Hand of Fate
Chapter 14 / Escape from Cilpar
The Nikto pirate trudged up to the cage holding Obi-Wan, Sabé, and DC-10, a set of metal keys in one hand and the ray shield controls in the other. With a foul smirk, the guard de-activated the ray shields and came straight up to the cage door, staring at Obi-Wan malevolently. The Jedi returned the stare with a neutral gaze, his arms folded lightly. The pirate spoke, his voice a throaty growl as his reptilian nostrils flared. "All right scum, I'm here for the female. Move."
Obi-Wan did move. Forward. "You don't want me to move," he said with the utmost calm command through the rusty bars. "You're going to unlock the door and then step aside to let us pass."
The pirate's face went expressionless and he stood a bit straighter. "I don't want you to move," he repeated, his voice now void of much personality. "I'm going to unlock the door and then step aside to let you pass." And then, just like that, he began to unlock the cage.
Obi-Wan sent Sabé a signifiant look even as she gaped with an astonished expression. The cage door opened with a creak and the pirate stood aside, eyes blank. "Milady," Obi-Wan said conversationally, motioning in a playfully gallant for her to go ahead.
Sabé hesitated doubtfully—was this for real? Obi-Wan chuckled then went first to show her it was safe, a little smile playing on his lips as he watched her visibly face down her nerves to follow him. She limped out and gave a wide berth with eyes on the guard the entire time, but he remained motionless, a non threat. So it was real. "That is quite the trick, Kenobi," she said, genuinely impressed. She'd heard of Jedi ability to influence the weak-minded, but to see it in person was equal parts incredible and a little unsettling. Regardless, she grew emboldened and approached the pirate then with a decisive yank, she declared "I'll take that," as she took the knife strapped to him out of its holster, but her body language remained tense, braced for attack. When he remained stock still, she relaxed a little then snatched his blaster. "And this too." The pirate still stared blankly. Sheathing the knife in her own empty holster, she flipped the blaster deftly in her hand to hold it butt-first and then gave a powerful slashing blow across his head, rendering him unconscious to a heap on the floor. She looked at Obi-Wan, gauging his expression. He nodded briefly, then nodded toward the main cavern.
"Let's go," he said quietly. "Can you walk?"
Sabé nodded and waved down her droid, who still lingered in the cage. "DC-10, get your rear in gear," she ordered, already limping in step with Obi-Wan, who moved slower to keep her pace. They kept to the cavern wall then stopped just short of the main cave where they were still able to remain hidden behind rocks and the shadows.
The cave was very large, the ceiling of it seventy feet or more above their heads, and the cave mouth opening about fifty feet wide and just as tall as the cave. The majority of the pirates were currently all gathered at their long table toward the back of the cave, eating and talking noisily as some kind of dead animal carcass roasted over a spit-turn. Two pirates patrolled the cave mouth, but they seemed bored and listless to Sabé's quick glance. Obi-Wan pointed at the pirate's main freighter, a Corellian ship that was peacefully docked with its ramp down. In between them and the ship there were a few other smaller ships and various supply crates that could provide cover and hiding spots. "We'll sneak around the side wall and into that freighter," Obi-Wan said. Behind them, DC-10 came up, joints noisily whirring.
Sabé slapped a hand to DC-10's chest casing to stop the droid from coming any further. "And how exactly do we sneak with my knee and this noisy droid?" She whispered skeptically. When she'd escaped here last time, it had been during when everyone was sleeping. DC-10 was slow and shiny, a surefire way to get caught.
"You're right," Obi-Wan replied after a beat. "We'll make a break for it after I cause a distraction."
Sabé was unconvinced. "What distraction?"
Obi-Wan gave her a look and then sent his attention to the pirates. His expression grew very focused, and Sabé saw his hand stretch out at his side, fingers flexing. There was a shout, and a burst of flames from the spit-roast so large it caused a few crates nearby to catch fire. The pirates frantically began to work on putting the flames out, and even the guards ran to assist, leaving the cave mouth free and clear. Giving her an airy look, Obi-Wan cocked an eyebrow. "Does that suffice?"
Sabé was prim. "It'll do."
