A/N: Dialogue used from Revenge of the Sith. I don't own so please don't sue. Keep your tissues nearby. This is a sad one.

Padmé sleeps until the mid morning. She is woken by Sabé once again.

"My Lady, Zaja Mar is here to see you," she informs Padmé.

"What?! I thought Zaja was off-world," Padmé gasps as she gets out of bed. Dormé hurries in behind Sabé and quickly tosses a robe onto Padmé's unmade bed along with some hairpieces, Padmé's hairbrush in its usual place in her right hand.

"There's no time to waste, My Lady. You have a visitor and currently, you are in no position to see anyone," Dormé says. She hands Padmé the robe and ushers her towards the fresher. Padmé changes into the deep purple robe with a flowy comfortable skirt underneath. She takes her headband out and tosses her nightrobe onto the bed. Sitting down next to the discarded out fit, Dormé starts to brush Padmé's hair out.

"Did Zaja say anything about last night? Does she know?" Padmé asks.

"She and I didn't really discuss anything but she wanted to sit down so I let her," Sabé says, "She seems like she might be hurt."

"Oh no..." Padmé says, "So whatever happened last night must not have been restricted to Coruscant."

"No," Sabé agrees, "I don't think it was."

Dormé gets Padmé's hair brushed out how she likes it and then starts to place the various hair pieces in it.

"Something isn't right about this," Padmé says, "We need to piece this all together to understand the truth of what's really going on and what the attack on the Jedi Temple really means." A particularly hard tug from Dorme causes her to jerk back suddenly.

"Sorry, Milady," Dormé says, "The first ring that holds your ponytail didn't want to hold your hair."

"It's alright," Padmé replies, "Thank you for getting me ready in such short notice."

"Of course," Dormé says as she slips the rest of the rings around Padmé's ponytail, "And we're finished." Padmé walks out to the living room where she sees Zaja Mar now lying down on one of the couches.

"Zaja!" Padmé gasps, running towards her. She kneels down next to her friend. "What happened?"

"The Clone Squadron I was with started firing on me and they hit me," she explains. She pulls her robe away enough so that Padmé can see a nasty blaster burn on her collarbone. "I Force pushed them and ran away but the damage was done," Zaja says sadly, "And when I got to my ship, I received a transmission from the Jedi Temple, telling me to come here. I saw the ruins of the Temple from the atmosphere so I came to you first. Something isn't right."

"Anakin says that the Jedi tried to overthrow the Republic," Padmé says.

"What?!" Zaja asks, "I'm not a Master but I'm certain that the Jedi Council would rather preserve peace in the Republic than overthrow it. The Jedi Order isn't power hungry."

"Of course," Padmé says, "Let me summon my medical droid and we can get you some bacta for that blaster burn." A few minutes later, Zaja is in the fresher with the medical droid helping her fix her wound.  "I feel like I'm just getting more questions in response to my questions," Padmé complains as she walks to the bedroom to be there when Zaja comes out. Sabé follows her and the two of them wait for Zaja. A few moments later, the door slides open and the medical droid comes out. Zaja looks very tired and in pain. She leans against the sink counter in the fresher.

"My Lady, the patient has sustained a severe blaster injury but she will be alright. I completed another scan and found some other interesting information," the droid explains.

"Thank you, but I'd like to speak to the patient if you don't mind," Padmé says, approaching her friend to help her out of the fresher. Zaja smiles at her in thanks as Padmé supports her. The two of them walk out of the fresher and back out into the living room.

"My Lady...." the droid tries again, "This information is vital to the patient's health."

"I'll be alright," Zaja assures Padmé and Sabé, "The blaster burn was just more severe than we thought."

"Why don't you lay down?" Padmé asks, "Would that be more comfortable for you?"

"Yes. Thank you," Zaja says as she lays down on the couch.

"My Lady...." the droid tries again, "I really should...."

"The patient says she's fine. You're welcome to leave," Padmé instructs her medical droid, "Thank you so much for your help." Sabé and Padmé sit together on the couch across from the one where Zaja is lying down.

"I'm sure you're as curious as anyone is about what's going on," Sabé notes.

