Author: Amethyst Crow amethystcrow@hotmail.com

Rating: Depends on the chapter…overall NC-17 I’d say for sexual content and language.

Feedback: Sure!

Archive: You like it that much?

Disclaimers: Okay, so I don’t own any of these character EXCEPT Lili. She’s mine!! Mwahaha! No, seriously…Star Wars belongs to The Flannelled One. I’m just borrowing it for this.

Note: This is actually a dream of mine that I had and I am just expanding on it. I have never written fan fiction in my life. Inspiration just struck and wanted me to write it down. I hope that I haven’t used anything that another author has used. If I have, I AM SOOO SORRY!! I love everything I’ve read and I’m sure that I’ve gotten some of it mixed up in my head somewhere. I love you all!!

This is set in our reality. Meaning that Lili is a normal everyday person like you and me who loves Star Wars. She is obsessed, like you and me, and delves into it when she gets the chance. She works, drives a car, eats Ben and Jerry’s ice cream when she’s bummed, etc. She knows all about the storyline of Star Wars and how it’s supposed to go. You get the gist of it? Good! Hopefully it’ll all make sense.

Italics indicate a thought.

Prologue - PG

Lili was convinced her life sucked. Her car was having problems, her cat was sick, it was hotter than hell is Los Angeles, and she had PMS. On top of that, it was coming up on the one-year anniversary of her parents’ death.

Lili twisted her blonde hair into a Banana clip and flopped on her bed. She looked at the only remaining photo of her parents. They had gone on vacation to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They were standing outside in a Cherry Blossom garden. They were so happy. Her father was making bunny ears over her mother’s head. She smiled at how he had always been such a kid. She often wondered how her mother had put up with him all those years. She remembered how they had brought back so many gifts for her from Japan. A Kimono, a Bonsai tree… Lili sighed and closed her eyes, still holding the photo and thinking about the strange twist in her life.

She had just started college at UCLA to be a Drama major. It was her life. She had just finished rehearsing for the production the college puts on every year. It was when she had returned to her dorm that her roommate, Morgan, had told her the devastating news.

“What do you mean they’ve been in an accident?!” Lili had practically screamed.

Lili remembered how Morgan had been there for her through her screaming and crying fits. She had been there when she had practically destroyed her dorm room. She had been there when she had thought about committing suicide. Her parents had been killed in a car crash, and now Morgan was all she had.

After the death of her parents, Lili dropped out of college, moved into her own apartment, and got a job as a sales clerk at a natural foods store. She just couldn’t handle it all. Morgan, her best friend, helped her sell her parents house and donate all that they owned to charity. She couldn’t keep anything but a photograph for herself. She couldn’t stand the constant reminders of them. When Morgan finished college, she moved in with Lili for support, both financial and emotional. Lili was only 24, but she felt like she was forty and gray with all the stress.

Her only outlet was Star Wars. Yes, Star Wars. She had to escape and delving into that fantastic universe was how she did it. She had always been a fan, but now she was just downright obsessed. Whenever she got the chance, she would surf websites, read fanfiction, daydream. It was the only thing that made her happy. And the only thing she looked forward to was the release of Episode II. She didn’t care if people thought she was weird. Morgan knew that it was what Lili needed, so she didn’t balk when Lili decorated her room with Queen Amidala dolls, posters, books, and action figures - whatever she could get her hands on.

Lili feel asleep on the bed still clutching the photo. A tear rolled down her cheek. Her last thought was of how she wished she could just escape her life and start all over again….

Chapter One - PG

Sabé could never get over how busy Coruscant was. It was nothing like Naboo. Naboo was a quiet and peaceful place with lush hills and beautiful homes. At least, it was before her best friend died.

Sabé moved out of the way of a mother hurrying down the street with her children and went into a local café. There she might be able to find some calm. She ordered a hot drink. It was a drink from Naboo. It was one of her favorites. It made her think about how different her life was now.

She had never been to Coruscant before. She didn’t have a reason too until her Queen was murdered. She’d had the duty of protecting her. Always. But she had failed. The Queen had been only fourteen, a child. And it was because she was so young that it had happened.

Amidala had just been elected as the Queen of Naboo. Padmé, as Sabé knew her, had been her best friend since they were children. When Padmé was elected Queen, Sabé was welcomed to be in her service. Sabé didn’t object because she knew she bore a striking resemblance to her best friend. And she also knew that Padmé loved her like a sister and wanted to remain friends. So, she became Amidala’s loyal decoy and bodyguard. Some bodyguard, she thought.

Amidala had only been Queen for a week when the riot broke out. The riot was actually about Her Majesty. A small group of people felt that electing another Queen so young was a mistake. Sabé couldn’t fathom why they would think so. The previous ruler was a vicious King. Somehow, the leader of this band of rioters, Role, had found out that the Queen would be leaving to meet with the Senate on Coruscant. It was when Amidala was boarding her ship that it happened.

Sabé and the other handmaidens flanked Amidala as they walked down the steps to the hangar. Captain Panaka was following close behind. Out of nowhere, one of Role’s followers had surprised them. He was quick. Sabé didn’t see him stab the Queen. It was too late to save her as he had stabbed her thru the heart.

A tear almost escaped as she remembered holding her dying Queen in her arms. Sabé shook her head. She didn’t want to remember the pain that she saw on her best friend’s face.

Thinking back now, she was furious that security wasn’t tighter around the Queen. Role and his followers had won. The newly elected Queen, her best friend, was dead. Most of Naboo was shocked and a grand funeral was held. Amidala could have done so much for the people of Naboo. Sabé, deeply affected and ashamed, left Naboo shortly after a new and older King was elected. That had been ten years ago.

Sabé took another sip and looked up at the holovid that was attached to the wall in the corner. The announcer was babbling on about the Senate again. Politics. She was done with that. She wanted a new life. For the past ten years she had work as a bodyguard to various politicians. Perhaps she would be a librarian for the Jedi Council. Her mother had been a librarian and had insisted that she know her skills. Sabé smiled at that thought. Would she enjoy working with all the Jedi? There were a few that she wouldn’t mind finding books for…

She giggled for the briefest of seconds and finished what was left of her drink. She figured it was time to go home. The sun was about to set to finish the day. The streets of Coruscant usually got even busier at about this time. She stepped outside the café and took a deep breath. Tomorrow would be a brighter day, she hoped.

Sabé decided she would walk home. She felt it would do her good to take the time during her walk to think about the future and not the past. She continued to walk down the street taking in all the sights before her. The tall buildings, speeding vehicles, how the sun reflected off of them all. The sun made bright colorful reflections. She could see that there was a certain kind of beauty to Coruscant.

She eventually came to the alleyway that was her shortcut. She knew that she probably shouldn’t take such secluded paths, but she didn’t think that anything else could possibly hurt her. Sabé turned the corner and walked down the narrow alleyway until she saw a figure sleeping on the ground. Probably homeless, she thought, maybe they would appreciate some money. Sabé stopped and kneeled down beside the sleeping figure. It was a woman. She didn’t look like she had been there long. She had beautiful long brown hair and clean skin. Her head was buried in her arms, so Sabé couldn’t see her face. She bent down and shook the woman. The woman mumbled something and continued to sleep. She wanted to at least ask her if she was all right. She gently nudged the woman again. Finally, the young woman lifted her head and looked at Sabé, but she was still half asleep. It was then that Sabé gasped and jumped back. She couldn’t believe it. No, she wouldn’t believe it! It was impossible… It was her Queen!

Chapter Two

Lili was having a wonderful dream – all her fantasies had come true. She dreamed that her parents were alive. She dreamed that she was an Oscar-winning actress, married to Hayden Christensen and living in a grand house. I t was a very nice dream. But it came to an abrupt end when she was nudged awake.

“Morgan, go away…” Lili mumbled and continued to sleep.

She was woken again when she was nudged rather rudely a second time. Lili lifted her head to look at who she thought was Morgan. Instead, a woman who looked vaguely familiar was standing above her. And the woman looked like she had just seen a ghost.

Lili was not only surprised to see a stranger in her house, but she was also surprised that she was no longer in her room! Apparently, she had been lying on the cold, hard ground.

“Where the hell am I?” Lili blurted out before she could stop herself.

Sabé, still in shock, said nothing and just stood there. This woman was the exact image of Padmé! Right down to the birthmark on her cheek! But how could this be possible?

Lili slowly raised herself up, now completely awake, and looked at her surroundings. I’m in an alleyway?! How the hell did I get here? And where the hell am I? Lili tried to find a reason as to how or an explanation for why she was here, but couldn’t come up with anything. She was starting to get a little worried and was afraid that she had lost her mind when she realized she was still clutching the photo of her parents. It helped ground her, at least. Lili put the photo into the pocket of her jeans. She didn’t want to lose it.

Sabé watched the woman, no, her Queen, put whatever she was holding into the pocket of her clothing. She noticed that something wasn’t quite right with this woman. She was wearing very strange clothes and seemed to be very disoriented.

“Who are you and where am I?” Lili asked.

“You don’t know who I am?” Sabé asked back.

Frustrated and a little annoyed, Lili responded, “Would I have asked if I knew?”

“My name is Sabé and you are on Coruscant.”

Lili couldn’t help but blink at that response. The woman was positively insane. She was pretending to be a character from Star Wars? And she thought she was obsessed. Now that she thought about it, the woman did look like Sabé.

“I’m sorry, did you just say you were Sabé and that I am on Coruscant? This is a joke right? Did Morgan put you up to this?” Lili said with a laugh.

“Yes, that’s what I said. I don’t know who Morgan is and the joke is on me.” Sabé said. She wondered what the young woman’s response was going to be to what she said next. “Who are you?”

“I’m Lili. I would say that it’s nice to meet you, but well…” Lili was now more than worried. She pressed her back against the wall and put her hands to her temples. She was beginning to get a headache and just wanted to go home.

Sabé walked over to Lili and leaned back against the wall next to her. The woman’s response was not what she expected. “Are you alright? You don’t remember anything?”

“What am I supposed to remember? You just told me that you’re Sabé, Queen Amidala’s handmaiden, and that this “ Lili waved her hand around, “…is Coruscant…from Star Wars?” Lili gave her a quizzical look. She was going to play along for the moment.

Still not quite believing that this woman wasn’t Padmé, Sabé decided to placate the young woman “How did you know that I was Queen Amidala’s handmaiden? You just asked me who I was as if you didn’t know, but you do, don’t you?”

“Yes, well, no, I…” Lili heaved a big sigh. How do I explain this? She should be explaining to me what’s going on. “Okay, look. I don’t know how to tell you that I know, but I do. And you never answered my question. What am I supposed to know? I’ve only just met you! I don’t even know how the hell I got here! I’m still not going to believe that this is Coruscant and that - oh never mind! I don’t belong here!”

Sabé took a deep breath. “Let me get this straight. You don’t know what you’re doing here, how you got here? But you do remember that your name is Lili?”

“Yes. I’m sorry…this must seem strange to you. But it’s just as strange to me. This isn’t supposed to be real…is it?” Lili responded. The woman was quite calm for a nut. Although, she was sure that ‘Sabé’ must be thinking the same thing about her.

For some strange reason, Sabé was beginning to get the sense that this woman was telling the truth. She knew that she shouldn’t believe her based on feeling, but she did. There was one sure way to find out if she was lying. She just hoped Lili would trust her enough.

“Let’s try this again.” Sabé stuck out her hand and said with a smile, “I’m Sabé. And you’re right. I was Queen Amidala’s handmaiden.”

Lili shook her hand and gave a faint smile. “I’m Lili. Nice to meet - wait…did you say ‘was’? Why aren’t you now? What year is this? I mean when did the Phan-um…” Lili pounded Sabé with questions.

