Chapter 29
The Ties That Bind
Padmé slid onto the couch in the main living room with a sigh and a smile. "Oh it feel good to get off my feet."
"It's just you and me," Anakin commented, standing next to the fire and carefully warming his hands, "do you really need to wear all those uncomfortable clothes?"
She laughed. "Sure, make a girl feel guilty for dressing up. Do you have any ideas for passing the time tonight?"
He smiled. "A few, but none of them are fit for voicing."
She laughed softly. "I'm curious about something."
He settled on the couch next to her, stretching out, "Sure, if I can answer it I will."
"Do Jedi gamble?"
He blinked. That wasn't what he'd been expecting. "Er, why do you ask?"
"Well, I was thinking about it last night after you insisted we sleep in separate rooms," she shook her head, her eyes betraying her amusement, "to keep my mind occupied. I was trying to come up with a list of things Jedi can't do. Normally you're not allowed to marry, but apparently there are special circumstances. You can't own anything that's exclusively yours beyond your lightsaber and clothing. You don't indulge in material or physical pleasures, or not that I've seen. At least, most Jedi don't, I hope to convince you otherwise someday."
He blushed. "Angel!"
She winked at him. "Relax Anakin, I'm not planning on jumping you or anything. Can Jedi gamble?"
He shook his head. "We're not supposed to."
"Why not?"
"Well, with the Force we can see what the other people are holding. If it's sabbac, that is. Other types of gambling... Well, we can sometimes see the future, like Qui-Gon when he knew I'd win the podrace, so that makes it unfair. Dice is easy, we can telekinetically propel them so they land on the side we want. All in all, we can cheat without anyone knowing it and that makes it unfair. For a guardian of peace and justice to cheat..." he shook his head, grinning.
"I bet you're just not allowed to play sabbac because you're bad at it."
He blinked. "No, I told you why."
She waved it away, pulling a deck from between the cushions. "I don't believe you. Jedi aren't as powerful as they seem."
That stung. "Padmé! How can you say that?"
"Aft the last couple of weeks?" she asked him archly. "I think you don't gamble because you can't."
"Ha! I'll show you. Deal those cards and I'll prove what I can do."
Her eyes sparkled with mischievousness. "Are you sure, you don't have to."
"You've challenged my honor, it's only right I uphold it."
A sly smile spread across her face as she dealt the cards. "Alright. Ante up, then."
He blinked. "We're actually going to gamble?"
"Sure, let's make this interesting. An item of clothing for each bet."
He dropped the cards in shock, jumping to his feet. "What?!"
She grinned. "I knew you couldn't handle it. That's alright, I won't tell anyone you don't know how to gamble."
His eyes narrowed. What was she playing at? He called the cards back to his hand telekinetically and sat back down. "Fine, I'll show you how well I know how to gamble!"
She grinned, pulling her necklace from around her neck as he tugged the communicator from his belt. "Oh, and whoever loses, has to wear whatever they have left to dinner tonight. Don't tell me you're going to back out over a couple of gloves!"
He paused, looking at her suspiciously. Surely they'd stop when they got down to something that would be considered indecent. He nodded slowly, figuring they'd simply play until all of her jewelry was on the table. How wrong he was.
He was trying, he really was, but having such a distraction was difficult. Anakin tried to pry his eyes away from the young woman who was seated across from him at the table. Her shirt was low cut and every time she bent forward he had to force himself to keep his gaze on her face. That undergarment was indecent! "Angel, I thought you promised..."
She looked up, her expression innocent. "What's that, Anakin?"
He swallowed, his mouth dry. "Er..."
She grinned suddenly. "We've been here a week, surely you won't lose control now, even after the last couple of hours?"
He fought to keep the heat from rising in his cheeks. She'd been taunting him with her body and mind since they'd arrived, and she'd done it so subtly he hadn't even realized how close he was to snapping and dragging her off upstairs until that very moment. She'd been pushing the boundaries of his control and last night he'd even insisted they sleep in separate rooms! Anakin was at the end of his rope and beginning to wonder if there was a way he could pass this test and still keep his sanity intact. From the look of it, if Padmé had anything to say about it, the answer would be no.
