Author: valsolo
Genre: Romance/ Adventure
Rating: PG--- Be forewarned! Lots of mush ahead. :)
Summary: Obi-Wan Kenobi has met Sari Zendar while investigating the disappearance of students from her school. The two, who just so happen to be falling for one another, are now en route to search for the missing children.
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Sari stared at Obi-Wan across the table. He was nonchalantly perusing the menu as if nothing had happened. Recalling the smooth way the Jedi handled Ace only minutes before, Sari chuckled and shook her head in amusement.
"You are amazing, Obi-Wan Kenobi," she said as he looked up from his reading.
"What?" he asked innocently. With all of the hair gone from his face, Sari noticed a slight cleft in his chin and dimples when he smiled. She could almost imagine him as a boy getting into all sorts of mischief and causing his teachers much grief.
"I'm very impressed--- and grateful," she quickly added. "That guy just wasn't getting the message."
"Yes, he did seem quite determined to gain your affection, didn't he?" Obi-Wan set the menu down and took Sari's hand in his. "I can't say that I blame him. You look beautiful, Sari."
His voice was as sweet and smooth as honey to her ears, and she felt her face warm with a blush. Shyly, she glanced down at her lap. Even though it was the reaction she was hoping for from him, now that he said it , she felt embarrassed. Before her face exploded, she needed to change the conversation.
"Well, I almost didn't recognize you without your hair, your beard, or your Jedi clothes," she said teasingly. "Only your voice gave you away." Sari couldn't pull her eyes from his gaze. He had to be the sexiest man she had ever seen. He wasn't a pretty boy with perfect features, but a real man who had experienced some of what life could dish out and had overcome the bitterness it could leave behind. No.... in his eyes was a light-- a beacon for her hungry soul.... something that called to her... drew her in, and wouldn't let go.
"Oh, yeah," he said self-consciously running one hand over his clean shaven face. "I thought it best to alter my appearance for the time being. Jedi don't usually disguise themselves since they believe in honesty and forthrightness in all matters."
He looked away, and Sari could sense his inner turmoil. She could tell that he was a man who liked to follow the rules and do the right thing at all costs. After a few silent seconds, he continued.
"However, desperate times call for desperate measures. Besides, I've already broken enough rules on this mission already, and one more shouldn't break the bantha's back," he finished with a roguish grin.
What rules had he broken?, Sari wondered. Should she ask him? No. He would explain if he wanted to. She wouldn't push him.
"What do we do now?" she asked, partly referring to their new relationship and partly to the children.
"Well, this ship makes the run to the Ankara Space Station twice a week, so we should be able to find someone who can give us some information about Perrin's operation. First, I'm going to procure a couple of blasters for us. It would be best not to display my lightsaber for a while. Looking at our fellow passengers, however, I'm sure I can get those with no problem." His eyes moved to survey the shady characters filling the lounge, and then landed on Sari and offered a sly wink. "Maybe Ace could help us out."
He delighted in her shocked response and laughed out loud. "I'm only joking," he assured her. "Now, you must be as hungry as I am, so let's order."
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The nerf steak was tough, the side dishes were cold, and the drinks were warm, but neither Sari or Obi-Wan noticed. They were too busy enjoying each other's company to care about something as trivial as dinner. Sari talked about her family back on Teemar... about growing up the only girl among four brothers... about her childhood dream of being a holovid actress and then settling on the more practical career of an educator.
"I finally accepted the fact that I wasn't tall enough or thin enough or pretty enough to make it as an actress," she admitted, looking down at her plate.
Obi-Wan touched her arm. "No, you're too pretty and too intelligent to waste your time on such a superficial industry. You have much more to offer the galaxy. Look at all the lives you've touched as a teacher. You may have been the inspiration behind the next inventor of a cure for a galactic illness. No, you made the right choice. I saw how those children admired you. You're the amazing one, Sari."
Sari stared dumbfounded. No one had ever lavished so many compliments on her at one time before, much less a galactic Jedi hero. Obi-Wan suddenly realized how much he had revealed concerning his feelings for her and pulled his hand back to his plate. What was he doing? He wasn't the type to gush his emotions, but something about her made him so comfortable. What would Yoda think? Did he really care what Yoda would think? He had always lived his life according to everyone else's expectations, and now... now... things were changing.
Sari cleared her throat, and tried to change the subject.
"You haven't told me too much about yourself. I'll bet you have some amazing stories you could tell."
