A ray of silver morning light cut across the room to slant over Aala's face so she turned, rolling over to escape the unpleasantness of waking.
She sighed, trying to sink back into sleep but it was no use. Instead she let her senses slowly come to. As she did she realized she was very very near Ben. Blinking her eyes open, she found him right next to her in the bed, less than a handspan away. He was still deep asleep, his face relaxed and beautiful.
Aala took another breath, snuggling into the bedding but trying not to make any noise. This was too good; she could feel the warmth radiating from him. He was always so hot. No wonder she gravitated toward him.
As she lay savoring the peace she remembered the night before. Why had she touched his tattoo? She hadn't even remembered it was there at first, not until her fingertips were brushing his skin and she recalled tracing those same lines the first time she'd seen it. It felt so long ago, when he'd first left -
Ben shifted suddenly, slowly coming awake so she closed her eyes again. The night before he had seemed...affected by her simple touch. She hoped that was a good sign. He was so afraid of her...of breaking her, but she wasn't made of porcelain. She only had to convince him. All she wanted was to be there for him, anytime in any way, to hold him when he needed to be held and show him she was his. But she knew he had to figure that out on his own. She thought maybe he was now. He would never let himself give in to her until he had been over every angle in his head.
She heard him move and she cracked her eyes open to peek; he was stretching a little, one arm bent above his head as he stretched his back, the muscles in his arm and shoulder flexing under the tight t-shirt he was wearing. His hair was mussed, standing in every direction, the stubble on his jaw a little thicker, a little darker.
Good Lord.
She screwed her eyes shut again. Besides everything else - all the mushy stuff... it had been more than a year since he had been with her and if she was being honest with herself her body was aching for the pleasure she knew he could bring her. Only him. Stubborn fool.
"Hmm?"
The low, smooth timbre of his voice startled her and she opened her eyes to find him looking at her, grey-blue eyes a little sleepy but intense on her. She must have mumbled that last part.
"Oh...good morning," she recovered quickly.
"Good morning. Sleep well?"
"Mmmmm yes," she couldn't help snuggling further into the pillow and comforter, enjoying just the sound of his voice, so close and roughened with sleep.
"Good."
What if she just convinced him to stay in bed all day...she could slide close and nibble on that spot just where his neck met his shoulder. Then he wouldn't be able to deny her anything she asked...
"I suppose we better get moving," he finally said, interrupting her lascivious thoughts.
She savored the reluctance in his tone.
But yes. They should. Suddenly thoughts of all she wanted to accomplish came speeding through her mind and she was fully awake. So much to do, so many they could help.
"Yes," she agreed, sitting up and sweeping her hair back away from her face after she rubbed her eyes. She shot him a little smile. "Do you mind if I shower first?"
"Not at all. I should meditate anyway. Just save me a little hot water, hm?" His eyes glinted in teasing.
Aala couldn't help but grin. "I'll try." Next time she was committed to suggesting they share instead.
Despite her love of long hot showers, she really was eager to get to work, so she washed her hair quickly and scrubbed down, sparing only a minute to indulge in the spray of hot water on her shoulders. She dressed and left the bathroom trying not to make a sound in case he was still in meditation but it looked like he had just finished.
"How'd it go?" She asked, going to her bag to put her nightshirt away.
When she turned he was standing right next to her. "Quite well I think."
For a moment the look in his eyes stole her breath.
"Aala..." he started to say, but trailed off. His brow furrowed, then smoothed again and she could just see the wheels spinning in his mind.
"Hmm?" she encouraged him, hoping he would go on.
His gaze flicked to her mouth, lingered there, then back up to her eyes. He took a step toward her and she swallowed. When her tongue darted out unconsciously to wet her lips, he looked there again, tilting his head toward her.
"Aala," he whispered, "I..."
The air fairly crackled between them but she could still see the war going on in his eyes. Oh Obi-Wan, she thought. It will be okay...
Suddenly a loud knock sounded at the door just as Aala had almost decided to close the distance between them herself.
"Breakfast!" Came the muffled call from the hallway.
Ben jumped, jerking away from her, and went to get the door immediately.
Aala sighed. Kriffing hell, her pulse was racing and she wanted him so badly, her body was craving his. Still she smiled a little to herself. At least they were getting closer.
As soon as she'd had a bite to eat Aala poured herself a cup of coffee and retreated to Jani's room to meet with her. Caid was gone, so they were alone and they sat facing each other on the couch.
"How's the room situation going?" Jani chirped, as soon as she'd had a long sip of her own coffee
Aala rolled her eyes a little. "Perfectly uneventful."
"Oh," Jani frowned.
"Don't make that face; we're here to work."
Jani pursed her lips giving Aala a knowing look. "That doesn't mean you two can't take care of yourselves in the meantime, you know. You're both so..." she shook her head, scrunching up her face, "stubborn. And self-sacrificing. It's exhausting."
Aala sighed a little; her mouth quirked. "We're working on it."
Jani smiled. "He needs you, Aala. He's - he seems. I don't know. I don't know how to explain it but he needs love. No one deserves to face everything all alone. And you work too hard." She tapped Aala's knee where it was folded on the couch. "You deserve some...refilling."
Aala laughed as Jani raised her eyebrows suggestively. "Noted. Now what's on the schedule for today."
Jani's demeanor turned serious in blink of an eye. Her work ethic was as strong as anyone's even if she was better than Aala at the personal things. "There's a holiday today. It's a day of remembrance, and it's important to them. I think we should support the people. It will be hard for them, with the way things are now, so I really think we should all go together to the camp this morning and we can split up later."
