Chapter 64

Usually, she wasn't the early riser – he was. But Siri's body still seemed to be operating on Dantooine time. She had been awake for a couple of hours now. Even as the sky had brightened and the first rays of sunlight had filtered through the curtains she had been content to just watch him. There was a sweet vulnerability to her husband when he was sleeping, stretched out on his stomach with the pillow hugged beneath his body. He was still and almost childlike as though for a precious few moments he was able to abandon duty and forget about the burdens the Force had placed on him.

She watched over him, trying to release a growing sense of apprehension to the Force. It was no mystery where the feelings came from. Obi-Wan would be facing an inquiry and she was certain that at least several members of the committee planned to do everything possible to discredit him. She wondered if he felt it too – of course, he did. Bad feelings were his department, not that he would readily share if he was having them. For some silly reason, her husband with his overblown sense of chivalry felt the need to protect her.

Siri let out a sigh, reluctant to wake Obi-Wan. She had at least done what she could to protect him – keep watch over his dreams for the night and make sure he got some much-needed rest. Since the nightmare and her gentle nudge in the Force to deepen his slumber, he had slept peacefully, almost as though he hadn't slept much in days. She swept a few strays hairs from his face before drawing her fingers down his cheek and gently pressing a kiss to his forehead. That got him to stir, a content smile tugging at his lips.

"Good morning," she said softly.

"Morning," he mumbled sleepily. His eyes fluttered open, his gaze resting on her for a moment. She felt calloused but gentle fingers reach up and ghost her cheek, his thumb trailing down to rub against her lips. "It wasn't a dream. You are really here."

With a mischievous smile, she leaned in close and whispered, "If you thought last night was a dream, then I have to wonder what type of dreams you've been having while I was gone."

With a laugh that seemed a bit reckless for him, he propped himself up on his elbow. "You can prove to me it wasn't." His hand caressed the side of her face then slipped behind her neck. Drawing her closer, he captured her lips in a deep kiss. As she fought to catch her breath, fingers danced teasingly up her shoulder before lightly stroking her throat. Suddenly she stilled his wandering hands and pulled away before he could kiss her again, all the while cursing that he had to go and face an inquiry when he seemed to be in such a playful mood.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"You need to get ready to go."

"It's still early," he said with a smile. "My alarm hasn't even gone off yet."

"And that's probably because I reset it," she admitted in a sort of groan as she waited for the backlash.

"You what?!"

He quickly sat up looking for a chrono, trying to get a sense of the time. Damn, there went the mood.

"It was set for some Force-forsaken hour and you needed your rest," Siri said without apology.

"It was set early because Qui-Gon is coming for morning meal."

"I know. He's here." Siri couldn't help but let out a loud laugh at the expression that crossed her husband's face. He quickly shushed her as a slight blush set into his cheeks. "I told him I was getting in last night; it's not like he's going to come barging into our room or something," she quickly assured him, pressing a finger to his lips to still yet another protest. "You get a shower. I will go see if Qui-Gon needs help."

"Okay," Obi-Wan relented as he slipped out from beneath the covers. While he rummaged through one of the drawers, Siri rested back against the pillows content to enjoy the view. "I thought you were going to help Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said, one eyebrow arching in question.

"I was just going now."

Siri pulled on her robe and tied the sash firmly around her waist.

"You're going out there like that, are you?" Obi-Wan asked as she started for the door.

"Like what?" Siri looked down over her robed body and found nothing wrong with her appearance. "I'm covered."

"It's just … well, underneath … you're not wearing much…"

"Force, Kenobi," she snorted. "Qui-Gon is an adult and was married for how many years?" She let out another laugh before leveling a serious look at him. "I really doubt anyone thinks that Bren'an was conceived of the Force."

"You're being mean to me." She quickly looked away, biting down on her lip. He wasn't playing fair. That particular look always did her in. It was irresistible.

"But you're so fun to fluster," she said as she slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him again, right before she pushed him through the door to the shower. "Come out when you're not so grumpy."

She quickly left before he could get the last word in, though she thought she heard some muffled protest as the door slid shut. She ignored him, caught up in the wonderful smells that filled the hallway.

