Chapter Four
"General, you should see this." A clone addressed Emily, holding a one of the deactivated bombs. Emily took it into her hand, Padmé peering at it with her own curious eyes.
"The chamber that holds the virus is missing. Oh come on." Emily lamented. This was not good news.
"The droid must've taken it."
"Sound the alarm!" Not too shortly after the alarm went off, it changed to a deeper tone and flashed red.
"Virus leak. Padmé, Jar Jar, put on the safety suits." Emily instructed. "Anakin," she commed to her brother. "Anakin, can you hear me? There's been a virus leak. Pamdé, Jar Jar and I have protective suits on and we're in a safety chamber."
"Good. The virus is loose, but Ahsoka has secured the remaining facility."
"But the remaining droids will try and break out." Padmé interjected. Emily hadn't thought of that.
"We'll do what we can to stop them. This virus cannot escape." Padmé firmly said.
"Be careful. Both of you." Anakin requested before ending the transmission.
"I just got word from Ahsoka." Padmé informed Emily. "They're in the safe room of complex B. They're contaminated…" Emily took a deep breath.
"Okay, we just need to focus on keeping the droids in." Emily smiled reassuringly. Her confidence in her brother and his master were great, but this situation was risky. She didn't like their odds. "Come, lets get to Ahsoka and keep the droids from getting out." Emily, Padmé, Jar Jar left the room. Silently leading them around the corner, Emily could hear two droids communicating.
"All the doors are locked. How're we gonna get out?"
"Not our problem." The other droid replied as they moved along towards another hallway.
"Boy, that's a relief." The droids disappeared.
"Senator Amidala, where are you?" Ahsoka commed.
"We're right outside your safety room." The senator replied.
"Can you get the door open?"
"Go ahead, Jar Jar." Padmé instructed the gungan who did as he was told. The door opened, allowing Emily, Padmé and Jar Jar in, but exposing Ahsoka, Rex and the rest of the clones to the virus even more.
"I'm sorry Ahsoka,."
"Don't worry about us, Senator. We still have a job to do." Emily smiled at Asoka's optimism.
"There aren't very many droids left. We saw them heading toward the south entrance." Emily explained.
"As long as we're able, we'll help you destroy the droids before they breach the compound. " Ahsoka promised to the Senator and Jedi, as Rex handed Padmé a blaster.
"You take the north corridor and we'll take the south." Emily told Ahsoka. She, Padmé, Jar Jar and two clones headed out, weapons ready.
"The droids are close. I can hear them cutting through the wall." Padmé noted. Emily could hear them too. Emily ran around the corner and started cutting through droids as Padmé and the clones carefully shot around her. I'm lucky they have good aim, Emily thought to herself. Ahsoka and Rex along with the remaining clones came running around the corner, destroying some droids on the way. One droid had managed to climb up the the hatch. Emily and Rex ran to the ladder.
"Don't open that Hatch!" Emily demanded.
"Ha! Too late!" The droid yelled before shooting a blast that rebounded through the small escape hatch and blasting the droid.
"Well, that worked."
"We've got more company!" Ahsoka yelled, activating her lightsaber once again. Destroyer droids rapidly approached. She ran through and jumped on top, Emily following as well, and sliced through their shield right into the droid.
"Theesa help!" Jar Jar said, aiming at the droid Emily was still on.
"Jar Jar, no!" Padmé said, pushing him away. He had already blasted and while it hit the droid, Emily was pushed off of it by the force of the blast and one of the suit's air tubes had been pulled out.
"Fantastic." Emily hissed. Getting up she could see the same thing had happened to Padmé.
"Senator!"
"Your suit's been compromised." Rex commented. Emily joined them and he saw her own suit had been damaged. "Yours too?"
"Yep." Emily replied, taking the now useless helmet off.
"I'm so sorry." Ahsoka said, regret full in her eyes.
"Don't blame yourself," Padmé kindly said. Even in the face of a deadly disease, Padmé was still as loving as ever. "These things tend to happen in a war zone."
"Come on. There are still droids around. Let's go finish them off." Emily said, leading the group away. She could again hear the droids not too far from them.
"How're you doing up there?" asked one droid.
"I'm almost through."
"There they are!" Ahsoka yelled, pouncing on them and slashing through the first with her lighsaber. Then using the force, she pulled the other down from the hatch and destroyed it.
"Good job, Ahsoka." Emily praised. Her brother's padawan was quick and to the point. She liked that. Ahsoka smiled back before she slumped down onto the ladder. The virus was taking its toll on her. Emily could feel it too. She felt warm and as if her chest was tightening around her lungs.
"I'm okay." Ahsoka reassured.
