Decoy (Rex)

12: The search

You don't need to have read the books about Padmé and her handmaidens, all you need to know is that Padmé's handmaidens serve as body doubles, confidiants, (and of course) handmaidens.

Tw: Slight language

~Rex~

"What do you do when someone gets kidnapped?" Rex suddenly asked.

"What?" Fives blinked.

"Hypothetically, if someone gets kidnapped, what are you supposed to do?" Rex questioned.

"The police are called," Kix answered, pushing the food on his tray around with his utensil.

"What if no one knows about the kidnapping?" Rex quietly asked. "What if you're the only one who even knows this person?"

Kix frowned. "Why is your hypothetical question so specific?"

Rex shrugged. "No reason."

"I'd still report it," Fives said. "It's still a kidnapping."

"Hey! Did you hear? Senator Amidala is missing!" Jesse yelled as he ran toward them.

Kix gasped and turned to Rex. "Holy shit! Did you kidnap her? Is that why you're asking all these questions?"

"What? No! I said I was the only person to know the person!" Rex defended himself. "I mean- hypothetically, what if you were the only person to know that person!"

"Senator Amidala vanished and no one can find her!" Jesse told them, sliding into the seat next to Rex. "General Skywalker and General Kenobi have been assigned to track her down, so we're staying here a bit longer."

Rex's gaze was fixed on the table.

"What do they suspect happened to her?" Fives asked. 

"They suspect foul play," Jesse reported.

"Rex, are you going to help them?" Kix curiously asked. "You usually help General Skywalker when Senator Amidala gets in trouble."

"Which is quite often," Fives added.

"Maybe," Rex said uncertainly. "I'll see if he asks me."

"Hey, whatever happened to that friend of yours?" Fives asked Rex. "Did you ever end up getting together?"

Kix gasped again. "Please don't tell me you're having an affair with Senator Amidala! Did you kidnap her? Is that why you're asking all these questions?"

Fives' eyes widened. "Holy kark!"

"No! I'm not doing any of that!" Rex exclaimed. "I'm not having an affair with her! I didn't kidnap her!"

"Kidnap who?"

They all turned to Anakin, who was standing there with his arms crossed, a smile toying at his lips, though his brow was creased.

"No one," Rex immediately answered, shooting a filthy look at Kix.

"Hey, Rex, can I talk to you?" Anakin asked, running a hand through his hair.

Rex nodded and stood up, letting the Jedi lead him away. He came up with excuses if Anakin questioned where he had been last night. He doubted that he would ask, but it was always best to be prepared.

"Can you help me find Padmé?" Anakin asked. "I hate to ask so much of you, but you're one of the only people to know about the whole marriage thing."

Rex nodded. "Of course, sir."

Anakin let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Rex. I'm really glad you're here for me. I can't tell you how grateful I am."

Rex felt a twinge of guilt.

This man didn't even know that his wife was missing.

He didn't even know that some random woman had been filling her place.

"Where do we start?" Rex asked, pushing past his shame.

"Obi-wan was thinking we'd ask her guards who last saw her. Searching her quarters would be a good idea too. Finding a clue would be great."

Kark.

The guards would reveal that Rex had been spending a lot of time with her.

"Maybe we should search first, then ask the guards," Rex suggested, anxiety rising in him as he tried to put off the inevitable. 

Anakin hummed thoughtfully. "Sure, we can do that. Any information will help us, and I'm just desperate to find her."

Rex considered telling the Jedi about Ranov'la, but decided against it. Senator Amidala hadn't wanted anyone to know, so there must be a reason for it.

He was certain of it.

But if any information would help him get Ranov'la back...

He might have to tell General Skywalker, if worst came to worst.

~Padmé~

She sighed as she stared off the balcony, watching the sun set on the beautiful Naboo landscape. She heard C-3PO approach her, making heavy footsteps.

She turned to face him, pulling her robe right over her shoulders. "What is it?"

"My apologies, but I heard it and knew you'd wish to know about it, as-" C3-PO rambled, making her lips quirk. "-it's absolutely terrible!"

"Just spit it out," Padmé said, waddling inside. She eased onto the couch, looking up at her golden companion for his response.

"It appears your decoy has vanished," C-3PO told her.

Padmé pursed her lips. "That is quite unfortunate. Do you have any idea what happened to her?"

Moteé silently pulled herself from the shadows. "Not yet, but I told you we should've done a background check before we picked someone."

"Who else would we have picked? Not everyone in the galaxy looks similar to me, and we didn't have a lot of time," Padmé reasoned, leaning back into the soft cushions. "We need to take care of this before the tabloids start making up drama about me."

"I've already arranged for one of us to journey back to Coruscant." Moteé pulled out a packed bag. "This is for whoever goes."

Padmé stood up. "That will be me. If something happened to my decoy, I wouldn't want to put anyone else at risk."

Moteé snorted. "You'd made the drama worse. I think Dormé should go."

Padmé looked down at her protruding stomach, where her and Anakin's child was growing. "Perhaps you're right. I'll leave this up to you."

Moteé smiled. "My hands are yours, my lady."

:D