The last two hours had been more difficult than most. She'd been teasing him before supper about Jedi being unable to gamble and he'd told her why. Baiting him, she said she didn't believe that Jedi could know other people's cards and had challenged him to a game of sabbac. What he hadn't realized, until they'd had to ante up, was that they were going to be using their clothing as chips. He'd almost pulled out right then, but she'd taunted him so badly his pride had been stung and he'd stayed in the game. Now, dressed in her almost indecent undershirt and little else, she was following the rules she'd spelled out at the beginning. After winning, he'd tried to lose but the cards had been against him and Padmé was now comfortably free of her restraining gown and corsets. Making him distinctly uncomfortable.
"I wouldn't bet on it, Angel."
She laughed, taking another bite of the stew, which was their dinner. They'd raided the pantry and food storage units and managed to cobble together a half decent meal. Padmé was enjoying it thoroughly. Anakin couldn't taste it. "I think we've done enough betting tonight," she teased, looking down at the revealing white garment, "and it's been proven that I tend to lose. And though I'd love to see my Knight in shining armor lose his cool, I doubt your Master would appreciate that too much."
He finally succeeded in tearing his gaze away and dropped it to the bowl in front of him. Damn the trials anyway. Were all Jedi supposed to be put through this kind of hell? Look but don't touch, and you're not supposed to think about touching either. He grimaced at his stew. "Master Obi-Wan has seen me lose my cool. So have you. Speaking of him, I should see how he and Sabé are doing."
Padmé watched as he fairly jumped from the table and dashed from the room, headed for his bedroom. She grinned. Poor Anakin. She curled her feet under her and sat back in her chair. Hopefully, after tonight, she'd receive word that she could stop this blatant teasing. She wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to taunt him without giving in herself.
Upstairs Anakin settled into a meditative posture and closed his eyes. Padmé's image formed immediately, her undershirt barely concealing her figure and his eyes snapped open again. Sithspawn! How was he supposed to concentrate on the Force with her as a distraction? He took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind but thinking beyond her was difficult. Somehow, he managed to focus enough to find the bond between himself and his master.
*Master.*
*Anakin!* he could heard Obi-Wan's surprise. *Everything is going well I trust?*
Anakin almost laughed. Well? If being at the end of your rope was well, he supposed he was just peachy. *As well as can be expected. Master Windu decided to turn Padmé into part of my trials.*
He could hear Obi-Wan's amusement. *Really? How ingenious.*
*Aggravating, you mean,* Anakin sighed. *How is Sabé?*
Anakin waited for a response, feeling nothing from his Master for long moments. He was getting ready to ask the question again, when Obi-Wan finally responded. *She's awake.*
*That's good, isn't it?*
*Yes.*
*But?*
Obi-Wan hesitated and Anakin wondered what could possibly be so wrong that Obi-Wan didn't want to talk about it.
*She's paralyzed, Anakin. The medics aren't sure if she'll ever regain the use of her legs.*
Anakin felt the shock ripple through him and through his bonds to Padmé and back to Obi-Wan. *Paralyzed?* guilt assailed him. It was his fault. His fault Sabé was injured. He swallowed hard, feeling Padmé's sudden concern. She'd be at his side in a few moments.
*Yes, paralyzed.*
*But...* Anakin fought to find the words. *Does it matter? I mean, surely your feelings...* he knew he was out of line, but how did one try and get their mentor to admit to something like this.
*I love her anyway,* Obi-Wan's tone was sincere and Anakin breathed easier.
*Then what's the problem?*
"Anakin?"
Obi-Wan was silent for a few moments, sensing the shift in his Padawan's focus as Padmé entered the room. Anakin, his concern for his Master overriding the urges of his body, quickly turned his attention back to him. Padmé placed a hand on his shoulder and he opened his perception to encompass her too. She'd be able to hear his discussion with Obi-Wan but not participate. *Master?* he prompted.
