Chapter Four
It was as if they hadn't spent half a decade away from each other. It was as if neither had suffered through moments of loneliness so extreme that it physically hurt to do anything at all.
Obi-Wan rose from the bed and pulled on the robe Sabé had left folded on the armchair next to it. It had been there when he and Padmé had gone to bed, and he had been amused to see that Sabé had assumed correctly as to where exactly he would be laying down his head for his stay here.
The sun had begun to rise and he moved to the window, the same window where years ago he had stood on countless sunrises watching Padmé sleep or holding one of the babies and rocking him or her to sleep. The mountains around them had not changed a bit, the house had not changed either; only they had changed. As right as it had been to be with Padmé again, he could sense the wariness in her...and found it in himself as well. They had both been hurt badly when they parted as they were forced to due to the circumstances they found themselves in. Now, they had both erected barriers to prevent that kind of hurt--even if it meant sacrificing some of the joy they had once found in each other's arms.
A small grain of regret formed in his mind as he thought of the time that they had let slip by far too easily. He had come to Alderaan with a purpose: to secure safe passage for Padmé and Leia. Not to take a walk down memory lane, but he was only human after all. Years alone had weakened his resolve. He needed this. But now, they had to move.
"What are you thinking?"
He turned and smiled at her, his heart warming to the sound of her melodic voice made husky because of sleep.
"I'm not thinking for once," he lied easily.
Padmé smiled. She rose, pulled on her own robe, and came to stand next to him. He put an arm around her waist and she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I'm glad you're here," she said.
"So am I. I just wish that..."
She put a hand up to his lips. "There will be no wishing. When it comes to us, we live in the moment. There's no future, no past, just now."
His eyes softened as he lost himself in her gaze. "Good idea."
A creak outside the door made Obi-Wan reflexively push Padmé behind him, but he relaxed when he sensed who it was...then he tensed again.
"Should I hide?" he asked, somewhat foolishly and feeling ridiculous.
Padmé only gaped. "It's Leia...I don't know..."
They looked at each other for a moment then both laughed nervously.
"I feel like I've just gotten caught by my mother," Padmé said.
"I feel like I've just gotten caught by Master Yoda," Obi-Wan added. "How about I use a suggestion on her and simply walk out of your room?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Mommy?" came the small voice on the other side of the door. "Open the door please."
Obi-Wan moved to position on one side of the door just as Padmé keyed it open. Leia flew in, throwing her arms around her mother's waist. Obi-Wan walked right past her, throwing Padmé an amused glance before he disappeared down the hallway to the guest room.
"How come your door was locked? It's never locked," Leia accused.
"I'm sorry, Little One. I must have locked it by accident."
"Who was the man that came yesterday? And where did you go? I didn't see you all afternoon," Leia pouted.
"That man was General Ben Kenobi," Padmé answered. "He's an old friend of mine...and your father's."
"Really?"
"Yes. He fought next to your father during the Clone Wars not too long ago."
"Oooh," Leia said. "Do you think he could tell me about Daddy?"
"Maybe, but don't ask him today. General Kenobi has other things on his mind right now."
"Okay. Want to have breakfast now?"
"Sure. It's ready already?"
"Yes. Sabé was up early. Can I wake up General Kenobi?"
Padmé smiled. "I have a feeling he's already up."
* * *
Obi-Wan listened to Leia's chatter as if he was listening to one of his old masters lecture on something or other. Leia ate up his attention, and the stories that Padmé had heard before became grander and more colorful than she remembered. When breakfast was finally put away, Sabé ushered Leia off to her room in order to start her lessons, but not before Leia garnered a promise of storytelling from Obi-Wan.
As soon as the doors slid shut behind Sabé and Leia, Padmé reached across the table and took his hand in hers.
"Now, let's discuss what you really came here for," she asked with a small smile.
"I had a vision of you and the twins in Vader's possession," Obi-Wan said with no preamble. "It was clear, Padmé, clearer than any other vision I have ever had. I'm afraid that his search for us has intensified and he's closer than we think he is. You and Leia must leave here."
"Where are we to go, Obi-Wan? There's nowhere else for us to hide," Padmé said, frowning. "And I can't leave Alderaan now. The rebel movement is strengthening and I have my finger on its pulse by remaining here. They need me in these first crucial days."
"You have to think about your daughter."
"I am. That's why I'm doing this. To give her a chance."
