Chapter Four
"Melody," Élan said as the two Padawans dressed to go to the nightclubs with Salene and Siri. "You never told me what happened with the Council today. You were upset afterward; did you get in trouble again?"
"I was told to meditate," Melody explained as she ran a brush through her long burgundy colored hair.
"What did you do this time Melody?" Élan asked running a brush through her own silver hair.
"I'm not allowed to tell anyone, but I can say I had a slight disagreement with them."
"A disagreement? You mean you argued with them again. Since you came back from visiting your family two years ago you have disagreed with them frequently. You can't win by disputing the authority of the Jedi Masters. They will eventually send you to Agri-corps."
"Élan, please don't lecture me. You sound like my Master. I have my reasons for opposing their decisions. Someday you'll learn that they're not always right. They are not without their own flaws. Believe me they make plenty of mistakes and I for one refuse to ignore their errors, especially when their miscalculations affect my life and the lives of my friends," Melody informed Élan. She realized the young girl would not understand what she was talking about because she had not yet faced similar situations. Hopefully Élan would never have to cope with comparable problems.
Before she could say anything else the door chimed announcing a visitor. The girl stared at Melody for a moment before she disappeared into the entryway.
Salene stood in the hallway, her Jedi robe pulled close around her to hide her civilian clothing. She hoped to prevent any Masters or Knights from asking why she was not wearing her Jedi tunics. "Hello, are you guys ready yet?" the older girl asked as she walked through the door.
"I'm almost ready," Melody replied as she sat down on the couch to pull on her blue high-heeled boots. "Where's Siri?"
"She's running late as usual. She was still getting ready when I left and she said she would meet us there. I guess it's just us three tonight."
"She's Padawan to a Council Member, you'd think that she'd have more honesty and not make up stupid excuses for her behavior," Élan grumbled.
"She's run out of excuses this time," Salene commented. "She's not seeing Obi-Wan anymore, so she can' use him as an excuse; her Master's away from the Temple and she has no tests to study for, because Melody would also have to study for the same tests."
Melody looked down at her still bare feet at the mention of Obi-Wan's name. She had a feeling that something terrible was going to happen to him and there was no way she could prevent it. She hoped that going out tonight would prove to be a much-needed distraction. She shrugged as though to ward off her uneasy feelings, slid her boots on and said, "Well, come on let's go."
************************
Obi-Wan rang the announcer for several minutes after looking everywhere in the Temple for Melody. He walked slowly down the corridor away from her apartment after checking it for the second time and in addition to checking the crèche. He didn't know where else to look for her.
He walked toward the lift tube a dejected droop to his shoulders wondering what he had done wrong. If she didn't want to date him or have any kind of relationship with him other than as a friend this he could understand, but the way she was avoiding him was unnerving. He didn't understand why she was so upset.
A few feet from the lift tube, the doors slid open and his friend Garen Muln stepped out. Garen and his Master also had an apartment in this section of the Temple. "Obi-Wan," he greeted, "Are you looking for me?"
"Actually, I was looking for Melody. I just learned that I have to leave tomorrow morning on a mission and I wanted to talk to her before I leave," Obi-Wan told him. He observed that his friend's eyes had widened at the mention of his leaving the Temple.
"She's not in her apartment," Garin informed him.
"Garen, you know where she is don't you?" Obi-Wan asked sensing his friend's reluctance to discuss Melody's location.
"Obi-Wan, she's busy tonight," Garen sighed, hoping to avert any more inquiries.
"Please, I need to talk to her before I leave tomorrow morning," Obi-Wan beseeched.
"They're really sending you on a mission?" Garen asked.
"Yes, is there something wrong? I've gone on missions before. Why are you so surprised?"
"I... I just thought you and your Master might actually stay at the Temple for more than a day or two this time," Garen replied. "It seems like we're never here at the same time anymore."
"I returned a week ago, besides this mission won't take long."
"I just got back from my last mission three days ago Obi-Wan, we've barely had time to talk and now you're leaving again."
"I know," Obi-Wan looked down at his feet, "I don't want to leave right now but this mission is a priority. And it's very important that I speak with Melody before I go. I have a feeling that you don't want me to see her though. Is that true?"