*I'm here, padawan.*
*If your feelings haven't changed, then what's the matter?*
*Sabé is refusing to have anything to do with me.*
Anakin could feel Padmé's confusion but couldn't spend the time to explain. He'd do it afterwards. *Why? Just because she can't walk...*
*She thinks herself as less of a person. I'm not sure how I can convince her otherwise.*
Anakin was silent for a moment, feeling Padmé's shock. She hadn't expected her friend to never walk again. *Would you like some advice, Master?*
*I think I can manage, Anakin. I just can't give up on her.*
Anakinc chuckled. His master hadn't seemed too thrilled about being given advice from someone almost ten years his junior. *Can you keep me informed? Padmé is worried about Sabé.* He felt her squeeze his shoulder as a thank you.
*I'll let you know if the situation changes. Good luck with your trials, Anakin. May the Force be with you.*
*May the Force be with you, Master.*
The contact cut off and Anakin opened his eyes. Padmé was kneeling next to him, her face and eyes dark with concern. "What's wrong with Sabé?"
"She's paralyzed."
Padmé sucked in a sharp breath. "For life?"
Anakin shook his head. "I don't know. Master Obi-Wan wasn't specific. From the sound of it he won't even speak to him right now."
She slid to a sitting position, and Anakin wrapped an arm about her shoulders, feeling her need for closer contact. "She must be feeling really cut off right now. Oh, Anakin, I wish I was there to help her through this!"
He hugged her, pulling her closer and into his lap so he could cradle her comfortingly. In light of this new information, his passions and desires had been banked. Padmé was feeling very helpless now that she knew the medical condition of her friend. "You are, even if you're not there physically. She's got to work through this herself, Ami, if she doesn't..." he shook his head.
She curled closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "He'll tell you if things change, though, right?"
Anakin nodded, gently running a hand through her hair. "He will. Don't worry, Angel, Obi-Wan knows what he's doing. He'll convince Sabé that he loves her still."
"I hope so, Anakin." Her words were soft, sounding almost lost, "I truly hope so."
The Ties That Bind
Padmé slid onto the couch in the main living room with a sigh and a smile. "Oh it feel good to get off my feet."
"It's just you and me," Anakin commented, standing next to the fire and carefully warming his hands, "do you really need to wear all those uncomfortable clothes?"
She laughed. "Sure, make a girl feel guilty for dressing up. Do you have any ideas for passing the time tonight?"
He smiled. "A few, but none of them are fit for voicing."
She laughed softly. "I'm curious about something."
He settled on the couch next to her, stretching out, "Sure, if I can answer it I will."
"Do Jedi gamble?"
He blinked. That wasn't what he'd been expecting. "Er, why do you ask?"
"Well, I was thinking about it last night after you insisted we sleep in separate rooms," she shook her head, her eyes betraying her amusement, "to keep my mind occupied. I was trying to come up with a list of things Jedi can't do. Normally you're not allowed to marry, but apparently there are special circumstances. You can't own anything that's exclusively yours beyond your lightsaber and clothing. You don't indulge in material or physical pleasures, or not that I've seen. At least, most Jedi don't, I hope to convince you otherwise someday."
He blushed. "Angel!"
She winked at him. "Relax Anakin, I'm not planning on jumping you or anything. Can Jedi gamble?"
He shook his head. "We're not supposed to."
"Why not?"
"Well, with the Force we can see what the other people are holding. If it's sabbac, that is. Other types of gambling... Well, we can sometimes see the future, like Qui-Gon when he knew I'd win the podrace, so that makes it unfair. Dice is easy, we can telekinetically propel them so they land on the side we want. All in all, we can cheat without anyone knowing it and that makes it unfair. For a guardian of peace and justice to cheat..." he shook his head, grinning.
"I bet you're just not allowed to play sabbac because you're bad at it."
He blinked. "No, I told you why."
She waved it away, pulling a deck from between the cushions. "I don't believe you. Jedi aren't as powerful as they seem."
That stung. "Padmé! How can you say that?"
