her."

Obi-wan gave her a small smile and a nod, looking almost grateful, and Araminta hated how her chest swelled at the gesture.

"We will hold a Council meeting tomorrow with the Senator," Windu said, looking pleased by the result. Araminta nodded. "Dismissed."

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      ARAMINTA assumed the news of her participation went over well with Padme, as the next day she was up bright and early and heading to the Council with Obi-wan as her escort. Anakin gave her a wary look when they entered, the assassin furrowing her brows and mouthing 'what?' at him being present for the assignment.

Minutes later, Padme entered, looking as regal as ever and flashing Araminta a relieved look. The assassin sent her a shrug as the meeting started and formalities were exchanged, the three younger individuals all standing before the Council as they went over the mission.

"First, I'll need to get back in touch with him," Padme began. "Clovis and I haven't spoken in a long time."

"A surprise, that is, given your past," Yoda pointed out.

Padme frowned, glancing once at Araminta. "At one point, Clovis and I were... close," the Senator explained. "It was my choice to return things to a strictly professional level. Clovis didn't take it well."

"Do you think you'll be able to rekindle your friendship with him?" Windu asked, somewhat coldly for the information just divulged.

Anakin jumped in from next to Araminta. "Senator Clovis could be dangerous. If he realises you're trying to trick him–"

"I'm aware of the risks, Master Jedi," Padme cut in. "But I know I can regain Clovis' trust, and nothing will happen with Araminta beside me," she added, gesturing to the assassin.

"Good," Obi-wan said with a nod. "The closer you can get to him, the better."

"I understand," Padme replied solemnly. "I'll do whatever is necessary to succeed in my mission." She exchanged a soft glance with Araminta, who felt almost proud at the phrasing.

"Once you have reconnected with the Senator, General Skywalker will act as pilot and extraction. Solarii will be posing as your handmaiden," Windu explained to the three.

Padme nodded. "That's reassuring. I'll be in contact with Clovis right away."

Windu looked pleased by the turnout. "The Council thanks you, Senator."

Once they were dismissed, Araminta left with Padme who, as far as she was concerned, was her new charge. Anakin stayed back, but he had given the assassin a lingering look as they departed, which she had pretended not to see.

Araminta was well aware their relationship was at a tipping point. The lingering looks and feather-light touches could only go on for so long before something gave. Araminta was not stupid, she knew her feelings well and she recognised them for what they were. She suspected Anakin did, too, if his words in the hangar were anything to go by.

Sometimes it would feel easy, showing to his room and pressing against him, talking about things neither shared with anyone else, opening up to him in a way people like her didn't. But then she would stand in front of the Council, and she would dread the looks, the touches, being interpreted by any of them.

Araminta knew well about the Order's reservation on attachment and emotions. It was something she was at peace with, because it didn't affect her. But if something were to happen, Anakin would eat the consequences and be expelled. That was not something she could take responsibility for.

"Whatever is necessary sounds very ominous," Araminta spoke up to escape her thoughts of Anakin. Padme looked at her briefly as they walked.

"It'll be harmless flirting," the Senator admitted. "Clovis was always very... intense," she added cautiously, as if for lack of a better word.

Araminta furrowed her brows. "You're not worried about getting back in contact?" she asked.

"No. I think I'll take him out for dinner," Padme said lightly.

"How evil of you," Araminta jeered.

Padme scoffed, but her dark eyes were still hard. "I don't like this. Clovis is a colleague and an old friend, but if he is conspiring with the Separatists I can't just sit back," she explained.

"You don't have to justify it to me," Araminta told her with a shrug.

"I know," Padme sighed. "Thank you for coming with me if needed."

"Don't worry about it," the assassin replied simply. Padme paused at the entrance to the temple, Araminta stopping with her.

"I'll let you know when I've got him," Padme told her, sounding more professional than Araminta had heard from her in years.

Araminta dipped her head slightly. "Good luck," she mused. Padme looked like she wanted to roll her eyes but thought better of it as she descended the stairs and departed, Araminta watching her go.

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      PADME was in contact the very next day, something along the lines of the dinner going better than she could have hoped with an invitation to the Trade Federation homeplanet itself. That itself was better than anyone could have hoped, as Araminta packed a fake round of luggage and dressed in the outfit Padme had dropped off in the morning before their departure time.

