Chapter 13

Sorry this has taken forever to get up.

Yami: You're still at this one? (sighs)

Be nice to me.

Yami: You don't know when to quit, do you?

(Cheerfully) No. On with the fic! I really hope all my faithful reviewers haven't given up on this one yet. Okay, shutting up now.

Chapter 13:

Later that night, I wandered out to the courtyard alone, still clad in the garnet red evening gown that Amidala had let me borrow for the occasion. I hadn't even bothered to take my hair out of the curled up-do that I had put it in earlier.

There was a slightly warm breeze in the air that tugged gently at my clothes and hair. I looked up, my gaze fixed on the stars that sparkled brightly in the sky overhead like rare diamonds in a beautiful, never-ending tapestry of the finest black velvet. Off in the distance somewhere, the cry of a wild bird broke through the peaceful silence of the night.

I walked over to the shimmering stream that flowed through the courtyard. Taking off my shoes, I lifted the hem of the dress slightly so as not to get it wet and stepped into the water that went just up to my ankles. The coolness of it as it slipped by me felt absolutely wonderful, and I let out a soft sigh of contentment.

Closing my honey-colored eyes, I tilted my face upwards to the heavens and reached out with the Force. The gentle but constant hum of life in the air had a soothing effect on me and I wrapped it around myself, allowing it to surround me like a protective cocoon.

Just then I heard someone's voice calling my name softly from the shadows behind me. I opened my eyes and, turning towards the voice, found myself staring up into the familiar sapphire blue eyes of Qui-Gon Jinn. I blushed a faint pink color, then offered him a slight smile.

"Hi," I whispered quietly.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" he asked.

I nodded my agreement as I stepped out of the stream, letting the skirt hem trail to the ground again. Then I slipped my shoes back on and walked over to where he stood. A small, quiet sigh escaped me as I felt him wrap his arms around me. I returned the embrace, laying my head down on his broad shoulder.

Suddenly, before I was even truly aware of just exactly what I was doing, I got a bit of a bold streak and did something that I had been wanting to do ever since I had first gazed into those sapphire depths. I reached up, laying one hand gently against the side of his face and pressed my lips to his. It was a light, questioning touch at first, but then it became deeper, almost searching as I started to lose myself in that fiery combination of honey and spice.

There was a brief moment before we pulled away when I could have sworn that I had felt him kiss me back. And it was in that fleeting moment that we were like the earth and sky, two very different elements slowly melding together until the two of us became one.

But the spell was broken all too soon as we pulled away from each other and I was left very nearly breathless in the aftermath. I glanced up at Qui-Gon and saw the look of shock in his eyes, almost as though I had caught him off guard. Perhaps I had done just that when I'd kissed him.

"Layla...?" he said quietly, finally breaking the tense silence between us.

I shook my head and turned away from him, trying not to cry. "I...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that.. I don't know what came over me," I stammered, my voice barely audible.

He placed his hand on my shoulder after a moment and turned me back around gently to face him. I wouldn't meet his gaze, though. I couldn't. I was too afraid of what I would see in those far-too expressive eyes of his. Loathing? Disdain? I didn't know, and I wasn't entirely certain that I really wanted to know.

"Perhaps it's love," he replied.

"What?" I asked softly.

He merely smiled warmly as he tilted my face upwards. Then his lips captured mine in a kiss that was both searing and tender at the same time. I stiffened in shock, then relaxed, practically going limp in his arms. I felt that same soul-shattering surge of Force-power flood over me as it surrounded us in its protective cocoon. I moaned softly into the kiss, any coherent thought taken from me for a few moments.

We finally pulled away again, and I suddenly felt the link that had started to form between us become stronger. I glanced up at Qui-Gon, a little startled. I reached out to touch the bond tentatively, trying to guage his reaction. A flash of surprise flickered in his eyes for just a brief second, and then it was gone just as quickly as it had come.

"Wow, that was incredible. Did we..." I started to say, a little breathlessly, before my voice trailed off.

"...Form a Lifebond?" Qui-Gon finished.

I nodded. "Yeah," I whispered, somewhat shyly.

For just a brief moment, I felt him brush against my end of our bond. It was a small, feather-light touch, but it caught me off guard just the same, and I jumped in his arms, startled.

"I think we have," he replied, his tone conveying his surprise as he retreated from my mind.

"I thought so," I said, my voice a barely audible whisper now.

His expression became serious, but there was still a trace of something in his eyes that I couldn't quite place. "If we are soul-bonded, then..." he started.

"There is no going back. I know," I interrupted, taking his hand in mine and holding it against my chest. "I'm fine with that, though. This is going to sound crazy, but...please, just hear me out before you judge me, okay?" He nodded, and I continued before I could lose my nerve. "I...I'm drawn to you. I have been ever since the first time I saw you. I feel safe around you, like nothing and no one could ever harm me. I...I guess what I'm trying to say is that...well...that I...I love you," I replied, staring into his sapphire eyes.

He didn't say anything for a long moment. Time seemed to freeze as I waited for him to speak. Condescension, affirmation, anything at all would have been better than this tense silence that had fallen down in the air between us.

Just when I thought I could take no more of the suspense, Qui-Gon finally spoke, breaking the deafening silence. "I love you too, Layla, my angel," he whispered.

Tenderly he caressed my cheek, his calloused hand suprisingly soft and gentle. I couldn't help the purring noise that came from me, as I leaned into that sweet, loving touch like a cat seeking affection. I sighed happily to myself as he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and I felt his arm wrap itself around my back protectively, almost possessively, but I didn't mind. I gave the stars above us one last wistful glance, then allowed Qui-Gon to lead me back into the palace, leaving behind the quiet serenity and beauty of the gardens where I had fallen in love for the very first time.

To Be Continued...I am so sorry this took so long. I lost this one for a little while and have been working on some other fics too. I have a couple other chapters to this, so I'll try to get them up tonight, tomorrow at the latest, hopefully. This chapter is just some fluff between Layla and Qui-Gon. Please R&R, and no flames, please. I really hope no one has given up on this fic, it just took me a while to update. And I hope this chapter was worth the wait. And I'll try to get the next part of the karaoke fic up as soon as possible too. Well, ja ne, minna-san!

Ryou and Bakura's Princess