Post by dearben on Feb 11, 2011 17:34:41 GMT -5
The Night that Never ends
Part I
The sun was setting on Naboo when a lonesome figure walked through the gardens of the Theed Palace. He moved slowly as if a great burden lay on his shoulders. Suddenly, he sank to his knees before a bush of Noobian roses and the attentive observer was able to see him shaking slightly while tears were running down his face. The man was in his mid-twenties and his shortcut ginger hair was shimmering in the light of the moon.
Form a balcony nearby a young woman was watching the scene before her and her heart clenched at the sight of the desperate young man who had lost so much in battle the other day. Even if this Padawan, now Jedi Knight, had been able to save his Master from certain death, he still was wounded. He wasn’t wounded physically but in his heart. The Force had denied him the one thing he had striven for, finally getting the honor of being a Knight and seeing the shimmer of pride in his Master’s eyes.
She had observed the rift that had formed between Master and Padawan during the last few days. Ever since they had returned from Coruscant to free Naboo they had drifted apart more and more. Until the battle had come, until Qui-Gon Jinn, the Master, had been wounded fatally and Obi-Wan Kenobi, his Padawan, had saved him with his own Life-Force; until the young man had done more than he should have to keep his beloved Master alive; until Jinn had done the most shocking thing to manifest their rift.
Padme Amidala, Queen of the Naboo, was still standing there seeing the young man holding his head in his hands. For the first time today he was alone and finally able to let go of the tears he had been fighting with. She didn’t know much about the Force and training bonds. But she knew that the fact that Qui-Gon Jinn had severed his bond with Obi-Wan during the young man’s struggle for his Master’s life must have been devastating. A bond that had lasted over years of training, that had entwined their destinies for more than ten years, had been severed without warning, manifesting that Jinn had already left the young man who was trying to save him.
Mace Windu had told Padme about the scene in the Council chamber after they had decided that the young boy, Anakin Skywalker, would not be trained. Padme had been appalled when the Korun-Master told her, how Jinn had declared the boy as his Padawan-learner in front of Obi-Wan Kenobi shoving the young man, who had been his Padawan for so long, aside. Padme learned from Master Windu that Qui-Gon’s decision would have led to the end of Obi-Wan’s career as a Jedi Knight if he hadn’t been knighted after defeating the Sith on Naboo.
She shook her head. How could Jinn reject his own Padawan? And in the moment, when the young man had been ready to sacrifice himself for his beloved Master, the older Jedi had dealt him the final blow. She was almost able to feel the Kenobi’s despair now. He had been promoted today. This day should have been a lucky one for him. However, instead of enjoying this honor, he was sitting in her garden trying to deal with the rejection from a man whom he had loved like a father.
Padme felt a spike of anger at the self-righteous behavior of Qui-Gon Jinn. After his recovery the Master would move on and train Anakin. Master Windu had told her that the Council had approved of that. But Obi-Wan Kenobi would be sent on solo missions, being alone and accompanied by the feeling that he wasn’t loved.
She shook her head. She wouldn’t let this happen. If Jinn wasn’t able to show the young man the love he deserved, she would do it. Having made up her mind, she took her cape and descended into the gardens.
***
He was so wrapped up in his grief that he hadn’t felt her coming. Suddenly, there had been an arm tentatively placed around his shoulders giving him a feeling of support. He instantly knew who it was and tried to pull himself together. It wouldn’t do any good to cry in front of a sovereign of a planet as a Jedi Knight. However, her arms were so soft and she leaned into him so gently that he wasn’t able to see her as Queen. She had come as Padme determined to give him what he needed. Finally accepting his defeat, he leaned back and accepted the comfort she was offering him.
After what seemed like an eternity he looked up to her, tears still glistening in his eyes. She had somehow succeeded in consoling him. He had re-found his calmness and the Force was singing around them. He inhaled deeply and said, “Your Highness…”
She shook her head and placed a finger on his lips. “Hush, I am just Padme for you, Knight Kenobi.”
He gave her a wan smile. “Obi-Wan,” he pointed out and relaxed once more in her embrace.
