Okay, I had the pleasure of seeing Star Wars Episode II today. It was amazing. See it. Now. But… back to the real issue… After seeing the movie and reading the book 'The Approaching Storm', my friend and I have come to the conclusion that Luminara Unduli (a Jedi Knight; you don't need to have read the book, just know that there were many, many hints that they should be together) and Obi-Wan Kenobi should be together. Oh, and Barriss Offee was Luminara's padawan. Minor spoiler to the movie.

Disclaimer: Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Geonosis, Coruscant, Luminara and the Jedi, do not belong to me. They belong to Lucas. Damn.

For as Long as I Can

Spazoid

They had lost countless people; good people who gave their lives for a republic that had lost faith for them. Nearly three hundred Jedi had died at Geonosis. And yet- Luminara Unduli guiltily realized only one really mattered to her.

          Her strikingly blue eyes gazed out at the gleaming expanse of Coruscant, tinted reds and gold by the setting sun, seeing nothing except for one person. Her apprentice- former apprentice- she thought bitterly. Barriss Offee had been an amazing student, adept in what she did and quick. She would have made a wonderful Jedi… had she made it off Geonosis.

          Luminara closed her eyes at the image sprang to her mind, unbidden, as it often did in her nightmares.

+~+

          "This isn't so tough Master…." Luminara gave a small smile hearing Barriss, knowing the padawan was dead tired but trying to keep them both going. It was a hard battle; the Jedi where overwhelmed- outnumbered. Yet they persevered; that's what they did.

          A lull in the battle; how it had happened, Luminara wasn't certain but took the short respite gratefully, gulping air into depleted lungs.

          "More, Master!" Barriss shouted as the next wave came, blue blade flashing, cutting droids and deflecting bolts. Luminara never strayed from Barriss' side; she wouldn't dare. Barriss was a fine padawan but in a battle like this…

          The fighting became more intense; it was hard for one to see another. Luminara felt herself being unwittingly pulled away from her padawan and struggled to move back.

          A single foot. That was all that separated Luminara from Barriss when she saw it. The enemy fire was intense, droids closing in, steadily pushing the few Jedi left back. Barriss was plagued by shots from every angle, struggling to keep up when one droid saw the weakness.

          Close range, too quickly, too many distractions. Barriss was struck dead on the back and fell, a small pained cry escaping her lips. Luminara felt the bond with her apprentice crumble and die as the living force fled Barriss' body.

          Luminara was frozen into place, knowing she had to fight, but too stunned and filled with pain to react. It was so un-Jedi like but… her best friend, her only daughter, her legacy… the one person she had cared for the most had been killed by a soulless, mindless, hunk of metal with a blaster.

+~+

          Luminara opened her eyes to realize she was crying again, the salty tears dripping down her chin and onto her dark robe. She made no attempt to wipe them away. She didn't want to. As a Jedi, she knew she should accept Barriss' death and move on but she just couldn't. Grief had consumed her and kept her rooted in place.

          "Luminara?"

          The quiet tenor surprised her and she whirled around to see Obi-Wan Kenobi.

          A smile forced itself onto her tattooed lips. "Obi-Wan. How's you leg?"

          The question hadn't deterred the bearded Jedi as he regarded her with a furrowed brow, walking slowly towards her. "I knocked several times; when you didn't answer, I became worried."

          Luminara shook her head as he came to stand beside her. "I'm fine; thank you for worrying though."

          "Fine?" His voice was surprisingly soft and Luminara gave a quiet start when one callused, but gentle, finger brushed against her cheek. He held it up so she could see the tear he had collected. "I don't believe crying in a darkened apartment alone counts as fine."

          Luminara turned away from him, moving farther out onto the balcony. "Please, Jedi Kenobi, don't play 'pop- psychologist' with me."

          "I'm not." He moved as well, following her. "I'm just saying no one should have to grieve alone. It is far too painful."

          "How would you know?" The bitter words left Luminara's mouth before she could stop them; words fueled by sadness and hurt.

          Obi-Wan seemed to take no offense, though his bright blue eyes dimmed for a moment. "Through experience. Please Luminara just let me help…"

          Her eyes met his for a brief moment and Luminara forced herself to turn away. The open emotions she saw in his eyes -- hurt, hope, care…and love -- it was almost more than she could take. "Obi-Wan—I don't think—I mean…" She choked on her own words, wanting so much the comfort he was willing to give but fearing that it might bring her own emotions to light.

          His arms encircled her, bringing her close to his strong chest. Her whole body stiffened at the contact… at first. Slowly, unable to resist the warmth she felt physically and through the Force, she relaxed in his arms, tears beginning to form again.

          "Don't hold it in…" a quiet, simple command that created a tremendous response.

          Tears slid out of her eyes once more, staining his tunic. "I feel like I failed her… I miss her so much. All I see are things that remind me of Barriss…"

          Obi-Wan never answered- not with words. He just held her tighter, waves of comfort wrapping around her through the Force.

          How long they remained like that, the Jedi Master was unsure. Finally, her tears subsided and she looked up at Obi-Wan, who held open warmth and worry in his eyes. "Better?"

          Luminara nodded and rested her head against his chest yet again, listening to his steady heartbeat. "Yes… thank you… just… never mind."

          "What?" Obi-Wan's fingers titled her chin up so that she had to look at him squarely. His fingers soothingly caressed her cheek.

          "Just… don't leave; stay with me, if only for a little while." It was a moment of vulnerability for Luminara. It could be a mistake on her part; what she saw as love might have just been deep friendship.

          Doubts fled as Obi-Wan leaned down gently brushed his lips against hers. "I will stay for as long as I can."

          The tattooed Jedi understood. He would not promise to be with her forever but he would try.

          And that was enough.