"Here you are, my specialty. Not as fancy as what you're used to, but it'll do." Obi-Wan placed the plate in front of Sabé.
"Let's see...meatloaf, steamed vegetables, and potatoes." She took a bite. "Well, very good indeed."
"Didn't think that I could cook? I took lessons from one of my friends who runs the best diner on Coruscant. Astri will be glad to hear that her tutelage paid off."
"From what I'd heard, the Temple didn't put culinary arts in their curriculum. How very enterprising that you decided to pursue it for yourself."
"After some of Master's cooking in the field, it was a top priority on my list."
Meira banged her spoon on the high chair tray, so Sabé put a little more potato in her plate, which was eagerly devoured.
"See, even she approves!"
After a moment's reflection, Sabé looked at Obi-Wan.
"This is nice, isn't it? Just being together like this."
He nodded. "I have to agree, it is." His look turned serious. "Sabé, I don't know if I can get a transfer to Corellia. The Council may want to keep Anakin close so they can watch him. Even if I do get approval to move, the wheels of the Temple grind slowly. It may be some time before we could relocate. What are your feelings on that?"
She swallowed, and sat back in the chair a moment as she thought. "You are a Jedi. That is your calling, and you will do what it takes to follow that call. I know that going in. Many others in a service spend time away from homes and families. If that is to be our fate, it will be no different than what has been done before and will continue to be done. If you can relocate, Force willing, I will join you. If you cannot, you visit when you can, and we send a lot of holos and letters to each other. Whether or not that will be enough for you, I can't yet say. You'll have to tell me. I know now that you care for me, that's more than I had before you returned, and that will carry me a long way."
Obi-Wan reached for her hand and tenderly clasped it. "Somehow, I'll find a way for us to be together." Inside, he was not so confident. He wondered how he came to win such a woman's heart, and hoped he would prove to be worthy of keeping it.
After the dishes were cleared, Sabé returned to her tasks, and Obi-Wan took Meira to her room to play until she was ready to sleep. When it became clear that she was fighting the drowsiness, he put her down in the crib with her two favorite toys, Qui-Gon and Shadoo.
"Goodnight, my little girl. Wish me luck."
Meira cuddled the Jedi doll, and smiled at Obi-Wan just before she closed her eyes for the night.
As soon as Meira drifted off to sleep, Obi-Wan gathered his nerve and went to speak to Sabé. Her hair was still up, and she was typing away at the workstation, concentrating fully on her job.
Obi-Wan took a rose scented candle out of a bag. After lighting it and letting it burn a few minutes, he found Sabé's hairbrush and approached her.
Hearing him draw near, she called out," She's finally gone to sleep?"
"Yes, Minister."
"Oh stop, Obi-Wan," Sabé moaned with mock exasperation. "I'm trying to get through this paperwork as fast as I can and just forget I'm a Minister for the rest of the night."
The Jedi grinned to himself. Taking a place behind her, he undid her hair and let it fall.
She shook it loose and breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I didn't even realize how tight that was."
He began lightly massaging her scalp. Sabé rolled her shoulders, and let her head fall back, deeping her relaxation.
When she had reached a state of comfort, Obi-Wan very gently began brushing her hair. "How's that? I'm not pulling it, am I?
"Ummm...no." Then she snapped back to attention. "Oh, what am I doing? I've got all this work to finish."
Obi-Wan continued to brush, then he ran his fingers through her silky dark brunette strands. Leaning down, he whispered softly, "Don't you think you would do better if you weren't so wound up?"
Her insincere attempt to end his attentions by pretending to push his hand away was unsuccessful. After he finished with her hair, he moved his fingertips to either side, carressing her temples, down to her cheekbones, then across the top of her ears. She fought to maintain control, but it was a tough battle. Obi-Wan was conveying strength and gentleness in the same touch, and it was a powerful combination.
She surrendered and leaned back into his hands as they still moved, floating to the outer edge of her ears, then feathery light touches stroking her neck.
"Ah...Obi-Wan?"
//Yes?//
"You realize how that makes me feel? Like that time in the forest."
//Of course I do, Beloved. That's the plan.//
At that, she turned and looked him straight in the eye. She spoke, her voice strong and clear, with only the barest hint of tension. "Say it. Out loud. Please."
He took her face in his hands. "We have been bound to one another another in many ways for a long time now. First, we fought for a common cause, then we began a friendship, and we conceived a child. I was sent back here and our personal bond has grown stronger. There's only one thing left to do. Sabé, I love you, and I was hoping, even though you know full well that there will be difficult and uncertain times, that you would do me the honor of becoming my wife."
