Post by dearben on Feb 13, 2011 9:50:25 GMT -5
checked on 26 oct 2011
The Night that Never ends
Part II
Part 2
“You love her, don’t you,” Qui-Gon was sitting in the copilot seat while Obi-Wan was controlling their spaceship bringing them to their destination, Kamino. Obi-Wan hoped that they would find the bounty hunter there. He had argued with the Council when they had told him that Qui-Gon was to accompany Obi-Wan on the investigation while Anakin would go to Naboo with Senator Amidala. Their farewell had been brief but intense and it seemed as if Qui-Gon had observed it well enough to come to his own conclusion.
There was no point in denying it. Even if they hadn’t had any contact over the years, Qui-Gon just knew him too well. “I don’t know why it should concern you, Master Jinn, but yes I am,” he replied and didn’t turn his gaze away from the control panel in front of him.
Qui-Gon sighed at the icy reply. “Would you mind telling me what I did to deserve this, Obi-Wan? You avoid seeing me, you address me formally and I see a constant reproach in your eyes when you talk to me.”
Now the young man looked to his former Master with an incredulous expression. “What you did?” he asked and Qui-Gon cringed at the loud voice. “You are really asking me what you did? It was you who decided that I should play not longer a role in your life. You took Anakin as your Padawan learner shoving me aside and above this, which really would have been enough, you… you, you severed the training bond when I tried to save your life.”
Obi-Wan saw Qui-Gon's eyes widen at his outburst. He needed to get a grip on his emotions. It wouldn’t do any good to show Qui-Gon how much he had hurt him. They had to find this bounty hunter and nothing else.
“You think I severed the bond to reject you?”
Obi-Wan would have laughed if it wasn’t so sad. “Well, perhaps you can tell me, what other purpose such an action could have, Master Jinn.”
Qui-Gon took a deep breath. “So, you didn’t hear what I projected to you over the bond before I severed it?”
Obi-Wan shook his head fighting his emotions. This was too much. He didn’t want to live through it again.
“I said, that it was too much, that you would die too if you proceeded. You’ve already pushed too much of your life-Force into me. I felt your presence waver. I didn’t want you to die over the attempt of saving me. I told you how much I loved you and that I was sorry for my behavior in the Council chamber.”
Obi-Wan looked at his former Master stunned by what he had just said. He wouldn’t have missed that, would he? If Qui-Gon had said this, he would have heard it, or not? He remembered the moments in the melting pit only vaguely. He knew that he had lost consciousness at one point and had thought that this had happened as reaction to the loss of the training bond. Had he passed out much earlier? Was this the reason why Qui-Gon had interrupted their connection, to save him?
Qui-Gon had stood up now and walked over kneeling down in front of him. “You must believe me, I am deeply sorry for what I did in the Council chambers then. I should have found another way. I just knew that you were ready and that you would make me proud and Anakin needed me. Severing our bond was the most difficult thing I had to do in my life. But you wouldn’t have stopped. You would have sacrificed yourself for me and I couldn’t allow that.”
Obi-Wan was speechless and Qui-Gon reached for his hand squeezing it gently. “Search your feelings, Obi-Wan. You will feel that this is the truth.”
It was the truth; the Force was almost throwing it into Obi-Wan’s face. How could he have misinterpreted things so badly? He should have known better than holding a grudge against his former Master for years, he should have addressed it and talked to the man. Without saying a word he took his long lost Father in his arms and squeezed him.
After a long moment of silence in which both of them just indulged in the feeling of finally being together again, Qui-Gon returned to his seat.
“Well, what are you going to do about Padme?” Qui-Gon asked trying to lighten the mood.
Obi-Wan still overwhelmed by his emotions swallowed deeply. “There is nothing I can do about it, Master. The code forbids attachment and I am a Jedi.”
He saw Qui-Gon’s amusement at his answer. “Still the Jedi by the book…,” he replied with a grin. “Has it ever occurred to you that the Council isn’t almighty? That there had been Jedi before us who treated attachments differently?”
“As I remember that didn’t turn out well, Master. And no, I don’t think every single Jedi in the Council can misunderstand the will of the Force.”
