When God made me a writer, he cursed me with a Mac. If you breifly set you computer using Edit or View (I think) so it can read Mac text or characters, you will be able to read the apostropheÕs, quotations marks, commas... etc. IÕm working on this problem as you read this... Spooky, huh?...


HIS SUNSHINE
by Vicki Vance
Summary: Obi-Wan Kenobi and his first love, a nice lady and original character of mine. SheÕs
not me, in case youÕre wondering. This is my first story online, so please be nice.
Rated PG for mild language and themes.
Takes place a little bit before and after TPM.
Romance/Angst: This isnÕt ÒPassionÕs Torn SkirtÓ if youÕre into that kind of romance.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. I am not making any profit off of this.
Notes from me: Anything between these thingys ** are in italics. You know, all slanty-like.



Obi-Wan turned away from the window and went on toward the Halls of the Remembered. Along the way he passed several classrooms, all deserted at the early hour in the morning. The emptiness was reminiscent to what throbbed inside him. He paused to look inside one and saw all the chairs stacked on top of the tables. He recognized it as one of the childrenÕs biology classrooms; he could see all the tanks containing lizards and fish lining the walls and the buzz of heating bulbs and water filters. Gyp loved snakes, especially the very thin, very long ones. He had never known why she liked them either until sheÕd invited him over to her quarters just Ôto talk.Õ
This time there was no suicide attempt to dampen his presence. She was amiable, healthy, but in need of company. He was happy to grant it; Anakin had picked up some disposed multi-service units in a junkyard that morning and had begged and begged Obi-Wan to let him tinker with them. The Master finally gave into the demands of the Padawan; a sacriledge of some sort, Obi-Wan was sure. Anakin seemed to know heÕd done something that was never supposed to be - the Master bowing to the command of the Padawan - and gloated about his treasured find as he polished the charred metal. GypÕs summoning was the perfect excuse for Obi-Wan to get out of his quarters.
ÒDo you want some tea?Ó she asked him as he seated himself on a fluffy sofa.
ÒHave you any Corellian seep pipe?Ó
ÒYes.Ó
ÒIÕll have it black, please.Ó
ÒThatÕs been your favorite for as long as I can remember,Ó Gyp commented as she put a kettle on the stove. ÒYou wouldnÕt drink anything else if your life depended on it.Ó
ÒLet me guess what youÕll have,Ó he said. ÒMunto Codru blue flower.Ó
ÒRight,Ó she said, grinning at him from the kitchen. ÒTwo sugar lumps and...Ó
ÒA spoonful of grazer cream,Ó he said with her. She chuckled.
ÒIÕll bet we know nearly everything about each other.Ó
ÒNot everything,Ó he said.
ÒNo, not *everything*,Ó she said. ÒBut almost everything.Ó
She flashed him the same challenging look sheÕd given him six years ago when he talked to her in the dining hall.
ÒWant me to prove it?Ó
Obi-Wan considered for a moment, then nodded.
ÒAll right. Ask me something about yourself and IÕll answer to the best of my knowledge.Ó
Obi-Wan tried to think of something heÕd never told her and then asked, ÒWhat planet is Anakin from?Ó
ÒNot fair!Ó Gyp protested. ÒIt has to be about you. The answer is Tattooine anyway, not that it matters.Ó
Obi-Wan was surprised. He couldnÕt think of any time ever telling her about Tattooine.
ÒAll right... Er, what annoys me the most out of all things?Ó
Gyp didnÕt even hesitate. ÒIt used to be others who didnÕt go by the book, but since Qui-Gon died itÕs been incorrect data in texts.Ó
She was right. He was surprised again.
ÒAhh. What is my morning ritual?Ó
There was no way she could know this. He had never been out with her in the morning and if he had she probably couldnÕt have seen it.
ÒYou stretch your scapulas because thatÕs where you hold all you tension.Ó
It took Obi-Wan six seconds to recover.
ÒHow do you know that?Ó he asked, amazed.
ÒRemember when we went to that jizz concert a few years ago?Ó she asked. ÒIt was kind of an latenight thing and on the taxi ride back, when Rita was sleeping in KikelÕs lap, you fell asleep too. When the taxi dropped us off, you stretched out your shoulders, I mean *really* stretched them. I only guessed from that...Ó
ÒThatÕs incredible,Ó he said, smiling. ÒI canÕt believe you still remember that night.Ó
ÒLike it was yesterday,Ó she said, smiling softly back.
