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Missing Scenes
Phantom Menace: Midnight Thief!
Queen's Starship,
She wasn’t really expecting him to be still sleeping as she slipped inside his quarters. In fact she was so certain that he would catch her in the act that she had even prepared a proper excuse as to why she is there in the first place. But it would seem fate had smiled on the decoy and the Padawan remains in a deep sleep.
So deep that he is softly snoring she notes unable to resist a soft giggle to which Sabe promptly covers her mouth fearful he might stir. Returning her attentions to the task at hand Sabe catches sight of the lightsaber resting unobtrusively on the little stand by his bed.
This is going to be trickier then I thought she muses inwardly as she takes another glance at her surroundings. Moving deftly as she walks on the balls of her feet Sabe is careful not to make a sound as she inwardly finds herself thankful for Tame’s long hours of stealth training as she manages to make it to the blade without alerting the Padawan of her presence.
Gently picking up the lightsaber the decoy turns to quietly leave when she finds herself pausing to study the sleeping form. Casting a lance to the resting form she can’t help but study his shadowed features noting the gentle, peaceful aura that it carries.
She remembers the Queen once telling her of a race that believed a person’s soul could be revealed if you studied them while they rested. Sabe at the time laughed at the idea figuring it was an elaborate story to explain why Padme would always shut off the security cameras in her bedroom. Now as she finds herself silently watching the Jedi’s resting form Sabe wonder if there is any truth to it.
He shifts slightly and she freezes in horror. Oh no not again! She thinks fearfully not wanting a repeat of the “fresher diabolical”. But to her immense relief he remains sound asleep although with the braid now resting across his cheek she can only imagine it won’t be long before he awakens to swat it away. Staring at him a moment longer she suddenly finds herself resisting the urge to reach out and gently brush it off his cheek and behind his ear. Though tempting as it may be she knew without question it was too inappropriate and promptly blames the urge on the excitement of victory brought on by tricking the Padawan.
But it isn’t a victory until your back in your quarters with lightsaber in hand she inwardly reminds herself before quickly and quietly slipping out the door into the hall. Then taking a deep breath she glances around briskly before bolting in a very unqueen like fashion down the hall back to the queen’s quarters giggling all the way.
Visions of the masked warrior, wielding what looked like two lightsabers connected in the middle haunted Obi-Wan's dreams.
The warrior's blades hissed, taunting him, but Obi-Wan was defenseless. He was trying to cry out, but Qui-Gon didn't hear him.
Obi-Wan awoke in a panicked state, but seeing he was in his cot on the Nubian vessel, he lay back down again, closing his eyes and rubbing them with his fingers. Dreams pass, he thought.
Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he put his head in his hands for a moment, regaining his grip on reality. Then, picking up his head, he noticed his things were strewn precariously about the room and felt a bit guilty for not cleaning up better, but then he couldn't find his lightsaber.
'No, no, no, no, no,' he muttered, rummaging around the room. 'Qui-Gon's going to kill me...'
Elsewhere Sabe returns to her quarters triumphant with lightsaber in hand. Grinning she rushes in and promptly wakes up RAbe and Eirtae as she whispers between giggles.
"LOOK WHAT I'VE GOT!!"
Both sleepy and quite confused stare at her for a moment blinking as their eyes adjust to the dim light of the room as the decoy grins proudly waving the unlit lightsaber around as she does a bit of a victory dance.
"Aha! And you both said I couldn't do it! Well look at me now!"
She pokes out her tongue feeling more then a little bold and in a silly d due to her 'triumph'. Rabe grins in excitement as Eirtae bursts out laughing.
"How did you do it?"
Rabe asks as she soon starts giggling.
"I snuck into his room while he was sleep and crept up to his bed where it lay resting. Then between his snores I stole it and slipped out the door!!!"
Sabe says in melodramatic pose while waving the blade around for dramatic effect as she does so. However in doing so her fingers slip over the small charge that activates the blade. Suddenly a whoosh is heard as the room is lit up with an eerie shade of blue causing the Decoy to stagger back in shock.
"OH GODS WHAT DID I DO!?HOW DO I TURN IT OFF!?"
