Chapter Nine: "Confrontation"

I had looked in his office, the conference rooms, and even the café, and I hadn't located Senator Organa yet. My last resort was to check with the Chancellor himself, even though I was perturbed at him as well. It was Valorum who'd signed the arrest warrant for Obi-Wan. It was Valorum who hadn't respected my opinions enough to consult me before he sent security to my private residence.

I was doing my best to maintain some semblance of self-control, although I realized it was quickly slipping away. Finally, when I did locate Senator Organa, he was walking through the hallway, apparently having come from the Chancellor's suite. By this time I was livid and approached him even though he had his usual entourage accompanying him.

"What's the meaning of having Obi-Wan arrested? On what charge? What has he done wrong? What could you possibly accuse him of?"

I was annoyed, which was revealed in the volume as well as the tone of my voice. At the moment, I didn't care that I was creating a scene.

"Senator," Bail replied quietly. "Let's take this conversation to a more private area."

"No! I want to know! Right here! Right now!" I demanded while attempting to lower my voice, although I wasn't very successful.

"This is not the place for confrontations," he kindly reminded me.

I was too upset to comply. That is until I saw Chancellor Valorum step out of his rooms to gaze directly at me. He didn't look pleased with my behavior either.

"Fine," I spat out. I supposed it didn't look very well to be throwing a fit in front of my superior.

I followed Bail into his own office, which was slightly larger than my own.

"Take a seat," he encouraged me, which I resolutely refused. I took a stand across from his desk, my arms crossed over my chest in a display of stubbornness and defiance. He, on the other hand, casually hung up his cloak, motioned for his secretary to close the doo,r and then looked at me with growing concern.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi is a known criminal. He was fired from his first job due to several instances, witnessed by others I might add, where he used the Force. I suppose since he was born on Stewjon, the citizens there gave him a break. However, they insisted that he leave his hometown. He was doing fine until your kidnapping. Don't get me wrong: I'm aware he saved your life, which I'm grateful for, but his continued use of the Force cannot be overlooked."

"You do realize I would've died if he hadn't," I argued. "That all those younglings he saved from that flooded river would've also died."

"I do. However, that doesn't erase the fact that he broke the law. And in regards to the earlier situation, it was the administration's opinion that Mr. Kenobi showed a lapse in judgment and put those students at risk by having them anywhere near a swollen waterway in the first place."

I opened my mouth to argue. I knew how I felt and I knew Obi-Wan was nothing other than a decent and kind human being. Before meeting him, I had supported all the laws of the galaxy, even those that dealt with the use of the Force.

As a member of the galactic senate, I had to support the law, didn't I? Even when I believed it to be wrong?

Bail must've noticed the aggravation on my face. He smiled gently and stood before approaching me. With a touch on my arm, he apologized.

"I'm sorry this has affected you in such a powerful way. I wasn't going to tell you this, but Kenobi had been scheduled for immediate termination. I convinced the Chancellor to send him to Galactic Research instead. Perhaps before anything else happens to him, somebody around here can do something to change things – to right a few wrongs."

Bail Organa was the spouse of a Queen. I had once reigned myself. I understood the politics of bargaining and reasoning with someone who held a different opinion than yours. I wasn't fooled. Not at all.

"Your words are kind, but it was you who turned on him in the first place. You were the one who gathered evidence against him and brought it before the Chancellor."

Bail looked disappointed. Because I figured out his angle or that I was questioning his motives, I wasn't sure.

"Don't you think he would've slipped up here as well? As government representatives, our lives are always at risk. There are those who would be willing to earn just a few credits for assassinating one of us. We're a constant target. It comes with the job. Maybe what I did wasn't necessarily meant to protect him, but to protect you! I promised your mother I would watch out for you. Maybe that's what I'm doing."

Bail had been a long-time acquaintance of my family and my mother's mind had been put at ease knowing that even though I was so far away from home, I'd be working alongside someone she trusted.

But that didn't mean I had to trust him. It saddened me to realize I no longer could.

"I don't appreciate you interfering in our lives," I told him rather bluntly.

"Our lives?" he accentuated. "Are you personally involved with him now? And if so, can I warn you against the dangers of associating yourself with one of his kind? You could damage your career or even be brought in on charges yourself! If you continue down this path, you will no longer be allowed to represent the people who have come to love and respect you. All the hard work you've done will be erased!"

What he said made sense, but my heart simply wouldn't listen to it. There was something about Obi-Wan that made me willing to take a chance. To risk everything.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," I told him, my earlier anger now replaced with deep disappointment. "I had once counted on not only your support but your friendship. I will do what I need to, even if I have to do it alone."

I spun on my heel to leave, his final words of warning trailing after me.

"Don't do this Padmé! You'll only live to regret it!"