Qui-Gon laughed. “So, have you asked every single one of them how they view the rule against attachment? I assure you there are a few who deem this rule nonsense. And so do I.”
“You?” Obi-Wan asked incredulously. “If I remember correctly it was you who told me to decide whether I want to follow the will of the Force or indulge in a teenage crush when I thought I was in love with Siri.”
Qui-Gon’s face took on a serious expression. “Yes, I did that. But only because it was a teenage crush. Or would you compare what you felt then with what you feel now? What does the Force tell you concerning Padme?”
“It almost sings around us when we are together,” Obi-Wan replied. “It feels so right. It’s as if we are drawn together by the Force.”
“See.” Qui-Gon simply stated and Obi-Wan saw a triumphant smile in his face. “And I told you to follow the will of the Force. No matter what the Council has to say about it.”
Obi-Wan swallowed a bit overwhelmed by the impact of Qui-Gon’s words. Defy the Council? Decide to stay with Padme? But what would he do? He hasn’t learned anything other than being a Jedi with all his heart.
Qui-Gon seemed to sense his confusion. He leaned over to him and took the young man’s hand. “No matter where and how, Obi-Wan, you will always be a Jedi. If the Force wants you to be with Padme, it will show you a way how to do it. You just have to lose your fear and live in the here and now.”
One never ceased to be an apprentice in the eyes of one’s Master. Never had Obi-Wan deemed any Jedi wisdom more true than this. Qui-Gon had just taught him one more lesson, a lesson that would change his life forever. He would take care that the night would never end for him and Padme.
***
The crowd in the arena was cheering loudly and Obi-Wan looked over to Qui-Gon, who was bound on a pillar like him. There were two more pillars and Obi-Wan wondered for whom they should be when he felt a well-known presence arriving. He caught his breath at seeing Padme being brought into the arena side by side with Anakin.
Qui-Gon threw him an understanding look. “We just have to fight even better now, my Padawan,” the Master said and Obi-Wan smiled gratefully. The familiar title reminded him of many hopeless situations he had encountered as apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn. They would fight their way out of it as they had done often enough.
***
Padme was sitting at Obi-Wan's bedside in the healer's ward and observed the man she loved in his sleep. They had returned from Geonosis and she had fought a hard fight with Master Yoda until the ancient Master had allowed her to stay here. She had to admit that Master Jinn had been quite helpful in achieving this goal. He had convinced Master Yoda that her presence would comfort the Knight. It had surprised her that Obi-Wan's former Master had helped her while he had to worry about his Padawan's health at the same time.
She was sad that Anakin had lost his arm in the battle against Count Dooku. But Qui-Gon had told her that it was a lesson he had to learn because he had tried to take on Count Dooku alone in his arrogance. She had been appalled by the coolness of Qui-Gon Jinn in light of his Padawan's injury but deep inside she knew that the Master was right. Anakin was arrogant and he had showed it more than once while she was with him on Naboo and Tatooine. She had told Qui-Gon what had happened on Tatooine, that Anakin had lost his mother there and she had also told him about the sandpeople. She had seen that Qui-Gon had been shocked to hear what Anakin had done. She would leave it to him to deal with the young man. After the Padawan had declared his undying love for her on Naboo she hadn't any urge to meet him more than she had to. She had told him then that she didn't have the same feelings but the young man seemed to deny this successfully. She was relieved that she had escaped his piercing stares now.
Obi-Wan had been injured but the healers had told her that it wasn't serious. He should awake soon. She took his hand and squeezed it trying to send him the energy to heal.
After what seemed like an eternity he opened his eyes and smiled when he saw her. “What a sight to wake up to,” he said in a soft tone and she felt the tears in her eyes at seeing him well.
“You gave me quite a scare when I saw you lying on the floor in the cave,” she replied trying to stop the tears from falling.
He reached out for her and stroked her cheek tenderly. “It's what happens to a Jedi from time to time. But I took care that I didn't get seriously injured.” He smiled a wan smile and she saw that he was till exhausted.
