--------------------------------------
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The door to the councilroom opened and through its wide frame stepped the formidable figure of Jedi Master Windu.
Padmé was immediately on her feet to question him.
He stopped her words with his uplifted hand and a steady gaze. "Knight Kenobi will be undergoing bond elimination therapy." He paused to consider a way to explain the process. "Healer T'Pal will basically be probing Kenobi's mind and...destroying any trace of a connection between you."
The strickened look on the young Queen's face softened his features somewhat and he lifted a hand to place on her shoulder. "You must understand that it is against the Code for Jedi to form such attachments as this. It was a mistake. This is for the best." His attempt at a comforting smile was not returned.
Mace then turned to Captain Panaka, who still stood down the hall some ways from the councilroom.
"Captain Panaka, I believe. I need the details of Knight Kenobi's mission and the briefing from this evening's negotiations. I will be taking over the talks from here on."
Captain Panaka cast a sympathetic look toward Padmé and motioned for the Jedi to follow him, leaving Padmé standing in the hallway with her handmaidens.
It was a mistake, he had said. How could something that felt so wonderful be a mistake? She could still feel the warmth of Obi-Wan's mouth as it traced along her throat, her jaw, and upon her eager mouth.
It never occurred to her thatwhat they shared could possibly be a mistake.
There was no mistaking the powerful connection they felt. The overbearing need to touch his face with her hands, mix her breath with his own, press her body as closely to him as she possibly could.
When they had met in the hallway outside of his room, no words were needed. The understanding was clear. The need was great. They had to find a way to be alone, to fulfill that need, to touch, to hold, to kiss. And when they did, it was...bliss.
Not a mistake.
And now it was going to end.
Was it all a dream?
Padmé felt the reassuring grip of Sabé's hand on her arm and her whispered words, "I'm sorry, Mi'Lady," and she realized it wasn't a dream, as the tears began to flow. It was an absolute nightmare. One that she may never awaken from.
The other handmaidens were quickly ushering her sobbing form back to the bench.
"We're so sorry Mi'Lady. We had no idea you felt this way. That it was this serious." Rabé knelt in front of Padmé, her hands grasping the Queen's trembling knees.
A slight hiccup escaped Padmé as she attempted to regain her composure. "I can't explain what happened, but ever since he kissed me when he was recovering, it's like...there's a part of me, inside," her hand grasped the satin robe at her chest, "that was incomplete...empty...hollow. But when he came back to Naboo and we were together, that empty place was completely filled. I felt so alive...whole. But now...now I feel like that part deep inside of me is being ripped wide open and I will never be the same again."
She broke into fresh sobs and the handmaidens held her, consoling her the best way that they could, although they truly could not begin to understand the depth of her sorrow.
--------------------------------------------------
Healer T'Pal had entered Obi-Wan's mind, probed through the array of emotional upheaval his earlier decision had made. The depth of that emotion, compounded with the emotion being sent out by the Queen herself, nearly made the healer regret their decision, withdraw the mind touch, and re-evaluate the situation.
But it was Master Yoda's decision. The oldest and wisest member of the council, the Jedi most attuned to the Force. It had to be the right decision. She must proceed.
Two hours later, mentally exhausted, physically weary, she retreated from Obi-Wan Kenobi's mind and opened her eyes to the observant and expectant gaze of Master Yoda.
"Touched the bond did you?"
"Yes Master Yoda." The healer's voice displayed her weariness.
"Diminished now, is it not?" Yoda's head was held high in confidence.
"No."
The Jedi Master's head immediately fell, his large ears drooping as well.
"I'm sorry Master Yoda, but I was unable to access the life-bond."
Obi-Wan remained silent, watching the visual interplay between Yoda and T'Pal.
"Apparently there is some interference that I did not forsee."
"The Queen." Yoda confirmed.
"Yes. She is not willing to release her hold on the bond. Without her assistance, I do not believe that we can eradicate it."
A small hopeful grin spread across Obi-Wan's face, which he quickly hid before it was seen by Master Yoda.