Author's Note: Sorry it's taken so long guys; I had major writer's block. Thank you to all the reviewers for your kindness. This next chapter is a bit short and mostly Obidala fluff. I avoided any specific smuttiness, so I wouldn't have to give it the NC-17 rating, but it's steamy. ;) Enjoy.

And on a side note, a good many Obidala writers on ff.net have received flaming reviews from Ani/Ami shippers. I believe this to be unfair. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Don't read a story clearly labeled Obidala when you know you hate the pairing. It makes little sense to me.

To all my fellow Obidalas, keep the love alive! We know the truth! ;) ~*~*~*~*~*

The cold air of space had taken its toll on her and she shivered a bit in the co-pilot's seat within the small cockpit. Obi-Wan seemed calmed despite this situation, as he fumbled with controls and coordinates on the computer screen. They had made the jump to light speed about an hour ago. It wouldn't be long, she guessed, until they'd exit hyperspace and this veil of mystery would be lifted. Where were they going? And would they truly be safe? She wagered that Anakin would now be searching for them, and he would not stop until they were both dead. What better way to usher in a new life by destroying the links to your old one? It made perfect sense to her, and undoubtedly to Anakin as well.

Obi-Wan could sense that Padmé's thoughts lingered on her husband, or what was left of her husband. He felt the slight twinge of jealousy he'd often experienced when observing the young couple in the prime of their marriage. That was all done with now and he mentally chastised himself, clearing his mind of all thoughts now and concentrating on the task at hand. It would not be long now until they reached their destination: the planet Shekila, known to only a few Jedi masters within the Order. The Jedi had many such planets (most uninhabited) where they could go for protection. Obi-Wan was sure Anakin would know nothing of Shekila's existence, since he himself would not have known if he had not been shown the place by Qui-Gon. After a particular grueling mission, when he was still a Padawan, Qui-Gon had landed their vessel on the lush green pastures of the virtually deserted planet. It was a perfect "escape." Once there, he could truly contemplate their situation better and find a real solution. They could not hide forever, as he was not adept to hiding and neither was Padmé. He would think there and keep her safe. That was the next step. A small sigh escaped his lips and out of the corner of his eye he could see her turning her face and feel her concerned look. A tiny smile tugged at his lips and he spoke softly, eyes never leaving the screen. "Get some rest, I'll wake you when we arrive."

"I'm fine," she replied softly, gazing at him as she leaned her head back on the headrest. And she truly was, fine that is, as long as she was with him. She was content to sit there and just watch him working feverishly to try and get them to safety, more specifically, herself to safety. He brushed off all concern for himself in practically every situation. Lucky for him, she took the weight of concern for him. She always had, it seemed. Anytime he was feeling low, or under the weather, she was the one who seemed to come through for him. She worried and cared for him like no one else had. Anakin had even commented once, when they were still newlyweds, that she bothered too much for his Master. She had brushed it off then, never wanting to admit to her true feelings. But she'd known all along, hadn't she? From the very first time she'd gazed into those blue- green orbs as a young Queen on Naboo, she'd known the true meaning of what her mother had always told her growing up. When you find that other half that completes you, you'll know. In the pit of your stomach and the depths of your soul, some light will spark and you'll just know. And her mother had smiled every time she said it, perhaps reliving the moment when she too had realized she was hopelessly in love. Padmé now had that same smile on her face as she watched Obi-Wan. He looked up suddenly and raised a brow.

"What is it," he whispered.

She simply shook her head and replied, "nothing.. just watching you work."

She gave him another smile and he could do nothing but return it and watch her a few seconds before reluctantly returning to his duties.

The landing was easy and Obi-Wan could not help but feel certain nostalgia as he gazed out of the view port and onto Shekila. The cockpit was quiet for a long moment before Padmé broke the silence.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, reading his mind almost.

The trees had large, thick stumps that shot up to the heavens. The canopy of the forests could be seen, as the lush green leaves spilled out over the treetops. They had landed in a field of exotic flowers of many different colors, with rolling hills not far off from this particular plateau. There was no wind blowing through the greenery. It was so peaceful, not even nature itself saw fit to disturb the scenario. Three small moons could be seen through the reddish hue of the atmosphere, though it was still daylight. The sun burned bright just opposite the moons. It was a spectacular effect, one that any artist would jump at the chance to capture.

Obi-Wan stood, waking both Padmé and himself from their reverie. Padmé followed suit, and walked close behind him as he exited the cockpit.

They exited the ship hand in hand, their footfalls clacking on the metal ramp and the sounds dying as their feet touched onto the soft grass.

"Shekila," Obi-Wan whispered. "It's an unknown planet, reserved for Jedi use."

