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"Watch out!" he shouted to her. Finn's eyes widened as she swung around to knock a man in the chin and elbowed another one in the stomach. She cursed in three different languages, all in the same sentence. The first man she had knocked down quickly recovered and pinned her against the wall. Seeing his opportunity, Obi-Wan ignited his lightsaber, which caused the second robber to turn around and ran. The first robber, who still pressed Finn against the wall, tried to fight back. But Obi-Wan was too quick for him. He wounded the man in the arm and dropped him to the ground.
"Are you alright?" Obi-Wan had to shout, because a transporter was landing loudly nearby. Finn gasped for air and rubbed her throat, and then she nodded. She hesitated when he extended his hand, but she accepted his help and got up from the ground. "Let him go," she ordered when Obi-Wan started after the limping robber, "we have to hide before they send more reinforcements. This is a gang territory, and they don't look kindly on Jedi knights that intrude."
"Come on," she began to run toward the landed public transporter. As she paused at the double screen door, she explained, "This will take us into the suburbs, then into the country. We will be safe there."
They sat down and Obi-Wan sighed. The transporter began to run. It was large and empty, with only a few ragged passengers here and there. Finn drew her knees to her face, looking at the tattered man sitting in front of her, who seemed extremely fascinated with the floor. She pondered. This was the boy who had been her only friend, who was a boy no longer. She had loved him most of her life. She had loved him better than she had ever cared for anyone or herself. Yet he was bound by his vows and duties to never love her, not even to attach to her. Her gaze traced his cheeks of short sandy beard and down to his stubborn mouth. Her eyes felt hot and wet. Finn blinked several times. Never let the bastards see you cry, she repeated to herself. It was a maxim that she had invented to comfort herself in moments of weakness.
But this was not an enemy or a competitor. This was Ben, who taught her how to shoot a blaster, mend a cloak, and start a fire with just blocks of wood. Obi-Wan looked up and saw her tears. He opened his mouth, trying to apologize for something.
Yet it was she who said, "I'm sorry."
"What?" he raised his eyebrows.
"I'm sorry, Master Kenobi, for what I said before I left. I was rude and stupid and inconsiderate."
"Fina, I—" he voice was soft.
"I know that I don't deserve forgiveness," she rambled on, "but I hope that we can still be friends. I," her voice cracked, "I've already lost everyone I have ever truly loved. I don't want to lose you, too."
Obi-Wan smiled. His hand reached over to her face and brushed out an unruly curl. "I know. And I, I have cared for you more than anyone, Fina. Possibly more than I'll ever admit. You know that." His blue eyes emphasized. "But I'm a Jedi, and I have—"
"Your duties, I understand." Fina nodded. It still hurt to accept, but at least she was accepting. She brooded over the situation, "so what are you doing here?"
"I…" he didn't know how to say this delicately, so he looked out into windows at the night scene of this strange little planet. "I have been tracking you for weeks."
"Ah, so I wasn't paranoid." She grinned, "I sensed you."
Obi-Wan chuckled. It felt like old times again. Just two young friends, always in trouble with the world. "The Council sent me."
"To spy on me."
"Yes."
"Because of my relationship with Count Dooku," Finn disliked politics, but she knew how stratagems work. She was not stupid. She knew, from the first moment, that the Jedi did not want to extend their patronage over her, but their prying eyes.
"Yes," he whispered, "why didn't you tell me?" His tone was a little hurt.
"You can't expect me to show up and say 'Hello, Obi. Long time no see. By the way, I was buddy-buddy with Count Dooku for years. You know, the same Dooku who nearly killed you and Anakin and has declared war on the Republic.' Well, there you go." she was sarcastic, but not without a sense of humor.
Obi-Wan just shook his head and laughed. "Oh, alright. I forgive you. But are there any other secrets that you may have kept from me?"
"Do you believe that I would betray the Republic?" she simply asked in return.
"No," he immediately responded. This was Finn. She would give up her life in half a second for the Republic.
The sceneries outside have changed from the neon city to the quiet suburbs and to the haunting countryside. "You know," Finn changed the subject, "this part of the planet is one of the best kept secrets in the Galactic Republic. It's simply amazing. My unit landed here couple of years ago, so you might say that I found it by pure accident," she looked at him and smiled. "So what do you plan to do with me now, Oh Great Master Kenobi?"