Obi-Wan glanced back up and smiled. "Not as many as you might think. I've always been a Jedi, whether I was in training or a padawan apprentice, and now a knight... it's been my whole life... all I've ever wanted." He stared off into space as if in deep thought at his last words. The silence made Sari nervous.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry," she said apologetically.
"No, don't be. I've just never shared too many of my 'stories' with anyone before... but I'd like to."
Just then, the band began to play a beautiful melody and couples all around the lounge were moving to the dance floor as if being led by a mysterious pied piper.
Sari pushed back from the table and stood up. "Will you dance with me?" she boldly asked thrusting her hand in front of Obi-Wan. He was taken aback by her offer at first.
"I... I don't really dance. It wasn't one of my main areas of study back at the temple, you know." He tried to joke his way out of it, but the hurt look in Sari's eyes wore him down in seconds. He stood then and took her hand in his. "I would be honored, Miss Zendar." The beautiful smile that spread across her face made his heart do a flip. He would dance, even if he looked like a fool doing it. He would do anything for her.
Sari led him to the dance floor where they found a small open area waiting just for them. The music already had Sari swaying to its sweet rhythm when Obi-Wan reached around her waist and pulled her close. Their eyes were locked, and he entwined his right hand with her left. She could feel the warmth of his left hand on the small of her back as she pressed even closer against him. Was that her heart beating or his?, she wondered.
Was that his heart beating or hers?, he wondered. Every nerve in him was acutely aware of her body firmly pressed against his. The feel of it was overwhelming to his Jedi senses. She laid her head against his chest, and he nestled his face into her sumptuous hair. The scent of her was intoxicating, and the feel of her bare skin as he ran his hand up her back was more than he could stand.
Both closed their eyes and let the music guide their steps. Never before had Obi-Wan experienced anything like this. Were the Jedi cheating themselves out of a wonderful part of life by not having any romantic relationships? Right now he would have to say yes. Being with Sari was pure heaven.
The band played another slow song allowing the couple to remain on the dance floor in each other's arms. Sari didn't want the music to ever end. With Obi-Wan she felt so safe... so complete. She lifted her head from his strong chest and breathed in the musky smell of him. His eyes twinkled as he stared back at her and grinned.
"What?" she asked searching his face.
"Nothing really. I was just thinking about how much things have changed in the course of just a few days."
"Has it been for the better?" She was hoping he'd say yes.
"I think so," he responded. Then he leaned down and gently placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
The music ended breaking the spell. Both became suddenly self-conscious and stepped away from one another. What now?, Sari asked herself.
"I think I'd better head back to my room. I'm getting really tired," she said, and it was true. All of the day's events had finally caught up with her and sleep was beckoning. And if she didn't get away from him soon, well.... who knew what would happen.
"Yes, of course," Obi-Wan replied. "I'm pretty tired, also." He didn't need as much sleep as Sari did. His Jedi powers allowed him to tap into the Force and replenish his energy, but she needed her rest. "I'll walk you back to your quarters, if you like," he offered.
"Thank you," she said with a smile.
Obi-Wan couldn't bring himself to let go of her hand even when they reached the door to her room. They both awkwardly shifted their weight from foot to foot, waiting for the other to speak first.
"Would you like to come in and see the beautiful furnishings?" Sari asked with a hint of sarcasm. "They're rather... interesting." She assumed he would refuse. He didn't.
"Well, maybe for just a few minutes. You need your rest after the long day we've had." He didn't want to tell her that he really didn't want to leave her side for even a minute, much less the whole night. He was afraid he would sound like a lovesick boy... even thought that was pretty much the truth.
The crimson fabric everywhere punched his senses into overdrive.
"Whoa! They really went wild with the red in here, didn't they?" he said. Sari sat her purse down on the bedside table and then slid her heeled shoes off as she plopped onto the bed.
"I don't know how they expect someone to sleep with all this over- stimulation everywhere you look! Red is not actually a soothing color, in my opinion."
Obi-Wan's breath caught in his throat as he looked over at Sari sitting on the bed. Her black dress contrasting with the scarlet bed cover only accentuated the creaminess of the soft skin on her arms and neck. He had never been so aware of a woman's form before, and he didn't quite know how to handle the urgings coursing through his body at the moment, so he just stood there staring.
Sari was oblivious to the difficulty Obi-Wan was having with his feelings, and she innocently patted the bed next to her. "Why don't you come and sit down. We could talk some more." Talking was not exactly what was running through his mind right now.