They stared at each other, both struggling to keep a hold on their tempers.
"And what about Luke?" Padmé pressed on. "You plan to uproot him from the only family he's known and to where will you be sending him?"
Obi-Wan's jaw worked and he slid his hand out from under hers. He began to pace the length of the room, his breathing ragged.
"Did you even think of what you were doing when you boarded that transport to come here?" she demanded. "Did you think?"
"No," was the harsh answer. "All I knew was that you were in danger and I didn't think of what was going to happen after. I just knew I had to get to you." His eyes pinned her to her seat, more stormy gray than blue as anger and hurt sparked in them. "Stupid of me, wasn't it?"
"No," Padmé said with a softer tone. "Not stupid at all. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound the way I did. You were only thinking of us." She stood and framed his face with her hands. "Of me. Thank you for that."
He put a hand over hers. "You're welcome, but you were right. It was stupid of me to come here with no plan in mind. I just reacted. And it's possible that I've put you in danger just by being here."
"You're not leaving," she said firmly, reading his mind. "We need to draw up another plan. I trust your instincts that Vader is coming for us, and we need to be able to act quickly to draw his attention away from here and Tatooine."
"But..."
"You're not leaving me again. I need you for this."
"Alright." He sighed as they sat at the table again. "So what exactly do you have in mind?"
"We play defense on this one," she said, brow furrowing as her mind went through the possibilities. "We can't risk him finding us through something we do. I'll check with the spies we have throughout the Empire to track his progress. We both know he'll avoid Tatooine like the plague but we'll make sure to let Owen and Beru know to take extra precautions. It is more likely that he will look for us here..." She turned worried eyes to him. "Maybe you should go."
"I won't leave you here to face him alone."
"What about Luke? What'll happen to him if something happens to you?"
"He'll be better off," Obi-Wan said, his lips thinning into a stubborn line.
"We have to take extra security precautions, add to what we have now, in case Vader does find us. He'll bring stormtroopers with him."
"Yes, but he has the Force as a weapon above all else. That is what we must fear."
* * *
Anger boiled inside Vader and he stalked around the bridge like a caged animal. His officers were on edge, all trying to stay out of his way because they could all tell what would happen if anyone crossed his path.
Padmé...Obi-Wan....they're together.
No visions told him of this fact, but he knew for certain that the two people once dearest to him were together. And for some reason, jealousy as powerful as he had ever known it threatened to wipe any rational thought from his mind, and he had to fight the urge to jump into a tie-fighter to search for them himself. Vader had learned how important his instincts were and knew that he was not just imagining things. It was more than possible that his old master and his wife had found comfort with each other- -and for that betrayal they would both pay dearly.
His gloved hand clenched and the air around him hummed with power.
"Raekin!" he barked. "How many planets have you searched?"
"F-fourteen, Lord Vader."
"That's it?" Vader growled. "You move like a bantha. I want you to be finished by week's end or you and your men will pay, Raekin."
He stormed out of the bridge and headed for his quarters, away from his men. He had no qualms about destroying everyone on board the ship but that would only complicate and lengthen his search. Still, it was difficult to control his rage. When he reached his quarters, the projector turned on and the hunched form of his master appeared. Vader got down on one knee before the projection.
You are troubled, my apprentice. You have abandoned the mission I have laid out for you, but your reasons are acceptable. However, I take it your search is not going as well as you would like.
"They are together, Master. I can feel them through the Force. It is just a matter of finding out where. It is in the vicinity, for Obi-Wan cannot project too far and Padmé, though stronger in the Force than average, cannot project at all."
How are you searching for them? What is your pattern?
"We started with the planets nearby and moving outwards. The ship has been stationary for two days."
Instead of wasting your time, my pupil, why not use your logic first, then search. You know them better than anyone else. You will know best where they would choose to hide.
Vader smiled ferally. "As always, you speak wisely, Master. Thank you."
It was my pleasure. When you capture them, try to get them alive. I want to have a chat with my old Queen and Kenobi would make an interesting prisoner.
"As you wish, Master."
Ah, but this is only a request, Vader. You can do with them as you will. I just want you to keep my request in mind.
"Thank you, Master."
The image blinked out and Vader straightened. He went to a computer console and pulled up a star map. Once he had the quadrant they were in pulled up, he knew at once where his wife would choose to hide.
"Alderaan," he muttered.
