It had been nearly a month since Obi-Wan's accident, and Satine was waist deep in the agricultural rehabilitation project. They'd only just secured preliminary funding to start a small test site about a half day's ride from Sundari, and she had taken it upon herself to sort through potential dwellers' applications.
Halfway through, and she only had two promising prospects.
Weary of the tedious work, she left her office and went to the break room to get some refreshment. A few dozen people milled around the room, chatting with each other and helping themselves to the various refreshments laid out for their enjoyment. A large holodisplay kept them up to date on the news across the galaxy, something that was necessary in the world of politics.
She half listened to the news anchor drone on about some bill or another that was going through the senate, pouring herself a cup of tea and fixing herself a sandwich made with spiced churri meat.
"...it is expected that the Chancellor will support the bill." There was a pause as the anchor shuffled through the papers on her desk. "Up next: What is the new evidence that has been brought forth about the Dre vs. Ho'shan case, and is there actually some truth to the rumors that Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi leaving the Order? We'll find out, after the break."
The entire room had gone silent, and she even detected a few glances turned in her direction. There were few Mandalorians-especially those in the political ranks-who hadn't heard of Obi-Wan Kenobi or his infamous connection with the system. For force sakes, there was a plaque dedicated to him and Qui-Gon in one of the palace gardens.
Though the Jedi were traditionally looked upon as enemies by the Mandalorian people, the prejudice wasn't nearly as strong now, and there was even great interest in the mystical Force users' role in the war, as it was unheard of for the Jedi as a whole to be fighting in a war that the Mando's were not.
For two whole minutes, as commercials played, there was a subdued, curious tension strung over the room like the cloth of a drum. No one dared change the channel or leave the room, all waiting with baited breath until the news anchor reappeared. Someone had the presence of mind to turn up the volume and turn on closed captions, something Satine was grateful for.
"Welcome back to Galactic Rei Publicae News, I'm Di-ra Kein. The galaxy has been abuzz after Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was seen in a private spaceport in civilian wear with an unidentified man and boarding what looks to be a personal star yacht. We've yet to hear any news from either Master Kenobi or the Jedi council, but we do have reporter Je Scoti, well known for his interviews with Jedi such as Master Kenobi; and psychiatrist Mari Tucals, renowned writer and author of the bestselling book To See a Jedi, with us today. Je, Mari, it's good to have you with us."
Satine recognized both of them. She'd met Je Scoti at the beginning of both of their careers, and had actually been the one to help him get an interview with Senator Amidala shortly after the Trade Federation's invasion. He'd also interviewed Obi-Wan at the time, though he hadn't become famous for it until the beginning of the war. Mari Tucals wasn't someone she knew personally, but she had read her book and enjoyed it. Written shortly after the battle of Geonosis and Obi-Wan's sudden rise to fame, the woman had devoted an entire chapter to chronicle the Jedi's feelings on the subject.
"So first, I'd like to ask the question that I'm sure everyone wants to hear. Do you think these rumors about Master Kenobi leaving the order are true, and why? Ms Tucals, please."
The diminutive, feline like woman smiled in the way that all good people did when on galactic broadcasts. "Thank you, Di-Ra. Actually, I believe that there might be some truth to these rumors. When I was researching about the Jedi, I was surprised at how little information there was about them. What they do in their off time is virtually unknown, and few people, reporters and paparazzi alike, have managed to get anything more than a blurry picture of Jedi out of uniform. For Master Kenobi to be out so publicly during the height of his popularity without any care at all? Its suspicious, to say the least."
"I agree, Mari." Scoti's piercing silver eyes were just as cold looking over the holo as they were in person. "The fact that the Jedi have yet to comment on the situation is also telling. You'll remember that they did this before, several months back when Master Kenobi disappeared for over a month. There is certainly more than what meets the eye."
The anchor nodded. "And what do you think it will mean for the future of the Republic if the rumors turn out to be true?"
He shrugged. "That's a hard call to make. Master Kenobi has played a very integral part in this war, both on the front lines and with the diplomatic side of things. The man is a brilliant strategist, and even more brilliant negotiator. He's also in command of a tenth of the Republic's army, which is nothing to sniff at. If he was to resign from the order, and thus from the army, I'm sure that the Jedi would be hard pressed to find someone else with his prowess to take over the position."
"It would also be a great hit to the morale of the Republic," Tucals pointed out. "People across the galaxy look up to him, see him as a sign of hope for the future. For him to leave… some might think that he's given up hope, and that is not the feeling that we need at such a bleak time. We already saw the unease in the Senate when he took off for a month; imagine what might happen if he was to leave completely?"
Di-Ra Kein smirked. "You're forgetting that his Jedi label has also been one of the only things keeping his fanbase at bay. Can you think of what a suddenly single and eligible Obi-Wan Kenobi would do the female population?"
Both Mari Tucals and a few of the women in the break room snickered, reminding Satine that she was hardly the only one who found Obi-Wan attractive. Goodness, if he left the order, there would be no doubt that there would be an uprising among women across the galaxy to be the first to land the former Jedi.
And she would be right there with them.
If he left the order, that was.
Which there was no guarantee of.
After all, they were only rumors.
Something chimed, and the news anchor swore softly when someone on the set told her something. When she finally turned back to the holo, looking more than a little lost. "Well, I think we'll see whether or not your prophecies will be true, Mari, Je. Apparently, the Senate Chamber has just received a notice outlining Obi-Wan Kenobi's official resignation from the Grand Army of the Republic, upon the premise that he is no longer a member of the Jedi Order."
