Whisper

Who Are You Loyal To?

A/N: Hi, don't feel like you need to be a silent reader. I love hearing from everyone. Comment with kindness.

O - O - O

The pair settled into their new homes. Anakin informed her of how excited Palpatine was to hear about Helen's medical advancements. The men wondered if the doctor would be able to repair Palpatine as well. Niobe avoided the subject, giving small responses, she did not feel comfortable with Palpatine meeting Helen.

She hated the fact that Anakin had become so close to Palpatine. Niobe had been relieved when Yoda stepped in to keep her from the Chancellor. She had been so drawn to Palpatine, there was a magnetic field around him. Now she feared that Anakin might be under the same spell.

Niobe shuddered at the realization that they lived under Palpatine's care. They stayed in rooms, she knew where given as long as they remained loyal. 

Niobe stared at Anakin as he sat across from her. They had completed their meals and retired to their new homes. 

"So you work closely with Palpatine now?" Niobe asked.

"I've always been close with him, you know that," Anakin said.

"Yeah," Niobe said. "I guess I am still adjusting."

Anakin's apartment shared a connection with her own. Niobe did not mind as this moved her out of the Senate building. She never felt comfortable there. Anakin had taken to pacing the shared living area, muttering about plans for a ship of some kind.

"Have-have you been to Naboo?" Niobe asked.

Anakin halted mid-stride.

"No," he said. "My focus has been on getting you back. Even Palpatine was determined to find you."

Niobe fought the urge to roll her eyes. Palpatine had always been a problem for her.

"Can we?" She asked. "Go to Naboo, I mean."

Anakin began moving around the space again. She could not imagine he would jump at the concept of visiting his wife's grave, but Niobe wanted to more than anything in the galaxy. Padme had been Niobe's rock for many years.

"I can ask Palpatine," he said.

"Did he know?" She asked.

"Yes," he said. "He was going to help me."

"Help you?"

"He has access to the best medical care available. I thought-," he said.

"You do not need to explain, I understand," she said.

"We should get some rest."

Niobe nodded. She watched as Anakin closed himself off. She should not have mentioned Padme so soon.

OOOOOO

Niobe and Anakin went into their separate rooms not long after her misstep with Padme. The space was soothing, much like the room Tony had arranged for her. She missed them. She missed Helen.

After preparing herself for bed, Niobe reached out with her communicator to Tony.

"Hello there," Tony said.

"Hey," she said. "I apologize for leaving so abruptly earlier. Are you doing okay?"

"Yeah, everyone is fine," he said. "Steve is with me at the moment if you want to talk?"

"Of course!"

"Yeah, yeah," he said.

"Obe?" Steve asked.

"Hey Steve," she said. "I am glad to hear your voice."

"I feel the same," he said. "Where are you now?"

"Courscant," she said. "Anakin has given me an apartment here."

"Is everything okay?"

"I find myself struggling," she said. "Jedi are criminals now. The temple is destroyed. I do not know how I can function here. I am not wanted."

"Are you in trouble?"

Niobe chuckled. He sounded prepared to hop into a ship and fly himself to her location.

"No," she said. "Our chancellor has granted me immunity."

"That's nice of him," he said.

"Perhaps," Niobe said. "Palpatine, our chancellor, has always had hidden motives. We used to be close, but Master Yoda ensured I would be as far from him as possible."

"Do you trust him?"

"I think so," she said.

"Then that's all that matters," he said.

"Oh Steve," she said. "I miss our talks."

"Me too," he said. "All I have now is Stark and he's no picnic."

"Hey!" Tony said.

Niobe laughed with Steve who was dodging hits from Tony. After Tony relented, Steve returned his focus to her.

"How is everyone?" She asked.

"Good," Steve said. "We're training the twins, Vision, Sam, and Rhodey to be Avengers. Gotta be honest though, teams a little empty without you."

"Yeah..." she said. "I had fun fighting with you."

"Don't worry too much about us," Steve said. "We will be here when you get back."

Niobe nodded. She wanted to say that was unsure if she would be able to return, but she preferred to hold onto that hope hanging around them.

"Have a goodnight," Niobe said.

"Goodnight," Steve said.

"Night E.T.!" Tony said.

Niobe ended the transmission, tucking the communicator away. She stood from the seat she had taken on the well-made bed. Niobe grabbed a pillow off the mattress and situated herself in front of the large glass wall.

She would think of this more tomorrow.

O - O - O

A/N: It's been a few days. I have a lot of schoolwork and haven't had much time. I haven't abandoned this story though. I hope you enjoy!