Official Disclaimer: Ah yes, the standard disclaimer. The characters used in this fic are not my property, far from it, and belong to Lucasfilm and George Lucas' genius. I'm not making any money off of this fic and no copyright infringement was intended.
Author's Note: Well, this is the end of this fic. Please no intense flames, I just ended it the only way that I felt the Council would really react. I'd like to thank all of the reviewers; they really helped to motivate me to finish this. Thanks to Spazoid for daring me to write this, and I hope you all like it. Don't forget to tell me what you think of this last chapter and review. Thanks a lot!
Forbidden- Part 4
By Ender
"It must be stopped immediately."
Mace Windu's harsh words reverberated through Obi-Wan's mind as the Jedi Knight stepped out of the Council chamber, Luminara coming up beside him. The previous half hour had been exceptionally tough after the two Jedi had informed the Council of their love for one another. Fierce reprimands had ensued, scathing words that had been given by every member of the Council. It was final; Obi-Wan and Luminara both were to be placed on probation for six months and could never see each other unescorted during that time, possibly ever again.
Obi-Wan ran a weary hand through his hair, then dropped it and let out a loud sigh. /Well, / he thought to himself dryly, /they took it better than I thought they would. / Because they had admitted their secret freely, Windu and Yoda had been somewhat lenient, promising that the two Knights' situation would not be reported around the Temple to prevent their reputations from being tarnished.
The uncomfortable silence that had fallen was pierced by Luminara's soft voice, the subdued words audible only to Obi-Wan.
"I guess this is it, then." She shook her head slowly, her voice a testimony to her exhaustion "I don't know how to break this to Barriss." Her Padawan was being released that day from the Healer's Ward, finally well again after the damage she had suffered at Geonosis. Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, his expression growing even more drained.
"I know what you mean, but they would've figured it out on their own if we didn't tell them." Anakin's quarters were Obi-Wan's next stop. The bearded Jedi had rehearsed the conversation, but could never find the right words to say; for the umpteenth time that day he found himself wishing that he could ask Qui-Gon for guidance.
His emotions, usually kept well in check, were a complex storm raging inside himself. Obi-Wan had never felt this way about anyone and could not picture his life without Luminara in it. This intense longing mixed and clashed with his ingrained sense of duty to the Jedi Order and the Code, from which he had never strayed before, intentionally, in his life. His rational side was glad that they had confessed to the Council, but the rest of him was rebelling with all its power. If love between two Jedi was so wrong, then why had the Force so clearly brought them together? It had bonded them, connected them for all time; why was this wrong?
No matter how they tried to reason with the Council, the answer was always the same: the Code must be followed. They would be apart forever, the elder Jedi seeing to that. It was how they would have to live, though, or risk expulsion by the Council. Only the bond they shared would remain; it would have to suffice if they couldn't find a way to be together.
Obi-Wan started as he realized that he was even considering going against the Council's wishes. He rubbed his temples fiercely, a nervous habit he had picked up after Qui-Gon's death. There it was again, the inner conflict that now threatened to tear him apart. He had struggled with it before, always coming to a dead end of maddening nothingness. But now in a moment of sudden clarity he knew, just knew, that their relationship was meant to be. Rules be damned, he trusted himself, he trusted Luminara, and he trusted the Force.
He opened his mouth to say it all to her, the words almost spilling out of his mouth in a jumbled rush, but the beautiful Jedi met his cool blue eyes and raised a delicate finger to his lips. Their newfound bond was growing stronger by the hour; somehow she just knew. Obi-Wan calmed himself and gave a small smile, though the lines on his weathered face gave away his overpowering grief.
As he gazed over Luminara's tattooed face, Obi-Wan finally realized the finality of their punishment, the end of the blissful week they had spent together. His heart sank in his chest and the Jedi felt a black place in his soul grow, a spot that he had not felt since his Master's untimely death. Struggling to compose himself, Obi-Wan said the only thing left to say, painfully aware of the time that was ticking down to the end.
"I will always love you, Luminara."
"And I you, Obi-Wan. Always."
Obi-Wan leaned down and met her lips with his one last time. The kiss lingered on, neither of them wanting to break their last moment together. At last they pulled back, agonizingly turned around, and slowly walked their separate ways. It took every bit of their Jedi discipline to restrain themselves from turning back for one final look at what their future could've been. A blissful, yet forbidden future.