She had her arms around him as if she was trying to anchor him in the here and now and he had to admit that she was successful in it. Suddenly, he felt hope, a hope he hadn’t felt moments ago. His heart was pounding in his chest and when he turned his face to hers he saw her eyes shimmering warmly.
“You are not alone, Obi-Wan,” said Padme with a soft voice and he swallowed thickly. It sounded like a promise, a promise she would keep, a promise that would hold over the years.
Without thinking about it, he moved a bit up and his lips found hers. The kiss was soft at first and he felt her holding her breath. Then she closed her eyes and returned it. After a few moments the kiss deepened and Obi-Wan was about to lose himself in it. Suddenly, reality began to kick in. He wasn’t allowed to do this. The code forbid it and Padme was way too young for this. Reluctantly he ended the kiss and moved away from. He stood up and she followed, both of them being embarrassed.
“I…,” Obi-Wan was desperately searching the right words. “uhm, well, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
She blushed a bit and looked down. “This wasn’t what I was planning to do, Obi-Wan. I just wanted to give you comfort. I am sorry too.”
He looked away and his eyes became distant. Why was the Force singing around them? It had been wrong to kiss her, but it had felt so right as if the Force had wanted them to do it.
“However, I liked it…” Padme said and Obi-Wan looked back to her. He could tell that this admission had cost her dearly and that her feelings for him had to run deeply.
He took her in his arms and she leaned her head on his chest. Once more he felt the Force nearly clapping.
“I am sorry, Padme. I liked it too. I… uhm, I think I have a connection to you and it feels right to hold you like this. However, the Jedi code forbids me to form an attachment. I wouldn’t be able to offer you a future.” When he heard himself he felt a lump forming in his throat. Why was the Force giving him such a deep connection to this woman, he hadn’t even known merely days ago, if it was forbidden for them to be together?
She looked up to him and he saw an understanding smile. “I think I fell in love with you the moment you jumped from that balustrade. My Knight in shining armor coming to my rescue,” she chuckled and he had to laugh too. “I always thought there is no such thing as love at first sight. Well, I was wrong. I know that you can never live this love, Obi-Wan. I myself am not able to pursue any relationship as long as I am Queen. However, I want you to know that you are never alone and my love will always be with you.”
He squeezed her gently at that. “Well, I’ve never even believed in a thing called love. It never crossed my mind being a Jedi and knowing that love would end my career. But I felt the same when I first saw you. I saw a beautiful handmaiden with the most incredible eyes full of warmth. Believe me, Padme, this means a lot to me. Knowing that someone like you could love someone like me…”
She moved a bit away from him. “What do you mean with ‘someone like me’”
“Well, I didn’t have the luck meeting someone who just loves me without any condition before.” His voice was bitter and he saw the face of Qui-Gon Jinn before him in his mind.
She took a few steps away from him. “Damn this self-righteous Jedi Master,” she cursed and he cringed a bit at seeing her anger. She looked to him. “He should have loved you without condition. He should have thought about what it means when he takes a new Padawan before you having finished your trials. He had no right to just sever your bond…”
He held up his hands to stop her. “Stop, Padme. He had his reasons of that I am sure.”
She wasn’t ready to calm down. “Oh, had he? And what reasons might that be? That he found Anakin? That Anakin needed to be trained at all cost?”
He looked down and felt how difficult it was to defend his former Master after what he had done to him. “He followed the will of the Force. He always followed the will of the Force.” It sounded like a shallow excuse even to him. There hadn’t been any need for Qui-Gon to sever the bond like he did. It surely hadn’t been the will of the Force to do that.
She said nothing looking silently toward him, her opinion written all over her face.
He walked over to her and took her once more in his arms. “We shouldn’t talk about that now. Knowing that you love me already helped me. With this knowledge I will be able to face any mission the Council will give me.”
She sighed contently in his arms. “I will miss you,” she almost whispered.
He took a deep breath. “I will miss you too. But you must realize that you can’t cling to these feelings. I will never be able to give you what you deserve.”
She looked up and he saw tears glistening in her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about that now. Just let me be with you here as long as we can be together. We could imagine that this is our night, a night that never ends.”
