Though the sheer size of the Galactic Senate building had always amazed him, even more impressive was the interior of the grand dome.

How so many senators representing hundreds of different planets can not only convene here, but also organize themselves in the main chamber is beyond me.

Of course, politics had never really been his cup of tea, and while he often found himself battling a deep-seated mistrust for politicians themselves—with the exception of a scant few—it had never stopped Obi-Wan from gazing about in awe whenever he set foot inside the senate.

The internal architecture alone was enough to take one's breath away.

However, he hadn't come to the senate because he enjoyed a well-crafted piece of art every now and then. No, he'd made the halting journey through Coruscant rush hour to pay a visit to a friend.

A friend who knew nothing of what happened on Jakku. Someone who wouldn't look at him like—

Obi-Wan paused, his furrowed brows undoubtedly making his confusion apparent to the passers-by.

Not that they'd care much, anyway, if they even paused to notice. Such was the busy, tunneled life of a politician.

Which hall was Bail's office down again? For all its grandeur, the seemingly never-ending cluster of turns and hallways never ceased to puzzle him. It wasn't often he visited his Alderaanian friend at his senate office, which unfortunately meant he didn't quite have the path memorized.

Just when he felt he'd pinpointed the right hall to venture down, a familiar presence saturated his own Force signature. A presence that spoke of lilies, elegance, and romance.

His heart began to beat faster despite himself.

No, stop it! You do this every time, and acting like a smitten schoolboy is certainly not the Jedi way.

Still… it had been far too long, and she was right here! Well, here somewhere.

Wouldn't it just be wonderful if we ran into each other? On accident, of course.

Of course.

But no. He'd come to see Bail Organa, not the Duchess of Mandalore.

Satine…

And it was Bail he would see.

Then, suddenly, she was right there. Donned in her full headdress of lilies—those gorgeous lilies—and floor-length blue gown, she cut a very regal figure. And she was heading straight towards him!

Well, straight down the hall. He merely happened to be in her path.

Just let her pass. The last thing you need to do is make a fool out of yourself simply because your heart is incapable of letting her go.

And he'd come to visit with Bail, without any knowledge of Satine's presence on Coruscant.

I wonder why she's on Coruscant…

No! Stop, just keep moving! You've found your hall, now go down it! Go now, before—

"Obi-Wan?"

Her voice was still as lovely as he remembered, not that he could ever forget it. After all, he spent far longer than necessary during slow battle days replaying memories of her in his mind.

"Duchess Satine," he returned with a short bow. "I didn't know—I mean, I wasn't aware you were visiting Coruscant."

She waved her hand dismissively. "It's a small political matter that was best settled in person rather via holocom. As a matter of fact, I was just taking my leave…" Pushing a stray blonde lock of hair back into place, she met his eyes. "What brings you to the senate? Not to see me, that much is obvious."

He would've been taken aback by her accusation, if not for the hint of a smile playing across her pink lips. "Unfortunately, no. Though, had I known you were here, I would have made it a point to pay you a visit."

"Well then, perhaps it's a good thing for both of us that you chose this particular hall to absently idle about."

Obi-Wan forced himself not to blush. "I was merely trying to remember which hall to take to get to my friend's office."

She raised a playful eyebrow. "The Great General Kenobi, making friends with lowly politicians? Isn't this the day for surprises?"

He chuckled. "I suppose so."

"And who is this politician lucky enough to earn your friendship?"

"Senator Bail Organa, do you know him?"

"Ah, yes, he's a good man," she commented with a nod. "Is this an official visit?"

"No, purely casual."

"A friendly visit?" A hint of genuine confusion bled through her amused facade. "In the middle of the afternoon?"

"I guess you could say it's a… necessary friendly visit."

"Does he know you're coming?"

"I didn't call ahead," Obi-Wan replied, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"If I'm not mistaken, he's currently in a meeting with Senator Amidala and the safety committee."

Obi-Wan forced a smile and a small shrug. "I suppose I wasn't thinking."

