Official Disclaimer: All characters, places, and things in this fic are the property of Lucasfilm and are being used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended and I am not making any money off of this.

Author's Note: Ah yes, the necessary author's note. Sorry this took so long to get posted, I had a week and a half there of last-minute homework and finals and absolutely no time to get this written. And of course the day I'm going to post, FF.net breaks down for a week. (my luck!) Thanks to all the reviewers, it's really great to hear your opinions. Keep em coming! There's about one chapter left after this part, so enjoy. Also, thanks to Scully for reading through this, and yes, you are still my oh so great editor'!


Forbidden

Part 3


By Ender


Obi-Wan! Back so soon? Dexter Jettster's gravely voice boomed through the tiny restaurant. His wide grin matched Obi-Wan's as they embraced briefly.

Just visiting, Obi-Wan replied, stepping back from the enormous alien's grasp and back in line with Luminara. The female Jedi was watching with a curious look, faintly amused at the display of male bonding'. Dexter focused on the strikingly beautiful woman, wiping his huge, calloused hands on his stained apron.

And who is this lovely lady? He asked, extending one of his four, now-clean hands to shake hers. Luminara took it with the strong grip of her honey-colored hand as Obi-Wan looked on.

Dex, this is Jedi Master Luminara Unduli, the Jedi answered for her eagerly. He turned to his love with sparkling eyes that weren't lost on Dexter. Luminara, this is Dexter Jettster, expert informant.

Dexter had been to the outer reaches of the galaxy and back hundreds of times and he knew Obi-Wan's look well. Luminara's too, though she was moderately better at hiding the longing in her eyes when she looked at her companion. There was clearly something between these two, something he knew. Dex had to suppress his grin at the thought of his old friend actually loosening up for once. The humanoid let it go, though; some things were best left unmentioned.

Cook extraordinaire, you forgot to add. Obi-Wan laughed as he led them over to the nearest booth.

I didn't have to. That's what we're here for.

Dex didn't need anymore prompting; already speeding off to the kitchen. Or at least speeding for a creature his size, which wasn't very fast.

Cook extraordinaire? Luminara asked skeptically. Obi-Wan grinned, something he had been doing more and more of lately. He knew exactly what she meant.

Dex may not look like much and it's true that he isn't the most moral individual in the galaxy. But he's the most loyal, reliable informant I've ever known and one of my best friends. He's got a heart of gold underneath that gut somewhere. Obi-Wan's tone grew a little lighter at the last comment.


And he is an excellent cook. Best food you'll get on Coruscant. People come from all over the galaxy for the sliders. I recommend those highly.

Luminara nodded in interest and looked around their surroundings with a watchful eye. The small diner had a bar to their left and a line of booths with red trim in which they sat. Music played from a box in the corner as a serving droid with a nametag reading Flo' zipped back and forth with orders. Coruscant's winding traffic patterns could be seen through the clear window to her left, the midday sun glinting off the silver speeders. Though not a dump, Dex's Diner was much different from the formal dining they had gone to the night before.

she remarked, making sure her approval was evident, you sure know where to take a girl.

I hope so, Obi-Wan replied, his eyes meeting hers, laying his slightly larger hand over hers. Her deep blue irises widened in shock at his openly affectionate gesture. He kept her from pulling her hand away, and softly whispered an explanation in a calming tone.

Don't worry. No one's watching and I think Dex knows already. Let's pretend we're normal for just an hour without being paranoid.

Luminara didn't know whether to be more shocked at his gesture or his suggestion that they disobey the Code in open daylight. A change had come over Obi-Wan since they had started this days ago; he was more open with just a touch of the trademark recklessness that his Master had been so well known for. After a pause, Luminara decided she liked it, grinning softly.