The droid managed to sound aggravated. "Can the both of you stop competing?" DC-10 asked. "I'd very much like to leave this planet now."
"You and me both," Sabé agreed, patting the droid's shoulder component.
Waiting to make sure all the pirates were adequately occupied, Obi-Wan nodded. "Now," he urged, and they made a break for it. Staying at her side, Obi-Wan and Sabé kept low, going as fast as possible and using the cover of crates and ships. DC-10 shuffled as quick as possible, but not being designed for speed or agility meant the droid was at least ten paces or more behind them. And unfortunately, the shiny casing got them spotted about halfway to their destination.
"Hey!" came a shout. "Prisoners escaping!"
Sabé swore even as the barrage of blaster fire came at them. Given no other choice, she and Obi-Wan threw themselves behind the shelter of a large supply crate. The ship they were trying for was only a short sprint away—the gangplank beckoning them to the safety and escape the freighter promised.
Blaster held close to her chest as she breathed hard, Sabé whipped her head back toward where her droid was still approaching at a ridiculous shuffle, arms waving in panic. "Hurry, hurry!" Sabé urged in a shout as she helplessly watched the metallic being approach through sideways rain of red blaster bolts.
And then, a bolt made contact and hit into DC-10's leg joint, sending out a burst of sparks. "I'm shot!" DC-10 cried, toppling over to the ground just a few feet away from the safety of the crate.
"DC-10!" Sabé jumped to her feet thoughtlessly and maybe it was the adrenaline, but the pain in her knee was barely registered as she barreled into the open, blaster up and returning cover fire as she grabbed onto her droid and began pulling them much too slowly toward safety. And then she saw something peculiar. A flying, spinning silver bar coming at them from the where the pirates were. Even as she struggled to understand what it was, it flew right into the spot over her head—and into the waiting hand of Obi-Wan Kenobi, who stood behind her with a severe expression. With a flick of his thumb, his lightsaber blazed to life and he was suddenly in front of her and DC-10, deftly sending laserfire back toward where it had come from.
"Go, go, get to the ship!" he shouted intensely, and Sabé grabbed onto DC-10's slippery casing and yanked the droid up in rescue position under each armpit, then ran backwards as best as she could while lugging the heavy droid along the rough stone flooring toward the ship. She sent a few more sloppy shots out toward their attackers even as she strained with a yell to make it. Obi-Wan stayed near, providing cover the entire time. "I'll get the droid, you go!" he commanded, voice a roar over the din of laserfire.
For a millisecond, she considered not following that command. Then she chose to trust, and as gently as she could in the rush she was in, she dropped DC-10 and made a limping run for the ship ramp, firing at the enemy the entire time. Lasers hit the ship as she sprinted up the ramp, sending showers of sparks around her. Blindly, she ran inside and toward what she hoped was the cockpit. It was. Relieved and frantic all at once, she slammed into the captain's chair sideways, fingers fumbling for controls and punching the correct buttons to initiate takeoff. The engines hummed then roared to life and the pitch grew higher as initiation completed. She reached a shaking arm over to activate shields on the co-pilot side of the control panel, her breathing shaky and ragged. Through the cockpit viewing ports, she could see the pirates advancing and some were moving toward their ships. She also saw Obi-Wan, slowly making his way toward the ship, his saber flashing in a dancing blur of blue. Sabé's eyes flew over the console, searching for the ship weapon's system.
She found what she was looking for and hit a few switches then grabbed the trigger and began to fire on the pirates from the cockpit, providing Obi-Wan an opportunity to scoop the droid up and run into the ship. As soon as she was sure he was aboard, Sabé punched the ramp retract and began to lift off. The ship rocked slightly from side to side at her clumsy, hurried actions. Kriff, she didn't entirely know how to fly this thing—Corellian console and tech design was different than Nubian.
Suddenly Obi-Wan was in the cockpit and in the co-pilot's seat, helping her steady the ship by offsetting the main controls with the nuanced art of thruster balance. The ship stabilized. "If they get those ships in the air, we'll have significantly more problems," he said. Even though he was calm, there was a very clear urgency to him.