"Well, the Jedi Order certainly doesn't like to go into a situation without the Force's guidance. That's for sure," Zaja says, "Being a Knight, I feel like I would have had an inkling that something big was about to happen but I guess not. The Force feels very.....clouded and I doubt I'm the only one who thinks that."

"Have you been in contact with any other Jedi since you came here?" Padmé asks, "Are there any still loyal to the Chancellor or any that are still alive?"

"What? Loyal to the Chancellor?" Zaja asks with an eyebrow raised. Padmé avoids making eye  contact with Zaja and looks very hesitant to explain.

"The Jedi Rebellion. The Republic had to kill a lot of Jedi," Padmé explains apprehensively,  "Anakin told me." Zaja looks at her skeptically.

"Something isn't right here," she says, "Why would the Jedi try to overthrow the Republic? It goes against everything that we stand for. The Republic isn't necessarily doing anything so corrupt that the Jedi need to intervene to preserve peace and justice in the galaxy. Of course, it's not without its flaws but...that's normal." Padmé nods her head in agreement.

"Why don't you tell me your side of the story and I can reach out to some of my fellow Senators and see if together we can get a clearer understanding of what's going on here," Padmé suggests. Zaja nods her head in agreement.

"I was on Lothal, leading a squadron of clones to secure a port from the Separatists and for the Republic so that the trade route through there would be safe, not just for the citizens of Lothal but for the Republic to use as well," Zaja shares, "The clones and I were doing well. We had managed to defeat many of the Separatist forces and were about to enter the control center where we would be able to secure the port for good and then...the clones trained their rifles on me. I started blocking the shots and trying to get away as fast as I could. I used the Force to jump up on the building and I managed to escape but barely. One of their shots hurt me as you saw. I made it to my ship which was nearby but the clones just kept firing and not just at me, but at my ship too. They hurt my shields and they tried to pursue me into space but they weren't quick enough. They did some damage to my ship before I lifted off. It was bad when I came back into the atmosphere here on Coruscant. I crashed it and there's no getting off of here for me."

"Could you sense that the clones were going to attack you?" Padmé asks. Zaja shakes her head.

"No, like I said, the Force was very clouded before this day happened and definitely during the events," Zaja says, "I'm sure every Jedi has felt how clouded things seem."

Suddenly, Ellé rushes into the room.

"I apologize for interrupting, My Lady, but there is an incoming transmission from the Chancellor's office," she explains calmly. Padmé and Sabé both stand up from the couch.

"I have to take this call," Padmé says to everyone in the room, "I can't ignore the Chancellor."

"Be careful," Zaja warns her. Padmé nods and hurries into a different room to take the call. She accepts it and Mas Amedda pops up before her.

"Senator Amidala....the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic requests your presence at a special session of the Senate this afternoon," he informs her. Padmé takes a deep breath and nods her head in agreement.

"I will be there," Padmé informs him, "Please tell the Chancellor."

"I will be sure to. He is always pleased when the Senator from his home world is able to arrive," Mas Amedda says, "You seem as though you are upset, Senator. Is something wrong?"

"No," Padmé says, "I must attend to my duties. Thank you for the information." She tries her hardest to hide her nervousness at the situation. What could a special session of the Senate entail? Maybe this supposed Jedi Rebellion will be discussed. Mas Amedda disappears and Padmé races back out to Zaja Mar, lying on the couch. Her eyes are closed and she looks as though she's concentrating very hard on something.

"You seem distressed," Zaja remarks, "What's wrong?"

"The Chancellor just called a special session of the Senate," Padmé says, "I might be able to learn more about this."

"I think you need to be very careful how you proceed next," Zaja Mar says, "My Master believed and many others believe that Anakin has great power. You're carrying his child and if something were to happen to Anakin, your child would be the only thing standing in between the galaxy and any evil. If any other Jedi survived, we could possibly slow down the evil, depending on who's left, but we couldn't do anything to stop it completely. You are carrying the child of the Chosen One. If Anakin can't stop whatever's happening, your child will have to."

