"What took you so long?" 

Denali had forgotten all about Padme. It wasn't intentional, honestly. She'd just gotten so caught up in everything, in being home and being with Gerg and going to the fights... She'd completely forgotten that she was still working. That she had a job as Padme's bodyguard. And from the look on her boss's face, Denali could tell that she wasn't amused with her forgetfulness. 

"I am so sorry, Padme. I should've told you where I was. That was all my fault and I promise I'll never forget again." Denali said in attempt to make up for her mistake. Padme just stood and watched, her arms folded over her chest and her expression unreadable. "It's just that after Danik wanted to talk to me about the Jedi and the Order and how people are starting to question its loyalty because of me, I was just overwhelmed and I wanted to come back and talk to you. But then I ran into Gerg and he knew something was wrong. So I told him what Danik told me. And he felt bad for me, so he took me to the fights last night- which were absolutely amazing- and Arlon Amino was there and people were shouting and-"

"Stop." Padme interrupted her, her hand up in a silencing gesture. Denali stopped speaking. "I'm not mad." The used-to-be Jedi raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"You're not?" She asked. Padme shook her head and sat down on the side of the twin-sized bed she'd claimed as her own, leaving the one opposite of that for Denali to have. 

"I'm not. I know what it's like to miss home. To miss your family and friends. I understand why you got so caught up." Denali couldn't contain her sigh of relief as an enormous weight lifted from her shoulders. "I myself am not from this sort of background. But I remember our traditions back on Naboo. I realize just how important traditions can be in families. And if watching people fight is one of your traditions, I get it. Just please let me know before you go. That way I don't have to stay awake, worrying about you."

"Of course, Padme. I won't let it happen again." Denali nodded her head quickly, then sat down on her mattress across from the senator.

"Now," Padme began as she pulled her legs up to her chest in her seat. "What was that you said about the Jedi? Something about questioning loyalty?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Denali spent most of the morning explaining everything that her brother told her to her new employer. And Padme listened intently, only stopping every few minutes or so to ask a question or two, which Denali answered to the best of her ability. In the end, the two had more questions than answers, but neither one was surprised. 

"So Danik believes that the Republic is losing faith in the Order?" Padme asked. Denali nodded her confirmation. "Even the Chancellor?" Once again, Denali nodded. "But how would he even know that? After all, it could just be rumors floating around the base."

"Unless he has someone listening for him in the Senate." Denali suggested. "That seems like a reasonable enough assumption. He's got hundreds of bounty hunters at his disposal. I'm sure if he's even a little suspicious of what's happening in the Jedi Order or the Senate, he could easily sneak someone inside those walls without anyone noticing. That's probably why he found out I was removed from the Order so quickly." Padme was silent as she thought on Denali's words.

They were all true, smart assumptions of course. They all made sense. And it didn't seem like there were any other options that would fit the picture any better. 

"Wow..." The Senator sighed and grabbed one of the throw-pillows from its spot at the head of her bed. She held it to her chest, hugging it as her eyes became unfocused and trained to the floor. "To think that a bounty hunter has been watching everything going on in the Senate and reporting it back here... I mean, I'm not shocked. Someone seems to always be watching our every move. But having people here know about it...in a place so dangerous..."

Denali tried not to be too offended by what Padme said. Sure, you wouldn't exactly take your kids to the Rancor Slayers' base for vacation, but it wasn't that terrible. If you knew the right people....and kept your head down...and carried a blaster with you at all times... So maybe it wasn't the safest place, but it was still home to Denali. 

"You've got nothing to worry about, Padme." She assured her friend with a forced smile. "As long as I'm here, nothing will get to you. They'll have to kill me first and since I'm Danik's little sister, it'd be pretty much a death-wish to mess with you."

"Why does that not make me feel much better?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"An important mission, this is, Master Kenobi." Master Yoda said. The entire Council was dead-silent as they listened to the oldest master. Obi-Wan's hands were clammy at his sides, his fingers twitching slightly, wanting to clench and unclench his fists. Master Windu sat expressionless in his seat, one leg rested on top of the other. Like he was sitting through any other Council meeting, not some gathering that would change Denali's life even further than the meeting before.

Heartless bastard.

"Known for your history with Denali, you are. Your sense of mercy, as well." Yoda continued. "But clouded is your judgment. Hesitance in your voice when we speak of her, I hear. Uncertainty in your heart, all I feel."

And then the words were spoken.

"Send Master Windu on this mission, we must."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I can't believe this." Anakin growled under his breath as he paced back and forth in his room, like a caged animal. "I can't believe you just let them decide this! Now Windu's after Denali and there's nothing we can do about it!"

"You think I don't realize that?" Obi-Wan replied. The man stood with his back against the wall, one arm folded over his chest and the other pressed against the bridge of his nose, as if he was enduring a terrible headache. Which wasn't too far from the truth. "There wasn't anything I could do in the first place, the Council made their decision. What Master Yoda says is final."

"Poodoo!" Anakin yelled and raised his fist to punch the wall in anger, but he took a deep breath and lowered his arm. Denali wouldn't want him making such a fuss and doing something that would put his position in the Order at risk. Even though the Order was being a load of Bantha shi-

"You think I'm not upset about this, too?" Obi-Wan asked as he walked over to his former apprentice. "You think I'm not terrified of the fact that one of the most dangerous, ruthless Jedi in the entire Order is after our friend?"

"He's supposed to be after the bounty hunter."

"But they all think it's her. When it comes to Master Windu, he doesn't like wasting time. If there's even a slight sign of a threat, he wants it eliminated fast-"

"That sounds like a Sith to me." Anakin snapped. Obi-Wan pursed his lips.

He wasn't showing it, but this was harder for him to handle than Anakin. Why wouldn't it be? Denali was his wife. The idea that the love of his life was being accused of murder and kidnapping a Senator... It made him sick to his stomach. What made it even worse was that he was robbed of the chance to do anything to help her.

"Anakin...Master Windu is no Sith." Obi-Wan scolded, his voice low and his expression serious. "That's a very serious accusation. And I wouldn't say it so close to listening ears...at least, not out loud."

"We can't just sit around here, though. We need to do something! We need to warn her!"

"It's hard to warn her when we have no idea where she is."

Anakin's eyes suddenly widened in realization. With her dying breath, Padme's assistant was able to tell them that Denali and Padme were going somewhere that started with an 'A'. Of course, there were thousands, if not millions, of planets in the galaxy that started with the letter 'A'. But what was the one most familiar planet that Denali would want to go to after leaving the Order? 

"Alderaan. They went to Alderaan."