Title: Strength over fear
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Well this chapter would've been here sooner my faithful readers but just when I was about to finish it the computer forced me to format my disk and erased everything on my disk! So, I had to go back and retype it. I hope it's ok, I forgot some of what I wrote before, and I was angry so hopfully the chapter didn't suffer.
*Chapter 21:
Obi Wan rushed Padme off of the planet of Naboo, so fast that she didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to her family. The Jedi was insistant that her safety and the safety of her child was the utmost importance. Obi Wan brought the two of them to the only place he felt they would be truly safe; Tatooine. He didn't know why the Force insited they go to the desert planet, but he knew better than to argue.
Padme had told him about Anakin's distant relatives and so for a little over two weeks the refugees stayed with the Lars on their moisture farm. Owen, was more than hesitant at first to let them stay; Padme had contacted them with news of Anakin and he wasn't sure he trusted his late brother's "master". He certainly didn't trust whatever the Jedi's intentions were with Anakin's widow and unborn child, he didn't have much of a choice in the matter though because his new wife Beru insisted that they help Padme.
Beru was a sweet, timid woman most of the time, but she was also the only one who could win an argument against her husband. The young couple had recently discovered they were unable to have a child of their own so she her maternal insticts kicked in and she had this need to help out the pregnant senator.
Beru was always kind towards her sister in law and to her Jedi protector, but unfortunatly she couldn't keep Owen at bay forever, he quickly decided that Obi Wan was no longer allowed on their property (after an argument over some "damn idealistic crusade"). Obi Wan hesitated, but agreed and found a small hovel out past the Dune sea. Padme, headstrong as always insisted that she stay with her Jedi protector so the two of them stayed together in the desert home, Padme on the sleep couch and Obi Wan on the floor.
*******************************
(Two months later)
Padme watched the Jedi kneeling before her in the middle of the living room completely in a meditative trance. She didn't want to disturb his rest, because she knew he didn't get much of it, but he felt her presence anyways.
"Yes?" He asked, not opening an eye.
"I made breakfast, do you want any?" She asked.
"I didn't know you could cook?" Obi Wan teased, opening one eye.
Padme placed her hands on her hips (as well as she could) and gave him a hard stare. "Just because I am a modern, working woman does not mean I don't know my way around the kitchen." She huffed.
"I figured a woman who surrounded herself with handmaidens all her life. . ." Obi Wan egged her on.
"Now to be fair, when I was queen I played a handmaiden more often than not. Sabe was basically the real queen." Padme defended herself.
The two of them stared at each other for a moment and laughed at each other. "Breakfast sounds great." Obi Wan stated, rising to his feet. He followed Padme into the dining area and noticed the aboundance of food on the table, he helped Padme down to one of the chairs. "So, did you use all the food in the house?" He asked, smirking.
Padme shot him a dirty look as she began to pile food on her plate. "Remeber, I'm eating for two now." She took a bite of pastry. "Don't mess with a pregnant woman and her food Kenobi."
Obi Wan laughed, putting up his hands in defeat. "It's alright, I wanted to make another supply run anyways Milady." He stated, fixing himself a cup of jawa juice and taking a seat across from her.
The two friends continued to enjoy their breakfast, keeping the conversation light hearted. Padme watched Obi Wan as he continued to tell a story from his past, she smiled despite herself.
"I'm telling you Padme" Obi Wan continued telling his tale. "I have never had to do so many dishes in my life. All she had to do was shut up, and let the teachers speak, but oh no not Siri." Obi Wan stopped, a longing look was on his face. "She always has to be right." He softly stated.
Padme waited for him to continue, but noticed he grew very quiet. "Ben?"
Obi Wan looked at her and smiled. "To this day I hate dishes, that's why I always had Anakin do them." Padme chuckled, and Obi Wan was glad to hear it because it was the first time she smiled at the mention of her late husband.
They stared at each other for a moment in awkward silence, then Obi Wan rose to his feet and began to clear the table. Padme sat back in her seat, watching him. "You love her don't you?" She asked after a moment. Obi Wan put the dishes in the sink with a loud clank and stared out the window at the desolute landscape. When he didn't respond Padme continued. "That Siri woman, you speak of her often."