"Obi-Wan, I don't know where she is. All I know is that she went out with Salene, Siri, and Élan. She didn't tell me where and since I don't go out with her anymore she doesn't tell me where she goes."
"Garen, you must have an idea. Where do they normally go?"
"Obi-Wan, Salene is constantly going to new places. The few times that I went with them we went to different places each time. I'd love to help you but I can't. Since you said your mission won't take too long, you could wait until you get back to talk to her."
Obi-Wan sighed and ran a hand through his spiky hair, "Melody and Élan are leaving to go to Ursa Prime soon. By the time I come back she probably will have already left. I just don't want to leave knowing that she hates me without knowing why."
"She doesn't hate you," Garen assured him looking down at his feet. "I talked to her earlier. She's worried about something but it's really nothing that you should be concerned about."
"Then why is she avoiding me? What's she worried about?" Obi-Wan demanded.
"I can't risk her getting into more trouble by telling you what I'm not supposed to know. She will have to tell you herself."
"Did she tell Bant where she was going?"
"Bant didn't have any plans to go out. She would have told me if she did. She's like you. She doesn't like the clubs, and so I doubt that Melody told her."
"I have to try to find her. I have to see if Bant knows where she is or maybe I can try to contact Siri through her comlink," Obi-Wan explained as he started to walk away.
"Siri? I overheard her telling Bant that she's afraid that you're interested in Melody. You've been overly concerned with her recently and ignoring Siri."
"I don't care what she thinks. I don't know why but I can't leave without talking to Melody," Obi-Wan said, quickly walking away from Garen to enter the lift tube.
*******************
Obi-Wan hurried through the Temple corridors on his way to find Bant. As he exited the lift tube on her floor, he nearly collided with Siri Tachi who was about to enter the lift.
"Obi-Wan," Siri smiled. "Were you looking for me or Bant?"
"Both actually," Obi-Wan told her.
"Bant went swimming in the Room of A Thousand Fountains and I'm just leaving," Siri told him.
Obi-Wan quickly stepped back into the lift tube before the doors closed. "Where are you going?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I'm going dancing with my friends. We're celebrating Élan's birthday."
"Melody will be there won't she?" Obi-Wan asked quickly.
"Yes, why is something wrong?"
"I'm leaving on a mission tomorrow and I need to talk to her before I leave."
"Is this about your thinking that she's avoiding you?" Siri asked.
"Partly," he said running his hand through his hair. "Will you please tell me where she is?"
"Why don't you come with me? I just spoke with Salene and she said that they left a few minutes ago so they shouldn't be too far ahead of us."
"All right, let's go."
"Aren't you going to change first?" Siri questioned.
"No, I'm not going to stay long. I just want to talk to Melody."
Obi-Wan had gone to the clubs once with Siri and her friends. He didn't like it. He thought it was a waste of time unless you liked to dance or drink and he didn't. Siri was not a very good dancer, so they had just sat at a table and watched Melody and Salene dance. The two girls had obviously had a lot of fun. Some men had even asked them to dance. Obi-Wan felt very uncomfortable when Melody had danced with the strangers. At first he thought that he was just worried for her safety. He now realized that he might have been jealous even though he was dating Siri at the time.
"Melody, Salene, and Élan are only a few minutes ahead of us. They are probably still waiting outside the Polantas Night Club. There are always the longest lines to get in, but it has the best dance floor according to Salene," Siri explained as they walked out of the turbo lift near the rear exit of the Temple.
*********************
Obi-Wan helped Siri out and paid the pilot of the speeder. The street was full of beings of nearly every shape, size and species; some that he had never seen before. Everyone was going in or coming out of the clubs that lined the street. The largest collection of people was gathered outside of the Polantas club waiting impatiently to go inside.
Obi-Wan and Siri hurried in the club's direction scanning the crowd of people at the back of the line. He did not see any sign of Melody or the others. He wondered if Siri was wrong and they were already inside.
"The line to get in is longer than usual tonight," Siri observed.
