.Fifteen.
Desire. Love. Attachment.
These were not things hiding in the shadows, ashamed to be brought out into the Light. These were wonderful things that most sentient beings lived for. Some of them died for! Even nonsentients did their best to discover fulfillment in this short life and could only hope to experience some if not all of these things.
These were common, ordinary, and worthwhile things. And yet, they were also things not commonly found within a Jedi's heart. Understanding that completely, Obi-Wan was a little concerned to discover these three things were most certainly weighing heavily on his mind as he made his way to the Council Tower.
Immediately after returning to Coruscant, he had been called to report there. It was normal procedure to allow a returning Jedi at least a few hours to recuperate and rest. Apparently, the Council was curious to see what he'd been up to for the past three months. They needed to see him now.
Obi-Wan had never been nervous about reporting to the Council. He'd never had a reason to be. This time, though, the closer he drew to the arched golden doors, the more doubts began to emerge.
What if they knew? What if they could sense his growing attachment? Or someone from Naboo had reported his indiscretions? Filed a complaint? What would the Council do about that? Intimate relationships weren't necessarily forbidden, but they were definitely frowned upon. He'd had enough trouble with the Council due to his dealings with the Dark. He didn't need to add any more suspicion to their already dubious glares.
"Good evening, Masters," Obi-Wan announced after entering and bowing slightly to acknowledge their leadership – a habit his own Master had never seemed to acquire.
"Knight Kenobi," Master Yoda addressed him first. The Grand Master seemed pleased to see him, yet there was something in the ancient being's countenance that pricked his heart. This was no ordinary meeting. Even Master Windu's worried expression told him something was amiss. The man always looked fairly constipated, but tonight he looked as if he was ready to erupt!
"News we have to share," Yoda continued solemnly.
Obi-Wan schooled his features to hide his surprise and relaxed his posture, clasping his hands together in front of him. "Of what type?" he asked following a rather lengthy pause.
"Word has reached the Council that the people of Naboo have demanded the Queen abdicate her throne. They are wishing to transition to a democracy and will elect a prime minister of their own choosing."
This time, he couldn't hide his shock, and Obi-Wan's hands flew to his hips, too late to realize he was mimicking one of his old Master's more stubborn stances.
"If the Council believes I had anything to do with this.." he began before cutting himself off. His mission was to protect the Queen, not start a revolution! "Queen Amidala was in perfect health and prepared to rule when I left. And that was just three days ago!"
"Kenobi," Master Windu said gruffly, obviously trying to remind the younger Jedi to stay calm and focused while addressing the Council. Apparently, they were all worried he had been influenced by his Master and might begin shouting and cursing at any moment. That wasn't his style.
"My mission was successful, Master Windu, Master Yoda," he insisted calmly, once more relaxing his shoulders. "The Queen is fully prepared for any type of mental attack. I didn't address any other issue. I had no idea her own people would turn against her. Do I need to go back?"
He would gladly do so, although Obi-Wan had a strong suspicion that wasn't the reason he'd been called to this room. Another long silence and he was aware they were being even more aloof than usual. It put him on his guard.
"Actually," Master Gallia interrupted kindly. "The young ruler stepped down voluntarily. There was no revolution and not a drop of blood was spilled."
"Of course she did. She's well respected and quite honorable." That was a vague enough comment, wasn't it? It wasn't like Obi-Wan had blurted out that she was the most amazing woman he'd ever met!
Adi Gallia's dark blue eyes sparkled and a small smile spread across her mouth. There was something she wasn't saying. Something none of them were saying. They were going to force him to ask, weren't they?
Obi-Wan took a breath and then bravely took the plunge. "Then, pray tell, what is the Council wishing for me to do? Why have I been called here?"
"A mission report still required of you it is," Yoda specifically reminded him.
He knew that! "But not usually this early," Obi-Wan defended. "I was hoping to at least get a good night's sleep in my own bunk."
"There will be enough time for that later," Master Windu cut in. "Padme Amidala has been escorted by her personal security to Coruscant under the sponsorship of Senator Palpatine. Word is, he's willing to hire her as one of his staff."
Padmé, here? Obi-Wan had mixed feelings about that. It would be nice to see her, but his first thought was that she certainly wouldn't be happy living in such an ecumenopolis. She was a child of Naboo. Its waters were in her blood. She may be able to adjust but it would take some time.
"I'm glad to hear it," Obi-Wan announced honestly. "But that doesn't answer my question."
