Chapter 7

Awkward Awakenings

It was bright, very bright. Sunlight was burning the back of Obi-Wan's eyelids causing him to draw back and keep his eyes tightly shut, yet it was this blasted light which was forcing him to open his eyes and face the day, no matter how bright it was.

But that wasn't the only thing willing him to wake up, a slight jabbing in his ribs, nudging him harder and harder only caused his restless body to shy away from the torment, he was too comfortable and warm to be roused by a cold, metal appliance. A mechanical awakening, a giggle, a beep...a beep?

Where was he? Images of an electrified rousing from a bad tempered droid startled him into full consciousness. His eyes snapped open instantly met by another pair. A young boys pair, looming over him his small form was not enough to block out the rising sun. Suns, Obi-Wan reminded himself. To the boys right was a droid, clearly preparing itself for it's first electrocution of the day. Was that a disappointed beep that his target had already stirred?

Anakin Skywalker's giggles persisted, "Everyone else is awake!"

Obi-Wan heard Jar Jar from across the room tutting "How wude!" No doubt he was referring to the sleeping pair in the middle of the room. Oh no, Obi-Wan inwardly groaned. Sleeping pair.

He hadn't even realized, he'd lain so still when he'd woken. He was so warm, but it wasn't all his warmth. He was so comfortable when he slept, as comfortable as the faint breathing from his chest sounded.

He was afraid to look down, he would have to keep staring at Anakin forever. No matter how hastily the eye contact withered under pressure.

Again he inwardly groaned when Shmi called her son over for breakfast. R2, he could stare at R2, however, even if he could have located where on a droid one is to stare to maintain eye contact the droid was already rolling on it's way.

Obi-Wan summoned all the strength he could from the Force, forced his eyes to glance downwards and examine his chest, just as the sunlight had tried to force his eyes into opening.

There she was, the young handmaid Padme using his chest as a pillow, her delicate form curled into his. Masses of dark wavy hair had escaped there clasps and reigned triumphantly over his body. Her peaceful slumber written so clearly across her face, one small hand gripping his robes, the only hint that her body gave to indicate her tranquility depended on the firmness of the being below her.

Not a completely unpleasant sight to greet his eyes he mused before he even realized he wasn't completely uncomfortable with their sleeping arrangements.

Which only served to make him more uncomfortable once he had realized it.

He had to escape her grasp before she woke up. There was only so much control he had over his now fluctuating breath which had a detrimental effect upon the tranquility of his chest as a resting place. Obi-Wan was not entirely sure why, but he knew that he would greatly prefer it if Padme did not wake up and was also aware of how they had embraced one and other. Even the thought of it made him tense dramatically.

Carefully he tried to pull his arm, that had treacherously escaped his control and wrapped itself around her back, towards himself without disturbing her sleep. But in a flash it was apparent that was not possible.

Was that her leg wrapped around his own? Another inward groan.

That would have to be dealt with first.

Slowly, with great caution and her face under intense scrutiny for any possible change in it's serenity, he slid his legs from outwith her grasp to which she barely murmured in protest.

There was no time to examine his emotions now, to observe whether or not it upset him that she barely protested at his body's escape.

Legs liberated he was free to gently roll her over, which momentarily only brought them closer together. Close enough for him to smell her hair, which was obviously something he would never do he chastised himself.

She grumbled as he crouched slightly, half way between standing and sitting her tiny hand would still not let go. Nor had his arm been freed from around her.

Pinned to the spot he noticed how the sunlight was travelling across the room, finally settling on her beautiful face. He shook his head slightly to regain composure, he could use the Force ever so slightly to first release his robes from her grip, that was it, gently setting her arm down beside the rest of her sleeping self he was about to lift her head and free his arm when he was distracted by a hushed giggle from the other side of the room.

Obi-Wan had completely forgotten where he was, his surroundings. Most unlike him.

He was in the main chamber of a stranger's house and the residents of the home had quickly turned to spectatres of his ploy.

This, he thought, might take some explaining, he tried to ignore that accute sense of embarassment as he faced the smiling, laughing expressions of his observers.

Shmi was trying to quieten Anakin who had been giggling at Obi-Wan for the second time that morning.

"She's a heavy sleeper your wife," Shmi said kindly.

Wife? Obi-Wan was mortified, but at least it was an explanation.

He concentrated, once again summoning the Force but this time to calm his swiftly reddening face.

Just as his arm could almost taste freedom his holomessenger sounded off the most horrifying sequence of beeps he had ever heard. His master was trying to get in touch with him and his arm was still trapped beneath a handmaiden who was stirring at the sudden noise.

He had to move quickly, silencing the holomessenger he pulled his arm free of her in one sweeping gesture before tenderly placing his hand on her shoulder.

The puzzled face of the young woman looked up at him.

"Hey, Padme," Obi-Wan spoke softly. "It's time to get up, everyone else is." Obi-Wan smiled, he was crouched next to her to wake her, that was his story and he was sticking to it. He did not glance towards the slightly confused faces gathered at the breakfast table on his hasty way outside to converse with his master.

Nor did he notice the slightly disorientated girl trip up as she rose from the floor because she was wearing a robe far too long for her short frame.

* * *

The rest of the morning was spent preparing for Anakin Skywalker's pod race. After much deliberation between Obi-Wan and his master they decided that they felt safe in the Force that not only the boy had a chance at winning but was definitely going to survive the attempt.

Bets were made, negotiations and sponsorships finalised, so they made there way to the outskirts of Mos Espa for the Boonta Eve Classic.

Yet Obi-Wan had one last gamble to place on the outcome of the race. He as a padawan was not allowed to take on a ward, his master however was.

It was decided between them that Anakin's freedom should be procured if at all possible, Shmi's too, but the Force had deemed that highly unlikely. Even if the mother's freedom could not be achieved Qui-Gon could still travel into town and take custody of the boy. The Force was unusually strong in him, and how strong would become evident by the race's outcome.

"Are we sure about this? Trusting our fate to a boy we hardly know? The Queen will not approve." Padme's concerns were escalated by the unmeasured fear written across Shmi's face. Although she had given her son consent to race, allowed it to happen, even pushed events in that direction, she was not happy about it.

"As nice as it is to be granted the Queen's approval, it is not necessary," Obi-Wan was searching for that Toydarian creature, Watto, as they had reached the site.

"Well I don't approve."

Obi-Wan paused his search to take a more reassuring tone with Padme. "Master Jinn and I would never put a boy's life at risk unless we had felt within the Force it was the right thing to do. I feel strongly that he will survive this Padme."

"And that he'll win?"

Obi-Wan became distracted as Watto made his appearance, he talking to an angry looking pilot Obi-Wan did not sense an ounce of morality from.

"We must remain hopeful," was his final thought on the matter as he turned to talk with Anakin's owner.

Anakin would have no idea how much was resting on his success today contemplated Obi-Wan as he reached Watto, eager to make another bet.

A/N A cute wee Obidala chapter mainly, I couldn't resist! Thank you to all my kind reviewers, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Also I completely forgot the disclaimer for this story, so just incase anyone was wondering I don't own anything Star Wars, haven't and don't intend to make any money from this fic. But some more reviews would be appreciated, and for all you clicking that "story alert" button without reviewing, shame on you! :P