Title: Hidden Shadows Seeking Light
Rating: I wish I knew. I am putting it at PG-13 just because I don't know any better and would rather err on the safe side.
Genre: Drama/Mild Angst
Feedback: I would love to get feedback on this story. I would appreciate it if everyone would put down their flame throwers though because this is only my second time out and I know I made mistakes on the first story and have no doubt I will make many on this one. I need constructive criticism so that I will get better not mean comments that will only serve to make me cry. I thank each and every one of the readers who take the time to review this story. I love fan fiction and hope to write stories that can entertain others as much as their stories have entertained me.
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They are, were and will always belong to Mr. George Lucas creator of an amazing universe. Not only does this story contain elements of the universe that Mr. Lucas created but also the Alternate Universe (AU) found in a wonderful story called An Untimely Frost by CYNICAL21.
Just to a little guide as to what things mean:
/-/ Bond thought //-// Private thought "-" Speaking aloud
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Obi-Wan knelt momentarily over the cooling body of Pulmee Den. He could see that he had been severed by a weapon. He also realized that the only weapon that could have cut that cleanly and cauterized the wound was a light saber. Glancing up it was hard to see Yoda's face as the Master held up his saber illuminating the corpse. Obi-Wan and he cast out into the Force silently searching for the one who had killed the man. Sensing nothing the room was flooded with light with a small flicker of Yoda's wrist. Obi-Wan found himself blinking against the suddenly brightness surrounding him.
"Kept them here he did." Yoda observed making his way slowly over to what appeared to be a makeshift holding area. There were chains that had been cleanly cut. Whoever had taken the prisoners had not taken the time to release their manacles but instead had merely severed the chains. Without vocalizing their conclusions the Jedi both realized that the Sith who had killed Pulmee Den had also taken the girl and Anakin. Obi-Wan suppressed a shudder. He wondered where Qui-Gon was and how the man would react when he had proof that the boy was now in the hands of the Sith.
Obi-Wan reached out and was surprised to find the man very close indeed. "Master Jinn and Adi are in the facility Master. They are making their way in this direction." Yoda nodded as he prepared to break the news to the Master.
Obi-Wan opened the bond and reached out to Qui-Gon. He watched his Master for any reaction as a result of his doing so. Seeing Yoda smile up at him he realized that he had been worried about nothing. His Master was confident of his place in the young knight's life. Obi-Wan managed a offer small smile back as he deepened the connection.
/Qui-Gon we are in the basement. Den is dead. Anakin and the girl are gone./ He felt a wave of anguish wash over the man. Longing to comfort him Obi-Wan continued. /He is alive Qui-Gon. They would not have moved him if he were not. We will find him. They can't be far ahead of us./ He felt the man's gratitude at his attempt to comfort him. Qui-Gon sent back a wave of affection that caressed Obi-Wan's mind. It felt so sweet and familiar Obi-Wan found himself swallowing a lump in his throat.
"I have informed Qui-Gon that Anakin is gone and that Den is dead." Yoda nodded. "He didn't seem to be comforted much by the good news that Anakin is still alive." Obi-Wan said absently taking a better look around the area.
"Qui-Gon believes now in the hands of a Sith his Chosen One is. Better one with such untrained power to be dead than to turn." Obi-Wan furrowed his brow and knelt by his Master.
"Do you believe that Anakin is the Chosen One?" He watched as Yoda stared at him intently.
"Strong in the Force Skywalker is. Much potential he has. The Chosen One he is not, but knows the Chosen One Jinn does. Blind your ex-Master is." He placed his hand upon the Knight's shoulder and squeezed.
"Then who is the Chosen One?" Obi-Wan stopped to consider what his Master had said.
"Not the time to reveal such things. Soon all will be laid bare. Find this boy we must before use him the darkness does. Blinded to Jinn's faults you must not be Obi-Wan. Trust the Force." Obi-Wan smiled. Yoda's answers were even more cryptic than Qui-Gon's. He wondered for a moment what it would be like to have been a Padawan who could actually get straight answers.
Reading his thoughts Yoda whacked him with his stick playfully. "Boring it would be."
"Not very good a dodging are you?" Adi's voice cut through the moment. Obi-Wan smiled up at her good naturedly. She walked up beside him as he rubbed his stinging shin and whispered. "I win."
"I hardly think this is the time to be considering who won and who lost." Obi-Wan whispered back gesturing in the direction of the dead man on the floor.
Adi looked over at Den. He had been holding two innocent young lives captive for his own gain. Even though she knew that all life lost was to be regretted some lives were less of a loss than others. "He lost too." She smiled up at Obi-Wan. She knew he hadn't really been correcting her, but had just been trying to throw her off of their wager.
He smiled back. "Ok ok but we never really established what the wager was to be." He argued before turning back to face the other two Masters. Adi followed his action allowing the issue of his debt to be set aside for the moment.
Qui-Gon had already made his way over to where Anakin and Laroon La'Kol had been held. He saw the chains and the food dishes scattered about. He was filled with disgust and anger. It was a good thing someone had gone to the trouble of killing Den. Had Jinn gotten to him first he would have suffered much more. He pushed his feelings of overwhelming helplessness aside. He pictured Anakin locked in chains struggling against the Sith. He should have gotten here sooner. If he and Obi-Wan had continued on and not turned back to seek out Yoda and Adi things he would have been here in time and could have saved the boy. He watched the playful interaction between Adi and Obi-Wan. It anger him that they could take their surroundings so lightly. He was especially disappointed in Master Gallia.
Obi-Wan glanced over and caught the intense scrutiny that Master Jinn was giving him. He has seen that look before. It use to fill him with guilt and shame. Now he merely felt wary of the older man. He was obviously disapproving of something. Obi-Wan wondered if it were his relationship with Adi that had Qui-Gon so upset. He knew that the man had had feelings for the beautiful woman before. Looking at Adi Obi-Wan found himself filled with a sense of protectiveness towards her.
"Did you confront the Sith?" Adi asked the Master and Knight.
"Too late we were to confront them." Yoda explained.
"I could not sense the Sith. We were waiting for Den to leave then we had planned to come in and rescue Laroon and Anakin without placing them in any further danger." Obi-Wan stated. "I sensed something but I didn't realize it was a Sith. Did anyone realize they were this close?" He said it to no one in particular. It concerned him that his skills had allowed the Sith to evade him. He didn't want his weakness to bring harm to the rest of their party.