Padmé started to ask a question, but Obi-Wan quickly intercepted it, anticipating the inquiry.

"No," he said, "he will not know. Very few of the Masters know of this particular planet. It is very out of the way from most Republic star systems. I only know of it myself, because Qui-Gon happened to show it to me on one of our earlier missions. Otherwise, Padawans are not to know of this place."

Padmé leaned her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close as he took in a breath. Their eyes could not be pried from the gorgeous surroundings just as their minds were given no rest from the worries that plagued them both. She turned her body now, to face him and buried her head in his chest. He replied by wrapping both arms around her and holding her close. He kissed the top of her head gently, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.

"I love you," he whispered. "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

She nodded into his chest, not wanting to break the embrace. He truly made her feel safe. Slowly, her head tilted up meet his gaze as he looked down at her, a small smile on his lips. She went up on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips to his. The two fell into a passionate kiss. It was feverish, but gentle all at once. Both were hungry for each other, lost in the touch and feel of one another's skin. But their love shone through it all, adding such tenderness to their touches as Obi-Wan moved his hands slowly along the curves of her body.

"Love you so much," she whispered into his mouth as she was drawn deeper into the kiss, and lured into a feverish state by the feel of his hands, her own hands wrapped around his neck, pulling at him desperately.

As if something had shot up from the ground and pulled them down, they simultaneously fell upon the soft grass, Padmé coming down upon Obi-Wan, her chest crushing against his. They had pulled away from the kiss long enough to gaze into each other's eyes. A comfortable silence passed between them and they spoke volumes with just their eyes. The situation seemed out of place at a time like this, but both of them needed one another. One fed off the love of the other. It was not only a source of comfort, but of energy as well. Padmé slowly lowered her head down, so that their lips barely touched. She had relaxed, concentrating on the rise and fall of his chest with his breath.

"Don't ever leave me," she whispered, her lips barely moving and grazing his as he spoke. She felt the electric tingle of her lips spread down throughout her body and peak her desire for him, her innate need for this man.

"Never," he whispered back. "You're stuck with me, m'lady," he quipped, still whispering.

She smiled, a lustful desire now evident in her eyes and she closed the small gap between their lips, closing her mouth onto his, his tongue slipping naturally inside the opening. The kiss was powerful and Obi-Wan felt his arousal reach a record peak. He was not used to this at all. Padmé had helped him become accustomed to following his more primal instincts. And he felt comfortable with her in his arms, more so than he ever remembered having felt. It was so different from any other experience, from meditation, from anything he had ever done in the past to release the stresses that plagued him.

And now, as Obi-Wan tightened his grip around her and began to move his hands underneath her clothing, Padmé settled into her own calm. If she were not breathing and feeling his warm skin against her own, she would have thought herself dreaming. Her mind seemed to shut down from reality when locked in these embraces with him. They were so unlike anything she'd ever experienced. And as the changed from reddish hues to purple and orange as the sun began to set, Obi-Wan and Padmé fell into each other with soft cries of pleasure, which were the only sounds that could be heard in the field.



Dawn found them snuggled against one another, the blades of grass surrounding them and framing their form. Bundled on top of them was their discarded clothing, used as blankets to shield the cold of the evening. Padmé blinked her eyes open, her head was resting atop Obi-Wan's muscular chest. She let her hand make a soft trail from his chest down to his stomach and she rested her head on her chin, her dark eyes moving to rest on his slumbering face. He looked like a child when he slept, she always thought so and smiled.

Obi-Wan's own eyes opened and squinted as the rays of light penetrated them. The first thing to come into focus was Padmé's smiling face and it made him smile sweetly as well. He ran his hand up to cup her cheek and she leaned her head into his touch.

"You're up early," he said softly, as he stretched a bit under her.

"We have a lot to do today."

"Do we," he asked mischievously, arching a brow and smiling as he did so.

Padmé let a soft laugh escape her lips and she gave him a light push with her hand. "Don't poke fun. We have."

"I know, a lot to do," he finished. "I will do something about a shelter."

"Does your Jedi training include architecture," she asked with a smile.

He laughed in his low gruff voice, his chest moving with the peals. "Something like that, love. It may not be a Senatorial suite, but it will be suitable."

She moved up along the length of his body and planted a soft kiss on his lips. "We'll see," she said as she gave him a small wink and rolled off him, taking her clothing with her.

Indeed, they had a lot to do. But building would not be the bulk of the work. Planning their next move would be an unavoidable and necessary task they would have to undertake. If they ever wanted to return to civilization, they had to figure out a way to fool Anakin, to fool those that threatened them, specifically her. But, as Obi-Wan watched his lover dress in the early morning light of Shekila, he was not so sure he wanted to return to civilization.

~*~To Be Continued~*~