~~~~~~
Obi-Wan palmed open the door to his quarters, exhausted after the frustrating day. His spirit felt weighed down by the heaviest sea of troubles and sorrow he had ever known. Soon he would be crushed, nothing to save him from his own guilt and grief.
The Jedi had just returned from informing Anakin of what had happened; the shocked Padawan had barely believed that his strict Master had actually broken the Jedi Code. Even though Obi-Wan was in a foul mood, he still noticed the profound effect his confession had on the young man. Anakin had paled to the shade of a ghost, uncharacteristically seeming silent, even fearful, especially when his Master had described the lessened punishment. When Obi-Wan finally got back to normal; /Probably never again, / he thought to himself; he would have to have a talk with Anakin to see what was troubling him.
Still, Obi-Wan had been glad to finally get back to his room, relieved that the day was finally over. He ate something to calm his growling stomach, struggling to ignore the thoughts of Luminara that popped into his head. He had little success, finally relenting as he pictured her honey-colored skin, her piercing blue eyes, her graceful walk. He had heard a group of Jedi talking about how Luminara had already been hurriedly sent on a low profile mission with Barriss, a strange event for a Knight whose Padawan had just recovered. No doubt he would soon be doing the same. Heaving a sigh full of suffering, he stood up in one swift movement and slammed his fist into the nearest wall.
"How can I do this?" He whispered to himself, closing his eyes to stop the moisture building under his eyelids from sliding down his face. "How?"
Shoulders slumped in defeat, Obi-Wan made his way to his bedroom, not looking forward to a restless night of tossing and turning and painful memories. In his preoccupied state, he almost glanced over the blinking datapad that lay in the middle of his sleep couch. A small window flashed on and off, an indicator of an incoming message.
Aimlessly, Obi-Wan picked it up and noted it had been sent the hour before, though its heading contained no information on who had sent it. He punched the button and the message appeared, one small word at the top of the glowing screen. But that one word; it was enough to salvage his waning spirit and give him hope for the future. There was no doubt of whom it was from. His mind brightening in elation, he read the word again, a smile gracing his face as he whispered it to himself and to its sender.
"Always."
Author's Note: Well, this is the end of this fic. Please no intense flames, I just ended it the only way that I felt the Council would really react. I'd like to thank all of the reviewers; they really helped to motivate me to finish this. Thanks to Spazoid for daring me to write this, and I hope you all like it. Don't forget to tell me what you think of this last chapter and review. Thanks a lot!
Forbidden- Part 4
By Ender
"It must be stopped immediately."
Mace Windu's harsh words reverberated through Obi-Wan's mind as the Jedi Knight stepped out of the Council chamber, Luminara coming up beside him. The previous half hour had been exceptionally tough after the two Jedi had informed the Council of their love for one another. Fierce reprimands had ensued, scathing words that had been given by every member of the Council. It was final; Obi-Wan and Luminara both were to be placed on probation for six months and could never see each other unescorted during that time, possibly ever again.
Obi-Wan ran a weary hand through his hair, then dropped it and let out a loud sigh. /Well, / he thought to himself dryly, /they took it better than I thought they would. / Because they had admitted their secret freely, Windu and Yoda had been somewhat lenient, promising that the two Knights' situation would not be reported around the Temple to prevent their reputations from being tarnished.
The uncomfortable silence that had fallen was pierced by Luminara's soft voice, the subdued words audible only to Obi-Wan.
"I guess this is it, then." She shook her head slowly, her voice a testimony to her exhaustion "I don't know how to break this to Barriss." Her Padawan was being released that day from the Healer's Ward, finally well again after the damage she had suffered at Geonosis. Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, his expression growing even more drained.
"I know what you mean, but they would've figured it out on their own if we didn't tell them." Anakin's quarters were Obi-Wan's next stop. The bearded Jedi had rehearsed the conversation, but could never find the right words to say; for the umpteenth time that day he found himself wishing that he could ask Qui-Gon for guidance.