Obi Wan turned around and leaned on the counter. "It's that obvious huh?"
Padme shrugged. "Well, you are much better at hiding it then let's say other Jedi I've known but. . ." Obi Wan turned away again. "Let's just call it woman's intuition." Padme quickly added. "Sometimes I think it can be stronger than the Force." Obi Wan looked at her with a soft smile. "That's why I bet female Jedi are some of the strongest in the order."
Obi Wan chuckled to himself. "You have no idea."
Padme waited for a moment. "Do all Jedi fall in love?" She asked.
Obi Wan thought about it for a moment. "Despite the fact that attachment is forbidden by our code?" He asked the question more to himself than her. "It can be a balancing act Milady, I think it's easier for humans to fall victim of it, and I believe it's even easier for the ones who are strong with the living Force, because they are able to live more in the moment." He sighed. "Like Qui Gon, Siri. . ."
"And Anakin." She finished, Obi Wan nodded, he had taught her a great deal about the Jedi and the Force.
"Yes."
"And what about you?" She asked.
"Jedi such as myself find it difficult to succumb to the moment, because no matter how beautiful the moment is there is always something looming over the horizon." He answered her, staring out the window again.
"That is so sad." Padme stated. "Isn't there anything you can do?"
Obi Wan sighed. "I've tried, Force knows I've tried. All my life I've had these visions, and I wish I could just ignore them. I use to frustrate Qui Gon to no end because of it."
Padme rose to her feet, and walked up to him, taking his hand and placing it on her stomach. "The baby is kicking." She explained, Obi Wan looked into her huge brown eyes then down at his hand on her stomach. "Just live in this moment."
Obi Wan closed his eyes and listened to the Force flowing between him and the child. Suddenly his eyes flew open and he stared Padme.
"What?" She asked worriedly. "Is something wrong?" She couldn't hide the tremble in her voice.
Obi Wan moved his hand slowly over her stomach. "Padme, do twins run in your family?" He asked, offering a warm smile.
"Twins?" She asked, astonished and relieved at the same time.
"Twins."
********************************
Barriss Offee ran as hard as she could; she could sense the dark sider closing in on her and her master. She rounded a corner and suddenly realized that her master was no longer behind her, she slowed her running, hoping that Luminari would be able to catch up.
The young woman rounded another corner and then skitted to a stop as she came upon a squad of Imperial troops. More came at her from the sides, and more still from behind surrounding the Jedi padawan. The exhausted woman pulled out her light saber in a flash and held a deffensive stance, sweat dripping down her face as she prepared herself for innevitable death.
She then felt the sick sense of the dark side, she turned around and faced a tall, dark figure dressed in black armor, his sleek, dark mask hiding his identity. The only sound that was heard was the sound of deep, rythmic breathing. Barriss then noticed in his right hand he held her master above his head, gasping for air.
Barriss tried to push back her feelings, tried to remember the code. "What do you want from us?" She asked as forcibly as she could muster.
The masked man said nothing and Barriss pleaded with him as the body of her master began to grow limp. The Sith lord took pleasure watching the padawan sink to her knees as he finished killing the master.
"Noooooo!" Barris screamed as Vader cast aside the dead body and turned to the commander of the storm troopers.
"Finish it." He commanded.
"Yes Lord Vader." The trooper salluted.
The circle of clones shot as one at the girl kneeling in the center, causing her to become one with the Force. Vader watched the execution intently. "All too easy."
**************************************************************
Mace Windu entered into Yoda's private meditation chambers with a solemn look on his face. He sat down on the other cusion, waiting to be acknowledge by his friend. Yoda kept his eyes closed for a moment longer then slowly opened them. Mace immediately noticed the sorrow etched in the depths of his eyes.
"I believe now is the time to call back all teams." Mace softly stated. "The new Republic has made it clear that they no longer have need for us." The usually placid face held an abundance of emotions.