"Aft the last couple of weeks?" she asked him archly. "I think you don't gamble because you can't."
"Ha! I'll show you. Deal those cards and I'll prove what I can do."
Her eyes sparkled with mischievousness. "Are you sure, you don't have to."
"You've challenged my honor, it's only right I uphold it."
A sly smile spread across her face as she dealt the cards. "Alright. Ante up, then."
He blinked. "We're actually going to gamble?"
"Sure, let's make this interesting. An item of clothing for each bet."
He dropped the cards in shock, jumping to his feet. "What?!"
She grinned. "I knew you couldn't handle it. That's alright, I won't tell anyone you don't know how to gamble."
His eyes narrowed. What was she playing at? He called the cards back to his hand telekinetically and sat back down. "Fine, I'll show you how well I know how to gamble!"
She grinned, pulling her necklace from around her neck as he tugged the communicator from his belt. "Oh, and whoever loses, has to wear whatever they have left to dinner tonight. Don't tell me you're going to back out over a couple of gloves!"
He paused, looking at her suspiciously. Surely they'd stop when they got down to something that would be considered indecent. He nodded slowly, figuring they'd simply play until all of her jewelry was on the table. How wrong he was.
He was trying, he really was, but having such a distraction was difficult. Anakin tried to pry his eyes away from the young woman who was seated across from him at the table. Her shirt was low cut and every time she bent forward he had to force himself to keep his gaze on her face. That undergarment was indecent! "Angel, I thought you promised..."
She looked up, her expression innocent. "What's that, Anakin?"
He swallowed, his mouth dry. "Er..."
She grinned suddenly. "We've been here a week, surely you won't lose control now, even after the last couple of hours?"
He fought to keep the heat from rising in his cheeks. She'd been taunting him with her body and mind since they'd arrived, and she'd done it so subtly he hadn't even realized how close he was to snapping and dragging her off upstairs until that very moment. She'd been pushing the boundaries of his control and last night he'd even insisted they sleep in separate rooms! Anakin was at the end of his rope and beginning to wonder if there was a way he could pass this test and still keep his sanity intact. From the look of it, if Padmé had anything to say about it, the answer would be no.
The last two hours had been more difficult than most. She'd been teasing him before supper about Jedi being unable to gamble and he'd told her why. Baiting him, she said she didn't believe that Jedi could know other people's cards and had challenged him to a game of sabbac. What he hadn't realized, until they'd had to ante up, was that they were going to be using their clothing as chips. He'd almost pulled out right then, but she'd taunted him so badly his pride had been stung and he'd stayed in the game. Now, dressed in her almost indecent undershirt and little else, she was following the rules she'd spelled out at the beginning. After winning, he'd tried to lose but the cards had been against him and Padmé was now comfortably free of her restraining gown and corsets. Making him distinctly uncomfortable.
"I wouldn't bet on it, Angel."
She laughed, taking another bite of the stew, which was their dinner. They'd raided the pantry and food storage units and managed to cobble together a half decent meal. Padmé was enjoying it thoroughly. Anakin couldn't taste it. "I think we've done enough betting tonight," she teased, looking down at the revealing white garment, "and it's been proven that I tend to lose. And though I'd love to see my Knight in shining armor lose his cool, I doubt your Master would appreciate that too much."
He finally succeeded in tearing his gaze away and dropped it to the bowl in front of him. Damn the trials anyway. Were all Jedi supposed to be put through this kind of hell? Look but don't touch, and you're not supposed to think about touching either. He grimaced at his stew. "Master Obi-Wan has seen me lose my cool. So have you. Speaking of him, I should see how he and Sabé are doing."
Padmé watched as he fairly jumped from the table and dashed from the room, headed for his bedroom. She grinned. Poor Anakin. She curled her feet under her and sat back in her chair. Hopefully, after tonight, she'd receive word that she could stop this blatant teasing. She wasn't sure how much longer she'd be able to taunt him without giving in herself.
