Chapter Twenty: "Emergence of Hope"
The sun seemed so much brighter with Obi-Wan in my arms. I'd been awake for about an hour and was doing my best to stay as still as possible. We had held each other closely late into the night and had actually fallen asleep this way. I awoke still with my head underneath his chin, his arms protectively wrapped around me, and his injured leg on top of mine. His breathing was steady, slow, and warm against the back of my neck. I wanted this moment to last a lifetime, but it was an important day that required us both to wake up.
"Hey," I spoke to him softly while turning in his arms. "The emergency session is in an hour."
He awoke one eye at a time and then drew me closer, rubbing his beard against my cheek while softly growling at the same time.
"Now, now. No more of that," I teased. There was nothing more I would enjoy than a repeat of what we'd done last night, but there wasn't time. "We need to get up. You know how important this is!"
I maneuvered from beneath his arms and legs, tossing a pillow onto his head before I got out of bed.
"Get moving Knight Kenobi or you're going to have to walk to the Senate Complex."
"All right, I'm up. I'm up," I heard him groan as I entered the bathing room.
As I washed up to prepare for the day, I thought over the remarkable events of the past week. Not only had Bail Organa appreciated the efforts of those who had saved him, but he had convinced Chancellor Valorum to push up the date of the meeting to review the laws banning use of the Force.
Because of what he had witnessed and endured, Senator Organa had recognized the need for the Jedi and he was going to do everything within his power to ensure they were free to pursue their training and live their lives.
I knew he would eventually come around; I just had no idea it would take the appearance of a Sith to do it!
I don't know what he had told the Chancellor to convince him to agree to call for a vote this soon, but whatever it was, I was grateful to him for it.
Obi-Wan entered the room and kissed my cheek just as I began applying color to my lips. "There's a new uniform for you hanging in the wardrobe," I informed him. "Customized to Master Yoda's standards."
Just like a child, his gray eyes flew wide with excitement and he rushed to the wardrobe. I quickly finished getting ready, not wanting to miss seeing his expression when he saw it. The package had arrived yesterday and it had taken a lot of effort to hide it from him. Apparently, Master Yoda had commissioned a seamstress in Knossa to fashion the items.
Before I returned to my bedroom, Obi-Wan had already stripped down and had put on the new dark brown leggings, which hugged his body in all the right places. I would've worried about other ladies appreciating what was meant for my eyes only were it not for the light green tunic he pulled on which reached his thighs and covered his finest assets. He then added the tan vest with green lining and dark brown belt. Lastly, he clipped on the lightsaber hilt, as well as a utility pouch. Then he stepped over to the full-length mirror to gaze at himself.
"Is this what a Jedi's supposed to look like?" he asked while staring blankly at his reflection.
I stepped up, freely expressing my pride with a large smile. "I think you look remarkably handsome. Even more than before and that's saying something," I acknowledged, putting my arms about his waist.
"Handsome won't make me a better fighter," he noted. "I'll have to get used to this."
"There was a note with the package," I informed him, pulling open my vanity drawer to hand it to him.
"Read it for me, please."
I was happy to comply with the request. "Knight Kenobi - In accordance with ancient Jedi apparel, to you, I present a modern version. Since the Jedi history secure it now is, join you soon I will. Much work we still have to do. May the Force be with you. Mst Yoda."
"He's coming here?" Obi-Wan asked.
I folded the handwritten parchment and placed it back in the drawer for safekeeping. "That's what the note said," I assured him, although he looked a little worried. "Is that okay?"
"Oh, that's fine," Obi-Wan explained. "I just assumed I would be returning to Ossus. I was planning on taking Qui-Gon and the others with me if they wished to go."
"I think that's a splendid idea," I agreed, even though I knew it would mean another separation of unknown duration.
"I guess we'll have to wait and see what he has in mind."
Again, I smiled at his reflection and then swatted his backside. "Let's hurry and get out of here," I suggested right before he reached back to pinch my own buttocks. I moved too quickly for him, however, and he chased me through the apartment. Between laughing and screaming, I tried to open the door but wasn't successful before he slammed both hands against it on either side of my head. I turned, more than willing to surrender.
"You're my prisoner," he announced throatily while staring at lips I knew he was about to kiss.
I stopped him with an apology and a hand pressed to his mouth. "Seriously, we need to leave."
"If you insist, M'Lady," he joked, palming the door open, although as soon as I turned, his finger and thumb clamped down on my backside.
Our mood continued to be light and playful until we reached the Senate Complex. At that point, I started to get nervous. Really nervous.
"You'll be fine. It's time to show them your strength," Obi-Wan encouraged as we approached the Senate Chamber.
Before entering, something drew my attention to the right hallway where there were benches where most of the aids usually sat and waited. However, gathered there weren't aids, but Jedi. All of them.
"Obi-Wan, look," I told him, rotating his shoulders around.
Qui-Gon was the first to approach with his hand thrust out, which Obi-Wan shook with sincerity.
"Thank you for coming," he told the older man before recognizing the rest. "Thank you all."
A chime rang out which notified all Senators of the beginning of the session, and the hallways began emptying of politicians, aids, and reporters who began filing through the multiple doors leading to the chamber.
"Fear not, Knight Kenobi," Qui-Gon said with a wink. "The Force will be with us always."