Padmé didn’t want to say anything, but the sooner Anakin returned the better. She still didn’t know what she was going to say if Obi-Wan contacted them. With a sigh she left the terrace and went inside the villa to where Senator Nalanda sat surrounded by files and flimsies. “The vote was deferred again,” she told Padmé. “Ask Aak pushed it forward saying we can’t trust the Separatists to be decent, Bail interceded.” She paused, looking past Padmé with a frustrated expression. “I should have been there.” “I am sure Representative Pela can manage in your stead,” Padmé said. “But m’lady—”