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Adara Lon punched in the code for Chancellor Palpatine's private holo line. She didn't have much to report after her first day on the case, but she most certainly wasn't giving up yet. She had the utmost confidence in her own capabilities, and failure just wasn't an option.
His imposing figure blinked to life in front of her, and for just a moment she felt a jolt of fear.
"Miss Lon, I've been waiting for your call. How did it go today?"
"Chancellor Palpatine, I hope I'm not inconveniencing you at this late hour. I spoke with Obi-Wan Kenobi as you ordered. He doesn't know where she is either, of that I'm sure. However, I think I've stumbled onto something we hadn't expected." She was quite proud of her skills of deduction and hoped Palpatine would be equally impressed.
"What might that be?" he asked.
"I believe he and this teacher had some type of 'relationship' . He seemed very upset by the news that she was missing. I could sense his desperation as soon as he heard it." She watched the chancellor while he contemplated this bit of information. Shadows seemed to dance across his aging face causing him to appear almost ghost-like. Adara shivered at the sight.
"Is that all?" he finally said with a slight twinge of contempt.
Adara shifted uneasily in her seat. "For now, my lord. I believe I can use this news to help further our purpose."
"I'm glad you can be so confident, Miss Lon. I look forward to your next call and the better report I'm sure you'll provide. Good night." The image dissipated leaving Adara staring at blank space. This was not starting out very well at all.
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Despite her protests, Obi-Wan insisted that Sari stay in his apartment. It was the only way for him to effectively do his 'duty'.
"It's late, and it will be better if I can be close by. I'll stay in Anakin's room right next door. Tomorrow we can see about other arrangements... if you want." He knew it would probably be best for her to stay somewhere else if he wanted to avoid any 'entanglements', but he really preferred she stay right where she was..... for her safety of course.
Against the better judgement of her all-too-practical mind, she aquiesced. She was getting tired and the thought of trying to find a hotel room at this hour wasn't too attractive. However, the thought of sleeping in his bed, even alone, was causing nervous flutters in her stomach. //He's only doing all of this because he was forced to. It's his *job*, Sari. Just remember that.//
Sari sat down on the couch and tried to relax while he moved into the kitchen to fix her a calming cup of warm kaffe. She felt drawn to watch his every move, being sure to look away if he glanced over. A couple of times he did catch her looking, and she quickly picked up a holomag from his end table and tried to look 'busy'.
He turned away and grinned to himself. //What is she doing?//
"I don't mean to put you through all of this trouble. Just because I came here doesn't mean that I expect you to turn your life upside down for me. I am a grown woman, you know. I can take care of myself."
Obi-Wan joined her in the living room and carefully placed the hot cup in her hand. Then he settled in next to her on the couch, safely at the opposite end. "I know you are capable of taking care of yourself, but this is different. If the council thinks it important enough to ensure your safety, then I'm going to trust their instincts. I happen to think there is more to this whole thing then either of us knows."
"What do you mean?" she asked in between sips, the hair on the back of her neck rising along with a chill that ran up her spine.
"I'm not sure... not yet anyway. It's just a feeling I have." Obi cursed himself for opening his mouth. He could sense her stress level rising once again, which is exactly what he was trying to avoid. He knew she was tired, physically and mentally, way too tired to deal with anymore of this craziness for the time being. But knowing her as well as he did, he also knew that she wouldn't quit worrying long enough to get some sleep. He had to do something, so he reached over and gently touched her shoulder.
Even though he knew that she might object, he sent a calming to her mind via the Force. Qui-Gon had used it often enough on their missions when the situation warranted it, and right now Sari needed to rest. Her eyes soon began to droop, and Obi-Wan caught her cup as it almost slipped out of her hand.
"Whoa," she commented trying to shake it off, "I'm really tired all of a sudden. I think I'd better get to....." She never finished her sentence. She was sound asleep. Obi-Wan smiled to himself at his accomplishment.
//I'm better at that than I thought!// He started to stand but stopped, hovering over her sleeping form. How he had missed her! Not a day had gone by that he hadn't thought about her and what might have been. Now she was here, no matter what the reason was for her coming. Fate was giving him another chance, and he had to decide whether to take it or not.
Tenderly, he traced the curve of her cheek and pushed a curl away from her face. Her skin felt smooth under his touch, and he breathed in the sweet scent of her before picking her up in his arms and taking her to his bedroom. She mumbled something incomprehensible and snuggled deeper into him, her breath tickling his neck. Then he suddenly had a vision of his future with her and of carrying her into his bed time after time. It sent a tingle all over his body. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself down.
It only took a minute or so to get her tucked in. Seeing her lying there, he couldn't help but remember that night when he had held her while she slept.... the night when he had left without saying goodbye. Now she was even more amazing to him than ever. The thought that her life was in danger and she had still traveled thousands of miles to warn him, ignited a fire of protectiveness within him, and he knew, whether or not they would ever have a relationship, he would stop at nothing to defend her life. He bent down and softly kissed her forehead.
"Sweet dreams, my love," he whispered, and then he left.
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