"Siri," Élan's voice called from behind them. Both Obi-Wan and Siri looked behind them to see Élan weaving in and out of the crowd as she walked toward them. "Hi Obi-Wan, I didn't know you were coming. We decided to go to the Blaze Club instead. There aren't any lines and it's much less crowded inside."
"That's good," Siri remarked.
"Where's Melody?" Obi-Wan asked not seeing her.
"She and Salene are inside. I offered to wait out here for Siri," Élan explained. "I'm glad you're here Obi-Wan; we're celebrating my birthday."
"Happy birthday Élan. Does your Master know that you're here?" he asked with a grin. The question was an on-going joke between the two of them since the day he had discovered her sitting on the side of a pond in the Room of a Thousand Fountains when she should have been asleep in her quarters.
"Does your Master know you're here?" she asked putting her hands on her hips. She tried to sustain a stern look, but she couldn't stop the smile that crossed her lips.
"One day you guys will have to tell me what's so funny about that," Siri commented. She slipped her Jedi robe off and folded it over her arm as they turned in the direction of the other club determined to have a fun evening, all but one.
****************************
"Hurgni, looks like we don't have to create a false distress call to get a Jedi after all." The tall humanoid with orange scales, red eyes and pointed teeth commented as he watched the Jedi Padawan and two human females enter one of the nightclubs.
"He's only a student but he'll do," the shorter man agreed.
"It'll make our job a little easier too. The Jedi Council will not abandon the student. They'll negotiate for his release," Hurgni replied with a sly grin.
"Did you bring your Force inhibitor darts Hurnlux?" Hurgni asked.
"Yes, this'll be easy. The Jedi kid won't know what's happening until it's too late."
*******************
The music was loud and multi-colored lights flashed from overhead. Melody smiled at Salene as they danced to the exotic beat of the unfamiliar song played by the band. She had thought going out would help relieve her distress over Obi-Wan, but so far it wasn't helping.
"Melody that Corellian who kept asking you out last time is here. He's on his way over," Salene nodded her head in the tall man's direction.
Melody turned to look at the man as he walked up to her. He had introduced himself as Lex, the last time they met. "My dear, it's nice to see you again," the Corellian intoned.
"Hello Lex," Melody grinned politely and glanced toward Salene. But her friend had walked off the dance floor and was talking to someone else. She assumed it was Siri and Élan, although she could not see anyone she recognized in the crowd of people near the entrance.
"Would you care to dance?" Lex asked his voice already beginning to slur from the alcoholic beverages that he had overindulged himself with.
"Lex, my boyfriend is meeting me here. I tell you the same thing every time," she reminded him.
"I don't believe you. I've never seen him."
"That's because you're usually too drunk to see by the time I get here," said a soft voice with a decided lilt. Melody stiffened as she felt the warmth of his body against her back. His warm hands dropped on her shoulders possessively. "Sorry I'm late, I didn't mean to keep you waiting," Obi-Wan apologized.
"You...you never said your boyfriend was a Jedi," Lex stammered.
"You didn't believe that I had a boyfriend," Melody smiled slightly at the frightened expression on the man's face. He quickly turned and almost ran toward the bar. As Melody watched him hurry away, she suddenly realized that Obi-Wan's hands still rested protectively on her shoulders. She enjoyed the feelings his large arms invoked. Without warning her vision took precedence over her thoughts and she pushed his arms away turning to glare at him.
"Melody, do you..."
"Obi-Wan, thank you for helping me," she interrupted. "I need to..."
"NO, you're not going to run away from me again. I need to talk to you," retorted Obi-Wan as he grabbed her arm to prevent her from leaving. "I'm not going to leave your side until you talk to me."
"Let go, I need to get a drink and you need to get back to the Temple and rest before your mission tomorrow."
"What do you know about my mission?" he demanded as she turned her head to avoid looking up into his eyes. She did not want to see his lifeless staring up at her again.
"It doesn't matter what I know. You shouldn't be here."
"Neither should you," Obi-Wan told her. "I only need to talk to you for a few minutes and then I'll leave you alone, I promise."
Melody looked up into his blue eyes. She could see the frustration and concern that he tried to hide. His eyes, however, were full of life, unlike her vision. "It'll be quieter and easier to talk outside the club," she relented.
