Authors Note: Hey guys! How are you? Oh my gosh, I literally only have 3 stories and this one is at OVER 100 HITS?! Oh my gosh! Thank you guys soo much from the bottom of my heart! Oh! P.S. Merry early Christmas! -S
Satine now referred to The Seige of Mandalore simply as "TSM." Saying the word "Mandalore," with all that she had seen happen to it, was almost too painful for her to bear.
Although Satine had come to the "Hall of Healing" several days before to heal physically, she knew she remained there because she was still healing mentally. She had no right to hide out like this. Although the medical droid continued to tell her she was completely physically recovered, she insisted on staying. The truth was, she just wanted to stay out of the public eye, avoiding all of the pity and fake apologies from people who didn't really care about her beloved planet.
She wanted peace and quiet though, save for the cherished visits from Obi-Wan, who sometimes brought along Anakin or Ahsoka. She enjoyed their company fine but she knew Obi-wan must have been refusing missions the Jedi Council had tried to assign him.
She had heard that Chancellor Palpatine had gifted her an apartment near Padmè which was nice. She would ask Obi to take her there when he came.
It wasn't long before Obi-Wan arrived.
"Satine, how are you, my dear?"
"Good. Are Anakin or Ahsoka coming?" she asked, sitting up in her bed as Obi-Wan sat down beside her.
"No. They opted to do something else. I think they said they were going to do research."
"I don't want to say I'm glad but…" Satine trailed off.
"I know what you mean." Obi-Wan gently took her hand in his.
"I…um…meant to ask you if… you'd take me to my apartment?" Satine asked, feeling odd calling something "her's" that had been gifted to her by the Chancellor.
"Of course! I was going to ask if you were ready to go there yet."
"Okay, let me get into more acceptable attire," Satine said, feeling terribly out of place in her hospital gown.
"Okay, I'll be waiting just outside."
"I'm still here, you know," Obi-Wan said through their commlink a minute later. He had given it to her so she could communicate with him, even when he wasn't there.
"I know," she said as she walked slowly over to the cabinet that had spare clothes. She chose the outfit that most resembled Mandalorian formal attire. She made a mental note to put an order in to get some more clothes. She didn't want to have to borrow from Padmè, although Satine had always admired her exquisite dresses and her intricate hairdos.
"Duchess," Obi-Wan greeted, offering his arm. She, of course, took it.
"Obi-Wan," she responded as they started to exit the Halls of Healing.
"How are you really doing?" There was a hint of concern in his voice.
"Good actually. The bacta has done wonders." She absentmindedly placed a hand on her cracked rib.
Although the doctors approved her discharge, they had encouraged her to take things slow and avoid extraneous activities for the time being. Unfortunately "extraneous activities" included the Senate.
Luckily though, the council had chosen Obi-Wan to look after her and that gave her something to look forward to.
"I'm glad." Obi-Wan's words jolted Satine from her thoughts.
"I would hope you'd be," Satine said dryly.
"Now, that's the Satine I know…" Obi-Wan said as they exited the temple.
"No, Obi, I'm not the same "Satine" I was…not yet at least. If I was, I wouldn't be standing here with you. I'd be fighting at the Senate for the good of thousands of systems that rely on me as their sole leader." Satine was both sad and passionate about her cause.
"I know, Satine. Believe me, I know." Obi-Wan helped her into the sky taxi.
"I know you do," Satine said quietly as Obi-Wan told the droid their destination: The Senate District.
"What did you have to do, to get the council to give you so much time with me, and now, to help me settle into the apartment?" Satine said, shaking her head.
"I'd rather not say," Obi-Wan said bashfully.
"You're fine, ner cyar'ika. I'm just joking," Satine chuckled quietly ("You're fine, my love. I'm just joking.")
A few minutes later the taxi pulled into the port in the Senate District.
"Where is the apartment?" Satine asked.
"It's in the same building as Padmè I believe"
"I'm glad!" Satine and Padmè had become quite good friends since they both were in the Senate.
"134… 134…" Obi-Wan mumbled to himself. "Ah, here it is… after you, Duchess."
"Why thank you,"
It was a glamorous place, not surprising since rich politicians and rulers of systems and planets lived in this building when the Senate was in session. White porcelain and marble were everywhere. There were statues of famous politicians scattered around. A beautiful fountain was positioned in the middle of the room, impossible to ignore.
Satine and Obi-Wan walked toward the turbo-lift and entered. It had curved glass walls with gold pillars for support.
"Why aren't we checking in?" Satine asked.
Obi-Wan sighed."Anakin spoke to the Chancellor earlier and they already know you're coming. He also recommended to him that I watch over you. Anakin suspects something is going on with us. He knows it's forbidden for Jedi, but he's as stubborn as a rancor." He said smiling at the thought of his Padawan.
"You care for him a lot, don't you?" Satine asked.