Araminta huffed at it, the pale fabric far more flowy than she would ever usually wear, but the sleeves covered her brand and she was still able to hide her knife on her and pack the rest of her arsenal in the space left in the suitcase. As she passed a reflection in glass as she moved to the base of the Senate building, she paused, rarely seeing herself out of anything tactical and ready to fight in.

How odd.

No one disturbed her as she left the temple and made her way to the departure zone out the front of the Senate. Padme was already waiting for her outside their ship, her face lighting up as Araminta approached.

"I'm so glad the robes fit," she fussed, as Araminta dropped her luggage.

Araminta shook her head as her ears perked up at the sound of someone approaching. She turned to see Anakin, the assassin letting out a loud scoff at the pilot outfit he was in, helmet and all.

"Anakin," Padme greeted. "You look–"

Anakin held up a finger. "Not a word." The Senator covered her mouth with her fingers, looking even more amused. Anakin's eyes went to Araminta, scanning her up and down. "Solarii, a moment?"

Araminta exchanged a look with Padme as she stepped away, Anakin moving so they were out of earshot. The assassin crossed her arms over chest and looked up at him. "This is becoming a habit. What is it?"

Anakin sighed at her expression, softly asking, "Are you sure about this?"

"About what? The spy game?" Araminta scrunched up her nose. "I can take care of myself," she said with a shrug.

"I know, it's just–" he cut himself off, glancing back at Padme who was looking anywhere but their conversation. "Araminta, this is fragile," Anakin told her.

"You're worried about me," she cooed.

"Of course I am," he said, firmly. "It'll be harder to pull you out if something goes wrong."

Araminta sighed, not sure how to reassure him further. "I've got Padme's back," she pointed out.

"And what about yours?" he snapped.

Araminta frowned at the concern. She was unfamiliar with it. "I've got that, too," she said, quietly, sounding less sure than before. Anakin looked down at where their hands were resting by the side, but Araminta's eyes had locked onto someone approaching. "Heads up," she said sharply, jerking her chin up.

Anakin turned to see what must have been Clovis approaching the small ship they were waiting in front of. The Jedi sent her one last look before pulling away and returning to Padme's side, collecting their luggage as if he really was their pilot.

Araminta rejoined Padme, adopting a similar position to how she waited on Obi-wan, waiting just a step behind her with her hands clasped in front of her formally and her chin lowered ever so slightly.

"Senator Clovis," Padme greeted the man. He was human, around the same height as Anakin with dark hair and striking gold tattoos on his face.

"Padme," he said softly. "You look exquisite." Araminta hid any reaction to the wording as the Senator slowly kissed Padme on both cheeks.

"Thank you," Padme murmured, acting flustered. Clovis briefly turned his attention to the assassin, looking caught off guard by her presence. "This is my handmaiden for the trip," Padme said, gesturing to her. Araminta bowed silently.

"I wasn't aware we would have company," Clovis said, trying to sound neutral but there was an annoyed lilt in there somewhere.

"Oh, Araminta does not leave my side," Padme said firmly, but there was a playful note in her voice. "Sometimes it's almost as if she isn't there."

Clovis looked back down at Padme, eyes glinting. Araminta had to hide her expression at Padme's ability to play to him, as Anakin escorted them onto the ship with no indication any of them were longterm friends.

Padme and Clovis sat beside each other as they strapped in, Araminta diligently sitting across from them with her hands in her lap and head down. The position was against her nature, but for this assignment she had to suck it up, at least while on show to Clovis.

Not that he looked at her once during the flight, as they disappeared into hyperspace and headed for Cato Neimoidia. Clovis was so focused on Padme, it was no wonder she had him wrapped around her finger.

They arrived at the Trade Federation in good time, Clovis rising to his feet first and then helping Padme out of her seat as well. Araminta only watched, following behind the pair as they disembarked. She could feel Anakin's eyes on her as they left, but didn't glance back, keeping herself focused on the mission.

Araminta bit back any sort of praise for the palace in front of them, an expanse of arches and pillars and a staircase that dwarfed the assassin. She glanced back down as they were greeted at the doorstep by what must have been the Neimoidian Senator, and two servants behind him.

"Senator Amidala, an unexpected privilege," he acknowledged politely.

