CHAPTER SEVEN:
Just Lovers

"Master Yoda has deiced to say and meditate so it will just be Master Kenobi and I today," Padme smiles as we stand in the entry hall with the Queen who has succeed yet again to appear nothing like a queen.

"I have instructed Governor Bass to stay as well. So it shall be just us. The fewer who know the location the better wouldn't you say?" the queen smiles. "Is there anything else you would like to bring? The planet is very safe…and where we are going there are no eyes," she stares at Padmé and I get the impression that they are talking on a plane above the one I am listening on.

What ever it is Padmé seems to get it and turns around pulling me with her.

"What was she talking about?" I engage our heart force.

"She was saying that it will be safe to bring Leia."

"Oh. We'll still have to be discreet."

"Of course darling."

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Before long I am maneuvering an Aurora transport down in a clearing a good ways from Truvanna, if fact we can't see any city, next to a huge waterfall.

"This is the fist place I thought of. It is very securable and as you can see this clearing is accessible to most any ship—as long as you know what you are looking for that is," the queen nods and I lower the ramp.

I observe the surrounding area not exactly sure where she thinks we can put a base.

"I don't mean to sound condescending but where do intend for us to put a base?"

Padmé just grins at me bouncing Leia in her carrier. How come I am getting the feeling that I am being left out again?

"Should you tell him or should I?" Queen Grace addresses Padmé with yet again one of those excluding smiles.

Well somebody tell me something!

"I think we should show him," Padmé, my loving wife smiles slyly at me.

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Poor Obi-Wan, he doesn't seem to like being left in the dark. Well maybe he'll get a taste of what it is like for the rest of us, the not so Force enlightened. When Anna had first suggested this area of Aurora forest, I laughed.

We discovered, 'AnnaMe's' when we were on school holiday when we were fifteen. We swore never to tell a soul of its existence and apparently, neither of us ever did. I'm not sure if I didn't because I was so incredibly loyal, or because I forgot about it.

I lead the way down a hidden path along the side of the waterfall to it its base. Obi-Wan seems a little leery, but he doesn't voice his reservations.

"I'm surprised you still remember the way," Anna laughs following behind Obi-Wan.

"I didn't till I started, but now it's all coming back."

We are next to the water but shielded by lush, full plants. The landscape has certainly matured since the last time I've been here, but I still manage to find the hidden tunnel in the rocks.

"Honey, will you take Leia, you can keep her dry better with your robes," I pause unhooking the baby carrier.

"Of course," he agrees and I help secure the carrier to his chest. Leia seems unfazed and continues to doze.

We start through the tunnel that is wide enough to walk two abreast. Water trickles from the sides in slowly steady drips. You can hear the rushing of the fall echoing in the damp entry.

Before long, we come to the cave.

"Wow," Obi-Wan turns a circle.

Huge and empty, the cave stretches high and wide, sheeting water from the waterfall gives a blue luminance in a like window with the height of a man, and width of outstretched arms. Along with our greenish pulse lights the space adequately lit.

"Will it do Master Kenobi?" Anna smirks.

"Most assuredly," he nods.

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"Obi-Wan, please stop and have something to eat," Padmé calls as I stand on the ridge over looking the waterfall hurriedly taking measurements and recording notes on the site.

"In just a moment, I want to get this down while it's fresh in my mind," I glance over briefly to see Padmé, Leia, and Queen Grace seated on a quilt having lunch in the carpet of green grass in the shade of the ship.

We will be able to easily hide a communication base behind the waterfall, the space is abundant and upon first inspection completely undetectable. The waterfall even throwing off heat sensory, it is indeed a profitable place to be sure. We've scouted an area large enough to house at least a dozen Jedi fights under the canopy of Aurora's trees too. Master Yoda will be pleased indeed.

I sense my wife is growing impatient with me, I think it's time I finish up.

"Well when do you suppose you will begin construction?" the queen asks as I take a place by Padmé.

"I will have to talk with the rest of the council but soon I am sure, Queen Grace," I answer then laugh as Leia crawls into my lap lifting her arms to me.

"Please, call me Anna. And I have to say again what a charming daughter you have," the queen laughs.