"Hard the dark side is to see. Sense them I did not as well. Knew that the darkness was close I did but realize their intent I did not." Yoda admitted. His words comforted Obi-Wan in that he realized that his inability to sense the Sith had not been due to some lacking in his skill but at the same time the words filled him with alarm. If his Master, who he had always held as the most powerful of all the Jedi, could not sense the Sith then how were they ever going to be able to defeat them.
"Sense him on Naboo we did not. Not until face him we did. Only after the door parted did we know that he was close." Yoda continued trying to alleviate some of his Padawan's concern. Obi-Wan nodded still deep in contemplation.
"Well Den is of no help." Adi announced the obvious as she too crossed to the holding area. "Why would he have captured the girl? What was it that he hoped to gain?"
"He was to be sworn in this week as Vice Commander, perhaps he felt that he could use the girl to gain the advantage against La'Kol." Qui-Gon murmured still thinking of his Padawan.
"Thinking back on the original negotiations he had seemed unsatisfied with the position the South had accepted. Do you remember that Master?" Obi- Wan asked staring up at Qui-Gon. The older man smiled remembering a time when he and Obi-Wan had worked so well together. He remembered how the boy now man patiently persuading Relian to put the needs of his planet before his hemisphere for the moment.
"Yes he was almost hostile on the signing day. Perhaps it was a wound that never healed. I would have thought though that those around him would have suspected and released him from his position. " Qui-Gon turned his attention to the corpse laying on the ground between them.
"Who would have released him? Relian?" Obi-Wan asked. There was a silence that hung in the air as all present arrived at the same conclusion at the exact moment.
"Can't dismiss someone if you're dead." Adi stated that conclusion.
"Do you think La'Kol suspected?" Obi-Wan asked. "No I guess not or he wouldn't have accepted him as the Vice Commander elect." He shook his head answering his own questions.
"Sometimes it is those that are the closest to us that are the easiest to deceive." Yoda stated. Obi-Wan glanced quickly at Master Jinn. Anakin had been deceiving the man for some time now and as a result he had opened himself up to the dark side. Obi-Wan had no doubt that the Sith had been lured to the boy by the box within his mind. Anakin had opened the door and the darkness had walked through it. It was much easier to corrupt those who were already sliding down a slippery slope. Qui-Gon met his gaze and hardened his in return. Obi-Wan knew that the Master had known his thoughts but refused to accept them. He was too wrapped up in his own guilt over the boy's disappearance.
"Where do you think they are taking him?" Qui-Gon asked his Master.
Yoda reached out into the Force. He could still sense that darkness. Now that he understood what the signature of this Sith felt like he would have an easier time tracking it. It was still near but not as close as it had been. It was still on the planet.
"They are still on planet." Yoda knew that this was not a good sign. If Anakin had been their goal they would have merely taken him and fled. They were staying on Tiress for some reason. His blood cooled at that possibility. They were after another and he alone knew who that Jedi was.
He had always suspected but had not truly known until he had become the boy's Master. He had felt his suspicions confirmed once their bond had formed. Much power the Jedi possessed but power did not make one great. It was his attachment to the light and the brightness of it that filled him. He would bring balance. His light would banish the darkness once and forever more, but only if he remained out of the clutches of the Sith.
Yoda turned his attention back to the group. "Follow them we must. Stay together we will. All paths lead us to one destination. Find them and defeat them we will. " Glancing at one another each Jedi steeled themselves for what lay ahead of them as they made their way out into the night.
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The transmission from the Jedi had done little to encourage Commander La'Kol. His daughter was still missing and was now definitely in the hands of a Sith. He knew very little about the Sith. There had been a few scary stories about them that he had read growing up. If the stories were at all accurate he knew the chances of his ever seeing his beloved daughter again were very slim. He swallowed the sob that rose up in his throat.
He had sent out his security forces to investigate the murder of Pulmee Den. He was still shocked that the man who had seemed so sympathetic to his plight had actually orchestrated it. It was a good thing Den was dead. Had he not been La'Kol was sure that he would have killed him with his bare hands.
He sighed wondering how he would ever hold the fracturing government together now that two key southern leaders had been murdered. The southern council would no doubt call for a full investigation. He just hoped that the members that were appointed to carry the task out would be fair and have the best interest of the planet in mind.
Staring out of his office window La'Kol once again considered the rumors that he had heard concerning the desire of many to separate from the Republic. He wondered how things had gotten so out of control so quickly. How had he been so blind to Den's motives? Had Den been the one to end Relian's life as the Jedi suspected? He had watched the man's unquestioning devotion to Relian during the first year of his administration. When had Den turned on the other man?
Shaking his head the Commander resigned himself to whatever would come. He knew it would be a long hard fight to keep the planet united, but even if Den had abandoned the dreams of Relian, La'Kol knew that he would not. The man had won him over with his genuine love and concern for the people of Tiress. The man had believed in the idea of a united planet. It had cost him his life. Fighting against his greatest fear La'Kol realized that it may very well cost him the life of his only daughter. Was it worth it? Continuing to stare out at the lights dotting the horizon he thought about the millions of citizens striving for a better life. Resigning himself to the truth La'Kol knew that it was.
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The night was colder than any of them had expected. They should have turned back and spent the night at the State House but they had already come so far. After having security dispatch the swoops to them at the factory the Jedi had set off in the direction that both Yoda and Qui-Gon sensed Anakin had gone. Qui-Gon could not really sense the boy but he was still feeling the vague sensations in the Force that he had before Den had been confronted by the dark one. It was the hope of the party that it was a vague sense of the Sith and how it was reacting to the presence of the Padawan. Yoda on the other hand had a stronger feeling as to the location of the darkness. Even though he could not pinpoint it exactly he knew in which direction it was retreating in.
Adi and Obi rode together on one swoop while Jinn and Yoda were together in the lead. Adi leaned into the hard body in front of her. She tightened her grip on his body and felt him lean back into her in response. A smile curled her lips as she delighted in the feel of him. She found herself leaning up once more planting a kiss on the back on his neck before burying her head into the center of his back.