Yoda hung his head for a moment and softly sighed. "Give into fear we must not, but realistic we must be." He slowly turned his gaze up towards his fellow Council member. "The dawn brings so much turmoil with the Force, soon forever changed our lives will be."
Mace sat puzzled. "For good or for bad?"
Yoda closed his eyes again. "Know this I do not."
*******************************************************************
~ "Obi Wan" The familiar voice called out to him. "Wake up padawan."
Obi Wan stirred from his position on the floor. "Master?" He suddenly opened his eyes and came face to face with a ghostly blue image of his former master. The familiar strong features holding a sad smile when Obi Wan looked up at him. A part of Obi Wan was afraid that he had actually gone crazy to be able to see Qui Gon standing before him again, the other part of him was overwelmed with happiness. "How can this be?" He asked.
"Anything is possible through the Force, but I do not have the time to explain everything." He stated, his aura diming slightly. Obi Wan suddenly realized how much energy he was using just to be there. "I come to you now padawan to tell you that you must decide what you are going to do."
Obi Wan turned away. "I know what you are going to say master, and I do not know what I'm. . ."
"Padawan." Qui Gon snapped in a tone Obi Wan hadn't heard in almost two decades. "I only have a short time, I have been given the opportunity to glimpse into the future and I know that you play a signifigant role. . ." Suddenly Qui Gon's image disapeared.
"Master?" Obi Wan searched for him, he suddenly grew frustrated. "Master?" ~
Obi Wan awoke and sat straight up. He suddenly realized that he had been dreaming, he glanced around the room and heard the heavy breathing of Padme sleeping on the sleep couch. He rose to his feet and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. He glanced out the small window, watching the twin suns begin to make their apperance over the horizon and he began to ponder the dream he just had.
He had been having dreams/visions for the last several nights concerning his desicion on his position within the Jedi order. He knew that if he didn't return to the Jedi he would be letting down so many, but if he did then who would look after Anakin's children? The desicion had suddenly become more difficult now that there was two children instead of one. He felt responsible for them, and much of his choice to return to the Jedi depended on their mother's desicion on having them raised by the Jedi. His hopes of that seemed to die every day he talked to her, she was so afraid for her children and felt that if they never learned how to be a Jedi then they would be safe from their father's fate. Obi Wan knew in his head that was a flawed theory, but in his heart he couldn't bring himself to disagree with her.
Padme had become a very dear person to him over the years, and especially during their time together over the last several months. As much as he loved and cared for the former senator, he knew that his entire being belonged to the Jedi. No matter how much a part of him wanted to he knew he could never turn his back on the people who had given him a home all these years, on the people he deemed as his family. . .on the people he loved.
Suddenly his thoughts were interupted by a strange shadow moving across their front windows, Obi Wan tensed his muscles and searched with the Force to decifer if the inturder was friend or foe. He cursed under his breath as he couldn't get a clear focus on the Force due to an unusual amount of turmoil. He crouched behind the door, waiting for the intruder to enter.
The door slowly opened and a man stepped in wearing a helmet and unisuit. Obi Wan suddenly didn't recongized the orange and white flight suit, he grew curious as to who this intruder was. He quickly jumped in front of the pilot, igniting Anakin's light saber. Padme instinctivly arose when hearing the sound of the weapon.
The pilot stood, holding up his hands up in a gesture of surrender, then he slowly removed his helmet, revealing a man a little older than Obi Wan with dark brown hair. Obi Wan lowered his weapon at the sight of this man.
"Bail?" Obi Wan asked, puzzled that the Viceroy was standing there, he brought up the light saber again. "How did you find us?" He asked, making sure he was between the intruder and Padme.
Bail Organa stared at Obi Wan in disbelief. "It's me my old friend." He stated, backing away.
"You didn't answer my question." Obi Wan held his ground.
"I convinced Padme's handmaiden to tell me where you were, I was worried after I heard about Naboo." Bail explained, his nervousness getting the best of him.
Padme pushed past Obi Wan and stood in front of Bail. "What about Naboo?" She asked, worried.