Sabé responded in kind. It was obvious now that the woman truly didn’t know where she was or what was going on. “I am no longer Queen Amidala’s handmaiden because she is dead.” Lili’s face went white, but Sabé continued. “ I could tell you what year it is, but I have a feeling that it would only confuse you.”

Lili furrowed her brows at what she had just heard. For arguments sake, she was going to pretend that she was on Coruscant and that she was standing here talking to Sabé.

“I would understand if you told me how long it has been since the Trade Federation invaded Naboo and were defeated?” Lili said cautiously.

It was Sabé’s turn to go pale. “You know where Naboo is?” The confusion was making her head hurt. How could this woman say she didn’t know where she was and yet she knew what Naboo was?

“Yes, it’s a planet which is supposed to be ruled by Queen Amidala. How long?” Lili demanded.

“Well, I’ve never heard of a Trade Federation or that there ever was an invasion, but the Queen died when she was fourteen, shortly after she was elected. It’s been ten years since then.” Lili still hadn’t explained how she knew what she knew.

“Ten years?” Lili said. She mumbled something about ‘episode two’ and then looked as if she was lost in thought.

It was getting dark and Sabé knew that they should find shelter. Coruscant’s lovely ‘nightlife’ would begin to show and Sabé didn’t want to be around for it. She didn’t have the heart to leave the confused, possibly deranged woman, who looked like her best friend, here alone. She decided she would take pity on her and then try to help her in the morning.

“Lili, I was on my way home…Do you have a place to stay?”

Lili shook her head and began to chew on her lower lip.

“Why don’t you stay with me for tonight? Please. I won’t harm you. Maybe we can figure out what is going on tomorrow,” Sabé offered.

“Thank you, Sabé.” Lili said and they both walked out of the alleyway together.

Hopefully, they would be able to clear up the confusion in the morning. Sabé knew exactly what she should do. She was going to take Lili the Jedi Temple. They would be able to help Lili. Or at least Sabé hoped so.

Chapter Three

It was a good thing that Sabé lived only a few blocks from where she found Lili. She wanted to get home quickly and put Lili to bed, hoping that when Lili woke up she would be better. On the way home, however, Lili had a shocked expression on her face as she gazed around. To Sabé, it was just Coruscant. To Lili, it was unbelievable.

It was hard for Lili to describe what she saw. She saw strangers all around her, and yet they were all familiar. They were all aliens to her, but she still found them fascinating. She decided that Coruscant was like New York City and Los Angeles together, but with a Star Wars influence. Well, apparently, this is Star Wars, she thought.

Lili kept up with Sabé’s fast pace until they finally reached the interior of Sabé’s apartment building. She figured Sabé didn’t want to be out after dark. Thankfully, Sabé lived on the ground floor. Lili didn’t think she would be able to climb stairs that moment, even if she’d wanted to.

They entered Sabé’s apartment and Sabé headed straight for the kitchen. She wanted to give Lili something to help her sleep.

“Make yourself comfortable, Lili,” Sabé said from the kitchen as she prepared a drink.

The lights were dim and Lili was grateful for that fact. She already had a headache. Lili sat down on what looked like a sofa and heaved a sigh of relief. She was physically exhausted and she didn’t know why.

Lili took a moment to look at Sabé’s apartment. It was small, but neatly furnished. There were two rooms leading from the living room as well as the kitchen. There were no photos that Lili could see. Lili wondered how long Sabé had been there.

Sabé returned with a small glass, handed it to Lili, and then sat down across from her. Lili couldn’t help but think how patient Sabé had been.

“This will help you sleep, Lili. It’s a mixture of herbs from Naboo.“ Sabé said with a smile.

Lili also couldn’t help but think what a sweet woman Sabé was. Lili thought that she was a lot like Morgan. That was a nice thought and it comforted her. Lili took a sip and prepared to taste something horrid. It tasted like Sprite, but looked like tea. Lili shrugged and took another sip.

“Sabé? Can I ask you something?” Lili said in between sips. “Back in the alleyway, you seemed quite surprised that I didn’t know who you were.” She took another sip and continued, “You also asked me if I remembered. What did you mean by that?”

“Lili, I think I need to ask you something before I answer. What do you look like?” Sabé asked. She was curious in the first place, but she also knew deep down that Lili wasn’t her best friend.

Lili was a bit surprised by that question. What does she mean? She has eyes! Lili almost laughed at Sabé, but decided instead to humor her question.

“Well, I have blonde hair and green eyes, which tend to look more blue in the summer, and I am extremely pale which I hate. Why?”

Sabé wasn’t a bit surprised at Lili’s description. Sabé was convinced that there was something else other than confusion and amnesia going on here.

“Um, Lili…I think that you should see something…” Sabé said and got up to fetch a small hand mirror from her bedroom. She wanted Lili to see what she could see.

Lili finished her drink and set it down on the small end table. Lili thought she had dirt or something on her face and just didn’t know it. Sabé returned and held the mirror to her chest. She seemed quite hesitant for some reason.

“Lili…um…well…here” Sabé said and shoved the mirror at Lili.

Lili thought Sabé was acting quite odd. She slowly took the mirror from Sabé.

“Are you alright Sabé? What am I supposed to be looking at?” Lili said and turned the mirror around to face her.

And she promptly screamed.

Chapter Four

Lili was in a state of shock. Her whole life had just been turned upside down, although she didn’t think it could get any worse than it had already been. At least Sabé wasn’t upset when Lili threw her mirror across the room and broke it after seeing her reflection. Well it wasn’t HER reflection. It was Padmé’s. And that made her mood darken.

“It’s alright Lili, really,” Sabé had assured her. “I’m sorry…” She went to fetch something to put the broken pieces in.

It was a reflex action when she threw Sabé’s mirror. Lili felt bad about it, but couldn’t say a word. Sabé simply picked up the pieces as Lili sat motionless. Lili was eventually made to move when Sabé gently her arm and showed her to the guest bedroom.

“I hope you get a good night’s rest, Lili. Tomorrow, I want to take you to the Jedi Temple. Is that alright?”

Lili simply nodded. Sabé quietly closed the door and Lili was left alone. As soon as the door closed, Lili ran to the mirror on the wall. She stared for what seemed like hours at the reflection. She even waved her hand around in front of her face a few times, just to be sure. But, alas, it was true. She had chocolate brown hair, brown eyes, and looked just like Padme.

Lili eventually gave in and went to bed. She had found sleeping pants and a tank top in a chest at the end of the bed. Taking one last look in the mirror, Lili found what looked like the switch to the light, and went to bed.

Lili didn’t sleep well at all. She tossed and turned all night. She was exhausted, but still couldn’t sleep. She eventually fell into a restless sleep. She felt no better when she woke up to find her now brown hair in tangles. She usually slept with her hair in a ponytail, but she had forgotten all about putting her hair up. She normally had thin wispy hair, but now she had to deal with thicker, curler hair! At least the sun was shining, bringing warmth to the room.

Sabé knocked quietly on the door and opened it. She found Lili sitting on the bed trying to comb out her hair with her fingers. Lili had bags and dark circles under her eyes.

“Sabé! Do you have a brush or comb?” Lili said through gritted teeth.

“Oh yes! Of course!” Sabé said and went to fetch a comb. She returned a minute later and helped Lili brush her hair. Sabé also helped Lili braid her hair and find clothes for her. Lili was just as petite as Sabé was.

Lili decided to bring the photo of her parents with her. She felt it was the only thing that would keep her sane. She slipped it into a hidden pocket in her dress.

Sabé also wanted to make breakfast for her, but Lili didn’t feel like eating anything. Sabé tried to insist, but finally gave in. Lili supposed it was out of habit of being a handmaiden.

They left later that morning. Sabé had called a taxi to take them to the Jedi Temple. It was a long ride as Sabé practically lived on the other side of Coruscant. It gave Lili time to reflect once again.

It gave her a headache when she thought about all the possibilities as to why she was brought here and was made to look like someone else. Lili knew what was supposed to happen to Padme, but already things were different here. Here? HA! Who knew that Star Wars was real?

Lili closed her eyes, as she was tired of watching traffic fly around the Coruscant sky. Coruscant. She had finally accepted the fact that she was here, in the Star Wars universe, and she didn’t know why. She didn’t know why she looked like the former Queen of Naboo either. It bothered her.

Lili sighed and opened her eyes to look at Sabé. She felt like she owed a lot to her. Sabé had already opened her home to Lili and now she was taking her to the Jedi Temple for help. She only wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Lili knew they were close as she could see the Temple from the taxi. It was exactly as it had looked in “The Phantom Menace”. She suddenly got butterflies in her stomach. She felt like she had done something wrong and was being sent to the Principal’s office to be punished.

But I haven’t done anything damnit!! And that’s what’s wrong!! She sighed and tried desperately to relax.

Sabé, hearing Lili’s sigh, placed her hand over Lili’s and squeezed it gently.

“It’s okay, Lili. They are wonderful healers. They can use the Force to help you…You knew that already, didn’t you?” Sabé said with an ‘I feel stupid now’ smile.

Lili nodded her head and smiled. She felt better now and she felt that Sabé was a friend. She just hoped Sabé felt the same way.

They finally reached the grand Jedi Temple and the taxi stopped. Sabé paid for the fare and she and Lili got out. Standing at the entrance, Lili felt frozen in place. What do I say?? What do I do?

“Well, unless you want to get run over, come on!” Sabé said politely.

That made Lili move and she followed Sabé into the Temple. The doors opened for the two and Lili assumed that Sabé had told them ahead of time that they would be coming. A young woman was waiting for them when they got inside. Lili thought she was very pretty and had a beautiful smile. She looked to be 19 or so.

“Welcome! My name is Faydra. You must be Sabé,” she said and then took Lili’s hands, “and you must be Lili. We will help you. I promise.”

“Thank you. I hope so.” Lili said. She wondered just how much Sabé had told them. Lili was beginning to feel like a freak.

Would they all think I’m nuts? And what exactly am I supposed to tell them? Everything I know?

“Please follow me,” Faydra said and turned around interrupting Lili’s thoughts.

Lili and Sabé followed close behind. Several children and teenage Padawans passed them in the hall. Lili could swear that they were all staring at her. She tried to smile, couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

After going down the long hallway and up a flight of stairs, they went around a corner and immediately stopped at the first door in the next hallway. This hallway was painted a light blue and it had a calming effect on Lili. Faydra asked Sabé to follow her inside, but for Lili to stay put for the moment. Lili agreed, guessing that she had nothing to fear.

Sabé and Faydra entered the room and Lili was left alone to look at her surroundings. Across from her and the room were large windows and beyond that, below the window, was a lovely garden. Lili walked over to the window and looked. Several children were playing some sort of game. Lili immediately thought about wanting to have children. Why would I be thinking about that now! I mean, as if that would happen anyways … Lili shook her head and began to pace. It had only been a minute or so since Faydra and Sabé had left her alone, but it felt like forever.

Lili had paced back and forth a few times and had turned around to the direction of the hallway when someone rounded the corner in a hurry and promptly smacked into her. Lili was knocked to the floor, her face flushing red with embarrassment.

Chapter 5

Lili had paced back and forth a few times and had turned around to the direction of the hallway when someone rounded the corner in a hurry and promptly smacked into her. Lili was knocked to the floor, her face flushing red with embarrassment.

“Oh! I am so sorry! Are you alright?” the person said as he bent to help her up.

Lili still hadn’t looked at her “assailant”. She was nursing her knee, which frequently gave her problems. She rubbed it and then finally looked at him through long eyelashes.

It was Anakin Skywalker. Lili was speechless. Until now she had forgotten all about the ENTIRE reason Star Wars existed in her mind.

