Ozara stood tensely for a moment, not quite sure where to begin. She bit her lip, looked at Skandar, walked over to the window, returned, sighed – and the walked to the window again. Skandar chuckled behind his hand at her antics, receiving a very quick reply.
"You may think I'm funny, Skandar, but I take it quite serious what I'm about to say – if I can only get it out of my mouth."
"Take your time... not that I think you need to be told." Skandar replied cheekily.
She glared, then sighed, 'It won't do me any good if I blow it by killing him before I can even ask.' she thought to herself, wishing that Anakin hadn't put her in this damned position. "I have come here, to first apologize. My behavior at the Narrows was unacceptable – though I must admit, you did deserve it." she began. Skandar scoffed, but wisely kept his mouth shut as she continued. "Nevertheless, what you said did get me thinking. Even though I'm sure that was your intention."
"I'm not quite sure I'm following." Skandar said slowly.
"Yes you are, don't act dumb. It will only make things harder." she snapped, returning her thoughts to where she was going in the first place. "You offered marriage, for the sole purpose of trying to one-up Anakin." she continued, watching as he shifted with a scowl on his face, "All the same, I did consider your... proposal. And if you are still –" she paused swallowing her heart which leaped into her throat, " – offering. Then I accept." she said with the finishing touch of: "There, I said it."
Skandar scrutinized her for a few moments, as an awkward bout of silence reigned between them. "What changed your mind?" he finally asked at length.
She sighed, "You were right. You – were right. I cannot marry Anakin, and to believe that I can would only be a pipe-dream. I love you enough, I suppose to be happy. And I probably will be. I simply wasn't thinking straight when you first offered. Therefore the idea sounded ludicrous." she explained. She wasn't exactly lying, when she told him 'you were right' as he was in some way right. It was more of her true reason – which she had no intention of telling him.
He knew well enough that she didn't love him, but his belief that she would grow to love him – as he believed himself above Anakin – caused for him to put aside the concept that she would not be marrying him for any other reason than she actually had considered it, and thought it wise. "Well then." he replied, moving forward and grasping her hand, "You are decided? You aren't going to change your mind now, are you?"
"No, I'm not going to change my mind." she responded, shrinking back when he suddenly kissed her. He may have been her friend, but their relationship would never cause the warmth and tenderness that she had with Anakin. Her kiss with him was withdrawn, and forced. Not willing, or gentle.
He smiled sweetly at her, and had it been any other time, she might have smiled willingly back – but now it was mandatory, and she didn't feel like smiling. All she could manage was a half-smile, her eyes darting away from him.
"Do you know how long I've dreamt of this moment?" he asked. She wasn't quite sure she wanted to know, but shook her head all the same, as she knew it was inevitable. "Since we were kids." He declared as if it was common knowledge.
However, it was at that moment that his parents strolled in, "Finally!" Esma exclaimed, pulling Ozara into a hug, "I always wanted you to become my daughter." Although Ozara adored the woman, and thought of her as a second mother – she could only cry at the situation before her. Wondering just what was wrong with her in the head.
"Oy, what is she crying for?" Beron asked, "This should be a celebration!" he then enveloped her in a crushing hug, himself. "This should be the happiest night of you life." he said tenderly, if only he knew the circumstances; he probably would have hit his son up over the head for being so heartless... but that would be another story.
"She's just happy, Beron," Esma told him, "Remember how I sobbed when you proposed to me?"
"That's only because it took me five years to do it, and a young woman in between." he replied to his wife, giving her a smile and a peck on the cheek. "But that was all over. And I had been the most dreadful unmitigated ass."
They shared a smile at the memory, as Ozara could only look on with a tear running down her cheek as she tried to act joyful. Skandar came to her side, and reached an arm around her – she wanted to do nothing more than shake it off, wanting a different arm around her shoulders... but she refrained from doing so.
'I'm doing this for Anakin' she kept telling herself, as she endured the touches and smiles of another man. 'I'm doing this to save him.'
Obi-wan felt like whistling when he got in the elevator of 500 Republica. He was scheduled to have a dinner with the Peregrine family, which was always a nice prospect – though now it was a especially pleasurable concept – as the weight of the unspoken tension was gone. He felt as if the ride in the elevator took forever as he kept adjusting his robes. He felt like he'd seen Anakin act when they went to see them all those weeks previous... he chuckled at the thought.
With a ding, the elevator doors opened, revealing the foyer of Senator Peregrines apartment. He walked in, seeing that only Marius was in the room.
"Obi-Wan!" the boy exclaimed, running up to the Jedi, and hugging him around his middle.
"Hello Marius, where is everyone?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Packing." Marius replied, "We're going to Ergon for a wedding."
"A wedding?" Obi-Wan asked as Leiana approached him with a somewhat conflicted look on her face.
"Marius, Mother wishes to see you about your luggage. Go now." the woman said shooing her younger brother out of the room. She then embraced Obi-Wan, looking behind her to make sure no one was watching before kissing him chastely. "I had hoped you'd come before we left." she said quite out of sorts.