A night that never ends, the expression made Obi-Wan smile. “I promise you, that our night indeed never ends,” he whispered in her ear and kissed her cheeks tenderly. Their night was their love and be it as it be, this love would never end.
***
The Coruscant sky was full of various vehicles when a figure left the Jedi temple. Everyone could see that the Jedi Knight was in as much rage as the Jedi code allowed him to be. Obi-Wan Kenobi had grown into one of the best Knights the Jedi order had to offer. Several hard solo missions had shaped the young Knight and now ten years after his knighting the Jedi Council tended to assign him the most complicated missions. He preferred to work alone and until now the Council had granted him this wish often enough. Today they had assigned him with another pair. This wasn't the only reason why he was angry. He would have worked gladly with almost every one in the temple. However, this pair was not among his favorites. After Naboo he had been avoiding contact with Master Jinn and his new Padawan Anakin Skywalker. How could the Council assign the together?
He inhaled deeply trying to get a grip on his emotions. The nature of the mission was what added to his agitation. There had been an assassination attempt on Senator Padme Amidala of the Naboo earlier this day. One of Padme’s decoys had lost her life and Obi-Wan could imagine well enough how Padme felt at the moment. She would deem herself responsible for the woman’s death. Qui-Gon, Anakin and he were now assigned to protect her. The notion that he would meet Padme again made his heart pound. He hadn’t had any contact with her since that night on Naboo, since the night that never ended. In his mind this night had continued until today. His love hadn’t disappeared and he had often anchored himself in this love when things had become rough on his missions.
When he approached the Senator’s apartment he saw Qui-Gon and Anakin already waiting for him. He walked over to them carefully shielding his feelings. Qui-Gon Jinn was strong in the Living Force but Obi-Wan wouldn’t give him a possibility to see into his mind again.
After Naboo the older Master had more than once tried to speak with the young Knight. But any attempt was refused by Obi-Wan, who emphasized that he didn’t want any contact with his former Master again. This would be the first time they would meet again. Obi-Wan had heard a lot about Anakin’s skills in the Force but also about a temper that wasn’t easily controlled. He was curious to see the presumed ‘Chosen One’ working. He didn’t look forward however to meeting Qui-Gon.
He heaved a sigh and coughed slightly to make his presence known. Qui-Gon Jinn turned around and Obi-Wan saw insecurity in the older Master’s eyes. “Obi-Wan…” he said and seemed to search for the right words.
“Master Jinn,” the younger Knight replied coolly carefully masking his own nervousness. “Padawan Skywalker,” he acknowledged Anakin.
Qui-Gon seemed disturbed by the formal title Obi-Wan had used to address him. However, he didn’t voice it.
“Senator Amidala is already waiting,” he said and waved his hand to indicate the Knight and Padawan to follow him. Obi-Wan smiled ruefully. Some things will never change. Qui-Gon Jinn was still a Master who took the role as leader naturally.
In the elevator Obi-Wan stood back and observed the interaction between Master and Padawan.
“Relax, take a deep breath, Anakin,” the Master admonished his apprentice.
“I haven’t seen her in ten years, Master,” replied Anakin and Obi-Wan’s eyes widened as he concluded what these words meant. Anakin Skywalker was as deeply in love with Padme Amidala as he himself was.
‘Well, this will be interesting,’ he thought to himself rolling his eyes. The Force seemed determined to present him an impossible situation here.
Then they were in Padme’s apartment and Obi-Wan’s world focused solely on the beautiful woman before him. She looked stunning and the radiant smile in her face at seeing him made his heart skip a beat.
She reached out with her hand and he bowed to kiss it. “Knight Kenobi, it has been far too long,” she said and he nodded.
“Senator Amidala, it’s nice to see you again,” he replied and locked eyes with her for a short moment. The expression he saw shimmering beneath the formal greeting reassured him that nothing had changed for her. Even if he had told her that she should move on, he felt joy when he realized she hadn’t done it. Her love was still there as was his.