Obi-Wan strode toward the entrance holding her hand. He led her through the crowded dance floor and past the dining tables to the door. Melody glanced back at the table where her friends sat waiting for them. Siri frowned as they walked by while Salene smiled at her and winked. Salene and Bant were the only ones who knew of Melody's feelings for Obi-Wan. Élan just watched them with no expression evident on her face.
************************
Obi-Wan led Melody to a semi private location at the side of the building. It was the start of a narrow alleyway that was littered with garbage and the remains of old speeders. He was relieved that she had not argued further with him when he told her he wanted to talk.
"What is so important you would risk getting into trouble with your Master to talk to me here?" she questioned with a quick glance around her.
"Us," he answered running a hand through his hair. "You have been avoiding me ever since you beat me in the duel last week. I want to know if you're ignoring me because of the duel."
"No, of course not. I was..." Melody suddenly whirled around as Obi-Wan too sensed danger in the Force. Melody's hand instinctively dropped to pull her hidden lightsaber from her skirts as Obi-Wan felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. Then suddenly the warning through the Force stopped.
Beside him Melody let out a gasp and moved her hand to the back of her neck. "Melody," Obi-Wan said as he began to feel sick to his stomach. His head throbbed as Melody's beautiful face began to lose focus and he acknowledged to himself he had been drugged.
"Obi-Wan, I don't feel... good. Every... thing is spinning," Melody told him. He noticed that she swayed slightly, or perhaps it was just his vision that made her appear to sway. Suddenly someone grabbed him from behind. The last thing he remembered hearing before he lost consciousness was the clang of Melody's lightsaber hitting the ground.
*******************
"The boss will be pleased," Hurnlux grinned as he picked up the weapon that had fallen from the female's hand.
"Yes, two Jedi hostages are much better. I'm just glad that she took out her weapon," Hurgni nodded toward the lightsaber in his friend's hand, "before we got too close to them. I would have hated to lose a limb."
"True, very true," the other agreed as he drug the unconscious male Jedi down the narrow alley.
To Be continued....
"Melody," Élan said as the two Padawans dressed to go to the nightclubs with Salene and Siri. "You never told me what happened with the Council today. You were upset afterward; did you get in trouble again?"
"I was told to meditate," Melody explained as she ran a brush through her long burgundy colored hair.
"What did you do this time Melody?" Élan asked running a brush through her own silver hair.
"I'm not allowed to tell anyone, but I can say I had a slight disagreement with them."
"A disagreement? You mean you argued with them again. Since you came back from visiting your family two years ago you have disagreed with them frequently. You can't win by disputing the authority of the Jedi Masters. They will eventually send you to Agri-corps."
"Élan, please don't lecture me. You sound like my Master. I have my reasons for opposing their decisions. Someday you'll learn that they're not always right. They are not without their own flaws. Believe me they make plenty of mistakes and I for one refuse to ignore their errors, especially when their miscalculations affect my life and the lives of my friends," Melody informed Élan. She realized the young girl would not understand what she was talking about because she had not yet faced similar situations. Hopefully Élan would never have to cope with comparable problems.
Before she could say anything else the door chimed announcing a visitor. The girl stared at Melody for a moment before she disappeared into the entryway.
Salene stood in the hallway, her Jedi robe pulled close around her to hide her civilian clothing. She hoped to prevent any Masters or Knights from asking why she was not wearing her Jedi tunics. "Hello, are you guys ready yet?" the older girl asked as she walked through the door.
"I'm almost ready," Melody replied as she sat down on the couch to pull on her blue high-heeled boots. "Where's Siri?"
"She's running late as usual. She was still getting ready when I left and she said she would meet us there. I guess it's just us three tonight."
"She's Padawan to a Council Member, you'd think that she'd have more honesty and not make up stupid excuses for her behavior," Élan grumbled.
"She's run out of excuses this time," Salene commented. "She's not seeing Obi-Wan anymore, so she can' use him as an excuse; her Master's away from the Temple and she has no tests to study for, because Melody would also have to study for the same tests."
