Title: Strength over fear
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Hey everyone, I am not sleeping anyways so I might as well write that's what I always say. I just wanted to make a note on the last chapter, I got the idea of them escaping in the Falcon from one of Jedikma's stories (she's going to kill me because I forget the title), but basically Siri is Han's mother. . .it's a great story, and it gave me inspiration for my last chapter. Ok folks, thank you so much for all your reviews and on with the show.
*Chapter 28:
Padme led Obi Wan away from the hanger and into a room that housed her and her two children. Obi Wan stepped into the room, noticing that the setting sun was casting an amber glow through the window, he felt numb as he walked shakily up to the two craddles. He peered down at the slumbering children, first at Leia then at Luke. As he stared at the blonde haired bundle he felt his knees begin to grow weak, he held himself up with the Force, causing Luke to stir. He reached out and softly touched the infant's head, calming the child instantly.
Padme watched him curiously, the door shut behind her and she slowly walked into the room. "This is the first time he has been quiet since you left, that is partly why I feared the worst." She placed a hand on Obi Wan's shoulder and he quickly moved away towards the window. "Ben?" She asked, staring at him.
Obi Wan stared at the lush landscape of Dantooine, trying to come up with a way to speak to his friend. "There is something I must tell you." He stated.
"Ben, look at me." Padme commanded, he reluctantly obeyed. He noticed she was wearing a deep purple gown (her body still out of shape from her pregnancy), her long brunette hair parted down the middle and rolled on the sides of her head. She suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms tightly around him, burrying her face in his chest. "I was so frightened I had lost you, I don't know what I would do. . ."
Obi Wan closed his eyes tightly, he then pushed her at arms length. "Padme, you should sit down for this." He stated, leading her to the lounge in the middle of the room, sitting down next to her. "Now, I need you to listen to me, and it won't be easy for you to hear." He looked her in the eyes, and she slowly nodded. "You will hate me after what I have to say." He looked away.
She cupped his chin and forced him to look at her. "Ben, I could never hate you, Jedi duty or not you have always been there for me."
Obi Wan removed her hand from his face and held it. "Padme, remember when I explained to you about the Sith?" He asked and she nodded.
"Yes, you killed one on Naboo."
"Some of the Sith codes are scewed versions of the Jedi code. . ." He continued. "One belief they have is that there is always to be a master and an apprentice." He held her gaze. "I killed the apprentice." Padme nodded, giving him a very curious look. "The Jedi were always blind as to the master, and now it seems to have been too late." He turned away.
"Ben?"
"The Lord of the Sith is Palpatine." Obi Wan blurted out all at once, and Padme looked at him, startled.
"What?" She put a hand up to her mouth as everything registered. "He, he used me. . .he used our people."
"That isn't all." Obi Wan muttered, moving to the window again. "Have you heard anything about Darth Vader?" Obi Wan felt his throat tighten at the mention of the name.
Padme looked at Obi Wan. "Yes, he is Palpatine's second in command, he's the one carrying out the genocide orders." Padme sat back on the lounge. "We've tried to gain back round information on him, but he seemed to just appear from no where, he has no military back round, no records of any kind."
Obi Wan's shoulders dropped. "That's because you are looking under the wrong name."
Padme quickly looked at Obi Wan, noticing the look on his face, she rose to her feet, heading for him. "What are you talking about?" She asked, although afraid of the answer. Obi Wan lifted his eyes to look at her, she noticed the haunted look in them, a look she remembered seeing after he told her about Anakin. She put her hands over her mouth, as the realization hit. "No." She shook her head. "How?"
"Somehow Palpatine resurected his body." Obi Wan turned away.
Padme felt tears rushing to the edge of her lids. "This cannot be possible." She shook her head again. "You told me he was. . ." She looked at Obi Wan. "You saw him fall."
Obi Wan nodded slowly. "I did, in more ways than one."
Padme walked away from Obi Wan. "You led me to believe he was gonr, I had just come to peace with his death." Tears streamed down her face.
"I know, and for that I am sorry." He softly stated, then added. "But what I told you is true, from a certain point of veiw."
"What?" She asked, angrily.
Obi Wan moved towards her. "That creature is not the man we knew and loved." Obi Wan stated assuridly.
"So, is this what you came to tell me?" She asked.
Obi Wan stopped. "I felt you should at least know." He stated softly. "But no, that is not what I had to tell you, that is not what will make you hate me."