When Anakin greeted the Senator he could see Qui-Gon Jinn rolling his eyes. The boy wasn’t able to hide his feelings and Obi-Wan saw a flicker of amusement in Padme’s eyes.
They went to the couch and discussed the mission. Not everything seemed to be well between Anakin and Qui-Gon though. Obi-Wan felt the annoyance coming from the Master when the Padawan assured Padme that they would find who was trying to kill her. It wasn’t their mandate and Qui-Gon reminded Anakin about it in a rather rude manner. Obi-Wan couldn’t remember a time when Qui-Gon had reprimanded him in front of outsiders like this.
It was decided that Qui-Gon and Anakin would go with Captain Panaka to check the security around the building while Obi-Wan would stay with Padme. The moment everyone had left the apartment Padme rushed over to him and he caught her in his arms. The urge to kiss was overwhelming and again he asked himself why the Force would do this to him.
Then she leaned at his chest as she had on Naboo ten years ago. “Nothing has changed,” she stated and Obi-Wan squeezed her gently.
“My love for you will never change, my love. I promised you that our night would never end,” he replied and played with a strand of her beautiful hair.
She sighed contently and they stayed like this until Obi-Wan felt Qui-Gon and Anakin returning.
***
Obi-Wan was sitting on the couch in the Senator’s apartment and Padme could see that he was exhausted. They had just finished their crazy chase which had begun with Obi-Wan jumping out of her window. She had almost had a heart attack when the man she loved had disappeared into the Coruscant night sky. After they had returned safely, they had told her everything about the bounty hunter, who was trying to kill her. Anakin and Qui-Gon had left for the temple to tell the Council what had occurred and get further orders.
She sat down at his side and he closed his arms around her. She felt that he had feared for her life as much as she had feared for his and she was grateful that the Force gave them a moment to calm down. One more night together, one more night that never ends.
TBC
~~~~~~~
Very lovely Katja! ;D
Be sure to leave the author some reviews!
Part I
The sun was setting on Naboo when a lonesome figure walked through the gardens of the Theed Palace. He moved slowly as if a great burden lay on his shoulders. Suddenly, he sank to his knees before a bush of Noobian roses and the attentive observer was able to see him shaking slightly while tears were running down his face. The man was in his mid-twenties and his shortcut ginger hair was shimmering in the light of the moon.
Form a balcony nearby a young woman was watching the scene before her and her heart clenched at the sight of the desperate young man who had lost so much in battle the other day. Even if this Padawan, now Jedi Knight, had been able to save his Master from certain death, he still was wounded. He wasn’t wounded physically but in his heart. The Force had denied him the one thing he had striven for, finally getting the honor of being a Knight and seeing the shimmer of pride in his Master’s eyes.
She had observed the rift that had formed between Master and Padawan during the last few days. Ever since they had returned from Coruscant to free Naboo they had drifted apart more and more. Until the battle had come, until Qui-Gon Jinn, the Master, had been wounded fatally and Obi-Wan Kenobi, his Padawan, had saved him with his own Life-Force; until the young man had done more than he should have to keep his beloved Master alive; until Jinn had done the most shocking thing to manifest their rift.
Padme Amidala, Queen of the Naboo, was still standing there seeing the young man holding his head in his hands. For the first time today he was alone and finally able to let go of the tears he had been fighting with. She didn’t know much about the Force and training bonds. But she knew that the fact that Qui-Gon Jinn had severed his bond with Obi-Wan during the young man’s struggle for his Master’s life must have been devastating. A bond that had lasted over years of training, that had entwined their destinies for more than ten years, had been severed without warning, manifesting that Jinn had already left the young man who was trying to save him.
Mace Windu had told Padme about the scene in the Council chamber after they had decided that the young boy, Anakin Skywalker, would not be trained. Padme had been appalled when the Korun-Master told her, how Jinn had declared the boy as his Padawan-learner in front of Obi-Wan Kenobi shoving the young man, who had been his Padawan for so long, aside. Padme learned from Master Windu that Qui-Gon’s decision would have led to the end of Obi-Wan’s career as a Jedi Knight if he hadn’t been knighted after defeating the Sith on Naboo.
