After a long absence, Anakin Skywalker is warmly greeted by Padmé Amidala at her apartment on Coruscant. Anakin has just hitched a ride on a cargo freighter, and brought back dinner. It is a special occasion tonight, when the secretly wed couple is able to spend time together.

At the Jedi Temple, the Council discusses their suspicions that the InterGalactic Banking Clan has a secret alliance with the Separatists. The Jedi want Senator Amidala to spy on her colleague -- Senator Rush Clovis of the Banking delegation -- a request she has refused in the past. But the Jedi will no longer take no for an answer.

Back at the apartment, Anakin tries to ignore Obi-Wan's summons, but ultimately feels that duty calls. He arrives at the Jedi briefing, where Mace and Yoda implore Anakin to get Amidala to agree to spy on Clovis, since sending a Jedi would only raise his guard. Anakin is reluctant, particularly when he learns that Clovis and Amidala were close friends during their early careers in the Senate.

Anakin catches up with Padmé in the hallways of the Galactic Senate building. She again refuses to spy on Clovis, but has a change of heart when she learns he may have a connection to the Separatists. Anakin doesn't like the fact that the Council is putting Padmé in danger.

Inside the Jedi Council chamber, Padmé lays out her strategy for spying on Clovis. Anakin learns that Padmé's relationship with him had been romantic, and that she had ended it. Because of this, Padmé feels she will be able to re-initiate contact. Anakin will serve as her bodyguard.

At the dining commons within the Senate building, Padmé and Clovis enjoy a late dinner. Rush is about to head to Cato Neimoidia, to collect some outstanding dues from the Trade Federation. Padmé offers to help, and she agrees to accompany Clovis in the hopes of using her diplomatic contacts to sway the Neimoidians. Clovis looks forward to traveling with Padmé again.

The next day, the Senators board a gleaming Naboo star skiff. Anakin, dressed as a Naboo pilot, assists Captain Typho, C-3PO and R2-D2 in ship preparations. Anakin is barely able to contain his jealousy -- he breaks a seat harness so Clovis is forced to sit apart from Padmé, and pilots the ship through a maneuver to further keep the two separated.

Before long, the skiff arrives at the gilded bridge cities of Cato Neimoidia. The joint Naboo / Scipio delegation is greeted by Senator Lott Dod, who is surprised to see Amidala but nonetheless welcomes her to the grand hall of his palace. While servant droids escort Padmé and her party to their room, Clovis meets with Dod in the library.

The two discuss a Banking Clan investment into a new Separatist droid factory, and are soon joined by Geonosian weapons manufacturer Poggle the Lesser. Talking around a hologram projector, the conspirators cut their conversation short as Padmé approaches, apparently wandering the library. Clovis escorts Padmé out, and Dod sees an opportunity to strengthen their side of the negotiations with Clovis -- they could threaten the Naboo Senator.

Senator Dod intercepts Clovis and Amidala in the grand hall corridor outside the library. He presents them drinks to toast their new friendship. Dod gives Padmé a poisoned glass as the Senators retire to the dining chambers.

Meanwhile, at the skiff on the landing platform, Anakin waits impatiently for Padmé's signal, with R2-D2 keeping him company.

After dinner, Padmé begins to feel faint. C-3PO suggests she retire for the night, but Padmé finds her energy and agrees to a tour of the palace with Clovis. Threepio is dismissed and returns to Padmé's quarters, where he encounters Anakin. The droid tells him of Padmé's whereabouts and actions, which only worries Anakin more.

As Clovis and Padmé walk through the palace library, her head pounds and she feels weak. As Clovis moves off to get her some water, Padmé sneaks to the hologram projector she spotted earlier. The data contained within is password-protected, but after a few false guesses, Padmé stumbles on the correct password: her name. The display activates, revealing an enormous Geonosian droid factory. She signals R2-D2 while she ejects and palms the hologram disc.

Clovis returns with a drink for Padmé, and she carefully keeps the disc hidden behind her back. She throws her arms around Clovis to keep him from seeing her stolen prize. Anakin arrives to catch his wife in the embrace of the Senator, but keeps quiet as he takes the disc from her hand.

Anakin returns to the star skiff and gives the data to R2-D2, ordering him to take the data to the Jedi Council if he does not return. He then he races off back to the palace.

Clovis helps Anakin take Padmé back to her ship. They are intercepted by Lott Dod, who does not want her taken off-planet. Clovis pulls a blaster and holds Dod at gunpoint, demanding the antidote. Dod hands it over, and Anakin takes Padmé back to her ship.

At the ship, Clovis asks for Anakin for the disc back. Anakin coldly refuses, leaving Clovis behind to face the Neimoidians.

As the Naboo star skiff takes off, Anakin gives the antidote to Padmé. Her mission was a success: with the holographic evidence, the Jedi can now move against the new droid foundry.