Chapter Seven: "Distractions and Disappointments"

My physician had come and gone and his assessment of Obi-Wan wasn't as grave as I had assumed. His ribs were only bruised, although the area looked terrible. His entire side was a sickly greenish-yellow color. Following the examination and treatment, he looked completely exhausted and I insisted he turn in for the night.

Once in bed, I hesitated to leave his side, wanting to make sure he didn't need anything else. Actually, he did ask for a drink of water. However, by the time I returned with it, he had fallen asleep.

The Bacta treatments the medic had applied were doing wonders. As I stood there watching over him, I could actually see the hematomas begin to vanish. At this rate, come morning, he should be returned to his original state.

I was hovering. I realized that, but I was worried about him. My family had often claimed I worried too much about everything and was empathetic to a fault. Especially when it came to injured creatures. I'd been known to save all types of animals when I was a child. My bedroom oftentimes looked like a veterinary hospital. But like any other injured thing, I realized with a great deal of apprehension that Obi-Wan would someday need to be freed.

The problem was, I didn't want him to leave. Which was crazy, since we had just met. The truth was, I liked having him here. His presence, however, only magnified the emptiness of not only my home but my life. Sure, I had my career, but its fulfillment wasn't the same as having someone to come home to, to share things with, and to…well, love. Obi-Wan would be so easy to love.

But first, I needed to help him. I wanted to start right away, but I'd made a promise. Once he was presentable, then we'd go into the office together. With the use of the data system in the Senate Building, I was certain we'd find what we were looking for. As a Galactic Senator, I had access to records that he didn't and was hoping to discover evidence that Obi-Wan couldn't.

Perhaps tomorrow, he will have healed enough. Even during my thought process, which had only been a few minutes, the bruising around his eye was completely gone. It was only a matter of hours before the rest of it vanished as well.

Definitely tomorrow morning, we'd go into town. For now, I would sit by his bedside as long as I could, just to make sure he didn't anything, I had convinced myself.

The following morning, I heard the shower running and realized Obi-Wan had risen before me and was once again enjoying the plentiful amount of recycled water piped into my apartment building. I lie in bed thinking over my plans for the day to allow him enough time before he emerged, wrapped only in a towel, the muscles of his chest glistening with moisture.

"Oh, sorry," he announced, his face reddening. "I thought you were asleep."

"It's okay," I murmured drowsily.

"That shower is just, well, it's amazing. I couldn't help myself."

His lack of cover allowed me to get a good look at his wounds and I smiled with relief. "You're healed!" I announced happily.

"Yeah," he replied, gazing down at his side. "Whatever your doctor used on me was better than anything we have back home."

"You look good enough…" …to eat, my mind finished silently, the unexpected thought startling me. "…to be seen in public," I completed out loud. "Ready to go in and find some answers?"

"Today?" he asked excitedly. "Absolutely! Just let me get dressed first."

The idea seemed like such a shame, although it was necessary, I supposed. I shook my head to try and clear it from these unusual thoughts before I made an absolute fool of myself and blurted one of them out.

"We'll grab something to eat on the way."

"Great!" His smile was brighter than the morning sun and Obi-Wan immediately trotted off to the guest room.

I rose myself, washed up, and chose my most flattering work gown. After ensuring not a single hair was out of place, with my lips painted rosy pink, I stepped out to join him. He was waiting for me in the common area, looking as handsome as he had the first time I'd seen him in his classroom. He had trimmed up his beard, and his eyes were sparkling with hope.

"There's a little café on the ground floor of the Senate, I'd thought we'd stop at," I suggested. Although I wasn't usually hungry in the mornings, he might be. It was actually a little bit out of my way, but I didn't mind. Not today.

Grinning with anticipation, Obi-Wan walked to the front door ahead of me and opened it for us. However, we both came to a stop, our smiles immediately disappearing when we came face to face with a trio from the Coruscant Security Force. The blast shields on their helmets were raised and I couldn't see their faces, not that I would recognize any of them. However, if I could, perhaps I'd be able to determine their intentions; although, they couldn't be good.

"I have a warrant here for the arrest of one Mr. Obi-Wan Kenobi from Stewjon. Would you be him, sir?"

How? How had word spread so quickly? Who would've turned him in overnight? I was stunned, but once they were gone I was sure going to find out!

"I am he," Obi-Wan confirmed his voice having lost all its previous fervor.

"By order of Chancellor Valorum and in accordance with section seven of the Noncompliance Amendment, you are being taken into custody and held for questioning. I suggest you hold your tongue until you've met with private counsel."

Disappointment wasn't a good enough word to describe what I was feeling. Betrayal was more like it!

"Don't worry, Obi-Wan," I encouraged as they placed electro-binders on his wrists and began leading him away. "I'll hire the finest attorney and sue whoever's responsible if I have to! You won't be in there for long!"

Once they were out of sight, I slammed and secured my front door, took the lift down, and headed directly to the Senate Building. However, it wasn't my office I was going to first, it was the one belonging to Bail Organa.