Padme looked at him, wipping her eyes with her sleeve.
"The Emperor and Vader are out to rid the galaxy of all the Jedi, I'm afraid the Temple is not the end." He took her hands in his. "It is a dangerous time for anyone that is Force sensitive." He held her gaze. "The Empire will hunt them down and if they are young enough they might try to turn them to a life of evil, or they will simply be destroyed."
Padme looked at her friend, then moved her gaze to her two children. "No." Her breath caught in her throat.
"I'm afraid so." He answered, wipping a tear off her cheek with his thumb.
She moved from under his touch. "What am I suppose to do?" She asked, frantically.
"The closer they are to the center of the galaxy, the easier it will be to find them." Obi Wan explained. "They must be hidden. . . and separated." He hesitated saying the last part.
"Separated?" Padme shook her head. "From each other?"
Obi Wan cleared his throat. "And. . .from you." He softly stated.
"What?"
"There is always the possibility that Vader may come looking for you." Obi Wan explained. "If he finds out that he has offspring."
Luke chose that exact moment to start crying, Padme rushed to his craddle and picked him up, bouncing him, trying to sooth him. "If he finds us then perhapse I can bring him back." Padme was hopeful. "Anakin always wanted a family, he always wanted to be a father."
Obi Wan closed his eyes, he knew this to be true as well. "Once you begin down a dark path, it will forever dominate your destiny." He explained to her, and sighed. "He is more machine now Padme, he is a machine that only obeys his master."
"You haven't even given him a chance to see his children, you don't know. . ."
"And I won't risk that chance, not yet." He cut her off, turning back to the window. "The Force has a destiny for everyone, I know in my heart that Anakin will see his children some day, but I cannot risk the future Padme, not when they are so vulnerable." He moved towards her. "You must believe me Padme, there is no other way to ensure their safety."
Padme looked down at Luke, then scowled at Obi Wan. "Get out." She commanded. "You would take my children for the sake of the Jedi. I thought you said it was my choice weather or not Luke would be trained."
"It still is your choice Milady." Obi Wan explained. "I am not asking you to let him be trained, I am asking you to give him a chance to live."
"I want you to leave now." Padme stated, turning her back to him. "First you take away my husband, and now you would take away my son. . .please just get out of my sight."
Obi Wan bowed. "As you wish." He then left her alone with her children.
Padme sunk to her knees crying, craddling Luke in her arms.
********************************************************
Siri closed her eyes as the sounds of twilight began their nightly concert, she could feel the living Force all around her, encircling her, wraping her in it's warmth. But beneath it all she could still feel the sting and the pain of the Temple, she had like all the others tried to meditate and cast her sorrow into the Force, but like many of the others she was having a hard time over coming her grief. Since their landing at the rebel base Siri had spent the entire time thanking the pilots who had come to their rescue, making sure the children had something to eat and a place to sleep. She had also found someone who would trade their transport ship for the Falcon, a slick talking man who had told her he would fix it up for his young son Lando.
Foot steps behind her brought her out of her thoughts. "Hey." The familiar accented voice said.
Siri smiled. "Hey." She answered. "How did it go?"
Obi Wan sighed. "About as well as I expected." He put his arm around her waist. "It will take some serious convincing, but Padme will do the right thing, she always does." He looked at her. "Is everything ready?" He asked.
"We've aquired a new ship, supplies, we are ready to go as soon as we know when and where" Siri explained.
"That I am unsure of at this point." Obi Wan stated. "I spoke with Organa, he was hoping we'd stay and help them with their cause."
"You know we can't risk it." Siri reminded him.
"That's what I told him, he didn't seem to understand." Obi Wan said. "But Bail is a good man, and a good leader, the rebels will be fine without our help."
"Do you believe the Rebels can win?" Siri asked.
"I do not know, hopefully the Force is with them." Obi Wan answered, then looked at her, noticing she was wearing a long white gown, made of shimmersilk, embroidered with gold thread. "Siri, you look amazing."
Siri looked down at her dress, and made a face. "It was the only thing in my size that I could find. . .unfortunatly."
Obi Wan pushed her hair behind her ears, and kissed her forehead. "Master Yoda was telling me about a ceremony they use to preform in the Jedi order, back before the Code was implimented." He looked into her blue eyes. "A binding ceremony."
Siri looked at him. "What?"
