Revenge of the Sith: Phase Three

Back in the dressing room, Padme called for the female cadet who'd been checking her out to come assist her. "Cadet Tua, would you please come here?" The cadet camequickly. "Now that we're more alone, we can dispense with the pleasantries or this is going to be even more awkward than it is already, when alone, please feel free to call me Padme. And you are?"

Shocked by the question but delighted none the less, "Maketh, m'lady... I mean, Padme," she replied, blushing a bit.

"It's nice to meet you, Maketh. I'm still a little, sensitive, from giving birth and stretching to reach some of these zippers hurts some. Would you mind giving me a hand?"

"Not at all," Maketh said, sounding a little too eager. Helping her with the long one, that went all the way down her back, revealing she wore nothing underneath, startled her a bit and she froze. Padme dropped the shoulder sleeve of one arm, "accidentally" revealing the bruise on her arm. "Padme! Whatever happened?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have, I mean... well, it's just," and Padme once again "accidentally" dropped her dress as if in a frenzy. This had the dual affect of being naked before Maketh and showing the other bruises on her stomach. She dropped to her knees fast enough to make it seem like she was ashamed but not fast enough that Maketh didn't get ample time not to see them. She gathered up her dress and faked the tears.

Maketh knelt quickly beside her. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"It's nothing, I shouldn't have... I...I just...," and she buried her face into Maketh's shoulder. "I want to be a dutiful wife but, the birth you see, it takes it's toll on a woman and my husband has been eager to resume certain... private time acts. I just don't feel ready yet, not in the traditional way, you see, but he... he...well, made it clear I had to..."

"Please, please, I beg you, swear to me you won't tell anyone! He'd kill me for sure if he knew and then who would care for my children," Padme cried.

"Of course, your secret is safe with me," Maketh said reassuringly.

Padme leaned back so their eyes could meet so she could gage Maketh's feelings and knew she had her hooked. "Thank you, I... I could really use a friend these days," and she leaned in a bit, longingly.

"I'm not sure how but I'll be whatever you need of me," she replied. "My schooling is almost done and they've said they were going to send me back to Lothal. While I miss home, I had hoped for something more promising."

"Let me see if I can change that. I'd love it if you were around. I know we just met, but I feel a certain comfort with you I haven't felt with anyone in a long time," Padme said softly, leaning back and caressing Maketh's cheek. She'd sealed the deal then and there.

Phase Four would be even trickier and something she didn't feel good about doing but she had children to think of first and foremost.

To be continued...