Thank you to myrecent reviewers: Jedi Keliam Kenobi, Aiska Kenobi, sassy-satine,xInuyashaxAngelx,happy-me-111 and SoloKenobi. You guys are awesome! (If I forgot anyone, please forgive me!)
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Sidious paced his office. There was still no sign of Obi-Wan anywhere! It's been a year! Where can he be? Not one bounty hunter had been able to find even a clue as to Obi-Wan's whereabouts. When Obi-Wan had first escaped, Sidious had been so sure that he would be found quickly. Now, he was…discouraged.
The search for Obi-Wan was consuming him. He thought of little else anymore. Even the reports coming in from Vader about Outer Rim planets coming under their control were only given a cursory glance. Since when is more power and more control not enough for a Sith? Sidious plopped himself into his chair. Since Obi-Wan.
Sidious had gone over the memories he'd taken from Obi-Wan's mind time and time again. He knew every action, every thought, every nuance by heart. It almost felt like he'd been with Obi-Wan when each memory was made. He felt a huge amount of pride in Obi-Wan's accomplishments. Strange really, considering that those accomplishments were diametrically opposed to his own. Even now, knowing that Obi-Wan had eluded him for an entire year he was impressed.
Obi-Wan's accomplishments and qualities were catalogued in Sidious' mind. In opposition, was the catalogue of Vader's failings and weaknesses. He knew he wasn't exactly being fair to Vader, but he didn't care. I am a Sith, after all. Although I haven't been acting like one where Obi-Wan is concerned, I still am where everything else is concerned. He had used Vader for his own ends and now he was ready to be rid of him. Of course, he couldn't be rid of him until he had a replacement!
Sidious also had no illusions about Vader's loyalty. He knew that Vader was probably searching for Obi-Wan, despite his warning. After Padme's little parting gift, he had no doubt that Vader wanted Obi-Wan dead. That made it even more imperative that he find Obi-Wan first. I won't let Vader get to him first!
Sidious stood and gazed out his window. Maybe he'd been going about his search for Obi-Wan the wrong way. Thanks to his mind probes, he knew Obi-Wan very well. He knew his thought processes, how he operates. If he could just put himself in Obi-Wan's shoes, maybe he could make an educated guess as to where he was hiding. Now, if I were Obi-Wan, where would I choose to hide?
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Darth Vader was looking at another readout from one of his probe droids. Still no sign of Obi-Wan anywhere. Vader threw the datapad across the room. I've been out here for almost a year and nothing! He and his master were in a race (unbeknownst to said master) over who could find Obi-Wan first.
Overseeing this tedious mission was starting to get to him. Having to do a backhanded search for Obi-Wan was also starting to get to him. But he wasn't ready to openly defy his master…yet. Obi-Wan probably isn't even out here in the Outer Rim, and I'm wasting my time!
Vader flopped down into his chair. He was still trying to figure out how his master could possibly prefer Obi-Wan over him. Vader kept a running catalogue of all of Obi-Wan's weaknesses and failings. When compared to MY accomplishments and strengths, the choice should be obvious!
Vader drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. He felt like a caged animal. He was stuck on this stupid mission when he should be on a no-holds-barred search for Obi-Wan. But, he would try to be patient. Obi-Wan's time would come…
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Padme brought the small cake into the living area. "Can you believe we've been married a year?"
Obi-Wan looked up at her from his perch on the sofa. "No, I can't. It seems like it was yesterday. And yet, at the same time, it feels like we've been together for years."
Padme sat down next to him, an ironic smile on her face. "That's exactly how it feels to me." She took his hand in hers and gave him a kiss. "Happy anniversary."
"Happy anniversary." Obi-Wan smiled warmly at Padme as she snuggled up beside him. He looked at the many holopics on display around the room. There were a few pictures of Luke, a few of Padme that he'd taken, a few of him and Padme together, one even of a beautiful sunset; but most noticeable of all, were the many pictures of him. There was a picture of him meditating outside, one of him working on a kata with his lightsaber, one of him lost in thought, one of him reading – many candid shots. She liked to sneak attack. Obi-Wan shook his head. That wasn't even all of them! There were more in their bedroom and throughout the hut.
"What?" Padme turned to look him in the eye.
Obi-Wan gestured around the room. "Don't you think you have enough pictures of me on display? My face is everywhere!"
"I know. You're my favorite decoration."
"I think we should have more pictures of you on display."