She cries out in shock and panic as Rabe and Eirtae cry out as well in repsonse.
"Sabe turn it off!! He's going to senses it's activated they have that kind of connection with their lightsabers you know!"
Eirtae cries out in a rush as Sabe's eyes widen in horror.Did they really feel a connection with their blades!? Oh gods if so I'm so caught! Frantically she tries to find the device she accidently hit to activate it in the first place.
"I'm trying Eirtae I don't know how to!"
Sabe cries out as the blade swings and sways from her attempts to locate the button.
"CAREFUL SABE!"
Rabe hisses as Sabe comes too close to slicing off a piece of the bed her eyes drifting rapidly to the door as she half expects Obi-Wan to magically appear there.
Oh gods I promise I'll never touch a lightsaber again if I can only find a way to shut this thing off! Sabe inwardly prays before her thumb by some miracle hits the right button causing the powerful blade to dissipear.
"...There...It's off now..."
Sabe says almost giggly with relief as Eirtae shakes her head firm in obvious agitation and concern.
"Sabe you almost got us killed now go and return it to him before you do something else stupid!"
"I didn't kill anyone and I wasn't even close to cutting anything!"
Sabe retorts now visibly relieved and far more careful this time with the handling the lightsaber.
"Eirtae's right Sabe you should probably return it before you accidently activate it again and lose a limb."
Rabe says wincing as Sabe rolls her eyes.
"I wasn't that bad."
But remembering Eirtae's warning she sighs deeply. Best return it before come wandering in here demanding it. Biting her lip she glances to her friends as she offers one last triumphant grin.
"Alright I'll bring it back. But only because I'd rather give it to him over him barging in here and using his Jedi mind tricks to get it back from us"
She says knowing that would annoy Eirtae who blushes crimson and frowns. Then without another word but much giggling she departs from her quarters once more in search of the frantic Padawan.
Obi-Wan was too concerned with his lost lightsaber to pay any mind to the shouts and giggles of the handmaidens nearby.
Where in the blazes did I put it?! Obi-Wan continued rummaging around the small room, completely at a loss.
Panic isn't going to help anything. Breathe... He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. OK focus. Where did you last have it?
She roams through the hallway mentally working out just what she is going to say still unable to resist a soft laugh as she studies the lightsaber. It is so simple and so elegant at the same time. Beautiful almost. Till you push the wrong button and lose a leg she thinks being extra careful not to hit the activation button.
She hears the sound of things being shuffled and moved about coming from down the hallway and has little doubt that she doesn't know the cause of it. As she wanders down the hall towards his quarters she ponders whether to wait for him to approach her or the other way around.
WHERE IS IT?!
Despite his efforts to remain calm, he could have sword he had it with him all day like he usually did... That was it. It wasn't here. 'Blast,' he said, giving the cot a swift kick.
That wasn't helping anything and now his foot hurt. He would just have to search the ship. There was nothing for it.
He palmed the door open and headed out into the hallway, finding himself face-to-face with the queen.
She can almost feel his agitation and panic from behind the door and the resounding thud certainly didn't bring encouraging feelings either. Perhaps I've crossed the line she inwardly fears biting her lip definatly determined now to return his weapon.
About to approach the door it suddenly parts causing Sabe to step back at Obi-Wan almost walks right into her in his haste. Instantly her Queen act takes over as Sabe casts him a polite yet dignified look as she holds the lightsaber in her hand.
"Are you looking for this?"
She asks inwardly torn between giggling outloud and apologizing for giving him quite the scare.
Obi-Wan's eyes grew wide in surprise and embarrassment when he spotted the glinting lightsaber in her hand.
He found himself unable to speak for a moment, clearly mortified that the queen should find it.
Where had she found it? he wondered, but all he could manage to say was, 'Y-yes, Your Majesty...'
She struggles not to giggle as Sabe offers the lightsaber though inwardly she can't help but feel a tinge of guilt too. He looked utterly mortified.
"You should learn to keep better care of your things"
She says as politely as she could resisting the urge to burst out into giggles and tell him of what she had done.
"I was told this is a Jedi's most precious possession."