Qui-Gon was bustling around the cooking unit in the kitchen. Knowing from past experience that it was best to just stay out of the way, Siri sat down at the small table.

"Good morning," she said.

"I was wondering if anyone was coming out today," Qui-Gon said with a chuckle.

"I wouldn't tease Obi-Wan," Siri replied as a plate was sat down in front of her. "He's already agitated enough that I turned off his alarm and had the audacity to venture out here in my bathrobe."

"See, he missed you," Qui-Gon said. "Please tell me he at least got some sleep."

"He had a nightmare," Siri announced.

"That explains why he hasn't been sleeping." Qui-Gon let out a sigh. "I don't like when he keeps dreams from me."

"Probably thinks it is nothing." Siri took a nibble of eggs, pausing to savor the taste. What Qui-Gon could possibly do to make them taste so good was still a mystery to her. "At least he slept well afterward."

"I'm glad," Qui-Gon replied. "Did he say what it was about?"

"Just that he was falling." She took a sip of kaf. Although she liked hers stronger, she never complained when someone else was cooking. "I told him to catch himself."

"Good advice." Qui-Gon chuckled. "How is Bren'an?"

"He is enjoying the time with his agemates." Siri couldn't help the proud smile that crossed her face when she thought of how much her son had continued to blossom on Dantooine. "It is good for him to be there with other Jedi children, and especially away from the public spotlight."

"I am sure he will learn a lot," Qui-Gon said as he turned back to the stove.

The smile faded from her face as she thought of her father and the mission she knew so little about. Master Yoda had been evasive. "I don't suppose you can tell me what my father is up to on Telos," Siri asked hopefully.

Qui-Gon's shoulders sagged. "Corrar has been vague with even his fellow elders, I'm afraid. I know that he is driven to find out the identity of Xanatos Marojni's master and hopes to find some relevant background. I also know that he has meticulously arranged his cover and reason for being there."

It was little more than she had found out from Yoda and didn't really ease her concerns.

"Your father is an intelligent man. He knows what he is doing. If for no other reason, he will be careful for you and for Bren'an," Qui-Gon assured her.

Both fell silent as Obi-Wan hurried into the room will still damp hair. Siri stared at him as he took a seat at the table. It had to have been a record for showering.

"You look like you slept well," Qui-Gon said as he joined them at the table.

"Yes, but now I am running a little late." Obi-Wan shot a teasing glance toward Siri as he quickly began to eat.

"You have plenty of time," Siri said with a smile. "I won't be coming over until later so at least you don't have to wait for me."

"I would rather you stay here today," Obi-Wan said softly but firmly.

"You are not facing this inquisition alone," Siri challenged.

"I know I am not. Bail has found himself in the position of heading up this inquiry and says that there are those who are sympathetic along with him. Adi is on the panel as well. Mace will be there for legal counsel, and I think Anakin and Padme plan to be in the observation area." Obi-Wan caught her hand as she started to protest again and brought it to his lips. "It is going to be chaos at the Senate. I am not ready for the media to know you're here. Please."

The full extent of his emotion flooded her, his desire to have her by his side warring with his desire to keep her arrival a secret for just a little longer. She understood.

"You want me all to yourself."

"Is that too much to ask?" he countered. "I mean, I know how much you were looking forward to dressing up and playing the part of the senator's wife," he added sarcastically.

"Okay, I'll stay," she agreed. "But you have to promise to come home at a decent hour tonight."

"I promise," he said. The front door chimed. "That will be Garen and Byram. I need to go." He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before standing to leave. "Master, could you come here for a moment."

Siri's eyes narrowed as she watched the two men talk. Obi-Wan was up to something again. She overheard Qui-Gon say, "Be careful, and may the Force be with you," and then Obi-Wan disappeared through the door.

The blade of her violet saber flowed, an extension of her body as she stepped through the movements of the complex kata and attempted to release her anxiety to the Force.

It had taken Qui-Gon longer than humanly needed to clean up the modest mess in the kitchen. He had insisted he didn't need help and that he could let himself out, but he was still here. Siri suspected that Obi-Wan had asked him to stay and she had decided not to say anything. If her husband was less distracted because he felt she was taken care of, then it helped him. She honestly wasn't disappointed about not having to dress up and play the part of the senator's wife for the day.