Chapter Five

“Um…I’m fine…I think…” Lili said when she finally worked up the courage to speak. She was blushing! Even though she knew that he was Anakin Skywalker, she couldn’t help but think of him as Hayden. Lili took his hand and let him help her up. This was too good to be true. Then it hit her that she looked like Padme to him. That made her even more nervous!

Does he know who Padme even is? Things are so different here that from I know.

“I…I…” Anakin said as he stared at her. He couldn’t take his eyes of her. She was beautiful. She had deep brown eyes the he could get lost in. She also had beautiful brown hair. He had to fight the urge to run his fingers thru it.

“You what?” Lili asked. He was staring at her and it was beginning to make her uncomfortable.

“I don’t know why I didn’t know you were there. I should have been able to sense you through the…” Anakin said, and then realized he was still holding her hand. It was tiny compared to his. Although she hadn’t let go either. And he didn’t feel compelled to let go anytime soon.

Suddenly, the door behind her opened. Lili immediately dropped Anakin’s hand and rushed into the room hoping that she was allowed to do so. She was beyond embarrassed. Her heart was pounding and she could feel her face getting hot. She hadn’t expected to run into Anakin Skywalker.

“Are you alright, Lili?” Sabé asked.

“Fine. Just fine,” Lili said and sat down on a sofa.

She put her head in her hands. I can’t believe this!

Faydra closed the door, a puzzled looking Anakin on the other side of it.

“Lili, Masters Kenobi and Windu will be here shortly. They will need you to be completely honest and open with them.” Faydra said.

“I understand,” Lili said to Faydra “Sabé, what exactly do they know about me?”

“I told them how I came to find you. How you seem to know so much and yet” Sabé paused to sigh, “Lili, I want you to know, I believe you. Whatever you say.”

“Thanks…” Lili said, lost in thought. Sabé had mentioned that Queen Amidala had dies ten years ago, aged 14. So she would have been 24 now, which would make Anakin 19. And he looked every bit a man. With a disgusted groan, Lili shook her head.

I must not think of Hay-Anakin right now!

Lili had every intention of not thinking about him, when the door opened again and he entered along with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, and two other Jedi that Lili didn’t recognize. Lili tried her hardest to avoid looking at him. Sabé, noticed her avoidance, seemed quite confused, but didn’t say anything. Instead she sat down next to Lili and gave her a comforting smile.

“It’ll be all right, Lili,” Sabé whispered.

“Lili, my name is Obi-Wan Kenobi and this is my apprentice Anakin Skywalker.,” Obi-Wan said.

“I am Mace Windu.”

“I know, I mean…I mean, nice to meet you.,” Lili responded.

“Yes, Sabé has told us that you know quite a few things about us, but unfortunately, we know nothing about you. Sabé assures us that you have no harmful intent here. Do you mind if we make that judgment for ourselves?” Mace said.

“No, I don’t mind. I have nothing to hide.”

Obi-Wan sat down on the other side of Lili.

“Open your mind to me.” He took her hand.

“Please” he said with a small smile.

Lili took a deep breath and hoped she was doing what was asked. Obi-Wan closed his eyes. Lili sat there stoically, wondering how long this would take, still unsure of what kind of help they could give her.

“It won’t take long at all.,” Obi-Wan said with a grin, anticipating her thoughts. Her thoughts. He couldn’t read them. He couldn’t feel her in the Force either. Obi-Wan looked at the young woman.

If she was a Sith, we would be able to feel her.

“I agree with Sabé for now. Welcome to the Jedi Temple.”

“Thank you.,” Lili said.

“Now, Lili, can you tell us why you know what you know? Sabé said that she found you in an alleyway, disoriented and confused as if you didn’t belong here.,” Obi-Wan began.

“I don’t belong here. I’m not from here. You’re just going to launch into questions?” Lili interrupted, very nervous.

“Then where are you from?”

Lili took a deep breath.

To them, I must seem delusional. To me, they aren’t real!

“I’m from Colorado, which is on Earth. Where are you from?” Lili retorted her voice unintentionally sharp.

“Lili,” Sabé said, suddenly thinking of something, “before, you mentioned something called ‘Star Wars’. What is that?”

Lili didn’t know how to answer that.

Oh no… Should I just lie? No, I can’t do that. That would be wrong. Lili thought looking at Obi-Wan sitting next to her.

“Lili, it’s all right. We only want to help you. No one here thinks you’re crazy.,” Obi-Wan said.

“Okay…“ Why should I tell them? What will it do? “I’ll tell you the truth. And I bet you will think that I am crazy just as soon as you hear what it is I have to tell you.,” Lili said quickly.

Lili took a breath and took a second to look at Anakin. She was going to tell them what Star Wars was.

“Okay, just remember that I have no intention of hurting anyone. And that what I am about to tell you is just what I know. This is so crazy. I shouldn’t be doing this. I don’t know what it’ll do. I don’t know why…” Lili said, and when no one interrupted her, she continued.

“Where I come from, this is all just someone’s imagination.”

“What do you mean?” Faydra asked moving to stand next to Anakin. Sabé noticed it, but didn’t say anything.

“I mean that this shouldn’t exist as something real. Where I come from, Earth, a man named George Lucas thought up Star Wars. This is Star Wars. He made his story into a movie series and from there it has expanded into other things.” Lili tried to tell them about what had spawned from Star Wars. She told them how it was all a fantasy and not real. She even tried explaining the order in which the movies were made. No one made much of a reaction to what she was saying, so she continued. “It’s odd that the story I know, is already different here.”

“What is the story you know?” Faydra asked, very interested.

Lili then proceeded to tell them about the events of “The Phantom Menace”. She explained that that was how she knew of Naboo and Coruscant. She also explained that Queen Amidala did not die, what the Trade Federation was, and how Anakin came to be a Jedi. The entire time she told of his past, his eyes grew wide.

She also told them about Qui-Gon’s death, Darth Maul, everything she knew from the movie. Lili paused only briefly to take a breath and then continued to tell them about the events of “A New Hope”, “Return of the Jedi”, and the “Empire Strikes Back”. She tried to point out how the Original Trilogy was released before “The Phantom Menace”.

She hoped she was making sense. Faydra was looking at her as if she had lost her mind.

Lili conveniently left out specific last names and omitted many details when explaining. She wasn’t sure what the reaction would be from Anakin. He looked puzzled again. Obi-Wan’s, Mace’s, and Sabé’s expressions hadn’t changed.

“So, let me get this straight. All the Jedi are destroyed by this Emperor, who was formerly Darth Sidious, and his apprentice, Darth Vader, and this leads to an Empire that rules the galaxy?” Mace questioned, trying to understand.

“Yes…”

“But, there is a rebellion lead by a woman and the Emperor is eventually destroyed?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Yes. Does this make any sense? This must seem like fantasy to you.” Lili said. She wondered if they actually believed her or if they did think she was crazy.

“Lili, what you say is quite incredible. This is very hard to believe.,” Obi-Wan said.

“Do you know who the Emperor is?” Anakin asked quietly from the back of the room.

“Yes.,” Lili answered hesitantly.

“Then we should find him and his apprentice Darth Vader and stop them!” Anakin said.

“Um, well, you see…he’s not the Emperor yet. I could tell you who the Emperor is. The events of the last three movies occur much later than the first one. Therefore, you cannot find his apprentice… ” Lili said trying to avoid the obvious irony when Anakin said ‘Darth Vader’.

“Wait, who’s not the Emperor yet?” Mace asked.

“Who is the Emperor, Lili?” Faydra asked at the same time.

Lili thought it was very interesting that they were all so interested in the Sith and hardly anything else she knew.

“Are you sure you want to hear this? It could be very incriminating…” Lili said.

“Lili, we need to know. If what you say is true…” Obi-Wan said.

“Alright…The Emperor, as far as I know, is…Senator Palpatine.”

That got a reaction. Obi-Wan and Anakin exchanged glances, while Sabé gasped. Lili shook her head and wondered what else they were going to try to get out of her.

“You said before that Sidious and the Emperor were the same. So, that would mean that Palpatine is…This means that the Sith have been right under our noses this whole time!” Faydra said.

“He’s not the only one…” Lili mumbled before she could stop herself.

Mace heard her. “Lili, is there anything else you would like to tell us?”

“Like to tell you? No, but…well, I suppose you’re going to find out sooner or later.,” she said, glancing at Anakin who was deep in thought.

“Okay, please don’t kill me when I tell you this.,” she said when Anakin finally looked at her. She was scared of what his reaction was going to be. Although, she didn’t think that he would hurt her, as other Jedi surrounded her, she was more upset that she should be and had to tell them. She took a deep breath. “I don’t know how exactly, but Palpatine does find a new apprentice. And that apprentice is…”

“Is who, Lili?” Anakin asked. She was looking directly at him as if this had something to do with him. It was making him nervous.

“You.,” Lili whispered.

It took quite some time for it to register, judging by the silence in the room. Lili looked down at her feet. She just wanted to run from the room.

“What did you say?” Anakin said very slowly. It was all he could say. He wanted to know what Lili was thinking and feeling through the Force, but he couldn’t and that bothered him. It bothered him even more that he and everyone else in the room had just been told that he was to become Palpatine’s new apprentice! And that infuriated him.

Control your anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to… No!! It won’t happen!

“I’m so sorry. But that’s only what happens as far as I know it! It may not happen that way here! I mean so many things are already different!! Besides, you, I mean, Darth Vader is eventually redeemed…” Lili said, not mentioning by whom. She was sure that he hated her now. He doesn’t even know me!

“That doesn’t matter!!” Anakin screamed.

“Anakin! Control yourself!” Obi-Wan warned.

“Master! She just told us that I kill all of you!! That I hurt everyone I know and care about! That I am to become a powerful Sith Lord! That I…I…” He couldn’t go on. It took all of his control to keep his temper. Everyone was staring at him now like he had Bantha horns on his head. No, more like I was a Sith Lord.

“You.” He said very calmly and pointed to Lili “You lie…and I will prove it.”

With that, Anakin left. If looks could kill, Lili would’ve been dead and buried when Faydra glared at her. Faydra followed Anakin out of the room. Lili thought she was going to cry at any moment. She was convinced that she had just ruined a life. Why the hell did I tell them that?

“Obi-Wan? Is he…”? Sabé said, still in shock. She hadn’t expected to hear that from Lili.

Because of Obi-Wan’s bond with Anakin, he knew that Anakin had simply stormed off to his room to meditate. He was thankful for that. He knew that Anakin had self-control and was a skeptical person. He also didn’t believe that what Lili said was true about his apprentice.

“He’ll be alright. Lili? I do not believe you have any harmful intention towards any of us.”

“Tell that to Anakin…” Lili said quietly.

“I need to take a sample of your blood. Is that alright?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Yeah…sure…whatever…” Lili said. She didn’t care what happened to her at the moment. She didn’t think she could feel any worse.

Obi-Wan took out a small device and asked Lili to roll the sleeve of her tunic up. He took a sample of her blood and then gave the device to Mace, who then left to have it analyzed.

“I also need to discuss this with other members of the council.,” Obi-Wan said, and stood up.

“Lili we would like you to stay with us until we can figure out what to do. Do you feel safe here?” Obi-Wan asked.

“Yes, but can Sabé stay, too?” Sabé was quite surprised. But she also wanted friendship with Lili.

“Of course she can,” he said with an understanding smile. He could read Lili’s thoughts like an open book, but not through the Force. “We can continue this later.”

Obi-Wan then left Sabé and Lili alone. Lili had the same look on her face as when she discovered whom she looked like. It was a look of sorrow, angst, and confusion.

And that was something else Sabé wanted to talk to Lili about.

“Lili” Sabé said and took Lili’s hand “Why didn’t you tell them that you looked like Queen Amidala?”

“I didn’t tell them I looked like her because….I don’t know….”

Do they know who I look like? Does Anakin know? Anakin…

“Would you like…“

“NO!…no…don’t. I will tell them eventually…I don’t feel so good.”

