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Stubborn Hearts- Chapter One

{set on the extended mission to Mandalore}

Double doors to the diner swung open on weak hinges. The Jedi and the Duchess entered at a panicked pace but steadied as the doors sealed behind them.

"It was him wasn't it? You saw him, I know you did." Satine spoke in a hushed tone while her sight darted around their new surroundings.

"I recognised the pattern on his helmet but it could be a different one." The Jedi supplied, Obi-wan's voice was calm and even quieter.

"That's not very reassuring." she responded bluntly.

Being on the run had tired the Duchess. There was nowhere safe left on Mandalore, not even on the outskirts as they were now. The adrenaline of her new lifestyle could be thrilling but she could barely defend herself against such bounty hunters, her life was in the Jedi's hands. Obi-wan understood her frustration and tried to give her as much freedom as he could without putting her in danger. Now Qui-Gon had left she was solely his responsibility.

"Look, lets just blend in here until he passes..." his voice trailed off as he slowly halted. The diner was gloomily dark; isolated from even a glimpse of natural light. Except the bar which was illuminated with various different lamps so mismatched they must have been collected over generations. It was empty, almost suspiciously empty, however in the dank corners of the diner sat a few gangs of shady looking groups in dusty side booths. A bad aura in the force tingled through Obi-wan. Satine could sense his uneasiness and stopped beside him.

"Its normal for it to be quiet at these hours, I imagine those gangs must be here to make deals." She tried to reassure him only before she realised the threat the gangs could bring. The Jedi raised his hand to his chin and stroked it in contemplation. Obi-wan observed the side booths and sized up the characters that occupied them. He concluded it was far safer in here than to go and expose themselves to a possible bounty hunter.

"In that case I think it is even more important to stay undercover." he muttered in repose.

"You mean secret identities?" Obi-wan had briefly suggested the idea on the way but Satine hastily shot it down.

"It will be best, what do you want your name to be?"

"I refuse to straight up lie to my own people! Just...don't call me Duchess and avoid Satine." Spectacularly, she managed to argue harshly in a whisper and nothing louder.

"That will only last for so long." he warned.

"Well it will have to do for now!" she countered; Satine was just as stubborn as Obi-wan.

The Jedi restrained an eye-roll. "Okay then, woman," His hint of bitterness made her fire a wicked glare at him. "let's go."