Upstairs Anakin settled into a meditative posture and closed his eyes. Padmé's image formed immediately, her undershirt barely concealing her figure and his eyes snapped open again. Sithspawn! How was he supposed to concentrate on the Force with her as a distraction? He took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind but thinking beyond her was difficult. Somehow, he managed to focus enough to find the bond between himself and his master.
*Master.*
*Anakin!* he could heard Obi-Wan's surprise. *Everything is going well I trust?*
Anakin almost laughed. Well? If being at the end of your rope was well, he supposed he was just peachy. *As well as can be expected. Master Windu decided to turn Padmé into part of my trials.*
He could hear Obi-Wan's amusement. *Really? How ingenious.*
*Aggravating, you mean,* Anakin sighed. *How is Sabé?*
Anakin waited for a response, feeling nothing from his Master for long moments. He was getting ready to ask the question again, when Obi-Wan finally responded. *She's awake.*
*That's good, isn't it?*
*Yes.*
*But?*
Obi-Wan hesitated and Anakin wondered what could possibly be so wrong that Obi-Wan didn't want to talk about it.
*She's paralyzed, Anakin. The medics aren't sure if she'll ever regain the use of her legs.*
Anakin felt the shock ripple through him and through his bonds to Padmé and back to Obi-Wan. *Paralyzed?* guilt assailed him. It was his fault. His fault Sabé was injured. He swallowed hard, feeling Padmé's sudden concern. She'd be at his side in a few moments.
*Yes, paralyzed.*
*But...* Anakin fought to find the words. *Does it matter? I mean, surely your feelings...* he knew he was out of line, but how did one try and get their mentor to admit to something like this.
*I love her anyway,* Obi-Wan's tone was sincere and Anakin breathed easier.
*Then what's the problem?*
"Anakin?"
Obi-Wan was silent for a few moments, sensing the shift in his Padawan's focus as Padmé entered the room. Anakin, his concern for his Master overriding the urges of his body, quickly turned his attention back to him. Padmé placed a hand on his shoulder and he opened his perception to encompass her too. She'd be able to hear his discussion with Obi-Wan but not participate. *Master?* he prompted.
*I'm here, padawan.*
*If your feelings haven't changed, then what's the matter?*
*Sabé is refusing to have anything to do with me.*
Anakin could feel Padmé's confusion but couldn't spend the time to explain. He'd do it afterwards. *Why? Just because she can't walk...*
*She thinks herself as less of a person. I'm not sure how I can convince her otherwise.*
Anakin was silent for a moment, feeling Padmé's shock. She hadn't expected her friend to never walk again. *Would you like some advice, Master?*
*I think I can manage, Anakin. I just can't give up on her.*
Anakinc chuckled. His master hadn't seemed too thrilled about being given advice from someone almost ten years his junior. *Can you keep me informed? Padmé is worried about Sabé.* He felt her squeeze his shoulder as a thank you.
*I'll let you know if the situation changes. Good luck with your trials, Anakin. May the Force be with you.*
*May the Force be with you, Master.*
The contact cut off and Anakin opened his eyes. Padmé was kneeling next to him, her face and eyes dark with concern. "What's wrong with Sabé?"
"She's paralyzed."
Padmé sucked in a sharp breath. "For life?"
Anakin shook his head. "I don't know. Master Obi-Wan wasn't specific. From the sound of it he won't even speak to him right now."
She slid to a sitting position, and Anakin wrapped an arm about her shoulders, feeling her need for closer contact. "She must be feeling really cut off right now. Oh, Anakin, I wish I was there to help her through this!"
He hugged her, pulling her closer and into his lap so he could cradle her comfortingly. In light of this new information, his passions and desires had been banked. Padmé was feeling very helpless now that she knew the medical condition of her friend. "You are, even if you're not there physically. She's got to work through this herself, Ami, if she doesn't..." he shook his head.
She curled closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "He'll tell you if things change, though, right?"
Anakin nodded, gently running a hand through her hair. "He will. Don't worry, Angel, Obi-Wan knows what he's doing. He'll convince Sabé that he loves her still."
"I hope so, Anakin." Her words were soft, sounding almost lost, "I truly hope so."