Title: Mistaken

Author: Ticklesivory

Summary: Following the events in "Shift," Obi-Wan and Padmé struggle to adapt to married life, unaware that there is someone undermining their efforts.

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Genre: Action/Drama/Suspense/Romance

What is reality? Is it simply the experiences we have while moving through the world? Is it the interactions with others or with objects? If I can see it, hear it, smell it, or feel it – does that make it real?

"Obi-Wan…"

My bride spoke my name in a whisper, though loud enough to regain my attention. I had allowed my mind to wander, most likely due to the worries over the possibility of saying the wrong thing or the chance of being snatched away again.

"I do," I quickly announced, hoping the words would please her, although there was concern behind her tender gaze.

"Then by the powers invested in me by the Galactic Republic, I pronounce you man and wife."

I cast a smile toward the Naberrie family minister and then turned my attention back to Padmé. I could smell her perfume carried by the slight breeze drifting across Lake Varykino, I could hear the birdsongs coming from the surrounding landscape, and I could feel her hand gripping mine more and more tightly. Was this really happening?

"You may kiss the bride," the elderly cleric reminded me softly.

"Of course," I replied before leaning forward to capture Padmé's lips. It was done. We were now an officially married couple. Why did that make me so nervous?

We turned, arm in arm, to face the crowd who had gathered on Naboo to observe the nuptials. Her family and friends were there, of course, as well as my Padawan, and several of the Jedi Council members. Everyone appeared to be pleased with the union and everything would be perfect if it weren't for the tugging on my conscience. Something wasn't right. Maybe I was just experiencing the side effects of having 'cold feet,' as Anakin had suggested earlier. A Jedi getting married was a big deal and it didn't happen very often. There would be a lot of compromises and sacrifices to be made in order to have a successful marriage.

I could do that. I would do that. Any sacrifice was worth it. Other than giving up being a Jedi, of course. That was one thing I would never do. But why worry about it? Padmé hadn't even suggested it. Not once! Then what was plaguing me, I wondered?

"Are you all right?" she leaned in to ask once we began exiting the ceremony.

"I think it's just nerves. I'll be fine," I assured her.

We entered their family's lake home and slipped off to a bedroom where we would change for the celebratory gathering soon to follow. Once I had switched uniforms, I helped Padmé with the buttons on the back of her summer gown. It was made of a soft, flowing, and flowery material, and she looked lovely in it.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, spinning around to face me. "You're not having any regrets, are you?"

"Of course not," I told her confidently before taking her in my arms. "We'll have some adjusting to do, you know. Your schedule, my schedule…"

"We've already figured all that out. One day at a time, right?"

She was correct. Why had I brought that back up? Weeks before our wedding, we'd had several long and serious conversations about that topic, and came to the conclusion that the love we shared would make up for the time apart we were going to have to endure. 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder,' she'd reminded me on several occasions.

The thought of a prolonged absence loomed in front of me and filled me with dread. Already, there were whispers of a Separatist uprising in the Core and the Jedi were going to have to deal with it sooner or later.

"Hey," she noted, lifting my bearded chin with her finger. "We're here together right now, so why not take advantage of the time we do have?"

Did she mean what I thought she did? It had been a while since we'd had the time or energy to be intimate. Planning a wedding had taken more out of us than we initially believed it would. At the end of each day we were too tired to do anything other than cuddle.

"But we just got dressed," I teased while sliding the satiny strap of her gown down her shoulder. "And your parents will be expecting us."

"Then we'll have to make it quick," she replied with that fiery look I was learning to appreciate.

Quick wasn't what I preferred, but we were pressed for time. Urgently, I lifted her into my arms and carried her to the bed where we made love like a couple of wild animals; grunting and rutting, desperate for fulfilment. We lay in bed afterward trying to catch our breath before rising to straighten our clothes. When I was with Padmé like this, I felt free. It was the one place where I didn't have to be a serious and stern Jedi Master. I could simply enjoy myself.

I was suddenly filled with such joy, I picked Padmé up and twirled her around before planting her feet on the floor and a kiss upon her mouth.

"What was that for?" she asked, her eyes bright with happiness.

"Thank you," I gushed. "Thank you for the opportunity of being part of your life. Thank you for the hope of having a family, of being a father. I can't wait!"

"One day at a time!" she laughed before pulling me closer by grabbing the front of my tunics. "This was a perfect day, wasn't it? See? It is possible!"

I had to agree. Nothing was going to dampen my spirits today I decided, just as a thunderclap rattled the windows.

"What was that?" Padmé uttered, rushing over to look outside. "The forecast was clear for today!"

I joined her gaze and saw heavy, dark clouds approaching from the distant hills. "I guess we'd better move the party inside," I said no sooner than the skies opened and sent all the wedding attendants running for cover.