In the back of the cockpit of the small starship, Aala sat down next to Caid, Jani's bodyguard and partner, exchanging a quirk of a smile with him. Jani was piloting, as she insisted, since it was her ship. Ben co-piloting next her looked serious and barely saying a word.
"Two minutes to atmosphere," Jani said.
Aala pulled the harness across her shoulders and buckled it tight, double checking the clasps.
"Don't trust Jani's flying?" Caid leaned towards Aala with a sparkle in his grey eyes, speaking quietly enough so those in the front would not overhear.
"Of course I do," Aala grinned. She glanced up front at the two pilots, both entirely focused on their tasks. And of course she would trust Ben with her life in even the most dire of situations...but she kept that to herself. "I'm just not fond of flying. Descending makes me dizzy."
"It won't be long," he smiled and returned to his datapad no doubt checking his own security measures then checking them again.
A bump of the ship made Aala take a quiet breath and try not to look as though she was gripping the arms of her seat as if her life depended on it. Ben turned his head almost in her direction for a fraction of a moment...she waited to see if he would glance back to check on her but he did not. She wondered if he was checking on her emotion in the Force.
A crackling voice over the comm broke her musings. They had pierced the atmosphere and were cruising quite smoothly over the planet's surface. She could feel it in her gut they were indeed descending but she could not tell by sight. Foggy grey and white clouds were all that stretched before them, making anything else impossible to see
"State your names and business," said the voice on the comm.
Ben answered immediately as the comm station was nearer his side. "My name is Kenobi and I'm traveling with Princess Arkada of the planet Breon. We are expected by your Queen." He fiddled with something on the panel as he spoke, Jani continue to focus on piloting the ship.
"Ah yes. Please accept our most sincere gratitude. We are most pleased to receive your aid, Your Highness, Knight Kenobi."
Aala watched as Ben clenched his jaw at the title that no longer applied to him but he did not speak out, instead brushing it aside. "Please advise on landing."
"Yes, of course."
The man gave the coordinates and landing platform number but Aala didn't pay attention, continuing to watch Ben. She could see how tense he was, his mouth was pinched, the lines around his eyes creased with displeasure. She wondered for the umpteenth time if this hadn't been a mistake. It was true she had given him little choice.
But she needed him. And would he really be there if he truly did not want to be? Aala doubted she had that much sway over the man. Perhaps it wasn't his first choice but he hadn't needed to even meet with her at all if he didn't want to.
No, Aala would not believe Quinlan's teasing. Ben was not here to bend to her whim, by force. Children's lives were at stake, he had set out on his own in the first place to do what the Council would not, and that was why he was here now. She had not forced him.
Without realizing, Aala gave another quiet sigh, trying to release her own anxiety. This time Ben did turn around, the corner of his mouth quirked in understanding.
"Almost there," he said, voice soft.
Aala felt her heart swell. Ben turned back to his tasks but his comfort remained with her.
Then she closed her eyes until they landed.
As soon as the four embarked from the ship they were ushered from the landing platform and scurried into the castle to await the Queen. Ben did not say anything but he fell in step at her side, close enough his arm brushed hers. Upon entering and seeing all the grim-faced guards, he left all pretense aside and moved his hand to the small of her back, his steady fingertips pressing surely to the sensitive skin there. She wished she did not have her coat on.
When they arrived at their destination, to Aala's relief, they were left in a sitting room of sorts instead of a throne room. There were cushy, comfortable looking settees, warm art and tapestries.
The four of them had avoided conversation for the better part of the entire trip, though it was not an overly long one. Jani of course had wanted to avoid setting any plans at all until they were on the ground and able to accurately and fully assess the situation. Caid had very nearly glared her into the floor when she announced this, no doubt wanting to make plans immediately and then more plans for the previous plans until their ears bled.
Aala had exchanged a knowing look with Obi-Wan and neither had said anything about it. At least for the time being.
Jani and Caid were so diametrically different, Aala wondered sometime how they had managed to get on so well for so long. But both were clearly in love - Aala would have no problem seeing that even if she wasn't in Jani's confidence.
Aala sat down at the end of one settee and Ben came to stand behind her. He kept his desire to stay close to her clear. Jani and Caid sat opposite, leaving the large, opulent armchair for the Queen.
The Queen arrived and they all greeted her with the proper customs. The look in her eyes was hopeful and light. "Thank you all so much for coming. We will not be able to repay you but in our endless gratitude. "Please," she glanced up at Obi-Wan gesturing kindly. "Please Master Kenobi, take a seat. You are most welcome here."
Aala could feel him stiffen behind her. From the corner of her eye she saw him grip the top of the settee. "I am not..." he took a soft breath, "I am no longer a Jedi, your highness." Despite his obvious displeasure he moved to sit at Aala's side.
The Queen, thank the Force, was gracious about the misstep and recovered quickly. "Nevertheless, we are so grateful to have you here."
She went on to explain some of their dire situation; it was all the same as Aala had understood it and what she had told Obi-Wan. People were suffering.