"Senator Dod, please forgive me for arriving unannounced," Padme said in return.

"Oh, no, always a pleasure to see you, my dear," Lott Dod replied, shaking his head. "I hope you and I can make a fresh start."

"I came here with the very same hope," Padme responded easily. "I believe in second chances." And with a pointed look to Clovis, Araminta knew she was in.

Dod glanced between the pair. "So do I, Senator. So do I."

Araminta squared her shoulders as she followed the political figures up the massive staircase towards the even larger pair of doors, which swung open to a regal entrance hall with red floors and golden staircases that split upwards to the second level.

Neimoidians and their android servants were moving all around them, and amongst their own wealth and importance scarcely looked at the Senators and assassin entering. Araminta kept her eyes wide in false, child-like fascination as she simultaneously scanned the hallways and those around them, analysing as she always did.

Dod gestured to the two servants walking with them, Padme and Araminta's luggage in hand. "My servants will see you to your room," Dod told them. "Clovis and I have some business to discuss."

Araminta bowed her head politely and Padme waved at Clovis as they were escorted away. Padme kept her eyes on the two other two Senators, but as they climbed the stairs exchanged a knowing glance with her bodyguard. Araminta only shrugged as they walked the massive hallways, their footsteps echoing in her sensitive ears.

"I hope you will be comfortable here," one of the servants told them in an automated voice as they arrived, placing their luggage to the side.

Araminta's fascination was not falsified this time, the room larger than anything she had slept in since Naboo all those years ago. The bed was on a raised platform, the walls warm stone and the view opened out onto a massive balcony overlooking the landscape.

"We will, thank you," Padme dismissed the servants as Araminta could only stare.

"This makes me feel small," she murmured once they were alone.

"I can imagine," Padme said softly. Araminta shot her a look, but the Senator ignored it as she almost immediately headed back for the door.

"What're you doing?" Araminta asked sharply.

Padme glanced over her shoulder. "After that long trip, I think I need a walk," she said pointedly. Araminta's face shifted. "Trail me."

Araminta nodded, watching Padme leave their room. After an appropriate amount of time, counted with taps against her thigh, Araminta left and followed after, steps small but soft as she moved, ears trained on Padme's own footsteps just out of sight.

She only had her knife on her, the one weapon she had been able to conceal on the trip over and in the handmaiden's outfit she had been given. But she told herself it would be enough if she needed to step in.

Nobody stopped them. Well, a few stopped Padme in greeting, tones cold or somewhat condescending, but nobody questioned her movements. Araminta listened from around the corner as she busied herself with looking lost or helpless. In that way, nobody even glanced in her direction, the handmaiden identity making her almost invisible to the people around them.

After minutes of padding around the building, they entered a library room, skylight spilling light in a spiralling pattern across the shelves. But Araminta immediately knew it wasn't just a library as she heard hushed voices coming from the back, Padme heading straight for it.

The assassin ground her teeth and swiftly moved behind a bookshelf, gold eyes momentarily catching sight of Dod and Clovis around a console and a crimson hologram. And then she was out of sight, slipped into the shadows, fingers tracing the patterns carved into the knife at her thigh.

"Padme, what're you doing here?" Clovis asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry to intrude, I was lonely so I came looking for you," Padme said in a small voice. Araminta shouldn't have been surprised she was such a good actress, as Anakin would say, politicians had experience with lying.

"My dear, I'll give you a proper tour later," Clovis assured her. "Now let me take you back to your room so you can get dressed for dinner." A pause. "Now if you'll excuse me. I'll see you at dinner."

Araminta wondered if she'd have time to cut back and make it to the room before Padme and Clovis, though she doubted the latter would even realise she was missing. That and she wanted to keep listening.

Once Padme and Clovis were out of anyone normal's earshot, a string of clicks and purrs sounded, and Araminta's eyes widened as she realised the language from so long ago: Geonosian.

"How do you think I feel?" Lott Dod replied to whoever was with them. "I hate the thought of answering to Clovis. But perhaps... we won't have to. Now that we've found his weakness." Araminta stayed very still, ears pressed back as far as they could go. "What if we were to poison Senator Amidala? I think Clovis would do anything to save her, and only we would have the antidote."

