Chapter Twenty-Four

The last guest was gone and our travel bags were on board the ship. We said our goodbyes to the palace staff and boarded ourselves. The problem was that there was a huge bantha on board with us that needed to be dealt with. We couldn't start our honeymoon with it stomping around, making such a mess of things.

As soon as we boarded, I grabbed hold of Padmé's hand.

"Wait," I urged her. "We need to do something about your mother."

"I'm afraid I can't place a bounty on her head. I don't believe Father would be happy about that."

Her attempt at turning the situation humorous told me that she was more upset about what her mother had done than she was letting on.

Once everything was secure, Ric had started the takeoff protocols and I asked Padmé to meet me in her suite. I was going to visit the cockpit first.

When I returned, she was sorting through her bags obviously looking for something, mumbling in a frantic manner about forgetting it. I had a feeling whatever she was talking about wasn't that important, which convinced me my decision had been correct. Instead of heading north to the Lake Country, the vessel had turned east. The course correction hadn't slipped by her. I hadn't expected it to.

"Where is he taking us? This isn't the way to Lake Varykino."

When she attempted to exit the suite, I gently reached again for her hand.

"We're going to Market Square."

"What for?"

She already knew why and I chose not to answer her.

"You're wasting your time," she said, returning to rummage through her bag. "I understand you and Qui-Gon successfully negotiated numerous treaties all over the galaxy, but you've never met anyone as stubborn as my mother."

"Listen," I implored, pulling her into my lap as I sat on the edge of the bed. "It's important to me that they accept me for who I am. I would like to at least give her the opportunity to get to know me before she forms an opinion based on hearsay. I'd like to speak with her."

Her dark gaze darted back and forth as if she wanted to believe it was possible, but I could detect doubt there. "If there's anyone in this galaxy who can convince her she's wrong, it's probably you. Father gave up trying years ago, just to keep the peace. You can try, but if and when you fail, don't worry about me. I have all I need right here."

She pressed her lips to mine and the tingling warmth surged through my body. I hated to keep telling the bond no, but it still wasn't time yet. There always seemed to be something that was keeping us from getting around to satisfying its hunger.

Distraction and responsibility didn't keep me from enjoying the pleasures of my wife's kiss, however, and I prolonged the activity until I sensed the ship's engines gearing down. We had quickly arrived at Market Square.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Padmé looked at me in a way that warned me I was about to step into the mouth of sarlacc pit.

From my point of view, I had everything to gain and nothing to lose. I would do just about anything to secure my wife's happiness.

"Stay here," I suggested. "I'll return as soon as I can."

"Don't expect any help from Father. He won't offer it."

"Understood."

After a quick kiss, I left the ship and headed through the station and into the square. It was past business hours and the streets were dark and empty. The glowlamps had come on and the droid street cleaners were busy. I followed the directions I'd memorized, turned the corner and stepped onto a narrower cobblestoned street, turned right, and approached a door marked Naberrie. This was the place. Relaxed and focused, I knocked on the door, which was answered by none other than the woman of the house herself.

Nothing like getting right to it.

"I have nothing to say to you, Jedi Kenobi," she told me, crossing her arms to reveal her defiance.

"But I have plenty to stay to you, Madame Naberrie," I replied, dropping to one knee on her doorstep. The father had approached as well, but he was standing further away, behind his wife. "I love Padmé with everything I have and I would gladly give my life to save hers. This bond that ties us together has only sweetened the relationship we have and has made it even more special. We share everything: Every thought, dream, and desire as well as hardship."

"Of course you do," the older woman spat back. "You've been grooming her since she was a child. She was fourteen when you met. Of course, she would become infatuated with someone such as yourself. In her eyes, you're a hero! You have an unfair advantage, sir, and now are planning to use my daughter for your own selfish desires."

"That's not true," I immediately replied, finding it suddenly difficult to maintain my center. This woman certainly knew which of my buttons to push!

"So you deny using this power you have to convince others to do things against their will? Tell me you haven't done that. Even if you do, I shall call you what you are: A liar! I have witnessed Force persuasions performed with my very eyes, Jedi Kenobi. Are you going to kneel in front of my own home and tell me that you haven't don't the same to my daughter or even thought about it?"

"I would never," I defended myself, rising to my feet. She'd gone too far! "That goes against the Jedi Code and is unethical."

"The Jedi Code, what a bunch of…"

"That is enough!" I interrupted with a firm tone. "I have patiently listened to your side and now you will listen to mine. I am proud to be a Jedi. We serve as the guardians of peace and justice throughout the galaxy. We do not seek revenge nor do we seek chaos. Instead, we seek serenity, knowledge, and harmony with all life forms and within the Force. If you honestly believe that these things are bad for your daughter, then nothing else I can say to do will do any good. I came here this evening only to try and help you and Padmé mend what is broken. I am sorry I failed. Good evening to you Madam. Sir."

I took my leave, honestly surprised to have gotten the last word in. If the mother was like her daughter, it was an opportunity seldom had.