"He said it was only done for the most disciplined Jedi, ones who knew the sacrifices they'd have to make." Obi Wan continued.
"You're serious." Siri stated.
Obi Wan nodded. "He said he thought it was fitting since the Jedi order is being reborn."
"And he'd be willing to do this ceremony?" Siri asked.
"If understand the consequences of being bounded you do master Tachi." Yoda's voice came from behind them. "Between you a bond will be formed, feelings, thoughts, pain will all be felt. An apprentice you can never have, because a team you will be, two there are. . .no more, no less."
Siri and Obi Wan looked at each other then back at Yoda. "We understand master." Obi Wan spoke for them.
Yoda nodded his head. "Watched the two of you have I for years, destined for one another by the Force you were. . .knew this your master did Obi Wan, spoke to me about it he did." Obi Wan looked at Yoda then quickly at Siri, who was trying not to smile. "Worried about you he use to be, until he became one with the Force." Yoda seemed to be else where then he looked at the two humans. "Take a meditative stance you will." Siri and Obi Wan complied and sat down in the soft grass, crossing their legs. Yoda then began to chant in an ancient tounge as Siri and Obi Wan closed their eyes and called upon the Force, they felt it begin to flow through their bodies and then into the other. They also began to feel a bond forming between them, it's presence startiling Obi Wan at first because both his previous bonds with people had been savagely broken. Yoda touched both Jedi master's heads and pulled them together untill their foreheads were touching. "Seek her hand Obi Wan, and bind yourself to her."
Obi Wan obeyed and reached out and grabed her hand, holding it in the air next to them. "I Ben. . ."
"No." Siri interupted. "I will not be bound to Ben."
Obi Wan smiled, only Siri would have the gall to disrupt an ancient ceremony. "I Obi Wan Kenobi do bind myself to Siri Tachi in all things, in my body, my spirit and in the Force. That we may be bound together for enternity as one."
Yoda nodded. "Hmmm, Siri."
Siri followed suit and reached for his hand. "I Siri Tachi do bind myself to Obi Wan Kenobi in all things; in my body, my spirit and in the Force. That we may be bound together for enternity as one."
The two Jedi sat for a moment, clasping hands as they felt an incredible surge through the Force. Suddenly as the bond was complete Siri felt a wave of guilt and sorrow rushing at her through the bond, she tried to send waves of comfort back, but was met by a mental sheild.
"I'm sorry." Obi Wan told her.
Siri couldn't believe the amount of guilt she felt coming from Obi Wan, she wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. After a moment they noticed that Yoda had left them alone, Obi Wan stood up and helped Siri to her feet. He then cupped her face and kissed her, he then pulled something out of his tunic pocket. "What is that?" Siri asked.
Obi Wan looked down at his hand. "I did an incredible amount of searching through the Force to find my destiny while I was gone. And at first I didn't think I would make it back to the Jedi, I had even started constructing a new light saber hilt." He admited. "But something in the Force guided me back, and instead of finishing the hilt I made this." He opened his hand and Siri stared at a silver ring resting in his palm. "It is for you." He stated and placed it on the third finger on her left hand.
Siri stared down at her hand. "I cannot believe you." She shook her head in awe. "I would've never bet that Obi Wan Kenobi would ever. . ."
Obi Wan leaned down and kissed her again, then wrapped his arms around her. "I love you Siri."
Siri closed her eyes, it was the first time she had ever heard Obi Wan really express his feelings. "I love you too."
Obi Wan suddenly let go of Siri and stared behind her. Siri turned around and noticed Padme Amidala standing behind them, her eyes swollen from crying. "Padme?" Obi Wan ventured.
"Congradulations." Padme choked out. "It is an amazing thing when two people finally admit they love each other." She then turned around and ran back to the base.
Obi Wan moved to follow her, but Siri caught him. "I'll talk to her." Siri told him. "Maybe as a woman I can get through to her." Obi Wan raised an eyebrow. "What? I can be sensitive when I have to."
************************************************************************
Padme was on the lounge in her room, trying to get a hold of her emotions when she heard the door chime ring, she sighed, figuring it was either Obi Wan or Bail Organa, she was surprised when a female walked through the door. "Master Tachi?"
"Call me Siri, it's easier." Siri told her. "I came to see how you are doing Senator Amidala."
"Call me Padme, it's easier." Padme stated. "And I'm fine, except that Obi Wan has decided that he wants to take my children from me."