She kissed his hand and became suddenly aware of the fact that they were in the Jedi temple surrounded by Jedi who could see them and inform the Council about Obi-Wan's transgression. She flinched and he shook his head.
“We won't hide any longer, Padme. I want that this night never ends,” he said seriously.
She looked at him with wide eyes. What was he saying? The realization came slowly. “You mean...,” she replied and let the question unspoken.
He sat up and took both her hands in his. “I mean that I want to marry you, Padme Amidala Naberrie. Are you willing to share your life with me even if I can't offer you anything but me?”
She swallowed thickly desperately searching for words. Then she regained her composure and threw herself in his arms. “Yes, I will. Oh Force Obi-Wan, I need nothing more than you in my life.”
He laughed at the joy he felt coming from her in waves and hugged her tightly. Then he grew serious again. “Are you sure? It is almost sure that the Council will expel me and I don't know what I can do after that. I just know with certainty that the Force will present me a solution. The Force tells me that we belong together and I am tired of fighting it.”
She smiled and leaned forward to give him a kiss. “We have to trust in it then. What made you change your mind so profoundly?”
“Well,” he blushed a bit. “I had a long talk with my former Master and he reminded me of the fact that I serve the Force not the Council.”
She was surprised that Obi-Wan would talk with Qui-Gon Jinn about her and decided to ask him about his reasons later. Now she just wanted to savor this moment, the moment when they finally had decided that their night would never end.
***
Obi-Wan was standing in the surgery where his wife was crying out in pain. Outside Master Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn were observing them. The medic droid had told Obi-Wan that they had to get the babies now if he wanted that Padme had a chance to survive. He felt his despair overwhelming him at the thought of losing her. Had this been the reason for Anakin to turn? Had he felt like that?
The young man had never come to terms with the fact that Padme had chosen to be Obi-Wan's wife but during the last few weeks he had been furious. He had informed Obi-wan about a dream in which Padme died in childbirth. He yelled at him when he had learned that Padme was indeed pregnant. He had pleaded Obi-Wan not to go after General Grievous and stay with his wife. However, Obi-Wan was still a Jedi in his heart, even if he wasn't any longer a member of the Jedi order. He would always choose to do his duty to the Republic above anything else. Padme had always supported him in that and he had known that she wanted him to end this war before their children would be born. Obi-Wan was sure that Anakin's fear of losing Padme had been one of the main reasons that added to his downfall.
Obi-Wan had followed Anakin to Mustafar to kill him, accompanied by a devastated Qui-Gon who was responsible for the fact that Padme had a tiny chance to survive. While Obi-Wan had fought Anakin after his assault on Padme, the Jedi Master had put the expectant mother into a healing trance and it was clear that he had saved her life with this. However, her chances were small and the medic droids had decided to look after the babies first.
Obi-Wan knelt down beside his wife and held her hand tightly. “Don't leave me, Padme,” he whispered and wasn't sure if he was able to stand by and watch while his wife was struggling against death. Suddenly, he felt a warm hand placed on his shoulder offering him support. Gratefully, he realized that Qui-Gon was there trying to comfort him through the Force.
Then the cry of a baby shattered the silence and the droid gave the child to Obi-Wan, who was looking at his son with awe.
“It's a boy,” Qui-Gon pointed out toward the woman still struggling and she sighed and said, “Luke.”
They had decided on the names long before this day and Obi-Wan just gave her a nod of assent and placed the baby on his arm leaning forward that Padme could see her son. Then Padme grimaced in pain again and Obi-Wan focused solely on her, sending her all the energy he could to get her through this.
The medic droid presented them another baby and Qui-Gon rushed to him taking the girl in his arms. Then he moved to the other side and knelt down like Obi-Wan to show the girl to Padme.
“It's a girl, Padme,” he said and Obi-Wan could tell that his former Master was fighting against his tears.
“Leia,” Padme whispered and let out a deep sigh of relief. Then she leaned back and closed her eyes. In the blink of an eye Obi-Wan realized that she was drifting away and gave his son over to Qui-Gon. He placed his hand on Padme's forehead and tried to get a grip on Padme's life-Force.
