Obi-Wan and Padme just stood staring at each other, both momentarily speechless. Padme didn't know if she should be more scared for herself or for him. She watched Obi-Wan fighting to keep himself calm. She could also tell he was losing the battle. She was somehow managing to keep herself together this time. She needed to be strong for him, as he'd always been for her.
Obi-Wan turned away from Padme. He couldn't look at her right now. What was he going to do? He couldn't turn to the dark side and he couldn't bear to watch Padme be destroyed emotionally! He could feel his heart breaking. He had promised Padme he'd protect her! He had to calm down, he had to think! He closed his eyes and reached out to the Force. He immediately felt the comfort of the Force flow through him. He did his best to release his emotions to it. His breathing slowed down as he regained his composure.
Padme watched him obviously reaching for the Force. She didn't want to disturb him until he was ready to face her. Her heart ached for him. What a position to be put in! My dear Obi. She saw his body relax a bit and his breathing slow down. After a few moments, he turned back to her.
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak, but Padme put up her hand. "Before you say anything, Obi, there's something I want to say to you." He closed his mouth and watched her with anguished eyes. "No matter what happens to me, do NOT turn to the dark side! As much as it's going to kill me to have to watch you be tortured, it would be worse losing you to the dark side. I couldn't bear that again! I'd rather die, Obi!"
Obi-Wan looked at Padme with the saddest eyes she'd ever seen. "I won't turn to the dark side, Padme. I promise." He could feel his emotions starting to grip his heart again. His eyes started to well up. "But I can't just watch you be destroyed, either," he spoke just barely above a whisper. "I promised I'd protect you! I promised you I wouldn't..."
He stopped as she pulled him into her embrace. She was determined to be strong for him. Don't cry, Padme. Be strong. Don't cry. Her eyes betrayed her, however, when Obi-Wan broke down in sobs. Her tears came unbidden. She blinked them back. She felt her heart breaking. She stroked his hair as she held him tighter. She spoke in soothing tones.
As Obi-Wan was pulled into her embrace, he felt years of anguish, guilt and grief boil over. He'd pushed his emotions down or ignored them for far too long. He felt sobs wrack his body and couldn't stop them. He clung to Padme, desperately needing the strength she was lending him. Oh, Force, help me be strong! Help me be strong for her sake! He again reached out for the Force and allowed it to sweep through him. He felt its warmth penetrate his weary body and mind. He released all of the emotions he'd bottled up and hidden for so long into it.
Obi-Wan's tears finally stopped and he took a deep, shaky breath. He felt Padme release him from her embrace and hold him at arms length. She looked into to his red, swollen eyes. He looked down, suddenly embarrassed by his outburst. He blushed a bit.
Padme watched him get embarrassed and even blush. She couldn't help but smile a bit and shake her head. "Obi, you have nothing to be embarrassed about!" She cupped his chin with her hand and lifted his face up to her. "There's nothing, NOTHING you could ever do to diminish my respect for you." She had also wanted to say 'love,' but again couldn't bring herself to say it. "Remember that, Obi-Wan! Whatever happens, we're together. If it's our destiny to die here together, so be it."
Obi-Wan looked at her in awe. "Have I told you lately that you're absolutely amazing?"
Padme smiled. "Not today."
Obi-Wan smiled back. He took her hand and kissed it softly. "Whatever happens, we'll deal with it together."
A while later, the door to the room opened to reveal the Emperor.
Padme and Obi-Wan were sitting on the cot, backs leaning against the wall. They were holding hands. Considering what he had told them earlier, Sidious was surprised at how cool and calm they both looked.
Sidious walked over to them. "Settled in, are we?"
Obi-Wan wanted to roll his eyes, but refrained. "As well as could be expected in your little house of horrors."
Sidious cackled in amusement. I certainly hope he keeps that sarcastic wit as my apprentice!
Obi-Wan leaned forward a bit. "Why didn't you blindfold us when taking us down here? And why aren't you blocking my use of the Force anymore?" He leaned back again, studying the Emperor. "Are you really that confident?"
"I knew you'd catch that, Kenobi. You're very perceptive. As for blindfolding you, why bother? You'll never escape from here. I've seen to that. As for your use of the Force, why block it? I want you to sense the true power of the Force when it's used by the dark side! I want you to feel the difference when you use the Force in your anger. And yes, Obi-Wan, I am that confident."
Obi-Wan kept studying him. "You do, of course, know that I'll use the Force to heal myself whenever possible."
Sidious smiled. "Of course. You will, however, reach the point where you will be beyond self-healing. And you'll only be prolonging the inevitable – prolonging Padme's suffering. The more you heal, the more she suffers."
Padme glared at him. "HE will not be causing the suffering! YOU will and VADER will, NOT him!"
Sidious looked at her like she was an insect. He really did hate her! I'm looking forward to seeing you when this is all over – an empty, hallow shell of a person. "We'll see if you still say that in a few days, my dear."
Sidious turned back to Obi-Wan. "So, my young apprentice, are you ready to begin?"
"Would it matter if I said 'no'?" Obi-Wan said as sarcastically as he could.
Sidious smiled. "Point taken. Again, you could avoid all of this if you'd just agree to be my apprentice now."
"No."
Sidious cackled. "Stubborn 'til the end, eh? Have it your way, Kenobi."
As if on cue, Darth Vader walked through the door…