The night air was cold. Obi-Wan could feel his hands growing numb as they raced along to an unknown destination. He was reaching out using all of his expert piloting skills as well as Force ability to keep them from impacting with obstacles. He allowed himself a moment to enjoy the feel of Adi's arms around him. He wondered if this was what it was like for Jedi couples who had soul bonded and then were assigned missions together. He thought it must be. Realizing he was getting way ahead of himself he forced himself to concentrate on the task before him.
Looking ahead he realized that Qui-Gon was slowing the other swoop and bringing it to a halt a short distance ahead of where he and Adi now were. Gearing down Obi-Wan pulled up along side the two Masters. He had been surprised at how keen Qui-Gon's piloting skills had been. He had been a bit rusty to begin with but once he had gotten a handle on the craft had managed almost as well as Obi-Wan had.
/Obi-Wan there is something up ahead. Yoda believes it to be the Sith. They are no longer moving so he feels that they have reached their end destination for the night. It is too dark to proceed without knowing more about what we are walking into. We will stop here and set up camp for the night./ Obi-Wan nodded indicating that he had received the Master's message.
Leaning back he brought his mouth to Adi's waiting ear. "My Master thinks that the Sith are a short ways up ahead. They don't seem to be moving further away so perhaps that is their base of operation. They both feel we need more information about what we might be walking into before we proceed so we are camping here for the night." Adi turned her head and nodded fully aware of how close their lips were. Obi-Wan stared at her lips for a moment then up to her eyes. A quick movement on her part indicating their audience and he pulled away a bit frustrated but fully understanding and agreeing with her on the matter
Once the swoops were both powered down the group could once again speak to each other without using mind speak, mouth to ear whispers or yelling over the roar. Obi-Wan watched as each member of the group took up their task to get the camp together. The temperature was dropping rapidly.
"Master." Obi-Wan began watching in amusement as both Yoda and Qui-Gon turned in response. Seeing his surprise the Jedi regarded each other for a moment before Qui-Gon turned back to the task he had been working on. "I was wondering if perhaps I should go ahead and scout their location." He watched as his Master reached out to the Force first before answering. He admired Yoda for his complete reliance on the Force for each decision.
"Wait until closer to the morning I think. Rest you must." Obi-Wan nodded heading over to where Adi had finished constructing one of the temporary shelters. He wondered if he would be sharing this shelter with her. He felt a warm tingle in his gut at the thought of all that that would imply. His got his answer when she whirled around to face him.
"Come see our new home Honey. The kids are at my folks so we have the whole place to ourselves." She took his hand and led him inside. He wondered what Yoda and Qui-Gon must have thought seeing them disappear into the small shelter together given their obvious feelings for one another. He stopped his train of thought laughing at his inability to accept that he was an adult as was Adi and that it didn't matter what his Master or Qui- Gon thought. She brought her light in with them. It was cozy. Just being out of the elements was so much nicer. He thought of Qui-Gon and Yoda still in the process of getting the other shelter up.
"I wonder if I need to help Master---"She interrupted him with a kiss. Her mouth was warm against his. He brought his hands up to her face and cupped her cheeks. He wondered for a moment how her cheeks could be so cold and yet her mouth so warm and inviting.
"They are big boys. They can construct a shelter." He nodded keeping his eyes fixed on hers. He lowered his face once more and took her mouth thoroughly. He heard her moan quietly in response and pulled back to catch his breath. They hung there for a moment. Each held their lips slightly parted sharing their breath gazing into the other's eyes.
"You owe me." She whispered. He smiled. It was a wager he would gladly pay over and over again until they were both satisfied that his debt was paid in full. He ran his hands down her back and pulled her tightly against him. It was amazing how perfectly their bodies molded together. They both began imagining how perfectly they would fit without the interference of the multiple layers of fabric between them.
Much to Adi's delight Obi-Wan took the initiative and lowered himself to his knees pulling her down gently with him. Kissing her softly on her lips once more he sought out her eyes seeking her permission. She gladly gave it and brought her hands to his tunic. Slowly and reverently they began undressing each other taking time to taste and touch skin that they had never had the chance to experience before.
Adi laid back beneath him refusing to look away from the green lights of his eyes. She watched as he brought his lips to her neck kissing all the right places causing her to arch up into him. She felt his hands on her hips gently holding her in place. His warm breath teasing her ear sending shivers down her spine. He slowly moved one hand up into her hair pulling her head slightly back to give him better access to her throat. She felt her body shiver slightly in response. She was surprised by his experience and skill. She had been aware that he had had many female admirers among his age mates at the Temple and even a few Knights had chased him a bit, but she had never really noticed how many he had spent time with. Obviously he had made time to learn a thing or two along the way.
When he pulled back she felt the gentleness of his kiss sooth and relax her then slowly felt the pace increase bringing with it the wakening demands of both of their bodies. It went on forever neither wanting to be the first to pull away. It was only when they were both completely out of breath that they did finally part.
Obi-Wan tried to focus on all that he was feeling but it was too much. He couldn't take it all in. He couldn't take all of Adi in. She was too amazing to believe. Somehow he felt he was rushing things. He was allowing his body to set a pace that his mind and heart couldn't keep up with. He could tell that her body longed to be united with his as much as he longed to be joined with her, but he refused to let either of their bodies rob them of all that they had waited for.
Pulling back he felt her body rise with his refusing even a momentary separation. He lowered his head once more kissing across her collarbone and up her neck. When he reached her ears he softly whispered.
"Adi."
"Mmmm" It was her response and it flattered and amused him all in the same moment.
"Adi."
"Yesssss" She hissed as he hit the right spot again with his hand causing her to arch again beneath him. Now he was wondering how to slow things down without making her angry or causing a misunderstanding. He pulled back and took in her flushed face feeling her hands as they ran up his back and into his hair then pulling him back into another breathtaking kiss. He felt her suck his tongue pulling it gently between her lips then releasing it as she trapped his bottom lip between hers and held it for a moment. He almost lost his will at that sensation. So great was his desire to feel all of her against him. He was close to turning off his mind and listening only to the pleas of his body. Then she spoke and he found the will to listen.
"What is it Love?" She asked softly against his neck kissing her way down his throat and across his chest. He felt a wet lick on his skin and moaned in spite of himself. He felt her smile against his skin.