"Thank you very much, Anna," I smile tickling Leia making her nearly breathless with giggles.

"So Padmé, did you tell your husband about Derrik Bass yet?"

My attention is quickly caught and snapped to my wife, I barely catch Anna's grin. The dirty look Padmé gives her friend in pointed and quick.

"What about Governor Bass?" I lift an eyebrow.

She gives an exasperated groan, "It's a long story that happened even longer ago," she gives a dramatic sigh.

"Well then you better start, it has been my experience that long ago stories are stories most interesting yet most hard to retrieve to current though."

She glares at me, and Anna just grins, "Fine! Anna, Derrik and I went through primary together and because Derrik and Anna were the only ones from Aurora they were good friends, and since Anna and I were room mates we became fast friends…the three of us were friends…Anyway…and I have to say that this story isn't that interesting…Anyway because Anna lost a game of chubby bunny I had to go out with Derrik…and he tried to kiss me in front of our whole class…while proposing…"

She sounds very pained to tell me this. I am not sure which confounds me more…her displeasure or a game by the name of 'chubby bunny'…At least my dislike of Bass wasn't unfounded…It would seem that the man's affection did not end at an adolescent crush.

"Oh, how she hated it! She was so humiliated…but she is just too good hearted to spurn him deep enough that his love would fade. She though, told him that a relationship between them would never work. Bass always had a thing for her…but obviously she did not ever return the sentiment," Anna laughed heartedly.

"I was merely waiting for my true love to come along. Why would I become involved with someone I had no inclination of love towards…who talked himself into the though he was madly in love with me and then just break his heart? No, love as a game never appealed to me…I waited for true love and have reaped the rewards because of that," Padmé declared lifting her stubborn chin, her chin which I have a sudden urge to capture and kiss. My darling stubborn, true hearted soul mate…

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"I think…Leia and I should head back…" Anna's voice pricks my tossed thoughts as Obi-Wan and I discuss ideas for the base.

"What? Oh I am sorry, we are nearly done," I sigh scribbling a last dimension on the data pad.

"No, no, don't hurry. I was thinking that Leia and I could take the transport back, and I'd leave you the land speeder, it's a rather short trip back…and it would give me some quality time with this darling one then you can finish up your work."

I trust Anna, but aside from Paddy Leia has never gone with anyone. I don't know…there are too many variables that can't be foreseen…

"Thank you Anna, Padmé and I would like a little extra time to get a sketch down. We'll follow along before long."

I turn and gape at my husband; he is normally the paranoid one…

"Then it's settled, we'll see you back at the palace," Anna smiled pleasantly and began to scoop up Leia and her things.

"Are you sure?" I press against my husband's side hissing my words.

"Yes."

That's it?

"You aren't going to give some lecture about safety and how we can't risk letting her out of our sight…"

"Darling, you needed to loosen up…after all isn't Anna like your sister?"

My mouth dropped, my hands went to my hips, and I narrowed my eyes.

"You don't just want to make sketches do?"

His eyes darken and his smile is slow and entirely seductive.

"Goodbye Anna…thank you!" I rush over kiss Leia and make sure she has her blanket.

"Did you just rush your 'sister' and our daughter off?" he is gloating.

"No!...Well maybe just a little bit…But we've been very busy, we're hardly ever alone…and well I miss my husband," I sigh feeling very exasperated.

"Missed me? But I've been right here…" he looks so smug and sly, I went from wanting to get him alone to wanting to stomp my foot at him.

"You know what I mean! We've been either so exhausted with our respective responsibilities that we scarcely kiss goodnight before falling asleep…or we have a Jedi Master in the room next to ours…or a Queen and her guard down the hall. I've had your presence but not shared your council, or your touch. Maybe I did rush Anna off a little, but I've missed that look you had in your eyes just then…and thing of it is I didn't realize I missed it so much till now."

I sound so desperate I have to groan. It's a silly thing, but I meant every word. I need him…and yet the galaxy needs him too, perhaps more.

"I'm sorry."

I meet his eyes and sigh long and very un-lady like. He isn't looking so smug now, he is looking thoughtful…and dare I say lustful?

"I haven't intentionally ignored you, you know? In fact, I never meant to ignore you at all, it's just things have been rather difficult…I've missed you too," he ends with a light laugh.

