Match Maker

Chapter 4

Location: Thrice's ship

Sometime during their track across the desert, Obi-Wan took over holding the baby and he was more than overjoyed to see that they had finally made it to Thrice's spaceship. He wasn't familiar with the model, but it looked big enough to have a comfy bed and that was all he needed.

The hatch opened without ceremony with a quick verbal command and the two entered silently up the ramp. Though, once on board, Obi-Wan noticed that it was quite luxurious. The rooms were very clean and cozy and the systems looked state of the art.

A little droid rolled up to greet them and actually spoke standard. "Greetings, my lady. Ship is fully functional. Please state destination."

"Prep the ship and set a course for the Colony. I want you at the helm. I want everything on autopilot. If you need me I'll be in the shower."

"Wait," said Obi-Wan. "You're going to make that droid do everything?"

"XP can do it." Thrice was then about to leave, but paused and back tracked to Obi-Wan and took the baby. "I think Luke might like to take a bath with me."

"Well, what about me?"

Mischievously, she smiled. "Oh, you could come too if you'd like. Or you could get something to eat at the galley."

Obi-Wan raised his brow intrigued. "Are you teasing me?"

"Well, are you hungry?"

In response, the Knight smiled and shook his head. "You are a wicked temptress. But, I fear I am too tired to play your games, Milady so the galley it will have to be."

At that, she began to leave and said, "If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

-0-0-0-

Obi-Wan was pleased to find that the ship's galley was fully stocked with food and easy meals. He pulled off his outer robe and quickly made something for him, Thrice and Luke. He was sure they would be hungry too, though at the thought of that word he stilled. He never knew that the woman-warrior could be so playful. She obviously liked to flirt.

He smiled at the thought of her shattered façade. He realized now that her Force-signature, was clearly more telling of her true nature than he ever thought. Padme had in right in telling him that she had been playing hard to get after the Senate Ball.

Quickly, he ate his meal and decided to find her. He thought she might need a hand with Luke since washing up couldn't be that easy with an infant on hand. And so he followed her Force-signature to her cabin and heard the rattle of the showerhead. Cautiously, he peeked inside and saw that Luke was not in the bath, but instead he was nestled on the bed. He was securely surround by pillows and a blanket and sound asleep like an egg. Obi-Wan noted that Thrice had a great deal of maternal sense for a new parent.

Tentatively, he opened the bath door and saw that she was wrapped in a towel and nothing else. Smiling, she took his hand and led him inside.

"Thrice, you don't—"

"Quiet. Now, take off your clothes while I set the water again."

"But—"

"Don't worry, I'll advert my eyes for your modesty. I am a lady."

Obi-Wan felt mortified by her cheeky comment, but obeyed and began to undress while she fixed the temperature on the faucet. With a deep sigh he shook his head as he watched her bend over and pick up her discarded clothes. He noticed she had gorgeous legs and her hair was damp and loose like inky vines down her back.

"Force, you are a terrible tease."

Smiling, she said, "When you're done, Sir Knight. I'll be waiting."

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Images of a barely dressed Thrice created havoc on Obi-Wan's mind. He had to change his shower to a cold one and when he emerged from the bath he discovered that Thrice had left him a new change of clothes. He saw that they were very similar to his Jedi attire and he put them on. He found that the baby had been moved and he was now sleeping in an empty storage box on the floor that had been lined with a sheet as bedding. The infant looked content even though he had had a rough start and as Obi-Wan caressed Luke's tiny hand he couldn't help thinking about Anakin and poor Padme.

Gently, a pair of arms folded around his neck from behind and a kiss was planted over his head. Thrice sweetly nuzzled his hair and whispered into his ear. "We can't change the past. It's ok to be sad."

"I failed him. I failed them both."

"No, Obi-Wan. We each make our own paths. All we can do is plan for the future."

"But Anakin was my responsibility. I should have known what was happening. I should have trying harder, I should have realized something was wrong. He was like a brother to me. He was like my son."

Tenderly, Thrice pulled away and reached over to take his hand and turn him to face her. She saw that he had tears in his eyes and lovingly she brushed them away and gave him her embrace. "Hush, my love. It will be alright. As I said before we can't change what's been done. All we can do is look ahead. You must have faith. I believe in you, Obi-Wan. And I promise you, you won't be alone."

Obi-Wan pulled back and touched her face. "Oh, my gentle Thrice. Why were we ever strangers before now?"

