Chapter Fifteen: "Unexpected Visitor"
We had found much more than we had bargained for on Ossus. Having made contact with someone who was actually a Jedi from a time when they weren't considered unlawful was a miracle. There was much Obi-Wan could learn from Yoda and needed to learn. To do that, he needed to stay.
However, what I needed to do could only be done back on Coruscant. Therefore, I realized with a heavy heart that I would have to leave him here. After I'd acquired as much evidence as I could, I would return to the Senate and prepare a statement. I'd even go to the Holonet media to get my message across if I had to, but first, I'd try to talk some sense into Bail Organa. I needed someone who knew their way around the Senate to be on my side. He was a reasonable man. Surely, he would listen to what I had to say.
"You okay?"
I turned my head to see Obi-Wan ducking beneath the opening of the den. There indeed was a makeshift mattress on the floor, although it appeared as if I hadn't been the first to consider it. Apparently, a nest or two had been made inside it at one point or another. Instead, I sat on the floor and leaned against the stone wall.
"I'm fine," I assured him. "Come on in. I was just sitting here considering the inevitable possibility that I need to return to the Core."
"And leave me behind," he said, completing my disturbing thought.
Obi-Wan stood over me, then turned his back and slid down the wall to a sitting position. With a hand placed on one of my bent knees, he gazed into my eyes.
"I understand it's a necessity but I'll miss you."
He had voiced the words I couldn't admit even to myself and I teared up. "I'll miss you too."
We continued staring at one another for a long while as I'd seen lovers do before he leaned forward and kissed me. I was quickly becoming rather fond of the way his whiskers felt against my skin. The romantic gesture didn't last long, but he rested his forehead against mine afterward. I was grateful for the lingering contact.
"When will you leave?"
That was difficult to say. With Yoda's help, assuming he was going to help, my research shouldn't take that long. "Perhaps a day? Possibly two?" I answered without much assurance.
"I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can while I'm here," Obi-Wan kindly informed me, pulling away to look at me, a brightness coming to his eyes that revealed just how enthusiastic he actually was. "Yoda has so much experience and knowledge. If I can retain just a portion of it, I'll be grateful."
He was standing on a precipice of learning and was obviously excited about it. I understood that completely and I would be selfish not to allow him to have access to such an enormous amount of information. My heart, however, was telling me something completely different.
He twined his fingers through my own. "What's your plan then?"
I explained my idea of convincing Bail Organa to get on board, possibly creating a media event, and speaking with the Chancellor. If that all worked out, I would eventually stand before the Senate and request a vote to amend the laws forbidding the use of the Force. Such things took time, however, and there was no telling how long we would be apart. My heart ached at the thought.
"Thank you for this," he told me softly with a grin. "You didn't have to get involved, but I'm sure glad you did."
The reason was obvious and I gathered my courage to explain why I had. It wasn't due to my overactive sense of empathy or charity, nor was it a grand political gesture. It was because of something that went much deeper and meant so much more than any value I possessed.
"I think I'm falling in love with you," I admitted so quietly, I wasn't certain he heard me. When Obi-Wan's eyes widened with surprise, I realized he had. When he didn't respond right away, I began to regret making such a bold confession.
"I'm sorry," he told me, which nearly stopped my heart from beating. "You took me by surprise. I didn't mean to cause you to worry."
Tenderly, with his other hand, he smoothed back a few wayward strands of my hair and leaned forward to kiss me again. This time, it wasn't just a quick peck, it was more exploratory; much like the ones we shared onboard the ship. The kind of kiss that makes your toes curl.
"My brave, beautiful Padmé," he whispered, once again taking up residence against my forehead. "You beat me to it, although I'll go one step further and tell you that I am most definitely and positively in love with you. No question about it."
His admission brought a wide smile to my face and we embraced, relishing in the comfort and joy of mutual affection.
"I could hold you like this forever," he whispered into my hair. "But I believe Yoda is waiting on us."
"You're right." I pulled back and ran my fingers through his beard. "Even though I know that walking back in there to ask for his help means I'll soon be leaving you, I'd like for this all to be over with so we can be together permanently."
It was a possibly reckless statement, but apparently, we were in the mood for such things. I noticed Obi-Wan didn't blink an eye after I'd said it, and my heart began doing cartwheels once I realized he apparently wanted the same things I did: A lifetime together.
But first, there was work to do.
We both approached the wizened little creature and requested his assistance in translating some of the records. He chuckled after we'd asked. I wasn't sure if he had no intention of doing so, or it was just his way.
"A better and necessary thing I must do instead."
"Very well," Obi-Wan agreed. "Just tell us how we can help."
From across the room, one of the dark cubes I had noticed before came flying into Yoda's hand.
"A Jedi Holocron this is," he explained. "Useful for holding a wealth of information it is."
"What's on it?" I asked.
"Nothing yet, there is. When finished, am I, contain all my knowledge it will."
I liked the idea. These scrolls and other artifacts being held here were not going to last forever. With Yoda's watchful eye and preservation, they had stood the test of time, but who knew what the future would hold?
Obi-Wan and I got as comfortable as we could near the fire as Yoda began. After activating the device, he sat down and began reciting the long history of the Jedi, including the Dai Bendu, the Prime Jedi, and the rise of the Sith. He quoted the Jedi Creed and compared it to that of the Dark Force users. He explained the Light Side of the Force and the Dark and how the Force became shadowed following the Sith Wars. It no longer trusted anyone to use it and as a result, it became infected with darkness and warped the minds of all who tried to wield it. Generations passed and only now has the Force begun to heal itself. It is seeking those with pure hearts and motivations. It desires peace and so far, has been unable to find it.
At least two hours passed before Yoda finished. He then closed the holocron and handed it to me.
"Take this, you shall. Present it before the Chancellor. A good man he is. Perhaps, open his eyes, he will, and begin to see."
I was absolutely amazed at the amount of information Yoda had shared with us, and carefully held the valuable object in my hand. I was determined to keep the priceless information it held well-guarded and not to let it out of my sight.
That is until a great wind blew through the cavern and knocked it away from me. The unexpected blast was powerful enough to hold us all down and keep us from rising, although Obi-Wan strained hard enough to place his arm around me for protection.
Dust filled the air inside the cave and made it difficult to see, although we eventually noticed a form beginning to slowly take shape; rising up from the dust on the ground and the leaves that had blown in from outside.
"What is it?" I yelled to Obi-Wan who was shielding his eyes with his other hand.
"I don't know! But I think we're about to find out!"