"Well, my cover, obviously, has been blown. So I wonder, maybe, that you should come back with me. It's dangerous for you here, Finn. Not just because Dooku might come after you. You're just not safe living alone."
"For your information, Jedi. I had the situation under control. I could have taken care of those two men who attacked me, AND in a quieter fashion than yours. There is nothing you or the Jedi Order can do or say to make me go back. Dooku will not bother me, I have been made sure of that."
"Oh? How so?"
"He knows of my loyalties to the Republic. He's, well, too much of an idealist for my taste. Sometimes I think that he is just a Jedi who went overboard with the Code."
"And into the Dark Side," Obi-Wan added cautiously.
She shrugged, "well, he was a good teacher. He taught my uncle and in some ways, I think, he taught me because he wanted me to be just like Qui Gon. Of course," she chuckled coldly at the memory, "I was not even close." She played with a piece of string on her cloak, "well, that's that. He won't murder me, he is too noble for that. I am of no use to him even if I go to him willingly."
"He might tempt you or trap you."
"No," Finn shook her head with a mysterious twinkle in her gray eyes, "not even a million banthas can drag me away from this place.
"If that's the case, it's only wise for me to follow you and protect you."
She smiled at him and shook her head, as if saying that she didn't need his protection. But she was glad of his companionship, "Come, you can stay at my hut for the night." The public transporter stopped. Obi-Wan followed Finn and slipped out into the dark night.
He didn't know how long they have been traveling. This planet had no moon. Its night was pitch dark except for the billion dots of stars that twinkled feebly. It was beyond the outskirts of the Republic. A wild and unmanageable place. It was difficult to see and walk, and yet Finn moved forward so determinately that it might have been midday. The cities were thick of villainy and scum. The forests were thick with wild beasts and vegetations. At times, Obi-Wan would lose sight of Finn, only able to follow the scent of her Force presence in the dark. Other times, she would take hold of his hand and lead him across a difficult passage. They did not speak much. It was like old times. Two young friends alone in the world. They were so comfortable with each other that they did not need small talk. They trusted each other completely that they did not need any explanation.
It might have been minutes, but it felt like days, before they reached what looked like a bulk against the gray sky. Finn pressed a cool hand against the black material that was supposed to be wood, it opened up under the pressure and creaked. "Come on in," she sounded like a dutiful hostess. Obi-Wan reached out with his hand to feel around in the dark. He touched the doorframe and Finn's shoulder, and he jumped and blinked when she lit a light. "So, what do you think?"
He saw two small and furnished rooms. Actually, there was just one room, but divided in the middle by half a wall. One room was the kitchen, study, and living room; the other was the bedroom with a small bed and some chests full of clothes.
"Comfy," he remarked with a faint smile. "Do you come here often?"
"Not as often as I'd like," Finn put some of the books into a disheveled shelf, "I found this place two years ago, when I got separated from my unit. We were stranded here due to a broken hyperdrive. I come here on my scheduled leaves. You know," her gray eyes met his, "to be alone, and think."
After a comforting pause watching her reorganize the room, Obi-Wan bounced on the small bed, testing it, "since there's only one bed, Finn. I suggest that the guest gets it."
She grinned and tackled him by surprise, "no way!"
"Ashes."
"Paintings."
"Stars."
"Breakfast."
"Breakfast? How did you get that one?"
They were lying side-by-side on Finn's small bed, a bit cramped but warm. They were playing a game that Finn had started when they were children. One of them would say one word, the other would reply with the first thing that popped into that person's head, and the other one would continue with the first thing that popped into his or her head. They laughed at each other for their illogical reasons. It was like old times. Just two young friends in the world.
"Mmmm…" Obi-Wan murmured at the crack of dawn, as streams of light hit his corner of the room. He tried to open his eyes, but instead kept them closed and reached out blindly to shove his companion on the shoulder. When he realized that there was no shoulder or warm body next to him, he popped up and got off the small single bed. "Where is she?" he wondered. A small part of his Jedi training told him to be alert. He refused to have her keep any secrets from him. He searched the tiny rooms while trying to tame his messy hair with his fingers.