She shook her head. How could Jinn reject his own Padawan? And in the moment, when the young man had been ready to sacrifice himself for his beloved Master, the older Jedi had dealt him the final blow. She was almost able to feel the Kenobi’s despair now. He had been promoted today. This day should have been a lucky one for him. However, instead of enjoying this honor, he was sitting in her garden trying to deal with the rejection from a man whom he had loved like a father.
Padme felt a spike of anger at the self-righteous behavior of Qui-Gon Jinn. After his recovery the Master would move on and train Anakin. Master Windu had told her that the Council had approved of that. But Obi-Wan Kenobi would be sent on solo missions, being alone and accompanied by the feeling that he wasn’t loved.
She shook her head. She wouldn’t let this happen. If Jinn wasn’t able to show the young man the love he deserved, she would do it. Having made up her mind, she took her cape and descended into the gardens.
***
He was so wrapped up in his grief that he hadn’t felt her coming. Suddenly, there had been an arm tentatively placed around his shoulders giving him a feeling of support. He instantly knew who it was and tried to pull himself together. It wouldn’t do any good to cry in front of a sovereign of a planet as a Jedi Knight. However, her arms were so soft and she leaned into him so gently that he wasn’t able to see her as Queen. She had come as Padme determined to give him what he needed. Finally accepting his defeat, he leaned back and accepted the comfort she was offering him.
After what seemed like an eternity he looked up to her, tears still glistening in his eyes. She had somehow succeeded in consoling him. He had re-found his calmness and the Force was singing around them. He inhaled deeply and said, “Your Highness…”
She shook her head and placed a finger on his lips. “Hush, I am just Padme for you, Knight Kenobi.”
He gave her a wan smile. “Obi-Wan,” he pointed out and relaxed once more in her embrace.
She had her arms around him as if she was trying to anchor him in the here and now and he had to admit that she was successful in it. Suddenly, he felt hope, a hope he hadn’t felt moments ago. His heart was pounding in his chest and when he turned his face to hers he saw her eyes shimmering warmly.
“You are not alone, Obi-Wan,” said Padme with a soft voice and he swallowed thickly. It sounded like a promise, a promise she would keep, a promise that would hold over the years.
Without thinking about it, he moved a bit up and his lips found hers. The kiss was soft at first and he felt her holding her breath. Then she closed her eyes and returned it. After a few moments the kiss deepened and Obi-Wan was about to lose himself in it. Suddenly, reality began to kick in. He wasn’t allowed to do this. The code forbid it and Padme was way too young for this. Reluctantly he ended the kiss and moved away from. He stood up and she followed, both of them being embarrassed.
“I…,” Obi-Wan was desperately searching the right words. “uhm, well, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
She blushed a bit and looked down. “This wasn’t what I was planning to do, Obi-Wan. I just wanted to give you comfort. I am sorry too.”
He looked away and his eyes became distant. Why was the Force singing around them? It had been wrong to kiss her, but it had felt so right as if the Force had wanted them to do it.
“However, I liked it…” Padme said and Obi-Wan looked back to her. He could tell that this admission had cost her dearly and that her feelings for him had to run deeply.
He took her in his arms and she leaned her head on his chest. Once more he felt the Force nearly clapping.
“I am sorry, Padme. I liked it too. I… uhm, I think I have a connection to you and it feels right to hold you like this. However, the Jedi code forbids me to form an attachment. I wouldn’t be able to offer you a future.” When he heard himself he felt a lump forming in his throat. Why was the Force giving him such a deep connection to this woman, he hadn’t even known merely days ago, if it was forbidden for them to be together?
She looked up to him and he saw an understanding smile. “I think I fell in love with you the moment you jumped from that balustrade. My Knight in shining armor coming to my rescue,” she chuckled and he had to laugh too. “I always thought there is no such thing as love at first sight. Well, I was wrong. I know that you can never live this love, Obi-Wan. I myself am not able to pursue any relationship as long as I am Queen. However, I want you to know that you are never alone and my love will always be with you.”