"That's why they're not getting those ships in the air," Sabé said with a deadly serious firmness. She was ending this—now. The ship began to move backwards at her command, and even as she watched pirates jumping into their fighter ships, she punched the throttle hard and pulled back on the trigger, engaging turbo ion cannon control. She fired upwards of six or seven shots into the cave as they zoomed out backwards, the pirate's ships the first things to go up in explosions of flame. Those series of smaller explosions turned into one much larger one that engulfed the entirety of the cave and burst out into the outside world.
Even as bright sunlight suddenly bathed the cockpit where darkness had been before, the ship shuddered from the force of the explosion and the sonic boom that followed. With a dire, relieved glance at her copilot, Sabé cut the speed and whipped the ship around unevenly then at a more steady pace, took them straight toward the bluest part of the sky and the outer space beyond it. She let out a deep, tense breath, shoulders relaxing from where she hadn't even noticed their tenseness. She fell back into the chair and ran a hand down across her face as the sky around them grew darker and stars became visible. The comfort of silence combined with the steady ship's hum gave her the steadiness she needed, and opening her eyes back up, she began to program the hyperdrive. Naboo. A nine hour journey. The calculations were lightning fast and the jump was ready seconds later. She punched it—and stars went to lines then the vessel gave a slight jerk as they shot into lightspeed.
Sabé stood immediately and went back to the main hold—it had a tech station, kitchenette, entertainment console, and bunk beds. All details she glossed over. She went straight to her droid, who was leaned oddly against the built-in table. "DC-10, are you all right?" she asked, examining the droid's black blaster wound and scraped housing.
"I don't believe any major damage is done, Commander," DC-10 replied. "I'll need some time in the shop once we're home."
"Good," Sabé said, nodding as further relief settled in. "Good." She was shaken up from the adrenaline but knowing that her droid was in once piece helped. She thought for a moment, spotting a first-aid pullout on a nearby wall. Obi-Wan appeared from the hallway to the cockpit, where he leaned casually. Sabé tore her gaze from him and looked at DC-10. "We've made the jump to hyperspace, fuel looks good too," she told the droid. "Do you mind going to the cockpit to monitor everything while we get sorted out?"
The droid nodded once. "Of course Commander." Dragging a leg somewhat, the droid proceeded toward the cockpit.
Sabé went to the first-aid pullout and took it out then spread the contents out onto the table. Luckily it was a full set.
"Well, who gets credit for that one?" Obi-Wan asked, his tone distinctly joking as he sauntered closer with arms crossed.
Sabé looked at him cluelessly for a short beat—credit for what? Oh—the rescue count he was keeping. A slightly disbelieving smile spread on her face. "You're still keeping score?" she asked, then shook her head at him. Was there any situation he couldn't make fun of? She played along. "I'd say it was a team effort."
He approached slowly, watching her select bacta strips and wound sanitizer. "Then we're even," he said, and she could hear the smile on his voice without looking at him. "You're impressively protective of that droid," he ventured after a second. "Loyal, even."
Sabé looked at him as she paused her work. "I'm loyal to those who are loyal to me." A fond expression softened her face. "They don't make them all like DC-10." She held up her gathered supplies and prompted him. "You first or me?"
He played the part of gentleman. "Ladies first, of course."
They cleared off the table and Sabé sat on it, allowing Obi-Wan to take the tunic scrap off her wound and clean and properly dress the gash. He looked like quite the way: missing his robe and Jedi tunic, he did still manage to look somehow appealing in the torn tunic that Demi had given him. His wild hair added to the roguish, wild handsome effect. Not for the first time, Sabé told herself not to go there.
"I'm still going to report the situation to the Council, even though the problem seems to have been taken care of," Obi-Wan said presently. He paused and looked at her in an unnervingly close way. "I can sense your inner turmoil. Is it about killing those pirates?"
A slight spike of panic came at his observation, and then his piercing eyes made her stomach flip. "No," she said, and was able to cover with the truth: "I'm worried about the people of Cilpar." She was, and had been from the moment she'd been brought here and thrown into captivity with them. Although they had been guarded and suspicious of her, the outsider, she had understood why and empathized with their situation. "They're vulnerable and not equipped to face threats like those pirates."
