Chapter Six: "Smooth Operator"
Apparently, my brother Owen had been right after all. It wasn't the Force that was going to be the end of me, it was a beautiful woman. For some unknown reason, I had lost my mind and was willing to do anything she said. What was I thinking when I'd agreed to leave Stewjon to go to Coruscant of all places? The Capital of the Galaxy and the source of all the laws that had been written to put an end to people like me!
I was likely no longer safe on Stewjon but I wasn't safe on Coruscant for sure! If I had any sense, I would walk straight to the cockpit and tell the pilot to turn the ship around and take me back home. It was where I belonged.
She was a Siren and I couldn't ignore the call of this lovely young woman, who was more brave and honest than anyone I had ever met. Even after she knew what I was, she was still willing to talk to me. She didn't even turn me in to authorities. Most shocking of all, she was willing to help me! I couldn't understand it. Maybe it was just their way. The people of Naboo, I mean. I should visit there sometime to test my theory. Certainly, the people of Mehon weren't that way. Most of them would turn me over for even a meager amount of credits.
It was my first experience traveling through space, and although I had quickly adjusted to the cold, I hadn't yet learned to adapt to the strange, dizzying effects of hyperspace travel. Even though my eyes saw the streaks of stars moving past us at lightspeed, my mind seemed to believe we were standing still.
I'd already been to the evacuator once to relieve my stomach of its contents and was about to head back for another go when the Senator approached me and placed a hypospray against my arm.
"For motion sickness," she informed me. "You'll get used to it."
Did I actually want to get used to it? I wasn't sure, although wherever she went, I seemed more than willing to follow. As a representative of the Galactic Senate, most likely she didn't stay in one place for very long and I'd be traveling a lot. If she allowed it, that is. I didn't want to presume anything, but something was telling me I'd swallow whatever pride I had to grovel at her feet for the chance to stay by her side.
She was like no other woman I had ever met, and I'd met plenty on Stewjon, although my history with them was rather abrupt. Apparently, I was too private, or so they'd told me. I kept secrets I refused to share as if I didn't trust them. Of course, I didn't! Every single one of them would've turned me over to SANS. But not this Senator. I wondered why.
"Tell me one more time what the plan is?" I asked her, finally feeling some relief from the vertigo I'd been experiencing.
"You're going to stay in my apartment and heal up first and I won't listen to any argument about that. The decision has been made. During your recovery, I'm going to report to the Senate, inform the Application Committee of the horrendous actions of the Stewjon Security Authority, and then start some of this research we spoke of. I'd like to see just how far back the archives go."
I had never been one to stand idly by and watch others do all the work. "I'd like to be there when you discover something relevant." I was feeling much better now and was trying to get back to my usual positive self.
"Very well," she replied, thinking for a moment. "I suppose I could extend my time off and as soon as you don't look like you've been drug behind a bantha, you could present yourself as a representative from Stewjon here to speak to the Committee. No one should think twice about you accompanying me, although you should know that I'm not recommending your home planet be permitted to join the Republic."
"I don't blame you," I assured you. "Don't get me wrong. Stewjon has its good points, but those are outweighed by its many problems. They've still got a lot of work to do."
"Agreed," she told me smiling. "Is my plan satisfactory to you, or would you prefer another? I'm open to ideas."
Ideas? Here's one: How about a kiss? Where had that thought come from? I cleared my throat. "No, that sounds perfectly fine although you shouldn't worry about me."
"Of course, I should! You are now my guest and if I didn't look after you, I wouldn't be much of a hostess, would I? As soon as we arrive, I'll contact my private physician to come and take a look at you. After a few Bacta sessions, you should feel remarkably better and look better as well."
"Thanks," I told her humbly, although I wondered just how bad my appearance must be.
I didn't actually have the opportunity to view my reflection until we'd arrived in Coruscant and went to Padmé's apartment where her bathing facilities were. As I suspected, she lived a lavish lifestyle and her home was nicer than anything I'd ever seen on Stewjon. I was doing my best not to touch anything – at least not before I cleaned up.
It was shocking once I'd gotten a good look at myself in a mirror. The bruising beneath my eye and down my cheek was now dark purple and green. The injury on my lip was slowly stitching itself together but was still rather swollen. As for the rest of me? I'd had to remove my clothing to check. Before doing so, I closed the door, becoming aware of loud voices coming from her common room. I recognized hers of course and was pretty sure the other one belonged to Senator Organa. Apparently, he wasn't very pleased with her decision to bring me home. He had called it reckless and dangerous since I was a stranger and frankly, not a very good fighter.
I chuckled at that comment. I could usually hold my own when it was required, but not against eight oversized men! Who could?
I glanced about the refresher, figuring it was about three times the size of my apartment back in Mihon, when I spied a shower. A real shower with real water! Quickly, I pulled off my blood-stained clothing and after adjusting the spray, stepped in. A loud sigh audibly escaped my throat of its own accord. This was pure heaven!
A knock on the door surprised me and brought me back to reality.
"Everything all right?"
"Yes!" I shouted back, searching for a towel just in case. There was a stack of them nearby, but not within reach. Surely, she wouldn't just walk in, although this was her place and I hadn't asked permission to use her facilities. I had simply been overtaken by the temptation of standing underneath a steady stream of hot water.
"It's okay that I used your shower, isn't it?" I blurted out. "I'm sorry I didn't ask, but you were busy in the other room." I adjusted the volume of my voice to be heard over the noise, although her reply wasn't quite as loud. If fact, she was quite easy to understand. Almost as if she was standing in the same room.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to look. I just wanted to bring you a robe," she explained. "I'll have the house droid bring you a change of clothes and will send these others to the cleaners."
"That's okay," I countered, blushing furiously while pressing my private area against the tiled wall.
"Don't be ridiculous. You'll look like a butcher. I'll be right back."
"Take your time!" I shouted once I'd heard the door close. I had never realized how modest I was until this moment and I cleaned myself far quicker than I'd intended. Perhaps another time, when she was gone for a longer period, I'd sneak back in to have a good soak, perhaps in the swimming pool she used for a tub. For now, the color of the water had cleared, which would have to be good enough.
The robe she had offered was thick, fluffy, and purple. And not a masculine shade of purple either. Having no other choice, I wrapped myself into it, pulling it together as much as I could, before sitting down on a white leather bench to wait.
When Padmé returned, admittedly, she didn't do a very good job of hiding her reaction to what must've been a comical sight. While she spoke she struggled to keep a straight face.
"There's a change of clothes on the bed in the guest room down the hall. Your other things will be returned within the hour. My physician will drop by later this afternoon to look at your wounds." She sobered then while gazing at me, stepped away as if to leave, only to stop and turn toward me once again. "Obi-Wan? Thanks."
"What for?" I asked, rather bewildered. "I should be the one thanking you! You've done so much for me already and there's no way I can pay you back. Perhaps someday after this is…"
"Stop," she interrupted. "I'm only doing what any decent sentient being would do."
Boy, did she have that wrong!
"I'm thanking you for allowing me to help you. Perhaps we can right a wrong that should've been corrected a long time ago. You're obviously not insane or evil."
Not according to Senator Organa.
"You're a kind, empathetic, and gentle man, and I'm proud to know you."
She smiled at me warmly and then blushed slightly, which only made her appear more charming.
"I'm going to go check on the wash now. I'll be back in a little while."
"I'll be waiting right here. Well, not right here," I stammered. "I'll go get dressed first and then I'll meet you in there. In the common room, I mean. Or whatever your preference."
My mind screamed at me to shut up, which I did, though perhaps too late.
Smooth, Kenobi. Real smooth.