He squeezed her gently at that. “Well, I’ve never even believed in a thing called love. It never crossed my mind being a Jedi and knowing that love would end my career. But I felt the same when I first saw you. I saw a beautiful handmaiden with the most incredible eyes full of warmth. Believe me, Padme, this means a lot to me. Knowing that someone like you could love someone like me…”
She moved a bit away from him. “What do you mean with ‘someone like me’”
“Well, I didn’t have the luck meeting someone who just loves me without any condition before.” His voice was bitter and he saw the face of Qui-Gon Jinn before him in his mind.
She took a few steps away from him. “Damn this self-righteous Jedi Master,” she cursed and he cringed a bit at seeing her anger. She looked to him. “He should have loved you without condition. He should have thought about what it means when he takes a new Padawan before you having finished your trials. He had no right to just sever your bond…”
He held up his hands to stop her. “Stop, Padme. He had his reasons of that I am sure.”
She wasn’t ready to calm down. “Oh, had he? And what reasons might that be? That he found Anakin? That Anakin needed to be trained at all cost?”
He looked down and felt how difficult it was to defend his former Master after what he had done to him. “He followed the will of the Force. He always followed the will of the Force.” It sounded like a shallow excuse even to him. There hadn’t been any need for Qui-Gon to sever the bond like he did. It surely hadn’t been the will of the Force to do that.
She said nothing looking silently toward him, her opinion written all over her face.
He walked over to her and took her once more in his arms. “We shouldn’t talk about that now. Knowing that you love me already helped me. With this knowledge I will be able to face any mission the Council will give me.”
She sighed contently in his arms. “I will miss you,” she almost whispered.
He took a deep breath. “I will miss you too. But you must realize that you can’t cling to these feelings. I will never be able to give you what you deserve.”
She looked up and he saw tears glistening in her eyes. “I don’t want to talk about that now. Just let me be with you here as long as we can be together. We could imagine that this is our night, a night that never ends.”
A night that never ends, the expression made Obi-Wan smile. “I promise you, that our night indeed never ends,” he whispered in her ear and kissed her cheeks tenderly. Their night was their love and be it as it be, this love would never end.
***
The Coruscant sky was full of various vehicles when a figure left the Jedi temple. Everyone could see that the Jedi Knight was in as much rage as the Jedi code allowed him to be. Obi-Wan Kenobi had grown into one of the best Knights the Jedi order had to offer. Several hard solo missions had shaped the young Knight and now ten years after his knighting the Jedi Council tended to assign him the most complicated missions. He preferred to work alone and until now the Council had granted him this wish often enough. Today they had assigned him with another pair. This wasn't the only reason why he was angry. He would have worked gladly with almost every one in the temple. However, this pair was not among his favorites. After Naboo he had been avoiding contact with Master Jinn and his new Padawan Anakin Skywalker. How could the Council assign the together?
He inhaled deeply trying to get a grip on his emotions. The nature of the mission was what added to his agitation. There had been an assassination attempt on Senator Padme Amidala of the Naboo earlier this day. One of Padme’s decoys had lost her life and Obi-Wan could imagine well enough how Padme felt at the moment. She would deem herself responsible for the woman’s death. Qui-Gon, Anakin and he were now assigned to protect her. The notion that he would meet Padme again made his heart pound. He hadn’t had any contact with her since that night on Naboo, since the night that never ended. In his mind this night had continued until today. His love hadn’t disappeared and he had often anchored himself in this love when things had become rough on his missions.
When he approached the Senator’s apartment he saw Qui-Gon and Anakin already waiting for him. He walked over to them carefully shielding his feelings. Qui-Gon Jinn was strong in the Living Force but Obi-Wan wouldn’t give him a possibility to see into his mind again.
After Naboo the older Master had more than once tried to speak with the young Knight. But any attempt was refused by Obi-Wan, who emphasized that he didn’t want any contact with his former Master again. This would be the first time they would meet again. Obi-Wan had heard a lot about Anakin’s skills in the Force but also about a temper that wasn’t easily controlled. He was curious to see the presumed ‘Chosen One’ working. He didn’t look forward however to meeting Qui-Gon.