"Because it is his duty, he really doesn't want to part you from your children." Siri explained.
"You Jedi always use duty as an excuse." Padme shot back.
"That is true, from your point of view." Siri kept her voice very calm. "But if I didn't believe that what we do is duty then I could easily let my emotions run away with me." Siri moved towards the window. "For instance when the man I love spends the better part of nine months taking care of another woman, one who he actually cares very deeply for I could get incredibly jealous." Siri looked back at Padme who was looking away. "But I don't, I accept it because it is his duty to take care of you and your children because he made a promise to take care of his apprentice, and it is his duty to keep that promise."
Padme stared at the ground. "Let me ask you something, if you didn't have your sense of duty and say you believed Obi Wan was dead before you found out your were pregnant with his child, would you be able to give up the only thing you still had from the man you loved?"
"That question is a flawed one Padme, because as much as I love Obi Wan I am still a Jedi and I am bound to my duty." Siri explained. "Just like you are bound to your duty as a mother." Padme gave Siri a sharp look. "Trust me, I know somewhat of what it is like to be a mother, and I have had to let go in order for my son to live the life he was destined to live." Siri watched Padme close her eyes. "And as much as it pained me, I knew I couldn't be selfish."
"And you are saying my childern would be safer with the Jedi?" Padme asked.
Siri shook her head. "No, they would not stay with us either, we would find places for them to hide until it is time for them to carry out their own destiny." Siri turned back to the window. "And we know what a sacrifice you are making here Padme, and for that burden we are sorry. But the more Force signatures that stay together in one place, the easier it will be to find them." Siri looked back at Padme. "We all might be faced with having to be separated from the people we love in order to ensure the future."
Padme looked at the ring on Siri's hand then turned away from her. "I'm just not strong enough to let go."
Siri felt her heart go out to Padme as the door slowly opened and Obi Wan walked in. He looked at Siri then knelt in front of Padme, he reached out and lifted her chin so she would look at him. "Perhapse there is a compromise." He softly told her.
*************************************
TBC: I can't believe I got another chapter out that quickly! I hope it was ok, I'm so tired I am not really sure what I was writing, so please let me know what you thought.
Author: ewan's girl
Author's note: Hey everyone, I am not sleeping anyways so I might as well write that's what I always say. I just wanted to make a note on the last chapter, I got the idea of them escaping in the Falcon from one of Jedikma's stories (she's going to kill me because I forget the title), but basically Siri is Han's mother. . .it's a great story, and it gave me inspiration for my last chapter. Ok folks, thank you so much for all your reviews and on with the show.
*Chapter 28:
Padme led Obi Wan away from the hanger and into a room that housed her and her two children. Obi Wan stepped into the room, noticing that the setting sun was casting an amber glow through the window, he felt numb as he walked shakily up to the two craddles. He peered down at the slumbering children, first at Leia then at Luke. As he stared at the blonde haired bundle he felt his knees begin to grow weak, he held himself up with the Force, causing Luke to stir. He reached out and softly touched the infant's head, calming the child instantly.
Padme watched him curiously, the door shut behind her and she slowly walked into the room. "This is the first time he has been quiet since you left, that is partly why I feared the worst." She placed a hand on Obi Wan's shoulder and he quickly moved away towards the window. "Ben?" She asked, staring at him.
Obi Wan stared at the lush landscape of Dantooine, trying to come up with a way to speak to his friend. "There is something I must tell you." He stated.
"Ben, look at me." Padme commanded, he reluctantly obeyed. He noticed she was wearing a deep purple gown (her body still out of shape from her pregnancy), her long brunette hair parted down the middle and rolled on the sides of her head. She suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms tightly around him, burrying her face in his chest. "I was so frightened I had lost you, I don't know what I would do. . ."
Obi Wan closed his eyes tightly, he then pushed her at arms length. "Padme, you should sit down for this." He stated, leading her to the lounge in the middle of the room, sitting down next to her. "Now, I need you to listen to me, and it won't be easy for you to hear." He looked her in the eyes, and she slowly nodded. "You will hate me after what I have to say." He looked away.
She cupped his chin and forced him to look at her. "Ben, I could never hate you, Jedi duty or not you have always been there for me."
Obi Wan removed her hand from his face and held it. "Padme, remember when I explained to you about the Sith?" He asked and she nodded.
