Emotion

Obi ran into the throne room, Naya in his arms, Sabé and Qui behind him.

"What's wrong?" asked Obi.

Padmé, masquerading as a handmaiden, turned and looked at him grimly."The Trade

Federation has invaded Naboo. We must leave now."

The handmaidens quickly moved around the decoy Queen. Qui, Obi, Panaka and two other guards moved to cover the handmaidens.

"You stay with Sabé, okay Naya?" Obi told his daughter firmly.

"Okay Daddy." she replied.

Obi stood at the front with Qui and Panaka, and the party moved out. They took the side streets, avoiding droid patrols and taking little-used passageways to get to the space port.

Once inside, they found the transports and pilots under guard.

"I'll take care of the pilots, you get the transport." siad Qui.

Obi nodded. He moved up towards the pilots, his blaster in one hand and vibroblade in the other. He swiftly cut off the droids heads, and yelled at the pilots to run. Meanwhile, Qui and Panaka had gotten the transport freed. Obi hopped on board, along with two of the pilots.

The transport quickly cleared Naboo's atmosphere, then went into hyperspace. The transport had gotten past the Federation's defenses, but the ship had sustained heavy damage.

"Where's the closeset inhabited planet?" asked Qui.

"Tatooine. It's a few systems away, but it's the closest planet not under Federation rule." replied Obi.

"Why is that?" asked the pilot.

"Because it's ruled by the Hutts." responded Obi.

"Oh." said the pilot.

"We can't take the Queen there! The Hutts will kidnap her, and hand her over to the Federation anyways!" sputtered Panaka angrily.

"Then what do you suggest?" asked Obi calmly.

"I don't know, let's find another planet to land on!" said Panaka.

"There are no other planets to land on. That's why we're going to Tatooine." said Obi, then turning to speak to the pilot. "Set a course for Tatooine."

~*~

"Obi. Obi, wake up. We're almost to Tatooine."

Obi woke up, feeling a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see Sabé.

"Good morning." Sabé said, smiling softly.

"Good morning to you too." said Obi groggily. He slid over on the bench he was sitting on, careful not to move Naya's head from his lap, and made room for Sabé to sit down.

They sat in silence for a few moments, then they both spoke at the same time.

"Sabé, I..."

"Obi, will..."

They both stopped, then pointed to each other to go first. This caused them both to laugh. Obi was then first to speak.

"Sabé, I just wanted to say, well...I was wondering..."

Sabé looked anxiously at him. "What Obi?"

Obi loooked VERY uncomfortable. "Well, Sabé, I..."

Obi was interrupted by Qui, Panaka and the Queen entering the room.

"Have we interrupted something important here?" said Qui, raising an eyebrow when he saw how close Obi and Sabé were to touching noses.

Obi and Sabé quickly moved apart. "No, no. We were just, uh, just discussing the engine trouble, yes, there's alot of damage!" said Obi quickly.

"I see..." said Qui, a small smile on his lips. "If Sabé and Obi are done discussing the 'engines', we'll move on. We will be arriving at Tatooine in five minutes. I will be going to the main city, Mos Espa, to search for the needed parts. Obi-Wan and Sabé will accompany me. Any objections?"

"Yes." said Obi. "I want to take Naya with me."

"Naya? Mos Espa is a dangerous place, Obi-Wan, do you really wish to take your daughter there?" asked Qui.

"I do admit, I don't want her to be in danger, but I want her to stay with me. Too many times have I left my loved ones, only to return and find them hurt, or dead." replied Obi.

"Very well. We depart in five minutes."

*~*

Obi, Naya and Sabé waited for Qui outside the transport. Sabé and Naya were playing in the sand, writing messages with their fingers. Obi walked over to see what Naya had drawn.

"I...luv..my..dad." read out Obi. "I love you too, Naya." Obi scooped up his daughter into his arms, tickling her until she was almost crying with laughter. It was at that moment that Qui exited the ship, followed by someone else.

"Padmé?!" said Sabé, astounded. "Panaka let you come?"

Padmé laughed at her friend's surprise. "Yes, after I threatened him!"

Sabé smiled, then fell into step with Padmé. Obi was walking up ahead, discussing something with Qui. Naya was holding her father's hand, but then decided to go walk with Sabé and Padmé.

"They're boring." said Naya, causing Padmé and Sabé to laugh.

"Sometimes, they are." said Sabé.

Naya turned to look at Sabé. "You like my dad, don't you?" she asked bluntly.

Sabé turned beet red. Padmé covered her smile with her hand.

"Is it that obvious?" asked the clearly embarassed handmaiden.

"No. Not really. It's just that sometimes, when I want to, I can read people's minds." said Naya.

Sabé looked relieved. "Naya, you are very strong in the Force, just like your father was, is."

"Oh." replied Naya. There was a slience then, the only sounds were their footsteps in the sand and the faint mumbling of Obi and Qui's conversation.

"He likes you too." said Naya softly.

Sabé drew in a sharp breath. It was a few moments before she could speak again. "He..He does?"

Naya looked straight at her, and for a few moments, she looked older than six years old. "Whenever he sees you, he stops what he's doing and just looks at you. And when you talk to him, he always gets nervous. I guess you just don't see it." With those words, Naya skipped off to go see her father.

"I never knew..." said Sabé.

Padmé smiled at her friend. "Isn't that what love's all about?"

*well, that's my newest chapter, I hope that you liked it. more to come soon.*