Melody looked down at her still bare feet at the mention of Obi-Wan's name. She had a feeling that something terrible was going to happen to him and there was no way she could prevent it. She hoped that going out tonight would prove to be a much-needed distraction. She shrugged as though to ward off her uneasy feelings, slid her boots on and said, "Well, come on let's go."
************************
Obi-Wan rang the announcer for several minutes after looking everywhere in the Temple for Melody. He walked slowly down the corridor away from her apartment after checking it for the second time and in addition to checking the crèche. He didn't know where else to look for her.
He walked toward the lift tube a dejected droop to his shoulders wondering what he had done wrong. If she didn't want to date him or have any kind of relationship with him other than as a friend this he could understand, but the way she was avoiding him was unnerving. He didn't understand why she was so upset.
A few feet from the lift tube, the doors slid open and his friend Garen Muln stepped out. Garen and his Master also had an apartment in this section of the Temple. "Obi-Wan," he greeted, "Are you looking for me?"
"Actually, I was looking for Melody. I just learned that I have to leave tomorrow morning on a mission and I wanted to talk to her before I leave," Obi-Wan told him. He observed that his friend's eyes had widened at the mention of his leaving the Temple.
"She's not in her apartment," Garin informed him.
"Garen, you know where she is don't you?" Obi-Wan asked sensing his friend's reluctance to discuss Melody's location.
"Obi-Wan, she's busy tonight," Garen sighed, hoping to avert any more inquiries.
"Please, I need to talk to her before I leave tomorrow morning," Obi-Wan beseeched.
"They're really sending you on a mission?" Garen asked.
"Yes, is there something wrong? I've gone on missions before. Why are you so surprised?"
"I... I just thought you and your Master might actually stay at the Temple for more than a day or two this time," Garen replied. "It seems like we're never here at the same time anymore."
"I returned a week ago, besides this mission won't take long."
"I just got back from my last mission three days ago Obi-Wan, we've barely had time to talk and now you're leaving again."
"I know," Obi-Wan looked down at his feet, "I don't want to leave right now but this mission is a priority. And it's very important that I speak with Melody before I go. I have a feeling that you don't want me to see her though. Is that true?"
"Obi-Wan, I don't know where she is. All I know is that she went out with Salene, Siri, and Élan. She didn't tell me where and since I don't go out with her anymore she doesn't tell me where she goes."
"Garen, you must have an idea. Where do they normally go?"
"Obi-Wan, Salene is constantly going to new places. The few times that I went with them we went to different places each time. I'd love to help you but I can't. Since you said your mission won't take too long, you could wait until you get back to talk to her."
Obi-Wan sighed and ran a hand through his spiky hair, "Melody and Élan are leaving to go to Ursa Prime soon. By the time I come back she probably will have already left. I just don't want to leave knowing that she hates me without knowing why."
"She doesn't hate you," Garen assured him looking down at his feet. "I talked to her earlier. She's worried about something but it's really nothing that you should be concerned about."
"Then why is she avoiding me? What's she worried about?" Obi-Wan demanded.
"I can't risk her getting into more trouble by telling you what I'm not supposed to know. She will have to tell you herself."
"Did she tell Bant where she was going?"
"Bant didn't have any plans to go out. She would have told me if she did. She's like you. She doesn't like the clubs, and so I doubt that Melody told her."
"I have to try to find her. I have to see if Bant knows where she is or maybe I can try to contact Siri through her comlink," Obi-Wan explained as he started to walk away.
"Siri? I overheard her telling Bant that she's afraid that you're interested in Melody. You've been overly concerned with her recently and ignoring Siri."
"I don't care what she thinks. I don't know why but I can't leave without talking to Melody," Obi-Wan said, quickly walking away from Garen to enter the lift tube.
*******************
Obi-Wan hurried through the Temple corridors on his way to find Bant. As he exited the lift tube on her floor, he nearly collided with Siri Tachi who was about to enter the lift.
"Obi-Wan," Siri smiled. "Were you looking for me or Bant?"
"Both actually," Obi-Wan told her.
"Bant went swimming in the Room of A Thousand Fountains and I'm just leaving," Siri told him.
