Cimmerian

Summary: Alternate Universe. Qui-Gon survived the battle with Darth Maul, but barely. Obi-Wan, having defeated the first Sith in a millennium is knighted, but Anakin is apprenticed to another. Four years after the events on Naboo, after a long and difficult recovery, and with the Separatist movement gaining rapid momentum and darkness growing, Qui-Gon disappears without a word. The Galaxy is in turmoil and the Jedi are caught between their own Code and the mandates of the government.

Disillusioned and with no Master or Padawan tying Obi-Wan to the Order, he leaves, believing he can accomplish far more on his own. But over time, this solitary, foggy path he's chosen takes him farther and farther away from the ones who care for him. Even as he continues to fight every day for the light, the evils he has to face alone change him.

After she met him on Naboo, and soon again on Coruscant, Aala Naberrie knew there would never be anyone other than Obi-Wan Kenobi for her. When he strikes out on his own, and the distance between them grows, still she vows she will never give up on him, her feelings for him or what he's fighting for. Now, eight years after she first began to love him on Naboo, she needs his help on a dangerous mission, but she hasn't spoken to him in months.

Will Obi-Wan answer her call and drop everything to help her? And if it isn't locked away for good, does she still have a place in his heart?

Author's note: Hello everyone! I'm so happy to be here with a new story. I really hope you all enjoy it. The premise is that of an AU of my story Fallen. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Aala Naberrie have met and started to fall for each other on Naboo, Aala Naberrie's home planet, when she arrives to join her sister Padme after the battle, in the same way they did in Fallen but Qui-Gon surviving the battle changes everything. The Separatist movement gains support much quicker and every one is set on a dark, fast moving path.

Overall, this story will be a romance, centering over Obi-Wan's and Aala's relationship 8 years after Naboo and these new set of emotional, circumstantial and political obstacles they must overcome if they are to be together. Love, in life, is as necessary as breathing, especially in these dark, dark times, and it's worth fighting for. But there will still be lots of adventure along the way as well. Rating will go up later on.

Please let me know what you think. I know what I want to happen, but as with any good journey, I'm not entirely sure where this story is supposed to end up yet. Any ideas, feedback and thoughts are always welcome and I want you all to be a part of the journey with me.

High in the skyscrapers above the planet of Coruscant, Aala Naberrie sat in the spacious offices of Bail Organa with the senator, her boss and closest confidante, himself and Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos. Night had fallen hours ago but the city shimmered with light and life beyond the grey tinted windows, and the three allies were still here, still working, still trying to find solutions to impossible problems.

The separatist movement was gaining momentum quicker than anyone would've predicted but the problem that concerned Aala more than any other was not the systems that turned, but the planets and innocent people that fell in the crossfire. The latest was the war torn planet of Ytera begging for aide on nearly deaf ears. Their only hope now was Jani Arkada a dear friend of Aala's and a ruler in a large nearby system to come and record the evidence first hand so she could plead their case. But a mission like this would be risky and dangerous in more ways than one. Their options were few.

Aala was determined to go. She would not let her friend go without her, even if the princess had her stalwart guard, but Bail was hesitant to agree to Aala going at all; the danger was massive.

The other man in on this late night meeting - the unpredictable Jedi. Somewhere, somehow in the past few years she had come to trust Quinlan more than she ever would have guessed. She needed him on her side and he had become a friend, though she regretted that at times.

This was beginning to seem like one of those times.

"I think you should take Obi-Wan with you." The glint in Vos' eyes as he spoke up was filled with annoyingly gleeful humor.

Aala felt her belly flutter at the sound of that name spoken out loud, but she dismissed the feeling immediately. A glance at Bail Organa revealed nothing of his thoughts on the statement. She turned back to Vos; his expression remained unchanged to her great annoyance. He clearly thought it was a brilliant idea.

Aala clenched her teeth against the biting reply she wanted to give but ultimately failed in her restraint. "Don't be an idiot, Vos."

He gave a bark of laughter and she rolled her eyes.

"I'm serious about this," she insisted. "This is a - a gravely...serious...matter."

He looked at her shrewdly as she fumbled her words, his dark eyes narrowing. Aala could see the wheels turning in his head, brilliant wheels she knew, even if he was a bit wild. She watched with a sense of helpless terror growing in her belly as he turned his head to look at Bail and the politician held his gaze with a steady one of his own. She nearly choked when Bail did not shoot him down but they both turned to fix their knowing gazes upon her instead.

"You can't -" she stammered.

"I am serious too, Aala." Vos replied, way too happily. "You need a Jedi."

"Obi-Wan is not a Jedi." She fought the pull of nostalgic memories with every ounce of her energy, burying them deep.

"Exactly," he smirked.

Aala gave a sigh of exasperation at his doublespeak. "You know I wouldn't be surprised if he left the Order because of you."

