CHAPTER TWO.

Phoenix walked alongside Chancellor Palpatine. Her arms rested by her side, shoulders back, back straight. Phoenix was never from a noble background so always saw herself as having to prove her worth to the man even if she disagreed with him on many areas. He had the power. She always wanted to make a good impression on the Naboo man. He was the Chancellor and good impressions were her highest priority.

As they walked through the elaborate corridors of the Senate, Padme walked just behind, talking to Jax.  The walls towered high above them and even after being through them so many times, their beauty always amazed Phoenix. Padme and Jax seemed to have gotten into a debate. However, Phoenix wasn't paying much attention to the pair. She was a little frustrated with her fiance but knew it would pass with time. 

She wanted to be kind and friendly. That was what she always had to be. So she focused her attention on the Chancellor's words. He was asking for her opinion on the recent political divides within the Senate. Phoenix listened intently while simultaneously deciding her own stance as they walked and debated. Though Phoenix was a lot more respectful in her opinion than Padme was currently being. Phoenix couldn't blame her, Jax was a defensive and politically subversive figure.

They passed by a few windows on their walk to the Chancellor's office. The windows went from floor to ceiling and the Coruscanti sun poured in. Leaving a pleasant feeling on Phoenix's skin after spending so much time in the darkness of her ship. She hadn't realised she'd stopped until Palpatine had stopped and turned to face her. A kind smile spread across his face as he joined her side. Her gaze stayed on the window as she admired the view and basked in the sunlight. Padme and Jax were still debating though a little more quietly now a few steps away from them.

"It's marvellous, isn't it?" Palpatine said as he looked out over the city of Coruscant. It sprawled across the whole surface of the planet. Thousands of millions of people milling around and so much effort went into it, it was hard not to admire the cityscape. The lower levels of Coruscant were not the most ideal place to be and Phoenix constantly advocated to help those but they were never helped and they never breached the top levels of the city. So, there was still a sense of calm and serenity to it.

"It always leaves me in awe. I apologise for stopping us." Phoenix smiled back at the older man. He didn't seem at all bothered by the interruption and instead admired the sprawling skyline with her. Phoenix especially loved Coruscant at night when it seemed to come alive with people. Running about and shouting, laughing. It was dangerous at night but still beautiful nonetheless. People simply being happy and themselves made Phoenix feel an odd sense of joy.

"Chancellor," Padme interrupted the two who were admiring the view. Phoenix turned around and realised that both Padme and Jax were staring. Jax looked flushed and red. The colour of his face nearly matched the wallpaper behind his head, he had obviously lost the debate. Padme was a fierce debater so it was unsurprising. Padme looked rather self-satisfied but still as regal and formal as ever. She had been a Queen, after all.

Now that she had gained both their attention she continued, "I think it would be best if we headed to your office, I have a meeting after this one and I cannot be late for it," Padme said as she met his gaze. Palpatine nodded and gestured for the women to walk ahead before he walked towards Jax, clearly wanting to have a conversation with him.

Phoenix glanced back once at the skyline before she continued to walk towards the Chancellor's office which was only a corridor away now. Leaving Jax felt strange after the hours they had spent together but it was a very much welcome change. Phoenix's gaze settled on the wood floors. They shined and gleamed in the mid-day sun and Padme and Phoenix's footsteps could be heard clicking against it as they made their way to the office.

"Your fiance is something," Padme commented. Her choice of words made Phoenix smile, bemused.

"He is, indeed," Phoenix said as she walked up to the large oak door. With a wave of her hand, the door slid open and the two women walked into the large office.

Red was the most notable thing about Palpatine's office. It screamed out at you. The walls and ceiling were deep red. Not too bright but not too dark. The floor was a mix of dura-concrete and red carpet. The seats in his office were the same dull grey colour as the concrete but much more comfortable than they looked. When Phoenix had first seen the office, she was shocked by the stark nature of the design but quickly grew used to it.

"Jax is a different sort of man. I'm hoping that I will be able to sway his opinions on certain things the longer we are together. He does not understand the importance of political international relations. Thank the Maker, he is not Mith's Senator." Phoenix did not like to speak badly against Jax but he was an odd man. However, he had a good reputation and good family so he was perfect.

The two women sat in the twin seats of Palpatine's desk and waited for him. He seemed to be having an extended conversation with Jax but Phoenix had no clue what it could possibly be about.

"I could never understand how you fell for him," Padme said as she looked at her friend. Phoenix looked up at Padme and her smile fell slightly. Phoenix had never fallen for Jax. It had been a simple arrangement but Padme didn't know that. Before Phoenix could say anything, Palpatine walked in and her fiance was no longer at his side.

The Chancellor claimed he had sent her husband-to-be to put their bags in their room. Palpatine seemed happy to see Jax even though they had never met before. Or, they had never met to Phoenix's knowledge. She wasn't sure if they'd interacted in the past but it had never been mentioned. Phoenix was tempted to question Palpatine about her fiance but decided against it simply enjoying the fact that Jax was getting on well with someone at least. He had made a less than ideal impression on Padme.

The trio sat and began their discussions. The political debate felt like it went on for an age before Phoenix was even able to get a word in but eventually, she got her own opinion across and everything seemed to work out considering the polarising opinions on each side of the table. Phoenix was, as always, the mediator and the less radical of the group.