She was nowhere in sight. Obi-Wan immediately grabbed his robe and head out the door. He felt a throbbing pain in his chest. Could it be? That she was betraying him? His imagination knew no bounds. Maybe she got lost in the thick jungle when she went to get their breakfasts. Maybe she was kidnapped in the middle of the night by the siths, strangely without him waking up. Maybe she was meeting with the Jedi's enemies, drawing up secret schemes. Maybe the solace of last night was just a sham, that she still hated him and wished to never to see him again.
He dismissed those annoying thoughts and batted them away. Now, he focused on drawing powers from the Force to sense her. She wasn't far. He must have waked up right after she left. He began headed toward that direction that felt warm.
He walked in brisk silence, and the sun rose slowly into his field of sight. He could sense Finn near and shielded himself to keep her from knowing his presence. Soon, he could see her from afar. Finn furtively looked behind her from time to time, like a guilty child anticipating a scolding. Obi-Wan kept his eyes fixed on the secretive young woman. He crept quickly and quietly, and at times, he could almost reach out and touch her shiny blond hair.
Suddenly, Finn paused. Obi-Wan, instinctively, stopped in his tracks. He was amazed to see a whole village of small huts rose in front of his eyes. Smoke rose from several of them. There were people walking about, attending to their daily activities. Who are these people? Living in the middle of this savage and untamed jungle?
"Fina!" a little boy ran up to her and hugged her legs. Finn bent over and embraced the little boy. At a whim, she picked him up and laughed, "My, Gavin! How have you grown! Give me some kisses." The little boy giggled and kissed her twice on the cheeks. Another little boy skipped up to them, playing with a twig in his hands. Obi-Wan blinked. It was the same boy. No, it was a boy with the same face. They were twins. "Gabe! Look at you!" He had never heard her speak with such warmth in her voice before. "You are almost a grown man."
The second little boy blushed with shyness and looked down at his toes. Then he spotted Obi-Wan, who was standing not too far from them, transfixed and amazed. "Who'th your fthriend, Fina?" This one had a small lisp.
"Kenobi, what are you doing here?" she had caught sight of him, too. He cursed at his stupidity. Her jaws tightened, "well, I see. You followed me here because you don't trust me."
"No," he sighed deeply, "I woke up and you weren't there. I didn't want you to be in danger."
By then, a small crowd of people had gathered around the two of them, mostly children. Two tall women smiled at Obi-Wan and greeted them, "Fina, we didn't know you were bringing a friend."
"This is Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," she spoke flatly, without looking at him.
"Well, any friend of Fina's is our most honored guest. Come, we are starting our morning meal." They were twins, too. They swiftly took places by his sides and whisked him away. The entire crowd of people moved the two of them toward the center of the establishment, where there were plates of food laid out. Obi-Wan was confused and full of questions, but he let the crowd of people push him down in front of food. They seemed well meaning and he sensed no malevolence in them. Most of them were just children, laughing and running. He could not help but marvel at how many pairs of twins he had seen. Finn was no help. She had decided to ignore him for the time being and nurse her wound of being distrusted. Even if she wanted to speak to him, it was impossible. She was attacked on all sides with questions and begging for attention.
"So what is this place?" Obi-Wan asked after he swallowed a mouthful of food. It was quite delicious.
"Don't tell me Fina hasn't been telling you about us," one of the tall female twins chirped.
"She's just too modest," her sister added and giggled.
"We call this place the 'Village.' We are the Forgotten Children. Surely you known the tradition here." Obi-Wan shook his head and the twins looked at each other amazed.
"He doesn't know—"
"I can't believe she didn't tell him. Well, my name is Wanda, and this is—"
"Tanda. As you can see we are twins."
"The religion of our planet forbids the existence of beings like us."
"Like you?" Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows quizzically, "You mean… twins?"
"Yes..."
"We are unnatural to them—"
"They think we're abominations to the land."
"So our families abandoned us in the woods—"
"Away from them, so they wouldn't be polluted."