Padmé inhales deeply at that advice. She just wants a normal and peaceful life for her, Anakin and their child. Why is that too much to ask? She just wants her child to grow up in a world where both of his or her parents live peacefully and there's no war.

"How could you possibly know this?" Padmé asks, "None of the other Jedi have told me this."

"Because....they probably wanted to respect your privacy. I'm your friend, not a Jedi Master.  I can feel the strength that baby inside of you exhibits in the Force. I don't know anything else other than that but I can just feel the potential that the baby carries in the Force," Zaja says, "And it matches his or her father's."

Padmé looks down at her baby bump and rubs a hand over it.

"Zaja, what do I do?" she asks.

"Ask Anakin about what to do," Zaja replies, "It's not my place to tell you what to do, Padmé."

"I don't think....." she starts, "You really haven't talked to him in the last few days, have you?"

"No...." Zaja replies, "I sense you're uneasy. What's wrong?"

"I don't trust Anakin anymore," she says sadly, "I.....he......You know he's been close to the Chancellor, recently?"

"Yes," Zaja answers warily, "What's wrong with that?"

"I don't trust the way the Chancellor's been running the Republic and Anakin supports him," Padmé says sadly, "The Chancellor is going against everything I stand for in regards to the Republic and the fact that Anakin stands beside him in support shakes my trust in him."

"I'm sorry," Zaja replies, "I think the fact that the Force has been clouded lately has affected him the most out of us all. I don't know what else to tell you. I'm no Master. I'm just a Knight like he is but something in the Force has changed over the last few days and I feel as though we've passed a point of no return. Something is very wrong and I will do everything I can to fix it."

"Where are you going to start?" Padmé asks, "There's nowhere for you to go but here and I don't want you to stay here in case things become dangerous for me."

"I think I'll return to the Temple and see if I could locate anyone there or see if anyone else has come there," Zaja says, "I should be able to communicate with anyone who is left once I get to the Temple."

"You're going to need a disguise," Sabé informs her, "It's not safe for you to be out in Coruscant without some sort of way to conceal your identity if everyone thinks that the Jedi rebelled. Hopefully, we won't be found out for helping you." Sabé and Ellé rush off to find some kind of cloak for Zaja to wear.

"Did Anakin say that the Chancellor told him that the Jedi rebelled?" Zaja asks. Padmé raises an eyebrow.

"I don't know. It would be a likely place for him to learn it from but I don't understand why the Chancellor would tell him that," she says, "He didn't act like he had been told it by anyone. He seemed like he had been defending the Republic while it was happening."

"That's.....interesting," Zaja says, "I'll see if the Temple can turn anything up."

"Alright," Padmé says.

"Perhaps Anakin will be there," Zaja remarks and Padmé goes still. Zaja looks at her friend with a raised eyebrow.

"The Chancellor sent him away," Padmé says, "He had a mission for him." 

"I see....." Zaja says, "Well, I'll have to talk to him when he gets back then I suppose."

"Yes, I think that would be for the best," Padmé agrees. Sabé returns with a cloak for Zaja, having claimed to have sent Ellé off to get an outfit ready for Padmé for the session of the Senate. Zaja slips the cloak on over her robes and pulls the hood up. She and Padmé embrace on the side as to avoid Zaja's injury as Zaja gets ready to leave.

"May the Force be with you, Padmé," she says, "I hope to see you again soon."

"Goodbye, Zaja. May the Force be with you also," she replies. She watches her friend leave the apartment building and hurry out onto the streets of Coruscant on foot.

Dormé hurries out with Moteé and Ellé in tow. The three of them are talking quietly amongst themselves.

"A special session of the Senate now?" Moteé asks, "Aren't you popular, Milady? Anakin gonna take you out on a date next?"

"No!" Padmé says quickly and Moteé stops.

"I'm sorry, Milady. I didn't mean to strike a nerve," she apologizes quickly, "I didn't realize he was such a sore subject."

"It's fine, Moteé.  There's just a lot going on right now," Padmé says, "And there's just so much I don't know."