Obi-Wan's gentle actions continued as he wrapped her bacta-dressed wound with gauze, finishing up. "True. And yet I don't think the people of Cilpar are ready for big changes from the outside world."
Sabé stood up, nodding her downcast agreement. "They're not. And it's not my place to try and change them either." Obi-Wan took a seat where she'd just been, waiting for his first aid. "Some things need only exist," she noted. And then he pulled his shirt up and off, causing her to fumble and swallow and forget what she was saying. She cleared her throat and forged forward, doing her best to be professional as she removed the makeshift wound dressing that bound his Ronk lacerations. She had to think hard to remember herself. "I will, however, reach out to nearby systems and see who might be able to keep an eye out," she said in a businesslike tone as she began to sanitize the wounds one by one, starting with his forehead cut then working her way to the three giant angry red scratches on either side of his ribcage. It hadn't felt so awkward for her when he'd been unconscious and shirtless. But this was. He was awake, watching her, and very bare. Firm shoulders and defined arms framed a strong torso. As she began applying bacta strips, she tried not to notice the copper hairs scattered lightly across his chest and abdomen that grew more thickly below his belly button and surely further down too. A flush of embarrassment heated her as she pressed a bacta strip into the last clawmark.
"Is everything all right, Commander?" Obi-Wan asked genuinely, no doubt keying in on her obvious discomfort.
In response, Sabé turned a fraction more hostile and practically slapped the last bacta patch onto his forehead cut. "And why wouldn't I be?" she asked thinly, unable to come up with anything else. "I'm great." She realized she overdid it, and saw that he was both amused and confused by her response. She looked for something else to do to escape this moment. "Let's see if there's any food on this godsforsaken bucket of bolts."
Obi-Wan pulled the tunic back on as Sabé began to tear the kitchenette apart. He was puzzled at her demeanor but let it go.
Over the next hour, Sabé was able to settle down. Food and water helped, and finding a stash of 100-proof Nyriaan spirits eased her mood greatly. Only a sip or two of the extremely pungent dark liquor was needed to relax, and even Obi-Wan partook. He then suggested a round of Sabacc. What followed was an intense round that Sabé won, then another round which Obi-Wan won. Casual talk drifted between them, and the friendly, relaxed dynamic they'd always shared returned. After Obi-Wan won the third round, Sabé grew indignant in a good-natured way and threw her cards down onto the table they sat at, then crossed her arms and sat back with a challenging look on her face.
"I'm pretty sure you're using the Force to cheat," she said—mostly in jest.
Obi-Wan feigned offense and took another small sip of his drink. "I would never."
"Mmhmm." She took another light sip of her liquor and winced at it, making a face in response to the strong spirits. It sent warmth throughout her and urged her to please, please get the sleep she so badly needed. She started to get up to do just that, and Obi-Wan seemed pleased.
"Admitting defeat then?" he asked teasingly as she walked a few steps off.
Sabé rounded on him. "I would never," she said in humorous defiance, He grinned a little and stood up then leaned against the table as if it were a seat, his hands gripping it on either side as he crossed his ankles. He waited to hear her reason. "Defeating you will have to wait," she said. "I need to sleep."
Obi-Wan appeared thoughtful and unconvinced. "A likely story."
He really seemed to enjoy tormenting her, but she couldn't say the feeling wasn't mutual. Torn between faint annoyance and a feeling like fondness, she regarded him with a smile she couldn't wipe off her face even if she wanted to. Then she noticed his forehead where the hastily patched-up wound was peeling up off his skin at one end. Given one last task before sleep, she walked over to him with an inconvenienced huff. "Your bacta strip is coming off," she said, and touched her fingertips lightly to the spot where the patch was peeling up, gently coaxing it back down. Then she looked into his waiting crystal blue eyes and she forgot about the bacta. She forgot about everything. Some moments have a certain magic to them. Outside time doesn't seem to exist, external factors like the past and future don't seem to matter. This was the kind of moment Sabé found herself suspended in. All there was to focus on was how close they were, and how much everything in her wanted a part of him she intuitively believed was not hers to have. And yet between them there was an electric and alive energy, calling them close, locking their gazes, demanding they surrender. Their expressions mirrored each other's: surprise at the sudden intense moment, vulnerability to the other. Her fingertips drifting down from Obi-Wan's forehead to touch his cheek as her eyes searched his.