Obi-Wan quickly stepped back into the lift tube before the doors closed. "Where are you going?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I'm going dancing with my friends. We're celebrating Élan's birthday."
"Melody will be there won't she?" Obi-Wan asked quickly.
"Yes, why is something wrong?"
"I'm leaving on a mission tomorrow and I need to talk to her before I leave."
"Is this about your thinking that she's avoiding you?" Siri asked.
"Partly," he said running his hand through his hair. "Will you please tell me where she is?"
"Why don't you come with me? I just spoke with Salene and she said that they left a few minutes ago so they shouldn't be too far ahead of us."
"All right, let's go."
"Aren't you going to change first?" Siri questioned.
"No, I'm not going to stay long. I just want to talk to Melody."
Obi-Wan had gone to the clubs once with Siri and her friends. He didn't like it. He thought it was a waste of time unless you liked to dance or drink and he didn't. Siri was not a very good dancer, so they had just sat at a table and watched Melody and Salene dance. The two girls had obviously had a lot of fun. Some men had even asked them to dance. Obi-Wan felt very uncomfortable when Melody had danced with the strangers. At first he thought that he was just worried for her safety. He now realized that he might have been jealous even though he was dating Siri at the time.
"Melody, Salene, and Élan are only a few minutes ahead of us. They are probably still waiting outside the Polantas Night Club. There are always the longest lines to get in, but it has the best dance floor according to Salene," Siri explained as they walked out of the turbo lift near the rear exit of the Temple.
*********************
Obi-Wan helped Siri out and paid the pilot of the speeder. The street was full of beings of nearly every shape, size and species; some that he had never seen before. Everyone was going in or coming out of the clubs that lined the street. The largest collection of people was gathered outside of the Polantas club waiting impatiently to go inside.
Obi-Wan and Siri hurried in the club's direction scanning the crowd of people at the back of the line. He did not see any sign of Melody or the others. He wondered if Siri was wrong and they were already inside.
"The line to get in is longer than usual tonight," Siri observed.
"Siri," Élan's voice called from behind them. Both Obi-Wan and Siri looked behind them to see Élan weaving in and out of the crowd as she walked toward them. "Hi Obi-Wan, I didn't know you were coming. We decided to go to the Blaze Club instead. There aren't any lines and it's much less crowded inside."
"That's good," Siri remarked.
"Where's Melody?" Obi-Wan asked not seeing her.
"She and Salene are inside. I offered to wait out here for Siri," Élan explained. "I'm glad you're here Obi-Wan; we're celebrating my birthday."
"Happy birthday Élan. Does your Master know that you're here?" he asked with a grin. The question was an on-going joke between the two of them since the day he had discovered her sitting on the side of a pond in the Room of a Thousand Fountains when she should have been asleep in her quarters.
"Does your Master know you're here?" she asked putting her hands on her hips. She tried to sustain a stern look, but she couldn't stop the smile that crossed her lips.
"One day you guys will have to tell me what's so funny about that," Siri commented. She slipped her Jedi robe off and folded it over her arm as they turned in the direction of the other club determined to have a fun evening, all but one.
****************************
"Hurgni, looks like we don't have to create a false distress call to get a Jedi after all." The tall humanoid with orange scales, red eyes and pointed teeth commented as he watched the Jedi Padawan and two human females enter one of the nightclubs.
"He's only a student but he'll do," the shorter man agreed.
"It'll make our job a little easier too. The Jedi Council will not abandon the student. They'll negotiate for his release," Hurgni replied with a sly grin.
"Did you bring your Force inhibitor darts Hurnlux?" Hurgni asked.
"Yes, this'll be easy. The Jedi kid won't know what's happening until it's too late."
*******************
The music was loud and multi-colored lights flashed from overhead. Melody smiled at Salene as they danced to the exotic beat of the unfamiliar song played by the band. She had thought going out would help relieve her distress over Obi-Wan, but so far it wasn't helping.
"Melody that Corellian who kept asking you out last time is here. He's on his way over," Salene nodded her head in the tall man's direction.
Melody turned to look at the man as he walked up to her. He had introduced himself as Lex, the last time they met. "My dear, it's nice to see you again," the Corellian intoned.