Sabé nodded her head and left to find out room arrangements. She wanted to be near Lili.

Once again Lili was left alone. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for herself. I’ve ruined his life…this isn’t supposed to happen…what do they think of me? What does Anakin think of me?

And with that Lili cried herself to sleep on the small sofa. She slept the whole afternoon. Sabé returned once to check on her, but discovered she was sleeping, so she left again.

> Chapter Six
>
> Obi-Wan sat in front of the computer terminal in
> utter disbelief. He was in the Temple Med Center
> completely alone. After checking on an angry,
> meditating Anakin, he had gone straight there. Mace
> had left the blood sample for Obi-Wan to analyze. He
> found the results startling. Only one other time had
> he been surprised by the results of a midi-chlorian
> scan. Lili had no midi-chlorians in her blood. All
> life the galaxy had midi-chlorians, even if it was
> minimal. This also meant that she wasn’t touched by
> the Force.
>
> “Well, at least she isn’t a Sith.” Obi-Wan said
> with
> a sigh “Then who is she? She’s definitely not from
> this galaxy. Does this mean she’s telling us the
> truth?”
>
> “Talk to yourself, do you?”
>
> “Master Yoda! I did not sense you were there!”
> Obi-Wan said, startled by Master Yoda’s approach.
>
> “Of course not! Keep you on your toes, I must. Rely
> on the Force always, you shouldn’t. Be mindful
> without
> it, you will,” Yoda said, smacking Obi-Wan’s knee
> lightly with his gimer stick as he came to stand
> next
> to Obi-Wan.
>
> “Do you see this, Master? The woman has no
> midi-chlorians,” Obi-Wan said rubbing his knee and
> looking at Yoda, who was eye-level to him.
>
> “Yes. A void, I felt. The Council is worried.
> Harmful, is she?”
>
> “I don’t know, Master. She is not a Sith, for even
> the Sith have the Force, but she doesn’t.”
>
> “Tell you of us, did she?”
>
> “Yes, quite a bit actually. She’s a stranger to us
> all, yet she knows details of me, the Jedi, the
> Sith…and my Padawan. She told of events that have
> not
> taken place, but could have. According to her, she
> is
> from a planet named Earth where we are all in
> something called a movie.”
>
> Yoda shifted his stance and placed both hands over
> his gimer stick. Yoda nodded wisely. “The Council
> has
> been told. A reason then she is here. Tell of
> Padawan
> Skywalker’s future, did she?”
>
> “Yes, Master” Obi-Wan said, a little unsure of what
> to say.
>
> “All day I do not have! Tell me, you must!” Yoda
> said
> with another whack at Obi-Wan’s knee.
>
> Obi-Wan was beginning to think Yoda enjoyed using
> his
> gimer stick too much.
>
> “Effective truth extractor it is!” Yoda said
> raising
> it again.
>
> “Yes, Master. She told of Anakin’s future.” Obi-Wan
> blurted out “Master, she told him he was to be a
> Sith
> Lord under Emperor Palpatine and would destroy the
> Jedi. Anakin is quite disturbed about it.”
>
> “Projecting his emotions, he is. Anger. Control it
> he
> must. Or his future will be what the woman has
> predicted.”
>
> “Master, do you believe there is truth in what she
> says?”
>
> “Visions I have seen. A test for Padawan Skywalker
> she is. The beginning of his Knighthood trials has
> come.”
>
> “See this, you must.” Yoda said and pulled a data
> card out of the pocket of his robes. He handed it to
> Obi-Wan who then took the previous data card out of
> the computer terminal and replaced it with the one
> Yoda handed him. The image of a young woman
> appeared.
>
> “Master, is that…Lili?” Obi-Wan said with a
> confused
> look.
>
> “No. A Queen that woman was. Padmé Amidala Naberrie
> of Naboo. She lives no longer.”
>
> “I don’t understand,” Obi-Wan said reading the
> file.
>
> “Padmé, Lili is not. Look like her she does, but no
> more that that.” Yoda lowered his eyelids and
> sighed.
> “Sabé. A handmaiden she was to Padmé. Perhaps her
> appearance is a connection.”
>
> “Why Master? Why does she look like a Queen who
> died
> ten years ago? How can we be sure she is not the
> Queen?”
>
> “Unknown that is. Destiny it is for her. At her
> funeral, I was. Lili, the Queen she is not” Yoda
> said
> and turned away. He slowly began to walk out of the
> Med Center. Obi-Wan followed.
>
> After a few moments, Obi-Wan spoke again “Master,
> Anakin doesn’t want Lili to stay. He feels that she
> is
> a Sith or ‘out to get him’ if you will.”
>
> “Padawan Skywalker’s fate has been determined by
> Lili. Change it he must. She cannot. A trial he
> shall
> have. Lili is a part, that has been seen.”
>
> Obi-Wan stopped momentarily to crouch before Yoda.
> “Master, did the council know Lili would come? Is
> what
> Lili said about Anakin true?”
>
> Yoda said nothing, but continued to walk down the
> hall towards Lili’s room. Obi-Wan stood and again
> followed.
>
> “See her, I will.” Yoda finally stated.
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> Lili woke with a start. Her neck was killing her.
> She
> had been sleeping in the same position all night. At
> first she was disoriented and didn’t recognize her
> surroundings.
>
> She got up from the sofa and stretched. She faced
> the
> window and saw the first morning rays of sunlight
> peeking over the horizon Was it all a dream? There
> was
> a soft knock on the door and it slid open bringing
> light into the room. Lili turned and squinted at the
> bright light. She saw two figures enter and approach
> her. It was Masters Yoda and Obi-Wan. I guess it
> wasn’t a dream. She saw Obi-Wan wave his hand and
> the
> lights came on. She sat back down, letting her eyes
> adjust.
>
> “Lili, this is…”
>
> “Know me, she does.” Yoda interrupted before Obi-Wan
> could finish.
>
> “Yes, I do…Master Yoda” Lili said as Obi-Wan sat
> down
> next to her.
>
> She was eye-level to Yoda. Before he was just a
> puppet in a movie to her. But now, actually being in
> the Star Wars universe and looking at him, it was
> more
> real. She looked towards her feet. She felt
> intimidated by him.
>
> “Frightened, are you?”
>
> “Yes, Master Yoda, I am. I…I don’t know why I’m
> here…”
>
> “A reason, there is. Find it, you must. The Council
> has decided.”
>
> “Decided what? I’ve only been here one day. What’s
> going to happen to me? What am I supposed to do?”
>
> “Lili” Obi-Wan said, gently placing his hand on her
> arm “It’s all right. Calm down.”
>
> “Speak of the truth, you do. Padawan Skywalker’s
> fate
> you hold.”
>
> “You mean you know that Anakin is to become…” She
> couldn’t say it.
>
> “Visions I have seen. Only visions, are they. Be
> mindful of the future. Always changing, it is. A
> test
> you are for him.”
>
> “What do you mean, a test?”
>
> Yoda suddenly turned the conversation to Obi-Wan.
>
> “To Naboo, your apprentice will go. Protect the
> King,
> he will. The first trial of his Knighthood. Three
> days
> he has to prepare.”
>
> “Excuse me?” Lili interrupted, bringing the
> conversation back to herself “What do you mean that
> I
> am a test for him?”
>
> Obi-Wan found it a little amusing that she would be
> so
> bold to interrupt Master Yoda. Yoda only slightly
> lifted his ears.
>
> “Bold, are you? Hmm? Go with him you will. This is
> what the Council has decided. Sabé will guide you.”
>
> “Wha…go with him? Why? He…He’s…” Lili wanted to pull
> her hair out. Anakin must hate me. He is not going
> to
> want me to go with him to Naboo.
>
> “Trust in the Force, you must. It will guide you.
> Brought you here, it must have. Only way.”
>
> And with that Yoda turned to leave. Lili was left
> confused. Why must he speak in such a cryptic
> language? She turned to look at Obi-Wan.
>
> “Lili… I think you should speak to Anakin before you
> go. He...”
>
> “He hates me, doesn’t he?” Lili said staring at the
> floor in front of her “Why was I brought here? I
> shouldn’t have told him…”
>
> “Lili,” Obi-Wan said as he stood “You need to speak
> to
> Anakin. He won’t hurt you. He feels that you have a
> sinister purpose here. Your trip will be easier.”
>
> Lili stood and faced Obi-Wan. “I do not have a
> sinister purpose! And I don’t want to go to Naboo! I
> want to go home!”
>
> “Lili, why didn’t you tell us you looked like the
> Queen of Naboo?”
>
> “Because I don’t! I mean…I do, here, but not where I
> come from. I look very different. It’s another thing
> I
> don’t understand.”
>
> “Your likeness to Amidala may have something to do
> with the Council sending you with Anakin to Naboo.
> Anakin knows nothing about you. None of us do, but
> you
> will be spending most of your time with him there.
> He
> will protect you. You need to speak with him.”
>
> “I don’t want to, Obi-Wan. How can I look him in the
> face after what I’ve done?”
>
> Obi-Wan folded his arms in his robe and walked to
> the
> door. “You’ve done nothing wrong, Lili. If you were
> meant to tell of his future, then so be it. You are
> afraid and I understand. Trust in the Force.”
>
> Obi-Wan left and once again Lili was by herself. She
> went over to the window and gazed out at Coruscant.
> Trust the Force, they say…
>
> Lili watched the sun finally rise. The sight of the
> rising sun warmed her heart. The sky was filled with
> the brilliant colors of orange, yellow, and red. It
> reminded her of the sunrises she saw with her father
> at the beach. She closed her eyes and pressed her
> forehead against the glass, letting the warmth of
> the
> sun seep into her skin. It felt good and relaxing.
> She
> took a moment to remember the last time she saw a
> sunrise with her father. It was right before she
> left
> for college…
>
> Lili shook her head and heaved a sigh. She knew what
> she had to do.
>
Chapter Seven

After Lili had found the shower, or ‘fresher as it was called here, she felt better. She had taken the longest shower possible. She had discovered a wonderful smelling soap, which lightened her mood. After her shower, she found fresh clothes; brown pants like the typical Jedi garb, and a white gauzy top. She was prepared to start the day as a new person. I’m here and I have to accept that. Lili took one last look at her ‘appearance’ in the vanity mirror and headed towards the door. She stopped suddenly and went back into the ‘fresher. She picked up the dress she had worn earlier and looked for the hidden pocket. When she found what she was looking for she heaved a sigh of relief. The photograph. It was her only link to home and she didn’t want to risk losing it. She placed it in the pocket of her pants and left to find Sabé.

Her room was across from Sabé’s. She had just stepped outside her room when Faydra rushed past by without saying a word. Lili had to step back to avoid being knocked down. That was odd… She shrugged it off and went to knock on Sabé’s door when the door slid open.

“Lili! Hello…are you feeling any better?” Sabé said as she stepped out to join Lili in the hallway.

“Yes, I am. Thank you.”

“You look lovely today.” Sabé said.

“Thank you!” Lili said with a smile. She enjoyed Sabé’s company immensely.

“Are you hungry?”

“Yes, I am actually,” Lili’s stomach growled and her hand flew to it. ”Very hungry, I guess!”

“Then follow me. I was told that the cafeteria was downstairs. Let’s see what we can grab.” Sabé said and led Lili down the hallway. They passed several students and teachers, each one nodding to Lili and Sabé. Just before reaching the top of the stairs, a group of children came from behind them and all but one ran down the stairs. It was a little girl. She had stopped in front of Lili and had a very puzzled look on her face.

“Are you the stranger?” she said from behind big blue eyes.

“Well, I guess I am.” Lili asked as she crouched down to the little girl.

“What’s your name?” The little girl said with a grin.