Araminta didn't stay to listen as the Geonosian responded, slipping out of the room the way she had come with her head down, practically running.

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      GETTING READY for dinner felt so tedious in comparison to everything going on around them, a bottom priority if she ever did see one. But Araminta knew it was necessary to keep the act up, as they tried on dresses for the evening and the assassin stared at herself in the mirror as Padme moved around her.

"What's wrong?" Padme asked, looking over from the second mirror she was standing before.

"Hm?" Araminta hummed, looking at her in the mirror instead.

"I know something's happened," Padme chastised her, in a tone one might speak to a child. "What did they do now?"

Araminta scrunched up her nose. "They?" she asked in confusion.

Padme shrugged. "The Council, the Order," she listed off. "The people you usually complain about."

Araminta scoffed. "Not them." Padme furrowed her brows. The assassin ignored her look as she clipped an annoying pair of earrings into the two holes she had punched in each lobe. "Skywalker," Araminta sighed eventually.

"Oh?" Padme said pointedly, sidling over to where Araminta was standing.

The assassin leaned her head back and raised her eyebrows. "Padme, someone is about to try and poison you, please, bigger problems."

"People have been trying to poison me since I was a child," the Senator replied, completely unfazed, to her credit. Araminta rolled her eyes. "It comes with the job description," Padme added simply.

"Well, do you know what my job description is?" Araminta said sharply.

Padme regarded her for a moment. "There was something in the library, some sort of hologram," she explained. "If I can get a closer look at it, it might be worth transferring onto a disk and sending it to the Republic."

Araminta sighed, knowing she was right. She would have to keep an eye out for opportunities of poison, she knew that, but she also had to trust Padme knew more about what she was doing than Araminta.

She was a bodyguard for if things got physical, Padme had been handling politics and silent attacks since she was a child.

"Just have to get through dinner first," Araminta drawled.

Padme caught her tone. "It's all smiles and keeping your head down," she told the assassin.

"Two things I'm so good at," Araminta jeered.

Padme's lips twitched as she shook her head, her eyes going to the luggage that Araminta had briefly rifled through. "Have you tried on the dress yet?" the Senator asked. Araminta's silence was an answer.

She huffed and moved to Araminta's luggage, removing a wad of silver and green fabric. Araminta narrowed her eyes at it as Padme straightened it out, holding it by the collar. "I packed this one because it hangs off the shoulders. It should cover, you know," Padme told her.

Araminta's face softened at the thought. "Right," she murmured, accepting the dress. Padme gave her a wide smile which the assassin struggled to return as she ditched the robes she had been dressed in for the day.

The dress was not made for someone of Araminta's stature, she knew that, but it fitted around her torso and shoulders well-enough, concealing the mass of scar tissue and hugging her figure in a way she wasn't used to. The bottom absolutely enveloped her feet where it fell from her hips, but with some pinning from Padme, it sat in a way the assassin could walk without risk of tripping.

The one saving grace about the length and volume was that Araminta effectively hid her knife and two batons on thigh straps. As long as no one grabbed her hip, she was in the clear of being discovered. After finding out just how unsafe they were in the building, even without being known as spies, Araminta refused to let her guard down. Even at a civilised dinner.

Padme and Araminta had taken it in turns to braid each other's hair, a small act that the assassin appreciated from her days spent with Octavian. It was mostly spent in silence, but Araminta didn't mind as they finally finished up and left their quarters.

Araminta hung back as she and Padme descended the central staircase, Clovis waiting patiently at the bottom with a drink already in hand. From the higher vantage point, Araminta saw Lott Dod approaching, a servant beside him carrying a single drink on a golden tray.

Padme also noticed him, and then it became clear the Neimoidian was beelining for her and intercepting her at the stairs before Clovis could. Araminta's throat tightened, burning holes into the back of Padme's head as the assassin hoped she had caught on to what was happening.

"Senator," Dod greeted. "As my honoured guest, please share this drink with me." He took the tall glass off the tray and took a sip from it, Araminta watching his throat bob. "A toast to our new friendship."

She saw it, the briefest wipe across where he had sipped, thumb brushing over the rim of the cup. Padme reached the bottom of the stairs, glancing at Clovis who gave her an encouraging nod. Araminta could only hang back, as the Senator accepted the drink, holding it between her hands.