"We need to set up decent camps, real ones where the people fleeing the cities and live, for now, and recover." Jani spoke up when the Queen was done. "They need help."
"I agree," Aala said, "but the camps are not so near here. Before anything we need to get into the city and start collecting evidence, recording the destruction and chaos so the case can be brought before the Senate."
Jani shook her dark head. "Even if we have all the evidence in the galaxy, the deliberations will take forever and in the meantime these people need shelter, food, a moments rest."
"I agree," Obi-Wan sat forward. The movement caused his leg to press against hers. Aala refused to let it distract her, even though he was warm beside her. "I'm here to help these people, any moments suffering is too much," his voice was serious and low.
"It's because the deliberation will take so long that we should get data as soon as possible," Aala argued. "I can send it along to Bail and he can start working up support for the cause. Their peace is important of course, but not if we can't get help to save their future."
Jani raised her hands in front of her offering compromise. "Why can't we do both at once? Time is crucial here."
"No." Caid spoke for the first time. "We must stay together. At least at first, before we know what we're dealing with."
"I don't think we can afford to spend every minute together and still accomplish our goals," Aala said.
"We must at least stay in pairs, however," Ben glanced at Caid then Aala as he spoke, his blue eyes firm.
Aala nodded slowly. "Perhaps we should pledge to survey the city first thing in the morning, but leave time to see the outskirts well before the day is over. Then we can go from there. Our plans might need to be made on a day by day basis for now."
Jani thought for a moment. "I can agree to that. Your highness?"
"It sounds like a good plan to start."
With an idea in place, they ended the meeting. It was very late and the Queen insisted they all try to get some rest before the next day. She had her staff show them to the rooms appointed for them.
The hallways were beautiful but not overly opulent. Aala appreciated the artistry and detail even as she felt a twinge of guilt at staying in such comfort while others had fled their homes to nothing. Still there was no point in worrying about that right now. She strengthened her resolve to do everything humanly possible to help them.
"Here we are," the young woman that had been helping them stopped in front of a wide door. "We were able to plan and set aside these three rooms for you. Ah - Princess Arkada your guard is staying with you, if I'm correct?"
"Yes, of course." Jani nodded. "We're happy to help save space."
Aala gave an inward grin. Yeah right.
"Are you sure? We could free up some extra rooms..."
"Yes, I'm sure." Jani smiled. "He is my personal guard, after all."
"I insist," Caid added matter-of-fact
The woman turned to Aala then, and she felt the blush on her cheeks as she wondered if she shouldn't offer to share with Obi-Wan... She didn't have to look at him to feel the tension that rolled off him. No, they had barely spoken. She wouldn't push him.
"You're at the very end of the hall Ambassador Naberrie, and you are the next door down, Mas-um... Mr. Kenobi."
This was not going well.
"Thank you," Aala intervened.
"Please don't hesitate to ask if there is anything you need."
The woman left and they quickly decided on a time to meet early the next morning. After that Jani and Caid disappeared inside their room. Aala glanced at Obi-Wan then looked away and cleared her throat.
"I -" she started.
"I'll walk you to your room, if you don't mind."
"No, I don't mind. Thank you, I appreciate it."
When they walked the short distance, Ben palmed the panel by the door to open it, gesturing her in. His eyes were keen as he stepped in behind her.
Aala couldn't decide if she just felt unbearably awkward and unsure or if she had never been more sure of how much she wanted him and was just waiting for the chance to pounce. She couldn't tell anything of what he was thinking at all but she knew it could not be possible she was making this feeling up.
Part of her wished she could find some reason she could ask him to stay, some excuse to spend even one more moment together. Her heart ached for him. Even though she had been ignoring it for the entire day, now, tired and alone with him she could not suppress how much it were true. He should be back in her arms, in her bed...
She did the only logical thing she could when it came to Obi-Wan Kenobi.
"I could call for tea?" she asked quietly while Ben surveyed the room inconspicuously.
He didn't answer at first. Aala realized she was holding her breath but he shook his head after a moment. "No, I should go."
Aala felt her heart sink. "Of course, sorry. It's late." She couldn't look at him so she hurried to the door, opening it for him. "Thank you for checking the room, Ben." It was silly of me to think he was there for any other reason, she admonished herself.
When he came to stand next to her, she saw his polished black boots before anything else. The pull of him, of his gaze and his presence, was too much to ignore.
Slowly she lifted her gaze, sweeping over his black trousers, tight on his hips, to the fitted black jacket he always wore, then to his face and his burning blue eyes.
"I'm here to help you, Aala."
She was caught, trapped. How could his mouth look so perfect. The three days worth of stubble on his strong jaw looked absolutely sinful. She felt her body just barely sway forward before she caught herself. She took a quiet breath. "Okay."
"I want to be here."
That was all she needed to know, at least for now.
But before she could decide to go ahead and throw herself in his arms he was gone.
AN: Thanks for reading everyone! Please, please review and if you have any suggestions, criticism or ideas I'd love to hear it! Have a great day if you want to!
