When Obi-Wan opened his eyes, he was immediately drawn to a pair of dark brown ones staring down at him.
He had thought that the existence and the strength of the life-bond he shared with Padmé was a once-in-a-lifetime miracle, but before him was yet another one.
Mace Windu was smiling at him. And not just the small smirky grin that he usually wore, but a large, broad smile.
He timidly smiled back and watched Mace move away from the bed. He was unaware ofthe Jedi Master leaving the room however, as all of his senses were immediately drawn to the single reason he had decided to rejoin the living. She was lying completely still before him now, her bare skin soft and supple under his callus-roughened hands.
Padme's eyes fluttered open to take in the vision lying before her. Unsure of what had occurred to bring them both to this location and this position, she discovered that she really didn't care. All she cared about was that Obi-Wan was with her. As she reached out to him with shaking hands, she sighed heavily as her fingers met a warm stubbled cheek. He was really here.
"You're here." Her words, heavy with emotion, displayed her thoughts. "We're together, truly together. Can this be possible?"
Unable to deny the incessant demands of the bond, Obi-Wan drew Padmé close, pressing his muscled length up against her. She felt so good. So soft. So perfect in his arms.
"I'm here love. I'll never leave you again."
But the nagging questions sprung forth in their minds, even as their passion began to build and the bond demanded completion of their union. How would they ever be able to maintain this closeness, this contact? Even if the council had granted them permission? How could a Jedi Knight and a Queen find a place they both belonged?
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Mace Windu checked his pocket chronometer and glanced out a nearby window. It was getting late. The Naboo sun was setting quickly.
He waited patiently as Healer T'Pal exited the Queen's bedchamber and approached him, with a somewhat satisfied grin on her face. Mace couldn't help but grin back at her before turning his countenance serious. There were questions that needed answering.
"Are they still...?" He blushed slightly, unable to complete his thought.
"Yes. They are still consumating."
He noted that T'Pal didn't blush at all, not that he could tell under all of those thick green scales. "They've been at it now for over twelve hours! Is this normal?"
"There is nothing normal about this entire situation, Mace. You've said so yourself." She actually winked at him, suddenly feeling a little bit giddy.
Mace shook his head at the gesture. This bond business was having an effect on the entire palace staff. He had just seen Sabé a few minutes ago sauntering down the hallway. She too had winked at him, and then skipped away. He had heard her giggling laughter as it echoed back toward him.
He was happy for Kenobi and the Queen, but he still felt a little bit uncomfortable, and he could not help but wonder and worry about their future.
During his reverie, he had turned his back on T'Pal and was now blankly staring out the arched window onto the streets of Theed. The city was preparing for the evening, street lights now glowing, tired day workers shuffling toward their homes.
He was startled only slightly by the placement of a long-fingered hand on his shoulder.
"What worries you?"
He paused for a moment, not used to the emotions he was feeling, and especially not used to sharing them with anyone.
"What is to become of them? Will they ever be able to function normally? Perform their duties? Will Kenobi be able to go back to the Temple and fulfill his calling as a Knight? He had an excellent future ahead of him Sokula. I hate to see it wasted."
He hurried on when he felt T'Pal tense beside him. "Not that I'm not happy with what he is experiencing now. But there is so much more he can be. Qui-Gon had great faith in him as a Knight. We all did." His gaze still focused out of the window, barely able now to make out the last few people moving about the streets.
"Time will tell, Mace. They will have to remain together for a while. We'll have to study them, test them, in order to see what they can endure, to see how their soul-bond develops."
Mace huffed a little in response. "A soul-bond. So, I was right. I was surprised I recognized it when I entered their minds. What am I talking about? Mind! They are not two any more, they are one. Do they realize this?"
"On a certain level, I suppose they do, but I don't believe that they understand the ramifications of it."
"You mean, that their destinies will be intertwined, that one of them cannot live without the other."
"Yes. But they are both young. They have a long life ahead of them." T'Pal took Mace's arm and directed him away from the window and down the hall.
"I hope so. But then a long life for a Jedi is not guaranteed. Kenobi risks his life on every mission he is assigned to. The problem is that now, not only does he risk his life, but Padmé's as well."
"That's right." T'Pal's hand was still in the crook of his arm as they continued slowly down the hallway. "Then, that is one thing that the council will have to consider, isn't it?"
Mace turned to look at the slightly smug expression on the healer's face. "I suppose it is. And since I was here to experience this all first-hand, it will be my responsibility to inform the council of all we have discovered, won't it?"
T'Pal merely smiled at him in return. "Let's go have some dinner."
'Damn that Yoda.' Mace thought to himself as they proceeded toward the dining hall.