"Of course," Padme said, softly. Araminta watched, preparing to literally knock the drink from her hand or pretend to trip, no matter the scene it caused. But she didn't need to, Padme turning the cup in her hand as she held it across her stomach, Dod's eyes far from the rim.

She drank, the Neimoidian Senator watching her like prey, before the cup left her lips and she returned it to the tray. "Come, Senator. Everyone is eager to meet you," Dod said jovially, gesturing down the hall to the open expanse of the dining hall.

Padme exchanged the briefest of looks with Araminta, the Senator nodding at with a small smile. The assassin shook her head as they descended into the lion's dead, her fakest smile on her face and her hands wrung in front of her.

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      PADME had been right. Not one person spoke to Araminta during dinner, as she kept a constant soft expression on her face and her head down unless Padme was speaking, she was left alone. By the time the meal was over and the overindulgent Neimoidians they had been dining with had departed, Araminta had had time and space to scan the entire dining hall and every face in it.

"Perhaps it's time to retire, my lady," Araminta said in a false tone as they got to their feet, rising after Padme did. She was not a fan of the way Dod continued to stare at them throughout dinner, cold eyes fixated on the Senator of Naboo.

But from behind Araminta, Clovis slid in. "Unless you'd like a tour of the palace," he offered. "It's truly worth seeing."

Clovis couldn't see Araminta's face from where he was standing, the assassin making a face at her friend. "A tour sounds perfect," Padme agreed.

"You're dismissed for the night," Clovis said, glancing down at Araminta. She was sure it was the only time he had spoken to her thus far.

She didn't say anything, giving Padme a wary look at being separated. "It's okay. I won't be long," she said, softly.

Araminta hid her glare as Clovis looped an arm with Padme and escorted her away, effectively stepping on her mission in one go. They had prepared for this scenario, and the 'won't be long' dismissal meant Araminta was not to trail.

Orders were orders, but her eyes stayed fixed on Padme until they went separate ways and Araminta continued back to their quarters.

It was dark inside the room, lit only by the lights from outside and the moon. Araminta had only taken three steps before she heard someone move, freezing immediately. A few seconds passed, her nimble fingers removed the knife from its place at her thigh as she charged forward into the dark.

"Fuck– it's me," the tall figure hissed.

"Oh," Araminta said simply, the moonlight reflecting off Anakin's features.

He looked disgruntled by the attack, eyes scanning her, face slackening. "I– wow."

"Wow?" she asked indignantly.

"The dress, I mean," Anakin pointed out.

Araminta's breath hitched at the response. "Oh, right."

"Your knife's still at my throat," Anakin told her lightly after a few moments of silence. Araminta pulled away immediately, sheathing it under the fabric, Anakin's eyes watching the movement intently. "Guess I should have called," he remarked.

"Or just not snuck up on me," Araminta scoffed.

He shrugged. "That, too."

"What're you doing here?" she asked, tilting her head. "We haven't sent a signal yet."

"I didn't know if something had gone wrong," Anakin retorted.

There was that concern again. "We're fine," Araminta told him firmly.

Anakin looked around dramatically before asking, "Then where's Padme?"

Araminta glared at the mocking. "Getting a private tour," she snipped. "I was dismissed."

Anakin scoffed at the accent she put on for the word. "The guy's a tool."

"He's so in love with her," Araminta sneered. "It's–" she cut herself off, deciding better than to tell Anakin about the poisoning plot. That would only make him worry more and she didn't want to deal with that.

Anakin didn't point out her sentence trailing off. "So these are the guest quarters?" he jeered as he paced around the room.

"Tiny, right?" Araminta joined in with a grin.

"Bet this makes you feel small," he said.

Araminta pressed her lips together. "Okay."

Anakin laughed at her reaction as he finished circling the room, coming back to the clear doors leading to the balcony. His eyes caught on the horizon, Araminta watching him intently. "At least the view's nice," he murmured.

"Anything's better than Coruscant to be fair," Araminta said with a shrug.

"What, you don't enjoy the view of the most built up planet in the galaxy?" he responded sarcastically.

"Funny," Araminta replied, but the energy was missing.

Anakin's face softened, eyes on her. "Where would you live then?" he asked quietly.

The answer was not as mysterious as Araminta thought it would be. "I'd go to Naboo," she responded after a moment.

