.Twelve.

Every waking minute outside of her duties as the reigning Queen of Naboo, Padmé spent with the Jedi assigned to protect her and teach her. She often found herself rushing through the kingdom's concerns, cutting people short in conversation, and coming very close to neglecting her oaths, all for the sole purpose of being alone with Obi-Wan.

Their time together was limited and Padmé thoroughly enjoyed each moment. She found the young Jedi to be honest, smart, talented in the Light, and handsome. Did she mention handsome? Her handmaidens were often quick to point out her slight obsession and had begun teasing her about it. Padmé had never denied her attraction. In fact, she realized it even before he had rescued her from the Darkness. The more time she spent with him, the more it became glaringly obvious she was developing a bit of a crush on the young man.

If only he felt the same. Obi-Wan was duty-driven and determined to teach her how to guard her mind against another intrusion. Together they meditated, knees touching, often holding hands, which she found rather distracting. And yet, Obi-Wan seemed to be able to focus through it all, constantly reminding her of his purpose on Naboo and how it was his duty to protect her until she had learned how to protect herself.

They were together for a little while every day. They often shared meals and even when they weren't training, he was there. Always, he was there. While she held court, he lingered behind columns. During negotiating treaties with the miner's guild, she watched as he paced in the foyer. During waking hours, he was within her sight at all times; a constant and hopeful reminder of what was to come if she could only manage to get through her duties.

"You're not concentrating," his words scolded her playfully.

Padmé smiled at him amiably. "You're right," she admitted. "I was drifting."

"Come on now, you need to take this seriously. Let's try again."

Once more, Padmé closed her eyes, relaxed her shoulders, and held her palms up, shuddering slightly when Obi-Wan's hands gently landed upon hers. The calluses of his fingers were in sharp contrast to the smooth skin of her palm and added yet another distraction to a growing number.

"Focus," Obi-Wan murmured as a reminder.

"I'm trying!"

Once she had managed to settle, Padmé began the exercise once again. Inside her mind was a fortress where she kept her thoughts, her desires, as well as her fears. Obi-Wan had taught her how to keep it enveloped with Light. No matter what tried to intrude, she could choose to protect herself, as anyone could. All had the power to do so, they simply had to choose to wield it, Obi-Wan had explained. It reminded her of the exercises her mother had taught her as a young princess.

"Whenever you feel like you are about to lose control, break it down into pieces. Manage one thing at a time before you try to take on the whole."

Basically, this was the same process and she set up her defenses far more quickly than she used to.

"Good," Obi-Wan encouraged. She wasn't sure how he could tell she was ready or how far his abilities to read her mind went. In the beginning, he warned her she was literally an open book. Actually, Padmé had always thought that keeping an open mind was a good thing. Apparently not when it came to her mental security, Obi-Wan had taught her.

"Now, prepare yourself," he whispered.

Over the past month, she had come to learn exactly what that meant. Inside her mind, images would begin to appear. Some were darker than others, but nothing ever too terrible. They were coming from Obi-Wan himself and she didn't imagine he would ever be able to conjure up anything too bad.

Today's choices, however, were a little more difficult to deal with. They were memories of when she had been possessed by the Dark Entity. She saw herself as he had seen her. At first glance, she was shocked and it caused her control to slip.

"Steady," Obi-Wan cautioned. "The Darkness searches for any weakness, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Like a worm, it will maneuver its way into a tiny hole and destroy everything inside."

Padmé understood and immediately rid her mind of the images Obi-Wan had presented and instead tried to focus on something far more pleasant, honest, and true. She wasn't entirely surprised to discover it was his face that appeared, along with his smile, the dimple on his cheek, and those gorgeous eyes of his. She focused on the sound of his soft chuckle as well as his boisterous laugh, the way he spoke when he was being supportive as well as demanding; as well as the way he made her feel. And far too soon, the exercise was over and he was praising Padmé for her efforts.

"Much better," he told her, patting her on the knee. They were still kneeling on the cushioned mat in her private chamber, a slightly warm breeze blowing back the thin curtains over the open doors leading to her balcony.

"If you allow the darkness inside, it will fill you completely and snuff out any hint of light. Fill your mind with the things that make you strong and happy."

She'd heard him tell her this numerous times. At first, it had been a difficult task. There were so many things to worry about; the failing people's opinions regarding her rule for one. She couldn't blame them. How could they understand what had happened to her? How could they ever trust that she'd be the same leader she once was?

There were some who now opposed her rule and others who were petitioning the council for a change. It was all very stressful, and therefore, Padmé was having trouble focusing on something beneficial.

Obi-Wan had never asked what she was thinking about. All he did was persuade her. He had never even suggested anything. It was up to her.

But when Obi-Wan himself appeared in her mind everything changed. The exercises were now easy, although she realized she was indulging in a fantasy. A smile lifted the corners of her mouth as Padmé wondered what would Obi-Wan would think or say if he realized he was the source of her strength and happiness.

"What? What is it?" he inquired obviously noting her smile, one side of his own mouth lifting into a charming smirk.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about the things that make me happy."

"Good," he told her before hopping up from the floor. "Keep doing that," he suggested. "As much as you can, but especially if you feel a shadow coming over you."

And then there was that. The nightmares had passed and all that was left of her experience were the bad memories and horrible feeling of being detached from her mind and body. It was as if she had been forced to watch someone else – some extremely rude and angry person live out her life. Padmé wasn't about to let anything like that happen ever again, so she paid very close attention to what Obi-Wan was telling her and always tried to do her best.