She was weak and he felt that she began to surrender to the pull of death. Desperately he leaned down to her ear and said, “Don't let this night end my love. We need you.”
One more sigh and Obi-Wan felt Padme returning into his world. Relieved, he broke down at her side not able to fight back the tears any longer. Padme lived and their night wouldn't end today.
***
The sky was illuminated by firework and the whole Galaxy was celebrating the end of the Empire. The Kenobi twins had succeeded in defeating the Emperor and his right hand Darth Vader. Padme smiled at the joy that surrounded them. She leaned back into her husband’s chest. His arms enveloped her and she closed her eyes. They had gone a long and hard way to see the Galaxy being free again.
She remembered with sorrow how they had left their daughter Leia with Bail Organa knowing well that two children as strong in the Force wouldn't be missed by the Sith. The years that followed had been relatively calm, at least as calm as a life with two Jedi Masters could be. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had done a great job in preparing Luke for the fight that lay ahead. When Qui-Gon had died five years ago he could look back to a good life. Obi-Wan had helped him to get over the fact that Anakin had turned and he had helped Obi-Wan to teach Luke how a new Jedi order could be built after the fall of the Empire. They had been happy then even if they had known that happiness wouldn't last for them, that the Force had other plans for the Kenobi family.
Padme would never forget the day R2 had arrived with Leia's message. From that moment on they had constantly moved from on planet to another and Padme had felt herself reminded of the days in the Clone Wars when she had feared for her husband's life every day. But all of them had survived. The Force seemed to love the Kenobis and today they had finally prevailed over the darkness. Luke had succeeded in bringing Anakin back to the light. Padme had always insisted that there was still good in him. He had died as Anakin Skywalker. Darth Vader was as dead as the Emperor was.
Happily Padme looked up and met her husband's eyes, the same eyes she had fallen in love with a longtime ago on Naboo in a night in which he had needed her love and support, in a night that never ends.
The end
~~~~~~
Another great conclusion to one of our awesome two parters! Good job Katja!
Be sure to leave some great reviews for the author! ;D
The Night that Never ends
Part II
Part 2
“You love her, don’t you,” Qui-Gon was sitting in the copilot seat while Obi-Wan was controlling their spaceship bringing them to their destination, Kamino. Obi-Wan hoped that they would find the bounty hunter there. He had argued with the Council when they had told him that Qui-Gon was to accompany Obi-Wan on the investigation while Anakin would go to Naboo with Senator Amidala. Their farewell had been brief but intense and it seemed as if Qui-Gon had observed it well enough to come to his own conclusion.
There was no point in denying it. Even if they hadn’t had any contact over the years, Qui-Gon just knew him too well. “I don’t know why it should concern you, Master Jinn, but yes I am,” he replied and didn’t turn his gaze away from the control panel in front of him.
Qui-Gon sighed at the icy reply. “Would you mind telling me what I did to deserve this, Obi-Wan? You avoid seeing me, you address me formally and I see a constant reproach in your eyes when you talk to me.”
Now the young man looked to his former Master with an incredulous expression. “What you did?” he asked and Qui-Gon cringed at the loud voice. “You are really asking me what you did? It was you who decided that I should play not longer a role in your life. You took Anakin as your Padawan learner shoving me aside and above this, which really would have been enough, you… you, you severed the training bond when I tried to save your life.”
Obi-Wan saw Qui-Gon's eyes widen at his outburst. He needed to get a grip on his emotions. It wouldn’t do any good to show Qui-Gon how much he had hurt him. They had to find this bounty hunter and nothing else.
“You think I severed the bond to reject you?”
Obi-Wan would have laughed if it wasn’t so sad. “Well, perhaps you can tell me, what other purpose such an action could have, Master Jinn.”
Qui-Gon took a deep breath. “So, you didn’t hear what I projected to you over the bond before I severed it?”
Obi-Wan shook his head fighting his emotions. This was too much. He didn’t want to live through it again.