“Lili. What’s yours, little one?”

“You’re not a stranger. I’ve seen you in my dreams.”

And with that the little girl ran down the stairs to join her group. Lili stood up quite confused.

“Well, that was odd.” Sabé said.

“Everything here is odd to me.” Lili muttered, shaking her head.

They continued down the stairs. Lili followed Sabé around several corners and hallways until they reached an open, circular common area. A kitchen was adjacent to the common area and there were several tables in the room. Glass panels that went from floor to ceiling brought light into the room. There were glass doors in all the panels leading out to a beautiful garden. The garden was rich with colors and exotic plants that Lili couldn’t recognize. It was a breathtaking site.

“Stay here. I’ll go see what I can find to eat for us,” Sabé said as they found a table. Lili sat down while Sabé went into the kitchen. There were many students, Jedi, and Padawans in the room and sitting at tables. The group of children she saw earlier were now outside playing in the garden while an older student watched. It was a lovely site to see. Many of the children were focused on chasing what looked like a butterfly.

“Are you Lili?”

Lili looked away from the children to see a young woman standing next her her.

“Yes, how did you know?” Lili said before thinking that it was a stupid question.

“You’re the only one without a Force signature. Mind if I sit down?”

“Oh, of course not! Hello!” Lili said and pulled out a chair for her.

“How are you? My name is Jenice,” the young woman said with a beautiful smile as she sat down.

“Everyone keeps asking me that. I’m fine really…considering…” Lili said as she spotted Faydra across the room. She was leaning against one of the panels looking outside. Faydra looked deep in thought. Lili wanted to say something to her. She felt the need to say anything to explain herself. She was unsure how Faydra felt about her. I should say something.

“I’m sorry. If you’ll excuse me…” Lili stood and was just about to go over and speak to Faydra, but froze when she saw Anakin approaching her. Lili watched as she saw Anakin come up behind Faydra and wrap his arms around her waist. He said something to her and she giggled. Lili’s mouth dropped open as she saw Anakin begin to nuzzle Faydra’s neck. She tugged on Anakin’s braid and turned in his arms to embrace him.

“Oh yeah…there they go again. They are always doing that, even when the Masters don’t approve. They do make a cute couple…” Jenice said as Lili slowly sat back down.

“You mean…they are…together?!” Lili was incredulous. She couldn’t stop staring at the couple giving a generous public display of affection.

“Oh yes. After Padawan Skywalker reaches his Knighthood, they are to be joined.”

Lili’s head snapped around to face Jenice.

“What?!”

“You know…married?”

Lili was not only shocked, again, but now she was furious. She pursed her lips and took a deep breath. No…NO! This is NOT how it is supposed to be. This isn’t right. It can’t be! Lili closed her eyes and took another deep breath. Something is so wrong about this…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sabé returned to the table with two trays to find Lili digging her nails into the table and a young woman asking if she was all right. Sabé set the trays down and focused her attention on what Lili was staring at. She saw a young couple in love kissing. She thought it was sweet.

“Lili? What’s wrong? You’re going to break a nail if you keep doing that.” Sabé said gently lifting Lili’s hands from the table.

“It’s not supposed to happen this way!”

“What’s not supposed to happen?” Jenice said confused.

“Lili? Lili!” Sabé said, shaking Lili when she didn’t respond.

Lili turned wide-eyed to look at Sabé. “I can’t…I don’t…” Lili turned back to look at the couple. “Why aren’t things the way they are supposed to be?” She continued to watch Anakin and Faydra, wondering when they would stop to breathe. Her hands became fists. She was angry. Angry that her life had changed and now angry at what she saw.

Sabé and Jenice were thoroughly confused by Lili’s reaction. They watched as Lili’s skin flushed and her eyes clouded in anger. She chanted the word “no” again and again. They both jumped when she slammed her fists down on the table. The utensils on the trays bounced and it was loud enough to make others around them turn and look at Lili. Anakin and Faydra didn’t notice.

“Lili, please calm down,” Sabé begged quietly.

“Um, if you’ll excuse me…” Jenice got up and slowly walked away from Lili and Sabé.

“I’m fine, Sabé. Perfectly fine.” Just as soon as I get my life in order. This isn’t right, but I will make it right. Lili folded her hands in her lap and cleared her throat.

“What’s for breakfast?”

Sabé was about to say something, but decided not to. Instead, she sat down and passed Lili her tray. Lili ate quietly, but glanced up periodically to look at Anakin and Faydra. They had paused often during their make-out session to laugh, cuddle, and whisper to each other. Sabé said nothing about Lili’s strange behavior. She must have a reason…

Lili continued to eat, until she saw Anakin abruptly pull away from Faydra. He turned away and just stood for a moment. Faydra looked confused, but left Anakin alone. Lili finished eating and continued to watch as Anakin turned back to Faydra, said something, hugged her, and left. Faydra watched Anakin leave and then went through one of the doors to the garden.

Lili folded her hands in her lap and looked at Sabé, who was still eating her food.

“Sabé? Does that seem weird to you?”

“Does what seem weird to me?”

“Anakin and Faydra?”

“No, why would it seem weird?’

Lili didn’t answer, but instead started to bite her lower lip. She had a plan.

“Sabé, if you’ll excuse me,” Lili said and got up, leaving a still confused Sabé at the table. Lili left the cafeteria to find Anakin. She needed to talk him. She would just have to ignore the fact the he and Faydra had been… She didn’t know why it bothered her so much. She had no right to Anakin. That’s a lie. He’s supposed to be with Padmé, not Faydra…

Obi-Wan sat on the small sofa waiting for Anakin. He had sent for his Padawan earlier. He needed to insist him to remain calm and civil around Lili, though he had faith that Anakin would.

Anakin had arrived at his room flushed and had avoided eye contact. He immediately began working on one of the many lightsabers he was building. It amazed Obi-wan that Anakin could be so unintentionally rude.

“Anakin, the Council feels that it is time to begin your Trials.” Obi-Wan said bluntly. He had hoped the Councils decision would be more of a surprise for Anakin and certainly not so soon. Anakin was only nineteen. Obi-Wan believed Anakin still had much training ahead, but the Council had decided that it was time to test his Padawan.

Obi-Wan waited for his reaction.

Anakin froze and looked at Obi-Wan.

“Really Master?” Anakin said, pausing in the construction of his lightsaber. “Master, does this have anything to do with that…woman?”

No one had ever said Anakin wasn’t astute. “Yes, Anakin. It does have to do with Lili.”

At the mention of her name, Anakin went back to his construction. Obi-Wan sensed that Anakin was agitated, but not angry.

“The Council feels that she is here for a reason. That she is a part of your destiny.”

“Yeah, she’s here to ruin my life…” Anakin mumbled as he moved a small magnifying glass attached to the desk over the lightsaber. He began to use a soldering tool, causing small clouds of smoke to float past Obi-Wan.

“Anakin, she’s not here to ruin your life. No one knows exactly why she’s here.”

“Master, how do we know that she isn’t a Sith? How can we even trust what she says? I can’t even feel her through the Force!”

“And that is why she isn’t a Sith. If she were masking her Force signature, Yoda would know. Even that takes use of the Force. She has done nothing wrong, Anakin. She told us what she needed to tell us.”

Anakin stopped his work and looked at Obi-Wan, with eyes filled with confusion. “Done nothing wrong? Master, she laid out my future for all to see. What am I supposed to do? Believe her? Tell me that’s not depressing.”

“The future is always in motion. You choose which path to take, Anakin. Having someone predict it doesn’t make it so.”

Anakin stood abruptly, shaking the desk and spilling tools and parts to the floor.

“Master, I will not turn to the Dark Side. I will prove her wrong,” Anakin said.

“I believe you Anakin, but temptation will strike. That is why you must pass your Trials. You are the youngest Padawan to take them. They will not be easy for you,” Obi-Wan said as Anakin paced the room.

“Does she have to stay here?” Anakin paused his pacing and looked at Obi-Wan “Master, does the Council believe I will turn to the Dark Side?”

“Anakin, the Council believes that she is a key to your future. That is why you are both going to Naboo. You leave the day after tomorrow.”

“Wha-Why am I going to Naboo? And why is she coming?! Master, I can’t go. I have classes and training to do. I don’t want to leave Faydra and…I…”

Obi-Wan stood and faced Anakin. “Anakin, this is the first Trial of your Knighthood. It is what the Council has decided. I would suggest that you prepare for your trip.” He turned and approached the door to leave. “Bare with her, Anakin. She is a stranger to us all. I’m sure that she is confused and doesn’t intend to harm you.”

Obi-Wan pushed the button on the panel and the door slid open. He stepped outside, but turned back to Anakin.

“She’s not your enemy, Anakin. Protect her. She is more vulnerable than you are.”

Obi-Wan left, leaving Anakin to gather his thoughts. Anakin sat down on the sofa and held his head in his hands. She’s not your enemy… Protect her… Obi-Wan’s words echoed in his mind. Protect her from what? Anakin hadn’t seen Lili since the day he literally ran into her. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. She had given him devastating news. But that wasn’t the only reason. She had an unnerving innocence about her, which led Anakin to believe that he might be wrong about her. And she was too damn pretty for her own good. She’s prettier than Faydra…No… Anakin tugged at his hair. I shouldn’t be having these thoughts. I’m supposed to marry Faydra…

A soft knock on the door brought Anakin out of his musings. He immediately knew who it was. She was the only one in the Temple without a Force signature, leaving a void on the other side of the door. With a sigh, Anakin used the Force to open it, not moving from the sofa. Lili cautiously stepped inside, unsure of what Anakin would say to her.

“Um…Anakin? I hope you don’t mind…um, I passed Obi-Wan in the hall. He said you’d be here…I think we need to talk…Are you okay?” Lili said as she walked over to the sofa.

“I’m fine. What do you want to talk about?” Anakin said, sharply. Her hair was loose and free about her shoulders. It was ravaged with curls, framing her creamy face. She was a vision of pure beauty…

“Um, well…” Lili stopped, trying to figure out what she was going to say.

“Look, I don’t have all day. What is it you want?” Anakin said roughly, standing up. He towered over Lili. Anakin could smell the faint scent of Zhora Flower soap. It was acting as an aphrodisiac on him and it was distracting.

Anakin’s reaction to her made her furious. She had done nothing wrong, and yet Anakin was acting like she was the vilest creature in the galaxy. She was tired of being so intimidated by this new universe, reactions to her, looking like Padmé…and Anakin.

“Hey? What the hell is your problem? I am a human being, so speak to me like one!” Lili said, taking a step closer to Anakin and placing her hands on her hips.

Anakin arched his eyebrows in response. He was surprised that Lili was actually standing up to him, considering she thought that he was supposed to become a Sith Lord.

“Look, I’m sorry. Okay? Sorry? Do you know what that means? It means that it sucks that I had to tell you that you were going to become Darth Vader, but I had to, okay? I didn’t want to. What if I didn’t tell you?” Lili continued advancing on Anakin, causing him to step back. She poked him in the chest with a slim finger and continued, “You, Anakin Skywalker are going to take everything I said and change it. You are not going to become a Sith Lord.”

Anakin didn’t know what to say. The woman had fire in her. Her brown eyes were blazing with fury. Anakin was convinced that if she was a Sith, she could have easily killed him right there with the anger in her eyes.

“Let me get this straight…” Anakin said, removing Lili’s finger from his chest but not letting go of her hand. “First, you expect me to believe what you say and now you want me to change what is supposedly going to happen? That doesn’t make sense.”

Lili tried to pull away but Anakin didn’t let go of her hand. Not that she was complaining. “I didn’t ask you to believe me. You can forget everything I told you, if you wish. I don’t care. I just thought…I thought that it was important you knew. Look at it from my point of view. What if you knew a terrible secret about Faydra that affected the lives of everyone in the galaxy? Would you keep it a secret for very long? No, I don’t think so.”

