Chance Encounter
Chapter 25
Location: space, Blackswan space ship
Obi-Wan was crushed. He could not believe what had happened in such a short time. The Empire had invaded the Colony and obliterated the Clan; Qui-Gon was dead and Thrice as well. He was overcome by grief and sat alone in his dark cabin and pressed his hands over his face as he silently brushed away his tears. It broke his heart to know that he had failed them. He had failed Thrice. He hadn't saved her in time from the Sith and as a result she had turned. She had been manipulated until driven mad. She wasn't just led astray like Anakin, no her spirit was gone. He saw it in her eyes. He felt it when he had shoved her away from Qui-Gon's body. The Thrice he knew was gone. She had no control over her body.
He heard a knock on his door and softly Lord Blackswan came in and sat opposite of him in the room. The scientist rubbed his face and solemnly said, "Obi-Wan…I'm sorry. I'd rather she were dead than used by that dog."
Obi-Wan sniffed and said, "Yes…yes, I know. Thrice was beyond saving. She would have wanted me to think of the younglings first. She—she loved Jinn."
"She loved you too, Obi-Wan. But, you shouldn't lose hope. This isn't the first time my daughter has met her end."
Confused, the Jedi asked, "What do you mean?"
The scientist smiled and patted Obi-Wan's shoulder and said, "Thrice has come back from the Beyond many times. And if you recall I brought Qui-Gon once back from the dead. I can bring your lady back too. I have the technology on board my ship."
Obi-Wan was suddenly excited. He quickly got up and grabbed Lord Swan by the shoulders and said, "What! Why didn't you say so before?"
Lord Blackswan pulled himself free from his tight grip and replied, "Because, it won't be exactly the same. I haven't recorded Thrice's memories in over 10 years. She won't know what's happened. She will need guidance in order to be caught up to speed. Why do you think I had Qui-Gon under her care before he was sent to Coruscant all those years ago? People need time. They need to adjust."
"Then do it. Force, I don't care what she remembers as long as she is alive."
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Obi-Wan waited 2 days for Lord Blackswan to finish re-creating Thrice's body and implanting her previous memories. He didn't know it would take such little time to make a new clone, but then again the Clan had remarkable technology. However, the wait did nothing to ease his nerves. Obi-Wan was preoccupied with consoling his children and what their next move should be after they completed their journey to Yavin 4.
Though it wasn't long before Lady Nina came to his door and opened it to softly to cheek inside. The pale-warrior saw that Luke and Jinn were both asleep in Obi-Wan bed while the Jedi Master sat beside them keeping a silent vigil.
"Sir Obi-Wan, he's ready."
"Thank you, Lady Nina."
Quietly, he exited the room and followed her to the ship's lab. She led him inside to a medical bed and revealed his sleep wife. She looked angelic. Her hair was down and she was wearing a light plain gown. Reverently, Obi-Wan rushed to her side and caressed her head. He felt the warmth of her skin and the softness of her hair and face. She was perfect. Nothing about her was different or aged. She was like sleeping beauty.
Misty eyed, he looked at Lady Nina and asked, "Can I wake her?"
"Yes, but gently. I'll go wait outside and give you two some time alone."
"Thank you, Lady Nina."
Obi-Wan watched the pale-warrior go and then tenderly raised Thrice's hand and gave it a kiss. He then leaned over her and kissed her sweet lips. And at first Thrice didn't stir, but Obi-Wan continued to peeper her face with little kisses, until she opened her eyes.
"Oh my, what an itchy beard."
Obi-Wan smiled at her words and met her gaze. "I'm sorry, Milady, but I couldn't resist."
Thrice giggled and replied, "Well, it's alright. I'm not used to such a wake up call, but—um, you look very familiar."
The raven-beauty slowly sat up and stared at Obi-Wan curiously and narrowed her brow. She tilted her head and pressed her lips as she stared at him. Obi-Wan watched as she studied his face and then as realization hit her. Thrice suddenly gasped and placed her hand over her mouth in shock.
She then grew sad and caressed his cheek. "Oh Sir Knight…what's happened?"
Obi-Wan reached up to take her hand and explained, "It's been 10 years since your last memory recording, my darling. I'll tell you more, but first tell me what you last remembered? What day was it?"
The she-warrior sighed and shifted to wrap her arms around her Knight. He immediately embraced her back and buried his hand into her raven hair. She felt so wonderfully soft and he relished her hug desperately. She slowly rubbed his back and shoulders and pressed her head against his shoulder and said, "Yesterday—yesterday was our wedding day. It was the happiest day of my life and we just finished dancing and singing. Oh, I wanted so badly to be your bride. We were going to Tatooine in a few days and start a new life, together as husband and wife."