Siri heard soft footsteps approach up the stairs. Disengaging her saber, she turned to face Qui-Gon.

"You are running out of excuses to stay," she said.

"Ah … my secret is out," he replied with a smile. "So, are you ready to defend yourself?"

In response to Qui-Gon's question, Siri assumed a defensive stance and ignited her saber.

The Jedi master's eyes narrowed in concentration. Though he was older than her, something which gave her an advantage, no one rivaled Qui-Gon's connection with the Living Force, which made him a formidable opponent. Since her duel with Xanatos, Siri had been eager to learn under any master who would give her the time. Something, perhaps it was only mothering instinct, told her that Bren'an's safety might one day rely on her.

The first strike came swiftly. It was strong, a result of height and size, and jarred her arms all the way to the shoulder. There was only a moment's rest before another powerful strike drove her back toward the wall. She was smaller, agile, and fast, all of which she used to her advantage to slip around him before being pinned into a corner. He had turned and was already there to meet her attack. She had just backed up a few steps when she felt a disturbance in the Force. Both Jedi paused as the floor beneath them rumbled, the lights in the room flickering on and off.

"What was that?" Siri asked. Coruscant wasn't known for seismic activity.

"I don't know."

Siri followed Qui-Gon as he started cautiously down the stairs. Nothing was out of the ordinary in the sitting room except for a few pieces of art hanging at odd angles on the wall. Siri approached the vast windows. Traffic dragged along as usual. It was difficult to discern if there was any more chaos than normal for a busy morning. In the distance, she could see a slight haze of smoke rising from a building and mingling with clouds. It looked to be the communications tower, but she couldn't be sure.

Before she had time to ask, the Force surged again in warning. Qui-Gon pulled her to the ground and shielded her with his body. The entire building shook violently. Shattering windows rained broken plexiglass down on them. She felt the concussion or blast or whatever it was rush over them as sure as she felt Qui-Gon draw on the Force to shield them. Then all was still, the only sound in her ears that of Qui-Gon's breathing.

"Are you okay?" she whispered.

"Just stay down," he replied softly.

"Why?"

The Force sang out in warning yet again. The apartment rumbled twice as forcefully, its already weakened structure groaning in the throes of a second shock. What holos and vases and artwork remained spilled off of shelves and crashed to the floor. Siri could feel Qui-Gon's hold around her head tighten and briefly wondered what was shielding him. Then everything stilled again. Alarm rushed out of the Force only to leave it choked with the fear and panic and suffering surrounding them.

Siri sat still for a moment, suddenly aware of something dripping down her cheek.

"Qui-Gon?"

Siri freed herself of his arms. A cool gust of air whipped through her hair. Nothing separated them from the skies of Coruscant. Carefully she helped him rest back against the now-shredded sofa, noting several lacerations down his back, but it wasn't as bad as she had expected. The Force had indeed been with him. The worst of his injuries seemed to be a gash to the side of his head.

"I am fine."

"You are as overprotective as your apprentice," Siri chided as she pulled a decorative sash from one of the side tables and pressed it to his head.

"You are too important to him." Qui-Gon reached up to hold the sash in place.

"And you're not?"

Siri stood, catching sight of the scene outside her window for the first time. "Force, no," she mumbled.

Past other windowless buildings and some that leaned dangerously to the side, smoke billowed from the Senate Rotunda. Part of the dome had caved in on one side, the side that Siri realized housed the Senate arena. Siri scrambled for her comlink, only to find static.

"Mine's dead too," Qui-Gon said. "Communications are down."

"We have to go," Siri said, starting for the door.

"You must calm yourself first," Qui-Gon commanded firmly, grasping onto her shoulders to keep her fixed in one place. "You can sense that he is alive."

"The others?" she murmured. A good portion of the Jedi Order on Coruscant was in that building – Anakin, Mace, Adi, Byram, Garen …

"There is too much disturbance. We can sense Obi-Wan because we both have bonds with him," Qui-Gon answered. "But I think we would know if someone passed into the Force."

She nodded, drawing on the quiet and composed strength that was Qui-Gon Jinn to center herself.

"That's better," he said.

"Okay, let's go," Siri said before sending Obi-Wan simple assurance that help was on the way.