"Adi." His voice was stronger this time as he moved away from her touch. He immediately saw a look of confusion and concern cross her lovely features. "No no no." He reassured her. "This is wonderful and I want this. Force knows I want this. I want you." He took a deep breath and released it before continuing. Adi had risen to sit beside him. He reached out and cupped her face looking tenderly into her eyes.
"This is all amazing. You are amazing. It is just happening so-"
"Fast?" She asked and was relieved when he nodded.
"I thought so too but it just felt so good that I thought I would think about it.well.. Later." They both laughed at that.
"Yeah later is good." Obi-Wan drew her into another deep kiss that she broke this time.
"Perhaps we should just get some rest and pull back a bit." She offered. He was so grateful for her understanding and sensitivity. He had worried that he would hurt her by pulling back but she seemed fine.
"I just want this to be as good as it can be and I think we need more time for it to be----"
"Fantastic? Amazing? Overwhelmingly orgasmic?" She joked.
"Actually I was thinking good but I like your expectation much much better." He joked back. They handed one another their discarded clothing talking as they dressed. Adi was comforted by how natural they were together. She had expected some awkwardness but Obi-Wan was so at ease and so confident. She hoped that it was his trust in her love for him that made him feel that way. She felt perfectly at ease as well. She caught herself dwelling on the sensation of his hands on her body and felt a small shiver in anticipation. The night's activities had definitely wetted her appetite. She respected his willingness to give their relationship more time to develop. It gave her hope that it was not merely a physical attraction that they were experiencing. Once they were dressed she smiled up at him.
He pulled the blanket over her as he snuggled down beside her. It felt so good to have her next to him. He thought about what she had felt like beneath his hands and had to force his body to remain still.
"Well goodnight then." She turned on her side away from him and closed her eyes. Obi-Wan laid propped up on his elbow and considered her for a moment. She was out of her mind if she thought that that was how it was going to be.
She didn't know what she had expected but was definitely not disappointed when she felt his hand on her shoulder as he turned her to face him. She opened her eyes and found him smiling knowingly at her. She put on her best innocent look but knew he wasn't buying it. He brushed his lips to hers as he whispered. "Sleep good honey. Try not to worry about the kids. I am sure that they are fine at your folk's house. " She nodded playfully and smiled. Settling down beside her she felt the compact strength of his body as he lifted her so that she was able to use his chest for a pillow. Wrapping his arms around her shoulder she felt so safe and protected. She sighed closing her eyes. She could hear the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. It was strong and powerful. It was soothing and exciting. It was Obi-Wan. She smiled to herself thinking it was her Obi- Wan.
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Qui-Gon could hear the soft snoring of Yoda on the other side of their shelter. He knew he needed to rest as well but his thoughts were on Anakin. He wondered where the boy could be and if he was well. It was so cold outside he hoped that the boy was warm wherever he was. He was very concerned that he could not sense the boy. He knew that it must be due to some force dampening device but still he just wanted some glimpse of him in the Force.
Closing his eyes he heard something else. It was a moan, a female moan. He felt a spike in his interest as he listened more intently. He heard a male moan in response. His mind immediately came to life with images of the lovely young woman and his ex-Padawan together in their shelter. He tried to push them away but found that he couldn't. As he lay there he felt a bitterness rise up within him. He had always believed that he would have been the man eliciting these sounds from Adi, not Obi-Wan. He felt jealous of the man and outraged by their behavior. It seemed completely out of line that they should be engaged in whatever it was that they were doing to one another instead of resting so that they could be of use in the rescue mission tomorrow. It would be dangerous and they all needed to be at their best.
Adi's gasped and he felt his face flush with anger. This was ridiculous. Obi-Wan was not conducting himself as a Knight should. Qui-Gon considered waking the boy's Master. Yoda would no doubt have a thing or two to say to the Knight. He would also put a stop to the activities in the other shelter. What were they thinking?
Qui-Gon felt decisively rose to his feet. He didn't need the older Master to put a stop to this inappropriate conduct. He was a Master. He was more than capable of separating these two. He would send Obi-Wan back here to sleep with his Master while he shared the shelter with Adi. That thought appealed to the man very much. Gathering up his cloak he grabbed his light and made his way over to the other shelter.
//Great it's dark.// He listened for a moment and failed to hear any sound from within. Preparing himself for the erotic scene he would no doubt confront, he turned his light to its lowest setting before gently easing the shelter open.
The sight that he found was a bit shocking and also a relief. Adi was curled up sleeping on the Knight's chest. The both appeared to be dressed. He was about to close the shelter opening when he heard Obi-Wan's voice.
"Master are you alright?" His voice was weighted by sleep. Qui-Gon felt ashamed knowing he had come to berate the man who was now obviously concerned about him.
"I'm fine Obi-Wan. I thought I heard something. I wanted to check on you two." He knew it sounded flimsy. Surely the Knight would know what it was that he had heard. He felt his face flush knowing he had confessed to eavesdropping.
"Do you want me to go with you and check the perimeter?" If Obi-Wan suspected he was not going to embarrass the man further.
"No no." Qui-Gon replied taken aback again at the other man's generosity where he was concerned. "It's fine. Go back to sleep. I wouldn't want to wake Master Gallia." He noticed Obi-Wan glancing down lovingly at the woman still sleeping on his chest. Qui-Gon suppressed another wave of intense jealousy.
"Right." Obi-Wan smiled up at him. "Well then goodnight Qui-Gon." He lowered himself and tightened his arm around the woman's shoulder already drifting back to sleep.
"Goodnight." Qui-Gon muttered returning to his own shelter and the snoring little green roommate. He felt ridiculous, angry, and jealous. He knew he should be happy for the young Knight. He had caused the man a great deal of pain over their years together. He had generously accepted Qui-Gon's apology not once but twice. Then why was he so unwilling to be happy for Obi-Wan? Why was it so hard? He thought again of the moan Adi had made knowing it had been in response to something Obi-Wan had been doing to her body. The jealousy spiked once more and Qui-Gon had his answer.
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I really don't understand ratings so I am not sure if this is R or PG-13. We ran into this with Broken Promises remember? Well I am keeping it at PG- 13 until someone complains or I decide to get more steamy. What did you guys think of it? That is my first real love scene of length. Let me know please. The more confident I feel the more apt I am to actually write more of these scenes. Just a bit of bribery there huh? Hope the weekend is great for you all. Thanks.
