Chapter Four: This Could Have Been Prevented

Satine knows having a child is supposed to be a joyous occasion. She knows that because faintly, she can remember her parents excitedly announcing Bo-Katan.

But while she lies awake, listening to the insects of Draboon, she wonders how in the universe she is supposed to be joyful.

Her people are dying, war is waging, she is on the run, living hand-to-mouth…

Currently knocked up by her Jedi protector.

A Jedi, whom the Mandalorians hate more than pacifism.

Who is currently sleeping behind her, arms curled about her, their fingers laced together.

Master Qui-Gon was keeping watch outside the tent, probably playing cards to keep himself occupied. He rarely slept at night.

"Missing Tahl," Obi-Wan had explained early on in their travels before narrowly dodging a swat and grinning. "What Master? You said it yourself - you can't sleep without her."

Satine heaves a sigh, closing her eyes and trying to relax. There's unease building in her stomach - or was that nausea? She was never sure anymore.

She doesn't seem to know anything anymore - or how to tell him.

Obi-Wan shifts, tugging her closer. She rolled over, burying her nose in his tunic and trying not to cry.

"Mmm...something wrong?"

"Bad dream."

He doesn't apologize the first time he kisses her. There isn't a need for words anymore between them, though their newfound love (and fear for each other's safety) fuels their arguments and drives Qui-Gon crazy.

He refuses to apologize for falling in love.

When the civil war ended and she is restored to her throne, it makes their last night difficult. He nearly stays by her side.

He argues and fights with her that night, his legendary control breaking while she screams at him and he shouts back.

"I'm staying!"

"You are not!"

"He's my son too!"

"Mandalore won't accept a Jedi consort!"

"Marriage?! I want to be a part - "

Satine gets in his face, her words a hiss. "I am the Duchess of Mandalore. I know what is right for my people – a Jedi for a husband and the father of my child is not one of them!"

There is a snarl on his face – he doesn't do anything to fight it. "You are not aborting our son, Satine!"

"You think that low of me? I will have this child, just like you will become a Jedi knight. That is final."

He scoffs, staring into her eyes. "You can't conceal a pregnancy or a child."

"Politicians have been doing the former for years, Obi. It's nothing new." She pushes past him, shoving his shoulder for good measure while striding into the bedchamber.

He follows her, of course. "What if word gets out you're pregnant? Doctors will surely-"

"I'll destroy the droids that keep me and the babe healthy. People will take the truth and believe it to be rumors created by my opponents." Satine starts to undress, and curses when she can't undo the bodice.

Obi-Wan steps behind her, taking the thin ribbon and loosening it slowly. "Will you raise-"

"I will say he is a relative of mine. Mandalore is in ruins, no one will notice a child's presence."

"He will be Force sensitive."

"Plenty of people are on Mandalore. They rarely leave to the Jedi-"

"They leave to the Sith." Obi-Wan sighs when she doesn't answer, reaching the end of the bodice. "This is a foolhardy plan."

"A good thing you won't be a part of it, Obi."

"What?"

"You should make that."

"Mmm." Tahl watches the chef on the screen - whom is preparing some dumpling creation - and shrugs. "Or I could buy it at a restaurant."

Qui-Gon smirks a little, glancing to his padawan reading in the armchair while the apartment door whooshes open. "We should have Obi-Wan make it."

"We should have Obi-Wan make what?"

"Bant," Tahl greets while she tosses her padawan the remote - the Limmie match between Corellia and Jakku was on afterall. "How was class?"

"I will never work in the creche willingly," Bant mutters while she sits on the floor and tries to find the channel. Limmie was not well-liked on Coruscant, but that doesn't stop the two of them from enjoying the sport. "Obi-Wan can you get your nose out of the holo-book? We're watching Limmie!"

Obi-Wan does not look up, but he does give his friend the galactic, obscene gesture every creature with five fingers gives.

"Obi-Wan!" Tahl admonishes, watching his smirk grow. She glances at her life-partner - whose couch she is laying on, her feet in his lap - and scowls. "I blame you."

"Me? Whatever did I do darling?" Qui-Gon grins when she nudges a foot into his stomach. "I have done nothing wrong in my life ever."

"Bantha shit," Obi-Wan mutters, not flinching when Qui-Gon throws a pillow at his head.

"I'll make you teach younglings with Master Yoda for that comment, my young padawan."

Obi-Wan gives a thumbs up, still reading.

"What can possibly be more entertaining than Limmie?" Bant exclaims in exasperation. She glances at the holo and groans. "Oh great - breaking news - hey Obi, isn't that the Mandalorian Duchess?"

Obi-Wan takes his time looking up, focusing in on the young blonde woman.

Tahl glances at Qui-Gon, whose expression is somber. She had been told of the relationship between the young lovers, and how quiet Obi-Wan had been on the flight back to Coruscant. Half of her had hoped that a half a year had changed the young man's feelings, but judging by the way he stares at the Duchess, nothing had changed much.

The Duchess, who is holding a squirming infant and talking to her prime minister while they walked through the city.

"...today. Now this is the first outing Duchess Kryze has made with the young prince - no pictures or video footage have been released since the palace announced he had been found by members of the Kryze clan. He is allegedly the son of her second-cousin Klaudius and..."

Obi-Wan stands, turning his face away while he walks to his bedchamber.

Qui-Gon closes his eyes and grimaces, head leaning against the back of the couch.

"Boring," Bant mutters, clicking to a different channel. "Oh here we go! Limmie!"

Tahl rises from her position carefully, stepping over her distracted padawan and walking to the bedchamber down the hall. She stands outside the door, grimacing at the emotions she felt swirling from the young man. "Obi?" She knocks gently. "Do you want to talk?"

There is silence from the chamber. She has half-a-mind to use her master codes and override the door - she doesn't trust Obi-Wan alone in this state, especially now that he is of legal drinking age on most planets.

And of age to do other things too.

Just when she is about to punch in the override, the door slides open. She steps into the dark room, not entirely surprised to find it immaculate and free of mess. A hand touches her ankle, and she jumps, hand on lightsaber while she turns around.

Obi-Wan is sitting by the door, and he smiles a bit in apology before leaning his head against the wall and sighing. The past few minutes stretch into hours while he stares at the ceiling, limp and exhausted.

There was no sense sugar-coating her words. "The Mandalorian prince...he's yours?"

Obi-Wan's hands curls into a fist, teeth biting his lower lip. He nods slowly.

"Oh Obi…"

"Tina gave birth alone...she didn't want me there." Obi-Wan glances at her, tears at the edges of his eyes, looking like a scared little boy. "The first time I see my son is on the 'net...I don't even know his name."

Tahl watches in amazement while Obi-Wan Kenobi buries his head in his hands and releases a shuddering breath. She can't quite believe what she is hearing. Few female Jedi would not dream of putting themselves through birth - they took care of it when a situation occurred and that was the end of that.

But plenty of her fellow male Jedi must have offspring running around the galaxy - how else would the Jedi stay alive and well?

But while she knelt to Obi-Wan's level, she wonders how many of them cared - much less knew - of those children?

"I didn't stay, Master Tahl. Why didn't I stay?"

Tahl wraps her arms around him, not surprised to feel silent tears dripping onto her tunic.

"You still have a choice, Obi-Wan. You can still leave. No one will judge you."

He says nothing.