The kettle steamed and screamed to be taken off the stove. Gyp poured the water into two mugs. He watched her drop the tea bags in the water and then accepted his when she brought it over.
ÒNow IÕll ask you something about me and you try to answer to the best of your knowledge.Ó
ÒShoot.Ó
ÒWhat annoys me the most?Ó
Obi-Wan thought hard, frowning. ÒAhh, you hate life-forms that talk to themselves.Ó
ÒWell,Ó she said. ÒNot really. I hate toothpaste squeezed from the middle more. All right, another. What makes me squemish?Ó
ÒThatÕs easy,Ó he answered. ÒAny amount of blood.Ó
ÒUh-huh,Ó she nodded. ÒMy ideal pet?Ó
Obi-Wan thought and thought and said, ÒI havenÕt the faintest idea.Ó
ÒA snake,Ó she answered. ÒMy father had a snake when I was little. Mom didnÕt approve of it too much, so she named it Fluffy to get back at him.Ó
ÒFluffy?Ó
ÒI loved Fluffy,Ó she said dreamily, gazing at the ceiling. ÒHe was real thin and real long and loved to hide in the light fixtures.Ó
They were quiet for a while. Gyp seemed to be lost in memories and Obi-Wan studied her carefully, wanting to talk to her about something delicate that had been troubling him.
ÒCan I ask you something?Ó
ÒSure,Ó she said, blinking out of her reverie.
ÒWhy did you call me that night?Ó he asked. ÒWhy not Rita or Kikel?Ó
She was silent as she considered the question. ÒKikel wouldnÕt have taken it seriously. And if he did, he would have just apologized or something. Rita would have panicked and cried and rushed over to my quarters to try to stop me. I would have stabbed myself with my lightsaber if she did that. But I thought you could actually help me, like I could hold onto you so I wouldnÕt drown in my own world of pain.Ó
She looked at him with a serious face that was uncharacteristic of her.
ÒYou just seemed like the right person for the job,Ó she said softly.
Obi-Wan wondered why GypÕs subconscious had selected him for her savior; perhaps it was linked to any feelings she could have for him.
ÒIÕm sorry if I scared you that night,Ó she said to break the awkward silence.
ÒI wasnÕt scared,Ó he said. ÒI was terrified. I thought you were going to die. If you had hung up the comphone and I wasnÕt... successful... I could never forgive myself. I simply couldnÕt. I love you too much to just not care about your well-being.Ó
She looked guilty but somehow satisfied.
ÒThanks,Ó she said.
ÒYes, well, thatÕs how I feel.Ó
ÒNo, I mean, thank you for saving my life.Ó
Obi-Wan paused and nodded. ÒYouÕre welcome.Ó
He stayed with her, talking about whatever, until the day was over and Obi-Wan had to leave to make sure Anakin went to bed at a reasonable hour.
ÒObi-Wan,Ó Gyp said before he left, wringing her fingers uncomfortably in her hair. ÒWould you, at some point in time, if you like, go to a nightclub or something with me?Ó
ÒJust you?Ó he asked after a few seconds thought. ÒNo Kikel or Rita? Just us?Ó
ÒUh-huh,Ó she said smiling weakly.
ÒLike a date?Ó he said, nervously picking at the door frame, amazed at his own stroke of luck.
ÒYeah, like a date,Ó she said.
ÒWhen?Ó
ÒTomorrow night?Ó
ÒKind of short notice.Ó
ÒThe night after?Ó
ÒTomorrowÕs fine.Ó
She grinned with relief. ÒWhen can you come over?Ó
ÒNineteen-hundred hours,Ó he said, slightly breathless with excitement.
ÒThatÕs great,Ó she said.
ÒWell,Ó he said, stalling nervously. ÒSee you tomorrow.Ó
ÒBye, Obi-Wan.Ó
He stepped out of the doorway and watched it close.
His heart lept within his chest. He jumped into the air and landed with a dance he was improvising for no one in particular. He backflipped a few meters away and then whooped loudly, pumping his arm and clencing his fist.
ÒObi-Wan, you devil,Ó he told himself. ÒYouÕve got Gyp! YouÕve got Gyp! The hottest creature to grace the Temple! Hee hee, yes!Ó
Vidona Eks, a chief healer, saw Obi-Wan when she turned to corner to the hall. Her *lekku* twitched as she studied him.