Quinlan laughed again, slapping his hand on the table. "The council won't get involved with this mission, but it's too dangerous for you to go alone or even just with Jani and Caid. The planet is rich in the Force and you need someone that can use that to your advantage."

Aala chewed on her lip, considering his words. Gods she hated when he was right.

"Aala," Bail finally spoke up. "Ytera is awash in political and societal turmoil right now. I won't send you into unnecessary danger without some kind of precaution."

"I can take care of myself," she muttered petulantly feeling defensive, but she knew the statement would mean nothing to them.

She shook her head. "Even if I agreed, what could possibly make either of you think Obi-Wan would ever agree to go," she changed tactics. Force, this could not be happening. She hadn't seen him in months and the last time hadn't really been a pleasant encounter. Ever since he had left the order almost four years ago to fight 'the growing darkness' on his own terms she had seen him less and less. More than that though, he had changed. He was hard and cold now, on the outside at least.

Impenetrable armor erected to protect himself against whatever it was he saw out there. She could only imagine the things he must have had to face on his own. And it had been quite awhile now since he had even let his guard down for her.

"He'll agree to go if it's with you. If you ask him," Vos said with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"I don't know what makes you believe that."

Vos laughed again and Aala glared at him, crossing her arms.

"Have you not noticed the way he looks at you?"

When had Quinlan even seen them together? Not for years surely…

"I can't just - just - call him up." She threw her hands up in exasperation. "He doesn't keep a com on himself. He's not -"

"I know you see him Aala." Bail interjected.

"And I know he would give you a way to contact him." Quinlan added.

Aala shook her head. "He...just shows up sometimes. To check on me, that's all."

Quinlan's grin widened. "Which parts does he like to check first? Obi-Wan always struck me as a bre -"

"Fine!" Aala threw up her hands again. "Fine, fine, fine. I'll find Kenobi. I'll see what I can do."

To her surprise, at her surrender Quinlan gave her a genuine smile and dropped the comedy act. "I think it's the best option we have, Aala," he said as he stood up. "You make a good team, you'll see." He nodded toward Bail. "I have to get going, I've already stayed too long. Best of luck Aala, and may the Force be with you."

"I need a drink," Aala muttered when he left. She looked at the chrono noting it was nearly midnight. Bail chuckled softly but not unkindly. "Let me, my dear," he offered, moving to head toward the kitchenette in the back.

Indeed it had been a long time since Obi-Wan had been to check up on her like that…

Her mind flashed unbidden to the memory, a year ago - she'd come home very late to find him on her balcony, broken in spirit though he was trying to hide it. The moment she had let him in, he'd kissed her like he was starving for her, swept her up in his arms and practically tossed her to the bed. He had made love to her for what felt like hours before he spoke a single word besides her name and then he begged her, pressing his face into her shoulder, whispering, never to change. He slept in her arms long into the next day. When she asked him what had happened, he shook his head savagely pulling the invisible armor up around him along with his clothes. He left her with a lingering kiss, but eyes of shaded steel and a command to stay careful.

She had seen him a few times since then but he had not let his iron walls slip one bit since that night.

Bail returned then with a drink, breaking her from her thoughts.

"Have I told you lately how impressed I am of you? How proud I am?"

Aala smiled softly. "Thank you, Bail."

She was quiet for a moment. "I wish Qui-Gon were here."

"A sentiment I'm sure Obi-Wan shares in equal measure."

She was sure, as she knew Bail was, that Qui-Gon's disappearance, and the fact his search turned up nothing, had been a major factor in Obi-Wan's defection. But that was all in the past, long gone by.

Lost in sad thoughts, she sipped from the tumbler of amber liquid Bail had given her. The ice clinked against the glass as she tipped it and she enjoyed the slow rich burn of the alcohol as she swallowed even as she had to fight the urge to cough at its potency. He had given her his best, a nip of the most expensive and strongest Alderaanian whisky he had in store.

"Bail," she murmured, fighting a smile and taking another sip.

He gave her half a grin and a shrug.

She sighed. "This is going to put me straight to sleep..."

"I know it will, and you'll have it all, can't let good whisky go to waste. Then I'll call you a driver and send you home. No thinking about any of this again until you get some rest."

"Aye, aye Captain." She raised her glass to him. No sense in arguing with Bail Organa when he was right. At least not this time.

As she finished her drink, Aala resigned herself to the task of working up the strength of will to call Obi-Wan and the fact there was no way she would be able to quell the flutters in her stomach until she did.

Of course in fact Obi-Wan had given her a code to contact him at anytime, she just wasn't going to tell them that.

AN: Thank you so much for reading! Please review and let me know what you think, any and all feedback is welcome! I'd love to know what you liked, any ideas, or what can be improved. Cheers