There was joy in her eyes, then he saw the cloud of doubt. "I would, but..."
"Meira. You're concerned for her," Obi-Wan finished.
Sabé nodded. "Her safety has to come first. Surely you understand that."
"Yes. And that's why I took the liberty of finding out about our options. I hope you won't think me too presumptuous."
"No! Not if it helps us to be together. I do love you, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan moved in for a kiss, but Sabé grabbed his outer tunic and pulled herself to meet him more than halfway. He had to use the Force to steady them and keep her enthusiasm from knocking them both down.
After a flurry of kisses, Obi-Wan put his fingers on her lips, so she would pause. "Amidala can officiate for us. It won't have to go on record, and no one would be able to look up any leads connecting me with our daughter. It's as close to perfect as we can get. Does that help with your answer?"
"Yes!" she beamed. "And the answer to your question is yes, let's do it before you leave." This time there was one kiss, long and heartfelt.
"I'm not complaining, but why the rush?" Obi-Wan asked when they were able to speak again.
"As you pointed out earlier, we don't know how long it'll be before we can see each other again once you return to duty. I'll have perhaps a week left with you this time, if we're lucky, and I want the rest of it to be as a real family, all three of us."
"Sensible. So when?"
"If Amidala can fit it in her schedule, day after tommorrow."
"Why not just tommorrow?"
Sabé sighed. "Because there is one little preliminary to take care of. It would be best if we broke the news to my parents first. Once that's over with, it's smooth sailing. I don't need anything fancy. Just you and the basics."
"Let's do it," he agreed. "I'll return to the Palace, and leave a message for the Queen." He reached for his cloak.
Sabé firmly grasped his belt and tugged on it. "Oh no, not yet. You're going to finish what you started." She turned him around and Obi-Wan saw the feral gleam in her eye.
"Oh, that's right," he purred. Dropping the cloak, he took her back in his arms.
Later, Obi-Wan lay flat on his back, eyes closed, centered entirely in the moment. He slowly released a breath through slightly parted lips. A slight sweat was giving his skin a sheen in the moonlight that filtered through the gauzy curtains.
Sabé rolled over and and flashed a wicked grin as she gazed down at him.
"You shouldn't be surprised. It's been over two years. Darling, you underestimate your allure."
He slowly opened his eyes, reached up and stroked her cheek with his fingertips. "What I underestimated, my love, was your stamina."
"Oh, don't tell me that a fine young healthy Jedi such as yourself finds me a challenge."
"A fine healthy woman, younger by seven years, with a voracious appetite is indeed a challenge. I trust I met your expectations?"
"Exceeded them." She moved her head to brush his palm with her lips.
Obi-Wan propped himself on one elbow to give Sabé a quick affectionate kiss. "I do have to go back to the Palace."
"You don't want to make me pout, do you?" she teased, stretching across the length of the bed.
"Don't tempt me, Beloved." He winked at her as he got up to dress. "There are arrangements to be made."
"Well, since you put it that way, I suppose I shall have to let you go for now. You'll be staying here soon."
"You won't be able to keep me away," he promised. "Call me through the comlink in the morning when you've settled how we're going to inform your parents."
When he returned to the Palace, the first thing he did was leave a message for Amidala in code phrases that let her know that Sabé had accepted the proposal so that she could prepare.
Next, he used the communications center to contact the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. After going through channels and enduring some delay, Master Yoda appeared in the holo.
"Hmmm, good to see you, it is, Obi-Wan. How feel you?"
"Much better since last we spoke, Master. Is my padawan learner doing well?"
"Missed you, he has. Wonders he, where he stands with you."
"I would like to begin working with him again. Master, would it be possible to have him join me here on Naboo?"
Yoda looked Obi-Wan up and down. "Yes, perhaps ready are you to teach him more. When would you wish for him to arrive?"
"I'd like him on the first transport out, if possible, Master. If he could be here in two days, that would be ideal."
The old Master's ears perked up. "Why the hurry, Obi-Wan? Know you the value we place on patience."
"I do, Master. But certain events will not wait, and I would like a few days with him here before we get our next assignment. It would give us the opportunity to get reacquainted. As you pointed out earlier, Master, I have not given him proper attention. This would enable us to start anew."
"Good points you make. Very well, do what I can for you, I will. A message will be sent informing you of when he will arrive."
Obi-Wan bowed low. "Thank you, Master. I am in your debt."