Padme gave him a big smile. "It's my camera. And thus, I get to choose the subject!"
"Ah, so that's what I am to you – a subject for your camera."
Padme waggled her eyebrows. "Among other things." She leaned in for a kiss, then settled against him again.
"Well," Obi-Wan said expectantly.
"Well, what?"
"Are we actually going to eat the cake, or just sit here and look at it?"
"Oh!" Padme laughed as she went back into the kitchen for plates, forks and a knife. "That was the general idea."
As Padme got the dishes, Obi-Wan went and got a box he'd hidden under their bed. He returned to the sofa and handed her the box. "I saw this the last time I was in town. I knew I had to get it for you."
Padme excitedly opened the box. Her hand went to her mouth as she saw what was inside. "Oh, Obi…" She pulled the small painting out of the box to get a better look at it. It was Theed. It beautifully captured Naboo's capital city and its surrounding waterfalls.
"I highly doubt I'll ever be able to take you home again. But when I saw this painting, I thought that I could at least bring a bit of home to you."
Unshed tears glistened in Padme's eyes. "This is the most wonderful present I've ever received." She threw herself into her husband's arms. "Thank you. I shall treasure it."
Wiping her eyes, she pulled away from Obi-Wan. "Considering you won't let me go into town," she said with a small smile, "I couldn't exactly buy you a gift. However,…" Padme went and got a durasheet from a drawer in the kitchen. "I do have something for you." She handed him the durasheet. "It's…it's nothing major, but it's from the heart."
Obi-Wan sat back and started to read.
I once thought I knew what love was. But I had only a cursory glimpse, a fleeting child-like look. I was caught in a river's tide, swept downstream. I felt the rush of wind in my face and reveled in my daring. My eyes closed in rapture and I didn't see the rocks. Over my giggling, I didn't hear the roar of the upcoming rapids...
Battered and worn, I crawled onto the riverbank. Is this love? A fleeting pleasure that ends in despair and pain? Unpredictable and dangerous?
Then came you. I'm floating on calm water. I'm secure. I'm lulled to sleep by the soft lapping of the surface. The sun is on my face and I take joy in its warmth. I swim in its depths, exploring its beauty. It's unchanging, yet never boring. It's a source of refreshment, life, peace and joy. It's wonderful here, and I know I never want to leave.
Now I understand. Love isn't a river. Love is a beautiful lake. Like my favorite lake on Naboo. YOU taught me what love truly is.
Obi-Wan just sat there a moment, blinking. He looked over at Padme, who was wringing her hands nervously. "Hon, it's beautiful!" He heard her let out a sigh of relief. "It's…Thank you so much. This is the best present I'VE ever received." He cupped her cheek with his hand and kissed her gently.
Padme pulled him into a hug, not wanting to let go. But then she glanced down at the table and chuckled. "That cake is going to dry out before we get around to eating it!"
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Padme listened to Obi-Wan's steady breathing. She wasn't able to get to sleep, but she was glad that he seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He was still hit with visions and horrible nightmares once in while. At least they were coming less frequently now. She knew that it wasn't just grief and trauma that brought those visions and nightmares, it was also guilt. She wished that he would just let go of the guilt!
Thinking back on the past year, Padme couldn't help but compare it to the first year of her marriage to Anakin. Of course, the circumstances were vastly different. But she wasn't really comparing the circumstances or even the men (though they were completely different). She was comparing how she felt after that first year of marriage to Anakin versus how she was feeling now. The difference was stark.
After one year with Anakin, she had already started getting some warning signals about his behavior. But she had ignored them or pushed them aside. His immaturity and possessiveness would ease with time, or so she had thought. The love she had felt for Anakin had been intermixed with worry, uncertainty and frustration. It had gone downhill from there.
Now here she and Obi-Wan were, hiding for their lives in a desert wasteland, and she'd never been happier. As far as their relationship was concerned, there was no worry, no uncertainty and no frustration. All she felt was security, faith and peace in his love. The wonder of this love was what prompted her to write that poem. It truly did speak all that was in her heart.
As Padme studied her husband's profile in the moonlight, her heart was gripped with the fear of losing him. She knew now that she wouldn't have to worry about him dying before her, but what if the Emperor found him again? What if he took Obi-Wan away from her for good? Padme tried to shake off her fear. Yoda seemed certain that Obi-Wan's future was here.The Force was wanting Obi-Wan to train Luke when the time came.She would have to try and be secure in the will of the Force. I will not let fear rob me of my joy!
