Chapter Twelve~

Finally, they were escorted from the celebration to a space ship docked and ready to disembark they knew not where. The heavy metallic doors clanged shut behind them as they climbed the catwalk and the ship began to take off, but not before an uninvited passenger slipped from the shadows and stowed away undetected by almost everyone.

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow at a familiar presence in the Force as he and Padme were led down a series of passages that ended in a private chamber that jutted off the side of the ship. The three outer walls were entirely windows, making them feel as if they were standing in the heavens. The chamber was lavishly furnished with luxurious fabrics, and firelight reflected off of every polished surface.

"I've taken the liberty of having a basin of water brought in if you wish to wash. You'll find a spread of exotic fruit and pastries by the window. Please, make yourselves. . . comfortable."

Palpatine paused before continuing with a lascivious grin, "Master Kenobi, I'm sure you're aware of the laws. Your marriage becomes official only when it has been consummated. I hope that these accommodations will be . . . conducive."

He lingered just long enough to witness the color slowly rising to Padme's cheeks. He then backed out along with his entourage of guards, leaving the newlyweds in silence. As the spaceship passed through unknown star systems and toward their next place of port, Padme stood gazing out of the window with her arms crossed self-consciously in front of her. Obi-Wan's presence, suddenly close behind her, caused her to jump.

"How are you?" he asked attempting nonchalance.

She turned to face him, her eyes brimming with tears. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come. He smiled at her warmly and gently wiped a tear from her eye with his thumb.

"I'm so sorry," he said as he pulled her into an embrace and kissed her temple. "I should have been able to stop him. I should have. . ."

"Shhh" she interrupted. "Please don't be sorry."

"Sorry I married you? Never." The admission caught her off guard, and she looked up at him questioningly.

"Padme, this arrangement, though not chosen, is. . . liberating." He smiled then. She'd forgotten just how much she loved his smile, and it threatened to undo her. He continued still gripping her arms as he began to unconsciously stroke her skin left exposed by the strapless gown.

"I'm sorry that you've been subjected to all of this, sorry that you have been held against your will, sorry that I couldn't protect you from every threat, and sorry for these constraints, but I'm not sorry that you're here with me now. I'm not sorry that you pledged to be mine today or that I can finally hold you in my arms the way I've been dreaming of. And I'll never be sorry that I fell in love with you. . . never be sorry that you're my wife."

"You. . . you fell in love with me?"

"Yes!" There was laughter in his voice. "Didn't you notice, M'lady?"

"I hoped, but I didn't dare suppose. And truth be told, I was too distracted to be certain."

"Distracted?" he asked lifting an eyebrow.

"See, I found it hard to concentrate because I was all caught up with falling in love with you, myself." She took a deep breath before plunging ahead. "Obi-Wan, I didn't dare believe that you could ever love me. But I've dreamt of you since I first laid eyes on you. My handsome, courageous Jedi. You were so strong, and good, and I so admired you. Then, by the time I realized what was happening you had become my best friend. I don't even know when it happened. I was trying so desperately to deny that it had. But I love you. And I know that this marriage is all part of some odious plan of Palpatine's, but I'm strangely . . . grateful that he made necessary something that wouldn't have been possible."

Obi-Wan smiled at her and reached up to cup her face, "It may be his undoing, though. I think he underestimates us. We're stronger now, together." He sighed and pulled her back into a warm embrace, finally allowing himself to feel her there, knowing that it was no longer a dream—her presence, her warmth, her love. She was there, and she wasn't going anywhere. Nothing would separate them now.

"Together." She breathed the word against his shoulder.

They stood there holding each other tight until time caught up with them again. Palpatine's departing words intruded upon them, and they remembered where they were, and what they had to do.

***

Obi-Wan stepped behind the partition and removed his vest and cloak. He took a towel and dipped it in the warm basin and began to lather his face. His stomach knotted as he thought of making love to Padme. Admittedly, he'd thought of it in times of weakness. Many times the thought of kissing her and feeling her had encroached upon his meditation, but he now faced the prospect of setting her at ease. . . here, in this of all places. How could he allay her fears, when he was terrified himself? He wanted to protect her. He wanted to be all that she needed. He wanted to show her his love, to make her forget where and why and anything outside of this room, just for tonight. He slowly exhaled as he brought the shaver up to his face, ready for a fresh start.

Padme fumbled nervously with the glasses as she attempted to keep up her façade of composure. She'd dreamed of her wedding day since childhood, and it had happened, not nearly like she'd planned, but here she was. Married to a man she loved desperately, but held captive by a maniacal tyrant. Where was he now? Could he see them? And he expected them to . . . Her mind began to race with possibilities, and she dropped the glass she held.

"Padme?" Obi-Wan looked up from the towel where he was drying his newly shaven face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she answered, absently picking up the shards of glass. "I just. . ." she gasped in pain and bit her lip as she looked down at the blood that had begun to trickle from her finger tip.

Obi-Wan came around the partition quickly and wrapped the finger in a towel, applying pressure. When the bleeding slowed, he uncovered it and placed his hand over the wound. Closing his eyes, he employed the Force, and the tiny puncture closed. Padme's eyes widened as the pain ebbed away. Obi-Wan then raised the finger to his lips and kissed it lightly.

"Better?" he asked looking up into her eyes.

She only stared at him in disbelief, finally allowing her eyes to roam every inch of him. As she took him in, he smiled realizing she hadn't been prepared to see him like this.

"I shaved."

"I see that."

"I decided that I wanted a new start. I'm no longer a Jedi." He spoke the words with resolution. "I just wanted to be Obi-Wan, just the man you fell in love with."

This time it was she that smiled. Although, she'd admired his new clean-shaven look, it certainly had not been his face that had captured her attention.

"I've never seen anything like you. I can't believe you're my husband," Padme confessed as she reached out tentatively to touch his muscled chest, letting her fingers slowly glide down his stomach.

Obi-Wan's breath hitched as he caught her hand and placed it on his heart, "You are the most remarkable woman I have ever laid eyes on." His eyes brimmed with tears as he smiled down at her, "and now you're mine."

"Oh, I've always been yours. You just didn't know it," she teased.

He leaned toward her, bending to meet her lips, close enough to touch, but hesitating. She felt his breath warm against her mouth and closed her eyes. For a moment neither of them moved, but she felt him there, studying her. His eyes roved her face, relishing their closeness, afraid to touch her lips lest he be awakened from this dream.

Their bodies pressed tightly together in the stillness, and all but the thrumming of their rapid heartbeats faded. Then, with a suddenness that surprised them both, Obi-Wan's hand gripped Padme's hair, and he was pulling her in as his lips brushed hers. His kiss was gentle yet hungry. The force of months of unexpressed emotion poured into it. Never had she felt anything like this, and she wondered how she'd ever survived without it. She wanted to cry out, fear and bliss warring in her heart as she opened her lips to his. Sensing her conflict, he pulled back and laid his hand tenderly aside her face.

"I love you." They breathlessly spoke the words in unison.

This time, it was Padme who brought her lips crashing into his. Her fingers gripping his hair as his hands slid down her back to rest on her hips. He pulled her so close that she felt like she would melt into him. His hands slowly moving up her waist were electric. She sighed as he trailed hot kisses from her lips to her neck, throwing back her head to give him better access. He smiled at this and stepped back looking deeply into her eyes, once again placing her hand over his heart.

"Tonight, this is all there is. You . . . and me."

She returned his smile and took his hand. Kissing his palm, she led him toward the bed.

"Tonight and forever."