In a raw voice, he said, "Yes…yes we did. Oh, my love. We had a wonderful and simple life on Tatooine, but it only lasted 5 years. After which things went from bad to worse. Vader took you and I journeyed back the Clan and looked for you for another 5 years, but it was too late. The Sith Lord turned you and then you were dead and Qui-Gon is dead too. The Colony is lost and I failed you…I failed you."
Thrice pulled back and brushed away his tears and said, "No, my heart. As long as you love me than you can never fail. And I'm here now. I'm not leaving. I promise."
Obi-Wan was overwhelmed with relief and framed her face between his hands before giving her a passionate kiss. Thrice instantly responded and kissed him back. She then let go of her emotional shields and allowed Obi-Wan to feel her love and joy. Obi-Wan moaned into the kiss and drank up her feelings like a man dying of thirst. He hadn't felt her feelings in ages and it was bliss. His heart felt like it was aching with desire and silently he pledged to never let her leave his side ever again. He would never let the Sith take her again.
Though, unexpectedly he heard Thrice hum. "Mmm…you were never this good at projecting your feelings before, Sir Knight. You're emotions are so strong."
"Does it bother you?"
She nuzzled him and breathed in his scent and said, "No, it's exciting. I feel like I don't have to be careful around you anymore. You used to draw too much of my feelings in."
Obi-Wan grinned. "Yes, I remember, but I've learned a lot over 10 years, my dear. Maybe I ought to show you. After all, a bride should have her wedding night."
XXX
When Thrice woke up the next day she felt somebody stroking her head and face. She opened her eyes and saw that it was Obi-Wan. He was sitting on the edge of the mattress in the cabin they found the day before and he was running his fingers through her hair. She smiled up at him and moved her head to the side to kiss his palm.
"Good morning, my heart."
"Good morning, darling."
"What are you doing?"
He softly grinned and said, "I'm just can't believe you're really here. I was afraid it was all a dream."
Thrice sat up and gave him a slow kiss and pressed her forehead against his and said, "I'm really here, love." She then giggled and suggested, "I could always pinch you? Or maybe I could give you a bite?"
Obi-Wan laughed at her teasing and instead brushed back her hair to nip at her neck. Thrice squealed at the contact and scrambled to her feet and picked up Obi-Wan's long brown robe to wrap around her body. She then tried to look stern, but failed miserably with her bright smile and said, "No. I need to dress, Sir Knight and I need something better than that medical robe."
Obi-Wan got up to stand beside her and said, "Minx, you're the one that suggested biting. Mmm, I could nibble on you all day. And don't you need to freshen up? I could help with that."
Thrice slowly inched him back and replied, "No, love. You only want to do dirty things again. I would like to speak with my father and Lady Nina soon and discuss our plans."
"Alright, you go use the bath and I'll go get you something to wear. I think I've kept you long enough to share. Then, we you're ready we can discuss our plans on Yavin 4 together. We should be arriving soon anyway."
The raven-beauty smiled kissed his cheek before leaving the cabin for the bath. Obi-Wan watched her go and couldn't help thinking that she looked lovely in his robe, but to his horror he saw Jinn open his cabin door and bump right into her. Jinn stumbled back and nearly fell, but Thrice held him steady and kept him on his feet.
"Oh my, careful little one."
"I'm ok," said Jinn. The boy stared up at the strange woman and saw that she was wearing his father's brown robe. She had long black hair, but had red eyes so she was from the Clan. However, Jinn didn't recognize or remember her being on the ship.
"Who are you?"
The woman smiled and said, "I'm—"
"Jinn!" shouted Obi-Wan. "Come here."
The boy quickly ran up to his father down the hall and gave the woman a weird glance. There was something about her that was really off. Jinn thought he knew everybody at the Clan. He watched her enter the bathroom and then turned to his father.
"Father, why was she wearing your robe?"
"Well, it's cold in space, Jinn. Where's Luke?"
"Oh, Luke's still sleeping. Should I go get him?"
"No, let him rest. You should go get something to eat at the galley."
"Aren't you coming too?"
"No, son. I need to do something first. I'll meet you there soon."
"Ok."
Obi-Wan watched his son walk down the hall with a heavy heart. He wasn't sure if he should have told him about Thrice. He was surprised that they hadn't recognized each other, but Thrice had no memory of their son. The last 10 years had never happened to her. He wasn't sure how she'd take the news or if Jinn would accept her as his mother. He was only 4 years old when she was taken away. He was 9 years old now. And since most of the Clan had similar features it was no wonder he thought she was only another one of his many aunts.
"Force, what have I gotten myself into?"
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TBC
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