His emotions, usually kept well in check, were a complex storm raging inside himself. Obi-Wan had never felt this way about anyone and could not picture his life without Luminara in it. This intense longing mixed and clashed with his ingrained sense of duty to the Jedi Order and the Code, from which he had never strayed before, intentionally, in his life. His rational side was glad that they had confessed to the Council, but the rest of him was rebelling with all its power. If love between two Jedi was so wrong, then why had the Force so clearly brought them together? It had bonded them, connected them for all time; why was this wrong?
No matter how they tried to reason with the Council, the answer was always the same: the Code must be followed. They would be apart forever, the elder Jedi seeing to that. It was how they would have to live, though, or risk expulsion by the Council. Only the bond they shared would remain; it would have to suffice if they couldn't find a way to be together.
Obi-Wan started as he realized that he was even considering going against the Council's wishes. He rubbed his temples fiercely, a nervous habit he had picked up after Qui-Gon's death. There it was again, the inner conflict that now threatened to tear him apart. He had struggled with it before, always coming to a dead end of maddening nothingness. But now in a moment of sudden clarity he knew, just knew, that their relationship was meant to be. Rules be damned, he trusted himself, he trusted Luminara, and he trusted the Force.
He opened his mouth to say it all to her, the words almost spilling out of his mouth in a jumbled rush, but the beautiful Jedi met his cool blue eyes and raised a delicate finger to his lips. Their newfound bond was growing stronger by the hour; somehow she just knew. Obi-Wan calmed himself and gave a small smile, though the lines on his weathered face gave away his overpowering grief.
As he gazed over Luminara's tattooed face, Obi-Wan finally realized the finality of their punishment, the end of the blissful week they had spent together. His heart sank in his chest and the Jedi felt a black place in his soul grow, a spot that he had not felt since his Master's untimely death. Struggling to compose himself, Obi-Wan said the only thing left to say, painfully aware of the time that was ticking down to the end.
"I will always love you, Luminara."
"And I you, Obi-Wan. Always."
Obi-Wan leaned down and met her lips with his one last time. The kiss lingered on, neither of them wanting to break their last moment together. At last they pulled back, agonizingly turned around, and slowly walked their separate ways. It took every bit of their Jedi discipline to restrain themselves from turning back for one final look at what their future could've been. A blissful, yet forbidden future.
~~~~~~
Obi-Wan palmed open the door to his quarters, exhausted after the frustrating day. His spirit felt weighed down by the heaviest sea of troubles and sorrow he had ever known. Soon he would be crushed, nothing to save him from his own guilt and grief.
The Jedi had just returned from informing Anakin of what had happened; the shocked Padawan had barely believed that his strict Master had actually broken the Jedi Code. Even though Obi-Wan was in a foul mood, he still noticed the profound effect his confession had on the young man. Anakin had paled to the shade of a ghost, uncharacteristically seeming silent, even fearful, especially when his Master had described the lessened punishment. When Obi-Wan finally got back to normal; /Probably never again, / he thought to himself; he would have to have a talk with Anakin to see what was troubling him.
Still, Obi-Wan had been glad to finally get back to his room, relieved that the day was finally over. He ate something to calm his growling stomach, struggling to ignore the thoughts of Luminara that popped into his head. He had little success, finally relenting as he pictured her honey-colored skin, her piercing blue eyes, her graceful walk. He had heard a group of Jedi talking about how Luminara had already been hurriedly sent on a low profile mission with Barriss, a strange event for a Knight whose Padawan had just recovered. No doubt he would soon be doing the same. Heaving a sigh full of suffering, he stood up in one swift movement and slammed his fist into the nearest wall.
"How can I do this?" He whispered to himself, closing his eyes to stop the moisture building under his eyelids from sliding down his face. "How?"
Shoulders slumped in defeat, Obi-Wan made his way to his bedroom, not looking forward to a restless night of tossing and turning and painful memories. In his preoccupied state, he almost glanced over the blinking datapad that lay in the middle of his sleep couch. A small window flashed on and off, an indicator of an incoming message.
Aimlessly, Obi-Wan picked it up and noted it had been sent the hour before, though its heading contained no information on who had sent it. He punched the button and the message appeared, one small word at the top of the glowing screen. But that one word; it was enough to salvage his waning spirit and give him hope for the future. There was no doubt of whom it was from. His mind brightening in elation, he read the word again, a smile gracing his face as he whispered it to himself and to its sender.
"Always."