Yoda smiled. "No debt to me there is. Just do your best for the boy. May the Force be with you."
"Let's see...meatloaf, steamed vegetables, and potatoes." She took a bite. "Well, very good indeed."
"Didn't think that I could cook? I took lessons from one of my friends who runs the best diner on Coruscant. Astri will be glad to hear that her tutelage paid off."
"From what I'd heard, the Temple didn't put culinary arts in their curriculum. How very enterprising that you decided to pursue it for yourself."
"After some of Master's cooking in the field, it was a top priority on my list."
Meira banged her spoon on the high chair tray, so Sabé put a little more potato in her plate, which was eagerly devoured.
"See, even she approves!"
After a moment's reflection, Sabé looked at Obi-Wan.
"This is nice, isn't it? Just being together like this."
He nodded. "I have to agree, it is." His look turned serious. "Sabé, I don't know if I can get a transfer to Corellia. The Council may want to keep Anakin close so they can watch him. Even if I do get approval to move, the wheels of the Temple grind slowly. It may be some time before we could relocate. What are your feelings on that?"
She swallowed, and sat back in the chair a moment as she thought. "You are a Jedi. That is your calling, and you will do what it takes to follow that call. I know that going in. Many others in a service spend time away from homes and families. If that is to be our fate, it will be no different than what has been done before and will continue to be done. If you can relocate, Force willing, I will join you. If you cannot, you visit when you can, and we send a lot of holos and letters to each other. Whether or not that will be enough for you, I can't yet say. You'll have to tell me. I know now that you care for me, that's more than I had before you returned, and that will carry me a long way."
Obi-Wan reached for her hand and tenderly clasped it. "Somehow, I'll find a way for us to be together." Inside, he was not so confident. He wondered how he came to win such a woman's heart, and hoped he would prove to be worthy of keeping it.
After the dishes were cleared, Sabé returned to her tasks, and Obi-Wan took Meira to her room to play until she was ready to sleep. When it became clear that she was fighting the drowsiness, he put her down in the crib with her two favorite toys, Qui-Gon and Shadoo.
"Goodnight, my little girl. Wish me luck."
Meira cuddled the Jedi doll, and smiled at Obi-Wan just before she closed her eyes for the night.
As soon as Meira drifted off to sleep, Obi-Wan gathered his nerve and went to speak to Sabé. Her hair was still up, and she was typing away at the workstation, concentrating fully on her job.
Obi-Wan took a rose scented candle out of a bag. After lighting it and letting it burn a few minutes, he found Sabé's hairbrush and approached her.
Hearing him draw near, she called out," She's finally gone to sleep?"
"Yes, Minister."
"Oh stop, Obi-Wan," Sabé moaned with mock exasperation. "I'm trying to get through this paperwork as fast as I can and just forget I'm a Minister for the rest of the night."
The Jedi grinned to himself. Taking a place behind her, he undid her hair and let it fall.
She shook it loose and breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I didn't even realize how tight that was."
He began lightly massaging her scalp. Sabé rolled her shoulders, and let her head fall back, deeping her relaxation.
When she had reached a state of comfort, Obi-Wan very gently began brushing her hair. "How's that? I'm not pulling it, am I?
"Ummm...no." Then she snapped back to attention. "Oh, what am I doing? I've got all this work to finish."
Obi-Wan continued to brush, then he ran his fingers through her silky dark brunette strands. Leaning down, he whispered softly, "Don't you think you would do better if you weren't so wound up?"
Her insincere attempt to end his attentions by pretending to push his hand away was unsuccessful. After he finished with her hair, he moved his fingertips to either side, carressing her temples, down to her cheekbones, then across the top of her ears. She fought to maintain control, but it was a tough battle. Obi-Wan was conveying strength and gentleness in the same touch, and it was a powerful combination.
She surrendered and leaned back into his hands as they still moved, floating to the outer edge of her ears, then feathery light touches stroking her neck.
"Ah...Obi-Wan?"
//Yes?//
"You realize how that makes me feel? Like that time in the forest."
//Of course I do, Beloved. That's the plan.//
At that, she turned and looked him straight in the eye. She spoke, her voice strong and clear, with only the barest hint of tension. "Say it. Out loud. Please."
He took her face in his hands. "We have been bound to one another another in many ways for a long time now. First, we fought for a common cause, then we began a friendship, and we conceived a child. I was sent back here and our personal bond has grown stronger. There's only one thing left to do. Sabé, I love you, and I was hoping, even though you know full well that there will be difficult and uncertain times, that you would do me the honor of becoming my wife."
