Title: A New Order

Author: Jedikma

A/N: Thanks Sith Lord Darth Revan and SoloKenobi. :)

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Chapter 7

The hour was late, but Obi-Wan was still pacing in the living area of his quarters. After Siri's statements regarding a formal union, his mind was restless and he needed to focus. He couldn't deny that her arguments had merit, but there was something missing, something elusive that he just couldn't seem to see.

Meditation would definitely help. He needed answers on how to proceed in this situation. Obi-Wan settled into his most relaxed meditative posture and began to focus. His mind drifted back to the first year following the Clone Wars. The evening he and Siri moved their relationship to the level of bonded partners, without the formal ceremony, of course.

They were in his quarters going over mission reports. The reconstruction work never ended even though the Clone Wars had been over for nearly a year. He could count the days on his hands that he had actually seen Siri during that year.

She looked tired that night, even a little haunted. It occurred to Obi-Wan that it had been a long while since he had seen Siri smile a genuine happy smile.

She ran her hand through her hair and tucked it behind her ears. "It's getting late Obi-Wan, I need to get some rest. As you know, I have to be in front of the Council at 0700 and then off to Ansion."

A sadness washed over him then. Now that the code on attachment had changed he wanted to suggest to her that they spend time together of a more personal nature, but there wasn't even time to bring up the subject.

Preparing to leave, Siri moved towards the table where she had earlier put down her lightsaber next to Obi-Wan's. Impulsively, Obi-Wan reached over and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. She responded by putting her arms around him in return. For a few moments they just clung to each other.

Obi-Wan brushed her mind through the Force.

She pulled back from him just enough to look into his eyes. "What is it, Obi-Wan?"

He shook his head slightly as he returned her gaze. "I just want to spend more time with you Siri, but it appears that there is no such thing. We are already together every spare moment we're here at the Temple. Except…." He trailed off and diverted her direct look.

"Except what?" She prodded gently.

He once again looked directly into her eyes as color lightly accented his cheeks. "Except when we sleep. I know it may be too forward for me to suggest, Siri, and I'm not asking for anything more than you are willing to give. I just want to hold you through the night."

Siri laid her head on his shoulder and he knew she was considering the idea. "I would like that, too, Obi-Wan." She paused momentarily and he could sense her caution over the situation. "I have nothing to put on, though."

Obi-Wan smiled as his hand moved up and down her back. "If you don't mind one of my sleep shirts, you could certainly use one of them."

With their backs to each other, they put on their nightclothes and then slipped under the blankets of Obi-Wan's sleep couch. Wrapping their arms around each other they relaxed in the warmth of their shared body heat. Quiet talk lead to shared memories, soft laughter, sweet kisses, gentle caresses….

"Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan, wake up!"

Obi-Wan was vaguely aware that Siri was shaking him, but he felt so sluggish. "Siri?" he questioned as he tried to open his eyes. He heard a thump after he felt a presence roll away from his side, followed by an expletive, another thump and an "ouch!"

"You have to get up, Kenobi! I'm not the only one due in the Council room in forty-five minutes!" He could hear some panic in her voice.

As his eyes began to open and adjust to the brightness in the room he saw Siri standing over him trying to pull on her unisuit, her round breasts in full view. Obi-Wan felt a smile spread across his face. "I had the best dream last night," was all he could utter.

"If I was in it, Obi-Wan, it wasn't a dream. You have to wipe that silly grin off your face and get up!"

"Is 'up' the operative word here?"

"Oh! You crazy gundark! Get moving!"

"Ouch!" she exclaimed as she zipped up the front of her suit, catching her thumb in the teeth of the mechanism.

He rubbed his hand across his eyes and sighed. Siri was a blur of motion in the room. She ran out the sleep chamber door and snatched up something from the living area then she was back in the room mumbling, "boots", as she grabbed them and was out the door once more.

"Forty-two minutes!" The words trailed behind her as she left his quarters. He sensed her stumble down the hallway and onto the turbo lift. He also sensed a glow emanating from her aura.

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Obi-Wan walked into the Council room as nonchalantly as he felt he possibly could. He was only three minutes passed the hour. He bowed to the other Council members present and made his apologies for arriving late. He was grateful that only half the Council would be present.

"Difficult night for you, was it, Master Kenobi?" Yoda asked.

It was an odd question, Obi-Wan thought, but odder still was the glint he thought he saw in the aging Jedi Master's eye. "No Master, it wasn't difficult at all."

"Happy to hear it, I am. Not the only one having difficulty making it on time, you are. Not yet here is Master Tachi."

"I can't wait to hear what she comes up with for an excuse this time." Adi added as Obi-Wan took his Council seat.