Rating: I wish I knew. I am putting it at PG-13 just because I don't know any better and would rather err on the safe side.
Genre: Drama/Mild Angst
Feedback: I would love to get feedback on this story. I would appreciate it if everyone would put down their flame throwers though because this is only my second time out and I know I made mistakes on the first story and have no doubt I will make many on this one. I need constructive criticism so that I will get better not mean comments that will only serve to make me cry. I thank each and every one of the readers who take the time to review this story. I love fan fiction and hope to write stories that can entertain others as much as their stories have entertained me.
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They are, were and will always belong to Mr. George Lucas creator of an amazing universe. Not only does this story contain elements of the universe that Mr. Lucas created but also the Alternate Universe (AU) found in a wonderful story called An Untimely Frost by CYNICAL21.
Just to a little guide as to what things mean:
/-/ Bond thought //-// Private thought "-" Speaking aloud
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Obi-Wan knelt momentarily over the cooling body of Pulmee Den. He could see that he had been severed by a weapon. He also realized that the only weapon that could have cut that cleanly and cauterized the wound was a light saber. Glancing up it was hard to see Yoda's face as the Master held up his saber illuminating the corpse. Obi-Wan and he cast out into the Force silently searching for the one who had killed the man. Sensing nothing the room was flooded with light with a small flicker of Yoda's wrist. Obi-Wan found himself blinking against the suddenly brightness surrounding him.
"Kept them here he did." Yoda observed making his way slowly over to what appeared to be a makeshift holding area. There were chains that had been cleanly cut. Whoever had taken the prisoners had not taken the time to release their manacles but instead had merely severed the chains. Without vocalizing their conclusions the Jedi both realized that the Sith who had killed Pulmee Den had also taken the girl and Anakin. Obi-Wan suppressed a shudder. He wondered where Qui-Gon was and how the man would react when he had proof that the boy was now in the hands of the Sith.
Obi-Wan reached out and was surprised to find the man very close indeed. "Master Jinn and Adi are in the facility Master. They are making their way in this direction." Yoda nodded as he prepared to break the news to the Master.
Obi-Wan opened the bond and reached out to Qui-Gon. He watched his Master for any reaction as a result of his doing so. Seeing Yoda smile up at him he realized that he had been worried about nothing. His Master was confident of his place in the young knight's life. Obi-Wan managed a offer small smile back as he deepened the connection.
/Qui-Gon we are in the basement. Den is dead. Anakin and the girl are gone./ He felt a wave of anguish wash over the man. Longing to comfort him Obi-Wan continued. /He is alive Qui-Gon. They would not have moved him if he were not. We will find him. They can't be far ahead of us./ He felt the man's gratitude at his attempt to comfort him. Qui-Gon sent back a wave of affection that caressed Obi-Wan's mind. It felt so sweet and familiar Obi-Wan found himself swallowing a lump in his throat.
"I have informed Qui-Gon that Anakin is gone and that Den is dead." Yoda nodded. "He didn't seem to be comforted much by the good news that Anakin is still alive." Obi-Wan said absently taking a better look around the area.
"Qui-Gon believes now in the hands of a Sith his Chosen One is. Better one with such untrained power to be dead than to turn." Obi-Wan furrowed his brow and knelt by his Master.
"Do you believe that Anakin is the Chosen One?" He watched as Yoda stared at him intently.
"Strong in the Force Skywalker is. Much potential he has. The Chosen One he is not, but knows the Chosen One Jinn does. Blind your ex-Master is." He placed his hand upon the Knight's shoulder and squeezed.
"Then who is the Chosen One?" Obi-Wan stopped to consider what his Master had said.
"Not the time to reveal such things. Soon all will be laid bare. Find this boy we must before use him the darkness does. Blinded to Jinn's faults you must not be Obi-Wan. Trust the Force." Obi-Wan smiled. Yoda's answers were even more cryptic than Qui-Gon's. He wondered for a moment what it would be like to have been a Padawan who could actually get straight answers.
Reading his thoughts Yoda whacked him with his stick playfully. "Boring it would be."
"Not very good a dodging are you?" Adi's voice cut through the moment. Obi-Wan smiled up at her good naturedly. She walked up beside him as he rubbed his stinging shin and whispered. "I win."
"I hardly think this is the time to be considering who won and who lost." Obi-Wan whispered back gesturing in the direction of the dead man on the floor.
Adi looked over at Den. He had been holding two innocent young lives captive for his own gain. Even though she knew that all life lost was to be regretted some lives were less of a loss than others. "He lost too." She smiled up at Obi-Wan. She knew he hadn't really been correcting her, but had just been trying to throw her off of their wager.
He smiled back. "Ok ok but we never really established what the wager was to be." He argued before turning back to face the other two Masters. Adi followed his action allowing the issue of his debt to be set aside for the moment.
Qui-Gon had already made his way over to where Anakin and Laroon La'Kol had been held. He saw the chains and the food dishes scattered about. He was filled with disgust and anger. It was a good thing someone had gone to the trouble of killing Den. Had Jinn gotten to him first he would have suffered much more. He pushed his feelings of overwhelming helplessness aside. He pictured Anakin locked in chains struggling against the Sith. He should have gotten here sooner. If he and Obi-Wan had continued on and not turned back to seek out Yoda and Adi things he would have been here in time and could have saved the boy. He watched the playful interaction between Adi and Obi-Wan. It anger him that they could take their surroundings so lightly. He was especially disappointed in Master Gallia.
Obi-Wan glanced over and caught the intense scrutiny that Master Jinn was giving him. He has seen that look before. It use to fill him with guilt and shame. Now he merely felt wary of the older man. He was obviously disapproving of something. Obi-Wan wondered if it were his relationship with Adi that had Qui-Gon so upset. He knew that the man had had feelings for the beautiful woman before. Looking at Adi Obi-Wan found himself filled with a sense of protectiveness towards her.
"Did you confront the Sith?" Adi asked the Master and Knight.
"Too late we were to confront them." Yoda explained.
"I could not sense the Sith. We were waiting for Den to leave then we had planned to come in and rescue Laroon and Anakin without placing them in any further danger." Obi-Wan stated. "I sensed something but I didn't realize it was a Sith. Did anyone realize they were this close?" He said it to no one in particular. It concerned him that his skills had allowed the Sith to evade him. He didn't want his weakness to bring harm to the rest of their party.