Now what am I supposed to do? I can't wait around all day, I'll drive Anakin up the wall with worry. Blast, they're probably looking all over for me…

"Obi-Wan," Satine began slowly, studying his face, "why did you come to the senate today? And I mean the real reason."

"Just a visit, as I said earlier." Play it casual. Play it cool… Calm.

She didn't appear convinced. "In the middle of the day while there's a war on? Please, Master Kenobi, do you think I don't know you better than that? For goodness sakes, we spent nearly a year together in our younger days… I should think that plenty of time to get to know a person's true character."

Obi-Wan hesitated, battling two conflicting voices screaming over each other in his mind.

Tell her! She can help you. She knows you, she loves you! She told you herself!

She's a pacifist, don't forget. You tell her, and she'll hate you for the rest of her life, and yours. You nearly killed a man in cold blood, do you think she'll take that knowledge lightly?

A pacifist she may be, but she's also no Jedi. She wouldn't reprimand you for breaking the code, for stooping so far beneath yourself. She knows you, she'll understand.

Just tell her…

Don't tell her…

Stop it! Just—

You would have told Bail.

He paled slightly as this revelation.

You know you would have. In fact, you were secretly counting on it.

"Obi…?"

At the mere whisper of her nickname for him, his strong facade cracked and he cast his gaze downward.

"I could never lie to you, Satine." A dry chuckle escaped his lips. "Though, I doubt I could fool you even if I tried."

Her half-hearted smirk was mixed with concern and… interest. That was only one of the things he loved about her: her dedicated, unwavering interest in his well-being.

Inhaling, he pressed forward. It was now or never and he already had her full attention—there was no use wasting it by hesitating. "I came here to see Bail because I… Well, I needed to be with someone who wouldn't look at me as if…"

"As if what?" She prompted gentle, her soft blue eyes boring into his.

"As if I'm… fragile. As if I'm broken."

She started visibly, opening her mouth twice, only to shut it again. Finally, her soothing voice filled his ears, "Won't you walk with me, Obi-Wan?"

With a nod, he offered his arm to her, savoring the feel of her gentle fingers as they wrapped around his bicep.

For several strides, no words passed between them, only a serene silence.

"Is there,"—Satine gracefully cleared her throat—"any particular reason why others would look at you in such a way?"

Keeping his eyes fixed on the intricately wallpapered hall ahead, Obi-Wan prepared to open his soul to her—a thing he hadn't done since that awful night on the Coronet, when she'd been taken hostage by Senator Tal Merrik.

The night they had confessed their undying love for each other.

"What if… What would you say if I I told you I had behaved in a way that was very unbecoming of a Jedi?"

Her answer, when it finally came, was quite thought out. "I would want to know what sort of circumstances could drive you to do so."

"And if I told you it was a long story?"

"I would tell you I have all the time in the world. Then, I would ask you to take a turn about the senate balconies with me."

Despite the way his heart thundered against his chest, Obi-Wan felt himself smile. "Shall we then, madame?"

"It would be a pleasure," she returned, and together, they made their way out into the Coruscant sun.

"Satine, I… I'm not even sure where to begin."

"At the beginning, I should think."

"I must warn you," he said, glancing at her out of the corners of his eyes, "it's not a pretty tale."

"You must remember," she replied, her own eyes smiling, "where I just came from, Master Jedi. The senate is practically teeming with unsavory tales."

Master Jedi… "You're pretty good at judging others, aren't you, Master Jedi?"

An involuntary shiver ran down Obi-Wan's spine.

Master Jedi…

"Obi? Obi, are you alright?"

Shaking his head, hoping such a small action was capable of chasing away the demons of the past, he released a shaky breath. "Are you sure you want to hear what I'm about to say?"

"Stall any longer and I do believe I'll have to pry the story out of you," came her mild threat.

"All right, then." He inhaled once more, for good measure. "Just over two weeks ago, my flagship was attacked by pirates on its way to Sarrish.."