“Important? Important that I know I kill thousands of people in the near future? Important that I become a Sith Lord named Darth Vader? Important that…”

Lili tried to pull away again but to no avail. “I get the point. I’m sorry, Anakin. I should have waited to tell you. Please don’t hate me.”

Anakin sighed. “I don’t hate you Lili. I just… You’ll forgive me if I don’t exactly trust you. I’m angry. I don’t…I don’t know if it’s with you or…”

Anakin had started rubbing her hand and Lili found it both relaxing and distracting at the same time.

“Or what? I can’t imagine how you feel.” Lili eyed him thoughtfully. “You do believe me, don’t you?”

“What if it does happen? What if I can’t prevent it from happening? I don’t know why I… Yes, I do believe you and that bothers me.”

“Anakin?”

“Yes, Lili?”

“Please let go of my hand…”

Anakin looked at the hand he was holding and immediately dropped it. He hadn’t even been aware of what he was doing. He began blushing and turned away from Lili.

“Anakin? Do you know why I am going to Naboo with you?”

Anakin was glad for the change in subject. “No, I don’t. All I know is that my Trials have started and you have something to do with it. Didn’t you say that Naboo is where your Trade Federation invaded?”

“Yes, and it isn’t MY Trade Federation… That’s another thing…” Lili said and walked around Anakin to face him again, “…that’s different. As far as I know, the Trade Federation invaded Naboo. But here, it didn’t. Things are different. Therefore, what I know about your future may be different as well.”

“I hope so, Lili. I will find out from my Master why we are going to Naboo. According to the Holonews, the election for ruler of Naboo is about to occur.”

The elections… Queen Amidala… Lili was reminded of the fact that she looked like the former Queen of Naboo. She wondered what kind of reaction people would have to her. She guessed that Anakin didn’t know that she looked like Queen Amidala, but didn’t see a need to tell him just yet. Lili looked up to stare at the beautiful blue eyes of Anakin Skywalker. She could get lost in those eyes if she wasn’t careful.

Anakin looked at Lili, wondering what she was thinking. It was difficult to accept that he couldn’t read her thoughts. She had begun to chew on her lower lip and he guessed that she didn’t know she was doing it. Or that it was driving him mad with lust just watching her. He was attracted to Lili, but knew he shouldn’t be. He was in love with Faydra, wasn’t he?

“Lili?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry for my reaction earlier.”

“Uh-huh…”

Now he was grinning. Why he is grinning at me like that? How can someone be so gorgeous?

“Lili?”

“Hmm?”

“Sabé is outside the door searching for you.”

“That’s nice, Hayd…what? OH!” Lili realized what she had been doing and ran past Anakin to the door.

Anakin turned around anticipating Lili’s question.

“How did you know that…”

He’s grinning again… “Oh…duh…the Force, right? Yeah…” Lili said and opened the door feeling like the stupidest person in the universe. Sabé was on the other side just about to knock.

“There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Are you alright?” Sabé asked, noticing the blush on Lili’s cheek.

“You bet!” Lili nodded and brushed past Sabé into the hallway.

This was the second time that Sabé noticed something odd about Lili when she was around Anakin. She swore that she would get to the bottom of it.

Anakin laughed and shook his head as the door closed. This was going to be an interesting trip to Naboo.

Chapter Nine

Lili was in awe of the Temple Library and was glad that Sabé suggested they go there. She was convinced it took up the entire basement of the Jedi Temple. Lili said nothing as she and Sabé slowly walked through what seemed like hundreds of aisles of bookshelves. She stopped periodically to pick up a book filled with strange, alien writing all the while wondering what was written. She loved how some books were the size of her palm and some were the size of a door. She didn’t even want to guess how someone read a book that size. Sabé said nothing the whole time, but instead watched as Lili’s emotions changed from happiness to confusion to wonder. Eventually, Lili found a computer terminal in front of a window, but in a quiet corner and sat down. Sabé pulled up a chair beside her and waited for Lili to ask her how to use the computer.

“I want to catch up on my Star Wars history,” Lili said to a blank screen.

Sabé giggled and Lili turned to face her.

“I mean…”

“I know what you meant,” Sabé said as she reached over Lili to punch a few buttons on the terminal. The screen lit up and waited for input.

“What do you want to look up?”

“Um…I don’t know,” Lili said with a shrug. “How about the history of Coruscant? Naboo? Queen Amidala?”

“Type in a name or place here,” Sabé pointed to the screen. “The computer will find anything related to it. I’m sure you can find what you want to know.”

“Thanks,” Lili said and began a search on the history of Naboo. The computer keys were in English, or Basic, and so was the language. In a matter of seconds, the screen was filled with news articles, documents, and images of Naboo. Lili only half-skimmed over the information the computer retrieved, however. She was waiting for Sabé to say something to her. She suspected Sabé had originally dragged her here to drill her about her behavior earlier in the cafeteria and her meeting with Anakin.

“You’re not going to tell me what that was all about are you?” Sabé finally asked Lili in a desperate tone, trying to take her attention away from the computer terminal in front of her.

“Tell you what?” Lili asked not looking away from the screen.

“You know what I am talking about,” Sabé placed her hands on her hips impatiently. She knew Lili was being evasive on purpose and was dying to know why.

Lili said nothing, but grinned instead. She began reading an article about the Royal Elections on Naboo and it’s history.

“Lili!” Sabé exclaimed and threw her hands in the air. Lili stopped reading and broke into laughter. A librarian nearby shook her head, but continued to stack books.

“No, I’m not going to tell you,” Lili stated and folded her hands demurely in her lap.

“What? Oh come on…you can’t torture me like this!! You have to tell me what is going on. Why were you so upset in the cafeteria? And why were you all flushed when you came out of Anakin Skywalker’s room? What did he say to you? What did you do? You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” Sabé couldn’t get her questions out fast enough. She knew Lili was neglecting to tell her just to be mean.

“Yes,” Lili gasped between her laughing fits. “Yes, I am doing this on purpose.” She wiped a tear and tried to compose herself. “I’m sorry, Sabé. I’m only trying to have some fun in all this confusion.”

“I forgive you. Now, tell me. Please?” Sabé looked as eager as a child about to receive candy.

“Sabé? What do you know about Faydra?” Lili asked seriously.

“Well, not much. I know that she’s been at the Temple for quite some time and that she and Anakin Skywalker are a couple.”

“Yeah, that’s not obvious…” Lili muttered, placing her chin in her hand and went back to looking at the computer…

“Lili, why does it bother you so much that they are a coup-” Sabé stopped when an image of her former Queen appeared on the screen. Lili read aloud about the events surrounding her death. Sabé could not have looked more forlorn when Lili faced her again.

“You look exactly like her. Why?” Sabé sighed and pushed a strand of Lili’s hair behind her ear. “You have her personality, too. I’m glad you came here. I don’t care why you are here…just that you are. I know you can’t replace her…you remind me so much of her. Is that only a coincidence?”

Lili grabbed Sabé’s hand and clutched it to her chest. “Sabé, I’ll find out why I am here. I’ve only been here a short time, and yet, you remind me so much of my best friend, Morgan. I don’t think its coincidence.”

A tear slipped down Lili’s cheek. Lili let go of Sabé’s hand and wiped it away. She missed Morgan terribly and didn’t know when or even if she would ever see her again. She wondered how Morgan was taking her sudden disappearance.

Lili looked at Sabé, who had a slight smile on her face and was gazing out the window. I wonder what she’s thinking about… Lili felt like she was intruding upon a relationship that never should have been shattered. If Queen Amidala hadn’t been murdered, I wonder how things would be different… would I be here? Sabé’s earlier questions lingered in her mind: ‘Why were you so upset in the cafeteria?’ Lili turned back to the computer and stared at the image of Queen Amidala. Why was I so upset? Because I have a mad crush on Hayden Christensen? No, because Padmé Naberrie is the mother of Anakin Skywalker’s children? Lili began to fidget and wondered if she should tell Sabé that little detail. She was the last person Lili wanted to lie to. Sabé had believed her from the start. Lili looked up at Sabé again. She wore a frown and had her head bowed.

“Sabé, I…”

“There you are, Lili.”

Obi-Wan approached Lili and Sabé with a serene smile. Lili immediately noticed the change in Sabé’s demeanor and almost laughed out loud. The sparkle had returned to Sabé’s eyes and obviously her reminiscing had ceased. She now wore a bright smile and focused all her attention on the Jedi Master.

“I have the details of your trip to Naboo.”

“Naboo?” Sabé was quite confused. She turned back to Lili. “Why are you going to Naboo? When are you going to Naboo?”

“I’m not quite sure why I’m going to Naboo. All I know is that I am being forced to go with Anakin and I don’t want t,.” Lili said the last sentence with a smirk in Obi-Wan’s direction.

“You’re not being forced, Lili. The Council feels it’s for the best,” Obi-Wan said folding his arms in his robe.

Lili rolled her eyes. “Great. I say that someone is to become a Sith Lord and they want me to go to Naboo with him. How’s that for ironic?”

“If it makes you feel any better, you won’t be alone with him. Not that he would hurt you.” Obi-Wan placed his hand on Sabé’s shoulder. “Sabé is going with you.”

“I am?” Sabé asked, gazing up at Obi-Wan. Lili thought Sabé was going to let out a blissful sigh at any moment.

“Yes, the Council feels that you would be able to help Lili. You know Naboo better than any of us. I suggested it would be a good idea.”

“Don’t you love how the Council ‘feels’ that this should be this way or…”

“Of course I’ll go!” Sabé exclaimed, interrupting Lili.

Lili turned her head and held her breath to keep from laughing.

“Good. Here are the details. My Padawan will be piloting his ship…he knows not to be rough with you.” Obi-Wan handed a small data pad to Sabé, who passed it to Lili without breaking eye contact with Obi-Wan.

Lili did let out a snort of laughter then. She wasn’t sure if she was laughing about Sabé’s very obvious attraction to Obi-Wan or if it was because what he just said came out very wrong. If only the fan fiction writers could see this now! Both Sabé and Obi-Wan were ignoring Lili at this point. She rolled her eyes again and decided to have some more fun.

“Say…Sabé? Why don’t you and the esteemed Jedi Master go have lunch or something? I would like to catch up on some reading.”

“Yes, that would be lovely,” Obi-Wan said and extended his arm. Sabé practically jumped up and laced her arm through his.

“Enjoy reading up on your catching…” Sabé said, transposing her words as she gazed at the man next to her. They walked out of the Library quietly speaking to each other.

Lili shook her head when Sabé’s laughter reached her in the corner of the Library. She was glad that Obi-Wan Kenobi brought happiness to Sabé.

Lili spent the rest of the day in the Temple Library. She read everything she could about anything. She wanted to not only keep her mind off her unusual situation, but to gain as much knowledge as she could. She was forced to leave when the Library closed, but returned the next day to finish before she left for Naboo. She was fascinated with what she read. She read about the different species on Coruscant and Naboo, the histories of the Jedi and the Sith, the biographies of everyone she could think of. She made mental notes about the differences and similarities of what she knew. Sabé checked on her twice and made her take a break for meals. She finished early that evening and prepared for her trip. Sabé helped her pack and even quizzed Lili on what she found out about Naboo. Lili passed with flying colors and even tried to question Sabé about her ‘lunch’ with Obi-Wan. Sabé was just as mean as Lili was and playfully wouldn’t tell her anything. Deciding she was more patient than Sabé was, she would wait for details.