"Yes, you killed one on Naboo."
"Some of the Sith codes are scewed versions of the Jedi code. . ." He continued. "One belief they have is that there is always to be a master and an apprentice." He held her gaze. "I killed the apprentice." Padme nodded, giving him a very curious look. "The Jedi were always blind as to the master, and now it seems to have been too late." He turned away.
"Ben?"
"The Lord of the Sith is Palpatine." Obi Wan blurted out all at once, and Padme looked at him, startled.
"What?" She put a hand up to her mouth as everything registered. "He, he used me. . .he used our people."
"That isn't all." Obi Wan muttered, moving to the window again. "Have you heard anything about Darth Vader?" Obi Wan felt his throat tighten at the mention of the name.
Padme looked at Obi Wan. "Yes, he is Palpatine's second in command, he's the one carrying out the genocide orders." Padme sat back on the lounge. "We've tried to gain back round information on him, but he seemed to just appear from no where, he has no military back round, no records of any kind."
Obi Wan's shoulders dropped. "That's because you are looking under the wrong name."
Padme quickly looked at Obi Wan, noticing the look on his face, she rose to her feet, heading for him. "What are you talking about?" She asked, although afraid of the answer. Obi Wan lifted his eyes to look at her, she noticed the haunted look in them, a look she remembered seeing after he told her about Anakin. She put her hands over her mouth, as the realization hit. "No." She shook her head. "How?"
"Somehow Palpatine resurected his body." Obi Wan turned away.
Padme felt tears rushing to the edge of her lids. "This cannot be possible." She shook her head again. "You told me he was. . ." She looked at Obi Wan. "You saw him fall."
Obi Wan nodded slowly. "I did, in more ways than one."
Padme walked away from Obi Wan. "You led me to believe he was gonr, I had just come to peace with his death." Tears streamed down her face.
"I know, and for that I am sorry." He softly stated, then added. "But what I told you is true, from a certain point of veiw."
"What?" She asked, angrily.
Obi Wan moved towards her. "That creature is not the man we knew and loved." Obi Wan stated assuridly.
"So, is this what you came to tell me?" She asked.
Obi Wan stopped. "I felt you should at least know." He stated softly. "But no, that is not what I had to tell you, that is not what will make you hate me."
Padme looked at him, wipping her eyes with her sleeve.
"The Emperor and Vader are out to rid the galaxy of all the Jedi, I'm afraid the Temple is not the end." He took her hands in his. "It is a dangerous time for anyone that is Force sensitive." He held her gaze. "The Empire will hunt them down and if they are young enough they might try to turn them to a life of evil, or they will simply be destroyed."
Padme looked at her friend, then moved her gaze to her two children. "No." Her breath caught in her throat.
"I'm afraid so." He answered, wipping a tear off her cheek with his thumb.
She moved from under his touch. "What am I suppose to do?" She asked, frantically.
"The closer they are to the center of the galaxy, the easier it will be to find them." Obi Wan explained. "They must be hidden. . . and separated." He hesitated saying the last part.
"Separated?" Padme shook her head. "From each other?"
Obi Wan cleared his throat. "And. . .from you." He softly stated.
"What?"
"There is always the possibility that Vader may come looking for you." Obi Wan explained. "If he finds out that he has offspring."
Luke chose that exact moment to start crying, Padme rushed to his craddle and picked him up, bouncing him, trying to sooth him. "If he finds us then perhapse I can bring him back." Padme was hopeful. "Anakin always wanted a family, he always wanted to be a father."
Obi Wan closed his eyes, he knew this to be true as well. "Once you begin down a dark path, it will forever dominate your destiny." He explained to her, and sighed. "He is more machine now Padme, he is a machine that only obeys his master."
"You haven't even given him a chance to see his children, you don't know. . ."
"And I won't risk that chance, not yet." He cut her off, turning back to the window. "The Force has a destiny for everyone, I know in my heart that Anakin will see his children some day, but I cannot risk the future Padme, not when they are so vulnerable." He moved towards her. "You must believe me Padme, there is no other way to ensure their safety."
Padme looked down at Luke, then scowled at Obi Wan. "Get out." She commanded. "You would take my children for the sake of the Jedi. I thought you said it was my choice weather or not Luke would be trained."
"It still is your choice Milady." Obi Wan explained. "I am not asking you to let him be trained, I am asking you to give him a chance to live."
