Chance Encounter

Chapter 14

Location: Padme's quarters

The first thing Padme she did when she opened the door and saw Thrice was give her a hug. Startled, the red-eyed beauty smiled and patted her back. She didn't expect such a warm welcome. However, the Senator still considered Thrice a friend and quickly invited her in.

"Oh Kiya, I'm so glad you're ok. Did Obi-Wan and Ani rescue you? What happened?"

The two entered the sitting room and sat down. Thrice set her bag on the floor and said, "Yes, Master Obi-Wan and young Skywalker saved me. And Count Dooku is dead. You don't have to worry about him anymore."

Padme closed her eyes in relief. "Oh, thank goodness, I knew Obi-Wan and Ani would come through. But why did he take you?"

"It was blackmail. He wanted something from my Lord Master."

Suddenly, the brown-eyed beauty grew quite and softly said, "Right, I almost forgot that you aren't really an ordinary person. You're really named Lady Thrice and come from the Blackswan Clan on Dagobah."

"I'm sorry, Padme. It was not my intent to hurt your feelings. I really did come to your serve as a handmaiden, but also came to learn more about the Core. My Lord Master is concerned about dangerous men like the Count. He wants me to be his eyes and ears."

"So, you're really a spy."

Thrice calmly smiled. "No, I'm just here to collect intelligence on the Senate. To see what you Core beings are up to with the Separatists. And even though Lord Swan can pick up the holo-news on subspace, it still doesn't compare to a firsthand account."

Padme got up and started to pace. She understood Thrice's purpose for being at the Core, but it was hard for her to grapple with the fact that her once timid friend was really a covert agent from a distant land and rubbed elbows with dangerous men like the Count. She had her fooled so completely and it irked her because she once played a decoy herself. Well, it certainly seemed like she had met her match.

However, she noticed Thrice's bag on the floor and asked, "Do you have somewhere to stay?"

"Well, I was actually hoping I could continue working as your handmaiden, but if you dislike the idea then I will make other plans."

"No, you can stay. I meant what I said that I wanted us to be friends."

In a teasing tone, Thrice asked, "Even if I'm not the friend you believed me to be?"

Padme answered, "Yes, but I still think you're a good person, that hasn't changed."

Thrice was touched. She didn't think Padme had that much faith in her and got up to stand next to hear and took her hands. "Thank you, Padme, you won't regret it. I will do my best to be your friend."

XXX

Meanwhile, in a dark liar, Darth Sidious learned that Jango Fett had only recover a portion of Lord Blackswan's data on midi-chlorians. The hunter wasn't able to complete his mission. The Clan turned out to be more heavily fortified than it seemed. However, he knew other scientists that would be willing to continue the research. It was only a matter of time before they figured it out. Though, he didn't think Count Dooku would get killed.

The Count had grown careless. He had been infatuated with the Clan-woman, Lady Thrice. He had developed feelings for her and it was his undoing. It seemed that the Clan was becoming more and more troublesome. They would eventually be dealt with, but for now they were only a minor nuisance.

Instead, Sidious decided to refocus his efforts in creating political strife between the Separatists and the Republic. It meant he would have to find a replacement for the Count to head the party.

Though, ultimately Sidious wanted more quantity troops for his rising army. He was hoping the midi-chlorian data would solve his problem and help him create a new generation of Sith who were loyal and strong, but unfortunately he would have to wait. He would have to be patient for victory.

XXX

Location: Coruscant (1 month later)

Things were business as usual at the Temple and Obi-Wan and Ani had done a few diplomatic assignments here and there. Though, unfortunately Obi-Wan was getting a reputation as a great negotiator. The High Council was sending him on more and more peace-talks and it was becoming very frustrating. Personally, Obi-Wan disliked politics and politicians. He knew for a fact that most of them only ever lied.

Though, today he had some free time and decided to go for a walk. Ani was with him, but he had lost him somewhere at a speeder shop. The young man was obsessed with fast ships and wanted to check out the latest model, yet Obi-Wan couldn't careless. Instead, he wondered over to a tea and herbal shop and spotted Thrice. She was wearing a black body suit with a long sky-blue shawl wrapped loosely around her head. He hadn't seen her for while, but he thought she looked divine.

Obi-Wan strode up beside her and watched as she sniffed a tin filled with dried tealeaves. Amused, he smiled as she wrinkled her nose in disgust and set it back down.

"Do you normally smell your tea before buying?"

Startled, she looked up and met his glance, but smiled when she recognized him and said, "Of course, Sir Knight. I did the same with you."

Obi-Wan beamed at her flirtatious nature and leaned in close to softly whisper into her ear. "I've missed you."

She turned to look at him and blushed. "I—I've missed you too, beloved."

Obi-Wan felt his heart soar at her sweet endearment and grinned. He liked being her beloved. It made him feel privileged to be the only man to make the proud she-warrior blush like a damsel. Gently, he reached out and covered her hand as she went to pick up another box of tea and silently searched for her feelings through the Force. And after a moment he found what he was looking for. He found her love for him and heard her sigh longingly.

"Oh…dearest, please don't torture me."

"I torture myself for loving you, Milady."

Thrice turned her hand over and laced her fingers with his and asked, "Do you regret it?"

"No, I just wish the world were a different place."

"I don't. I think its prefect if it brought me you."

Obi-Wan smiled and tenderly released her hand to caress her wrist when suddenly Anakin stepped into the shop with Padme.

"Master! There you are. I've been looking all over the place for you."

The couple sprang apart and Obi-Wan felt Thrice's feelings shut down like a tomb. He already missed her Force-presence and wished they had more time to themselves, however appearances had to be maintained and he walked up to greet his Padawan and Padme.