As if he was too thick-headed to understand and the gift of prescience the Light provided him was suddenly lacking, Master Windu leaned forward and studied him intensely.
"It is the Council's decision that you are to be Miss Amidala's protective guardian."
What? "Is she in need of protection?" This news certainly came as a surprise!
"Apparently so. A small rebellious faction of Naboo loyalists have gathered in Galactic City," Windu explained. "They are apparently not pleased with the way the Queen treated her people and have started petitioning the courts. They're demanding her immediate arrest, although I worry they may lose their patience and do something far more drastic."
"This is insane!" Obi-Wan countered more loudly, his hands returning to his hips. "She was under the influence of a Dark entity! She couldn't control her actions any more than...than an R5 unit with a bad motivator!"
"I understand that," Master Windu replied. "We all understand that," he added, spanning the council room with his open hand. "We're not here to cast any doubt on your abilities or what you were able to achieve in Naboo. What the Council is asking from you now is that you protect her until everything is settled and the transition is complete."
Obi-Wan wasn't about to ask why he'd been chosen for the task. It made perfect sense. He already knew her. She trusted him. He wouldn't be surprised to find out she'd requested him by name.
"Very well," Obi-Wan humbly agreed.
"This has come to us by the Senator's request. Palpatine has promised her suitable housing with reliable security in the North Senate Complex," Windu explained further. "You will report to Miss Amidala there at once."
The Master's statement had a sound of finality to it and Obi-Wan realized his audience with them had ended. However, there was one thing troubling him that he needed to bring up. Leave it up to Master Yoda to try and read his thoughts.
"Something else have you to say?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan answered while further examining his thoughts and feelings. "A few days before I left Naboo, I experienced an abrupt void within the Light."
"A void, you say?" Yoda immediately replied, leaning forward on his walking cane with interest. "As in a displacement?"
Obi-Wan wanted to rub his face, as was his habit whenever he was worried about something. To keep from doing that, he grasped his hands again. "I'm not certain," he tried to explain. "It felt as if suddenly a vital piece of a grand puzzle had been removed and then lost."
"Interesting," Yoda hummed, turning his gaze to Master Windu.
"We do not recall feeling anything of the sort. Are you certain of your own feelings, young Knight?" the other man asked somewhat skeptically.
Sooner or later, Obi-Wan was sure he was going to create a callous inside of his mouth by biting back his self-censored remarks. He was not his Master, though, and was doing his best to prove that this particular group.
Speaking of...
"Have any of you spoken with Master Qui-Gon? I haven't heard from him since he left Naboo, and that was over three months ago."
"I'm sure your Master is fine," Adi Gallia told him kindly with another smile. "You know how it is when one's student achieves knighthood. On one hand, you're ecstatic about their achievement. On the other, it takes some getting used to. All Masters of newly knighted students usually take a holiday. Some longer than others. It's not uncommon."
"Did Qui-Gon request a holiday?" Obi-Wan didn't think he would and he couldn't see his Master piddling away on some resort planet while the galaxy needed his assistance.
Master Windu huffed as if the question was irrelevant. Obi-Wan supposed it was. His Master did what he wanted to most of the time regardless of what the Council wished for him to do. "Permission isn't required," the older Jedi clarified. "It's something that's always been taken for granted. I'm sure he's fine."
Obi-Wan hoped the older Jedi Master was correct, though as he left the Tower, he couldn't quite shake the ill feeling he'd gotten the moment he spoke of Qui-Gon.
Deciding to study the unsettlement during his meditations the following morning, Obi-Wan did as the Council had commanded and took a transport directly to the North Senate Complex. After checking in with the security officer on duty, a man by the name of Gregar Typho, Obi-Wan was escorted into a small but luxurious suite.
The longer he waited, the more nervous Obi-Wan was becoming. The last time he had seen Padmé, which was only three days ago, they had spoken of possibly continuing some type of relationship just before they kissed. It was the type of kiss that had kept him awake the entire first day of his return flight. Before then, they had messed around a little in her own suite. He hadn't forgotten about it, just forced himself to put it in the back of his mind for now. It was just that he hadn't expected to see her so soon. And honestly? He didn't know how she was going to act toward him. As a result, he started to sweat and kept wiping the palms of his hands onto his tunics while he waited.
The first woman to make her appearance wasn't Padmé, although her appearance was similar. She was young, dark-haired and attractive, but any further consideration of her was forgotten as soon as his heart's desire stepped into the room.