At this she couldn't resist as a mischevious smile creeps into her features as her eyes seem to dance with amusement as well.
Blushing furiously, he was unable to respond at first. She was belittling him, wasn't she?
He resisted at first, but finally reached to take the lightsaber back from her silky hand.
‘Yes, Your Majesty,’ he muttered, unable to hide some of his broken pride.
She tries to keep a straight face but as he moves to grab the lightsaber she can't resist stifling back laughter though she does feel a bit guilty for it. Her eyes sparkle in mirth as she can no longer hold it back.
"I'm terribly sorry, I can't do this any longer."
She says between giggles as her hand flies to her mouth her own cheeks on fire as she realizes how unqueenly this looks but is unable to stop herself.
Laughing at him! Obi-Wan did not understand this girl.
Utterly beffudled, he merely stood there, hooking the lightsaber onto his belt. Brow furrowed, he shot her a confused look.
She shakes her head noting his confused look and inwardly thinking how adorable it made him look. But coming to her senses she imagines he probably thinks she has lost her mind. Still giggling she grins as she shakes her head.
"I was only fooling you Obi-Wan."
She says forgetting the formality of his title for the moment.
"I was dared to steal your lightsaber earlier...Well yesterday actually. But well..."
Her face turns crimson at the memory as she quickly recovers.
"I had a better luck today it would seem"
'It was a dare?' he repeated. Obi-Wan then recalled the handmaiden game. 'But this is a dangerous weapon, Sabé,' he said, overtly concerned and protective of it. The idea that any one of them could have been hurt.
'If someone was hurt--it would be entirely my fault--' he added, not trying to lecture, but insistant.
She turns five shades of red as she stares at her hands.
"...Yes...I uh...noticed..."
How did this just happen? She inwardly grouses. I should be gloating not glowing like a supernova from embaressment.
"You need not worry though I handled it properly and everyone including myself is in one piece."
She adds a bit wryly careful not to let his words annoy her after all she knew how to handle a blade already. Just not a lightsaber...Which as she learnt isn't quite the same after all.
'Please inform your handmaidens that stealing my lightsaber is now off-limits for your little game, Your Majesty' he replied shortly. He gave her a bow and turned on his heels, heading back for his quarters.
First she was chastising him, then admitted to stealing from him. Was that the only dishonest he sensed from her? He couldn't be sure.
She was stunned by his short reply and finds herself speachless as he bowed before her and swiftly walked away.
That definatly didn't turn out as she had hoped. Even worse was the fact Sabe found herself feeling as though she shamed herself somehow in his eyes. Now that would definatly not do. How would Padme react to this she inwardly thinks trying to ignore the fact his abrupt response actually hurt for some reason.
First of all she wouldn't be in this mess Sabe thinks miserably, deciding it is best she try to mend things if at all possible lest she bring dishonor and shame to the Queen herself.
Quietly she tries to approach him as Sabe's expression is sorrowful and apologetic.
"Jedi Kenobi - Obi-Wan. I did not mean to offend you by my actions."
She says knowing there is no real way to save face or retain any sort of dignity now. As it is it would appear he now believed the Queen to be nothing more then a liar and a thief.
Resting his hand on the side of the door instead of palming it open, Obi-Wan sighed audibly, his head bowed for a moment. He then turned back to look at her, the hand sliding from the doorway. 'I expected more from you,' he said softly, referring to the fact she would attempt such an irresponsible dare and then to taunt him like he'd lost it.
She was a confusing mix of different things and it didn't help that he still felt some dishonesty coming from her. Was he even able to trust her?
She studies him noting the heaviness of his voice and finding herself fighting the urge to just open up and tell him everything. She wanted him to understand she was neither a liar or a thief. That it was a but a prank to keep her mind off the fears that constantly plague her now. But she swore she would not fail the queen and she meant it. Yet at the same time...At the realization of this Sabe promptly realizes to her horror that the mental walls have once more begun to become comprimised. Stepping back to put some distance between them she nods slightly her expression turning apologetic.
"As you should. I truly meant no harm. It's being locked up here unable to do anything but wait..."
She studies his features for a moment wishing somehow there was someway she could convince him that she is sincere but his expression doesn't give her any clues.