"Hello Lex," Melody grinned politely and glanced toward Salene. But her friend had walked off the dance floor and was talking to someone else. She assumed it was Siri and Élan, although she could not see anyone she recognized in the crowd of people near the entrance.
"Would you care to dance?" Lex asked his voice already beginning to slur from the alcoholic beverages that he had overindulged himself with.
"Lex, my boyfriend is meeting me here. I tell you the same thing every time," she reminded him.
"I don't believe you. I've never seen him."
"That's because you're usually too drunk to see by the time I get here," said a soft voice with a decided lilt. Melody stiffened as she felt the warmth of his body against her back. His warm hands dropped on her shoulders possessively. "Sorry I'm late, I didn't mean to keep you waiting," Obi-Wan apologized.
"You...you never said your boyfriend was a Jedi," Lex stammered.
"You didn't believe that I had a boyfriend," Melody smiled slightly at the frightened expression on the man's face. He quickly turned and almost ran toward the bar. As Melody watched him hurry away, she suddenly realized that Obi-Wan's hands still rested protectively on her shoulders. She enjoyed the feelings his large arms invoked. Without warning her vision took precedence over her thoughts and she pushed his arms away turning to glare at him.
"Melody, do you..."
"Obi-Wan, thank you for helping me," she interrupted. "I need to..."
"NO, you're not going to run away from me again. I need to talk to you," retorted Obi-Wan as he grabbed her arm to prevent her from leaving. "I'm not going to leave your side until you talk to me."
"Let go, I need to get a drink and you need to get back to the Temple and rest before your mission tomorrow."
"What do you know about my mission?" he demanded as she turned her head to avoid looking up into his eyes. She did not want to see his lifeless staring up at her again.
"It doesn't matter what I know. You shouldn't be here."
"Neither should you," Obi-Wan told her. "I only need to talk to you for a few minutes and then I'll leave you alone, I promise."
Melody looked up into his blue eyes. She could see the frustration and concern that he tried to hide. His eyes, however, were full of life, unlike her vision. "It'll be quieter and easier to talk outside the club," she relented.
Obi-Wan strode toward the entrance holding her hand. He led her through the crowded dance floor and past the dining tables to the door. Melody glanced back at the table where her friends sat waiting for them. Siri frowned as they walked by while Salene smiled at her and winked. Salene and Bant were the only ones who knew of Melody's feelings for Obi-Wan. Élan just watched them with no expression evident on her face.
************************
Obi-Wan led Melody to a semi private location at the side of the building. It was the start of a narrow alleyway that was littered with garbage and the remains of old speeders. He was relieved that she had not argued further with him when he told her he wanted to talk.
"What is so important you would risk getting into trouble with your Master to talk to me here?" she questioned with a quick glance around her.
"Us," he answered running a hand through his hair. "You have been avoiding me ever since you beat me in the duel last week. I want to know if you're ignoring me because of the duel."
"No, of course not. I was..." Melody suddenly whirled around as Obi-Wan too sensed danger in the Force. Melody's hand instinctively dropped to pull her hidden lightsaber from her skirts as Obi-Wan felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. Then suddenly the warning through the Force stopped.
Beside him Melody let out a gasp and moved her hand to the back of her neck. "Melody," Obi-Wan said as he began to feel sick to his stomach. His head throbbed as Melody's beautiful face began to lose focus and he acknowledged to himself he had been drugged.
"Obi-Wan, I don't feel... good. Every... thing is spinning," Melody told him. He noticed that she swayed slightly, or perhaps it was just his vision that made her appear to sway. Suddenly someone grabbed him from behind. The last thing he remembered hearing before he lost consciousness was the clang of Melody's lightsaber hitting the ground.
*******************
"The boss will be pleased," Hurnlux grinned as he picked up the weapon that had fallen from the female's hand.
"Yes, two Jedi hostages are much better. I'm just glad that she took out her weapon," Hurgni nodded toward the lightsaber in his friend's hand, "before we got too close to them. I would have hated to lose a limb."
"True, very true," the other agreed as he drug the unconscious male Jedi down the narrow alley.
To Be continued....