He held his hand out to lift her up and Padmé accepted the assistance gratefully, lingering in the touch for as long as possible. She didn't think he'd notice and she immediately pressed the remnant of his warmth to her heart.

"Whatever it is you're focusing on, it seems to be working. I feel I need to warn you, though, that it's just going to get tougher."

Padmé brushed off her knees and straightened her tunic and skirt, looking at Obi-Wan with growing concern. "What do you mean?"

"I've encountered this menace," he explained. "He is pure evil and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He will come at you with the vilest accusations. He may even manage to bring up something from your past that disturbs you – something you've possibly even forgotten about."

That seemed impossible, the young woman thought. But a year ago, she would've never believed her spirit would've been possessed by an ancient evil.

"I understand," she told him although Padmé began to wonder. Under such circumstances, would the mere visualization of Obi-Wan's eyes, the timber of his voice, and his occasional innocent touch be enough to ward off the darkness? She certainly hoped so.

"When the time comes, I'm going to have to implement some of the tactics he may use," Obi-Wan further explained, worry creasing his brow. "I just don't want….I mean, I wouldn't want you to…"

He seldom stammered or stuttered and was usually so confident and bold! Therefore, Padmé placed a comforting hand on his forearm. Her simple touch seemed to be all that was needed to calm him down and allow Obi-Wan to continue - Something she would remember for the future.

"What I may have to say and show you will be shocking. I just don't want you to judge me for it. That's all. I don't think I could stand it if you thought ill of me."

It was the first sign Obi-Wan seemed to care about her opinion of him – other than being her protector of course. If she were bold enough, she would test her theory. But then again, she was the Queen, so why not?

"I could never do that," she told him truthfully. "We've grown close you and I, have we not? Do you really think I'd allow a simple exercise to change my opinion of you? It's going to take something much worse than that."

She had tried to keep her tone light and her lace her words with humor. However, Obi-Wan listened to her words and seemed to take them seriously. He stepped toward her, stopping within a few centimeters of her face. She could see the gray rim of his irises and the freckles across the bridge of his nose. Her breath caught in her chest at the abrupt thought that he might be about to kiss her, although the ridiculousness of the idea passed quickly. He was a Jedi Knight, a protector of the entire galaxy! He couldn't be interested in a romantic relationship!

"What would it take Padmé?" he asked her coolly, his hand gripping her arm rather fiercely, increasing until the hold became almost painful. "Would you forgive me if I threw you down on the floor and took you? Right here? Would you forgive me if I possessed your mind myself just to take advantage of you? I would come to you every night and have my way with you. Would you like that? Would you forgive me then?"

A small part of her was excited to hear such words from Obi-Wan's mouth, but the other, much larger part was screaming that something was terribly wrong. This wasn't her Obi-Wan! He would never say anything like that!

"No!"

Padmé sat up, her own scream echoing against the walls of her private chamber. Within seconds, Sabé was by her side.

"M'Lady? What is it? Are you all right?"

The memory of the dream was still fresh. She could almost feel Obi-Wan's grip on her arm and hastily looked to see if there were fingermarks there. Nothing. Her skin was pale and unblemished. But it had seemed so real!

"I think so," the young Queen said with a sudden lack of confidence while biting her nails – a sure sign she most definitely was not okay. "It was just a dream."

"More like a night terror," Sabé corrected while brushing Padmé's hair back with her fingers. "Your shout probably woke the entire palace."

"Sorry," the young woman replied just before the door to her bedroom creaked open and a familiar head poked in.

"Pardon me, but is everything all right?"

Padmé nodded toward the handmaiden to give permission to allow the Jedi in. Obi-Wan stood back away from her bed as Padmé pulled the blankets higher to cover the somewhat revealing bodice of her nightgown.

"It was just a bad dream," Sabé assured the young Jedi, although he didn't seem to take her word for it. He took two steps toward the bed and gazed into the queen's face.

"That's all it was," Padmé reassured him. Her confirmation seemed to satisfy Obi-Wan, although the concern on his brow hadn't faded. Regardless, he smiled at her and then began to back away.

"Very well," he said quietly. "I'll be right outside in case I'm needed."

Padmé returned his smile, overcome with the unexpected and unreasonable desire to ask him to stay. "Good night, Obi-Wan."

The Jedi Knight closed the door quietly and released a heavy sigh against its dark wood. He had come close to losing control just now; of revealing his true feelings. A few minutes ago, he had detected a tremor in the Light that centered around the queen. At first, he was concerned she was once again being harassed by the same or possibly even another dark entity. Obi-Wan was relieved to discover that was not the case when he overheard her and her handmaiden speaking.

He had come close, however. Much too close to barging into her room, running to her bed, and pulling her into his arms. Would his actions have been welcomed? Or would she have been shocked and embarrassed?

Obi-Wan was ashamed enough for himself. He didn't need hers added to it. He was here as her protector and to help her learn to protect her mind. It was unfair of him to take advantage of that.

He had seen the way she looked at him and felt her lingering touch. And although he appreciated both, he couldn't allow himself to give in to such alluring advances, to allow himself the pleasures a beautiful young woman such as her could bring. To give in to his feelings at this point would be highly irresponsible. The Jedi Council wouldn't be too fond of the idea either.

While he was on Naboo, the Queen was his priority. He was here to perform a duty. Anything outside of that was just a distraction.