Bail looked at her in surprise. "Padme, you're. . .you're."
"Yes Bail I am. . .very." She answered in a huff. "What happened?"
Bail came to his senses and looked at her in sorrow. "I'm sorry to be the bearer of such news then Milady." He said. "It might be best if we sit down."
The three companions sat around the kitchen table, Obi Wan brought both Padme and bail a drink of cool water and found a seat himself. Bail was in the process of explaining what had happened in the past nine months involving the turmoil in the Republic, the rise of the Empire and also the small resistant movement that was brewing. He then stopped and lowered his gaze to the table.
"Palpatine has declared war on any system and anyone who has shown resistance to the Empire, anyone who doesn't summit to his every wim." He took Padme's hands in his. "He made an example of his home planet, proving that it didn't matter where the system was, that any who denied his power would be punished."
Padme felt her eyes begin to water. "Bail, tell me what happened." She insisted.
He glanced at Obi Wan and sighed. "The army went through Theed and the outer lying villages, and anyone who didn't pledge themselves to the Emperor were executed." He squeezed her hands tightly. "Your family. . ." He couldn't bring himself to continue.
Obi Wan closed his eyes as he felt the sorrow emulating off of his friend, he put an arm around her shoulder. Padme rose to her feet as quickly as she could and headed to the freshner, her hand over her mouth. Obi Wan turned back to Bail, who had a very sorry look on his face.
"I'm sorry." Bail said to Obi Wan.
Obi Wan glanced back towards the freshner then back to Bail. "Give her time, she needs to soak in this news." The two men sat in silence for a moent. "So, is that why you came, to tell her about her family?" Obi Wan asked for a moment, taking on a very protective tone. "Because I think that could've been told to her by her hand maiden, and not jepordize her location to possible bounty hunters." his fingers brushed the hilt of Anakin's light saber.
"I wanted to make sure she was safe." Bail defended himself. "I also wanted to ask her something."
There it was, Obi Wan was waiting for the real reason for Organa's sudden arrival. He folded his arms across his chest. "Why does that not surprise me?" He asked. "What is it?"
"Yes Bail, what is it?" Padme who had reamurged from the freshner with tears staining her face asked. Obi Wan jumped to her side, giving her someone to lean on.
Bail rose to his feet and began to pace the room. "I am starting a rebellion." He stated matter of factly. Obi Wan and Padme exchanged glances, surprised that he came right out and said it. He looked between the two. "Palpatine can't get away with such atrosity, such tryanny." He fumed. "He must be stopped."
"And how exactly do you plan to do this Bail?" Obi Wan asked, thinking the politician was jumping to conclusions.
"I am in the process of gathering together a secret band of rebels, we have surprising numbers already." Bail explained. "We will take back the galaxy for the Republic."
"This won't be as easy as you are selling to people Bail" Obi Wan stated. "This isn't like overthrowing a regional government, or even a planetary government, this is overthrowing the entire galatic government."
"Palpatine was able to do it!" Bail shot back. "But so far the Jedi have taken no stance on this issue, so I'd expect the same from you."
Obi Wan relaxed, releasing his tension into the Force, he knew he shouldn't get into an argument with Organa. "No one is saying that something shouldn't be done Bail, but rushing into a war with Palpatine is not the smartest choice." He looked up at the frustrated pollitition. "You must remember Palpatine had years to over throw the Republic."
Bail stood silent, not sure how to argue with the Jedi. Padme then stepped forward. "I want to help Bail, I want to start the rebelion with you." She surely stated and Obi Wan looked at her in a state of shock. She looked up at him and offered a sad smile. "I can't let him win Obi Wan, I don't expect you to understand nor do I expect you to go with me."
Obi Wan cleared his throat, taking her hands in his, he stared at her hands for a moment then looked up and met her gaze. "I made you a promise Milday that I would watch over you and your child and I am bound to that promise."
******************************************************************
*TBC: I FINALLY got this chapter typed! Hopefully it turned out ok, please review! Tune in next time, same Obi Wan time. . .same Obi Wan channel.
