"I will be returning to the Temple this evening Master, and...thanks." Mace Windu genuinely smiled at the blue flickering holoimage of Master Yoda.
Yoda returned the smile, happy that his plan had worked. "Understand, you needed to. Too strict with the code you are, my friend. Need your help with this, I will. Great plans the Force has for them."
"You have forseen this? Why didn't you tell me?" Mace watched as a flicker of amusement lit up the holographic eyes before him.
"The road to enlightenment, to travel alone, sometimes one must. See you at the Temple, I will."
Mace playfully smirked as the image faded out, muttering his newfound mantra to himself. 'Damn that Yoda.'
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Healer T'Pal finished checking the vital signs of the couple standing before her now. She was amazed at the stamina of youth. After their fourteen-hour marathon in the bedroom, she was surprised that they could even stand, but here they were now in front of her, hands clasped tightly together, waiting for instruction.
"We will need to proceed with caution. Obi-Wan, the council has granted you an extended leave of absence. During that time, we will work to fully stabilize your bond, determine its boundaries, its limitations."
"What do you mean by 'limitations?' Queen Amidala, looking slightly disheveled asked.
"We must determine the length and extent of separation that you can endure. We will test distances to the point of discomfort, not pain. You must let me know if you experience any pain whatsoever.
The young couple both sighed at the same time, glanced at each other and smiled, and then continued looking at one another for a moment.
Healer T'Pal did not miss the byplay, quickly tapping information into her datareader. "How long have you two been telepathic?"
Obi-Wan turned back toward her. "For some time, actually."
Padmé finished the thought. "But not to the extent that we are now."
"It is like you are sharing one another's thoughts. Is that right?"
"Yes." They both replied in unison, to which T'Pal smiled.
"Please, have a seat." She motioned to a small sitting area across the room.
Obi-Wan quickly leaned toward Padmé, giving her reassuring kiss to the cheek before they moved to seat themselves across the table from the Jedi Healer.
T'Pal wrapped her long fingers together on the tabletop, hesitating slightly before speaking. "The bond that you two have developed is not a lifebond. This has been confirmed by myself and actually by Master Windu." She smiled as she noted Kenobi's eyebrows move up in surprise.
"What you have created is a soulbond, even more rare than a non-Force-user lifebond."
"What's the difference?" Padmé looked to the healer and then to Obi-Wan.
"A lifebond is the physical manifestation of an emotional connection typically between two Force sensitive individuals created by strong feelings such as love, attraction, and committment. A soulbond is a much more intensified form of a lifebond. Essentially, you two now share the same lifeforce, the same destinies, the same souls." She paused, allowing the meaning of her words to sink in.
Obi-Wan was the one to speak the words that were being exchanged between he and Padmé's minds. "So what you are saying is that if something happens to one of us, it happens to both of us. Whatever pain we experience, the other will share."
Padmé continued. "Whenever one of us dies, the other will too."
T'Pal noticed the small smile that appeared on Padmé's face. However, she also noticed the frown that appeared upon Obi-Wan. They both sat quietly for a minute, and the healer realized they were once more sharing their thoughts silently between one another.
"I'm sorry, but I must ask that you speak outloud. If I am to be of any help, I need to know what you are both thinking."
"We apologize, it's just that this is so unfair to Padmé. My duties as a Jedi put me in harm's way all the time. I wouldn't want Padmé to be hurt because of something that has happened to me while I'm away on a mission."
"That is indeed something we will have to consider and bring before the council. Now, let's get you two cleaned up, go get you something to eat and then we'll proceed with a little research." She winked at them, noticing Padmé blush deeply.
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All eyes in the dining hall turned to the young couple entering the room and the Jedi healer who followed closely behind them.
A trio of handmaidens stood close by, observing not only the couple, but the crowd as well.
"Look at them! They look completely debauched!"
"Shh Rabé!"
"Oh come on. It's not like the entire palace doesn't know what they've been doing all day!" Rabé returned and Sabé snickered and then playfully slapped her arm.
"But look at their faces. They are so in love. It's soooo romantic." Yané swooned as she held onto Rabé's other arm.
The more serious Sabé watched the couple being seated at the dining table and turned her attention back to her friends. "But what's to become of them now? Is he is going to stay here on Naboo? How can he?"
"And what about theQueen? If Kenobi leaves, willshe go with him?Would she actually give up the throne for him?" Rabé chimed in.
"And if she leaves Naboo, will she take us with her?" Yané worriedly asked.
"That's irrelevant Yané." Sabé lightly scolded. "Our duty is to the Queen -- whomever it is. Unless Queen Amidala specifically hires us to attend her if she gives up the throne, we will stay on Naboo."
The trio immediately fell silent as they watched the tall green-scaled Jedi Healer approach them.
"Sabé, isn't it?"
"Yes, Healer T'Pal." Sabé bowed slightly.
"I need your help."
The other two handmaidens looked to one another with surprised expressions as they watched Sabé walk across the room with the healer toward the table where Obi-Wan and Padmé were seated.