"We're a mess aren't we?"

"No darling, just human."

That answer makes since to me. I move to his arms and his hold his so right and so true.

"Life can be such a pain sometimes. I am glad you're in this with me; do you think we'll come out of this okay?" I rub my cheek against his robe savoring the bristled softness. It's rather like my husband so very course and reserved upon first glance but upon lingering touch is warm, sturdy, safe and comforting.

"Yes, we'll make it, though I wish I knew more of the future, I wish the Force wasn't so cloudy. It is going to take great patience and endurance to make it through I fear…Let's not dwell on unpleasantness though…I desire to get a better look at that cave." That warm dark sexy tint is back in his eyes and I too have a sudden urge to see the cave again.

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My wife lies on the picnic quilt staring at me lovingly. I brush my hand across her cheek so glad that she leans into my touch without her eyes ever leaving mine. The ground is damp and the above us slight drips ping a nearly silent serenade, but we've got my robes to keep us dry.

The light filters in through the waterfall making it green and blue bathing my wife in soft shadows. It's indeed been a while since I've just lain like this looking at her after making love so slowly and tenderly and not had the dark pressing cloud of impending discovery. I had almost forgotten that being a husband is more then just sharing a name and a home, but it's sharing a heart, a goal, a life and…the sharing in each in each other's burdens.

"I have to tell Anakin," I breathe deeply.

I watch her face, I watch for her emotions to play. She is remarkably unfazed.

"I know."

"You're not upset?"

"No, why should I be? I've—we've nothing to be ashamed about. Granted I wish we could have been more forthcoming from the beginning but circumstances prevented us. That wasn't our doing. It's time now to lift a little of the silence," she nods and pulls the robe a little tighter to her chest.

"I still have to clear it with the council and more then likely it will still be a while before we can truly come clean not only with Anakin but everyone. I am just tired of waiting for the proverbial 'other shoe' to drop. I am tired of being on edge and on guard every moment I am around my pad…my friend. He deserves our honesty."

"I agree. He'll come to understand, though I doubt he'll be pleased in the beginning, he will understand."

"I hope so, love, I hope so."

"He will…Now, I believe Mr. Kenobi we have a little more time before we have to go. What do suppose we do with this time husband?"

"Oh, well I think I can think of few things Mrs. Kenobi…" I quickly move to my knees, capture her in my arms and bound to my feet.

"What are you doing?" she squeals grabbing my neck tight.

"I think we shall go swimming my dear, loving wife," I laugh maneuvering us through the hard sheet of water.

The pool is clear and frothy, plants, trees and thick grass shelters the oasis in secret. I wade in, loving Padmé's breathless gasps and giggles.

"This reminds me of when we were on Naboo," she laughs still breathless and still clinging to me. "It makes me think of day we went to my island…and we stood at the cliff looking down…" her eyes go to the top of the waterfall.

"Who knew jumping could be such a pleasure…who knew the fall was just a taste of the pleasure the final destination offered," I think to the day too. I was afraid to look down; I didn't like the prospect of losing control; of losing at all. I was afraid of falling in love. My fear wasn't totally unfounded it seems.

"You're splashing me darling," I sputter as she suddenly pushes away flinging water at me. Love is a very dangerous business.

"Indeed I am!" another wave rolls to me.

I retaliate with great measure and we both end up underwater. Today wasn't just a reminder of our love and commitment but a rekindling of our spontaneity and in a way our youth. On Naboo, there was no war, nor threat of it. On Naboo, we were just lovers…as we are now. Before we can go fight a war, before we can be the kind of parents we need to be for our daughter, before we can be anything else we need to remember to be just be lovers. Because when all is said and done, when the war is won, when Leia has a family of her own, when our respective establishments need us no longer it will be just us. We need to make sure and keep our relationship steady for all those that depend on us, to ensure our daughter has a loving family to grow up in and of course for us.

This moment of rejuvenation has us ready again to embrace the outside world. It is a good thing too, because already I feel Padmé is fretting about Leia.

"She's never been with anyone but Paddy…" she frowns.

"She is fine."

"I know but…"

Aww, lover, friend, wife…and mother, I do love her.