ÒObi-Wan,Ó she said. ÒAre you all right?Ó
ÒOh, Vidona, the best possible thing has happened!Ó he proclaimed, giving her a bear hug. ÒThank you for letting me live to this day!Ó
ÒI repaired your body when you broke it,Ó she said, tensing up slightly in his arms. ÒHowever, whatever brain fever you have now is beyond my expertise.Ó
ÒOh, youÕre the best,Ó he said, kissing the aging TwiÕlekÕs forehead.
ÒOne of two things is true,Ó she said. ÒEither you are on a euphoric drug or youÕre in love. LetÕs see, your pupils donÕt look dilated...Ó
ÒThe latter,Ó he said, grinning.
ÒOh, thatÕs wonderful!Ó she said. ÒWhoÕs the lucky girl?Ó she glanced briefly at his arms and said, ÒAnd I hope sheÕs not me.Ó
ÒOh,Ó he said, releasing her suddenly. ÒNo, not you. Gyp Sinter.Ó
A brief flash of foreboading flashed across VidonaÕs face. Obi-Wan suddenly saw the reputation he could earn: the suicidal JediÕs boyfriend. The look went away as quickly as it had come.
ÒYouÕve finally caught her Obi-Wan,Ó she said, smiling. ÒItÕs about time you did.Ó

~~~

Obi-Wan twitched his fingers and felt the broken bones move inside the cast. He didnÕt flinch or show any sign of pain; he welcomed it. He deserved it. ThatÕs why he demanded the healers give him a slower bone-healing method than a quick, clean mending. He stroked the hard cast outside, wiggled his hand inside it, feeling the soft cushiony material inside. It felt good inside. Kind of like a warm bed or a womb for a baby.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and forced himself not to cry.
The date, though Obi-Wan was certain it would induce heart palpatations, was easy-going and reletively stress-free. It was exactly like previous excursions with friends, only there werenÕt as many friends. Gyp didnÕt try to kiss him or go into any unexplored territory. In fact, he enjoyed it so much he got up the courage to ask the next time, to which Gyp happily accepted. After that date he asked again, and they went out again, staying out late past midnight.
They were now doing something together at least twice a week, whether it was simple dinner in the Temple or club-hopping at night. Obi-Wan juggled his time spent with Gyp versus his time spent with Anakin quite well; he was good at setting his daily life into neat, coordinated time blocks. Gyp respected the time he needed to spend with Anakin and didnÕt demand to always be the center of his attention. She even offered that they both take him to the Holographic Zoo of Extinct Animals, which they did.
Obi-Wan saw a lot of AnakinÕs personality in Gyp; sheÕd had her share of hard times but had a thirst to party nonetheless. It was fun to just sit back and watch them goof off together in the Zoo, watch them bond in a relaxed mother-son relationship. He wondered briefly what it would be like to marry that beautiful smiling woman with the pale hair, who was pointing to the tusks of a male findwe and explaining to Anakin how the ivory was now a rare trading item. SheÕd be his wife, Anakin would more or less he his son, and he could grow up with a real family, a Force-sensitive one, better suited for him than just a plain family. The thought was tantelizing and he held onto it, savoring it, before letting it go.
After they got home and Gyp left, Anakin began rattling off to Obi-Wan everything Gyp had told him as he jumped up and down on his bed.
Ò...And she said that it was fabled that the manticore really did exist, which is why itÕs in there, but since no one reliable has come forward with hard evidence, the museum people consider it not to exist.Ó
ÒYouÕll break your arm doing that,Ó Obi-Wan reprimanded, who was shaving and could watch his student through the bathroom mirror. Anakin stopped and clambored off the bed to tinker with a droid servo-brain.
ÒShe also told me about how researchers once believed the gundark was extinct centuries ago, but they found a lot on some planet, I forget which, and now theyÕre all over the place.Ó
ÒYes, Gyp is full of knowledge,Ó the Master said. ÒAnd youÕre eager to learn. You two are great together.Ó
He stopped and looked at Obi-Wan, smiling. ÒYouÕre in love, arenÕt you?Ó
ÒThat has nothing to do with you,Ó he said in a warning tone. ÒItÕs a personal matter, Anakin.Ó
ÒSo am I,Ó the boy said, getting up to stand next to Obi-Wan. ÒI might as well be your son, Obi-Wan.Ó
ÒIf you must know,Ó he said, drying his face with a towel. ÒIÕm pretty sure, yes.Ó
Anakin didnÕt say anything. He only smiled.