"Yes, of course," Aala nodded. Of course she would defer to Jani, it was her mission after all and she trusted her lead. The last thing she would ever want to do was offend anyone, and she was sure they needed the support. Ben would be pleased, in any case.
"Our work went very well yesterday. Half a day with the people would be wonderful."
Jani grinned. "Aala you're doing an amazing job, I'm so glad you are here."
"Anytime for you," she squeezed her friend's hand. "We can do this."
He couldn't shake the dream. It was too much, Ben was drawn to her so strongly. There were no warnings, nothing in the Force, nothing in his meditations, warned him against her. She needed him here. He watched her as she moved. She needed him to be here for her, and frankly he thought maybe a little comfort wouldn't hurt him either. The thought of just holding her in his arms right now was more than he could resist. Force she was beautiful. He just wanted to feel her.
Ben had no idea what might happen after this, what would happen when they went home. It wouldn't be easy. But she anchored him to the ground, to the light. If he could - maybe he could find a way to love her light without letting his own darkness seep into her. He would do anything he could. But she was supposed to be in his arms.
If she wanted him, why hold back? Why deny her?
He couldn't think of any reason, not at the moment. Not with images of her naked and him giving her everything and her gasping his name in the back of his mind.
He shook his head, stepping nearer her as the transport they were in lifted off the ground. Everyone had decided to go to the camps together that morning. The leaders had invited all of them to partake in the celebration, their day of remembrance, a festival to celebrate those who had moved on. Everyone agreed it would be important to attend.
Ben was grateful to keep Aala near for a little while without argument and looking forward to sharing all he had experienced here with her. They spent the morning talking to as many people as they could. Aala recorded their stories when she could with an audio recorder when it was appropriate. Ben marveled at her way with people. She was open and caring with them, strangers really, in a way he'd never seen with anyone else. She inspired them to treat her like she was family. When he'd told her this, she'd laughed, claiming that the idea she was only one like this wasn't true. But when he challenged her she'd shocked him. 'You do the same thing,' she smiled, looking at him in a way he didn't think he deserved.
Later, he brought her over to where the children were playing. Kala made up a game with a ball and little objects as obstacles. Each team could take turns kicking the ball around the obstacles in the path toward a goal while another person attempted to block the ball with their feet or kick it away. The idea made the game a much more equal venture between Kala and the boys who might otherwise tend to start tackling or take off running, and he had been impressed when she'd taught him.
They were playing now and Ben laughed as Aala tried to get past him with the ball but she managed to kick it away to a teammate just in time to keep it away from him. She playfully nudged her shoulder into his chest when he didn't move and he wrapped his arms around her to keep her from pushing him. When she met his eyes, her own shining with joy, he could think of nothing else but stealing her away that very moment and showing her exactly what he had missed. But the children were watching them eager to keep playing. Aala laughed and pressed at his chest and he reluctantly let her go but he was still smiling.
Food was brought from the palace for a special midday meal, which everyone enjoyed, especially the children. Afterward, Aala was ready to head into the city again with Caid. Ben helped her gather her things and check her equipment. The same guards that were with her yesterday would take them in on a skiff and return for a late dinner. He didn't want her to go, but he knew better than to say anything.
"I'll see you tonight," she assured him as she adjusted her pack on her shoulders. She cocked her head when she met his gaze, but he couldn't help the way he knew he was looking at her.
As he tried to think of something to say he suddenly noticed a smudge of dirt high on her cheek bone and he chuckled. She had been seated next to him at lunch and he hadn't been able to see it.
"What?" she asked.
"You have a -" He reached out, laying his palm along her jaw and rubbed the pad of his thumb over the dirt, wiping it away tenderly. "There."
She seemed to freeze beneath his touch and he couldn't read the expression in her eyes but his hand slipped a little lower of its own accord and suddenly the tip of his thumb was touching her lower lip. Aala took a little breath, parting her lips and Obi-Wan found himself mesmerized. 'Just a short kiss,' he thought to himself, 'just one second.' His stomach swooped and he stepped toward her. His mind was spinning, I really shouldn't, not at all and especially not here, but later maybe...no now...
And still she stood there, looking up at him. He tilted his head toward her, moving closer. Their breath mingled as he paused an inch away and she closed her eyes -
"Aala! Let's go! We have to get moving -"
"Caid!"
Ben and Aala jerked away from each other quickly and turned toward the direction of the yelling. Jani and Caid stood not 10 feet away with half a dozen guards and one of the leaders, all staring at them. Ben tried to calm his beating heart while he watched Aala turn the color of a red flower in bloom.
"Sorry," Jani called out, "we were just, we didn't know -"
"No," Ben cleared his throat hastily. "I was just helping Aala gather her equipment. She's all ready."
Jani looked awfully guilty and Caid's expression was apologetic. Ben figured Caid would get an earful later and almost chuckled at that. But there was work to do and plenty of it.
"Yes," he said as stoically as he could manage to Aala, "you should get moving. I will see you tonight. Be safe."
She nodded. Again he couldn't read her so he put everything out of his mind. And then they were gone.
AN: Hey everyone! Thank you so much for reading! They are on a collision course and impact is coming soon. The next chapter is almost done (and I've already written a couple love scenes to come) and I promise you will like it! Please, please let me know if you like and what you think! It was a bumpy week and a review would make my day. Have a great weekend :)