Nodding, the female Jedi relaxed her tensed muscles and sank back into the booth's seat. Cautiousness be damned; for once she just wanted to sit back and enjoy time in the company of the man she loved.

~~~~~

Luminara and Obi-Wan spent the entire week of their vacation' in each other's company, knowing fully well that their time together was coming perilously close to an end. Anakin had contacted his Master to report that he would be returning from Naboo very soon. Barriss was due to be released from the Healer's Ward soon as well, and the Masters knew their time was coming to a close. They had visited Dexter's almost every day, both for the excellent food and the way they could let down their guard for a couple blissful hours.

The day before Anakin's eminent arrival, the Masters agreed they would spend their last hours in the place that their love for each other had been realized.

Obi-Wan made his way to the lake with all of the Jedi secrecy he could manage, treading softly in the direction of the protective overhang. Ducking under the jagged grey rock, the Jedi shed his voluminous cloak and sat down next to Luminara, dangling his booted feet over the ledge.

Hard to believe it's been a week, isn't it? She nodded with a sorrowful dip of her head, a mellow tone clouding her voice.

Very hard. I don't want to believe that this is going to end.

Obi-Wan looped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him gently without another word. Luminara sighed contently, closing her eyes as he rested his head on hers.

We'll find a way to see each other. There has to be some way, Obi-Wan stated in a forceful voice, sounding like he was trying to convince himself. Luminara pulled back a bit and gazed into his eyes with a troubled look.

But should we? As much as we try to justify it, we're still disobeying the Code. In the end it's not right. Obi-Wan appeared stunned, then sullen as his shoulders slackened.

I know. Force, I know. But as much as I meditate on the Code, the more I ask why the Force would guide us down this path if we were not meant to be together. I can feel that this is the way it's supposed to be.

He took her hand and entwined their fingers together as they fell silent. Neither of them could find an answer to Obi-Wan's question. They leaned against each other and gazed out over the calming water, the softly churning waves producing gentle sprays at their feet. After a long lull Obi-Wan spoke, the vibrations of his deep voice running through Luminara's body.

I don't know what we should do. But whatever we decide to do, know that I will always love you, Code or no Code.

And I will always love you, until the end of my days. Luminara's voice was strong and flooded with compassion as she pledged her oath. She released herself from his embrace but remained close, wrapping a cloaked arm around his waist. Her voice even stronger now, she continued.

Even if we admit this to the Council, we still have an hour left. And I intend to make every minute count.

With that Luminara tilted her head upwards and pressed her lips to Obi-Wan's. He responded in kind, leaning forward slightly as her hand came up to caress his face. He ran his hand over her lower back in slow circles, pulling her slowly towards him. The Jedi deepened the kiss and suppressed a groan as her tongue met his, the Force flowing between them enhancing the emotions already running through him. Luminara began to run her fingers through the curly wisps of golden hair at the nape of his neck, then suddenly stopped, frozen in place.

Stopping his minstrations at her reaction, Obi-Wan probed through the Force to see what was wrong. Both Jedi realized at the exact same moment that someone was approaching, their footsteps crushing the richly green grass outside the overhang. Obi-Wan and Luminara flew apart, a wave of mutual terror running through them. Gathering themselves in a split second, they masked their shock with the guarded look of a Jedi Master as the figure appeared.

Obi-Wan restrained himself from jumping in nervousness as Anakin came into view. The Padawan had a pleased grin on his face, a change from his usual frown. He gave a short bow to Luminara, then Obi-Wan.

Master, I was looking for you. Luminara admired the even tone Obi-Wan answered in; she doubted she could've gathered her wits that quickly.

Padawan, you're back early, the Master replied, seemingly puzzled. A full day in fact. Anakin, apparently not seeing anything wrong with Obi-Wan's reaction, gave an explanation.

My transport skipped a scheduled stop and it cut a day off of the travel time.

Well, it's good to have you home, Padawan. The Master motioned to Luminara, who was now sitting on the completely opposite side of the rock formation. It you like, I can meet you later, after we've finished.

Yes, Master, Anakin replied. I need to go unpack anyway.

He bowed again and left, turning on his heel sharply and heading in the other direction. Obi-Wan and Luminara heaved a sigh of relief, the fear of discovery still with them. That was a close call, too close to think about.

I don't think I can live like this, Luminara stated in a shaky voice. With this fear that someone will find out. We'll go insane.

Yes, we will. Obi-Wan agreed resignedly.

Luminara looked over at Obi-Wan, who was staring at the ground with a blank look. As he raised his head to meet her gaze, an unspoken agreement was formed between them, each predicting what the other would say. They knew what they had to do , though they knew both of them would hate it.

They had to tell the Council.