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Obi-Wan and Padme made their way across the Tatooine sand towards their hut. Obi-Wan had parked their cruiser in a small cave somewhat nearby the hut. Obi-Wan had been careful to be sure they weren't spotted. He didn't want to take any chances of the cruiser being spotted by anyone who might happen to be in the area. If they needed to get off-planet in a hurry, that cruiser was their only hope.

Padme wiped sweat off her forehead with her sleeve. "Obi-Wan, how in the world can you stand to have that cloak on?"

Obi-Wan gave Pame a wry look. "If I take it off, it'll be just another thing to carry." As it was, his arms were completely full of luggage and boxes.

Padme shifted her own load. "I sure wish you could work your assembly line magic here."

"Believe me, so do I. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to keep my use of the Force to a minimum. We can't chance having Vader or the Emperor in the area and feeling my presence."

Padme again maneuvered the items in her arms so she could wipe her forehead. She noticed that Obi-Wan was trying to blink back the sweat dripping into his eyes. "Obi, wait." She put down the luggage in her arms and wiped his face with her sleeve.

Obi-Wan grinned at her from behind his load. "Thank you!"

"Your welcome." Padme picked her items back up. "You're carrying too much AND you should have taken off that blasted cloak!" She resumed her trek through the sand.

"I want to make as few of these trips as I possibly can. And I'll take off the 'blasted cloak' when we get to the hut." Obi-Wan threw her a mock-exasperated look. "Mother."

Padme shot daggers at Obi-Wan with her eyes. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, if my arms weren't full, I'd smack you!"

Obi-Wan gave her a rakish smile. "I know."

Finally, they arrived at the quaint little hut. Obi-Wan stooped to unload his arms near the door. He opened the door for Padme to enter. Obi-Wan took off his cloak and shook it out before following her in. "Well, home sweet home. Like I said, it isn't much." Obi-Wan looked around. "And now that I see it again, I find it rather…"

"Perfect." Padme looked at him with a smile.

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "The word I was going to use was 'pathetic.'

"Oh, no it's not! Obi, I love it!" Padme put her arms around his waist and kissed him. "We'll be here together. That'll make it perfect."

Obi-Wan didn't look convinced. He was still surveying the small living area. "I'll extend this room out for you."

"Obi, you don't have to. Really."

Obi-Wan nodded his head. "Yes, I do. I want to make this more of a real home for you." He put his finger on her mouth before she could protest. "I know, I know, all you need is me to make it home." He smiled at her. "But humor me on this, okay?"

"Okay." Padme gave Obi-Wan another kiss. "Well, I'm going to go splash some cold water on my face and then we can go get another load."

"Why don't you stay and start unpacking, I'll go get the rest of the stuff." Obi-Wan started to head out the door.

"No, I'm coming with you. If we both go, then one more trip should do it. I'm not going to make you have to go back out there twice. Just give me a minute." Padme headed off to where she assumed was the fresher.

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A while later, Obi-Wan and Padme were unpacking their things. Obi-Wan looked up from his work. "Are you sure you want to do this right now? We can always go into town tomorrow."

"Yes, I'm sure. I don't want to wait." Padme threw him a box. "If we're going to go into town, we'll need to don our disguises." Padme laughed at the look Obi-Wan threw her. "You have to admit, Bail thought of everything."

"Yes, he did. But you're the lucky one. All you have to do is put on a wig." Obi-Wan looked at the box in his hand with disgust. "I have to put this gunk in my hair."

Padme laughed. "Obi, it's only hair color. At least Bail got you the kind that washes out!" Obi-Wan didn't look any happier.

Padme went over and put her hands on his shoulders. "Your natural color would be like a neon sign to anyone looking for you. There aren't many men with strawberry-blond hair." She stepped back and studied him. "Which, by the way, I appreciate. I love the color of your hair. It's so uniquely you."

"Hmmph. I guess I should go color my uniqueness, then." Obi-Wan started towards the fresher, holding the box of hair color as if it held the plague.

Padme watched him with open amusement. She followed him into the fresher. "Before you do that, we should cut your hair."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Padme grinned at him. "Yes, actually, I am! Now, be a good boy and cooperate. Why don't you take your tunic off? Otherwise, it's just going to get covered with hair and stained by the hair color."