A collective gasp when up across the break room, and Satine suddenly realized that she couldn't do this. Fighting back the tears-she had no idea why she felt the sudden urge to cry, truly-she began making her way back to the door, desperate to once again be alone in her office. They barely noticed her, all eyes glued to the broadcast.
Finally, finally, she made it to her office, only moments before she collapsed into her chair and started to sob uncontrollably. She hadn't been near ready for the rush of emotions that she felt, the enormity of them seeming to press her down. It seemed as if everything that she'd ever felt about Obi-Wan Kenobi-all the anger, resentment, hope, despair, love-was suddenly coming back to her, overwhelming her until she wasn't sure what to feel.
"Well, if I had known this was the welcome I would get, I might have thought twice about coming."
The ungodly shriek that made its way out from her lips nearly frightened her more than the Jedi-former Jedi-who seemed to have materialized from the corner of her office. It took her a full fifteen seconds to realize that he was not some figment of her imagination, conjured up by her breakdown, and was actually the real thing, looking dutifully sheepish.
And then, before she could stop it, the words came pouring out.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, former Jedi and current ruler of Stewjon, dodged a dart aimed directly at his head. Satine had quickly moved from her angry diatribe to the prettily feathered hand-darts in a small jar on her desk, still seeming intent on having him as her target.
For a woman who eschewed violence, she certainly had a deadly aim.
He'd ducked two more darts and used the Force to divert a third by the time that she seemed to realized that having him as a new dartboard was not going to happen. The fifth and final dart landed somewhere halfway between them, fired in a last, half-hearted attempt before she slowly crumpled and gave in to the tears.
For almost a full minute, he stayed where he was, unsure of whether or not he should comfort her. However, when it became apparent that the tears weren't going to stop anytime soon, he cautiously approached her, silently wrapping his arms around her.
She succumbed to his hold without protest, allowing him to bundle her into his arms carefully. It was hardly the first time a woman had taken refuge in his arms during a time of trouble, and it likely wouldn't be the last, considering he was going to live in a house full of women.
This detour to Mandalore before going to Stewjon had not been apart of his plans when he and Eoin had been preparing to leave Coruscant, but something had made him put the coordinates to Sundari in. Maybe it was the fact that he wasn't yet ready to face the fact that he'd left the Jedi for good, or maybe it was because he still didn't have a solid reason as to why he'd done so. He wouldn't lie and say that he wasn't dreading the questions that his family would ask, or what the media would say about him. He wasn't completely at peace with his decision yet-that would take time.
There was still the voice inside of him that said he'd betrayed the Republic, his men, and the only family he'd ever known; they were thoughts born of years of dedication to duty, and in a way they were right.
But that would have still been true if he had stayed among the ranks.
Being injured-and as severely as he had been-had been an eye opening experience. Though he'd been hailed as a hero, by Jedi and citizens alike, he'd known the truth. His performance had fallen over the months, brought about by a mix of homesickness-of all the bloody things-and a rapidly mounting dissatisfaction with the politics of war.
Before stepping into the political arena himself, he'd never taken too much consideration with politicians or their field. He'd been content to dislike the vast majority of them and hope that the people would finally open their eyes and elect some not corrupt advocates for a change. Like many things, he'd seen the world of politics in black and white, with little to no gray area.
But that was before.
Arriving back on the front lines had reminded him of a different side of the war, a side that he didn't like and didn't care to be apart of. Hundreds, if not thousands of people were dying everyday because some overpowered people were upset at each other. He remembered some of the smaller wars he had seen during his padawan and knighthood years, how entire systems would be torn apart because no one could figure out whose nerf it was or because one's son didn't want to marry another's daughter. Trivial matters lead to leaders throwing their weight around and dragging all of their allies with them.
The more he thought about it, the more appealing neutrality seemed. His allegiance would always be to the Republic, to Democracy; that didn't mean he would blindly fight for something he didn't even believe in. The Jedi didn't fight to avenge the politicians, or because the Senate told them to. They fought only to ensure a better tomorrow for all the innocents who were caught up in the mix.
And he would do the same. He was no longer of use on the front lines, but he could still make a difference for his own people, and maybe even the galaxy.
For now, though, he planned to enjoy his short reprieve. Work would come soon enough, and he could concentrate on that when it did, but he would use the moment to make sense of what his decisions would mean for him. And if that meant cuddling a Duchess to see if she felt right in his arms, he would do that.
Gently, Obi-Wan smoothed her hair and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, pulling her closer. "I told you I'd come back."
Well, hello, all! I know this chapter took a long time for me to put out, and I'm truly sorry about it. Just so you know, I didn't get any more pleasure from delaying this update than you did. But now it's here, and I hope you enjoyed it! As some of you might know, I've already started on the second book in this series, and we'll probably have one more chapter before we get to that one! I can't wait!
Thank you for all of the kudos/follow/favorites/subscribes/bookmarks that have been left on here, I appreciate it so much! You guys are all great, and I feel so lucky to have you with me on this!
Nightshade_sydneylover150 (Ao3): I don't know! But don't worry, he's going to get a bit of fluff and happiness in his life now.
Imekh Melaff (FF): Thank you so much for your review! I did miss you the last chapter, but I'm so glad to see you back! I hope you enjoyed!
For all of you who don't follow me, either on here or on Tumblr, Obitine Week was a few weeks ago, and I was happy to be a part of it! If you're looking for some more Obitine readings, you can go check my story out, and don't forget the other wonderful authors who took part!
Until next time… love you all!