Anakin accepted the answer. "I still think about the day in the lake country," he told her. Araminta's lips turned up unconsciously at the memories. "I think that was the first time I actually saw you smile."

Araminta rolled her eyes. "You threw me in a river."

"You tackled me into the river," Anakin fired.

"And you deserved it," Araminta said, holding up her hands.

"Yeah," Anakin chuckled, the pair exchanging amused glances, before the air shifted. "You look far too beautiful to be a handmaiden by the way," Anakin said.

Araminta ducked her head down, the most natural she had done the movement all night. "I'll have you know, no one questioned my disguise," she said indignantly. "I blended right in."

Anakin looked less amused, eyes warm in a way she had come to recognise as he gazed at her. "If I saw you in a room like that, I wouldn't be able to look away," he said abruptly.

She faltered. "Really?" she asked, hating the note in her voice. She was suddenly very aware of how private the room was compared to their usual settings.

"Yeah." Anakin had moved closer, fingers brushing against her hers. His other hand had come up, cupping her face, thumb brushing along her jawline as she moved to look up at him. "Like I told you, weapons can be beautiful."

His eyes flicked up, searching her face for confirmation, but he was only met with a frown. "I can't ask you to do this," Araminta said, barely a whisper.

Anakin gently dropped his hand. "You were fine telling me to be angry," he pointed out, looking confused.

Araminta pulled away, their hands tearing apart. "Because that's human."

"And this isn't?" Anakin retorted.

"They would expel you. It's different than telling you to let yourself feel emotions and be attached," Araminta explained. Anakin's face shifted at the reason for her refusal. She sighed. "Don't look at me like that. If you're expelled it fucks up a lot of things right now."

"They can't expel me for something they don't know," Anakin said after a moment.

"I can't ask you to take that risk just for me," she insisted. The space between them was agonising.

Anakin shook his head. "You're not asking me to. I want to."

"Anakin," she said.

The Jedi looked at her wearily. "Do you even–?"

"I do," she cut in, hating that he doubted her. Had she not made herself clear? Anakin's face confirmed that she hadn't. "I care about you beyond the stupid mission. I care about you more than anyone else in the Republic and you–" she cut herself off, swallowing thickly. "You make me feel safe," she admitted.

"Safe?" The word was barely a whisper, as if it were something dangerous.

Araminta nodded. "So much of my life has been covered in blood and twisted into something someone else wanted. A weapon, a killer, an assassin– not a person. I wasn't allowed to be a person, I was a branded mouthpiece who followed orders and that was it."

"You– you look at me as a person. You always have. Even when I tried to slit your throat and even when I would spit in your face when you saw right through me, you were just good. I didn't have to prove myself to you, I didn't have to draw blood for you to look at me. You see me as the weapon I am, but you take it on and see so much more."

Araminta reached for his hand, their fingers twisting together as Anakin hung onto her every word. "I've never had a lot of good in my life, so I'm glad to have you," she concluded.

"If you let me, I'd like to stay in your life," Anakin told her gently. "You're not asking. It's my choice and it's worth it."

Araminta couldn't even pretend to hesitate. "I'm gonna let you," she said.

And then he was cupping her face again and guiding her chin up to meet him in the middle, the kiss softening Araminta's features as her eyes fell closed and she melted into him. It was sweet, in the way she could tell he wasn't completely sure of what to do, just that it felt right.

His hand continued to hold her head, as hers reached up to twist her arms around his neck and brace against his height to push further into him. Anakin's hands found the small of her back, and she fit against him in a way she didn't think was possible.

They pulled away for breath, Araminta staring up at him. He broke first, smile splitting across his face. Araminta buried hers in his chest, hands slipping from his neck and trailing down his chest. Anakin's arms moved so they were embracing, the Jedi bending to press a kiss to her forehead, and then to her temple.

Araminta could swear she heard his heartbeat, but through the rush in her own senses, it could have been her own.

━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━

      PADME'S SIGNAL was not unwelcome, but it did tear Araminta from Anakin's side, the mission still at hand despite what had happened. Anakin's face had slackened at the beeping, and Araminta herself had sighed as she pulled away.