There was joy in her eyes, then he saw the cloud of doubt. "I would, but..."
"Meira. You're concerned for her," Obi-Wan finished.
Sabé nodded. "Her safety has to come first. Surely you understand that."
"Yes. And that's why I took the liberty of finding out about our options. I hope you won't think me too presumptuous."
"No! Not if it helps us to be together. I do love you, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan moved in for a kiss, but Sabé grabbed his outer tunic and pulled herself to meet him more than halfway. He had to use the Force to steady them and keep her enthusiasm from knocking them both down.
After a flurry of kisses, Obi-Wan put his fingers on her lips, so she would pause. "Amidala can officiate for us. It won't have to go on record, and no one would be able to look up any leads connecting me with our daughter. It's as close to perfect as we can get. Does that help with your answer?"
"Yes!" she beamed. "And the answer to your question is yes, let's do it before you leave." This time there was one kiss, long and heartfelt.
"I'm not complaining, but why the rush?" Obi-Wan asked when they were able to speak again.
"As you pointed out earlier, we don't know how long it'll be before we can see each other again once you return to duty. I'll have perhaps a week left with you this time, if we're lucky, and I want the rest of it to be as a real family, all three of us."
"Sensible. So when?"
"If Amidala can fit it in her schedule, day after tommorrow."
"Why not just tommorrow?"
Sabé sighed. "Because there is one little preliminary to take care of. It would be best if we broke the news to my parents first. Once that's over with, it's smooth sailing. I don't need anything fancy. Just you and the basics."
"Let's do it," he agreed. "I'll return to the Palace, and leave a message for the Queen." He reached for his cloak.
Sabé firmly grasped his belt and tugged on it. "Oh no, not yet. You're going to finish what you started." She turned him around and Obi-Wan saw the feral gleam in her eye.
"Oh, that's right," he purred. Dropping the cloak, he took her back in his arms.
Later, Obi-Wan lay flat on his back, eyes closed, centered entirely in the moment. He slowly released a breath through slightly parted lips. A slight sweat was giving his skin a sheen in the moonlight that filtered through the gauzy curtains.
Sabé rolled over and and flashed a wicked grin as she gazed down at him.
"You shouldn't be surprised. It's been over two years. Darling, you underestimate your allure."
He slowly opened his eyes, reached up and stroked her cheek with his fingertips. "What I underestimated, my love, was your stamina."
"Oh, don't tell me that a fine young healthy Jedi such as yourself finds me a challenge."
"A fine healthy woman, younger by seven years, with a voracious appetite is indeed a challenge. I trust I met your expectations?"
"Exceeded them." She moved her head to brush his palm with her lips.
Obi-Wan propped himself on one elbow to give Sabé a quick affectionate kiss. "I do have to go back to the Palace."
"You don't want to make me pout, do you?" she teased, stretching across the length of the bed.
"Don't tempt me, Beloved." He winked at her as he got up to dress. "There are arrangements to be made."
"Well, since you put it that way, I suppose I shall have to let you go for now. You'll be staying here soon."
"You won't be able to keep me away," he promised. "Call me through the comlink in the morning when you've settled how we're going to inform your parents."
When he returned to the Palace, the first thing he did was leave a message for Amidala in code phrases that let her know that Sabé had accepted the proposal so that she could prepare.
Next, he used the communications center to contact the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. After going through channels and enduring some delay, Master Yoda appeared in the holo.
"Hmmm, good to see you, it is, Obi-Wan. How feel you?"
"Much better since last we spoke, Master. Is my padawan learner doing well?"
"Missed you, he has. Wonders he, where he stands with you."
"I would like to begin working with him again. Master, would it be possible to have him join me here on Naboo?"
Yoda looked Obi-Wan up and down. "Yes, perhaps ready are you to teach him more. When would you wish for him to arrive?"
"I'd like him on the first transport out, if possible, Master. If he could be here in two days, that would be ideal."
The old Master's ears perked up. "Why the hurry, Obi-Wan? Know you the value we place on patience."
"I do, Master. But certain events will not wait, and I would like a few days with him here before we get our next assignment. It would give us the opportunity to get reacquainted. As you pointed out earlier, Master, I have not given him proper attention. This would enable us to start anew."
"Good points you make. Very well, do what I can for you, I will. A message will be sent informing you of when he will arrive."
Obi-Wan bowed low. "Thank you, Master. I am in your debt."
Yoda smiled. "No debt to me there is. Just do your best for the boy. May the Force be with you."