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"We're very pleased with the situation there, tell Queen Grace we greatly appreciate her cooperation," Master Windu's holograph speaks as Master Yoda and I sit with the other projected images of the Jedi Council.

"Would you be willing to stay on at Aurora to supervise the construction of the base Master Kenobi?" Master Windu asks.

"I will go…or stay wherever I am needed Master, but if I may ask now long do you expect the construction to last?"

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"Up to a year?" I have to strangle a scream. I shove a few dresses into my suitcase with vengeance.

"Honey, this base is important; it's why we came here in the first place. You said your self you believed that it was crucial. And it is vital we start strengthening our forces as soon as we can. The battle is moving closer to the outer rim everyday! And really I won't have to be here the whole time," he counters passionately.

"That's fine, but you will be here most the time…I mean because of the need for secrecy your movements will be limited…" I resist the need to put my hands on my hips and stomp my foot.

"I am sorry…"

"It's alright, we do what we have to do," I sigh sitting on the bed, a heap of Leia's clothes around me.

"We do at that. I love you, you know," he sits next to me, pulling me into his lap, kissing the top of my head.

"Humph! I love you too…you make me daft sometimes but I love you."

He just laughs down deep in his throat.

AN: Hi, well for those wanting more Anakin action, he is coming in the next chapter LOL Thank you guys so much for reading and reviewing…and if you won't hate me and think me horrid, I might mention that I have just posted a short Obidala story called Play It…Again, and I would so love to have your thoughts on it…But plugging is so detestable…see I am kicking myself right now LOL Anyway thanks so much! RaeAnne

Lehcar Sundance: yeah, Bass is pretty much an okay guy though a little (a lot) goofy…LOL Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you so much for your review of the previous!

Blackrosemystic: How funny! I don't remember where I first heard butter my butt and call me a biscuit, but it just cracked me up! I've heard the one with the cat having kittens in the oven…and while it did make me arch an eyebrow I still found it inexplicably funny… Your friends call you taupe, how funny. I wrote the bit about color after reading a little article thing about men not being able to see as many shades of red as women, it something to do with the X Y chromosome thing, I don't really remember. But it hit me funny because I have had more then one conversation with a guy about the varying shades of the broad color spectrum and why no matter how hard I try I can't wear red very well, but I can get away with burgundy…LOL he shakes his head at and walks away. One day I will endeavor to teach him the finer points of color selecting and differentiating.

TheAmazingTecnocolorRingWraith: well any review long or short is greatly, and always appreciated :-)

SuP3R G1R: Han is great character got to love the guy, Harrison Ford just rocks. Though I am afraid Obi-Wan is my guy all the way. Oh you are so full questions, questions I would love to answer but …well I have a big mouth and I would just blurt away my whole story before I shut myself up LOL Thank so much for reviewing!

sassy-satine: Thank you :-) Yeah, Padmé…it's awful but as I've divulged before, I get way to into my characters and vice versa…somehow my trait of giving up everything I know made it to her…hmph! LOL As always thanks for reviewing!

eac-dudette: thanks ;-)

mrs. skywalker: Glad we got the boss nass situation cleared up LOL Sorry still not Anakin, but he will be prominent in the next chapter… I promise! These last few chapters were just kind of my little detour into some new situations that I had fun with…putting my extra little unique stamp on story. I hope I haven't disappointed with it.

DMITCHELL: Yeah, Ani needs something…not sure what though LOL Yeah Palpatine is an evil man who when given a foothold stormed the castle in the matter of Anakin and his unstable emotions that is. Though I have a hard time finding Anakin without a least a little of the fault…LOL but I am sure glad you are enjoying my story, and I hope you continue to do so!

the rain in spring: Beware of men on boxes…or in boxes as was the case of the mime that scared me to death while walking down the street…He was a strange little man. LOL

Ohhh…see now I am the kind that if I had the time would sit and write a thesis on Obi-Wan…LOL and not just because I find him so incredibly sexy but because I have this weird obsession with psychology and human emotion. I love any emotionally wrought person fictional or otherwise. When I get in a mood I can rant on the human condition for hours…LOL maybe that's why it seems most my stories run the way of dramatic rather then light and comical….see there I go analyzing again.