"Hard the dark side is to see. Sense them I did not as well. Knew that the darkness was close I did but realize their intent I did not." Yoda admitted. His words comforted Obi-Wan in that he realized that his inability to sense the Sith had not been due to some lacking in his skill but at the same time the words filled him with alarm. If his Master, who he had always held as the most powerful of all the Jedi, could not sense the Sith then how were they ever going to be able to defeat them.
"Sense him on Naboo we did not. Not until face him we did. Only after the door parted did we know that he was close." Yoda continued trying to alleviate some of his Padawan's concern. Obi-Wan nodded still deep in contemplation.
"Well Den is of no help." Adi announced the obvious as she too crossed to the holding area. "Why would he have captured the girl? What was it that he hoped to gain?"
"He was to be sworn in this week as Vice Commander, perhaps he felt that he could use the girl to gain the advantage against La'Kol." Qui-Gon murmured still thinking of his Padawan.
"Thinking back on the original negotiations he had seemed unsatisfied with the position the South had accepted. Do you remember that Master?" Obi- Wan asked staring up at Qui-Gon. The older man smiled remembering a time when he and Obi-Wan had worked so well together. He remembered how the boy now man patiently persuading Relian to put the needs of his planet before his hemisphere for the moment.
"Yes he was almost hostile on the signing day. Perhaps it was a wound that never healed. I would have thought though that those around him would have suspected and released him from his position. " Qui-Gon turned his attention to the corpse laying on the ground between them.
"Who would have released him? Relian?" Obi-Wan asked. There was a silence that hung in the air as all present arrived at the same conclusion at the exact moment.
"Can't dismiss someone if you're dead." Adi stated that conclusion.
"Do you think La'Kol suspected?" Obi-Wan asked. "No I guess not or he wouldn't have accepted him as the Vice Commander elect." He shook his head answering his own questions.
"Sometimes it is those that are the closest to us that are the easiest to deceive." Yoda stated. Obi-Wan glanced quickly at Master Jinn. Anakin had been deceiving the man for some time now and as a result he had opened himself up to the dark side. Obi-Wan had no doubt that the Sith had been lured to the boy by the box within his mind. Anakin had opened the door and the darkness had walked through it. It was much easier to corrupt those who were already sliding down a slippery slope. Qui-Gon met his gaze and hardened his in return. Obi-Wan knew that the Master had known his thoughts but refused to accept them. He was too wrapped up in his own guilt over the boy's disappearance.
"Where do you think they are taking him?" Qui-Gon asked his Master.
Yoda reached out into the Force. He could still sense that darkness. Now that he understood what the signature of this Sith felt like he would have an easier time tracking it. It was still near but not as close as it had been. It was still on the planet.
"They are still on planet." Yoda knew that this was not a good sign. If Anakin had been their goal they would have merely taken him and fled. They were staying on Tiress for some reason. His blood cooled at that possibility. They were after another and he alone knew who that Jedi was.
He had always suspected but had not truly known until he had become the boy's Master. He had felt his suspicions confirmed once their bond had formed. Much power the Jedi possessed but power did not make one great. It was his attachment to the light and the brightness of it that filled him. He would bring balance. His light would banish the darkness once and forever more, but only if he remained out of the clutches of the Sith.
Yoda turned his attention back to the group. "Follow them we must. Stay together we will. All paths lead us to one destination. Find them and defeat them we will. " Glancing at one another each Jedi steeled themselves for what lay ahead of them as they made their way out into the night.
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The transmission from the Jedi had done little to encourage Commander La'Kol. His daughter was still missing and was now definitely in the hands of a Sith. He knew very little about the Sith. There had been a few scary stories about them that he had read growing up. If the stories were at all accurate he knew the chances of his ever seeing his beloved daughter again were very slim. He swallowed the sob that rose up in his throat.
He had sent out his security forces to investigate the murder of Pulmee Den. He was still shocked that the man who had seemed so sympathetic to his plight had actually orchestrated it. It was a good thing Den was dead. Had he not been La'Kol was sure that he would have killed him with his bare hands.
He sighed wondering how he would ever hold the fracturing government together now that two key southern leaders had been murdered. The southern council would no doubt call for a full investigation. He just hoped that the members that were appointed to carry the task out would be fair and have the best interest of the planet in mind.
Staring out of his office window La'Kol once again considered the rumors that he had heard concerning the desire of many to separate from the Republic. He wondered how things had gotten so out of control so quickly. How had he been so blind to Den's motives? Had Den been the one to end Relian's life as the Jedi suspected? He had watched the man's unquestioning devotion to Relian during the first year of his administration. When had Den turned on the other man?
Shaking his head the Commander resigned himself to whatever would come. He knew it would be a long hard fight to keep the planet united, but even if Den had abandoned the dreams of Relian, La'Kol knew that he would not. The man had won him over with his genuine love and concern for the people of Tiress. The man had believed in the idea of a united planet. It had cost him his life. Fighting against his greatest fear La'Kol realized that it may very well cost him the life of his only daughter. Was it worth it? Continuing to stare out at the lights dotting the horizon he thought about the millions of citizens striving for a better life. Resigning himself to the truth La'Kol knew that it was.
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The night was colder than any of them had expected. They should have turned back and spent the night at the State House but they had already come so far. After having security dispatch the swoops to them at the factory the Jedi had set off in the direction that both Yoda and Qui-Gon sensed Anakin had gone. Qui-Gon could not really sense the boy but he was still feeling the vague sensations in the Force that he had before Den had been confronted by the dark one. It was the hope of the party that it was a vague sense of the Sith and how it was reacting to the presence of the Padawan. Yoda on the other hand had a stronger feeling as to the location of the darkness. Even though he could not pinpoint it exactly he knew in which direction it was retreating in.
Adi and Obi rode together on one swoop while Jinn and Yoda were together in the lead. Adi leaned into the hard body in front of her. She tightened her grip on his body and felt him lean back into her in response. A smile curled her lips as she delighted in the feel of him. She found herself leaning up once more planting a kiss on the back on his neck before burying her head into the center of his back.