"Yes, I do," Obi-Wan said as they walked out of the elevator.
As they turned the corner Satine stopped suddenly.
"Oh, Satine! How good to see you! How are you doing?" Padmè asked, putting a hand on Satine's shoulder.
"Oh, um… I'm fine. You?"
"I'm doing good. Why are you two here?" Padmè said, looking at Obi-Wan coyly.
"I'm just taking the Duchess to her apartment," Obi-Wan said.
"Oh?" Padmè said.
"See you, Padm- Oh! uh, Obi-Wan, Duchess," Anakin said as he came from the same way as Padmè.
Satine saw Obi-Wan raise an eyebrow at Anakin. "I'm sorry but I have to go. Jetii business" Satine could tell Anakin was poking fun at Obi-Wan. As Anakin passed Satine heard him whisper what sounded like, "We'll talk about this later" to Obi-Wan.
"Anyway," Padmè started, "you're welcome to come over to my apartment anytime. In fact, how about now?"
"Oh um… Okay," Satine said, surprised that Padmè would be so gracious as to let her into her private apartment. "I'll be there in just a minute"
"Okay it's number 537," Padmè said before turning around to walk to her apartment.
"I'll see you later, my Jedi Knight," Satine said, checking no one was in the hallway then quickly kissing Obi-Wan on the cheek. Then, she promptly turned toward where Padmè had gone and walked away smiling to herself.
"Hmmm, I wonder…" Satine heard Padmè mumble to herself.
"You wonder wha-" Satine started to say as Padmè pulled a gun from behind a table leg. "Whoa, whoa! Padmè, it's me. Don't worry." Satine put her hands up.
"Oh, Satine, I'm sorry. it's just… the war and everything… it has me on edge," Padmè said putting her hand over her heart.
"It's fine Padmè, I understand."
Padmè led her to a couch so they could sit down.
"Anyway… spill it!" Padme laughed.
"Spill what?"
"You and Obi-Wan, of course! There's something going on with you two, isn't there?"
"I didn't know you were a gossip!" Satine said, pretending to be insulted. "And besides, I dont know what you are talking about."
"But you do know," she said leaning toward Satine.
Satine sighed. "I really don't want to go through this right now Padmè. I'm as confused as you are!"
"Oh. Okay. I'm sorry, Satine, I was just trying to cheer you up with some girl talk." Satine knew Padmè was thinking about what happened on Mandalore.
"I'm still mentally recovering. My thoughts are a blur so I can't really think through a thought comprehensibly," Satine said blinking back tears that had come from just briefly thinking Mandalore.
"I'm so sorry, Satine. I meant to reach out to you a few days ago, but I was busy," Padmè said looking ashamed. "I know that's no excuse, but still…"
"No. Padmè, It's okay, I understand." Satine rubbed Padmè's back comfortingly.
They talked for a few more hours. The topics ranged from what happened on Mandalore, senators they didn't trust, and what had happened with Satine and Obi-Wan in recent years. Satine didn't divulge everything, of course, but she did trust Padmè so she shared many things.
"I'm sorry Padmè, but I have to go…" Satine said getting up from the couch and draining her drink (Galilean tea).
"Oh, I understand. Look at the time! I've had you all to myself. Time to let Obi-Wan get his share!" Padmè said standing up to hug Satine goodbye.
"Padmè!" Satine feigned a gasp at Padmè's last comment.
"See you soon!" she said, leaving the room.
A few minutes later, after walking down the hallway she stopped and started worrying.
Where is my apartment? Where is it? where-
"Yes?" she suddenly heard through the comm link.
"Oh, my stars! Obi!" Satine whisper-shouted. "How did you even know I needed help?"
"The Force."
"That's your answer to everything!" Satine sighed. "Anyway… where is my apartment?" Satine asked meekly
"Hold on… I'm in the building. I'll be there in just a minute." She could tell he was jogging.
"Okay!" Satine said with a huff. "Don't keep me waiting!"
"I wouldn't dream!" Obi-Wan said as he disconnected.
Satine sat down on a bench in the hallway. She thought how considerate he had been with her. Sure, there was bickering, but it was all in good fun. They were also close. For him, they were dangerously close since he was a Jetti. For her though, their friendship brought peace since his intention was always to protect her.
"Satine?"
"Sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts."
"About?" Obi-Wan asked, offering her his arm.
"Nothing."
"Nothing? Satine, you must know that it's impossible to be thinking about nothing!" Obi-Wan said aghast.
"I know… I know…" Satine said, patting Obi-Wan's arm. They continued walking in peaceful silence.
"Here it is," Obi-Wan said a few minutes later.
"Oh, Thank you," Satine said "But how do i-"
"Handprint," Obi-Wan said with amusement showing through in his voice.
"Oh." She put her hand on the pad on the wall.
The door opened instantaneously.