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Well this chapter would've been here sooner my faithful readers but just when I was about to finish it the computer forced me to format my disk and erased everything on my disk! So, I had to go back and retype it. I hope it's ok, I forgot some of what I wrote before, and I was angry so hopfully the chapter didn't suffer.
*Chapter 21:
Obi Wan rushed Padme off of the planet of Naboo, so fast that she didn't even get a chance to say goodbye to her family. The Jedi was insistant that her safety and the safety of her child was the utmost importance. Obi Wan brought the two of them to the only place he felt they would be truly safe; Tatooine. He didn't know why the Force insited they go to the desert planet, but he knew better than to argue.
Padme had told him about Anakin's distant relatives and so for a little over two weeks the refugees stayed with the Lars on their moisture farm. Owen, was more than hesitant at first to let them stay; Padme had contacted them with news of Anakin and he wasn't sure he trusted his late brother's "master". He certainly didn't trust whatever the Jedi's intentions were with Anakin's widow and unborn child, he didn't have much of a choice in the matter though because his new wife Beru insisted that they help Padme.
Beru was a sweet, timid woman most of the time, but she was also the only one who could win an argument against her husband. The young couple had recently discovered they were unable to have a child of their own so she her maternal insticts kicked in and she had this need to help out the pregnant senator.
Beru was always kind towards her sister in law and to her Jedi protector, but unfortunatly she couldn't keep Owen at bay forever, he quickly decided that Obi Wan was no longer allowed on their property (after an argument over some "damn idealistic crusade"). Obi Wan hesitated, but agreed and found a small hovel out past the Dune sea. Padme, headstrong as always insisted that she stay with her Jedi protector so the two of them stayed together in the desert home, Padme on the sleep couch and Obi Wan on the floor.
*******************************
(Two months later)
Padme watched the Jedi kneeling before her in the middle of the living room completely in a meditative trance. She didn't want to disturb his rest, because she knew he didn't get much of it, but he felt her presence anyways.
"Yes?" He asked, not opening an eye.
"I made breakfast, do you want any?" She asked.
"I didn't know you could cook?" Obi Wan teased, opening one eye.
Padme placed her hands on her hips (as well as she could) and gave him a hard stare. "Just because I am a modern, working woman does not mean I don't know my way around the kitchen." She huffed.
"I figured a woman who surrounded herself with handmaidens all her life. . ." Obi Wan egged her on.
"Now to be fair, when I was queen I played a handmaiden more often than not. Sabe was basically the real queen." Padme defended herself.
The two of them stared at each other for a moment and laughed at each other. "Breakfast sounds great." Obi Wan stated, rising to his feet. He followed Padme into the dining area and noticed the aboundance of food on the table, he helped Padme down to one of the chairs. "So, did you use all the food in the house?" He asked, smirking.
Padme shot him a dirty look as she began to pile food on her plate. "Remeber, I'm eating for two now." She took a bite of pastry. "Don't mess with a pregnant woman and her food Kenobi."
Obi Wan laughed, putting up his hands in defeat. "It's alright, I wanted to make another supply run anyways Milady." He stated, fixing himself a cup of jawa juice and taking a seat across from her.
The two friends continued to enjoy their breakfast, keeping the conversation light hearted. Padme watched Obi Wan as he continued to tell a story from his past, she smiled despite herself.
"I'm telling you Padme" Obi Wan continued telling his tale. "I have never had to do so many dishes in my life. All she had to do was shut up, and let the teachers speak, but oh no not Siri." Obi Wan stopped, a longing look was on his face. "She always has to be right." He softly stated.
Padme waited for him to continue, but noticed he grew very quiet. "Ben?"
Obi Wan looked at her and smiled. "To this day I hate dishes, that's why I always had Anakin do them." Padme chuckled, and Obi Wan was glad to hear it because it was the first time she smiled at the mention of her late husband.
They stared at each other for a moment in awkward silence, then Obi Wan rose to his feet and began to clear the table. Padme sat back in her seat, watching him. "You love her don't you?" She asked after a moment. Obi Wan put the dishes in the sink with a loud clank and stared out the window at the desolute landscape. When he didn't respond Padme continued. "That Siri woman, you speak of her often."