“I said, that it was too much, that you would die too if you proceeded. You’ve already pushed too much of your life-Force into me. I felt your presence waver. I didn’t want you to die over the attempt of saving me. I told you how much I loved you and that I was sorry for my behavior in the Council chamber.”
Obi-Wan looked at his former Master stunned by what he had just said. He wouldn’t have missed that, would he? If Qui-Gon had said this, he would have heard it, or not? He remembered the moments in the melting pit only vaguely. He knew that he had lost consciousness at one point and had thought that this had happened as reaction to the loss of the training bond. Had he passed out much earlier? Was this the reason why Qui-Gon had interrupted their connection, to save him?
Qui-Gon had stood up now and walked over kneeling down in front of him. “You must believe me, I am deeply sorry for what I did in the Council chambers then. I should have found another way. I just knew that you were ready and that you would make me proud and Anakin needed me. Severing our bond was the most difficult thing I had to do in my life. But you wouldn’t have stopped. You would have sacrificed yourself for me and I couldn’t allow that.”
Obi-Wan was speechless and Qui-Gon reached for his hand squeezing it gently. “Search your feelings, Obi-Wan. You will feel that this is the truth.”
It was the truth; the Force was almost throwing it into Obi-Wan’s face. How could he have misinterpreted things so badly? He should have known better than holding a grudge against his former Master for years, he should have addressed it and talked to the man. Without saying a word he took his long lost Father in his arms and squeezed him.
After a long moment of silence in which both of them just indulged in the feeling of finally being together again, Qui-Gon returned to his seat.
“Well, what are you going to do about Padme?” Qui-Gon asked trying to lighten the mood.
Obi-Wan still overwhelmed by his emotions swallowed deeply. “There is nothing I can do about it, Master. The code forbids attachment and I am a Jedi.”
He saw Qui-Gon’s amusement at his answer. “Still the Jedi by the book…,” he replied with a grin. “Has it ever occurred to you that the Council isn’t almighty? That there had been Jedi before us who treated attachments differently?”
“As I remember that didn’t turn out well, Master. And no, I don’t think every single Jedi in the Council can misunderstand the will of the Force.”
Qui-Gon laughed. “So, have you asked every single one of them how they view the rule against attachment? I assure you there are a few who deem this rule nonsense. And so do I.”
“You?” Obi-Wan asked incredulously. “If I remember correctly it was you who told me to decide whether I want to follow the will of the Force or indulge in a teenage crush when I thought I was in love with Siri.”
Qui-Gon’s face took on a serious expression. “Yes, I did that. But only because it was a teenage crush. Or would you compare what you felt then with what you feel now? What does the Force tell you concerning Padme?”
“It almost sings around us when we are together,” Obi-Wan replied. “It feels so right. It’s as if we are drawn together by the Force.”
“See.” Qui-Gon simply stated and Obi-Wan saw a triumphant smile in his face. “And I told you to follow the will of the Force. No matter what the Council has to say about it.”
Obi-Wan swallowed a bit overwhelmed by the impact of Qui-Gon’s words. Defy the Council? Decide to stay with Padme? But what would he do? He hasn’t learned anything other than being a Jedi with all his heart.
Qui-Gon seemed to sense his confusion. He leaned over to him and took the young man’s hand. “No matter where and how, Obi-Wan, you will always be a Jedi. If the Force wants you to be with Padme, it will show you a way how to do it. You just have to lose your fear and live in the here and now.”
One never ceased to be an apprentice in the eyes of one’s Master. Never had Obi-Wan deemed any Jedi wisdom more true than this. Qui-Gon had just taught him one more lesson, a lesson that would change his life forever. He would take care that the night would never end for him and Padme.
***
The crowd in the arena was cheering loudly and Obi-Wan looked over to Qui-Gon, who was bound on a pillar like him. There were two more pillars and Obi-Wan wondered for whom they should be when he felt a well-known presence arriving. He caught his breath at seeing Padme being brought into the arena side by side with Anakin.
Qui-Gon threw him an understanding look. “We just have to fight even better now, my Padawan,” the Master said and Obi-Wan smiled gratefully. The familiar title reminded him of many hopeless situations he had encountered as apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn. They would fight their way out of it as they had done often enough.