"I was afraid."

"What were you afraid of?"

"I was afraid of the feeling you're experiencing right now. I was afraid that if I'd love you than you'd betray me and I'd be alone."

"Then, why? What changed your mind?"

"I—I am not sure. I just realized that I care about you anyway. You were always so kind to me. I knew you cared and that you wanted me. It's strange, but no ones has ever wanted me to love them in my entire life."

Touched, Obi-Wan leaned forward and gave his wife a passionate kiss. He had no idea she harbored such feelings. She was wonderful. Then, as they parted lips to catch their breathes he quickly rose to his feet and lifted her up off her the ground.

"Obi-Wan?"

"I think it's about time I loved you like a husband."

-0-0-0-

Hours later, the Knight opened his azure-gray eyes and saw that his wife was lying comfortably at his side. Her hot breathes tickled his bare skin over his shoulder and neck and her raven hair pooled out over her back and over her perfect face. Snuggly, she wriggled closer into him and threw her arm over his chest. She was divine. Obi-Wan had no idea that she could share her feelings so intimately through the Force. He felt like he learned a thing or two from their shared experience that he was sure that such pleasure had to be down right criminal.

Absently, he began to twirl her hair between his fingertips until unfortunately the moment was broken by Luke's cry. The infant woke hungry and wet and began to wail.

Obi-Wan carefully extracted himself from Thrice and lifted the baby-boy out from his box and against his shoulder and soothed the back of his head.

"Hush, little one or you'll woke your mommy."

Yet, as the words left his mouth he began to grow still. Dear gods, what did he just say? He looked over at raven-beauty and saw that she was still asleep. Did he really think of her as Luke's new mother? Could they really play at being parents? And where the Sith did Thrice keep the baby things?

Barefooted and half-dressed, the Jedi Master headed towards the galley and re-hydrated some milk. He noticed that somewhere on the ship, Thrice had found a baby-bottle and he filled it up and feed his young charge with his nighttime meal. He seemed contented to feed and so he carried him back towards the cabin to locate his diapers.

When he returned Thrice was now mostly dressed and awoke and took the baby from him and began to set up his change. Wordlessly, she worked and then sat down on a chair and cradled Luke close and began to hum. In a wordless melody she placed him against her chest and hummed a soothing song that filled the room with the Living Force.

Waves of love and peace seemed to pour out of her very soul that Obi-Wan felt like he was mediating. Then, after a time she stopped and returned Luke to his small bed and crawled back into her own.

Flopping face down on the mat she stretched out like a cat and practically purred. "Oh, it's times like these that I wish I had a nanny-bot."

Obi-Wan sat down beside her and said, "That was a beautiful song. Where did you learn it?"

"My mentor taught me. The song of the cosmos—the ki or the Living Force, take your pick. But, it matters not, Sir Knight. Come back to bed, my love."

Shifting a bit, he did as she asked and resumed his game of playing with her hair and skin. "Why do you call me 'Sir Knight'? You know that I'm actually a Master. Yet, you hardly ever call me by my name. Why is that?"

Smiling, she answered, "I think you being a Knight is romantic. And the Clan is very big on titles. Everyone is addressed by proper names. First names always imply intimacies. And besides, you like calling me 'Milady' I think it's sweet."

"My, I never would have guessed that you were so endearing."

"You're the most dear to me now, Obi-Wan. Do you want me to call you by your name for now on?"

"No, do as you like. Though, I think I may have to go by a different name while I'm in exile. My name may draw too much unwanted attention from the Empire. Even among the Clan. I think you should call me Ben."

"Ben? Well, alright. Are you going to change your last name too?"

"Perhaps not. There ought to be enough Kenobis in the world to throw the Empire off my trail. Though, I'm concerned that the Emperor may come after you in order to find me."

"Why? We weren't close until now. Most of the Senate knew that. They knew our marriage was only for politics."

"Under different circumstances I would have agreed with you, Milady but I did confide in Anakin that I desired for us to form an attachment. They might came after you to get to me."

Unfazed, she said, "I wouldn't worry, the Clan will hide me."

"Yes, but how would they feel about me and Luke?"

"Obi-Wan, you're a part of the Clan too. Lord Blackswan planned our union just so he could get a chance to study your DNA. I know he hasn't showed it, but he respects you and the Jedi. All you've got to do is ask for sanctuary. And as for Luke, I'll claim him as my ward."