"I'm going to comm Anakin." Emily said. She could feel herself growing weaker with each breath and could see the same affect on Padmé and the others.
"Anakin, can you hear me?"
"We've destroyed all the battle droids, Master. Naboo is safe from further contamination." Ahsoka panted, holding onto Padmé for support.
"Padmé and my suits were damaged. We've been exposed to the virus." Emily explained to her brother.
"How did that happen?" Anakin demanded. Emily rolled her eyes.
"Oh, you know, we wanted some fresh air and just forgot about the virus!" She snipped back at her brother. "It was an accident with destroyers. Before you ask, Padmé is fine other than the virus. Ahsoka and some of the men are pretty weak though." Emily said, before she herself had a coughing fit.
"Promise me no one will ever open this bunker." Padmè pleaded to Anakin. "Goodbye Anakin. I… I…" They ended the transmission and settled down in a nearby room. Padmé attempted to help some of the clones, using whatever water she could to cool their foreheads. Emily could barely move. Her chest felt heavy and breathing was hard.
"What a waste." Padmé commented of the dying men.
"With all due respect Senator, it's what these men were born to do." Rex replied.
"I hope that their sacrifice brings us closer to peace."
"It will Padmé," Ahsoka coughed. "You must believe it…" she couldn't even finish her sentence before she collapsed, Padmé and Rex rushing over to help her.
"Is she alright?" Emily managed to ask.
"She unconscious," Padmé replied. "How're you doing, Emily?"
"Peachy. What about you?"
"Better than you two." Padmé went and sat down next to Emily and whispered "At least if we're going to die, we're with family." Padmé smiled at her. Emily managed a weak smile in return.
"This really just hasn't been my week," Emily joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Between that wasted mission and this."
"What happened with that?"
"I'll tell you if we survive this." Emily teased. Padmé rolled her eyes. Emily could feel herself drifting in and out of consciousness. Her mind was hazy but racing at the same time. She thought about never seeing her brother again. Their connection was strong and she could feel his worry, his impatience.
She could also feel Obi-Wan's feelings of worry. But the Jedi master remained cool under pressure. She wondered how he would feel if she died. When she died.
I'm going to die, she thought to herself.
No, you're not.
Obi-Wan?
Opening her eyes, she could see that medical droids had arrived and were putting the victims of the virus onto stretchers. She looked over to Padmé who was being helped onto a stretcher.
"They did it, Emily." She said in between coughs. Emily nodded as she herself was put up onto a stretcher. They were all administered the cure quickly, a small needle being injected into their arms. It instantly relieved the pressure on her chest. Yet again, a deadly situation was narrowly avoided. They were wheeled out of the lab, finally done with all this blue shadow virus nonsense and would be taken back to Theed to rest and recover. Emily heard her brother run over to his wife. She could hear relief in his voice as he talked to her.
"Did someone lose faith in her brother and his master?" Obi-Wan chirped. Emily rolled her eyes as the droid stopped and allowed him to speak to her.
"Well in my defense, you guys cut it a little closer than usually preferred."
"Ah, this is true. Getting the root proved to be fairly easy. It was getting off Iego that was problematic."
"Better late than never, right? It felt as if my chest was collapsing on itself."
"I could feel that." He said quietly. Emily gave him a puzzled expression.
"You what?"
"There was a moment while we were coming back that I felt your panic, your desperation. Your pain. It was horrible to think that we would've lost you… I would've lost you." He muttered, his hand gently moving to her shoulder. Emily was about to reply, but Anakin approached them, Obi-Wan removed his hand quickly for her brother got to them.
"You okay, Ems?"
"I feel better, still not amazing, but better."
"Good. Can't have my little sister dying on me, right?"
"Of course not." She smiled at him. He pulled her up and hugged her gently.
"I was really worried for a minute. I'm glad you're okay." She was weak, but managed to hug him back, even though she ached. She looked at Obi-Wan from over his shoulder, she wanted to know more. Know more about their bond.
"We'll meet you back at Theed." Anakin promised.
"You're coming too?"
"The Order has given us permission to stay with you and Senator Amidala until you've recuperated. We're to give her an escort back to Coruscant." Anakin explained. The medical droid started to push Emily away, deciding there had been enough chatter.
"See ya later, boys." Her and the other were boarded on to a medical ship and taken back to Theed.
The Queen had put Padmé and Emily up in beautiful suites. Ahsoka kindly refuted the offer and went to the medical center with the clones. The suite was large and luxurious with huge windows and dark purple drapes. The walls were deep red and the floor was a beautiful white tile. The bed was the best part. Obviously, these grandiose accommodations were not something a Jedi was used to, but having this wonderful bed to just sink into was incredible.
