Ripples
A Star Wars Fan-Fiction Story
June 22, 2002
Category: AU, Very AU. Obi-Wan/Padmé
Spoilers: Episode I, some for Episode II in a loose sense.
Warnings: Character deaths and dark themes as the story goes on. You have been forewarned.
Summary: The simple distance of a meter has drastic effects on the life of Obi-Wan Kenobi and eventually the lives of the entire Star Wars Universe.
Dedication: Dedicated to the usual suspects; Genova aka Schweet, Bri, Mary, Duchess, Dale, Blaire, Stone Cold, Ice Wing, Arashi, Aslan, Vega, Tony D, Jen Zimmer, Louise, Sairs, and Queen Angel who have allowed me to bounce my ideas off them, and Krac, cause she has the evil bunny slippers.
Ripples
Prologue
"One Meter"
Obi-Wan Kenobi sat patiently in the large conference room. He looked forward and twirled the double-bladed lightsaber in his hand absent-mindedly. The council met in the next room, deciding his fate as well as the fate of the young Skywalker boy. He and Qui-Gon had informed the council of the mysterious and un-named Sith Warrior, whose weapon he held in his hand now…
Obi-Wan looked down at the weapon, as though seeing it for the first time. The craftsmanship was remarkable, if this Sith was the apprentice as Master Yoda had suspected, Obi-Wan surmised he was one in name only. The weapon was slightly longer than his forearm, not even a meter long. Obi-Wan smiled, a meter had become rather important in his life in the last few days.
Going over his thoughts of the duel with the Sith, Obi-Wan found that the turning point of his life had come down to a matter of one meter. They fought in the reactor room, and the Sith used a brief advantage to level a kick against the Padawan's chin and launched him off the catwalk. He was not sure on the height from which he fell, though he wagered it was two or three stories.
He had used all of his training to slow and control his fall, causing him to crash hard against the metal catwalk. He then quickly jumped to his feet, and using the Force, he leapt to the catwalk his Master and the Sith were now upon before charging to battle again. He realized upon reflection and meditation that had he not controlled his fall, he would have skidded and fallen over the side, perhaps to his death, but most definitely delaying him in assisting his Master.
As it happened, Obi-Wan had only barely made it into the reactor vent before the last of the force screens closed in front of him. The screen would have prevented Obi-Wan from assisting Qui-Gon, possibly giving the Sith an advantage and only the Force knew what the tattooed monster would have done with an advantage.
However, with the screens preventing his escape, the numbers quickly became too much for the Sith warrior and Obi Wan swung his saber down across his opponent's chest, a fatal blow marked only by his deactivated saber clattering on the deck.
After Qui-Gon closed down his saber, Obi-Wan followed suit. He quickly managed to calm his breathing and heart rate to normal. He was so caught up in returning his breathing and heart to normal, that Qui-Gon's smile and chuckle caught the young man off guard, "Not bad for a Padawan and an Old Man wouldn't you say?"
Obi-Wan sighed and shook his head at his mentor, "Master, you sounded like a line from a hack-kneed action Vid back on Coruscant." The reply had only ushered his Master's booming laughter to echo through the room.
The Council had arrived with Chancellor Palpatine this morning, and Obi-Wan had spent the last few hours patiently awaiting his Master's return. The light on the marble floor in front of him shifted and danced briefly, looking up Obi-Wan found himself joined by the Queen's Handmaiden, Sabé, Obi-Wan paused briefly and he inspected her, he realized that the handmaiden was in reality the Queen. He could see the sureness and confidence in her stance.
Padmé searched the room briefly for someone other than him before she entered, "Jedi Kenobi? Where are the members of the Council?" She closed the door behind her and crossed the room with a guarded expression. Obi-Wan considered probing her thoughts for a moment, but decided the better of it; it was not his place to know the thoughts of the Queen.
Obi-Wan set the Sith weapon aside and turned back to the disguised Queen. "They are in closed meetings, discussing the fate of Young Skywalker." He paused and looked down at his now empty hands, "My own fate as well, I suppose." Obi-Wan sighed then looked up, he was surprised to see a smirk on Padmé's face, as well as a hint of laughter in her eyes. The twinkling of her eyes managed to crack through the contemplative mood of the Jedi-to-be, he felt a small grin tug at his lips before he asked, "Might I be so presumptuous, Milady as to ask what she finds humorous?"
Padmé took a seat in the chair next to him, "The way you speak of Anakin makes it seem as though you are older than Master Yoda."
Obi-Wan received her comment with a brief nod, "I see. Did it ever occur to you that I might be far older than you perceive me to be?"
Padmé narrowed her eyes at him in false annoyance, "Is it wise, Jedi Kenobi, to mock a member of the Royal Court of Naboo?"
Now it was Obi-Wan's turn to smirk, "A member of the Royal Court? No. Mocking is reserved only for the Queen herself."
Padmé's eyes widened as she continued their unannounced game, "I see. I believe that mocking her Royal Highness is punishable by death Jedi Kenobi, and if it is not, I'm sure I can issue an Executive Order in this situation."
With a smile, Obi-Wan bowed his head, "My sincerest apologies Milady."
