Official Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, places, or things mentioned in this fic. They are being used without permission of Lucasfilm and I in no way am making money from this.

Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews, they were really helpful. Keep em coming! Sorry this took so long to get posted, finals are coming up and I have less and less time. I'll try and get the next part posted within the week, but I can't make any promises. Don't forget to tell me what you think of this one!



Forbidden

Part 2


By Ender


Luminara sat in her usual attire, sans the outer robe, at a table in a
Coruscant restaurant. She had agreed to meet Obi-Wan to discuss what they
were going to do about their feelings for each other. The female Jedi didn't
know about him, but she still couldn't find a plausible answer to their
problem a day after they had confessed their love for one another.

She sighed, realizing how paranoid the situation had made them. Afraid
that they would be overheard and discovered in the Temple, they had decided
to come here for more privacy, stating the meeting place in hushed tones so
none could hear them. Secrecy had even prevented them from the smallest acts
of emotion; they had barely talked, let alone touched, for fear of discovery.

The Jedi glanced up as she felt the familiar presence of her beloved
enter the room. Obi-Wan's weathered form brought a smile to her tattooed
face, along with a deep sense of longing she had never felt for another
being. Luminara watched as Obi-Wan gracefully wove around tables, his deep
brown cloak flowing through the twists and turns.

Making his way to her table, Obi-Wan shed his outer cloak, placing it on
the seat already containing Luminara's, then sat down across from her.
Letting his control slip for an instant, he let his hand drift over hers, his
fingers tracing a trail over her soft skin, before pulling back. Luminara
reveled in Obi-Wan's electrifying touch, silently cursing the Jedi Code for
its damning restrictions.

"How are you?" Obi-Wan's soft voice questioned, his tone echoing the
weariness Luminara herself was feeling.

"As well as could be expected," Luminara answered, "You?" Obi-Wan shook
his head and ran a tired hand through his long hair. Luminara had the sudden
urge to ruffle his wheat colored locks.

"Honestly," he stated, "I feel like complete crap." Obi-Wan's trademark
sly grin that Luminara loved appeared on his face. The two Jedi shared a small laugh, draining some of the tension that had been building since their meeting at the lake.

Growing more serious, Obi-Wan started right into the thick of things, never one for avoiding the issue. I've been thinking, meditating all day, but I can't think of one way around it. He didn't need to clarify the it'. Luminara knew he meant the awful rule that forbid Jedi from love, the rule that had caused the sleepless night she had experienced the day before.

Neither can I. Luminara fell silent, at a loss for words. She felt Obi-Wan's hand envelope hers underneath the table, squeezing slightly. Some of the despair she felt was calmed by his gentle touch. The Jedi silently marveled at her luck of being in love with a compassionate man like Obi-Wan, despite their challenges. It was worth it.

It was risky too, and Luminara scanned the room to make sure no observer had seen the gesture. Thankfully, no one was paying attention, the patrons going about their business.

Obi-Wan, the only way is to hide it, Luminara told him, her hand still clasped in his. We can't do that forever.

Obi-Wan's face turned darker, eyes growing stormy as he frowned deeply. Luminara could sense his inner conflict, duty over love. She had wrestled with it herself, and had always come to the disappointing conclusion that it couldn't last. Obi-Wan, seeming to read her thoughts, confirmed her fears.

No, we can't do it forever. His eyes met hers, affection calming the tempest in the raging blue depths. But we can make it last as long as possible.

We'll have to stop when our Padawans return, Luminara finished for him. He nodded, then continued.

We can figure out what to do from there when the time comes. Until then, we should make the most out of what little time we have.

Luminara nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on his. The Jedi fell silent once again, the matter now decided. A well-dressed waiter, finally available in the busy restaurant, came over and took their drink order.

As Obi-Wan spoke with the dark haired human, Luminara looked around the restaurant, observing its abstract paintings hung artfully in the soft glow if the lighting. Though not a first-class, formal restaurant, she enjoyed its well decorated rooms, columns in the corners carved masterfully in graceful swirls. The Jedi rarely came to places even as refined as this, unless meeting with senators, so Luminara was delighted to dine in such a nice place, especially with Obi-Wan.

The waiter left, order book tucked under his arm, and Obi-Wan turned back to his companion. They picked up their menus and examined the entrees, some of which made Luminara's delicate eyebrows shoot up in mock horror when she read their contents.

Her eyebrows grew higher still when Obi-Wan, a man she considered to be one of the most guarded and serious people she had ever met, started to joke about the absurd combinations of some of the food. A comment comparing blackened bacafish to Master Yoda's famed cooking abilities set them both off laughing.

Obi-Wan, throughout the course of the evening, became more animated than Luminara had ever seen him. Smiling to herself, the female Jedi wondered if this was what he had been like before the death of his Master and the beginning of Anakin's training. It was a pity it had been buried since; Obi-Wan was one of the funniest Jedi Luminara had known in her career.

By the end of the meal, both Obi-Wan and Luminara were in better spirits. Their precious time together would be well spent. Obi-Wan threw some credits down on the table to cover the bill and tip and followed Luminara out of the restaurant, pulling on the cloak she handed him.

Once outside, Luminara could see that it was getting late, the moons visible between the silver buildings on the horizon. A neon sign on the side of the building shine brightly in the darkening sky, throwing flashes or orange on Luminara's smooth olive-colored skin. Obi-Wan, his hair blazing in the illumination, turned to her, moving them both into a dark shadow cast by the building across the street.

We should probably split up and return separately, he advised in a low tone. It'll be best if we aren't seen together most of the time.

Luminara agreed, I'll go back first to check on Barriss. I'll contact you when I get there.

All right, Obi-Wan answered. He turned his head, watching the crowd for a few seconds before he was convinced they were safe. Meet me at the lake again tomorrow morning so we can talk. He fixed his gaze on her. But until then.

Obi-Wan wound his arm around Luminara's waist and brought the other up to caress her face as he kissed her deeply. Luminara let herself delight in the pleasure coursing through her body before stepping away from his intimate embrace. Her face close to his, Luminara only took time to whisper a message, before disappearing into dark Coruscant night.

I love you, Obi-Wan Kenobi.

And I love you, Luminara Unduli.