***
Padme was sitting at Obi-Wan's bedside in the healer's ward and observed the man she loved in his sleep. They had returned from Geonosis and she had fought a hard fight with Master Yoda until the ancient Master had allowed her to stay here. She had to admit that Master Jinn had been quite helpful in achieving this goal. He had convinced Master Yoda that her presence would comfort the Knight. It had surprised her that Obi-Wan's former Master had helped her while he had to worry about his Padawan's health at the same time.
She was sad that Anakin had lost his arm in the battle against Count Dooku. But Qui-Gon had told her that it was a lesson he had to learn because he had tried to take on Count Dooku alone in his arrogance. She had been appalled by the coolness of Qui-Gon Jinn in light of his Padawan's injury but deep inside she knew that the Master was right. Anakin was arrogant and he had showed it more than once while she was with him on Naboo and Tatooine. She had told Qui-Gon what had happened on Tatooine, that Anakin had lost his mother there and she had also told him about the sandpeople. She had seen that Qui-Gon had been shocked to hear what Anakin had done. She would leave it to him to deal with the young man. After the Padawan had declared his undying love for her on Naboo she hadn't any urge to meet him more than she had to. She had told him then that she didn't have the same feelings but the young man seemed to deny this successfully. She was relieved that she had escaped his piercing stares now.
Obi-Wan had been injured but the healers had told her that it wasn't serious. He should awake soon. She took his hand and squeezed it trying to send him the energy to heal.
After what seemed like an eternity he opened his eyes and smiled when he saw her. “What a sight to wake up to,” he said in a soft tone and she felt the tears in her eyes at seeing him well.
“You gave me quite a scare when I saw you lying on the floor in the cave,” she replied trying to stop the tears from falling.
He reached out for her and stroked her cheek tenderly. “It's what happens to a Jedi from time to time. But I took care that I didn't get seriously injured.” He smiled a wan smile and she saw that he was till exhausted.
She kissed his hand and became suddenly aware of the fact that they were in the Jedi temple surrounded by Jedi who could see them and inform the Council about Obi-Wan's transgression. She flinched and he shook his head.
“We won't hide any longer, Padme. I want that this night never ends,” he said seriously.
She looked at him with wide eyes. What was he saying? The realization came slowly. “You mean...,” she replied and let the question unspoken.
He sat up and took both her hands in his. “I mean that I want to marry you, Padme Amidala Naberrie. Are you willing to share your life with me even if I can't offer you anything but me?”
She swallowed thickly desperately searching for words. Then she regained her composure and threw herself in his arms. “Yes, I will. Oh Force Obi-Wan, I need nothing more than you in my life.”
He laughed at the joy he felt coming from her in waves and hugged her tightly. Then he grew serious again. “Are you sure? It is almost sure that the Council will expel me and I don't know what I can do after that. I just know with certainty that the Force will present me a solution. The Force tells me that we belong together and I am tired of fighting it.”
She smiled and leaned forward to give him a kiss. “We have to trust in it then. What made you change your mind so profoundly?”
“Well,” he blushed a bit. “I had a long talk with my former Master and he reminded me of the fact that I serve the Force not the Council.”
She was surprised that Obi-Wan would talk with Qui-Gon Jinn about her and decided to ask him about his reasons later. Now she just wanted to savor this moment, the moment when they finally had decided that their night would never end.
***
Obi-Wan was standing in the surgery where his wife was crying out in pain. Outside Master Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn were observing them. The medic droid had told Obi-Wan that they had to get the babies now if he wanted that Padme had a chance to survive. He felt his despair overwhelming him at the thought of losing her. Had this been the reason for Anakin to turn? Had he felt like that?
The young man had never come to terms with the fact that Padme had chosen to be Obi-Wan's wife but during the last few weeks he had been furious. He had informed Obi-wan about a dream in which Padme died in childbirth. He yelled at him when he had learned that Padme was indeed pregnant. He had pleaded Obi-Wan not to go after General Grievous and stay with his wife. However, Obi-Wan was still a Jedi in his heart, even if he wasn't any longer a member of the Jedi order. He would always choose to do his duty to the Republic above anything else. Padme had always supported him in that and he had known that she wanted him to end this war before their children would be born. Obi-Wan was sure that Anakin's fear of losing Padme had been one of the main reasons that added to his downfall.