"I want you to leave now." Padme stated, turning her back to him. "First you take away my husband, and now you would take away my son. . .please just get out of my sight."
Obi Wan bowed. "As you wish." He then left her alone with her children.
Padme sunk to her knees crying, craddling Luke in her arms.
********************************************************
Siri closed her eyes as the sounds of twilight began their nightly concert, she could feel the living Force all around her, encircling her, wraping her in it's warmth. But beneath it all she could still feel the sting and the pain of the Temple, she had like all the others tried to meditate and cast her sorrow into the Force, but like many of the others she was having a hard time over coming her grief. Since their landing at the rebel base Siri had spent the entire time thanking the pilots who had come to their rescue, making sure the children had something to eat and a place to sleep. She had also found someone who would trade their transport ship for the Falcon, a slick talking man who had told her he would fix it up for his young son Lando.
Foot steps behind her brought her out of her thoughts. "Hey." The familiar accented voice said.
Siri smiled. "Hey." She answered. "How did it go?"
Obi Wan sighed. "About as well as I expected." He put his arm around her waist. "It will take some serious convincing, but Padme will do the right thing, she always does." He looked at her. "Is everything ready?" He asked.
"We've aquired a new ship, supplies, we are ready to go as soon as we know when and where" Siri explained.
"That I am unsure of at this point." Obi Wan stated. "I spoke with Organa, he was hoping we'd stay and help them with their cause."
"You know we can't risk it." Siri reminded him.
"That's what I told him, he didn't seem to understand." Obi Wan said. "But Bail is a good man, and a good leader, the rebels will be fine without our help."
"Do you believe the Rebels can win?" Siri asked.
"I do not know, hopefully the Force is with them." Obi Wan answered, then looked at her, noticing she was wearing a long white gown, made of shimmersilk, embroidered with gold thread. "Siri, you look amazing."
Siri looked down at her dress, and made a face. "It was the only thing in my size that I could find. . .unfortunatly."
Obi Wan pushed her hair behind her ears, and kissed her forehead. "Master Yoda was telling me about a ceremony they use to preform in the Jedi order, back before the Code was implimented." He looked into her blue eyes. "A binding ceremony."
Siri looked at him. "What?"
"He said it was only done for the most disciplined Jedi, ones who knew the sacrifices they'd have to make." Obi Wan continued.
"You're serious." Siri stated.
Obi Wan nodded. "He said he thought it was fitting since the Jedi order is being reborn."
"And he'd be willing to do this ceremony?" Siri asked.
"If understand the consequences of being bounded you do master Tachi." Yoda's voice came from behind them. "Between you a bond will be formed, feelings, thoughts, pain will all be felt. An apprentice you can never have, because a team you will be, two there are. . .no more, no less."
Siri and Obi Wan looked at each other then back at Yoda. "We understand master." Obi Wan spoke for them.
Yoda nodded his head. "Watched the two of you have I for years, destined for one another by the Force you were. . .knew this your master did Obi Wan, spoke to me about it he did." Obi Wan looked at Yoda then quickly at Siri, who was trying not to smile. "Worried about you he use to be, until he became one with the Force." Yoda seemed to be else where then he looked at the two humans. "Take a meditative stance you will." Siri and Obi Wan complied and sat down in the soft grass, crossing their legs. Yoda then began to chant in an ancient tounge as Siri and Obi Wan closed their eyes and called upon the Force, they felt it begin to flow through their bodies and then into the other. They also began to feel a bond forming between them, it's presence startiling Obi Wan at first because both his previous bonds with people had been savagely broken. Yoda touched both Jedi master's heads and pulled them together untill their foreheads were touching. "Seek her hand Obi Wan, and bind yourself to her."
Obi Wan obeyed and reached out and grabed her hand, holding it in the air next to them. "I Ben. . ."
"No." Siri interupted. "I will not be bound to Ben."
Obi Wan smiled, only Siri would have the gall to disrupt an ancient ceremony. "I Obi Wan Kenobi do bind myself to Siri Tachi in all things, in my body, my spirit and in the Force. That we may be bound together for enternity as one."
Yoda nodded. "Hmmm, Siri."
Siri followed suit and reached for his hand. "I Siri Tachi do bind myself to Obi Wan Kenobi in all things; in my body, my spirit and in the Force. That we may be bound together for enternity as one."
