Padmé sat at a modest sized desk, positioned before a giant window overlooking one of the many Nubian lakes and a gorgeous waterfall. Padmé's head was down and she was reading, quite concentrated on a proposal that had arrived to her, confidentially, from Coruscant. It was a standard proposal that the Senate was putting into effect. It dealt with border disputes over a few small systems. Padmé frowned as the proposal was signed by the Chancellor and said to go into effect immediately.. the document mentioned nothing about a vote. "No, there wouldn't be, would there," she though bitterly to herself.

Obi-Wan stepped into the room, the scene before him was very calming. Padmé was hard at work and framed by a breathtakingly beautiful nature scene. He smiled to himself as he cleared his throat to get her attention. Her head shot up. She was ever on edge. He thought to himself that he should calm her a bit. She shouldn't be so tense. His news would definitely cheer her up, though she already had that bright smile she gave only to him.

"Master Kenobi," she said with a bit more enthusiasm than she should have, being that Dormé and a guard was in the room, each one seated on either side of her. She saw Dormé's head shoot up out of the corner of her eye. She had to tone down her greetings. But she was excited to see him. And the smile on his face meant good news, of that she was certain.

"M'lady," he replied in a very calm manner, noting the others in the room. He gave a small bow of his head in respectful greeting and stepped towards her desk in casual strides, stopping about a foot away. "I felt I should inform you, Senator, that the Council has instructed me to remain here on Naboo for a more extended period than originally planned."

Her heart leapt for joy. He was staying; they'd felt it necessary for him to stay. Though she suddenly found herself wanting to know why. It was delightful news, of course, but why had they ordered her to be looked after? "Of course, Master Kenobi, you are welcome as long as you wish. But, may I ask, why has the Council decided I need protection? There have been no attempts on my life, no threats."

She picked up on everything. Did he really think she wouldn't? How he loved this woman.. she knew him so well, understood his ever concern, and saw through his very countenance to reach the root of the problem. He nodded once to her, the smile having faded as he spoke very seriously now. "I am not clear on that m'lady. But it seems the Council has sensed a disturbance in the Force, as have I. They feel very strongly that you must be protected, lest this disturbance find it's way to you."

Padmé gave a casual looking nod of her head, though her dark eyes were locked on Obi-Wan's blue-green orbs. Why would she be in danger? What was he not telling her? She knew he would recount it all to her later, in private. However, she was almost desperate for the information now. "I wish to speak more with you on this matter later today, Master Kenobi."

"Of course, m'lady," he said with a bow and giving her a reassuring glance. He hated to distress her in anyway or concern her with such things after she had already been through so much. But he had to tell her. "I will depart for a short while and then return. I am under orders not to leave your side for very long, my Senator."

She gave another slow nod of her head and kept her dark orbs gazing into his. She was definitely concerned. There was another element to all this. "Yes, Master Kenobi. We will speak together soon. I should like to know more about what the Council had to say about my safety."

He gave a nod and another deep bow before turning on his heel to leave. He walked out quietly, leaving her to her work. Of course, now she was worried. "You certainly know how to bring peace to a woman, Obi-Wan," he thought to himself. He had to meditate before he spoke to her again. He would go to his quarters for the first time since yesterday morning and sit there to reflect and clear his mind. The Force would present him with the answer, with his next move.

~

It was late at night when her door opened. She had been sitting at her vanity, staring at her face in the large, ornate mirror for what seemed like hours. She wasn't really looking at herself, just contemplating. She looked up to see his gentle eyes staring back at her, cautious and questioning her. He yearned to be close to her, but he stood at the door, always the gentleman, awaiting her to beckon him to approach. Instead, she stood up and walked towards him, dressed in a thin white nightgown covered by a deep purple robe. He was blushing and moving his gaze over her as she came closer. She smiled and leaned up on her toes, placing her hands on his shoulders and moving in to plant a tender kiss on his lips. He wrapped his own arms around her and returned the kiss, lingering close to her face to stare deeply into her dark, brown eyes.

"What is it," she whispered. He did seem troubled. He had been ever since he'd gotten that communication from the Temple. He told her everything he'd heard, but he had not wanted to discuss it until they were completely alone.

"I am worried about you," he confessed to her. His eyes reflected all his feelings. They were open pools to her, and only her. He had never been this open with anyone, not even Master Yoda, whom he told most everything to. "I don't know what they could possibly mean. If you are the key to all our futures, many others will know this. The Dark Side is strong now, I feel it all around me. This disturbance, it has to do with you, I know it in my heart and soul." He spoke softly, but evenly. His tone was urgent as his eyes remained fixed on hers.

She let her hands trail down to his. The clumsy digits played absently with her slender fingers as she pulled him towards the large bed. She sat down and he took his place beside her, their gazes never falling from one another. They were locked in such an intense moment, something very real and electric passing through them. It was as if they were one single body of energy. He had never felt more connected to her, nor she to him. And she whispered back to him, "don't worry. Whatever happens, I trust in you."

The look of truth and sincerity in her eyes calmed him; her words and very being brought peace to him. "I will keep you safe, always." He leaned in now to place a kiss on her awaiting lips. Together, they feel back onto the soft bed, his body falling to cover hers under his weight. He ran one hand down the length of her body, while the other was cupped to her cheek. She was starting up at him and smiling, her expression was inviting to him. Her own arms came to wrap around his neck and pull him closer as he kissed her deeply, passionately. She could feel the desire in him as his tongue played with her almost ravenously.

He had completely given into his feelings and desires now. Tonight would prove there was no turning back from this one. This moment would define their feelings and would stay with them for all time. He was not sure if his worry for her made him so weak for her now. Perhaps, he just needed her so much, needed her arms to wrap around him as they both became enveloped in a blissful night of passion. But here he was, and it would happen now, just as he'd often dreamt of it. And now he moved to kiss her neck and whispered to her. "I've waited so long."

She smiled and placed a kiss on his temple, her hands moving down to wrap around his waist as he continued to feel the curves of her body and explore her skin with his mouth. The hair on his face tickled her lightly and she replied with a small giggle, "It has been far too long, Master Kenobi."

~*~*~*~To be continued~*~*~*~