He heaved a sigh and coughed slightly to make his presence known. Qui-Gon Jinn turned around and Obi-Wan saw insecurity in the older Master’s eyes. “Obi-Wan…” he said and seemed to search for the right words.
“Master Jinn,” the younger Knight replied coolly carefully masking his own nervousness. “Padawan Skywalker,” he acknowledged Anakin.
Qui-Gon seemed disturbed by the formal title Obi-Wan had used to address him. However, he didn’t voice it.
“Senator Amidala is already waiting,” he said and waved his hand to indicate the Knight and Padawan to follow him. Obi-Wan smiled ruefully. Some things will never change. Qui-Gon Jinn was still a Master who took the role as leader naturally.
In the elevator Obi-Wan stood back and observed the interaction between Master and Padawan.
“Relax, take a deep breath, Anakin,” the Master admonished his apprentice.
“I haven’t seen her in ten years, Master,” replied Anakin and Obi-Wan’s eyes widened as he concluded what these words meant. Anakin Skywalker was as deeply in love with Padme Amidala as he himself was.
‘Well, this will be interesting,’ he thought to himself rolling his eyes. The Force seemed determined to present him an impossible situation here.
Then they were in Padme’s apartment and Obi-Wan’s world focused solely on the beautiful woman before him. She looked stunning and the radiant smile in her face at seeing him made his heart skip a beat.
She reached out with her hand and he bowed to kiss it. “Knight Kenobi, it has been far too long,” she said and he nodded.
“Senator Amidala, it’s nice to see you again,” he replied and locked eyes with her for a short moment. The expression he saw shimmering beneath the formal greeting reassured him that nothing had changed for her. Even if he had told her that she should move on, he felt joy when he realized she hadn’t done it. Her love was still there as was his.
When Anakin greeted the Senator he could see Qui-Gon Jinn rolling his eyes. The boy wasn’t able to hide his feelings and Obi-Wan saw a flicker of amusement in Padme’s eyes.
They went to the couch and discussed the mission. Not everything seemed to be well between Anakin and Qui-Gon though. Obi-Wan felt the annoyance coming from the Master when the Padawan assured Padme that they would find who was trying to kill her. It wasn’t their mandate and Qui-Gon reminded Anakin about it in a rather rude manner. Obi-Wan couldn’t remember a time when Qui-Gon had reprimanded him in front of outsiders like this.
It was decided that Qui-Gon and Anakin would go with Captain Panaka to check the security around the building while Obi-Wan would stay with Padme. The moment everyone had left the apartment Padme rushed over to him and he caught her in his arms. The urge to kiss was overwhelming and again he asked himself why the Force would do this to him.
Then she leaned at his chest as she had on Naboo ten years ago. “Nothing has changed,” she stated and Obi-Wan squeezed her gently.
“My love for you will never change, my love. I promised you that our night would never end,” he replied and played with a strand of her beautiful hair.
She sighed contently and they stayed like this until Obi-Wan felt Qui-Gon and Anakin returning.
***
Obi-Wan was sitting on the couch in the Senator’s apartment and Padme could see that he was exhausted. They had just finished their crazy chase which had begun with Obi-Wan jumping out of her window. She had almost had a heart attack when the man she loved had disappeared into the Coruscant night sky. After they had returned safely, they had told her everything about the bounty hunter, who was trying to kill her. Anakin and Qui-Gon had left for the temple to tell the Council what had occurred and get further orders.
She sat down at his side and he closed his arms around her. She felt that he had feared for her life as much as she had feared for his and she was grateful that the Force gave them a moment to calm down. One more night together, one more night that never ends.
TBC
~~~~~~~
Very lovely Katja! ;D
Be sure to leave the author some reviews!
I love the notion of them having a night that never ends, so sweet. And I feel so bad for Obi after what Qui-Gon did.
Aw, this is a good plot you've got going here --- I liked the self-sacrifice that Obi-Wan did in saving his Master from death, even though Qui-Gon had it in him all along to cleave himself to Anakin right away. That's a unique plot twist and I hope to read the rest of it~