Jedi lightsaber jokes…they were pretty much a prerequisite…see I just sit there and think of them and crack myself up all over again…

LadyJadePerendhil: Oh you're more then welcome, I am so glad you enjoyed. Anakin flipping…yes it's coming and will happen in the near future. I hope you enjoyed this chapter :-) Thanks so much for reviewing!

sarahhillary39: Oh wow got my head rolling…what would a Jedi Meat butchers look like? Could you go there and compare rump roasts? Hmmm…if rump roasts are available what about tender loins? Oh…no see there I go again…slap my hand…more like my head since that is where the bad thoughts are coming from… LOL

Oh, scary Vader… I was in the store and was walking down an aisle and some kid pushed the Vader voice changer thing in the toy department (of course I didn't see him do it, just heard that voice) and I swear the hair stood up on the back of my neck…The breathing does me in! I grew up watching the old Star War movies, I can remember watching when I was little and being just terrified of Vader and scary breathing…especially when he first enters Leia's ship with the steam/smoke stuff…yep scared me LOL Glad you like the chapter!

amber75: Well I am so glad that you found your way back to my story! Oh I agree with you on the points of the romance of Padme and Anakin! And I was so disappointed with ROTS I can't even begin to say! I about gagged, come on, live for your kids! How selfish can one person be? Anyway, I did like the interaction between Obi-Wan and Padme in the movie and how when ever trouble came up it was his name she was saying, not Anakin's. When she learned of the Jedi slaughter whose name did she say, whose well being did she ask of? That's right Mr. Obi-Wan Kenobi…man I love that guy! LOL

I am so thrilled and humbled that you like my story so well! I hope to continue to write so that everyone enjoys!

Zan189: Wow! Thank you so much for your time in putting in all those wonderful reviews! I so appreciate them!

I don't know where to start…yes the story will be getting darker…in fact there is a bit of a storm brewing in the next chapterbut even though I try I can't seem to write really dark evil stuff, though it hasn't been for lack of trying LOL. I also appreciate your kind words on the whole reviews dropping thing. I totally understand that readers have lives, boy do I know! LOL I thought my September would mellow after having a hectic August… I was wrong. No, I was just worried that people were becoming displeased with the story…and I was having I don't know serious insecurity issues that day LOL

Yes, last chapter was shorter then the ones before it. This story has had pretty long chapters (by my normal standards anyway LOL) and that is mostly because this story is a lot longer then the previous two, so much stuff to pack into the last installment. But the last chapter was shorter because I was so busy that I didn't get a lot typed and I am getting ready to jump time frames a bit and get into the real heart of story so it was bit of gentle set up…anyway this one isn't terribly long either but hopefully it was still worth reading :-)

Oh I do also apologies for the extreme fluff a few chapters back, I do so love fluff, I am the corny full fledged romantic I'll admit. I try to balance out with substance but sometimes I just get all gooey and it flows into my writing…awww oh well I hope it's not so bad people are heaving LOL Again thank you for taking the time to review all the chapters, I so enjoyed reading them.

Jremme: Wow, I am stunned! I am so glad you like my stories! Truly thank you! You don't how good it makes me feel when someone takes the time to give such a nice compliment! I am so thrilled that you find the dialog believable!

I too got hooked into Star Wars (well at least the fan fiction and total nutty ness over ROTS because of Ewan) recently. I have watched all the movies and grew up watching old VHS copies of 4,5,6 and went to see all three prequels in theaters and the power of young Obi-Wan can not be denied! LOL What started as little idea about telling the impact of the events of episode one from Obi-Wan's POV and of course a touch of love story between Padmé and him turned into to this…There love story is just too compelling, I have written now five stories about them…plus am playing around with a sixth. LOL

Oh yes Palpatine is so creepy! It gives me the shivers! You think clowns are bad news too? I just hate clowns…

Yes, while I do love the interactions between Artoo and Threepio in the movies, Threepio is just a tad over bearing…and he's terrible to try and write! At least when I do Artoo all I have to figure out is how many ways to 'beep'. Not a big task there LOL

Well again thanks for the kind review and I do hope you continue to read and enjoy!