"What's the matter?" Obi-Wan asked, "Marius said you're going back for a wedding, but you don't seem very happy about it." he mused, sitting down and pulling her beside him.
"I'm not. Mostly because I know the bride is going against what she truly wants to do." Leiana replied.
"Oh?" Obi-Wan chuckled, "That has to be terrible. Anybody I know?"
Leiana nodded morosely, "Its Ozara." she said simply, "She's getting married to Skandar."
Obi-Wan couldn't hide his evident shock, "Skandar?" he repeated, "I thought she was in love with Anakin. Or at least it seemed that way on Geonosis – he obviously loves her."
"I know. I don't know why she's marrying Skandar though." Leiana answered, "It doesn't make any sense. She's never done anything on a whim. Although, she muttered something about Anakin being expelled. I was wondering if you knew anything about that?" she asked.
The Jedi knight shook his head, "No. The Council hasn't mentioned anything about Anakin being expelled. I don't know why they would." he said, "As far as I know he's going on a mission with Qui-Gon soon, so he can't possibly be being expelled."
Leiana looked at him confusedly, "Then what would make her think he was being expelled?" she asked, "I don't understand it." he chuckled, kissing her forehead.
"Neither do I. But are you sure you got your facts right, my love?" he asked in a teasing manner.
She sighed, raising one eyebrow, "I can assure you, dear Knight Kenobi, I got my facts correct. My sister is getting married to a man she doesn't love, abandoning the man she does love, believing that he is in some sort of danger that he isn't really in, and is probably going to live for the rest of her life in agony that she was wrong." she said, "What I can't understand is who told her that he was being expelled when he isn't?"
Obi-Wan shook his head slowly, "I'm not sure I understand either. She didn't tell you?" he inquired, she shook her head. "Then I really don't understand."
It was at that moment that Tristan was about to round the corner; however, Obi-Wan sensed it and stood up to give the appearance that he had not just been quite close to the young woman beside him. Albeit, reluctantly.
"Ah, Obi-Wan." the Senator greeted, "I suppose Leia's told you about our happy news?"
"Yes she has. My congratulations to the bride, though I have to admit I am surprised." Obi-Wan replied cordially.
Tristan chuckled nervously, running a hand through his hair, "Yes, well we were too. We got the holo from Ozara this morning. Apparently Skandar proposed last night, and she accepted on a whim. Cieran we might have thought would do this, but not Ozara." he said soberly, referring to his eldest son – but that family reference is for another explanation, and Obi-Wan decided against asking about the subject - for the time being at least.
"When do you leave?" Obi-Wan did ask.
"Tonight." Tristan replied, "She's getting married in a week! Apparently the Solos had wanted their son to travel to Corellia on Primeday next. The wedding must come before, meaning that they will be married on Benduday, to then go on their honeymoon to Corellia. To say the least, I was surprised that it is going to happen so fast." he commented more to himself than anyone else.
"That does sound rushed. I suppose they wanted to get married as soon as possible?" Obi-Wan asked, knowing that when he told Anakin about this affair, the boy was not going to be very pleased.
"Skandar does. Ozara is just going along with it, though I'm sure she would have preferred a longer engagement – although she seemed just as anxious for a quick wedding. She's quite out of character. I suppose Skandar does that to her, although I don't know why." the prospective Father-in-law replied.
"Tristan!" Nadia called from down the hall.
"Pardon me, my friend. My wife calls – you will come won't you?" Tristan asked.
"Come?" Obi-Wan repeated.
"To the wedding. Ozara said I could only invite family friends, and I would consider you, Qui-Gon, and Anakin as family friends. I'm sure she'd want you there." he replied.
Obi-Wan looked at Leiana and smiled at the Senator, "I shall speak with Qui-Gon, I'm sure he would like to attend." he answered.
"Marvelous. I have to go now." the Senator said when his wife called for him again, and with that he was gone.
The two lovers looked at each other, as Obi-Wan sat back down. "Anakin's not going to be happy about this." he told her.
"I know. But you have to tell him, maybe he can talk some sense into her." Leiana said, "I don't want my sister to be miserable, Obi."
He smiled holding her hand, "I'll tell him. But if I am, I must return to the Temple now. Anakin is due to go to Naboo this afternoon, and I won't be able to contact him afterwards." he said, standing once again.
"Are you coming to the wedding?" she asked.
"Yes, if for no other reason than to make sure that Anakin doesn't kill the groom." Obi-Wan said with a chuckle, he stooped down to kiss her in farewell.
"I'll see you soon then." she said, standing and kissing him properly, "Goodbye."
"Bye, love. I will see you soon." Obi-Wan replied, walking back to the elevators. "Before I go, who is Cieran?" he decided to ask.
"My elder brother. My father and him have not been on speaking terms for a number of years. Ten to be exact. He wanted to marry someone and neither of our families approved. He ran off with her, and we haven't heard from him ever since." she answered, "Why?"
"Just curious, I've never heard you mention him by name. I think you always called him 'Varian'" Obi-Wan answered, getting into the elevator.
"Nickname. He always wanted to be named Varian." she answered, "It was a family joke, between he, Ozara and I; it stuck."