Obi Wan turned around and leaned on the counter. "It's that obvious huh?"
Padme shrugged. "Well, you are much better at hiding it then let's say other Jedi I've known but. . ." Obi Wan turned away again. "Let's just call it woman's intuition." Padme quickly added. "Sometimes I think it can be stronger than the Force." Obi Wan looked at her with a soft smile. "That's why I bet female Jedi are some of the strongest in the order."
Obi Wan chuckled to himself. "You have no idea."
Padme waited for a moment. "Do all Jedi fall in love?" She asked.
Obi Wan thought about it for a moment. "Despite the fact that attachment is forbidden by our code?" He asked the question more to himself than her. "It can be a balancing act Milady, I think it's easier for humans to fall victim of it, and I believe it's even easier for the ones who are strong with the living Force, because they are able to live more in the moment." He sighed. "Like Qui Gon, Siri. . ."
"And Anakin." She finished, Obi Wan nodded, he had taught her a great deal about the Jedi and the Force.
"Yes."
"And what about you?" She asked.
"Jedi such as myself find it difficult to succumb to the moment, because no matter how beautiful the moment is there is always something looming over the horizon." He answered her, staring out the window again.
"That is so sad." Padme stated. "Isn't there anything you can do?"
Obi Wan sighed. "I've tried, Force knows I've tried. All my life I've had these visions, and I wish I could just ignore them. I use to frustrate Qui Gon to no end because of it."
Padme rose to her feet, and walked up to him, taking his hand and placing it on her stomach. "The baby is kicking." She explained, Obi Wan looked into her huge brown eyes then down at his hand on her stomach. "Just live in this moment."
Obi Wan closed his eyes and listened to the Force flowing between him and the child. Suddenly his eyes flew open and he stared Padme.
"What?" She asked worriedly. "Is something wrong?" She couldn't hide the tremble in her voice.
Obi Wan moved his hand slowly over her stomach. "Padme, do twins run in your family?" He asked, offering a warm smile.
"Twins?" She asked, astonished and relieved at the same time.
"Twins."
********************************
Barriss Offee ran as hard as she could; she could sense the dark sider closing in on her and her master. She rounded a corner and suddenly realized that her master was no longer behind her, she slowed her running, hoping that Luminari would be able to catch up.
The young woman rounded another corner and then skitted to a stop as she came upon a squad of Imperial troops. More came at her from the sides, and more still from behind surrounding the Jedi padawan. The exhausted woman pulled out her light saber in a flash and held a deffensive stance, sweat dripping down her face as she prepared herself for innevitable death.
She then felt the sick sense of the dark side, she turned around and faced a tall, dark figure dressed in black armor, his sleek, dark mask hiding his identity. The only sound that was heard was the sound of deep, rythmic breathing. Barriss then noticed in his right hand he held her master above his head, gasping for air.
Barriss tried to push back her feelings, tried to remember the code. "What do you want from us?" She asked as forcibly as she could muster.
The masked man said nothing and Barriss pleaded with him as the body of her master began to grow limp. The Sith lord took pleasure watching the padawan sink to her knees as he finished killing the master.
"Noooooo!" Barris screamed as Vader cast aside the dead body and turned to the commander of the storm troopers.
"Finish it." He commanded.
"Yes Lord Vader." The trooper salluted.
The circle of clones shot as one at the girl kneeling in the center, causing her to become one with the Force. Vader watched the execution intently. "All too easy."
**************************************************************
Mace Windu entered into Yoda's private meditation chambers with a solemn look on his face. He sat down on the other cusion, waiting to be acknowledge by his friend. Yoda kept his eyes closed for a moment longer then slowly opened them. Mace immediately noticed the sorrow etched in the depths of his eyes.
"I believe now is the time to call back all teams." Mace softly stated. "The new Republic has made it clear that they no longer have need for us." The usually placid face held an abundance of emotions.
