❀ ❀ ❀

APOLLA SIGHED AND Stared out the window as Anakin held her hand.

"Be safe, Milady." Captain Typho told Padmé.

"Thank you, Captain. Take care of Dorme, the treat's on you two now." Padmé responded.

"He'll be safe with me." Dorme told her.

Apolla walked over to her brother and Minerva as everyone had their own private conversations.

"I'll go with Obi-Wan to find out who's trying to kill Padmé and myself. You can take your brother with you, he's shown to be a good protector." Queen Minerva said looking at Helios.

She smiled and nodded "Yes, of course."

Helios smiled "I'll make sure Anakin doesn't try anything on you."

Apolla smacked his chest. Queen Minerva wrapped her arms around Helios then kissed his cheek.

"Be safe, please." He whispered to her.

She nodded "I promise you, and please come back to me."

He kissed her head "I promise."

They pulled apart, Helios and Apolla walked over to Anakin and Padmé.

"I'll get to the bottom of this plot quickly, Milady, with the help of Queen Minerva. You'll be back here in no time." Obi-Wan told Padmé.

"I'll be most grateful with your speed, Master Jedi." Padmé told him, smiling.

Obi-Wan blushed. Apolla hugged Obi-Wan.

He hugged back, whispering "Take care of them."

"Yes, Master." She whispered, pulling away.

"It's time to go." Anakin said, clearly jealous that Obi-Wan hugged her.

She sighed "Let's go Helios."

They walked out of the ship, Padmé following suit.

"Anakin, Apolla, may the Force be with you, and with you, Helios." Obi-Wan said.

"May the Force be with you, Master." All 3 of them said.

The four of them all got our stuff then started to walk off.

"Suddenly I'm afraid." Padmé spoke up.

"This is our first assignment on our own. We are too." Helios and Anakin said in unison.

Apolla looked behind them to see R2, smirking at the droid "Don't worry. We have R2 with us."

Anakin laughed with her. They boarded the transport to Naboo and they were off. Apolla sat down as she waited for her food. Anakin sat in front of her as her brother and Padmé were sleeping.

"Hey." She whispered.

"Hi." He blushed and looked down at his hands.

"What's going on between us?" Apolla asked, fiddling with her fingers.

He sighed "I mean, we're acting like a couple, Apolla. If that's not something you want, I'll respect your decision. If this is something you want, then be honest with me."

She pursed her lips together and leaned forward, clasping her hands together.

The other Jedi also leaned forward "So?"

Apolla moved her hands to be on top of his "Ani, you know that I like you, we've done things that friends don't do. I mean, our first kiss and us doing it all happened last year. Now, I feel like this weird connection between us. A magnetic pull, so to speak. I don't see you as just my friend, I have feelings for you I have no control over. If we're gonna make this work, I'm willing to try."

Anakin looked down then at her "I just don't want to rush our relationship, again."

She nodded "Me neither."

He smiled softly "If you want to go on a few dates, see how this goes."

Apolla blushed "I'd like that, Ani."

Anakin chuckled softly then stuck out his pinky "Our little secret."

She laced her pinky with his, giggling "Our little secret."

❀ ❀ ❀

AFTER A WHILE, when the two were done eating, Apolla laid her head on Anakin's lap as he stroked her hair.

He smiled down at his best friend, whispering "She's so beautiful."

Apolla slept soundly.

Padmé woke up then looked over at the two, whispering "You guys are cute!"

"Thank you." Anakin blushed. 

A few hours passed by and the ship landed on the dock. They were finally on Naboo. Apolla woke up then yawned. Anakin helped her up then grabbed her things along with his. Helios also grabbed Padmé's belongings with his.

"I wasn't the youngest queen ever elected, but now that I think back on it, I'm not sure I was old enough. I'm not sure I was ready." Padmé told all 3 of the force users.

"The people you served thought you did a good job." Anakin told her, Apolla nodding in agreement.

"I heard they even tried to amend the constitution so you could stay in office." Helios piped in.

"I was relieved when my two terms were up. But when the queen asked me to serve as senator, I couldn't refuse her." Padmé told all of them.

"I agree with her. I think the Republic needs you. I'm glad you chose to serve, and I'm glad that Apolla was your handpicked handmaiden, you two work well together." Anakin said looking between the two women.

Apolla smiled "Thank you."

He winked at her as they walked to where the Queen was.

"If the senate votes to create an army, I'm sure it's gonna push us into a civil war." Padmé said.

"It's unthinkable. There hasn't been a full-scale war since the formation of the Republic." Sio Bibble told Anakin, Apolla, Helios, and Padmé.

"Do you see any way through negotiations to bring the separatists back into the Republic?" Queen Jamilla asked Padmé.

Apolla looked at Padmé.

Padmé looked at Queen Jamilla and said "Not if they feel threatened. My guess is they'll turn to the Trade Federations or the Commerce Guilds for help."

"It's outrageous but after four trials in the Supreme Court, Nute Gunray is the viceroy of the Trade Federation. I fear the senate is powerless to resolve this crisis." Sio Bibble told her.

"We must keep our faith in the Republic." Queen Jamilla said, as she stood up.

Everyone else following suit.

"The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it." Queen Jamilla told Padmé.

"Let's pray that day never comes." Padmé told her.

Apolla held Anakin's hand. He squeezed her hand, softly.

"In the mean time we must consider your own safety." Queen Jamilla told Padmé.

"What is your suggestion, Master Jedi?" Sio Bibble asked Anakin.

Apolla giggled "He's still in training, I'm a Jedi Master, but I think Padmé should stay close to me, Anakin, or my brother."

Anakin raised a brow "Now wait a minute!"

"Excuse you?" Padmé questioned Anakin.

Apolla sighed.

Padmé looked over at her former handmaiden "Apolla's right, I was thinking I could stay in the lake country. There are some places up there that are very isolated."

Apolla covered Anakin's mouth, watching him open it trying to speak.

"Perfect, it's settled then." Queen Jamilla said as they all walked out of the place.

Apolla moved her hand off of Anakin's mouth walking with Padmé. Helios shook his head at Anakin. The four of them finally made it to the lake country. Padmé and Helios went off to get settled in while Anakin and Apolla went somewhere private to talk.

Apolla sighed and leaned against the railing "Ani?"

He looked over "Yes?"

Apolla chuckled lightly "My father believed we were the force bound soulmates."

He moved her hair out of her face, lightly kissing her temple "I believe we are."

She smiled softly and looked at him, leaning in. He leaned in, kissing her softly. She kissed back. Helios cleared his throat, causing the two to pull apart.

Apolla looked behind her and sighed "Wow."

Padmé giggled "Don't mind us."

They walked to their stay.