Padmé paced the hallway in front of the councilroom where Obi-Wan had entered with the other Jedi. She couldn't actually hear any words coming from inside. Not that she had expected to hear screaming or anything. They were Jedi after all -- incapable of displaying those type of extreme emotions.
But she wasn't a Jedi, and she was fighting the urge to have a complete temper tantrum right in front of the handmaidens watching her, as well as Captain Panaka who stood close by with an rather undefinable look on his face. The handmaiden's faces however were quite smug. They almost looked as if they had accomplished something.
It was infuriating!
Oh yes. There will be screaming later no matter what the outcome of Obi-Wan's meeting. It was time to put the handmaidens and Captain Panaka in their places.
Although there was a lack of strong emotions emanating from the councilroom, there was something she felt. It seeped into her soul, and could only be defined as despair.
With just a moment's contemplation, she realized the emotion was coming from Obi-Wan.
That could mean only one thing. The Jedi Masters were refusing to accept their relationship.
Of course they were.
Attachment was forbidden for Jedi, and she and Obi-Wan had definitely become attached. But not of their own making!
She didn't understand it, but in the short time they had actually been together, she had come to accept it. Some power beyond their control was drawing them together. It was a power so strong, neither one of them could resist it, and once they gave into it, it had threatened to consume them.
Even if they had wanted to resist it, it would have been impossible, for either of them.
And now it was going to end despite their wishes. The Jedi who had come here were going to see to that.
She stopped her pacing and collapsed next to Sabé on the long bench outside the councilroom, sighing heavily as she began to share Obi-Wan's despair.
-----------------------------------------
"Waste our time, we will not. Know you what the Code says."
"Yes Master." Obi-Wan replied, his head bowed, kneeling before the seated Jedi Masters and Healer.
"For good reasons, the Code is written. Attachment of this kind, distract you from your duties it will."
Obi-Wan glanced up to the gentle features of Master Yoda. He had managed the negotiations earlier this evening without incident. Although an agreement had not been made, he had made some headway. True, that he had been a little distracted by the Queen's presence, but it had not completely handicapped him. It was probably just the newness of the bond that was distracting. Once that newness wore off, he was certain he would be able to function as a Jedi and perform his duties just as before.
For the first time, he found himself disagreeing with Master Yoda -- with the Code. But did he possibly stand a chance at debating this issue?
Maybe he did.
The Jedi were guided by the Force, and it was obvious, at least to him, that the Force had created this bond. How else could it be explained?
That thought sparked a hope within Obi-Wan -- a hope that was quickly squashed by Mace Windu.
"Healer T'Pal has traveled with us in order to begin bond elimination therapy. While you are undergoing treatment, I will assume your mission."
Obi-Wan's jaw set firmly, his eyes cast to the floor, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if I don't want the bond eliminated?"
The Jedi Masters looked to one another, surprise and worry etched on their faces.
"Cooperate you will, or a Jedi no longer will you be."
Yoda's voice mirrored his own. His words were not harsh nor judgmental, just factual. If Obi-Wan went against the Council, went against the Code and pursued this bond he shared with Padmé, he would have to leave the Jedi Order.
His heart sunk in his chest and despair swept through him. He once more bowed his head, unwilling to look into the sympathetic gaze of the Jedi Master sitting before him.
"Yes, Master Yoda." He replied softly as Healer T'Pal moved to his side to begin the therapy.