"Well...what we do know is that you have a session of the Senate to get ready for. You're supposed to be there after the lunch hour and I would love to help you," Dormé says, "And we're going to put you in a dress that is a bit more safe from blaster fire than most. I don't trust the Chancellor one bit and I'm afraid he'll find everything you've been working on as treasonous. We will do everything in our power to keep you safe."

"Thank you," Padmé replies.

"I have your outfit ready," Ellé says, "But I think it might be best if you eat first."

"Yes," Dormé says, "I think that would be best too." Sabé and Moteé hurry to the kitchen and quickly start to prepare something with C3P0. Padmé contemplates how many unknowns there are. Zaja doesn't even know things Padmé thought she would and she's a Jedi. No one seems to be able to answer any of her questions and she will soon have to go to the Senate to listen to the official side of the story, one that she isn't sure that she really wants to hear. She glances down at the floor and sighs. There's so many different things that people are telling her and no one really knows what's going on for certain. She has to be careful with how she goes about this matter in the Senate but she has to do something about it. It isn't a good idea to break things if nothing needs to be broken. Something seems very suspicious about the fact that no one seems to know what's really going on. 

She wishes Anakin were here so she could tell him how lost and afraid she feels. She just wants to know that the war will end in a peaceful manner but the way the Chancellor has things going, it doesn't look like the war will end that way, which saddens her deeply. She was hoping that this would fix everything but she feels that eventually, this will lead to another war. Her husband and the Chancellor will be the reason this next war starts.

It's an odd feeling. She loves him but she doesn't trust him. She wants him to change but she doesn't feel safe around him anymore and like she can tell him anything which breaks her heart. They were so in love. Even if they got caught someday, they had each other and that was all they needed.

It doesn't seem like love is enough for him anymore. He has to keep her safe and he has to be the one to do it.

And now, Zaja has told her the importance of the child in her womb, the only hope for the galaxy if something goes really wrong. She feels such a great weight on her shoulders. She has to keep this child safe from her husband while convincing him that there is hope and that she can survive. She knows the nightmares have been bad, but she will survive.

If this child can really save the galaxy, she and the baby both will be in more danger than she had ever thought before.

"Milady, we've made some food," Sabé breaks into her thoughts. She raises an eyebrow at Padmé's expression before sitting down next to Padmé and placing the tray of food on the table. "Was talking to Zaja a bit much for you?" Sabé asks.

"No," Padmé says, "I'm glad that she's alright. I just don't understand what's happening and neither does she. I was hoping she would know something but she doesn't."

"She was on Lothal. That's all the way in the Outer Rim," Sabé reasons.

"I'm not upset that she doesn't know anything. It would just make things go easier with Anakin if I knew what was really going on," she says, "I don't know who to trust and this baby could be very important to the galaxy. It's just all so confusing."

"I don't know what to tell you except to go to the Senate and see if things clear up," Sabé advises her. She gestures to the food, "Here's your food." Padmé takes the tray and starts to eat so she can get ready. After a few bites, she shakes her head.

"It's good food. I just don't feel like eating," Padmé confesses, "I'm sorry."

"You need to eat," Sabé reminds her, "You're eating for two."

"I know," Padmé  says sadly as she picks at her food. After a while, she manages to eat everything on the tray. Sabé smiles at her and walks with her back into the bedroom. "I'm sorry," Padmé says, "There's just so much going on."

"It's alright," Sabé says encouragingly, "I'm sure we'll all be glad when this is over."

"Yes, we will," Dormé says as she enters the room. Ellé is in tow with Padmé's outfit for the Senate. She hands Padmé the actual dress piece of the dress and Padmé slips into the fresher to change. Ellé helps her with the cloak piece of the dress once she comes out. Dormé takes her hair out of the pieces it was in previously and starts brushing it out. She puts it into a simple bun and places a large crescent-shaped hair piece in her hair, pinning it to the back of Padmé's head. The dress piece is a deep navy blue and the hairpiece is a flashy silver. Padmé catches a glimpse of herself in the fresher mirror and she doesn't remember ever looking as old or demure as her reflection does. Dismissing the thought from her mind, she checks the time and summons Captain Typho. He arrives a few minutes later and Padmé, Ellé, and Moteé are off to the Senate. Sabé hugs her before she leaves, a hug that Padmé happily returns.