"So," he looked furtively at Finn, who was eating and laughing with a group of younglings and apparently, forgotten completely about him. She looked remarkably beautiful in the morning sun. Her lovely blond hair fell like a cascade, framing her face. Her gray eyes danced as she spoke and her cheeks were flushed with excitement. Her rosy mouth moved delicately as she spoke. He could not help but remember the softness of those lips against his. He regained his composure as the twins stared at him with silly smiles on their faces and cleared his throat, "so," he continued, "what does Finn have to do with all this?"
"He really doesn't know!"
"It's quite amazing," the other sister agreed. "You see, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, Fina built this village for us. She saved us."
"So is there something you need to tell me?" Obi-Wan caught her alone after breakfast. He tried to joke but did not get a reaction from her. "I, I'm sorry—"
She put up a hand and stopped him, "no," her eyes were dry but sad. He could feel her anguish underneath, "I hate us being like this. So distant and always cautious of each other." She looked down and looked up at him again. He was glad of the look in her face. "I guess I shouldn't keep any secrets from you. You see, I came to this planet two years ago…"
She was separated from her commanding unit. She had lost her way in the forest, looking for a way to civilization. She had to find life forms in order to replace or trade for a new hyperdrive. Nonetheless, she had been wandering for days and her supplies were running out. It was then that she stumbled upon a group of the Forgotten Ones. They were pairs of twins, abandoned by their families and their society, living alone and depending on one another. Wanda and Tanda were the oldest ones that took care of everyone. Their mother had hid them until they were children, rather than discarding them while they were still babies. They were found out by other people and forced into the forest. The girls banded together with the others that survived in the similar fashion and took care of the new babies that got thrown away.
"That was how I found them, living like a pack of animals, with almost nothing to live on. Yet—"
They were so willing to give up everything to help. They all shared whatever little food they had. These lost children, little loved, but much loved by one another. They gave her food and took care of her wounds. She left with her troops after the hyperdrive was fixed. But she came back right afterwards. Her mother's estate was equally divided between her and her sister, after her brother's death.
"I never had use for money. I was almost well-provided in the army," Finn shrugged.
Using that considerable amount of money, Finn managed to purchase building materials from the locals. They refused to come into the forest to work, but they took her money gladly when she bought things. The children built little homes for themselves. The older ones learned to cultivate crops and fed themselves. The younger ones were taught to read and write. The clever ones learned how to build more complicated technology. The strong ones took over the protection of the smaller children. Within a few months, this became a model society.
"That is, quite amazing," Obi-Wan marveled at his surroundings. Secretly, he admired the fiery and passionate young woman next to him.
"They really did everything on their own, you know. I," Finn chuckled, "I merely funded the project. But I'm always glad to come here. They never disturb me at my little hut, but they always welcome me here. They are like family to me, I've never felt so loved as I am with them now."
The little boy named Gavin, or was it Gabe? He came to Finn and asked her if she could read a story he wrote. Finn smiled, her lovely face lit up, and she took the small hand in her own and followed him into one of the huts.
She seems so happy here, Obi-Wan thought to himself. He never realized how unhappy she must have been before. He had forgotten about the cheerful little girl, who always had some posies or others stuck in her fair curls. He thought that the persona of Lieutenant Colonel Palpatine of the Nubian regiments was naturally sarcastic and slightly bitter because she was no longer a little girl. She was an intelligent young woman, well versed in the ways of the world, knowing the ins and outs of the politics. It was not a wonder to him that she always seemed slightly annoyed and peeved. Yet here and now, she was Little Fina again, always laughing and dancing. There was humor and intelligence, but no sarcasm. There was love and compassion, but no anger and hatred.
They sat around in a circle, around the big bonfire. They had just filled themselves full of dinner. Some of the children stood up and recited some lessons they had learned. A few creative youths told humorous stories that amused. Finn had loosened the wall between them. She yawned and leaned down on Obi-Wan's shoulder, he placed his cheek on her head. "This is a wonderful place," he murmured.
"Mmm…" she replied drowsily. Her skin had a warm glow in the firelight. She looked young and innocent, not a military commander any longer.
"You seem so content here," he waited but she did not reply, "Fina, I think you were right. Not a million banthas should be able to drag you away, or me either." He whispered, "I wish we could stay here forever." Seeing that she was fast asleep, Obi-Wan's handsome face grinned and he kissed her hair. "I love you, Fina."
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