Chapter Thirty-Nine

The fact that Garen Muln, a long-time friend, was accompanying him on this assignment gave Obi-Wan very little comfort. He nodded in passing at his companion and then boarded the ship silently, flinging his pack onto the uncomfortable cot that would serve as his bed for probably the next several months, and then flung himself down onto the floor beside it.

Kneeling on board a diplomatic vessel was not the best place for meditation, but Obi-Wan was aware that he was in need of it. He needed to purge these emotions. These feelings of guilt and anger. Yes, he was angry. But more with himself than with the Council. He had let himself get too close. He had gotten attached. He had fallen in love and risked everything by doing so.

If only he hadn't gotten involved with her, then maybe….The young knight's eyes opened slowly as his thoughts refused to allow him to relax. If he hadn't fallen in love with Padmé, she would be dead. Simple as that.

He had done what he felt he had to, and now, he couldn't so much as even say goodbye. Promise her that he would return, although he couldn't say when. This mission might take months.

She might not want to talk to him at the moment, but Obi-Wan had to try. To at least tell her what was happening, as he doubted anyone from the Council would bother.

However, when he attempted to contact Padmé through the Force, all Obi-Wan was met with was a firm shield; an impenetrable barrier that locked him out of her mind and out of her heart.

Pulling himself up from off the floor, Obi-Wan headed toward the bridge to set the coordinates that would take him far away from Coruscant and from the Queen of Ruwee.

Padmé gripped the rubber ball that was placed in her surgically replaced hand, the metallic joints of the fingers bending to accommodate the object quite nicely. Not that much different than her own cybernetic enhancement that she used to wear, the prosthetic was lighter and allowed much more dexterity. The engineer in the young woman was fascinated by the mechanics of the thing, and purposefully pushed back the accompanying thoughts of it somehow making her more machine than woman.

Healer Trell grinned at her progress, his sharp canines revealed underneath his furred mouth. "You are doing quite well for such a short time. You should know there are currently studies being performed that test the addition of dermoplast to the exoskeletal structure. Quite realistic appearing."

"What difference would that make?" Padmé murmured in reply, still focused upon the way the prosthetic fingers moved at her command.

The Master Healer however, was studying the young woman's features, concerned about her lack of emotion regarding several issues, the most obvious needing to be addressed first.

"He left three days ago, you know."

"Who?"

Once again, the Jedi glanced toward his patient, not fooled in the least by her apparent nonchalant behavior.

"Knight Kenobi. He's been sent to search for the Sith training camp in the Unknown Regions."

At the news, Padmé's fascination with her new limb was forgotten, and the arm fell heavily into her lap.

That was why she hadn't heard from him. She hadn't wanted to talk to him, and the last time he had attempted, she had blocked him. And now, he was gone.

"How long will he be gone?"

"No one knows. Missions such as this can take several months, even years. It all depends upon his success. But Obi-Wan is one of the best Knights of the Order, so I have no doubt he will find the Sith quickly."

Another quick study of the young woman's features revealed just a hint of concern. However, even that disappeared into a stern expression as her dark eyes rose from the floor.

"You said we could return to Ruwee when my rehabilitation was complete. I have achieved a satisfactory performance level and would prefer to leave in the morning."

"As you wish."

Home. She needed to return home. Return to the people who were relying upon her to bring back the answer to their problem, to guarantee that they had a future. It was what she came here for. Falling in love was not part of the plan. Just as Sabé had said.

There was no place for love in her life. Obi-Wan leaving therefore, was for the best. Now, she could do her duty and save her people, amazed at what very little comfort that thought brought her.