Padmé stood up, "I have much to do Jedi Kenobi, but I would be honored if you, Master Qui-Gon and Anakin joined me for dinner; no royal guards or food tasters, no handmaidens or dignitaries, just the four of us and…" Her grin nearly turned wicked before she continued, "Hopefully more of that delightful humor of yours."
"While I cannot speak for the others, I can say with certainty that I would enjoy attending dinner with you, Highness."
"Padmé." She corrected, "In private, I would prefer you called me Padmé."
Obi-Wan nodded, "In that case Padmé, I would prefer you called me Ben. It was what my friends called me when I studied at the Temple."
Obi-Wan found that the smile Padmé gave him knocked every thought he had ever had out of his head, "Ben." The way she had said his name had unsettled him to the core. He lost count of all the thoughts that filled his head that were expressly forbidden by the Jedi Code, but the truly shocking part to the Padawan was he enjoyed all of them.
Before he had a chance to say anything, they were interrupted by Qui-Gon's voice at the door. "I regret that I must decline your invitation Highness." Obi-Wan and Padmé turned to the door, "I have received orders from the Council, my Padawan and I must return to Coruscant immediately."
Obi-Wan tried to squelch the sense of disappointment before it rose up and nodded grimly, "I understand Master, I will gather my personal effects and prepare to depart…"
Qui-Gon's chuckle interrupted Obi-Wan, "You misunderstand Obi-Wan. I meant that Anakin and I must be leaving."
Obi-Wan looked down, "I'm sorry Master, I did not mean to presume…" He looked back up, "Master, if you have taken Anakin as your Padawan, that would mean…"
Qui-Gon smiled widely, "That the Council has conferred the rank of Jedi Knight upon you? Yes, I suppose it would, wouldn't it?" If Padmé had expected an emotional outburst from the young man, she was to be disappointed. Obi-Wan paused, it was odd that upon hearing the greatest news of his young life that Obi-Wan's first thought was of the young woman seated next to him, but he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Qui-Gon had produced a knife from the folds of his robes, with a small wave of his hand he beckoned his former apprentice forward. Obi-Wan stood up and crossed the room to his Master before taking one knee. Qui-Gon took Obi-Wan's braid into his hand, raising the blade he said, "With the removal of the external reminders of your commitment to the Force and the path we must undertake, I now commit you fully to the Jedi way of life." Qui-Gon cut his braid before reaching around and removing the short ponytail he wore, "Rise, Obi-Wan Kenobi, as a Jedi Knight."
Obi Wan got back to his feet and took Qui-Gon's hand. He released Obi Wan's hand then took his braid and placed it into the younger man's palm. Obi-Wan looked at the braid for a moment; he spoke his next words in a whisper, "Thank you Master, for everything you've taught me."
Qui-Gon smiled and replied in a like tone, "Thank you Obi-Wan, for everything, you've taught me." The Jedi Master stepped back and addressed his former apprentice in a less private tone, "I have your first assignment." He turned slightly towards Padmé and addressed her as well, "The Council has decided that while the Trade Federation was defeated in battle, they still pose a significant threat to you, Highness. Therefore, Jedi Kenobi has been assigned to you as protector until the danger has passed. He is at your discretion Highness for the immediate future."
Obi-Wan bowed slightly, "I will perform my duty to the best of my ability."
Qui-Gon returned his bow, "I have no doubt you will." He turned to the Queen, "If you will excuse me Highness, I have to prepare my Padawan for the journey to Coruscant." He bowed to the disguised Queen and left the room.
Obi-Wan turned to Padmé, who was grinning in a way not fitting for the Queen of the Naboo. "It seems I have my very own Jedi Knight."
Obi-Wan could only manage a raised eyebrow in response to her comment. He was too busy trying to avoid the consequences behind her grin and the wicked gleam in her eyes. He began an inner mantra that would have to sustain him during this mission. "My heart is not quickening in the presence of this woman, my knees do not shake when she smiles. There is no lust, only peace. There is no love, there is only the Force."
&#&
Obi-Wan left the docking bay in confusion over his Master's "Final Lesson." Just minutes before, Qui-Gon Jinn and Anakin Skywalker had boarded a cruiser bound for Coruscant, but before that Qui-Gon pulled him aside and said, "I have some advice for you Obi-Wan. Consider it my final lesson to you."
"Yes Master?"
Qui-Gon then looked over the younger man's shoulder; Obi-Wan followed his gaze and saw Padmé talking to Anakin, Qui-Gon then spoke. "The Council and the Code are central to our life, but they are not everything. The Force is not the only thing you should be mindful of."
Obi-Wan turned back to his former teacher, "I do not understand."
Qui-Gon smiled, "There will come a time my young friend, when you will." He then stepped back and called Anakin up the ramp with him before their cruiser left.
Obi-Wan turned back to the closing doors behind him. He tried to decipher his Master's cryptic words, but was interrupted by the gentle touch of Padmé's fingers on his forearm. He looked down at her then caught her intent; he began walking in companionable silence with the young Queen. His Master's advice could wait; after all, Qui-Gon said he would understand in time.