The night air was cold. Obi-Wan could feel his hands growing numb as they raced along to an unknown destination. He was reaching out using all of his expert piloting skills as well as Force ability to keep them from impacting with obstacles. He allowed himself a moment to enjoy the feel of Adi's arms around him. He wondered if this was what it was like for Jedi couples who had soul bonded and then were assigned missions together. He thought it must be. Realizing he was getting way ahead of himself he forced himself to concentrate on the task before him.
Looking ahead he realized that Qui-Gon was slowing the other swoop and bringing it to a halt a short distance ahead of where he and Adi now were. Gearing down Obi-Wan pulled up along side the two Masters. He had been surprised at how keen Qui-Gon's piloting skills had been. He had been a bit rusty to begin with but once he had gotten a handle on the craft had managed almost as well as Obi-Wan had.
/Obi-Wan there is something up ahead. Yoda believes it to be the Sith. They are no longer moving so he feels that they have reached their end destination for the night. It is too dark to proceed without knowing more about what we are walking into. We will stop here and set up camp for the night./ Obi-Wan nodded indicating that he had received the Master's message.
Leaning back he brought his mouth to Adi's waiting ear. "My Master thinks that the Sith are a short ways up ahead. They don't seem to be moving further away so perhaps that is their base of operation. They both feel we need more information about what we might be walking into before we proceed so we are camping here for the night." Adi turned her head and nodded fully aware of how close their lips were. Obi-Wan stared at her lips for a moment then up to her eyes. A quick movement on her part indicating their audience and he pulled away a bit frustrated but fully understanding and agreeing with her on the matter
Once the swoops were both powered down the group could once again speak to each other without using mind speak, mouth to ear whispers or yelling over the roar. Obi-Wan watched as each member of the group took up their task to get the camp together. The temperature was dropping rapidly.
"Master." Obi-Wan began watching in amusement as both Yoda and Qui-Gon turned in response. Seeing his surprise the Jedi regarded each other for a moment before Qui-Gon turned back to the task he had been working on. "I was wondering if perhaps I should go ahead and scout their location." He watched as his Master reached out to the Force first before answering. He admired Yoda for his complete reliance on the Force for each decision.
"Wait until closer to the morning I think. Rest you must." Obi-Wan nodded heading over to where Adi had finished constructing one of the temporary shelters. He wondered if he would be sharing this shelter with her. He felt a warm tingle in his gut at the thought of all that that would imply. His got his answer when she whirled around to face him.
"Come see our new home Honey. The kids are at my folks so we have the whole place to ourselves." She took his hand and led him inside. He wondered what Yoda and Qui-Gon must have thought seeing them disappear into the small shelter together given their obvious feelings for one another. He stopped his train of thought laughing at his inability to accept that he was an adult as was Adi and that it didn't matter what his Master or Qui- Gon thought. She brought her light in with them. It was cozy. Just being out of the elements was so much nicer. He thought of Qui-Gon and Yoda still in the process of getting the other shelter up.
"I wonder if I need to help Master---"She interrupted him with a kiss. Her mouth was warm against his. He brought his hands up to her face and cupped her cheeks. He wondered for a moment how her cheeks could be so cold and yet her mouth so warm and inviting.
"They are big boys. They can construct a shelter." He nodded keeping his eyes fixed on hers. He lowered his face once more and took her mouth thoroughly. He heard her moan quietly in response and pulled back to catch his breath. They hung there for a moment. Each held their lips slightly parted sharing their breath gazing into the other's eyes.
"You owe me." She whispered. He smiled. It was a wager he would gladly pay over and over again until they were both satisfied that his debt was paid in full. He ran his hands down her back and pulled her tightly against him. It was amazing how perfectly their bodies molded together. They both began imagining how perfectly they would fit without the interference of the multiple layers of fabric between them.
Much to Adi's delight Obi-Wan took the initiative and lowered himself to his knees pulling her down gently with him. Kissing her softly on her lips once more he sought out her eyes seeking her permission. She gladly gave it and brought her hands to his tunic. Slowly and reverently they began undressing each other taking time to taste and touch skin that they had never had the chance to experience before.
Adi laid back beneath him refusing to look away from the green lights of his eyes. She watched as he brought his lips to her neck kissing all the right places causing her to arch up into him. She felt his hands on her hips gently holding her in place. His warm breath teasing her ear sending shivers down her spine. He slowly moved one hand up into her hair pulling her head slightly back to give him better access to her throat. She felt her body shiver slightly in response. She was surprised by his experience and skill. She had been aware that he had had many female admirers among his age mates at the Temple and even a few Knights had chased him a bit, but she had never really noticed how many he had spent time with. Obviously he had made time to learn a thing or two along the way.
When he pulled back she felt the gentleness of his kiss sooth and relax her then slowly felt the pace increase bringing with it the wakening demands of both of their bodies. It went on forever neither wanting to be the first to pull away. It was only when they were both completely out of breath that they did finally part.
Obi-Wan tried to focus on all that he was feeling but it was too much. He couldn't take it all in. He couldn't take all of Adi in. She was too amazing to believe. Somehow he felt he was rushing things. He was allowing his body to set a pace that his mind and heart couldn't keep up with. He could tell that her body longed to be united with his as much as he longed to be joined with her, but he refused to let either of their bodies rob them of all that they had waited for.
Pulling back he felt her body rise with his refusing even a momentary separation. He lowered his head once more kissing across her collarbone and up her neck. When he reached her ears he softly whispered.
"Adi."
"Mmmm" It was her response and it flattered and amused him all in the same moment.
"Adi."
"Yesssss" She hissed as he hit the right spot again with his hand causing her to arch again beneath him. Now he was wondering how to slow things down without making her angry or causing a misunderstanding. He pulled back and took in her flushed face feeling her hands as they ran up his back and into his hair then pulling him back into another breathtaking kiss. He felt her suck his tongue pulling it gently between her lips then releasing it as she trapped his bottom lip between hers and held it for a moment. He almost lost his will at that sensation. So great was his desire to feel all of her against him. He was close to turning off his mind and listening only to the pleas of his body. Then she spoke and he found the will to listen.
"What is it Love?" She asked softly against his neck kissing her way down his throat and across his chest. He felt a wet lick on his skin and moaned in spite of himself. He felt her smile against his skin.