Obi-Wan obliged and sat down for her to cut his hair. He tried to be patient as he watched more and more of his hair fall to the floor. I sure hope she knows what she's doing!

Padme stood back. "There! All done." She reached for a towel and wiped the hair off his chest and back.

Obi-Wan cautiously went to the mirror. He let out a sigh of relief. His hair was short, to be sure, though not as short as it was when he was a padawan. "You actually did a pretty good job."

"Thanks," Padme replied dryly. She looked at his reflection in the mirror. "You do realize that the beard is going to have to go, as well."

Obi-Wan spoke softly. "Yes, I know." He was reluctant to shave it off. It felt to him like the last vestige of a former life, one he still wanted to hold on to.

Padme wrapped her arms around him from behind. She rested her cheek on his shoulder as she spoke quietly. "That beard is not what makes you a Jedi."

Obi-Wan gazed at her in mild surprise. She had known what he was thinking.

Padme moved her hand so that it was covering his heart. "THIS is what makes you a Jedi. Your heart and your soul. Take away all the trappings, take away the Temple, take EVERYTHING else away, and you are still a Jedi – now and forever."

Obi-Wan interlaced his fingers with Padme's and pulled her even closer. He rested his head atop hers. "I love you."

Padme smiled at him in the mirror. "I love you, too." She felt so completely at home at that moment. She was more convinced then ever that she wanted to do this today. She hated to pull away from him, but she wanted to hurry up and get going. Padme kissed Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Let me know when you're done shaving. I want to see you before you color your hair."

Obi-Wan sighed. "Alright."

When Obi-Wan reemerged from the fresher a while later, Padme openly gaped as he came towards her. "Wow." It was all she could think to say. She felt transported back to the time when she first met him. He looked very much the same as he had then. The smooth youthful face was more rugged now. There were now worry lines around his eyes and his mouth. His face now spoke of wisdom and experience. Padme found this Obi-Wan to be far more handsome than the one who entered her life eighteen years before.

Padme smiled at him. "Obi-Wan Kenobi, you are the most handsome man I've ever seen."

Obi-Wan turned pink. "Oh, Padme, no I'm not!"

"Oh, yes you are!" Padme went up to him and put her hands on his now-smooth face. She shook her head as her finger traced the cleft in his chin. "Why in the world would you want to cover such a handsome face with hair?"

Obi-Wan laughed. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me." He noticed Padme raise her eyebrow at that. "But that's a story for another time."

Padme hooked her arms around Obi-Wan's waist. "Obi, will you do me a big favor?"

Obi-Wan gave her a lopsided grin. "Maybe."

Padme flashed him her most beguiling smile. "Will you stay clean-shaven for me?" Before he could answer, she pulled him into a long, passionate kiss. When they pulled apart for air, Padme rested her cheek against his. She whispered in his ear, "It sure makes kissing a lot more enjoyable."

Obi-Wan pulled back to look at Padme. He was grinning from ear to ear. "You sure know how to get what you want!"

Padme looked at him innocently. "Is that a yes?"

"Yes, that's a yes."

Padme grinned. "Good. Now go color your hair!"

Obi-Wan bowed to her. "Yes, Milady."

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Obi-Wan and Padme walked into the nearest town later that afternoon. It was quite a long hike from their hut. Obi-Wan had refused to even consider taking the cruiser. It would have brought them unwanted attention. He glanced at Padme walking beside him. They were both dressed in the simple white (cooler) garments of the natives. Padme had on her straight, shoulder-length blond wig. Obi-Wan's hair was colored black.

Obi-Wan spoke to her quietly. "Let's visit the clerk's office first. After that, we'll split up. We shouldn't spend too much time together here in town. I'm sure the Emperor knows that we're still together."

Padme nodded her head. She certainly didn't want to underestimate the Emperor. But she wasn't going to let him keep her from this, either.

They walked into the clerk's small office. An Alconian male sat at the desk. He looked up from his work. "May we help you?"

Obi-Wan took Padme's hand in his. "Yes, we'd like to get married."