Obi-Wan attempted to get some sleep but found none. He left things the wrong way with Siri and it was torturing him inside. He was also still trying to decide if he wanted to tell Qui-Gon or not. Love was forbidden for a Jedi, but well over half of the older Jedi Knights and Padawans created some kind of physical relationship. Qui-Gon had one, but Obi-Wan had sometimes thought it stretched beyond that…only later did he find out that it was true when Master Tahl died.
After being in bed for over two hours he decided that he would get up and walk around, hopefully tiring himself out.
The Jedi Temple was always busy; someone was always awake wondering the halls. This night was no different, there was those who got in from missions late or even a few who had such sensitive skin that the sun burnt them so they moved around at night and slept in the day, then there was the everyday insomniacs, like him, who just couldn't sleep sometimes. The galley was also a popular place to frequent in the late hours others would talk and laugh. As Obi-Wan walked the curve hall toward the kitchen he noticed a blonde haired woman walking with her hand guiding her against the wall. Obi-Wan jogged up to her side.
"Siri-" He was cut off by the gasping sound in her voice.
"Force, you scared me." She held her heart with her left hand while still touching the wall with her right.
"Sorry…what are you doing out here?"
"What are you doing out here!" She snapped. After a few seconds when he didn't say anything she calmed down and her body muscles loosened up. "I'm sorry; I just can't stand being so helpless. You know I can't even take a shower by myself? Someone has to hand me my shampoo and conditioner it's really embarrassing."
"Well I can say that I know what you're going through. When I was fourteen I accidentally cut part of my…self with my lightsaber."
"What? How did you manage that?" She asked.
"I…I was parading around my room naked, showing off in the reflectors and I had my lightsaber then ignited it giving myself a gash. When it wouldn't stop bleeding I went and told Qui-Gon, then we went to medical and Luminara Unduli happened to be there with her Padawan Barriss Offee. They saw all the blood on my leggings." Obi-Wan smiled and started to laugh a little. "So, I thing I might have it a little worse then you. I couldn't pee right for a month."
Siri laughed for the first time since Ithor where they and their Masters had gone for a retreat or more a vacation. Obi-Wan and Siri spent time racing up the trees in the rainforests, swimming in the lakes. It was a much needed break…that ended in disaster.
"Where were you headed?" His eyes followed the curves of her face looked at her smile.
"The galley…I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd go and make some tea."
"That's where I was going. Mind if I walk with you?"
"Under one condition,"
"What's that?" He smiled.
"You hold my hand so I don't have to hug this wall." She said it a bit sarcastically but was truly hurting inside.
Obi-Wan took her hand in his and she let go of the wall. After a few steps she placed her other hand over his.
"Your hands are cold."
"Yeah, they always are, they never seem to get as much body heat into them as they need to stay warm. Sometimes my fingernails even turn purple and blue." He lifted his hands to show her but then caught himself before becoming obvious that he wanted her to look.
They walked a little further then down the turbolift to the floor the cafeteria was located on. Just as Obi-Wan suspected there was other Jedi sitting at different tables, talking or sitting by themselves.
"Want me to get you something from the kitchen?" Obi-Wan asked after they found a vacant table where he helped Siri into a chair.
"Um, yeah, actually some tea would be nice."
"Anything else?"
"No, that should be good thanks."
"Be right back." He smiled then turned for the counters at the other end of the room.
As Siri sat quiet and in the dark a voice spoke to her.
"Siri?"
Siri immediately reconized the soft femine voice. It was Shaak Ti.
"Hello Master Ti, how are you tonight?" Siri said out of politeness.
"I'm doing very well, but how are you? How are you feeling?" She asked with concern.
"I'm holding my own. Hoping for the best, getting use to things the way they are now." She half smiled.
"Is there anyone helping you around?"
As much as she despised the question itself she did what any good Padawan Learner did; she responded nicely.
"Yes, I'm actually here with Obi-Wan Kenobi. He's over getting some tea…still not sleeping as well as I use to. I'm getting there."
"Master Ti, you're up quite late." Obi-Wan had appeared with two cups in his hands.
"Obi-Wan, Siri here was just telling me about how you've been helping her get around while she's incapacitated."
Siri jumped from her seat, threw Shaak Ti to the floor and started strangling her.
"I'm not incapacitated! It will go away! There's nothing wrong with me! I'm not helpless! I'm not!"
"Siri?" Obi-Wan said touching her shoulder.
Siri blinked her eyes and realized she had never moved from her chair.
"What?" She asked.
"You ok?"
"Yeah, I'm just starting to get a little sleepy. I think I'm gonna head back to my quarters." She slowly got up from her chair and Obi-wan grabbed her arm to steady her.
"I must be on my way as well; I have a debriefing with the Council in the morning."
"Good night Master." Obi-Wan said.
'Yes, good night." Siri followed. When she was sure Shaak Ti was gone she started to move for the turbolift without even know where to go.
"Siri, wait." Obi-Wan called after her.
"I'll be fine I don't need any help, just leave me be for now." She continued to walk away from him.
"Siri, the lifts behind you." He told her.
She stopped in her tracks.
"Get me out of here Obi-Wan, get me away from the world." She cried into his chest and he cradled her.
"I think I know a place."
In the room of a thousand fountains it was quite and peaceful. No one was in there leaving Siri and Obi-Wan by themselves. They sat on the ledge of one of the bigger fountains, Obi-Wan had his arms locked around her shoulders and she pulled his left arm closer into her body while leaning her head on his chest. The sound of falling water was soothing to Siri, she found she had calmed herself dramaticlly.
"Why can't every place be this quite?" Siri questioned.
"I think because then life would seem too easy." He smiled.
Siri let out a small chuckle.
"Life seems easier with you here." She confessed.
Obi-Wan couldn't think of anything to say. So he settled for kissing her hair.
Siri closed her eyes and with in minutes was asleep in Obi-Wan's arms.
The buzzer on the door to the quarters Siri shared with Adi ran at an obscene hour, or so Adi herself was thinking. When she opened the door Obi-Wan stood with a sleeping Siri in his arms.
"Obi-Wan, what's going on its late?"
"Sorry Master Gallia, Siri was having a hard time sleeping. I found her wondering the hall when I myself couldn't sleep." He walked through the doorway and into the living space of the small quarters.
"I wasn't even aware she wasn't in her room." Adi held her robe closer to her body. Obi-Wan left the room and went to lay Siri down on her bed. Adi hadn't followed him, so he tucked her in and kissed her forehead.
When he reappeared he wanted to get out of there as fast as he could.
"Well, goodnight Master." He bowed and went to let himself out.
"Obi-Wan?" Adi called out.
He turned around thinking he may be getting trouble.
"How is she handling it?"
"…she's gonna be ok…she just needs time." Obi-Wan turned back for the door and left, think that he just lied to a Jedi Master. Was he changing from everything he ever was? He needed answers, so he went to the one person he trusted most with these kinds of questions.