Was it him that initiated it, or her? It seemed like they both did, as if drawn together like the most gentle of magnets—her heart was in her throat and was beating like she'd run miles as they drifted closer, until there was no way to be closer. Her mouth found his for the softest, most questioning little touch that he answered cautiously and slowly. In response, her entire body seemed to zing with an explosion of euphoria, peace, and a maddening need for more. Their exhales mixed as their mouths hovered close after that first little testing kiss, and Sabé was crushed by fear that he would push her away. And then she felt his arms so slowly go around her as he stood to his full height, then their lips came together again, this time more boldly. His hands gingerly pressed into her back to pull her against himself as her hand moved from his cheek to hold him by the back of the head. They kissed each other in a soft, disbelieving trance that this was happening, the personality of the kiss growing more sensual and deep by the second. The moment sparked something in Sabé no other kiss ever had: she swore she could feel his emotions for the briefest second. No words could describe it. And then before it had begun, it was over. He pulled back, his expression stunned and lips parted. There they remained frozen, each holding onto each other like that and staring for what felt like an eternity.
"W-what just happened?" Sabé asked in the faintest whisper, afraid to shatter the moment apart. They were still so close that she could feel his heart beating against her. Breathing felt difficult for her in that moment and her mind spun.
Before he said anything at all, Sabé knew. Knew that he'd made a mistake from his perspective, knew that this was a moment that there would be no more of. And her first reaction to that knowledge was fear of losing his friendship over everything else. She almost dreaded his reply.
He swallowed and wet his lips, and she saw that he didn't know either. "We're… both a little inebriated," he whispered back after a moment.
It hurt immediately and deeply when he said that. But she imagined anything he said would inflict pain right now. "Right," she agreed hesitantly, nodding shallowly in a daze. She didn't feel that affected by the drink. But she echoed his story. "Both a little inebriated."
He nervously wet his lips again, eyes searching hers, conflict and pain showing on his expression. His arms were loosening. "We… we probably wouldn't have done that if we were clear headed."
Was he trying to convince himself, or her? It didn't matter. There was a pain in her chest and somewhere else not physical that was growing. She pulled away from him completely, ashamed and embarrassed and disappointed. Without anything further she straightened herself and left quickly. "I'll be up front with DC."
Obi-Wan remained in the hold for most of the remainder of the journey, seeking clarity through meditation. None came. All he felt was conflict and surprise. At himself, at the situation. It had happened so suddenly, and he'd gone along so willingly. He couldn't stop thinking about it, running the moment and every little detail over in his mind a thousand times. He hadn't known a kiss was like that—he'd never experienced one before. There had been quite a few women and men throughout the years who had expressed flirtations and interest in him, but Obi-Wan had merely taken it as a compliment and gone about his business. While he did find some women attractive, he had never really struggled with being attracted to one. With Sabé, it went so far beyond the physical in a way he wasn't sure how to frame. But now that he'd had a taste of the physical aspect, he was lost. And dreading their next interaction. Because he respected and cared for her, and owed her the truth and an explanation of why he couldn't pursue this with her. Ever. And yet that kiss was burned into his mind, and he wanted more. The feeling of her in his arms, the way her kiss felt and what it had done to him… he doubted he would ever be free of the memory.
When his senses told him their journey would be coming to an end soon, Obi-Wan rose from where he'd been sitting cross-legged and with a deep breath to steel himself, he went into the cockpit. There he found Sabé in the captain's chair. DC-10 was in low-power mode, plugged in to charge in the further back corner of the cockpit.
He slowly sat down in the co-pilot's chair. Sabé's expression was neutral as she looked unseeingly into the mottled whir of hyperspace. She spoke first. "Please forgive me, Obi-Wan." A muscle in her jaw clenched and she looked at him with eyes that were disgraced. "I wasn't thinking clearly, and I just—acted."
