The Runaways

Advice

*20 BBY, Space*

 "So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"You." Senator Amidala replied.

"What?" I panicked. Was she going to attack me for hating Skywalker?

"You and the Commander..."

"Spitfire?"

"You have a thing." She stated as if it were factual. It was, but I didn't answer. "Listen, this is a talk, girl-to-girl. I won't tattle." As much as I hated and even despised her husband, I felt as if I could talk to her.

"Yes." I said softly.

"Why?" Her soft brown eyes reminded me of my mother's. "He looks almost the same as every other one."

"One." I repeated with great disdain. "They aren't just numbers. They are all so beautifully unique. Take Ranahan and Spitfire for example." The Senator was listening intently. "Ranahan is gruff, handsome, and laconic. Spitfire is gentle, handsome, and kind."

"Oh?"

"Oh, and he loves art! All forms." While I knew that the Senator had campaigned for the Rights of the Clones, the statement she made earlier almost suggested otherwise. "Why do you ask?"

"I too, am in love with someone I shouldn't be." She side-eyed me. I played stupid.

"Really?! May I ask who?"

"Anakin Skywalker." She fiddled with her hands. "How do you and Spitfire manage? I find being with Ani to be so...difficult." I turned my head, making a sound as if to say 'go on.' "It's just-" she sighed exasperatedly. "He's always gone doing Jedi things, and when he is home, something is always wrong."

"I see."

"I love him, but I can't just be his therapist."

"You want more?"

"Yes and no. He does sometimes give me too much, but sometimes he doesn't give me anything at all! We cannot find that happy medium."

"That is going to be hard to achieve with a Jedi. Especially one of his ranking."

"Yes." the Senator stood. "I recently rekindled my friendship with an old friend, Rush Clovis. It didn't end well."

"How did it end?"

"Ani beat him up." I gasped. "Rush also ended up dead." I must have looked horrified, because she quickly clarified. "Unrelated."

"Unrelated?" I copied.

"Kind of."

"Listen, while Spitfire and I may have a thing, it has only been kindled for a short time. I am very uncertain as to if I have helped at all."

"You have! I really think I just needed someone to tell." I nodded in response. "Is your relationship really that brief? It seems so real and so true for it to be so recent."

"Really?"

"Yes!" She smiled. "Your connection seems genuine."

"Thank you."

"Any more advice?"

"Just wait it out. True love will win in the end." I smiled. It sounded so fake. I said it with confidence, though I had never seen it happen before.