They were set to return to Coruscant the next day. Emily already felt recovered, but Anakin insisted that they stay the night in Theed, allow everyone to rest and recover. Emily had a thought of why he really wanted to stay the night, but didn't want to linger on his and Padmé's private meetings.
"Emily, it's me, may I come in?" she heard the sweet voice of her sister in law inquire from the other side of the heavy door. Emily replied to her and she opened the cracked door and entered.
"Well, well, look at you Master Jedi!" Padmé gushed at the blue satin gown she had on. It was certainly not Emily's style or in her comfort zone, but the Queen had lent her clothing for her time here, and she felt rude to refuse.
"I do admit, that some of these perks are nice. But, they are only temporary, so don't get used to seeing this."
"Of course not," Padmé smirked. "So, are you going to tell me why you've been acting strangely?" She walked over and joined Emily on the edge of the bed.
"I have not."
"You have been. You seem flustered and distracted. Ani has said so too. Come on, Emily. It's me. We tell each other everything. I love you like you were my own sister. I just want you to be okay." Emily sighed. Padmé was, other than her brother, her best friend. They did share secrets and Emily was trusted by both Anakin and Padmé with the knowledge of their marriage.
"You can't tell anyone. Especially not Anakin." Padmé nodded.
"I slept with Obi-Wan." Emily blurted out as quickly as she could've. Padmé stared at her, mouth agape. "You and Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan Kenobi. Your brother's former master." Emily nodded.
"I can't believe it. Emily," she said, breaking off into a grin, confusing the other girl. "You got the pious Obi-Wan Kenobi to go against the code."
"Technically, sex isn't against the code. Forming attachments is, and this is where we face our little problem. I feel a pull to him. It feels ridiculous, I mean, I used to have a crush on him when I was younger, but to feel these emotions about him it just seems so… I don't even know how to say it." Padmé's soft brown eyes met hers, with an understanding in them. She put her hand over Emily's.
"I know exactly how you feel. I felt the same way about Anakin when he came back to me on Coruscant."
"Let me stop you right there for a minute," Emily interjected "If there's anything in there that a sister should not here about her big brother, please, please, I beg you, filter it out!" Padmé laughed.
"Anyways. I tried to ignore my feelings for Anakin. But being around him so much only made them grow stronger. We both gave into our feelings. Our marriage may not be perfect, but it's worth the risk. We have to allow ourselves to live in these times. Who knows what tomorrow will bring." Emily looked away. As much as she wanted to be with him, she knew it was easier said than done. Obi-Wan was dedicated to the Jedi code, and she didn't think anything would make him break away from that.
"Can I ask you a question, Emily?"
"Of course."
"How was it?" Padmé giggled, while Emily blushing furiously, threw a pillow at her. Both of them laughed as Padmé threw a pillow back at her sister in law. It was little moments like this that made all this war bearable. Happy moments in the chaos that was their lives.
"I can see why you made me swear to not tell Ani. He would lose his mind. He's so protective of you, I think he might be happy that the code says no to attachments. For you, anyways. You can remain the virginal little sister. Untouched by man." Both women laughed.
"I know. I think I'm more concerned with making sure he never finds out than the war right now. Dealing with the Sith and Separatists is one thing, dealing with Anakin is another." Emily joked. After a while, Padmé excused herself for the evening.
Emily was in no way tired enough. Her mind wandered from what had happened in the last few days to Obi-Wan, to the war and everything in between. She stared out of the window, looking at the stars. How beautiful and infinite they were.
Another knock on the door. She knew who it was.
"Obi-Wan." She greeted him politely letting him in and shutting the door behind him. Once he properly set eyes on her, he froze. The beautiful blue gown hugged her curves and accented her beautifully blue eyes. Her hair fell in long, brown waves down to the middle of her back. Having never seen her in anything but her regular attire and the occasional disguise, she was even more captivating.
"Are you going to say anything or just stare at me?" Emily inquired, moving closer to the window. Obi-Wan snapped out of his trance, annoyed with himself for becoming so distracted so quickly.
"How're you feeling?" He inquired, walking over to her.
"I feel as good as new. That antidote worked wonders. It's a good thing you and Anakin got to us in time. I could feel myself…" she paused, shuddering at the memory. "I could feel myself dying."
"I could as well. I could feel you weakening. It was the most dreadful thing I have ever experienced. The thought of losing you…" he could bear to relive the feelings he experienced earlier that very day. The feeling of her heart slowing, her breathing shallow and labored, it was too much to think about. It emotionally and physically pained him.
"I can't explain how I felt it. This connection between us, its deeper than a force bond. Trying to ignore it seems damn near impossible." Obi-Wan said, moving closer to her. He reached a hand up to her face and cupped it, stroking her cheek.