It was painful to see her guilt, and he didn't know how to make it right. "Don't feel badly, Sabé, please. We both…" he trailed off, then cast his eyes away, unable to bear looking at her. "It was both of us." He drew in a deep breath and did his best to explain where he stood. "The Jedi code isn't precise on some things. Some think we ought never indulge in physical relationships because they toe the line of attachment." He spoke slowly and gently, afraid to hurt her further. "Others see physical encounters as being entirely possible without attachment. Each Jedi Knight must arrive at their own conclusion in this specific matter."
She listened somberly. "And what is your conclusion?" She asked. She didn't sound hopeful.
Obi-Wan wanted to tell her everything, but knew he should be very careful how he worded himself. "I… feel much too deeply to approach anything like that casually." Even admitting that felt like he'd taken off all his armor. He finally looked at her again, wishing he could make her understand so that she couldn't take it personally or feel pain from it. "I'm sworn to the Code, and to the Order. By my own choice. My life is for service to the greater good." Even right now to look at her, he couldn't help but find her beautiful and feel a sense of injustice that this situation was suddenly like this. "I purposefully abstain from taking part in certain life experiences, but… I am only human," he told her, his guilt making him feel burdened. "Prone to my own sets of weaknesses and flaws." Including feelings, urges, desires that he viewed as more self-serving. He was wise enough to know that he couldn't control his feelings, only his decisions. This was one of those instances where his feelings were truly difficult to overlook. That, and the hurt he saw on her face and felt from her energy caused him to suffer too. He hesitated, fearing that what he said next would be too revealing. But he wanted her to know, and he held her gaze meaningfully. "In a different lifetime… I suspect that moment would have ended very differently."
Her eyes were dark and full. He felt how she resisted his message and how her feelings surged at his last statement. She was quiet for a long moment, then she nodded and accepted it. "I understand."
The reply made his chest feel as though it swelled with a tender feeling. He wished he could give her a better reassurance. All he could offer though, was the following. "As always, you have my utmost respect and my friendship."
Despite the emotional wound she was now carrying, she nodded and a hurt smile pressed her face. "And you mine." She returned to looking at hyperspace.
Obi-Wan studied her profile and felt sadness that could have been hers or his. Or perhaps both. "I'm so sorry if I've offended you."
She drew a deep breath and let it out, thinking. She was measured in her reply, but there was an undertone of heartache there. "I told you. I understand. I'll put this behind me." Her eyes drifted downward. "But I do have to be honest." Her gaze came to meet his once more, and the intensity there stilled him. "I'll always wonder about that different lifetime, Obi-Wan."
He thought he would too. Physical pain filled his chest.
The ship dropped out of hyperspace just then, and Naboo's familiar surface greeted them. The smallest smile and sigh came from Sabé, whose relief to be home was tangible. She had returned to all-business again, shutting out the previous conversation. "I notified the palace of our arrival. Queen's not available right now but someone's supposed to meet us at the airfield." She smoothed her hair and attempted a lighter mood. "How do I look?"
An invitation to keep their dynamic friendly and teasing as it always had been. "Same as I do," he answered, trying his best to fall into step. "Dreadful."
She grinned at that, but he saw the sadness peaking through still. Sabé began to signal Theed air control and pilot them in. Obi-Wan watched her, realizing that he might never see this woman again. And perhaps that was for the best. But the thought tore at him and made him feel low, like a stone sunken to the bottom of an ocean.
They landed at an airfield Obi-Wan was not familiar with, due to the larger ship they were in. Visible waiting were two individuals Obi-Wan recognized easily now: Captain Typho and Zana.
Sabé got DC-10 up and going and headed to the main hold as Obi-Wan lowered the ramp and finished the landing protocol. He followed behind Sabé by a few paces, feeling as if he needed to distance himself so that no one could discover the secret moment that had transpired. He watched as Sabé limped down the ramp and was promptly crashed into by her sister, who hugged so tightly it looked like she might squeeze Sabé in half. Relieved tears streamed down the teenager's face. Zana was the height that Sabé could rest a cheek against the top of her head, and Sabé's expression worked hard not to break down as she held her sister back tightly. A moment that tugged at the heartstrings. Typho approached the girls and took off his hat, then Sabé put a single arm around him as he hugged both the girls. Obi-Wan felt a strange feeling flare and that question raised in his mind again about Gregar and Sabé.
