Mud. Dirty, wet, sloppy, caked-on mud. Obi-Wan was covered – head to toe – in one way or another. It was stuck in great globs to his boots, coated on the front of his tunics, splattered across his face and saturated in his beard.

Obi-Wan and Anakin had led the front lines against the battalion of B1 battle droids that had invaded this temperate, usually peaceful planet.

The torrential rain had begun as the battle had – fierce and unrelenting. It was as if Mother Nature herself had revolted, taking part in the melee as heavy drops of rain carried by a tempestuous wind lashed at the soldiers on the ground below.

The battle had not been difficult, but it had been long, droids appearing in droves, seeming to grow right out of the fertile soil. And casualties seemed to be minimal, but still Obi-Wan felt weary. His muscles ached, his body protested each movement, his heart grieved. How long would the fighting continue? How long could it?

As he trudged through the boggy terrain back to the make-shift camp, pushed through the muck, so too he pushed through the inky darkness at the edges of his mind, embracing the light.

He was grateful he fought machines and not beings. He was grateful for the opportunity to help those who could not defend themselves. And he was grateful for the comrades that stood beside him – his fellow Jedi, Cody and his brothers, all those who believed in doing what was right.

And speaking of his fellow Jedi... as he caught sight of Anakin, he had a sneaking, irritating suspicion that they had fared much better than him. Anakin had been in a different position than him and had somehow managed to remain only half covered in mud. His hair was matted to his head, but his face was clean, and he seemed no worse for wear, basking in victory, Obi-Wan was certain.

Anakin was directing the 'clean-up' and Obi-Wan decided he seemed to have it all under control. The mud on his face was just beginning to dry and it was starting to make his skin itch.

Rubbing at his jaw, he cast a glowering look to the darkening cloud filled sky. If the rain had deigned to continue, he could have at least rinsed the mud from his face and hands. But no such luck for Obi-Wan Kenobi today.

And as he approached the camp, he spotted his other fellow Jedi General, the one they had skipped their leave to assist, looking as – Siri – as she always did.

Her clothes were damp, yes, but they were as clean as ever. Obi-Wan easily recognized the tiredness behind her clear blue eyes, but her face was the picture of Jedi serenity. And not a single blonde hair looked out of place. At least not to him.

His eyes narrowed as he approached her – he was seriously beginning to question her motivation behind her decision to command the support unit from the mud-free safety of the AT-TE's. Alright, it had been at his suggestion, but she sure had gone along with it easily enough.

And she looked far too clean for a respectable Jedi General. It would be remiss of him, as a friend and a colleague, to not rectify this situation as soon as possible.

Stepping beside her, he crossed his arms over his chest as she turned to meet him.

"Obi-Wan! You look..."

"Terrible. It's alright, you can say it. I feel terrible, at the moment."

"I'm sorry," she cast him a sympathetic look and seemed to start to reach out to him, but then pulled back.

Oh, so now she finds me distasteful.

"You were fantastic though," she said brightly, "good job."

"Thank you, as were you. But I still feel terrible." He eyed her appraisingly. Yes, far too clean. "I could use a bit of comfort."

"Comfort?" she choked out, her tone disbelieving; Siri bit her lip and he knew she was trying not to laugh.

"Yes." His voice was matter-of-fact. "You know, a kind gesture from a friend. A simple hug will do, I think."

Her eyes widened as he took a step towards her, his arms outstretched, and the extent of the mud that covered his chest became evident.

"No, no, no." Siri took a hasty step backward, one hand held up as if that alone could ward off his advances. "Remember that night on Alderaan... we – you told me Jedi don't cuddle. You were very clear about it."

The corner of his mouth lifted as she took another small step and ended up with her back against the tent wall. Right where he wanted her. "And you told me there is a time and place for everything, an exception to every rule. I'm only asking for a little compassion and support from a friend."

Siri frowned, but Obi-Wan wasn't deemed The Negotiator for no reason. She had two choices now – either admit she had been wrong, or give in and give him a cuddle despite the fact she had managed to stay nearly pristine and he was a dirty mess.

And with a flash of movement, she surprised him yet again. Flinging her arms around his neck, she pressed the full length of her body to his, locking him in a tight embrace.

Laughing, she leaned back to look at him after a moment and gave him a quick kiss high on his left cheek, one of the few spots he assumed was still clean.

"There," she grinned at him. "Are you happy now, you crazy gundark?"

He smiled back, his arms still wrapped around her waist. Maybe this wasn't so bad...

"Hey!"

Siri pulled away just enough to look in the direction of Anakin's shout, grimacing as the brown glop made the front of her jumpsuit cling to Obi-Wan's tunic.

"What's going on here?" Anakin asked, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Obi-Wan just needed a cuddle," Siri answered, patting his shoulder. "Poor guy."

"But," Anakin shot an accusing glance at Obi-Wan, "you told me Jedi don't cuddle!"

AN: Val told me Jedi don't cuddle :O And it begged a story, so many, many thanks to Val for the idea! Much thanks to laloga, as well, just because she is the awesomest :D

Don't forget to review!