Lili went to bed that night, worried and excited about her trip to Naboo with a Handmaiden and The Chosen One.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darth Vana stalked down the long corridor to his room. He didn’t like being interrupted in the middle of training his apprentice. He was ‘training’ his apprentice on how to accept pain from his Master. Disobedience was not to be tolerated and he rather enjoyed giving punishment. He did not enjoy, however, being interrupted by one of his servants to receive an unidentified summons from Coruscant. The servant was lucky she would be living to see tomorrow. Perhaps I will punish her tonight as well…

Without stopping his stride, Vana slammed open the doors to his room using the Force. The room automatically lit up and a blinking light on the computer terminal waited to be answered. He sat down and punched in aggressively the security code.

The silhouette of his Master, Darth Sidious appeared.

“Darth Vana,” the silhouette said quietly.

“My Master…” Vana bowed his head to the screen.

“It has been quite some time, my worthy apprentice. I trust the training of your apprentice is going…well?” Sidious said with a twisted sense of sarcasm.

“Yes, my Master. He is accepting his…training very well. Just as you instructed me,” Vana replied with a sadistic grin.

“Excellent. I have a mission for you. Listen well. I do not want nor have the time to repeat myself.”

“Yes, my Master,” Vana said with calm anticipation. It had been ten long years since his Master had sent him on his last mission. He had used that time to perfect his skills in the Dark Side.

“I have felt a disturbance in the Force. Perhaps you have felt it was well?”

Vana nodded and waited for Sidious to continue.

“My spy on Coruscant has told me of the arrival of a young woman named Lili. She is not of this universe, for she has no Force signature.”

Vana was surprised, but showed no outward reaction. Every being had a Force signature.

“My spy has also informed me that she knows things she should not!” Sidious said with a sneer. “She knows of my identity, my plans, of the Sith, of the Jedi…” Sidious stopped to smile maliciously. “She even predicted the future of a particular Padawan named Anakin Skywalker. He is to become my apprentice named Darth Vader.”

Sidious let out a perfectly evil laugh. Vana didn’t know whether to laugh as well, but instead raised his eyebrows in suspicion his Master’s reaction. He leaned closer to the view screen. It was as if Sidious was amused.

“Master, does the Council know of this? Have you foreseen what she says?”

“Of course they know of it. But they have made no move to prove what she says. It would be unwise to press an accusation based solely on the words of one woman. They have no proof and they will not find it.” Sidious stressed the last sentence in anger.

“Master, what is thy bidding?”

“I want you to go to Coruscant. Find this woman. Befriend her. Seduce her. Bring her to me. I want to find out how she knows so much. Then I will make her suffer. She will not stop me from being Emperor…and I have foreseen all that she has said. Anakin Skywalker will be her protector in more ways than one. Do not kill him. Bring him to me as well. He will be my apprentice.”

“Yes, my Master. It will be done.”

Chapter Ten

Lili hated to fly. She hated all the noise, the cramped space, bad food, and the motion sickness a plane offered her. But this was different. She was about to board Anakin's personal ship and go into space. She didn't know whether she could classify it as flying or not. She had never gone into hyperspace before. The thought excited her and terrified her at the same time. A million questions about space travel entered her mind, but she decided it was futile to try to answer them.

Lili, Sabé, and Anakin walked through the hanger that was located at the bottom of the Jedi Temple. Their luggage had been sent ahead and was waiting for them. Lili was ignoring what Sabé was telling her about Naboo. She was too involved in gaping at all the different varieties of vehicles and ships. She couldn’t even begin to describe them all. *I wish I had a sketchbook…I guess I’m going to be continually amazed about everything…I might as well get used to it.*

Lili bumped into Anakin when he stopped abruptly in front her. He grinned at her before turning around again to access a panel on the side of his ship. Lili could feel her cheeks heat up with embarrassment. She also glared at Sabé when she heard her giggle in enjoyment.

“This is the Anakin’s Angel,” Anakin said when the door slid open and gestured to his ship.

“Is that really the name of your ship?” Lili asked in mock disbelief as Sabé boarded the ship.

“Yes,” Anakin said a little annoyed. “Why? What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing, never mind,” She stated and walked around the ship, curious. She didn’t really know how to describe it. It resembled closely the Nubian Starfighter from “The Phantom Menace”, but much smaller. It was a dark rusty color, copper like. It was streamlined and had a smooth surface. *I hope he is as good a pilot as he is in the movies.*

“Anakin!”

She had just come around the other side of his ship when she heard a familiar voice call out to Anakin. She turned just in time to see Faydra throw herself into his arms. He embraced her in a tight hug before leaning down to give her a good-bye kiss she would remember. They were blocking the entrance to the ship, so Lili could do nothing but stand there. She tried to look at anything else but them.

Getting annoyed at yet another public display of affection, one that was lasting too long in her mind, she gently cleared her throat. Anakin pulled away, but Faydra turned and glared at Lili, who in response smirked at Faydra and rushed around them to board the Anakin’s Angel. Anakin noticed the whole exchange and was about to ask his fiancée when she answered for him.

“I cannot believe they want you to go to Naboo with her. She’s only going to cause trouble for us. She’s already lied to us all, Anakin. You don’t believe her do you?”

“I’m not sure what to believe, but I don’t think she would intentionally lie to us. She’s a stranger here,” he said dropping his arms from her.

“That’s what I mean. I don’t like her. And you said yourself she was lying when she told us your future.”

“You liked her before she told you I was to be a Sith Lord, Faydra. She’s still the same person you met.”

“Exactly. She purposely lied and for what reason? And I don’t know what kind of person she is, though probably a Sith.”

Anakin backed up from her, taken off guard by her swift change in opinion. Faydra was blocking him from her mind and he was unsure why.

“Faydra, I don’t think she lied to us and neither does Obi-wan. I have to keep in mind what she knows about me. Obi-wan said she’s not a Sith either. She has no Force presence. She has done nothing to prove she’s here to hurt any of us. The Council feels that she is here for a reason,” he said, feeling the need to defend Lili.

“Fine Anakin. I can’t stop you from going to Naboo with that madwoman. Just remember I warned you…”

Anakin stood in disbelief, watching Faydra march out of the hanger. *That was an interesting conversation…how about “I love you Anakin, come back to me.”? *Anakin sighed and decided that she was just upset he had to leave her. Anakin put all thoughts of Faydra aside and began the task of loading their luggage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lili would never have thought Anakin would be any good at housekeeping, but she was wrong. The interior of his ship was pleasing to the eye with deep tans and earthly browns. It was spotless, tidy, and nothing was out of place. It didn’t seem as if a man owned it. *On second thought, maybe Faydra cleans it for him…*

Lili found Sabé seated in the seat behind the copilots chair frowning.

“Sabé? What’s wrong?” Lili said taking the copilots seat.

“Faydra called you a madwoman,” Sabé admitted. “I overheard their conversation.”

“Oh…”

“I don’t think you’re a madwoman!”

“Thank you. I’m glad you don’t think I am, but I’m sure everyone else does,” Lili said finding the seat in front of Sabe.

“I don’t think Anakin does,” Sabé said and winked at her.

“I don’t think what?” Anakin entered and asked, confused.

"You don't think that-"

"That I shouldn't be afraid of space flight..." Lili said smoothly.

Anakin stood there for a moment and looked at the two women before him. Lili was blushing, again, and Sabe was barely holding back her laughter. He could have probed Sabe's mind, but decided that he didn't need the Force to know that they weren't telling him the truth.

"Right, uh, Lili... you don't have to be afraid of space flight," Anakin said, closing the main door and taking his seat in the pilots chair.

"Oh, that makes me feel soooo much better, hearing it from The Chosen One himself, Anakin Skywalker!"

Lili burst out laughing at the blank look and raised eyebrow from Anakin.

"Oh, I'm sorry Anakin. I'm just trying to have some fun...before I go into, uh...space...yeah," She mumbled before lowering her head and hugging her body with her arms.

"Relax, Lili. I won't kill you. I mean… it won't kill you, okay? Trust me. I promise not to let anything happen to you."

Lili looked up when she felt Anakin’s warm hand on her shoulder. She didn’t think her situation was that bad anymore. She trusted him. She actually knew in her heart she had more faith in him and his ship than all the planes on Earth. She nodded and smiled.

Sabé was watching Anakin and Lili carefully. Their conversation was long over, but they didn't seem content to stop looking at each other. Sabé was certain that there was something very odd about the two and how they interacted with each other. Lili seemed to blush every time she saw the man, though she couldn’t blame her. She swore before she was going to get to the bottom of it and she was more determined than ever now to find out.

Chapter Eleven

“You don’t have space travel on your planet, do you? How do you like it?” Anakin asked quietly and leaned back in his pilot’s chair. He had tried to make the take off as smooth as possible. Lili had been gripping the arm of the chair so tight he thought she was going to break it. He didn’t want her to be scared. He was thankful when she finally let out the breath she was holding when they went into hyperspace. Sabé had simply patted her shoulder on her way to the back of the ship, to her cabin, leaving Anakin and Lili alone.

“No, I don’t and it’s not as bad as I thought…I expected it to be different,” Lili said and got up to stretch her legs. She had been sitting in the same, tense position since she sat down. Scared that if she moved, she would somehow cause Anakin to crash the ship. She knew it had been a dumb and foolish idea, but then again, she hadn’t been able to make sense of anything she thought at the moment.

“Different how?” Anakin swiveled the chair around to face Lili, who was stretching. He couldn’t help but notice how graceful her movements were. Her long, slender fingers were positioned like that of a dancer. She arched her arms and body as if she were being moved by a melody. The dress she was wearing shifted, showing all the curves hiding underneath. Her hair was loose and swayed beautifully. It was enough to make Anakin take a deep, calming breath at all the thoughts he *wasn’t* supposed to be having about her. *The woman doesn’t know her appeal…* He thought as she continued her slow dance.

“I don’t know. Just different,” Lili said, breaking his trance and sitting back down.

“Good,” He said and turned back to the console, pretending to press something important and trying not to think about Lili. *Faydra… must think of Faydra…*

They sat in silence for a few moments, willing the other to speak. When not looking out the window at the stars whizzing by, Lili occasionally looked at Anakin, as if she were trying to figure something out about him. Anakin occasionally looked at Lili just to look at her.

“So… what’s a movie?” Anakin asked, finally breaking the silence.

“Well… It’s something you watch. Um…actors, people who play parts, ‘pretend’, or act, for a story line. It’s recorded and people see these storylines. Does that make sense?”

“Oh, that’s like a Holovid here.”

“You said that Star Wars was a movie…” Anakin continued when Lili didn’t say anything else.

“Yes, it is. One of my favorites.” *More like an obsession…*

“Who plays me?”

“Who plays you? Oh…uh…well… in which movie?” Lili had begun to rub her fingers against the smooth surface of the console, not looking at Anakin.

Anakin laughed. He wasn’t expecting that response.

“In whatever movie in which I look like I do now!”

Lili smiled at how silly her question must have sounded and looked up at him.

“Well…in Episodes Two and Three, you are played by Hayden Christensen.”

“And he looks just like me?” Anakin prodded.

“Yes… exactly like you. You act like him, talk like him…” Lili said looking down again.

“Do you like him?”

“Hmm?” Lili responded. Anakin noticed that she had taken on a dreamy look as she stared down at the console. She was biting her lip again…

“Do you think he’s attractive?” Anakin asked, testing her response.

“Oh God, yes!” Lili had practically shouted, closing her eyes and smiling.

Anakin was barely able to hold back his laughter. The mortified look and blush on Lili’s face when she realized what she had just said was priceless.

“Oh my God…I didn’t just… oh God… I mean… oh shit…” Lili was stumbling over her own words. She couldn’t believe she had just fallen for that. “Damn it, Anakin,” she mumbled, averting her eyes and trying to sink into the chair.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Anakin said, grinning like an idiot.

“Why you arrogant… you did that on purpose, didn’t you?” Lili asked, narrowing her eyes and trying to sound furious.