Obi-Wan realized that he'd only ever seen her dressed as Queen or a handmaiden. He'd never before seen her with such a casual-looking appearance and was surprisingly pleased with how stunning she looked. The gown she wore was created from a light fabric and was more revealing than those she'd worn before. Also, he noticed her hair wasn't so tightly pinned and braided. It was loose, curled, and hanging freely about her shoulders.
Remembering the reason he was here, Obi-Wan took a breath and closed his eyes for a second. There would be time for admiration later. He had been trained in diplomacy and knew he should speak some type of greeting, and yet, nothing was coming out of his mouth! Thankfully, Padmé made up for it by coming close to him, a genuine smile displayed just before she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Of course, he stood there like a crechling and accepted it without so much as a thank you.
"I know this isn't what you had in mind when we said goodbye, but if you'll remember, I told you we'd see each other again someday," she told him softly where no one else could hear.
His throat was full of gravel and his tongue was like ashes in his mouth. Obi-Wan was struggling to speak, much less say something witty. "It is my privilege to protect you, M'Lady" he finally managed, which isn't what he wanted to say at all! He should be telling her how amazing she looked in that dress, and how much he loved her hair that way. Any such statement was not only unprofessional, but it was also inappropriate. They weren't alone and he was here on business.
Introductions had begun and he nodded his head toward the young woman accompanying her, whose name he found out, was Dormé. Apparently, Palpatine had also included an allowance for an assistant. For some reason, that pleased Obi-Wan. It brought him some comfort knowing that Padmé had someone from Naboo she could talk to. Maybe she wouldn't become so homesick that way.
"Come join us for refreshment," Padmé suggested before walking from the entryway to a sitting room, where there were already drinks and delicate canapes waiting. Obi-Wan actually refused either of them. For some reason, his stomach was in knots and he didn't trust it to hold anything at the moment.
"The Council informed me of the coup. I'm so sorry to hear about that," he mentioned once he'd sat down on one of the two lavender sofas in the room. Padmé and her assistant sat on the other one opposite of him while Typho hovered just behind him. "Did it actually go as well as I've heard?"
He knew her well enough to not miss the flash of pain behind her dark eyes, although she recovered quickly with a smile. "I want nothing more than what is best for my people," she announced rationally. "And if a democratic system of government is what they desire, who am I to stand in their way? It's time Naboo became more modern and stop holding on so staunchly to their ancient traditions. I embrace change as long as it benefits everyone."
She spoke like a politician, although Obi-Wan wasn't sure who she was trying to impress. Certainly not him! Maybe Captain Typho?
"I will be at your service as long as you need me," Obi-Wan informed her, which, for some reason caused Padme to blush. She disguised the expression by offering everyone more tea.
After all present declined her offer, the young woman abruptly stood to her feet. Obi-Wan and the assistant copied her movement immediately. "It's late," she said. "If you don't mind, I'm going to retire for the night."
"Of course, M'Lady," Obi-Wan told her in a professional manner. Who was he kidding? She may have been able to hide her blush, but he hadn't missed the sparkle in her gaze just before she turned away from him. "I'll check security and will be monitoring your apartment very closely."
"I know you will. Good night, Obi-Wan," she told him which to him sounded more like a caress than his mere spoken name.
"Good night, M'Lady," he said before watching her leave and the way the satiny fabric of her gown clung to her thighs. The sound of Typho clearing his throat was the only thing to distract him.
"My uncle has informed me of your assistance with Miss Amidala during her...troubles," the man told him.
"Your uncle?" Obi-Wan asked, somewhat confused, until it occurred to him, that indeed there was some family resemblance. "You're related to Panaka from Naboo. Yes, I remember him well. We didn't get off to a very good start, but I admire his tenacity and loyalty."
"From what I hear, you are the one to be admired, Knight Kenobi. Allow me to thank you for everything you've done."
Praise wasn't always encountered in his line of work, but he appreciated it whenever it did come.
"Thanks," Obi-Wan told Typho before offering his hand in a gesture of friendship. "I believe you and I have a kindred purpose here and I would appreciate your assistance."
"Anything I can do to help," the man replied with a smirk that was just shy of a smile.
Obi-Wan wasn't entirely sure he could trust this man. Padme had been somewhat guarded as if she didn't trust him either. Either him or her attendant. Although his senses weren't giving him any warnings, Obi-Wan knew from experience that radicals often appeared from the most unobvious places. He would do well to be attentive and mindful.
"Let's check the apartment security points, shall we?"