Limitations

Obi-Wan knew that Jango Fett knew that he was chasing him so he hid in an asteroid until they were felt safe. "Shmni, you've really raised a great son. I've never met anyone with a greater spirit than Anakin. He's like my son."

"Thank you, Obi-Wan."

"Shmni, I wanted to apologize about kissing you," Obi-Wan said blushing profusely. "It's totally out of character. I promise you it won't happen again."

"I can't make that same promise, Obi-Wan. I liked it. Anakin doesn't have a father, and if I hadn't married..." Shmni's words trailed off. Married. She had forgotten about that since being with Anakin and Obi-Wan, and her face flamed red and Obi-Wan couldn't help but think of her as pretty. 'Stop it. You are a Jedi. A Jedi shall not know passion or love.' he told himself.

"Do you like being married?"

"I like being free. I only married him...because of Anakin."

"Anakin?"

"Well, Cleigg is kind. He has a son near Anakin's age and I enjoy being a mother. I've missed Ani so much," she said tears filling her eyes. Obi-Wan couldn't resist it. He let Three-pio take over following the bounty hunter who was after Padme and put his arms around Shmni.

"I'm so sorry, Shmni. For everything. I'm sorry the Jedi separated you from Anakin. I'm sorry that I feel..." Obi-Wan blushed he hadn't just said that, had he?"

"You feel attracted to me?" she asked.

"Yes," he said still holding her. He made a move to put her away from him.

"Don't let go," she asked him. He didn't, he couldn't. Not now. He was afraid that he was falling in love with Anakin's mother, a married woman

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Anakin held Padme's bags as she conversed with the current Queen of Naboo.

"And what is your suggestion, Master Jedi?" Anakin opened his mouth to speak but was cut off.

"Oh, Anakin's not a Master Jedi, he' still a padawan learner." Anakin barely heard the rest of her words, his face had flamed red and his temper had risen. She couldn't have hurt him more if she were trying. He had been training as a Jedi for more than ten years, he wasn't stupid. This was 

his field of expertise. She knew nothing...except politics. His mandate was to keep her safe, and he had every intention of seeing to it properly.

"Excuse me, Milady."

"Anakin, this is my home. I know it well. I was thinking I could stay at the lake house," she went on to say and Anakin grinned, he couldn't think of anything he wanted more than to be secluded with the good Senator.

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"Master Kenobi, the bounty hunter Jango Fett is headed toward Genosis."

"Follow him," Obi-Wan said finally letting go of Shmni. Tapping into the Force in a way that was rare for Obi-Wan he could see Shmni dressed in a white gown and a clergyman? he wasn't sure. He saw Anakin with his padawan braid and felt Anakin's arms around him hugging him and grinning. Beside him looking at him fondly was the Senator of Naboo and he heard Anakin's words. "Welcome to the family, Dad." Obi-Wan's head reeled so he hadn't realized that he had been caught and detained. He had put up little fight so powerful was the vision. He was in a holding cell. "Where's Shmni?" he asked as a familiar face entered the room. "Count Dooku," he said, addressing one of the Jedi Order's Lost Twenty.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi. This has all been a mistake, a horrible mistake. I shall petition immediately for your release."

"I thought you were in charge here, Dooku."

"When I left the Order I was a Jedi Master. On my home world I have inherited the title Count. Kindly address me as one or the other. I am hardly in charge. Please tell me why a Jedi Knight of the Republic is doing out here on Genoisis."

"I am searching for a bounty hunter."

"There are no bounty hunters here. The Genosians don't trust them."

"Who can blame them? But I assure you he is here."

"The Senate is under the control of a Dark Lord of the Sith. Lord Sidious."

"That's impossible. The Jedi would be aware of it."

"The dark side has clouded their vision, my friend. I wonder are you every bit the perfect Jedi as I have heard?"

"What have you done with Shmni?"



"She's safe."

"Join me Obi-Wan as Qui-Gon would have done."

"Qui-Gon would never join you."

"Don't be too sure. I can help you. "

"Help me what?"

"Change the Order. If you don't I can't promise what will happen to the girl."

"If you touch her..." Obi-Wan said through clenched teeth.

"I know who she is. I know how important she is to you, and Anakin. She is equally as important to Lord Sidious."

"You serve him?" Obi-Wan asked allowing his anger to fade into the force. She didn't deserve this. And he had promised he would protect her. Anakin was going to be disappointed in him. He only hoped Anakin had gotten his transmission.

"I serve justice, I do what is right. Even if it doesn't follow the Code," Dooku said with disdain. Could what Dooku said be true? Was he, a Jedi Knight actually considering helping Dooku? He couldn't deny it.

"So all you want is to destroy the Lord of the Sith?"

"Yes. Exactly, Obi-Wan. Will you help?"

"Bring Shmni to me and I'll consider it."

"When you decide I don't want you to back out of it."

"You do know that you cannot do it without my apprentice. He is very strong in the Force," Obi-Wan said mostly to himself but Dooku smiled encouragingly.

"I will go get her."

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Shmni hadn't really understood how she had gotten here. One moment she had been resting on Obi-Wan and the next she had been once again in chains. She had every confidence that Anakin and Obi-Wan would free her once again from her chains. She knew that Obi-Wan had sent Anakin a message and she knew that Anakin would understand. Ani would come for them. She knew she was falling in love with Obi-Wan and felt guilty. After all, she was already a married 

woman, and divorce wasn't unheard of but Cleigg must be worried. After all, Anakin had never come back with her after setting out. He would assume her dead. Then there was Ani, Obi-Wan was Ani's Jedi Master. She was used to the pain, and she kept bringing herself back to those few moments with Obi-Wan. The feel of his lips on hers was like nothing she had ever felt. She had heard little and hated the feel of the alien's eyes on her. She concentrated on Anakin, hoping that as Obi-Wan had said he could feel her in the Force

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Anakin was outside on a balcony. "It's very beautiful here. I don't like sand, it's rough and it gets everywhere. It's not like here. Here everything is beautiful and smooth," he said touching her chin. He watched waiting for her to turn away, but she didn't. Slowly, he brought his lips to hers again. "You taste so sweet, like honey," he murmured against her lips as his tongue felt for hers. Out of nowhere, he felt pained as he drew back abruptly. The Force was screaming to him and he found Artoo coming toward him. "Artoo has a message," he said after listening to the droids beeps. He cleared his throat after letting out a stream of curses in Huttese.

"What did you say?" Padme asked.

"You wouldn't want to know," he muttered frustrated. He had been so sure she would be his tonight. Everything had been so perfect; he could almost see her in his arms, no clothes between them. He shook his head as he listened to the message and retransmitted it to the Jedi Masters.

"We will deal with this, Anakin. Stay where you are. Your job is to protect Senator Amidala."

"Yes, Masters," Anakin said bowing his head in a show of respect. The transmission ended. Were they kidding? Let something happen to the man who had been like a father to him, not likely. "I know I'm violating my mandate to protect you."

"No, you aren't. I'm going with you."

"It will be dangerous;" he said a smile turning up the corners of his mouth.

"He's your friend. And you can stay out of trouble."

"I hope you are ready for an adventure."

"Anakin, I'm a diplomat. I'm sure I can find a diplomatic solution to this mess."

"Don't worry I've given up arguing with you."

Padme shot him a look trying to figure out if he was serious or if he was teasing her again.