Could they possibly know? Obi-Wan wondered as the doors swished open and in walked Siri with her young apprentice following her. She acted composed, but he could still feel a sense of rushed panic coming from her. That her hair was still damp underneath in back proved that she had not stopped moving from the time she left his apartment.

She was making an effort not to look directly at Obi-Wan.

"Ill, are you?" Yoda asked her.

"No, Master. I am perfectly well and ready to leave for Ansion."

"Late you are, concerned that you are not well for this mission, we were. Look tired, you do." Yoda said.

"Truthfully, I feel better than I have in a long while, Master. I slept well last night. Overslept, actually, which is the reason for my lack of punctuality." Siri answered.

"Good news, this is. Whatever helped you to sleep so well, you should do more often, perhaps."

Obi-Wan could sense Siri trying desperately to suppress giddy feelings that were arising from her memories of the night before and he could feel a charge between them. He, too, was trying to remain composed.

But there was another feeling that Obi-Wan was aware of rippling through the room. He could swear the other Council members were amused and the amusement intensified with Yoda's next question.

"Like Master Kenobi's lightsaber, do you?"

Obi-Wan felt the heat flush through Siri as he saw her cheeks burn bright red. "Master?" she questioned trying not to squeak out the word.

With his gimer stick, Yoda pointed to the lightsaber hanging from her belt. Master Kenobi's lightsaber you have, do you not?"

"Ah, yes," she said, as she cleared her throat. "I realized this morning that I had grabbed it by mistake."

"Perhaps Master Kenobi should escort you out. He can answer any questions you may have about the mission," Adi said.

Still feeling uneasy, Siri replied. "That won't be necessary, Master. He filled me in last night."

Obi-Wan groaned inwardly as he felt the ripple of amusement heighten. Ever since he had become a member of the Council he had come to realize that while the Council held a certain proper decorum when they had an outsider before them, when it was only the Council members present they could be as relaxed and witty as any other group of colleagues. They often shared many jokes and casual comments among themselves and today he had the feeling that he and Siri were going to be the subject of their conversation.

"I'm sure he did," Mace replied. "But you really should exchange lightsabers."

"Yes, Master," Siri said as she bowed and turned to leave the room.

Obi-Wan casually rose from his seat and followed her out of the chambers. Once outside he motioned to Siri to pause as he leaned towards the close doors. Siri instructed her apprentice to go on ahead and prepare the ship.

"So happy to provide the Council with today's entertainment, Obi-Wan," she said as she shook her blonde head when she heard laughter coming from the other side of the doors. "If I didn't know better, I would think they were expecting this."

Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows at her statement. "Well, they certainly weren't at all surprised."

"Why didn't we just openly broadcast it?" Siri started to walk to the turbo lift that would take her to the ship's docking bay.

Obi-Wan smiled as he followed her. "The strange thing is, I sensed they are actually happy for us."

"I don't like the feeling of not being composed," she replied.

"The newness of this will wear off and we will settle into it." He assured her.

"Yes, I'm sure that is true." Siri gave him a knowing grin as she unhooked his lightsaber from her belt. "At least I don't have to go back into that room today."

Obi-Wan unhooked her lightsaber from his belt and they traded weapons. "You're the lucky one."

"May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan," she said as she hooked her lightsaber on her belt and stepped into the lift.

"May the Force be with you, Siri," he retuned, as she disappeared behind the turbo lift doors.

For years Siri had taken a piece of his heart with her every time she left, but this time was different. This time she took a piece of his heart and left behind promise.

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Nearly five weeks passed before he saw Siri again. He arrived late one night to the Temple after a short mission of his own to find her waiting for him in his quarters. She was resting on his couch when he entered the room and pleasant happiness washed over him.

"Siri?" he questioned as he removed his backpack.

Siri's eyes opened and she smiled excitedly. "Obi-Wan! Finally you're back."

"It's nice to be missed."

"Obi-Wan, do you notice anything different about me?" she asked as she stood up in front of him.

The question took him by surprise. It wasn't like Siri to demand he pay attention to the details of her person. Or was this something that came along with their new relationship? He had to think carefully as to how to answer her question.

"Remember, your eyes can deceive you. Stretch out with your feelings." She instructed.

He did so and as soon as he did he detected another presence in the room. It was the tiniest little spark that was originating from her. He was completely stunned and speechless.

"Can you believe it, Obi-Wan? Can you believe that we could get pregnant so easily and at our age? We're both almost forty, for Force sake! Clearly, this is the will of the Force." Her excitement blended with her happiness and then Obi-Wan noticed her smile. It was the genuine happy smile that he hadn't seen in so long and it was a blessing to see now.

He took her in his arms and held her tight. "This is wonderful news, Siri."