"Interesting. Anything else I should know?" he asked, his finger getting a little tired of pressing the button which held the door open.
"Not that I know of." she answered with a sheepish grin, "Though I assure you, I will tell you if there is anything."
He chuckled, allowing the doors to close, "I'll see you at the wedding." he said as they shut.
Leiana smiled at the closed doors, "Lets hope so." she said, leaving the foyer and walking back to her room to pack.
Palpatine was surprised to say the least, it had appeared the Kacia had kept her promise. Ozara Peregrine was marrying, and it was not to Anakin. He grinned evilly, contemplating how Anakin would reply to the scenario. No doubt it would leave him quite bitter, meaning that he would be that much more open to his ideas. The girl had unwittingly fallen into the trap, and it was now a matter of the boy finding out.
But how?
He holo'd Mas Amedda, "Yes, your Excellency?" the blue figure of the aide said.
"Has Lady Kacia left Coruscant yet?" the chancellor asked.
"No my lord, though I do believe she is underway to leave within the hour. Do you want me to holo her apartment?"
Sidious nodded to the holo, "Yes, I have some instructions for her." he answered. It wasn't very long before her figure appeared.
"Good morning, my lord." she said, "Last instructions?"
"Yes, my dear. Something has turned in our favor." he said, "The Peregrine girl, have you heard the latest?"
If her hood had not been shielding her face, he would have seen a look of confusion, "No. What has happened?" she asked.
"She's getting married." Sidious replied.
"To whom? Not Skywalker?" she asked.
"No, my dear. She's marrying someone else, someone who helped destroy our plans eight years ago." he replied.
"Solo? No! Who would want to marry that irritating brat? She's more foolish than I thought. Not to mention somewhat of a traitor. Leaving the man she professes to love for a sniveling troll like Solo." Kacia's snide tone caused her father to laugh.
"Foolish she may be. But she has played into our hands. My dear girl, do you know what this means?"
"Darling Skywalker will be easy to seek out and destroy without his precious mediator. Not to mention his bitterness fed, his anger inflamed, and his hatred increased tenfold. Oh how she is ignorant of these things. I always said I would use her." Kacia boasted.
"So you did, my dear. But now we must work on young Skywalker." the Chancellor replied.
"Not that it will be a hard task." Kacia said.
The holo of Mas Amedda appeared next to Kacia's figure, "Chancellor, Senator Organa is here. He wishes to request a leave of absence." he said with an added: "My Lady"
"No doubt to attend darling Ozara's wedding. Send him in." the Chancellor instructed, "I must leave you now, my dear Kacia." he said when the aide's figure disappeared.
"No matter, I must board my transport." she said "Goodbye my lord."
"Have a pleasant trip my dear." he replied as her blue figure fizzed out right before the door opened. "Ah, Senator Organa. You are well I trust?" the Chancellor greeted, his smile genuine – though not for the reasons that Organa believed.
Anakin and Padmé walked toward their transport, happily chatting about returning to Naboo. "So you plan on going to Ergon when you've finished escorting me?" Padmé asked, "To surprise Ozara no doubt." she said.
Anakin chuckled, "Am I that obvious?" he asked, "Yes, I am. I'm sure she won't expect me."
"Is that necessarily a good thing?" Padmé inquired, "I am sure I wouldn't like to be surprised like that."
"But this is a pleasant surprise. You usually deal with unpleasant surprises, like that bomb that almost killed you, and the Kohuns." he retorted, "Besides, Ozara likes surprises – well I think so anyways." he added with a pause.
Padmé laughed, "You two know so much about each other. It must be nice to have that kind of connection, I still marvel at it." she told him.
He blushed, "We do. I'm sure any guy who loved you would have that kind of 'connection' as you put it. Though you're pretty easy to read." he said.
"Oh?" she asked with a chuckle, "And I suppose that Ozara is difficult?"
He leaned close to her, as if to tell her a secret, "When you get in her head, she's excessively hard to follow. Her mind goes in twenty separate directions in under a minute. She used to apologize for 'rambling' – though I think that's because Solo likes to tell her that she rambles a lot." he whispered.
"You don't think she rambles?" Padmé asked, "Because I think she does. She'll start saying something, go off in an entirely different direction that you don't quite understand how it connects, and uses many words to get to her point. I will give her one thing, her rambling is quite diplomatic."
"She doesn't ramble!" Anakin defended, "She thinks in ways that most do not understand. But it makes sense to her, and as long as its translatable, then I'm perfectly fine with it – I actually like it."
Padmé laughed again, "No, you're just biased because you love her." she said.
"Maybe you're right." Anakin replied, "But then it would be a good bias, no?" he asked
Padmé just shook her head in disbelief as they boarded the transport and went to their defined quarters.
Obi-Wan rushed to the docks, hoping to catch Anakin before he left. However, as he arrived he realized it was too late. The transport had lifted from its dock, and went into the Coruscant airways preparing for space-travel.
He mentally berated himself, wishing he had been a few minutes sooner and not allowed himself to be stopped by Jocasta Nu.
"Damn" he swore, walking forlornly back to his ship.