But then the switch flipped, the assassin leaving him to wait in the room and Anakin looked at her evenly and kissing her softly goodbye as she slid back into the shadows. Araminta followed the signal straight to the library from earlier that day, sticking to the shelves as she heard Padme talking.

Taking the disk from over Clovis' shoulder as Padme embraced him around the neck had brought a smile to Anakin's face when Araminta had explained how she had gotten the disk. He, too, had gone back to being as professional as possible as they exchanged the hologram and he had headed back for the ship to give it to R2 and prepare for takeoff.

What Araminta had not expected, however, was Clovis barging into the guest quarters with Padme limp in his arms, eyes wide and searching for someone to help. The assassin's stomach dropped as she helped Clovis lie her down, feeling for a temperature, fussing over her, trying to figure out where she had gone wrong.

"I–I don't understand," Araminta stammered. "She turned the cup–"

"The cup?" Clovis cut in.

"With the poison on it. Do keep up," she snapped back, the disguise faltering at the urgency of the situation.

Clovis' face shifted. "Poison?"

"Yeah, your friend Dod did this," she said, dryly. "But I swear–"

"Stay with her," Clovis cut in. "I'm going to get a medical droid."

"Are you fucking kidding?" Araminta hissed to herself once he was gone, pressing her palms to her cheeks.

If Padme had managed to still be poisoned despite the warning and her attempt to avoid it, then Dod truly had the antidote and they would not just be able to slip out and leave. Things would get a lot messier especially with Clovis running around, too.

And the truly terrible thought was that something else had happened while Araminta had been kissing Anakin and she had let her guard down and failed.

One job, she thought. She had had one job.

"Clovis?" Padme murmured through her haze.

"He's gone," Araminta told her.

The Senator's face cleared. "Oh, good," she said, voice clear now.

"Oh, shit," Araminta realised, relief flooding her system. Whether it was for her friend's safety or her mission still intact, she wasn't sure.

Padme looked unfazed by the situation, eyes scanning the dark quarters. "Where's Anakin?" she whisper-yelled.

"Getting the ship ready," Araminta matched her tone. "I can signal–"

"Does he have the disk?" Padme cut in desperately.

"Yes, he's got it," Araminta assured.

"Good." Padme sighed in relief. "Araminta, it's plans for a droid foundry. Clovis, he actually..."

"I know," Araminta said as gently as she could. "It's fine. We'll deal with it. Now we just need to– get back down, he's coming!"

Padme went limp again, and Araminta wondered how she hadn't realised before that it was a fakeout as Clovis appeared in the doorway. "Leave us," he instructed.

Araminta raised her chin. "You heard the Senator. I do not leave her side."

Clovis ignored her, moving to Padme's bedside. "I was just in the library. The hologram disk is gone," he snapped. "I see now why you renewed our friendship, so you could spy on me, and steal from me."

"I did it for the Republic," Padme retorted, barely lifting her head. "I didn't want to believe that you were in line with the Separatists. But you are. You're a traitor."

Clovis took her hand, Araminta moving closer. "Where is the disk you stole?" he demanded.

"It's on its way to the Senate. Your scheme is finished," Padme spat.

Clovis ground his teeth, dropping her hand. Araminta acted the second he was apart from the Senator, drawing her knife and kissing his throat with the tip of it. Clovis froze in place, looking at her out of the corner of his eye from where she had him.

"If you want to live, don't move," Araminta told him coldly.

"Should've known you were no handmaiden," Clovis hissed. Araminta only arched an eyebrow, unwavering.

"I'd listen to her." Anakin's threat was significantly lessened by his pilot outfit, but his arrival was welcome as he moved into the room and scanned the situation. "What's wrong with her?" Anakin asked coolly as he reached Padme's side.

"Lott Dod poisoned her," Clovis said shakily around the knife at his throat. "She's dying."

Araminta tried to get Anakin's attention, anything to let him know it was a ruse that Clovis was falling for hook, line and sinker. But his eyes had regained that dark quality whenever something went wrong.

"We're going to take her to Coruscant," Anakin said, firmly. "The doctors–"

"There's no time!" Clovis protested, moving forward.

Araminta gently sliced her knife and kicked out his knee; Clovis pressed a hand to the small wound. The assassin moved so she was between him and Padme now, looking down her nose at the Senator.

"I told you not to move," she said simply.