"Oh…well, that's convenient. I feel as if I should have visited my in-laws sooner."

-0-0-0-

Location: Dagobah, Blackswan Colony

When they arrived, Obi-Wan was impressed on the Clan's progress on the swampy landscape. It appeared that Thrice hadn't been exaggerating. Terra forming did do wonders for the wet, woodsy location. The vegetation had been greatly cleared away and now a large glittering stone palace rose nearly as high as the treetops.

He saw workers and droids work the lands into cultured civilization. Great gardens and waterways were cut into the dark earth and an array of animals were being raised and tended. It looked like a splendid utopia.

Confidently, Thrice held baby-Luke in her arms and strode swiftly across the pathway and entered the fortress without a second thought. Obi-Wan followed her and saw that the interior was just as grand and finely furnished. He had no idea the Clan was so fond of good taste.

Then, in a large dome hall sat Lord Blackswan. Obi-Wan couldn't really recall much about his wife's Master except that he'd seen him once at their wedding. He looked quite human and plain, but today he wore a bright smile and a rich purple robe and suit.

Cheerfully, he got up from his throne like a king and approached Thrice and gave her hand a kiss. "Ah, so my General returns with her Knight. And what is this? A child? Surely, it cannot be yours."

"He's mine. I claim him. He is to be my ward. His name is Luke Skywalker."

The scientist's gleamed his eyes. "You mean he's that young Jedi's son? Let me have a look at him."

Thrice stepped back and glared. "Touch him and even the dogs of hell wouldn't be able to stop me!"

In response, Lord Blackswan amusing laughed. "Oh, Thrice. You're so maternal. Well, you're right. Why bother with an infant when I have a fully-grown specimen right here? How interesting. I wonder how many alterations I can make with him. It's been a while since I dabbled in new DNA."

Nervously, Obi-Wan suddenly felt like a bug in a bell-jar. Briefly he wondered if Thrice's protection could be extended to him, but then he remembered that she said he had to ask for Lord Blackswan's help. He had to assert his authority.

With a bow, he said, "Greetings, Lord Blackswan. I have come to you to seek sanctuary, not to be one of your experiments. As an extended member of your Clan I wish to gain your help."

And with that said, the scientist immediately frowned. "She's been prepping you, hasn't she? Well, Sir Jedi I cannot refuse you as in our agreement. You may stay, but I insist that you make yourself useful."

"Gladly, how may I serve you?"

"Well, personally all I really want is to get a sample of your DNA, but then Thrice will probably make me regret it. It isn't like her to be so demanding. Perhaps you can serve me as a general. I know that you are a good strategist and negotiator. Though I don't have much need for one now. Tell me, how are you at agriculture?"

"I have some knowledge, but I am curious as to why you want my DNA. What do you want with it anyway?"

"To make clones. To make good clones, Sir Jedi. You can't make good warrior without first having good stock. Just look around you, do you see much genetic diversity?"

Obi-Wan thought about it and he had to agree with the scientist. Since arriving he did notice that nearly all the Clan's people were women and nearly all of them looked like they were related. Also not one of them looked older than twenty. It was like Kamino all over again.

"Lord Blackswan I understand your point, but I do not wish to be cloned. And though I am your son-in-law, my body is my own. I am not one of your creations."

"Yes, I respect that but I'm not going to turn your DNA into the next batch of stormtroopers. Just look at Thrice. She's one of my creations. Does she seem like a clone?"

The scientist then placed his hands over her shoulder and stood behind her as she held baby-Luke. "Just look at her. She's a work of art. She's strong, confident, moral, loyal, beautiful and independent. She's a near ageless beauty who's over 800 years old and I made her. If I cloned you, Sir Jedi your predecessors won't have to look like you. All they will have is your potential, fully formed and fully-grown. They will be your kinsmen who are all Force-users, one and all."

Obi-Wan rubbed his beard in thought. He knew what the scientist was doing. He knew he was trying to sway him. "I know your people are not like the stormtroopers, but still—such a thing is immoral. It's unnatural. But, I will consent to you studying my DNA to satisfy your curiosity, but you must give me your word that you will not use it to make any clones. That is something I don't wish to have on my conscious."

Lord Blackswan smiled and extended his hand. "You have my word, Master Kenobi. Welcome to the Clan."

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TBC

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Thank you for your reviews Bekah, Casscat and SkywalkerQueen. Reviews make writing all the more better. I appreciate them.

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