"I don't think it's possible to ignore it. I truly don't." Emily said, reaching her own hand up to his.
"It's not worth it to ignore it. I've ignored my feelings before and pushed them away, but you almost died. Merely the memory of thinking that you wouldn't be alive when we got back to Naboo is devastating. I didn't want our last conversation to have been me telling us to ignore our feelings." Emily's heart was racing and she smiled at him. His thumb stroked her dimples that made her smile all the more beautiful.
"I do think," she began, while wrapping her arms around his neck "That we can still use our good judgment while exploring our feelings and connection." Obi-Wan responded by kissing her gently. Different from their first kiss. It was slower, more burning, more passionate. He sucked her bottom lip and let his hands explore her body, ignoring the dress. Emily broke away, breathing heavily and smiled at him. She took his hand and led him to the bed and began to help him remove his clothing. She then pushed him onto the bed and paced a quick kiss upon his lips as she did so.
"We might as well take advantage of the accommodations." Emily breathed. She took the straps of the gown she was wearing and let it fall to her ankles. She didn't know much about the attention of men, but she could tell he enjoyed what he was seeing. She blushed at being so exposed, but regained her cool and walked over and climbed on top of him. She felt his hardness pressing into her thigh and grinned down at him. She pressed kisses down his neck, and moving her hips in a tantalizing way, driving him wild.
"You really are a little minx," he rasped as she grinded her hips to his. He yearned for her, but she enjoyed her little game. But he too could play this teasing game. Quickly, he switched positions with her, flipping her onto her back. Staring into her darkened eyes, he gently pushed a two fingers into her entrance, causing her to moan. He pushed his fingers in and out, enjoying the feeling of her clenched around him and the pleasure that was clear on her face.
Removing his fingers from her, he waited a moment before positioning himself, enjoying teasing her a bit. She gave him an annoyed look, and pulled him up to her and reached between his legs to his hardened length, earning a low moan from him. She smirked and began to move her hand up and down, Emily enjoyed that she had just as much power in this game as he did. She stopped after a moment, and led him to her entrance. Obi-Wan, knowing it was still only her second time, was gentle. He pushed into her carefully and watched as her head fell back against the pillow.
Once she had assured him through moans and and mewls of pleasure, he increased his pace. Her legs wrapped around his waist and one hand ran through his now messy hair and another along his back, scratching down his skin.
Obi-Wan looked down at her, sweat glistening on her skin and the moonlight shining on her. She truly was enchanting. Emily was beautiful and charming but at the same time she was strong and powerful. Smart and caring. She was everything that a Jedi could be. If there was anyone to be bonded to, Obi-Wan was increasingly glad it was Emily.
Both could feel themselves getting close and both came together, jolts of electricity shooting through their bodies. Pulling out of her, and laying on his back, panting, he pulled Emily to his side, covering them both with the blanketing of the bed. She rested her head in the crook of his neck. As he was stroking her hair, his hands wandered to her back, where once again he came into contact with the old scars.
"How did you get these?" He muttered to her.
"When I was little, not too long before you and Qui-Gon found Anakin and I, there was this man on Tatooine who lived nearby us. He was a nasty piece of work. Always hated children, me especially for whatever reason. One day after Watto said I could go home, I went to meet up with my friends and I accidentally ran into him. Oh, he was furious. A little drunk I suspect." Emily reminisced. "I said I was sorry and was turning away and he pulled out a whip and slashed me. I was eight." Obi-Wan was speechless. He knew that Anakin and Emily were raised as slaves, but never thought of someone doing that to a child simply for running into them. "I still remember him saying, 'You're a slave. No one cares if you cry.'."
"I was in pain for days. All I did was cry. It hurt to move. The only thing that helped was my mother. She would just hold me and sing to me, and with her, I could sleep."
"That's horrible."
"It was, He was. Anakin was so mad, he snuck off and dismantled the man's the speeder. But," Emily continued, biting her lip to try and keep herself from smiling, "Anakin also caught like a dozen womprats and managed to let them loose in his house." She said, bursting into a fit of giggles.
"That does sound like him." Obi-Wan smiled. Despite how Anakin could be reckless and hotheaded, he did love his sister dearly. He hated to be away from her when he was younger and training.
"This won't be easy, you know." Emily whispered, nuzzling into Obi-Wan's neck.
"Nothing worth doing ever is."
Author's Note:
Yay another chapter finished! I hope you guys like this and will leave comments on your thoughts, and I really appreciate the comments I've gotten. Again, I'm going to weave Emily into Clone Wars episodes and eventually into Revenge of the Sith. I'm really excited to write her into certain episodes of the Clone Wars, because, honestly, that show was just amazing. Also note, I snuck in a little Rebels quote at the end.