"There really is no excuse for my poor display of behavior Jedi Kenobi. Please do accept my apology."
He nodded in understanding, accepting her apology. The times she felt true and sincere, when she was unbridled in conversation with him, that's when Obi-Wan respected her, but as the closed-off unreadable queen, he found it hard to gauge her honesty...which made him wonder...
He hesitated before asking, 'Have you been tested for midichlorian levels, Your Majesty?'
She watches him closely unsure if he really accepted her apology or was putting up with her remarks to be polite. With him it was hard to tell even at the best of times.
About to politely bow and quietly leave she finds her blood turn to ice as his question causes her heart to stop dead in mid-beat.
"...All children of Naboo are tested Jedi Kenobi. Mine was barely a hundred...97 to be exact. Why do you ask?"
She says carefully mentally building walls upon walls all the while fighting the growing blind panic that is rising. Great gods what have I done? If he learns the truth...She buries the thought as deeply as she can trying not to think of the consequences that would be certain to follow.
His brow furrowed slightly, feeling her panic and easily knowing she had just lied to him. 'How long will it take for you to learn to trust me, Your Majesty?'
He tried not to take it as a personal offense that she continued to display wariness around him.
The panic is now evident in her eyes but only briefly before the cold facade once more replaces it.
"I've learnt that truth is a matter one's point of view amongst Jedi. So you'll have to forgive me if I'm a bit wary of how much I should trust you."
She says not intending to sound harsh but her thoughts too scattered in the blind panic of possibly revealing her peoples greatest secret to really notice.
'If I really wanted to, Your Majesty, I could read your thoughts, but that would be dishonest of me,' Obi-Wan said, his voice soft, but full of meaning.
'I am asking you, as a person, not to lie to me. I will be better able to serve you and through you, your people if you you are honest with me.' He knew it was a risk, but life was full of risks. He awaited her reply, hoping to calm some of her nerves.
She closes her eyes and tries to calm herself, to find her center anything to clear her thought of the raging panic though to her relief the walls remain intact even if she held them so hard and high they are starting to give her a headache. Even though she knows in truth he is not lying the instincts run deep and all the years of training makes the actions second hand.
But at the his words she almost wants to weep. I have failed my Queen and my people she surmises inwardly feeling as though a piece of her soul had just died. Opening her eyes Sabe remains silent a moment more before softly asking.
"Very well. But only if you answer my question first. What is your midichlorian count?"
'My count?' Obi-Wan was surprised that she wanted to know. Not that it would make any difference.
'13,400,' he informed her with a small shrug. He didn't think much of numbers, not until it came to Anakin with his whopping amount...it was over Master Yoda's, over 17,700...
She nods slightly unsure why she was curious to know as though hoping somehow her number would be low enough by comparison and thus exempt her from the inevidable. Still it does little to calm her fears and sorrow at the fact he is about to learn the truth.
"...You must promise me that you will not breath a word of this to your masters."
She says desperatly forcing herself not to weep wanting to face her failure and shame with a much dignity as one would hope in such a position. Going shame faced she quietly hangs her head as she whispers softly the dreaded numbers that had brought her so much fear and apprehension.
"...My birth certificate claims it is 97 but in reality it is 9,400..."
His eyes bugged out when she said the true number. '9,400?!' he exclamed, then lowered his voice. 'You need only 7,000 to be considered for training--'
Her shame and dread fell over him in waves. 'I promise you, I won't breathe a word of this to anyone. Not even to Qui-Gon. You have my word.'
Her own eyes bug out as she promptly clamps a hand over his mouth.
"HUSH! You have no idea how much trouble I will be in should anyone learn what I've told you!"
She whispers desperatly before drawing her hand away as her heart sinks to her feet at his admittance of the level needed to be considered. My life has just ended she thinks miserably and so has so many others because of me.
But at his promise to keep her words a secret even from his own master Sabe feels almost light-headed with relief.
"...Thank-you...You have no idea how much this means to me."
And to my people as well she mentally adds still feeling tinges of guilt for having admitted such a thing to a Jedi no less mingled in with relief.