* * *
It was as if they hadn't spent half a decade away from each other. It was as if neither had suffered through moments of loneliness so extreme that it physically hurt to do anything at all.
Obi-Wan rose from the bed and pulled on the robe Sabé had left folded on the armchair next to it. It had been there when he and Padmé had gone to bed, and he had been amused to see that Sabé had assumed correctly as to where exactly he would be laying down his head for his stay here.
The sun had begun to rise and he moved to the window, the same window where years ago he had stood on countless sunrises watching Padmé sleep or holding one of the babies and rocking him or her to sleep. The mountains around them had not changed a bit, the house had not changed either; only they had changed. As right as it had been to be with Padmé again, he could sense the wariness in her...and found it in himself as well. They had both been hurt badly when they parted as they were forced to due to the circumstances they found themselves in. Now, they had both erected barriers to prevent that kind of hurt--even if it meant sacrificing some of the joy they had once found in each other's arms.
A small grain of regret formed in his mind as he thought of the time that they had let slip by far too easily. He had come to Alderaan with a purpose: to secure safe passage for Padmé and Leia. Not to take a walk down memory lane, but he was only human after all. Years alone had weakened his resolve. He needed this. But now, they had to move.
"What are you thinking?"
He turned and smiled at her, his heart warming to the sound of her melodic voice made husky because of sleep.
"I'm not thinking for once," he lied easily.
Padmé smiled. She rose, pulled on her own robe, and came to stand next to him. He put an arm around her waist and she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I'm glad you're here," she said.
"So am I. I just wish that..."
She put a hand up to his lips. "There will be no wishing. When it comes to us, we live in the moment. There's no future, no past, just now."
His eyes softened as he lost himself in her gaze. "Good idea."
A creak outside the door made Obi-Wan reflexively push Padmé behind him, but he relaxed when he sensed who it was...then he tensed again.
"Should I hide?" he asked, somewhat foolishly and feeling ridiculous.
Padmé only gaped. "It's Leia...I don't know..."
They looked at each other for a moment then both laughed nervously.
"I feel like I've just gotten caught by my mother," Padmé said.
"I feel like I've just gotten caught by Master Yoda," Obi-Wan added. "How about I use a suggestion on her and simply walk out of your room?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Mommy?" came the small voice on the other side of the door. "Open the door please."
Obi-Wan moved to position on one side of the door just as Padmé keyed it open. Leia flew in, throwing her arms around her mother's waist. Obi-Wan walked right past her, throwing Padmé an amused glance before he disappeared down the hallway to the guest room.
"How come your door was locked? It's never locked," Leia accused.
"I'm sorry, Little One. I must have locked it by accident."
"Who was the man that came yesterday? And where did you go? I didn't see you all afternoon," Leia pouted.
"That man was General Ben Kenobi," Padmé answered. "He's an old friend of mine...and your father's."
"Really?"
"Yes. He fought next to your father during the Clone Wars not too long ago."
"Oooh," Leia said. "Do you think he could tell me about Daddy?"
"Maybe, but don't ask him today. General Kenobi has other things on his mind right now."
"Okay. Want to have breakfast now?"
"Sure. It's ready already?"
"Yes. Sabé was up early. Can I wake up General Kenobi?"
Padmé smiled. "I have a feeling he's already up."
* * *
Obi-Wan listened to Leia's chatter as if he was listening to one of his old masters lecture on something or other. Leia ate up his attention, and the stories that Padmé had heard before became grander and more colorful than she remembered. When breakfast was finally put away, Sabé ushered Leia off to her room in order to start her lessons, but not before Leia garnered a promise of storytelling from Obi-Wan.
As soon as the doors slid shut behind Sabé and Leia, Padmé reached across the table and took his hand in hers.
"Now, let's discuss what you really came here for," she asked with a small smile.
"I had a vision of you and the twins in Vader's possession," Obi-Wan said with no preamble. "It was clear, Padmé, clearer than any other vision I have ever had. I'm afraid that his search for us has intensified and he's closer than we think he is. You and Leia must leave here."
"Where are we to go, Obi-Wan? There's nowhere else for us to hide," Padmé said, frowning. "And I can't leave Alderaan now. The rebel movement is strengthening and I have my finger on its pulse by remaining here. They need me in these first crucial days."
"You have to think about your daughter."
"I am. That's why I'm doing this. To give her a chance."