The two Jedi sat for a moment, clasping hands as they felt an incredible surge through the Force. Suddenly as the bond was complete Siri felt a wave of guilt and sorrow rushing at her through the bond, she tried to send waves of comfort back, but was met by a mental sheild.
"I'm sorry." Obi Wan told her.
Siri couldn't believe the amount of guilt she felt coming from Obi Wan, she wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. After a moment they noticed that Yoda had left them alone, Obi Wan stood up and helped Siri to her feet. He then cupped her face and kissed her, he then pulled something out of his tunic pocket. "What is that?" Siri asked.
Obi Wan looked down at his hand. "I did an incredible amount of searching through the Force to find my destiny while I was gone. And at first I didn't think I would make it back to the Jedi, I had even started constructing a new light saber hilt." He admited. "But something in the Force guided me back, and instead of finishing the hilt I made this." He opened his hand and Siri stared at a silver ring resting in his palm. "It is for you." He stated and placed it on the third finger on her left hand.
Siri stared down at her hand. "I cannot believe you." She shook her head in awe. "I would've never bet that Obi Wan Kenobi would ever. . ."
Obi Wan leaned down and kissed her again, then wrapped his arms around her. "I love you Siri."
Siri closed her eyes, it was the first time she had ever heard Obi Wan really express his feelings. "I love you too."
Obi Wan suddenly let go of Siri and stared behind her. Siri turned around and noticed Padme Amidala standing behind them, her eyes swollen from crying. "Padme?" Obi Wan ventured.
"Congradulations." Padme choked out. "It is an amazing thing when two people finally admit they love each other." She then turned around and ran back to the base.
Obi Wan moved to follow her, but Siri caught him. "I'll talk to her." Siri told him. "Maybe as a woman I can get through to her." Obi Wan raised an eyebrow. "What? I can be sensitive when I have to."
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Padme was on the lounge in her room, trying to get a hold of her emotions when she heard the door chime ring, she sighed, figuring it was either Obi Wan or Bail Organa, she was surprised when a female walked through the door. "Master Tachi?"
"Call me Siri, it's easier." Siri told her. "I came to see how you are doing Senator Amidala."
"Call me Padme, it's easier." Padme stated. "And I'm fine, except that Obi Wan has decided that he wants to take my children from me."
"Because it is his duty, he really doesn't want to part you from your children." Siri explained.
"You Jedi always use duty as an excuse." Padme shot back.
"That is true, from your point of view." Siri kept her voice very calm. "But if I didn't believe that what we do is duty then I could easily let my emotions run away with me." Siri moved towards the window. "For instance when the man I love spends the better part of nine months taking care of another woman, one who he actually cares very deeply for I could get incredibly jealous." Siri looked back at Padme who was looking away. "But I don't, I accept it because it is his duty to take care of you and your children because he made a promise to take care of his apprentice, and it is his duty to keep that promise."
Padme stared at the ground. "Let me ask you something, if you didn't have your sense of duty and say you believed Obi Wan was dead before you found out your were pregnant with his child, would you be able to give up the only thing you still had from the man you loved?"
"That question is a flawed one Padme, because as much as I love Obi Wan I am still a Jedi and I am bound to my duty." Siri explained. "Just like you are bound to your duty as a mother." Padme gave Siri a sharp look. "Trust me, I know somewhat of what it is like to be a mother, and I have had to let go in order for my son to live the life he was destined to live." Siri watched Padme close her eyes. "And as much as it pained me, I knew I couldn't be selfish."
"And you are saying my childern would be safer with the Jedi?" Padme asked.
Siri shook her head. "No, they would not stay with us either, we would find places for them to hide until it is time for them to carry out their own destiny." Siri turned back to the window. "And we know what a sacrifice you are making here Padme, and for that burden we are sorry. But the more Force signatures that stay together in one place, the easier it will be to find them." Siri looked back at Padme. "We all might be faced with having to be separated from the people we love in order to ensure the future."
Padme looked at the ring on Siri's hand then turned away from her. "I'm just not strong enough to let go."
Siri felt her heart go out to Padme as the door slowly opened and Obi Wan walked in. He looked at Siri then knelt in front of Padme, he reached out and lifted her chin so she would look at him. "Perhapse there is a compromise." He softly told her.
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TBC: I can't believe I got another chapter out that quickly! I hope it was ok, I'm so tired I am not really sure what I was writing, so please let me know what you thought.