this addition has been edited as of january 4, 2020

CHAPTER FIVE

"YOU SHOT SOMEBODY?"

Padmé's incredulous voice carried down the hall and jostled Artie from sleep. She bolted upright, groggy and confused, before remembering that she was back at the apartment and a few hours ago she did indeed shoot someone. Her head pounded like she had drunk herself half-to-death last night, every limb ached at the slightest movement, and her throat felt rougher than sand—probably from yelling at Anakin so much.

Padmé burst into her room. She was still in her dressing gown, dark hair uncharacteristically rumpled, with a slightly manic look in her eye. "Artie," Padmé said, "what did you get up to last night? All I remember is you leaping out of my window, and—" her voice caught and tears brimmed her eyes. "Oh, how could you do something so mad?"

Artie didn't meet her eye. After she and Anakin got back that night, she'd gone immediately to check on Padmé, but found her completely unconscious. Another handmaiden, Dormé, had given her a sleeping draught soon after they'd left. "She practically lost her mind when you jumped," Dormé had said. "Almost leaped after you herself. We had to calm her down somehow."

"I'm sorry," Artie whispered, wracked with guilt. "I am. I'll never do anything like that again. I just . . ." she let her face fall into her hands. "I just got so scared for you. And then I was so angry and I kept feeling this pull to do something." She sighed. "I haven't gone mad. I know you're thinking it."

Padmé came to sit beside her. Artie couldn't even begin to think of how bad she probably looked—or smelled. "Artemis," Padmé said, putting a hand on her arm, "I don't think you're mad. I'm just . . . shocked. You've never done anything like that before."

Artie's shoulders bounced. "I used to. All the time. Maybe not jumping out of hundred-story windows, but stupid, reckless things."

"Because you had to," Padmé agreed, "but you don't have to anymore. Obi-Wan would have gone after the droid. He and Anakin could have tracked down the girl—it's what they're here to do, after all."

"Was Anakin the one who told you what happened?" Artie asked huffily. "Because maybe I shot Wessel, but he cut off her hands!"

Padmé's eyes widened. "He failed to mention that."

"I thought he might have. And I know I shouldn't have gotten so involved. It's not my job." Artie shrugged lamely. "But I felt like I had to. I was so sure I had to."

Padmé took Artie's chin and examined a nasty cut on her cheek. She gave her a reproachful look. "At the very least, it paid off. The Jedi Council is launching an investigation and soon this whole nightmare will be over."

Artie frowned. "You're so sure?"

"I am," Padmé said with a smile. "Master Kenobi is leading the search. He won't let us down."

"So he and Anakin are leaving?"

Padmé nodded. "Sadly. I hoped you'd get to spend more time with them—though I'm sure your and Anakin's adventure last night was time enough. They're staying to say goodbye."

"Oh." Try as she might, Artie could not help but feel a shade disappointed. She had hoped she and Anakin could be friends—it wasn't often she met anyone her age.

Padmé watched her closely, an eyebrow lifted curiously. "I'm sure we'll see more of them soon. After all, if the Creation Act passes and the galaxy goes to war, we might run into them while protesting on the front lines."

"What a fine reunion that would be," Artie murmured, leaning on Padmé's shoulder. "I need to clean up. I smell like explosion."

Padmé laughed and got to her feet. "All right, just meet me in the dining room and we'll have breakfast. I'm thinking, about a gallon of caf?"

Artie yawned and stretched. "Two gallons," she croaked.

As Padmé made to leave, Dormé appeared in the doorway. She stooped into a curtsy. "My lady, Miss Adhara. Senator, there's word from the Chancellor." She shifted her weight uncomfortably, like she didn't want to continue.

Padmé nodded her along. "What is it?"

Dormé gave her a helpless look. "He firmly asks that you take a leave while the investigation is underfoot. To prevent any risk of further distress."

Padmé's eyes turned fierce and color rose in her cheeks. "Firmly asks?" she repeated. "Or orders?"

Dormé sighed. "Orders."

Padmé let out a growl of frustration. "He expects me to just hide? When the most important bill of my life is to be reviewed in just days? The fate of the galaxy decided? How could he do this?"

Dormé spread her hands. "He told us to tell you that your safety is his top concern over any matter in the Senate."

"And where, pray tell, does he suggest I go? Where is untouched by turmoil?"

"Naboo?" Artie guessed.

Dormé nodded. "Naboo."

Padmé growled again and began pacing the room. "Oh, how ingenious. Just bring the threats back to my home, how very productive. I swear to all that is—how could he do this?"

"He believes it will keep you alive," Artie reasoned. Secretly, she was thrilled. Yes, Padmé would miss what became of the Military Creation Act, but she would be infinitely safer at home and Artie absolutely adored Naboo.

"There's one more thing," Dormé said. "The Jedi Council has assigned Skywalker to accompany you for added protection."

Padmé turned straight to Artie and gestured exasperatedly, face aghast. "Well, we won't have to wait long for that reunion!"

Artie made sure to match Padmé's frown and nod along with her heated tirades against Palpatine's decision, but privately (and a bit selfishly) she was pleased. Padmé's family was wonderful and Artie loved visiting them, Naboo was the most beautiful place she had ever been, and she'd be able to get to know Anakin better.

She only hoped Padmé would see the situation's virtues as well.

note.
super short chapter—sooorrryyyy!
the next one will be longer, i just needed to publish something.