They stared at each other, both struggling to keep a hold on their tempers.
"And what about Luke?" Padmé pressed on. "You plan to uproot him from the only family he's known and to where will you be sending him?"
Obi-Wan's jaw worked and he slid his hand out from under hers. He began to pace the length of the room, his breathing ragged.
"Did you even think of what you were doing when you boarded that transport to come here?" she demanded. "Did you think?"
"No," was the harsh answer. "All I knew was that you were in danger and I didn't think of what was going to happen after. I just knew I had to get to you." His eyes pinned her to her seat, more stormy gray than blue as anger and hurt sparked in them. "Stupid of me, wasn't it?"
"No," Padmé said with a softer tone. "Not stupid at all. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound the way I did. You were only thinking of us." She stood and framed his face with her hands. "Of me. Thank you for that."
He put a hand over hers. "You're welcome, but you were right. It was stupid of me to come here with no plan in mind. I just reacted. And it's possible that I've put you in danger just by being here."
"You're not leaving," she said firmly, reading his mind. "We need to draw up another plan. I trust your instincts that Vader is coming for us, and we need to be able to act quickly to draw his attention away from here and Tatooine."
"But..."
"You're not leaving me again. I need you for this."
"Alright." He sighed as they sat at the table again. "So what exactly do you have in mind?"
"We play defense on this one," she said, brow furrowing as her mind went through the possibilities. "We can't risk him finding us through something we do. I'll check with the spies we have throughout the Empire to track his progress. We both know he'll avoid Tatooine like the plague but we'll make sure to let Owen and Beru know to take extra precautions. It is more likely that he will look for us here..." She turned worried eyes to him. "Maybe you should go."
"I won't leave you here to face him alone."
"What about Luke? What'll happen to him if something happens to you?"
"He'll be better off," Obi-Wan said, his lips thinning into a stubborn line.
"We have to take extra security precautions, add to what we have now, in case Vader does find us. He'll bring stormtroopers with him."
"Yes, but he has the Force as a weapon above all else. That is what we must fear."
* * *
Anger boiled inside Vader and he stalked around the bridge like a caged animal. His officers were on edge, all trying to stay out of his way because they could all tell what would happen if anyone crossed his path.
Padmé...Obi-Wan....they're together.
No visions told him of this fact, but he knew for certain that the two people once dearest to him were together. And for some reason, jealousy as powerful as he had ever known it threatened to wipe any rational thought from his mind, and he had to fight the urge to jump into a tie-fighter to search for them himself. Vader had learned how important his instincts were and knew that he was not just imagining things. It was more than possible that his old master and his wife had found comfort with each other- -and for that betrayal they would both pay dearly.
His gloved hand clenched and the air around him hummed with power.
"Raekin!" he barked. "How many planets have you searched?"
"F-fourteen, Lord Vader."
"That's it?" Vader growled. "You move like a bantha. I want you to be finished by week's end or you and your men will pay, Raekin."
He stormed out of the bridge and headed for his quarters, away from his men. He had no qualms about destroying everyone on board the ship but that would only complicate and lengthen his search. Still, it was difficult to control his rage. When he reached his quarters, the projector turned on and the hunched form of his master appeared. Vader got down on one knee before the projection.
You are troubled, my apprentice. You have abandoned the mission I have laid out for you, but your reasons are acceptable. However, I take it your search is not going as well as you would like.
"They are together, Master. I can feel them through the Force. It is just a matter of finding out where. It is in the vicinity, for Obi-Wan cannot project too far and Padmé, though stronger in the Force than average, cannot project at all."
How are you searching for them? What is your pattern?
"We started with the planets nearby and moving outwards. The ship has been stationary for two days."
Instead of wasting your time, my pupil, why not use your logic first, then search. You know them better than anyone else. You will know best where they would choose to hide.
Vader smiled ferally. "As always, you speak wisely, Master. Thank you."
It was my pleasure. When you capture them, try to get them alive. I want to have a chat with my old Queen and Kenobi would make an interesting prisoner.
"As you wish, Master."
Ah, but this is only a request, Vader. You can do with them as you will. I just want you to keep my request in mind.
"Thank you, Master."
The image blinked out and Vader straightened. He went to a computer console and pulled up a star map. Once he had the quadrant they were in pulled up, he knew at once where his wife would choose to hide.
"Alderaan," he muttered.
* * *