"Be safe, My Lady," Sabé says formally.

"Thank you and I will do my best to be," Padmé assures her as she leaves on the speeder with Captain Typho. The traffic rushes by, somehow increasing the sense of urgency of this meeting. Padmé mentally talks herself into being ready for this meeting. The Senate building arrives much too soon for her liking and she steps out with Ellé and Moteé, terrified and having no idea what awaits her once she reaches her pod. Jar Jar Binks is waiting for her outside of the entrance to the Naboo pod and Padmé nods to him before all of them enter with Captain Typho at the back. Sitting down, Padmé looks around nervously at the other Senators. The anxious chatter that fills the room puts her on edge more than it should. Mas Amedda calls the meeting to order and the proceedings begin.

"Chancellor Palpatine would like to discuss the most recent developments in the war. Many involve the Jedi Order we thought we could trust," Mas Amedda begins and Padmé feels a pang of sadness wash over her. She hopes that they can still trust the Jedi.

"There was an attempt made on my life by some of the highest members of the Jedi Order," Chancellor Palpatine begins, "The Jedi Order has rebelled against the Republic."

Several gasps are heard throughout the room but Padmé hardly reacts. She doesn't know how to, but she's not certain that she agrees with this. The Chancellor continues elaborating on the attempt, listing names of Jedi Masters who attacked him. These are Jedi who Padmé knows fought on the side of the Republic. They were loyal for the entirety of the war up until this supposed point but Padmé has a feeling that something is wrong. Palpatine elaborates on the rest of the Rebellion, presenting evidence through the Jedi Order's latest efforts to win the war their way and a recent plot by the Jedi Order to overthrow the Senate.

Padmé tries to maintain a neutral expression throughout the whole event but she has a feeling that the Jedi didn't rebel or try to overtake the Senate. Something happened between them and Palpatine. His excuse is to make it seem as though the Jedi attempted to murder him and overthrow his government. Padmé has no idea if it's true but based on the Jedi she knows, she's inclined to think that it isn't. Her loyalty to her husband reminds her of the side that Anakin is on despite the fact that he is a Jedi. She feels very torn.

The evidence stretches on for a couple of hours. Padmé gauges the reactions of the other Senators as they listen. She politely claps when everyone else does but with not nearly as much enthusiasm.

After the evidence, Palpatine discusses the successful actions of the Republic in stopping the whole ordeal. He goes into great detail about it and Padmé wonders what's really happening here. She is interrupted by Bail Organa entering her pod and sitting down next to her. Palpatine is closing his elaborate telling of the fall of the Jedi Rebellion as Bail enters.

"I was held up. What's happening?" Bail asks her. Padmé tries to respond in as neutral a way as possible as to hide her true feelings from the Senators. She knows Bail will read in between the lines as he often does.

"The Chancellor has been elaborating on a plot by the Jedi, to overthrow the Senate," she explains. Her expression saddens as she listens to the Chancellor continue.

"The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated," he states. Applause fills the room interrupting him, applause that Padmé and Bail do not join in on. She's done trying to hide which side she's on or how she really feels. The Jedi Order has suffered some sort of terrible plight. She inhales sharply at the words and shifts her hand to rest under her chin in a more comfortable position.

"I don't believe this," Bail whispers to her as they wait for the room to settle.

"Neither do I," Padmé replies as they turn back to wait for the Chancellor's next words.

"The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed, but I assure you, my resolve has never been stronger," Palpatine says and for the first time, Padmé notices how....ugly the Chancellor looks. What happened to him? What kind of ordeal did he and the Jedi go through? He looks so old, like he endured fifty years of suffering in one hour. His eyes look more sunken into his flesh and he looks more like a corpse than a human being. Applause rolls through the room after he says this and Padmé contemplates the phrase after her musings about his looks. She watches the other Senators applaud the Chancellor with annoyance and sadness. She still doesn't know for certain who's in the right but she's inclined to think that it is not Palpatine.