"She's stolen a very valuable disk from me," Clovis explained through the pain. "Return it, and I'll get the antidote from Lott Dod."

"I'd prefer to negotiate with Lott Dod in person," Anakin sneered.

"No!" Clovis exclaimed, pushing to his feet. "He cannot be told."

"What? That you lost the disk?" Anakin chuckled. "I'm sure he'd be very interested in hearing all about this."

"He might kill me if he finds out," Clovis murmured. "But still, it's her life that I worry about. She must be saved because I love her."

"Cover's blown anyway," Araminta pointed out, Anakin's shoulder pressed against her back. She hoped he would take the hint, take advantage of Clovis' weakness like she was thinking and slip out of the palace without making it messier than it needed to be.

He did.

"In that case, I suggest you can help us back to the Senator's ship before Lott Dod finds out anything," Anakin told Clovis with a smirk. He bent down and moved Padme into his arms, shifting his grip to carry her.

Clovis didn't even hesitate. "Come with me, quickly."

As Clovis scoped out the doorway, Araminta caught Anakin's eye. Instead of lingering though, Araminta made a pointed gesture with her head to Padme, before shaking it dramatically. Anakin furrowed his brows, before his eyes widened in realisation.

Clovis gestured frantically for them to follow, Araminta hauling up her skirts as they moved quickly through the palace, stopping at every corner as the Senator checked it was clear.

"We must make haste," he insisted as they reached the entrance hallway, skipping multiple stairs at a time as they went.

"We have company," Araminta drawled.

Clovis' eyes widened at the sight of Lott Dod approaching, two guards shouldering him. "What is going on Clovis?" he asked in false confusion.

"I'm sorry, Lott. Senator Amidala is very ill and we're taking her to her ship," Clovis lied as they cautiously moved down the stairs.

"If Senator Amidala is ill she should not be moved," Dod advised.

"I have contacted the authorities on Naboo," Clovis continued. "They thought it best to take her back to Coruscant. The doctors there are better equipped."

"You cannot leave!" Dod insisted, seeing he was not getting his way.

Whatever Araminta had expected to happen, it was not Clovis drawing a small blaster on Dod. "Give me the antidote or you're dead."

Araminta's hand hovered over the hilt of her blade as Dod backed up, face twisted in a scowl. "You'll pay for this," he seethed. "Give Clovis the antidote."

One of the guards stepped forward, holding out a small syringe which Araminta, under the guise of Padme's service provider, accepted. She exchanged a look with Anakin frantically.

"Your kindness is much appreciated, Senator," Clovis jeered. He turned to Anakin. "Take her, quickly!"

They didn't need to be told twice as they fled for the landing zone outside. "Have you lost your mind?" Araminta heard Dod demand as they left.

No one pursued them as they reached the open ship, Anakin dropping Padme as they got closer so they could move faster. The Senator disappeared into the cockpit just before Clovis came sprinting outside.

"Wait! Give me back my disc!" he called as the ramp began to close up.

"Don't worry Clovis. It's good to know you have a heart," Anakin told him lowly through the quickly-closing gap. "I wish I could give you the disk, but I have a lot of faith in your survival skills."

Clovis' face morphed into one of shock just before the ship sealed shut. Anakin turned away and headed for the controls, Araminta moving once she was sure Clovis wouldn't try anything drastic.

"That was harsh," Padme spoke up from where she was sitting.

Anakin shrugged as they took off, disappearing into the sky. "Great acting by the way," he said as they soared through the atmosphere.

Padme sighed. "It was that or confess I still had feelings for him."

"Now that's harsh," Araminta remarked.

"Politicians are good liars," Anakin echoed. Padme scoffed but didn't fight him on it.

Araminta supposed they would both have to become good liars now, but it was worth it.

━━━━ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ━━━━

hey,,, how ya'll doing? (it's 1am and i have to be awake in 5 hours pls excuse the editing xx)

27 chapters and 170k words later, the slowburn has ended

the title for this chapter is from margaret atwood's poetry, "if i love you is that a fact or a weapon?" so make of that what you will :)

on the episode: this is ep 2x04 and originally an anidala centred one lmao look at me switching it completely

i go back to work after the holidays tomorrow and am also in the process of moving and packing so hopefully will be able to start the next arc soon, but we'll see!