"Adi." His voice was stronger this time as he moved away from her touch. He immediately saw a look of confusion and concern cross her lovely features. "No no no." He reassured her. "This is wonderful and I want this. Force knows I want this. I want you." He took a deep breath and released it before continuing. Adi had risen to sit beside him. He reached out and cupped her face looking tenderly into her eyes.
"This is all amazing. You are amazing. It is just happening so-"
"Fast?" She asked and was relieved when he nodded.
"I thought so too but it just felt so good that I thought I would think about it.well.. Later." They both laughed at that.
"Yeah later is good." Obi-Wan drew her into another deep kiss that she broke this time.
"Perhaps we should just get some rest and pull back a bit." She offered. He was so grateful for her understanding and sensitivity. He had worried that he would hurt her by pulling back but she seemed fine.
"I just want this to be as good as it can be and I think we need more time for it to be----"
"Fantastic? Amazing? Overwhelmingly orgasmic?" She joked.
"Actually I was thinking good but I like your expectation much much better." He joked back. They handed one another their discarded clothing talking as they dressed. Adi was comforted by how natural they were together. She had expected some awkwardness but Obi-Wan was so at ease and so confident. She hoped that it was his trust in her love for him that made him feel that way. She felt perfectly at ease as well. She caught herself dwelling on the sensation of his hands on her body and felt a small shiver in anticipation. The night's activities had definitely wetted her appetite. She respected his willingness to give their relationship more time to develop. It gave her hope that it was not merely a physical attraction that they were experiencing. Once they were dressed she smiled up at him.
He pulled the blanket over her as he snuggled down beside her. It felt so good to have her next to him. He thought about what she had felt like beneath his hands and had to force his body to remain still.
"Well goodnight then." She turned on her side away from him and closed her eyes. Obi-Wan laid propped up on his elbow and considered her for a moment. She was out of her mind if she thought that that was how it was going to be.
She didn't know what she had expected but was definitely not disappointed when she felt his hand on her shoulder as he turned her to face him. She opened her eyes and found him smiling knowingly at her. She put on her best innocent look but knew he wasn't buying it. He brushed his lips to hers as he whispered. "Sleep good honey. Try not to worry about the kids. I am sure that they are fine at your folk's house. " She nodded playfully and smiled. Settling down beside her she felt the compact strength of his body as he lifted her so that she was able to use his chest for a pillow. Wrapping his arms around her shoulder she felt so safe and protected. She sighed closing her eyes. She could hear the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. It was strong and powerful. It was soothing and exciting. It was Obi-Wan. She smiled to herself thinking it was her Obi- Wan.
*******************
Qui-Gon could hear the soft snoring of Yoda on the other side of their shelter. He knew he needed to rest as well but his thoughts were on Anakin. He wondered where the boy could be and if he was well. It was so cold outside he hoped that the boy was warm wherever he was. He was very concerned that he could not sense the boy. He knew that it must be due to some force dampening device but still he just wanted some glimpse of him in the Force.
Closing his eyes he heard something else. It was a moan, a female moan. He felt a spike in his interest as he listened more intently. He heard a male moan in response. His mind immediately came to life with images of the lovely young woman and his ex-Padawan together in their shelter. He tried to push them away but found that he couldn't. As he lay there he felt a bitterness rise up within him. He had always believed that he would have been the man eliciting these sounds from Adi, not Obi-Wan. He felt jealous of the man and outraged by their behavior. It seemed completely out of line that they should be engaged in whatever it was that they were doing to one another instead of resting so that they could be of use in the rescue mission tomorrow. It would be dangerous and they all needed to be at their best.
Adi's gasped and he felt his face flush with anger. This was ridiculous. Obi-Wan was not conducting himself as a Knight should. Qui-Gon considered waking the boy's Master. Yoda would no doubt have a thing or two to say to the Knight. He would also put a stop to the activities in the other shelter. What were they thinking?
Qui-Gon felt decisively rose to his feet. He didn't need the older Master to put a stop to this inappropriate conduct. He was a Master. He was more than capable of separating these two. He would send Obi-Wan back here to sleep with his Master while he shared the shelter with Adi. That thought appealed to the man very much. Gathering up his cloak he grabbed his light and made his way over to the other shelter.
//Great it's dark.// He listened for a moment and failed to hear any sound from within. Preparing himself for the erotic scene he would no doubt confront, he turned his light to its lowest setting before gently easing the shelter open.
The sight that he found was a bit shocking and also a relief. Adi was curled up sleeping on the Knight's chest. The both appeared to be dressed. He was about to close the shelter opening when he heard Obi-Wan's voice.
"Master are you alright?" His voice was weighted by sleep. Qui-Gon felt ashamed knowing he had come to berate the man who was now obviously concerned about him.
"I'm fine Obi-Wan. I thought I heard something. I wanted to check on you two." He knew it sounded flimsy. Surely the Knight would know what it was that he had heard. He felt his face flush knowing he had confessed to eavesdropping.
"Do you want me to go with you and check the perimeter?" If Obi-Wan suspected he was not going to embarrass the man further.
"No no." Qui-Gon replied taken aback again at the other man's generosity where he was concerned. "It's fine. Go back to sleep. I wouldn't want to wake Master Gallia." He noticed Obi-Wan glancing down lovingly at the woman still sleeping on his chest. Qui-Gon suppressed another wave of intense jealousy.
"Right." Obi-Wan smiled up at him. "Well then goodnight Qui-Gon." He lowered himself and tightened his arm around the woman's shoulder already drifting back to sleep.
"Goodnight." Qui-Gon muttered returning to his own shelter and the snoring little green roommate. He felt ridiculous, angry, and jealous. He knew he should be happy for the young Knight. He had caused the man a great deal of pain over their years together. He had generously accepted Qui-Gon's apology not once but twice. Then why was he so unwilling to be happy for Obi-Wan? Why was it so hard? He thought again of the moan Adi had made knowing it had been in response to something Obi-Wan had been doing to her body. The jealousy spiked once more and Qui-Gon had his answer.
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I really don't understand ratings so I am not sure if this is R or PG-13. We ran into this with Broken Promises remember? Well I am keeping it at PG- 13 until someone complains or I decide to get more steamy. What did you guys think of it? That is my first real love scene of length. Let me know please. The more confident I feel the more apt I am to actually write more of these scenes. Just a bit of bribery there huh? Hope the weekend is great for you all. Thanks.