Obi-Wan had followed Anakin to Mustafar to kill him, accompanied by a devastated Qui-Gon who was responsible for the fact that Padme had a tiny chance to survive. While Obi-Wan had fought Anakin after his assault on Padme, the Jedi Master had put the expectant mother into a healing trance and it was clear that he had saved her life with this. However, her chances were small and the medic droids had decided to look after the babies first.
Obi-Wan knelt down beside his wife and held her hand tightly. “Don't leave me, Padme,” he whispered and wasn't sure if he was able to stand by and watch while his wife was struggling against death. Suddenly, he felt a warm hand placed on his shoulder offering him support. Gratefully, he realized that Qui-Gon was there trying to comfort him through the Force.
Then the cry of a baby shattered the silence and the droid gave the child to Obi-Wan, who was looking at his son with awe.
“It's a boy,” Qui-Gon pointed out toward the woman still struggling and she sighed and said, “Luke.”
They had decided on the names long before this day and Obi-Wan just gave her a nod of assent and placed the baby on his arm leaning forward that Padme could see her son. Then Padme grimaced in pain again and Obi-Wan focused solely on her, sending her all the energy he could to get her through this.
The medic droid presented them another baby and Qui-Gon rushed to him taking the girl in his arms. Then he moved to the other side and knelt down like Obi-Wan to show the girl to Padme.
“It's a girl, Padme,” he said and Obi-Wan could tell that his former Master was fighting against his tears.
“Leia,” Padme whispered and let out a deep sigh of relief. Then she leaned back and closed her eyes. In the blink of an eye Obi-Wan realized that she was drifting away and gave his son over to Qui-Gon. He placed his hand on Padme's forehead and tried to get a grip on Padme's life-Force.
She was weak and he felt that she began to surrender to the pull of death. Desperately he leaned down to her ear and said, “Don't let this night end my love. We need you.”
One more sigh and Obi-Wan felt Padme returning into his world. Relieved, he broke down at her side not able to fight back the tears any longer. Padme lived and their night wouldn't end today.
***
The sky was illuminated by firework and the whole Galaxy was celebrating the end of the Empire. The Kenobi twins had succeeded in defeating the Emperor and his right hand Darth Vader. Padme smiled at the joy that surrounded them. She leaned back into her husband’s chest. His arms enveloped her and she closed her eyes. They had gone a long and hard way to see the Galaxy being free again.
She remembered with sorrow how they had left their daughter Leia with Bail Organa knowing well that two children as strong in the Force wouldn't be missed by the Sith. The years that followed had been relatively calm, at least as calm as a life with two Jedi Masters could be. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had done a great job in preparing Luke for the fight that lay ahead. When Qui-Gon had died five years ago he could look back to a good life. Obi-Wan had helped him to get over the fact that Anakin had turned and he had helped Obi-Wan to teach Luke how a new Jedi order could be built after the fall of the Empire. They had been happy then even if they had known that happiness wouldn't last for them, that the Force had other plans for the Kenobi family.
Padme would never forget the day R2 had arrived with Leia's message. From that moment on they had constantly moved from on planet to another and Padme had felt herself reminded of the days in the Clone Wars when she had feared for her husband's life every day. But all of them had survived. The Force seemed to love the Kenobis and today they had finally prevailed over the darkness. Luke had succeeded in bringing Anakin back to the light. Padme had always insisted that there was still good in him. He had died as Anakin Skywalker. Darth Vader was as dead as the Emperor was.
Happily Padme looked up and met her husband's eyes, the same eyes she had fallen in love with a longtime ago on Naboo in a night in which he had needed her love and support, in a night that never ends.
The end
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Another great conclusion to one of our awesome two parters! Good job Katja!
Be sure to leave some great reviews for the author! ;D