Yoda hung his head for a moment and softly sighed. "Give into fear we must not, but realistic we must be." He slowly turned his gaze up towards his fellow Council member. "The dawn brings so much turmoil with the Force, soon forever changed our lives will be."
Mace sat puzzled. "For good or for bad?"
Yoda closed his eyes again. "Know this I do not."
*******************************************************************
~ "Obi Wan" The familiar voice called out to him. "Wake up padawan."
Obi Wan stirred from his position on the floor. "Master?" He suddenly opened his eyes and came face to face with a ghostly blue image of his former master. The familiar strong features holding a sad smile when Obi Wan looked up at him. A part of Obi Wan was afraid that he had actually gone crazy to be able to see Qui Gon standing before him again, the other part of him was overwelmed with happiness. "How can this be?" He asked.
"Anything is possible through the Force, but I do not have the time to explain everything." He stated, his aura diming slightly. Obi Wan suddenly realized how much energy he was using just to be there. "I come to you now padawan to tell you that you must decide what you are going to do."
Obi Wan turned away. "I know what you are going to say master, and I do not know what I'm. . ."
"Padawan." Qui Gon snapped in a tone Obi Wan hadn't heard in almost two decades. "I only have a short time, I have been given the opportunity to glimpse into the future and I know that you play a signifigant role. . ." Suddenly Qui Gon's image disapeared.
"Master?" Obi Wan searched for him, he suddenly grew frustrated. "Master?" ~
Obi Wan awoke and sat straight up. He suddenly realized that he had been dreaming, he glanced around the room and heard the heavy breathing of Padme sleeping on the sleep couch. He rose to his feet and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. He glanced out the small window, watching the twin suns begin to make their apperance over the horizon and he began to ponder the dream he just had.
He had been having dreams/visions for the last several nights concerning his desicion on his position within the Jedi order. He knew that if he didn't return to the Jedi he would be letting down so many, but if he did then who would look after Anakin's children? The desicion had suddenly become more difficult now that there was two children instead of one. He felt responsible for them, and much of his choice to return to the Jedi depended on their mother's desicion on having them raised by the Jedi. His hopes of that seemed to die every day he talked to her, she was so afraid for her children and felt that if they never learned how to be a Jedi then they would be safe from their father's fate. Obi Wan knew in his head that was a flawed theory, but in his heart he couldn't bring himself to disagree with her.
Padme had become a very dear person to him over the years, and especially during their time together over the last several months. As much as he loved and cared for the former senator, he knew that his entire being belonged to the Jedi. No matter how much a part of him wanted to he knew he could never turn his back on the people who had given him a home all these years, on the people he deemed as his family. . .on the people he loved.
Suddenly his thoughts were interupted by a strange shadow moving across their front windows, Obi Wan tensed his muscles and searched with the Force to decifer if the inturder was friend or foe. He cursed under his breath as he couldn't get a clear focus on the Force due to an unusual amount of turmoil. He crouched behind the door, waiting for the intruder to enter.
The door slowly opened and a man stepped in wearing a helmet and unisuit. Obi Wan suddenly didn't recongized the orange and white flight suit, he grew curious as to who this intruder was. He quickly jumped in front of the pilot, igniting Anakin's light saber. Padme instinctivly arose when hearing the sound of the weapon.
The pilot stood, holding up his hands up in a gesture of surrender, then he slowly removed his helmet, revealing a man a little older than Obi Wan with dark brown hair. Obi Wan lowered his weapon at the sight of this man.
"Bail?" Obi Wan asked, puzzled that the Viceroy was standing there, he brought up the light saber again. "How did you find us?" He asked, making sure he was between the intruder and Padme.
Bail Organa stared at Obi Wan in disbelief. "It's me my old friend." He stated, backing away.
"You didn't answer my question." Obi Wan held his ground.
"I convinced Padme's handmaiden to tell me where you were, I was worried after I heard about Naboo." Bail explained, his nervousness getting the best of him.
Padme pushed past Obi Wan and stood in front of Bail. "What about Naboo?" She asked, worried.