"The war is over!" Palpatine exclaims and applause ripples through the chamber, "The Separatists have been defeated!" Applause takes over the chamber again. "and the Jedi rebellion has been foiled. We stand on the threshold of a new beginning."

Applause rolls through the Senate Chamber for a long moment and Padmé leans over to Bail.

"Well, this is the moment we discover if he intends to return the Republic to a democracy," she says softly and Bail nods his head in agreement. Palpatine waits for the applause to quiet before continuing, making the moment all the more tense in the room.

"In order to ensure the security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first...Galactic....Empire!" he booms and the room explodes with cheering from the Senators. Padmé inhales sharply as her hand delicately moves to cover her mouth in shock. "For a safe and secure society!" he finishes and he raises his hands up towards the ceiling. As she places her hands back in her lap and sits up straighter, Padmé feels as though she is going to start sobbing. The precious democracy that she, Bail and other Senators have worked so hard to protect has been destroyed. Padmé shakes her head, trying to stop the tears from falling and turns to Bail,

"So this is how liberty dies....with thunderous applause." She looks around at the many Senators cheering for their new Emperor.

"I can't believe that it's all gone," Bail replies amidst the cheering, "The democracy we've worked so hard disappears just like that." He sighs and looks at her, "We have to do something."

"The Senate of the Galactic Republic will become The Imperial Senate," the Emperor states, "I am aware of the Delegation of 2000 and their agenda with interests that conflict with those of the Galactic Empire. If any such individuals do not align their views with and support the Empire, they shall be charged with treason. Their sentences will not be taken lightly. Any and all who continue to promote this petition that the delegation has made will be charged with treason. Opposition to the Galactic Empire and its ideals will not be taken lightly."

The cheers that roar in response to this break Padmé's resolve. Tears slowly start to roll down her cheeks. She desperately tries to wipe them away as to look like the happy Senator that she should be, but she can't and she won't. Democracy has died and there is nothing she can do to save this.

"I think I've seen enough," Bail says politely, noticing her tears, "I'm going to return to my apartments to contemplate the formation of the Empire."

"I need to do the same," Padmé replies. She makes eye contact with Captain Typho, Ellé, and Moteé. Giving a nod to Jar Jar as she exits, Padmé and Bail exit the Senate Chamber. They walk out to where their speeders are parked and they embrace. Padmé lets the tears roll down her face as they mourn the loss of the democracy and the Republic that they had worked so hard to preserve.

"Senators," a new voice states and Padmé and Bail pull apart to see Mon Mothma walking their way, "I see that I am not the only one who is....hesitant about the formation of the Empire."

"Yes," Bail says, "I think we need to wait to discuss anything else and go home and contemplate what has happened. There is a lot to consider here. I have a feeling we're going to need more than democracy and diplomacy to bring peace to the galaxy."

"I just want there to be peace," Padmé says, "I know that the Empire isn't going to bring it. This galaxy will see nothing but war unless democracy and diplomacy return." All three Senators nod and Padmé steps toward her speeder, her thoughts lingering on Anakin and her need for him to comfort her in this matter. Captain Typho starts it and helps her in. The handmaidens climb in as well and Padmé leaves the Senate, fearing that Anakin's part in the formation of the Empire wasn't small and hoping that it is. She bows her head and the tears roll down as she mourns everything, the falling of the Republic, the uncertainty in what happened with the Jedi and the aid her husband likely gave in helping the Empire.

A/N: *tears*

*just lots of tears*

And we haven't even hit the really sad part yet.

Well, you all know what next chapter is......*sniffles*

But Zaja Mar was in this chapter and it's been a minute since she appeared in person so that's cool!!! :)

Yeah, that's literally the only bright spot to the chapter and it wasn't very bright because she wasn't able to provide a whole lot of insight for Padmé. Poor thing is just so confused.

The Republic falling apart was hard to write for Padmé because of the emotional weight of it. There's just a lot of very dramatic writing going on here because it's a dramatic turn of events.

She just doesn't know what to do.

I hope you enjoyed it even though it is sad. Thanks for reading, commenting or doing whatever it is you do!!

-Aisling