Anakin enjoyed seeing the feisty sparkle in her eyes again.

“Yes, I did.”

“Why?”

“Because I wanted to…and it’s fun to make you blush.” Anakin said, lowering his voice, just above a whisper.

Lili momentarily lost her train of thought. His gaze was dark and sultry…and it was focused on her.

“Well, now that I’ve inflated your ego…”

“You really like him, don’t you?”

“Anakin, he’s an actor, practically unattainable…and so what if I do. He’s a good…actor,” She tried pleading her case, but sighed when she saw Anakin’s “Yeah right” look. “Oh, I give up… Yes, okay…I do think you’re hot. You’re fucking gorgeous, all right? Happy?” She asked and started pacing.

Anakin could tell Lili was embarrassed. She was wringing her hands and mumbling under her breath. Feeling almost guilty, he cleared his throat and tried to change the subject.

“What do the words ‘God’, ‘damn’, ‘fucking’ and ‘shit’ mean?”

Lili stopped her pacing and half laughed at Anakin, who now looked slightly puzzled at her response.

“God is what you would refer to as ‘The Maker’. To some people It’s male or female or both, actually,” Lili said and continued when Anakin nodded. “The other words are derogatory or curse words, like, Sithspit, I guess. One of them having a se…uh, double meaning,” she explained and stopped there in her description. She turned around and faced the window when Anakin stood up. *Please don’t ask me what word…*

“What word has a double meaning?”

*He asked…* “Uh…nevermind,” she whispered. Anakin had approached her from behind. She could feel her heartbeat increase. If she were to turn around, she’d bump into his chest.

Anakin heard her sharp intake of breath when he pulled her hair away from the side of her neck. She stood frozen in place as he leaned down to repeat his question, this time in a whisper just as soft as hers.

“What word, Lili?”

Lili whirled around and pressed her back against the wall, trying to move away from Anakin. Unfortunately, she had placed her self between the copilot’s chair and an adjacent wall. She was stuck.

Anakin raised his arms and splayed his hands on the wall on either side of Lili’s arms.

“What word?” He asked, leaning in closer still.

“Why do you want to know so bad?”

“You fascinate me, that’s why. Everything that comes out of your mouth-” Anakin’s eyes shifted to gaze at her mouth, “is something new. It’s something I’m beginning to really like…and you’re blushing again. That’s how I know it’s something… interesting,” he said, his gaze meeting her eyes again on his last word.

“I’m not interesting,” she said, her own eyes focusing on his mouth.

“Yea, you are. Did you know that you bite your lower lip when you are nervous? Like you are now…”

“I only do that when I’m around you, Anakin.”

“What word?”

“Huh?”

“You were going to tell me what that word meant,” Anakin said bringing up his hand to cup her cheek. He grinned he heard her whimper.

“What word?” She whispered.

“That’s what I asked you, Lili,” Anakin whispered, caressing her cheek. Lili leaned into his caress.

“Oh… fucking…” she had closed her eyes, enjoying his touch. She hadn’t been touched like that in a long time. It was wonderful, calming…and disarming.

“Yes…that word. What does it mean?”

“Um…it has a sexual connotation…it’s a rough term for making love… screwing passionately, as if in a desperate need…” Lili opened her eyes. *Why is he looking at me like that? What did I just say? Dear God, he looks determined…*

“Does it now? That’s very interesting…” Anakin whispered, his mouth hovering just inches above Lili’s.

“Uh-huh…”

Anakin’s look changed from playful seduction to feral. He brought his other hand up to entwine in her hair, pulling her to him. He shifted his head to get better access to her mouth…

Chapter Twelve
*…Anakin’s look changed from playful seduction to feral. He brought his other hand up to entwine in her hair, pulling her to him. He shifted his head to get better access to her mouth…*

“Hey, Lili? I want to show-oh!”

Lili startled when she heard Sabé’s surprised voice. It took all her will power to push Anakin away from her. Her heart didn’t want to, but her mind told her different. She tried to pretend that what almost happened, didn’t happen. She was certain her intense blush wasn’t helping, either. She looked up at Anakin, who was just standing there with a smug grin on his face, which infuriated her more.

“I’m sorry…uh, would you two like me to come back later so you can finish your, uh, kiss?” Sabé said, desperately trying to hold back her laughter and pointing behind her.

“No! No,” Lili said, pushing Anakin out of her way and made her way towards Sabé. “Uh…ooooo.”

Sabé was only able to catch Lili mumbling something about being tricked when she marched out of the bridge. Sabé turned to catch Anakin’s expression, but he was sitting back down in the pilot’s chair with a stern and thoughtful look on his face. She decided it would be more fun to pester Lili about what happened than Anakin. She had her suspicions and was going to make sure she found out the truth.

“Oh, Lili!!” Sabé sang as she almost skipped back to the room where Lili had retreated.

She found Lili face down on the bed with her head buried in the pillows. Sabé thought Lili was crying, but changed her mind when she saw Lili sit up and pound the pillows to death. Sabé was only barely able to dodge the pillow that flew by her head. She smiled sweetly and sat down on the edge of the bed. She folded her hands in her lap demurely and waited.

After more fist pounding to the pillows, Lili sat still. She was breathing heavily, but seemed to feel better. She looked at Sabé, who seemed to be waiting on something. *Let’s see how I can explain this…*

“That man is infuriating,” Lili sounded pathetic.

“How so?”

Sabé watched Lili open and close her mouth a few times, as if trying to decide what to say. She imagined she looked like a fish out of water.

“Every time I’m around him…I lose my train of thought…and I swear he knows it whether I’m Force sensitive or not!”

“And that’s infuriating how?” Sabé gleefully asked.

“He’s supposed to be with Faydra,” Lili snapped.

“Uh-huh…and why do you suppose he’s attracted to you?”

“Because he’s a man? I don’t know!” *Like hell I don’t know…*

“Doesn’t seem like he was thinking about Faydra just then.”

Lili pressed her fingers to her temples and took a deep breath. She slumped over and tried to calm herself. It wasn’t working.

“Faydra isn’t supposed to be here,” Lili mumbled.

“What do you mean?” Sabé asked, lowering her voice.

“I mean that Faydra isn’t in Star Wars as far as I know,” she brought her head back up and looked at Sabé, almost pleadingly, before continuing. “And Anakin isn’t engaged to her. He supposed to be with-”

“Lili, you’re attracted to him, too. I’ve seen it,” Sabé interrupted Lili’s admission. “You get this, I don’t know, wishful and longing look when you see him. That day in the cafeteria, I thought you were going to kill Faydra, you were so mad. Why? What do you know?”

“I was just shocked because it isn’t how it’s supposed to happen,” Lili said to the floor, skirting around Sabé’s inquisition.

“How what isn’t supposed to happen?” Sabé’s eyes narrowed and her suspicion meter was more than going off.

“This isn’t making any sense, is it?” Lili murmered.

“Excuse me ladies, but we are approaching Naboo,” Anakin’s voice suddenly blared over the ship’s speaker and causing Lili to startle again.

“Already?” Lili asked, puzzled.

“We’ll finish this later, Lili. I promise,” Sabé said and started to head back to the bridge.

“Yes, mommy…”

Sabé grinned at Lili on her way out of the room. Lili laughed to herself. She really did enjoy Sabé’s company. *She’s exactly like Morgan…*

Lili tossed the pillow she was holding out of her lap and stood up. She laughed again when she saw the state of the small cabin. The bed was a mess and the pillows were rumpled, half of them on the floor. The relief of her anger and frustration had always made her own room look like a bomb had gone off when she got through. *At least I feel better…*

She quickly took the time to straighten the cabin before heading to the ‘fresher to wash up. She took one look at her disheveled appearance and blanched. But once again, she was reminded that it wasn’t her appearance. *I’m going to forget what I really do look like…maybe that’s the point…No! Oh, I curse the day I ever said ‘I wish I was Natalie Portman!’ God…I can’t do this to myself. There has to be a reason…* She shook her head, dismissing the thoughts from her head. She had a purpose and she was bound and determined to find out what it was!

She splashed water on her face, hoping to calm the still fierce blush she had. *The one always caused by Anakin…I wonder if he…* Lili’s thoughts trailed off as she brought her fingers to her lips, touching them lightly and grinning…

“Lili? Are you going to hide back there all day?” The object of her daydreams interrupted, with slight amusement in his voice.

She closed her eyes and counted to ten. *I swear…if he doesn’t go to the Dark Side first, I will…to strangle the man!!* She threw the towel she held into the sink and slapped a smile on her face, joining Anakin and Sabé on the bridge.

Anakin was intently making precise calculations into the computer. He glanced at Lili and immediately regretted it. Her hair was a mess, her dress was wrinkled and her cheeks were rosy. She looked incredibly sexy. He took a deep breath and tried to think of something, anything, other than what he wanted to do to her. *Dancing Yoda…naked dancing Yoda…*

Sabé sat in the copilot’s chair looking at a small datapad and frowning. Lili stood between the two, her gaze focused on the computer screen that counted down the seconds to the disengagement of hyperspace. She felt the odd feeling it was also the countdown to the beginning of something she couldn’t explain…

“Five, Four, Three, Two, One…”

The ship lurched when it came out of hyperspace causing Lili to lose her balance and pitch to the side—and fall right into Anakin’s lap. He grunted when he suddenly felt her added weight, tiny as she was, it was unexpected. Lili groaned and buried her face in her hands, vowing to kill Sabé if she continued laughing at her misfortune. She dared to peak at Anakin’s reaction.

“As much as I would love to hold you in my arms, I need to pilot the ship,” he quietly said, his voice full of playful sarcasm.

Lili felt like she was going to catch on fire at any moment. Was it because of her renewed embarrassment or her position on Anakin’s lap? She would have gotten up sooner, but it seemed Anakin didn’t feel inclined to let her go. Why hadn’t she noticed when he had wrapped his arms around her? He had both arms around her waist, making it impossible for her to move without help. Though, she didn’t feel inclined to make any attempts to leave his arms, either. It could have been because of the way Anakin was looking at her… *That same look earlier…oh dear… This man is infuriating…isn’t he?* His obnoxious grin was enough to make her forget her thoughts, again. Or was it the way his eyes sparkled in devilment?

Sabé was about to remind Anakin to pilot his ship, but decided not to ruin the moment Anakin and Lili were sharing. The two were just staring at each other, as if they had tuned out the rest of the universe. She looked away when Anakin leaned down and brushed a lock of curly, chocolate brown hair out of Lili’s face. She almost snorted in merriment when she heard Lili’s soft sigh.

*Faydra...must think of my fiance, shouldn't I? Force, Lili's beautiful...*

*Oh my…is he going to…um…*

Once again Anakin entwined his hand in her hair, bringing her head up to meet his lips. Lili closed her eyes and waited for what she knew was going to come. Anakin leaned down at the same time to gently…

The sudden alarm from the console alerted Anakin to where he was. He all but dumped Lili to the floor beside him as he regained control of the Anakin’s Angel. He had barely been able to keep them from burning up in Naboo’s atmosphere. Out of the corner of his eye, he was able to see Lili dusting herself off, her movements over exaggerated. He was also able to catch the glare she gave him before she sat down in the seat behind Sabé. If looks could kill…I’m so dead…

“What were you looking at?” Lili questioned a still grinning Sabé. “Oh, shut up…”

Sabé looked at Anakin, who was quietly inputting Naboo’s clearance codes to the computer, before answering Lili.

“I was looking at the list of candidates for the election,” she said with a frown.

“You don’t look to happy about that.”

“I’m not. One of the candidates is Role Jabin…and he’s leading.”

“Who?”

“Role Jabin,” she repeated and looked at the list on the datapad again. “He’s the man who murdered…my best friend, Queen Amidala.”

Updated 12/30/01