Gyp found him the next day and stopped him in one of the halls. She seemed troubled by something.
ÒDo you love me?Ó she asked him seriously, looking him in the eye.
ÒGyp, you know I love you,Ó he answered, putting his hands on her shoulders. ÒAnd if you ever need anything, you can come to me for help.Ó
ÒNo, not that love,Ó Gyp said squirming out of his grips. ÒDo you *love* me?Ó
Obi-Wan suddenly understood two things: what Gyp was asking him and that Anakin had caused it to happen.
ÒThe last man who I thought loved me robbed and left me,Ó she continued. ÒIÕm afraid to fall in love again.Ó
ÒBut IÕm not Nersan,Ó he said. ÒAnd I truly love you.Ó
Gyp flinched as if heÕd hit her. She backed away from him, ready to cry.
ÒI will not hurt you, Gyp.Ó he insisted. ÒI am not like Nersan at all.Ó
ÒIÕm still afraid, Obi-Wan,Ó she said.
ÒLetÕs go out for a night,Ó he said. ÒIt wonÕt be any different. WeÕll still have fun. We can even take Kikel and Rita if theyÕre around.Ó
ÒIf we took Kikel and Rita, itÕd be different,Ó she said.
ÒIÕve loved you all along,Ó he said, somewhat desperate. ÒI started years ago, but never got a chance to show it.Ó
ÒReally?Ó
He nodded, smiling slightly at his truthfulness.
ÒI loved you, too,Ó she said.
ÒThen why is it different now that weÕve said it?Ó
ÒI donÕt know,Ó she said, shaking her head.
Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around her and just held her, not saying anything. He finally asked, ÒWhat can I do to prove I wonÕt hurt you?Ó
ÒYou shouldnÕt have to prove it at all,Ó she said. ÒI should understand you love me and not be scared at all.Ó
ÒBut you are scared,Ó he said. ÒSo I have to prove it. WeÕll go out tonight, go to a kareoke bar or nightclub and just have fun. Nothing at all to be scared of.Ó
She considered it, looking into his eyes sceptically.
ÒAll right.Ó
When Obi-Wan went to his quarters, he opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it behind him. Anakin was at the table working on another droid. Obi-Wan leaned against the doorway and crossed his arms over his chest.
ÒYou told Gyp I love her, didnÕt you?Ó he asked threateningly.
ÒYeah,Ó Anakin said, grinning at him, then returned to his project.
ÒDo you remember what happened to the last man Gyp fell in love with?Ó he asked.
Anakin paused before answering, ÒHe robbed her and left her.Ó
ÒNo, it wasnÕt just that, Anakin,Ó Obi-Wan said, striding toward him. ÒHe began the chain of events that led to her suicide attempt. Gyp is afraid to fall in love because sheÕll think sheÕll get hurt and then do something stupid and then want to kill herself.Ó
Obi-Wan sensed the struggle in Anakin as he tried to keep eye contact with his Master. He was now well aware of the enormity of what heÕd done and was ashamed of it.
ÒIf Gyp tries to hurt herself again, Anakin,Ó Obi-Wan continued. ÒI will blame myself and I will blame you. You broke news to her she wasnÕt prepared to hear yet.Ó
ÒBut youÕve been dating-Ó
ÒFor two months! Not long at all, considering most life-forms date for years before proffesing their love. Like I said, this is a personal matter. Please stay out of it until we decide to make it public.Ó
Anakin nodded solemly and focused hard on his scattered droid parts. Obi-Wan watched him for a little while, hovering over his shoulder just to worry him. Then he sat down at the table by his student.
ÒIÕm sorry,Ó the Padawan said.
ÒYou should be,Ó the Master said. ÒNow, IÕve decided on punishment. IÕm going out with Gyp tonight. If it doesnÕt go right, bad things will happen. I want you to grant me peace of mind and be a good boy tonight when IÕm gone.Ó
ÒSure,Ó Anakin said, relief apparant in his voice.