Bail looked at her in surprise. "Padme, you're. . .you're."
"Yes Bail I am. . .very." She answered in a huff. "What happened?"
Bail came to his senses and looked at her in sorrow. "I'm sorry to be the bearer of such news then Milady." He said. "It might be best if we sit down."
The three companions sat around the kitchen table, Obi Wan brought both Padme and bail a drink of cool water and found a seat himself. Bail was in the process of explaining what had happened in the past nine months involving the turmoil in the Republic, the rise of the Empire and also the small resistant movement that was brewing. He then stopped and lowered his gaze to the table.
"Palpatine has declared war on any system and anyone who has shown resistance to the Empire, anyone who doesn't summit to his every wim." He took Padme's hands in his. "He made an example of his home planet, proving that it didn't matter where the system was, that any who denied his power would be punished."
Padme felt her eyes begin to water. "Bail, tell me what happened." She insisted.
He glanced at Obi Wan and sighed. "The army went through Theed and the outer lying villages, and anyone who didn't pledge themselves to the Emperor were executed." He squeezed her hands tightly. "Your family. . ." He couldn't bring himself to continue.
Obi Wan closed his eyes as he felt the sorrow emulating off of his friend, he put an arm around her shoulder. Padme rose to her feet as quickly as she could and headed to the freshner, her hand over her mouth. Obi Wan turned back to Bail, who had a very sorry look on his face.
"I'm sorry." Bail said to Obi Wan.
Obi Wan glanced back towards the freshner then back to Bail. "Give her time, she needs to soak in this news." The two men sat in silence for a moent. "So, is that why you came, to tell her about her family?" Obi Wan asked for a moment, taking on a very protective tone. "Because I think that could've been told to her by her hand maiden, and not jepordize her location to possible bounty hunters." his fingers brushed the hilt of Anakin's light saber.
"I wanted to make sure she was safe." Bail defended himself. "I also wanted to ask her something."
There it was, Obi Wan was waiting for the real reason for Organa's sudden arrival. He folded his arms across his chest. "Why does that not surprise me?" He asked. "What is it?"
"Yes Bail, what is it?" Padme who had reamurged from the freshner with tears staining her face asked. Obi Wan jumped to her side, giving her someone to lean on.
Bail rose to his feet and began to pace the room. "I am starting a rebellion." He stated matter of factly. Obi Wan and Padme exchanged glances, surprised that he came right out and said it. He looked between the two. "Palpatine can't get away with such atrosity, such tryanny." He fumed. "He must be stopped."
"And how exactly do you plan to do this Bail?" Obi Wan asked, thinking the politician was jumping to conclusions.
"I am in the process of gathering together a secret band of rebels, we have surprising numbers already." Bail explained. "We will take back the galaxy for the Republic."
"This won't be as easy as you are selling to people Bail" Obi Wan stated. "This isn't like overthrowing a regional government, or even a planetary government, this is overthrowing the entire galatic government."
"Palpatine was able to do it!" Bail shot back. "But so far the Jedi have taken no stance on this issue, so I'd expect the same from you."
Obi Wan relaxed, releasing his tension into the Force, he knew he shouldn't get into an argument with Organa. "No one is saying that something shouldn't be done Bail, but rushing into a war with Palpatine is not the smartest choice." He looked up at the frustrated pollitition. "You must remember Palpatine had years to over throw the Republic."
Bail stood silent, not sure how to argue with the Jedi. Padme then stepped forward. "I want to help Bail, I want to start the rebelion with you." She surely stated and Obi Wan looked at her in a state of shock. She looked up at him and offered a sad smile. "I can't let him win Obi Wan, I don't expect you to understand nor do I expect you to go with me."
Obi Wan cleared his throat, taking her hands in his, he stared at her hands for a moment then looked up and met her gaze. "I made you a promise Milday that I would watch over you and your child and I am bound to that promise."
******************************************************************
*TBC: I FINALLY got this chapter typed! Hopefully it turned out ok, please review! Tune in next time, same Obi Wan time. . .same Obi Wan channel.