"Dark Tower"

Chapter Eleven

Senator Amidala watched the chronometer on her desk as the time ticked slowly past. She was awaiting a conference holo between herself, Senator Organa, and Senator Mothma, in regards to the formation of new committee. Following a unanimous vote, the leaders of the Galactic Senate had decided one needed to be formed to protect and prevent what had happened to her from happening to anyone else. They were calling it the Senate Security Committee, and she had been nominated to be a member of it by the Chancellor himself. It was an honor to be a part of it, but as she sat staring at the passage of time, there were other things on her mind.

Several weeks had passed since the hearing, and still Padmé had not received word on the status of Knight Tachi. She had done all she could, even using her influence as a Senator to try and sway the minds of the Jedi Council.

She soon discovered, however, just how dogmatic the Council could be. She had done everything she could think of, even requesting an audience, though she'd been refused. All she'd been told was that they would 'meditate on it.'

She felt sorry for the Siri, despite her hatred and anger, and the fact she had tried to kill her – not once, but twice!

It was disappointing to not get a reply from the Council, but even more disappointing to her that Obi-Wan had not taken the time to respond himself.

She hadn't seen him since that awful day; when she had watched him place the electrobinders upon Siri's wrists and lead her out of the devastated courtroom. Needless to say, the High Justices of Galactic City had quickly come to a decision that all legal matters concerning Jedi would be dealt with inside the Temple walls, and under Jedi supervision. A wise decision, considering what had happened.

As her thoughts continued to peruse the occurrences of the past few weeks, the chime of an incoming call forced Padmé to focus, and she accepted the communication with a forced smile.

"Greetings, Senator Organa, Senator Mothma," she announced, as the faces of both leaders materialized in holographic form upon her office desk.

They had begun sharing ideas and outlining procedures, when her attention was once again distracted; Though this time, not by the past, but by something presently standing in the doorway to her workplace.

"Pardon me," Padmé interrupted the ongoing conversation, "but something unexpected has come up. Can we continue this later?"

"Of course, Senator," the kind voice of Mon Monthma told her.

"I'll have my secretary send over a transcript," Bail informed them.

After wishing the senators farewell, Padmé immediately closed the communication and smiled across her desk at the man who was waiting patiently on the other side of the room.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. I can come back another time, perhaps?" Obi-Wan offered, taking a step back toward the hall, prompting Padmé to quickly stand to her feet.

"Don't be silly! Please, come in and have a seat." She motioned to a long sofa on the wall where she joined him.

It took a moment for him to explain his presence, each passing second of silence only adding to the suspense, as well as the increasing rate of her heart.

"Did you hear about the Justices' ruling?" Obi-Wan began.

Small talk? Really?

"Yes, and I think it's a good idea," Padmé noted, watching him closely, although he was looking at everything in the room but her. If she didn't know any better, she would say Obi-Wan was nervous. But what would he be nervous about? She had known him a long time, and never before had she seen him act this way.

"That should make Nelvin happy," Obi-Wan pointed out, glancing her way for an instant before staring at the patterned rug upon the floor.

He apparently wasn't going to make this easy, but she wanted to know. She had to know! "Tell me what happened to Siri."

His study moved to his clasped hands before finally he lifted his head and more hesitantly, his gaze. "She owes you her life."

"Me? But I didn't," Padmé tried to explain, though she was cut short by an unexpected touch as Obi-Wan boldly reached over and took his hand in hers. His study was then altered, his gaze more intent, his words more bold.

"I know what you did. The Council had no choice but to concede to your wishes. I don't think they've heard such rational arguments from a politician before."

Padmé blushed. She wasn't used to being on the receiving end of compliments from Obi-Wan, and besides, she had only done what she thought was right. What she thought would make Obi-Wan happy.

"She wasn't executed then. Banished? I'm not sure what you all do to Sith…" she bit her tongue before revealing any more of her ignorance.

"Siri isn't a Sith," Obi-Wan explained. "She was simply overwhelmed and lost control. And thanks to you, the Council has created a new therapy to deal with Jedi who have been impaired by the Dark Side of the Force. Consider it a sort of rehabilitation. She will be their first patient, and after that, she'll begin to pay penance for her crimes. She wanted me to apologize to you, by the way. She's aware what she did was wrong, and that she should have never allowed her jealousy to corrupt her thoughts."

He spoke of Siri with vague compassion though he had not released her hand. A confusing action which she wanted to clear up. True, they were friends, but the gentle caress Obi-Wan was applying with his thumb wasn't exactly consistent with friendship.

"What did Siri have to be jealous about?" Padmé asked as his thumb's tender movements began creating little tingles that shot up her arm.

"Us," Obi-Wan told her bluntly, causing her to swallow the nervousness which had abruptly formed a knot in her throat.

"I didn't know there was an us," she courageously pointed out.

He smiled then, the action causing little wrinkles to appear around his gray-green eyes. "I've been speaking with Anakin lately," he replied, which disappointedly seemed like a change of subject at first. "He thinks quite highly of you."

"And I do of him. He's a remarkable young man." Padmé responded, unsure of where this conversation was actually heading, though she was hopeful.

"He is." Obi-Wan agreed. "Master Yoda has done an outstanding job with him. I don't agree with all his opinions, except for one in particular."

His hesitance forced her to ask, although she knew that's exactly what he wanted. "Which is?"

"That you're pretty wizard."

Again, the blood rushed to her face and stole the rest of her strategy. She didn't know what else to say. "Thank you," came out first, though that didn't seem sufficient.

"I'm not good at this," he announced, seemingly quite embarrassed himself. "Siri and I were paired to be bonded when we were fourteen, and it's always been expected. But now I see, my life is to take another path: One that is apparently taking me away from her and is heading right toward you."

Her mouth was dry, her palms were sweaty, her heart beat had doubled. She knew his appearance in her doorway had to be significant, and was the reason she had cut the conference short, but this…this was far more than she had hoped for!

"Is what you said in the courtroom true?" he asked suddenly, once again causing her head to spin.

"Which part? I did say quite a lot." she teased, although she had a suspicion to what he was referring.

"That you're in love with me."

The knot was back, but this time had moved down to her stomach. She had to clear her throat just to get her voice to come out. "Yes." Too quietly. "Yes, I am."

Her admittance brought a small smile to his face and he nodded his head a couple of times.

"Good," he announced almost smugly, teasingly. "Then have dinner with me. Tonight. And if we don't annoy one another too much, have it with me again the next night, and the night after that one…"

"I will," she joyfully interrupted him.

His smile following her answer abolished the knot for good and in its place was a blossoming of warm sunshine, which no darkness could ever penetrate.

/End

A/N: To those of you who have faithfully reviewed – this note is for you: GOOD GRAVY! IF I EVER, EVER WRITE A FIC LIKE THIS AGAIN – SOMEBODY PLEASE STOP ME!

Seriously, this was really tough. Not only did I attempt to finish it after a THREE YEAR stall (following the 2nd chapter)….I actually wrote a COURTROOM DRAMA? What was I thinking!? I know very little about legal terminology (and still don't!) So, to those who saw past my ruse, thank you for not calling me out on it. ( I'm pretty sure I made some rather blatant legalese blunders throughout this fic.)

Thanks so much to the reader/reviewers who got me through this! Not sure what's coming next. But I am pleased to say….NO MORE INCOMPLETE FICS FOR ME, BABY! WOO HOO! :D (ABC's of Obidala don't count btw – they only serve as an exercise/gap filler for me) ;-)

Until the next time Obidala Peeps! Peace!