But the rest of the day's debates and deals didn't go as well as the one with Palpatine and Padme. Everything seemed to fall apart but Phoenix took it in her stride and would try again the next day. Nothing was set in stone yet but everyone continued to prove her wrong or refuse to budge on their opinions. It was frustrating so Phoenix was happy to be done with her last meeting of the day. Relaxation was necessary.

Rushing back to the room, Phoenix was happy to be back in the familiar space but nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Jax standing by the door to the bedroom. She had almost forgotten that he had even come with her to Coruscant. He had a smile on his face and it only brightened when he saw her face. He held a hand out and she gladly took it, walking closer to him. Her smile brightened and the frustration from the day melted away just a little bit now she was in his presence.

"I was waiting for you to come back," Jax said as his free hand moved to her chin. He tilted it up and admired her, looking into her gorgeous brown eyes before he leant down and pressed a soft kiss to her plump lips. Phoenix hadn't expected the kiss but welcomed it, kissing back softly before she pulled away. Gently wiping her lipstick from his lips as she tilted her head, admiring him. There was a twinkling in his eyes that she couldn't help but admire.

"Why's that?" She asked as she moved her arms to wrap around his neck. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she rested her head against his chest. He was taller than she was not by much but enough to make her feel protected in his embrace. Jax moved his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him, resting his head against hers.

"I wanted to take you out to dinner. We haven't gone out in a long while," Jax explained. Phoenix lifted her head a little and he moved his a bit so they could look at each other properly for a moment. Phoenix was surprised by his words. They rarely went out in public together as a couple. Even on Mith, it was a rare occasion. They would only be seen together for formal events and weddings and those events were few and far between. But now he wanted to go out properly as a couple. Phoenix should have been happy with this change but after her day in the Senate, she would much rather curl in bed and read or maybe just work on her speeches for tomorrow.

Jax was quick to pick up on her apprehension. The doubt and worry on her face and he let out a sigh. He pulled away from her and she watched as the frustration etched onto his usually soft and kind features. Her hands dropped to her side and her frown deepened. She walked across the wooded floor to his side and reached out to take his hand which he allowed her to. Tangling their fingers together, she gently moved her free hand to his face.

"I'm sorry, my love. It's just been a long day in the Senate. I want to go out, I'm simply... tired," Phoenix admitted as she tugged him to be a little closer to her. Then she lifted his hand up so she could press a kiss to it. He nodded and turned to face her, leaning into her touch on his cheek. The kind neutral expression was back on his face. She knew that it was unlike him to be frustrated with her, they both had so much patience so the neutral look put her at ease.

"I know, sorry. I just wanted us to have a nice time going out," Jax said and Phoenix nodded. She pressed a kiss to his lips and then walked to the suitcases that they had brought. She opened the case and took her heels off so she was back to her normal height. Jax was suddenly much taller than her now but if they were going to go out, she would be wearing heels again soon enough. It wouldn't be too noticeable of a difference.

"I do too. I'll rest for a few hours and then we can go," Phoenix said as she glanced back at him. He nodded and watched as she began to take out some outfits and pyjamas from her suitcase. They didn't even look like they'd been crammed in the case for hours and that's something Jax loved about travel nowadays. Everything fit in such small spaces and it was perfect for people like Phoenix.

"Perfect. Our reservation is in the evening and I need to go and have some negotiations with my associates so just rest, dove," Jax said as he walked up behind her. He pressed a kiss to her temple as he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. She leant back into him and lifted up the simple but still elaborate dress. It was a light blue colour and covered in intricate patterns but nowhere near as puffy as her current dress was. It was formal but not over the top. Over the top was saved for her days in the Senate.

"For dinner?" Phoenix asked, the curious lilt to her tone as she looked up at him. Jax smiled against her hair and pressed another kiss to her head before he nodded.

"That looks perfect. I'm going now. Rest," He said as he turned her around. Phoenix put the dress down before she looked up at her fiance. She smiled a little wider and then he pressed another quick kiss to her lips before he walked over to the door. Giving her a once over before he smiled and walked away. The strange fluttery feeling appeared in her chest again. Maybe she did love Jax after all. He always made her feel happy and her frustrations seemed to melt away around him.

What even was love? It had been so long that Phoenix wasn't even sure what she was feeling. Placing the dress down on the oak coffee table, she looked up at their living space for the next few weeks. There was a small kitchenette and two sofas across from each other accompanied by a carpet and a place to watch the holo-news or holo-shows. But neither of which were grabbing Phoenix's attention.

Cooking was too exhaustive and binging holoshows wasn't calling her today. Painting was but she was at the Senate, she was not meant to be doing that even if she packed her painting kit every single time she left Mith. So, she decided to go to the bedroom. She was exhausted after all. A short nap could refresh her and allow her to have a clearer view on the debates she was going to have tomorrow. Some preparation was still needed for a few of her meetings but it wouldn't take too long, she prayed.

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NOTE; and that is chapter two! so we have some cute fluff coming up in the next chapter sadly not with obi-wan but he will be appearing soon enough :) also a few hints of phoenix's friendship with padme which will definitely be revisited later on but, i do hope you have been enjoying reading this chapter! i'm totally in love with this story and had a lot of fun writing it so hope you guys have just as much fun reading it <3