"You alright?" Typho asked, pulling back and giving Sabé a worried look over. "Looks like you really went through something."
Sabé ruffled Zana's hair and looked at Gregar in turn. "Banged up but fine as usual,"
DC-10, slowly moving toward them with the bad leg, sounded affronted. "On the contrary, I think my leg joint is no longer functional!"
Obi-Wan suddenly found himself in a painful hug from Zana, who ran from her sister to him. "Thank you, thank you," she said, her eyes and energy brimming with gratitude and warmth.
Smiling lightly at her, he patted her shoulder kindly. "It was no trouble at all," he said, and he and Sabé's gazes met for a brief, signifiant second at that. Zana returned to stand in front of her sister, holding one of Sabé's hands in both of her own as if she were afraid the wind might blow her away.
Typho put his hat back on and nodded in a shallow bow. "Master Kenobi, you have our gratitude." He was not as warm as Zana was. "Please, let us take you to a medical facility and give you guest lodging to rest in."
Obi-Wan considered. He wanted to. Not for any reason except not to leave where Sabé was yet. And that was precisely why knew he must refuse. "No I—I'll be needed back at the temple very soon." He didn't have to look at Sabé to know the disappointment he felt was hers.
"Are you sure?" Typho asked.
Obi-Wan nodded, pleasant and gathered outwardly. "I'm sure." He approached Sabé and gave a small bow. It felt strange to leave this way, like he was betraying a part of himself. "Well, Commander." So much felt left unsaid. But all he could speak was: "I suppose this is goodbye."
Sabé attempted to match his show of formality. "Yes." But her smile was sad and she clearly struggled for the words to say. She finally settled on: "It was good seeing you again. Even under the circumstances." He knew she meant that part, and he agreed. Typho was watching keenly, and Sabé seemed to grow uncomfortable under his watchfulness. "Will you give Anakin our hello?" she asked Obi-Wan.
He nodded. "Of course." Their time together flashed through his mind inescapably. Words felt so hollow in contrast. "Take care."
Sabé contemplated him for a long couple of seconds. "The heart of Naboo goes with you, Master Kenobi." And then she gave him another smile tinged by sadness.
His smile mirrored hers. Until we meet again, he thought. And then he did the hardest thing he'd done in awhile and turned to go back into the freighter to return to his life.
As the ship began to initiate takeoff, Sabé released a long sigh and turned her attention to Zana. They began to walk toward the speeder nearby with an arm looped around each other and even as Sabé gave Zana a squeeze, Gregar looked at her intently. "Did something happen?" he asked quietly.
Sabé returned his glance dismissively. "What would've happened?"
Not convinced, Gregar didn't push it, but he did cast a shrewd look back at the departing freighter.
Sabé glanced back too, her expression flickering. The past few days would be difficult to move on from and jump back into normal life from. But what choice did she have? She intuitively knew that what happened between her and Obi-Wan would haunt her. That stolen moment was burned into her mind like a brand. How could she escape that? Watching his ship leave, her heart felt like it broke a little, like it was betrayal for him to leave. But she'd known since the first day she met him that they were on two separate paths, living two different lives. That was the truth of it, and no longing in her heart would ever change that. Would fate bring them together again? That remained to be seen. Until then, she would carry the burden of knowing his kiss.
Author's Notes: Sooooo… omg. OMG! Right? Characters sometimes have these ways of doing things totally against the author's plot/plan/vision. This chapter was one instance of that. I hadn't planned for them to kiss until quite a few chapters later, BUT I am only a conduit lol! They wanted to, so it had to be written. Now I can't imagine it another way and holy shit, my feeeelings...! Anyway! Onto our next original adventure next and the setup for Clone Wars stuff. SO stoked. Please leave reviews and lemme know what you thought of the chapter!