"Right, sorry, but you know I have no interest in speeders, Ani. But, I can see you are not without company, how are you, Miss Padme?"

The brown-eyed beauty replied, "I'm very well, Master Obi-Wan. Thrice and I were just out doing a little shopping. Though, I had no idea that we'd run into each other like this. It's quite a coincidence."

"Jedi don't believe in coincidences, Padme," said Anakin. "Jedi believe in destiny. It was probably fate that we ran into each other today."

Padme laughed. "Oh Ani, not that again. I know that the Force is a great mystery, but I like to believe we have some control over our fate. That's way I believe in the Republic."

Anakin smiled at her and replied, "Whatever you say, Angel."

Suddenly, a loud boom could be heard throughout the city and outside people were standing around confused. Immediately, Obi-Wan and the others ran out to see what was going on and several holo-screens began to report the news that the Separatists had planted a bomb at the Senate. Footage of the explosion was shown and the collapse of the building. Horrified, Padme watched on in shock while Anakin tried to comfort her by placing his hand onto her shoulder.

"Oh my god, who would do such a thing?" cried Padme.

The Jedi Master retorted, "I don't know, but we're going to find out. Come on, Ani."

"But Master, what about Padme?"

"Priorities, Ani. Lady Thrice can see to the Senator. Right now we need to see about that explosion."

Obi-Wan then ran to confiscate a transport, but Thrice called out to him and said, "Good lucky, Master Jedi!"

Anakin started the ship's engine and over the roar Obi-Wan smiled at her and replied, "Haven't you heard, Milady? Jedi don't believe in luck" and in a flash the two were gone.

XXX

Location: Obi-Wan's quarters

Late that night, Obi-Wan reflected on the day's events. He had gone to investigate the explosion at the Senate and discovered that the building was completely gone. However, there weren't many casualties since the Senate was not in session, though the message was clear. The Separatists had declared war.

The Chancellor was already requesting assistance from the Order and it was only a matter of time before they were drafted as soldiers. It was a bleak path, but Obi-Wan could see no other alternative. He moved to rub his brow and felt drained and exhausted. He was worried about the future and what might happen.

"Are you alone, Sir Knight?"

Obi-Wan turned and saw that it was Thrice standing at the balcony. She had sneaked in through the Temple by scaling the side of the building. Obi-Wan had no idea she managed it. She pulled her hood and scanned the room. Obi-Wan rose to greet her and said, "Ani is asleep. What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you about the explosion. What will the Jedi do now that the Republic has been attacked?"

"We will likely join the Republic's Army. The Senate sees this as an official act of war by the Separatists. This is the end of our peace."

Thrice narrowed her brow and said, "I don't understand. Why do this? What is their goal?"

Obi-Wan smiled and drew in a deep breath and replied, "I wish I knew, Milady, but what do mad men want anyway?"

The war-maiden suddenly grinned mischievously and supplied, "Power? Property? Prestige? Maybe even all of the above?"

The Jedi Master laughed and watched as she moved through the apartment and sat down on the sofa. He strode over to join her and took her hand. He absently rubbed her knuckles with his thumb and he pensively said, "Perhaps Milady, but regardless of their motives the Republic is headed towards war and it is the duty of the Order to protect the people."

"Yes, but I came to tell you that Lord Blackswan also wishes to join the war."

"What? Why? I thought Lord Swan was a pacifist?"

"Well, he was, but the robbery and the information you told him about the midi-chlorian has sparked his interest. However, he isn't going to send warriors to fight, instead he will give the Order medical relief and supplies. My new mission it become the Clan's representative and to introduce myself to the High Council as General Thrice, third elite of the Blackswan Society. It is a title I haven't used in years, Obi-Wan. I thought I had put that chapter of my life behind me."

"Don't worry, Thrice. I'm sure your Lord Master wouldn't have assigned you such a task if he didn't feel you could do it. The Order will benefit greatly from the Clan's aid, however why doesn't Lord Swan order you to be an Ambassador to the Republic?"

"Lord Swan only respects the Jedi. He doesn't care for the government at all. He will only put his faith in somebody he believes in. He will not follow the people. To him there are no 'people,' there is only the Clan."

Obi-Wan wrapped his arm around her and kissed her head tenderly and said, "I don't like politicians either, darling, but we should be mindful of the present and not the future. It isn't written yet."

"Yes, but wanted my future to be with you."

Obi-Wan smiled. He was touched by her words and reached out to give her a kiss. Thrice wrapped her arms around his neck and in a wave she dropped her emotional shields and shared with him her feelings. Obi-Wan felt her love and loneliness like an old ache. It amazed him how open she could be with her heart and her soul. It was intoxicating.

Desperately, Obi-Wan tried to convey his own feelings back to her through the Force and watched as she broke away from their kiss to gasp. She shivered in his arms and closed her eyes as he leaned forward to plant kisses along her neck.

Softly, he whispered into her ear, "Oh god…the Force never felt so good without you near."

"Please, Obi-Wan…"

In response to her plea, he aggressively bit her throat and heard her moan with desire. He groaned into her shoulder as felt her passions soar and held her close. Their hearts were racing and their breaths were shallow, but he couldn't bring himself to stop. He needed more.

He reached up to her collar and slowly began to open her suit. He pulled back the zipper inch by inch to reveal her beautiful skin when suddenly he heard a voice sternly call to him.

"Obi-Wan! What the Sith do you think you're doing?"

The coupled looked towards the balcony and saw Master Qui-Gon. He had his arms crossed over his chest and he did not look happy.

XXX

TBC

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Cliffhanger! Obi-Wan has been found out by Qui-Gon! What's going to happen now?

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