ÒNo friends over,Ó Obi-Wan pressed the matter. ÒNo mess when I get back, you should be asleep by then, no droid parts strewn all over the floor, nothing wrong.Ó
ÒI understand,Ó Anakin said earnestly, nodding his head.
Obi-Wan didnÕt need sensory perceptions to notice the date was different than others. It was initially quieter and more intense. They were sitting in a kareoke bar, an easy-going place, and neither were having much fun. Obi-Wan finally became fed up.
ÒOh, look at us,Ó he said. ÒYouÕd think we donÕt know each other. IÕm going to get a few drinks.Ó
He came back from the bar with two shots of Corellian malt liquor and a pitcher of juri juice. He set it down and proceeded to pour the juice while Gyp slammed her shot of liquor down so quickly it made Obi-Wan feel sick just watching. She shuddered and put the glass upside-down, swallowing hard.
ÒYou know, we donÕt have to get plastered,Ó he told her. She reached for the second shot and he held it to prevent her from taking it. ÒWe donÕt.Ó
ÒIÕm not having fun now,Ó she said. ÒIt might be different if I were drunk.Ó
ÒWhy does it have to be different?Ó he asked. ÒI canÕt understand why itÕs bothering you so.Ó
ÒNiether can I.Ó
Obi-Wan glanced up at the stage; the Talz was finishing his squeaky song that sounded oddly like a mating call. ItÕs voice (if you called it that) cracked on the highest note into a deep growl witch sent the audience in laughing fits. They roared and cheered, clapping madly as the Talz lumbered off stage.
Obi-Wan looked at Gyp and grinned.
ÒNo,Ó she said quietly, fearfully.
ÒWhy not?Ó he asked, surprised at his own idiot daring.
ÒPlease,Ó she begged.
ÒIÕm doing it for you,Ó he said. ÒTo show my love.Ó
ÒI donÕt want you to love me.Ó
ÒI donÕt think thatÕs true,Ó he said gently.
She looked at the shot glass. Before she could reach it, he snatched it up and drank it all in one burning gulp. He nearly barfed up a lung coughing but he felt ready to make a fool of himself. He got up and ran to the stage and requested a mushy love song.
As he stood up there, the lights shining in his eyes, clutching the microphone in his sweaty, slippery hands, he nearly backed down, but he remembered he was doing it for Gyp. He swallowed his ego and began to sing as best he could. He warbled his way gracefully through all three and a half minutes of the song, waving and pointing to Gyp when necessary. He tried to make out her expression but could only see that she was looking at him.
Suddenly the song was over and the audience was cheering and clapping for him. He felt so good he said into the microphone, ÒThank you ladies and gentlemen. IÕll be here all next week.Ó
He jumped off the stage and jogged back to his table. He slid into the seat, grinning at Gyp. His grin melted away. She was crying.
ÒWhat?Ó he asked stupidly.
ÒOh Obi-Wan,Ó she said, resting her hand over his. ÒYou are such a fool.Ó
Having said that, she leaned forward and kissed him like heÕd never been kissed before, caressing his face with her hand.
His initial response was surprise, followed by acceptance, then delight. She loved him and wasnÕt afraid anymore. Neither was he.
She looked at him with those clear hazel eyes of hers and smiled brilliantly at him, tears streaming from her eyes. Obi-Wan couldnÕt ever remember feeling so happy, so good, and so carefree.
ÒCÕmon,Ó she said, taking his hand. ÒLetÕs sing one together.Ó
They bounded up together and sang a song about the sunshine of their lives; their significant other. As their voices resounded through the speakers, Obi-Wan listened to his own voice, sounding very unlike the noise he heard in his head when he spoke, and GypÕs sweet voice. It rang with an angelic strain he had previously only hoped to dream about. He didnÕt care how inferior his own voice was, only that he was having genuine fun with his beautiful girlfriend who loved him despite his flaws.
That night they took a taxi home, giggly and flushed in the face from drinks. They flirted and joked and generally behaved like when they were twenty-two. They made it to the Temple when it was late at night and Obi-Wan walked Gyp to her quarters.
He kissed her romantically goodnight and turned to go. Gyp touched his arm and said softly, ÒYou know, you donÕt have to go tonight. You could stay here... with me.Ó

To Be Continued...

WhatÕll happen? What will Obi-Wan do? What will Gyp do? What will Kikel do? Who cares about Kikel? (Well, I do.)