"Okay," he answered weakly. Pulling off his jacket, he sat down at the end of the bed. Sari grinned.
"I don't bite... usually," she said teasingly. Obi-Wan looked like an inexperienced teenage boy as he fumbled to move closer to her. Finally he settled in and looked up at her with those dreamy eyes of his. Her teasing was gone.
"Hello," she whispered softly once he was situated facing her.
"Hello," he replied as he gazed longingly into her sparkling blue eyes.
"I want to thank you, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"What?" he asked shaking his head in confusion. Sari scooted closer to him, ran a hand up his firm chest, and then brushed her hand across his smooth shaven face.
What are you doing? she questioned herself silently, but she couldn't help herself.
"Thank you for coming to Teemar to help with the children. Thank you for trying to save them, for saving me... more than once," she added with a grin, "and for letting me be with--- I mean, come with you. I know you're probably not used to having such a burden slowing you down."
Obi-Wan grabbed her hand. "You could never be a burden, Sari. Never." Then he brought her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed her hand, all the while never taking his eyes off of hers. She thought her heart might jump right out of her chest. Sari moved in so that their bodies were separated by only a thin sliver of space.
So many things were running through her mind at that moment. She hadn't meant to let him get so close again. Obi-Wan could feel himself being drawn to her and couldn't---- no-- he wouldn't stop. He gently started to kiss her cheek with feathery kisses, and she could feel herself losing control. Before she knew it, she blurted out the very thought that was on her mind at that very second.
"Do Jedi ever---- marry?" Sari asked in a husky whisper before placing a soft kiss on his chin. She continued along his jaw line and then down onto his neck relishing the quickening pace of his pulse as her lips touched him. She felt him swallow hard and take in a deep breath.
"Sure... sure they do... sometimes," he replied breathlessly trying to retain some control over the situation. It wasn't working. He could sense the desire coming from her and fought down his own. He put a hand under her chin and lifted her face to begin his own assault on her smooth neck. A small whimper escaped her lips as he began lavishing short passionate kisses onto her mouth. In between his kisses, he continued to respond to her question.
"Those.... that do..... marry, eventually..... leave the order for a..... more quiet .....life with their families." He kept up the kissing and found himself enjoying it more than he thought could be possible. She tasted so sweet.
Leave the order? Is that what he had said?
"Oh," she muttered and then pulled away from his grasp. Sari knew him enough to know that he would never stop being a Jedi. He had made it clear that being a Jedi was his sole goal in life. 'They' could never really 'be' anything.
"Did I say something wrong?" he asked, bewildered by her sudden coolness.
"No... I just... I don't know. I don't know what I was thinking. Just being silly, I guess."
She jumped up from the bed and looked around for something to clean. The Jedi was totally confused now. Only seconds before they had been near to declaring their undying love, and now she was--- cleaning?!
"What are you doing?" Calming himself with the Force, a clear mind allowed him to see the problem. He walked over to Sari who was busy folding and refolding the clothes in her travel bag and gently spun her around to face him. He could see a tear ready to fall from her eye and wiped it away with his thumb.
She fought back more tears. She couldn't let him see how upset she had gotten. "I think I'm going to go to bed now, if you don't mind," she said weakly. "I've had a very long day, and I... I just want to go to bed." She looked away to hide the hurt that was written all over her face.
Obi-Wan smiled inwardly at her attempt at bravery. He knew that she was disappointed in his reply about the Jedi and marriage, but he had been honest with her. Most of them did leave the order to focus on their own families. That was a fact. He had never thought much about marriage or the effect it had on a Jedi's life, until now.
"Sari, I---," he began. He wanted to explain... to make her understand that he wasn't necessarily set in his life path anymore. She had changed everything.
"Goodnight," she stated flatly, and that was that. He had been dismissed.
He started again, but stopped. The damage was done. "Goodnight," he replied, and then he left.
Obi-Wan leaned against the door and contemplated his predicament. Sari was definitely someone he wanted in his life, but how would she fit? After this mission was completed, he would be expected to go back to Coruscant, and then what would become of he and Sari? Maybe she could move to Coruscant and---- no, he couldn't expect her to give up everything she knew for him. Perhaps he could be stationed on Teemar and they could---- not likely, he admitted. There was no clear path ahead of them, to be sure. All he was sure of was that he desperately needed a cold shower and a good night's sleep.