A/N: I'm trying to get as much of this story done as possible because I have been cast in a new play and that will eat up even more of my free time. Thank you so much for reading I'm sorry about the delays!

Chapter 3:

"Siri…he did it!" Obi-Wan Kenobi rushed excitedly into the hovel he now shared with the blonde Jedi. He quickly discovered the structure was empty; he searched until he found her and Boga standing on the shore of the lake.

She leaned her face on the dragon mount's and whispered something to her. Obi-Wan noticed a wave of sadness on both their faces, he grew concerned.

"The fog lifted a little," Siri exclaimed when she sensed he was near. "I suppose we have you to thank."

"It was Luke, he used the Force…destroyed the Death Star…he was incredible!" Obi-Wan couldn't hide his enthusiasm.

"That's wonderful Obi-Wan."

"He listened to me and then the Force…it was amazing, it felt just like the time I first taught Anakin to use the Force." He found himself lost in the memory. "I had forgotten how good it feels to be a good teacher."

Siri looked at him and smiled. "I'm so proud of you."

"I just wish that there was more I could do for him…it's such a dangerous time." Obi-Wan stated, leaning against Boga. "I'm afraid just being a voice in his head won't be effective for much longer."

Siri stayed uncharacteristically quiet, throwing a stone across the water. Obi-Wan watched her carefully, knowing something was bothering her.

"Qui-Gon was telling me about a possibility of actually appearing to Luke." He chose his words carefully; Siri stayed quiet, stroking Boga's feathered head. "I can tell by your reaction that you've heard about this option before."

"Qui-Gon mentioned it…to prepare me." She finally looked at him.

"So then you're aware that if I do this there is a possibility I won't come back." He moved towards her.

"Yes,"

He tried to hold her, but she moved away from him. "I would love your opinion on what I should do."

She folded her arms across her chest. "I can't give you that Obi-Wan, I refuse to be the reason you choose one path over another, this is your choice."

"You think I should stay,"

She shook her head. "No, I think you should go…I want you to stay."

He walked up to her, placing a hand on her arm. "Then your opinion is the same as mine." He gently placed a kiss on the back of her head. "But I haven't decided anything yet, so don't worry."

Siri scoffed. "Don't give me that Bantha fodder Obi-Wan Kenobi, you were ever dutiful in life how can I ever ask anything different of you now?'

"I'm so sorry Siri,"

She turned to him. "Don't be, it's one of the many things that annoys me yet one of the things I most love about you."

He grabbed her quickly and enveloped her in a tight hug; she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him protectively. They held each other for several wonderful moments before the ground beneath them began to shake and the fog drew closer to the valley.

He held her tightly, noticing every Jedi looked his direction. "A shift in the Force, Vader must be on a rampage."

Siri looked up at Obi-Wan with concern in her eyes. "You have to go,"

He noticed the fear behind her words. "Are you sure?"

She kissed his forehead. "I maybe stubborn Obi-Wan, but I'm not selfish…Luke needs you, the Jedi need you…Anakin needs you."

Obi-Wan held her face in his hands. "I promise I will find my way back to you."

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

He leaned down and kissed her passionately. "I never do,"

Time didn't really exist in the realm of the Force; before he knew it Obi-Wan realized that two years had passed since the destruction of the Death Star. During that time he studied with not only Qui-Gon but several ancient Jedi spirits he had only read about in his history classes. He soaked up everything they had to teach him making sure he would be strong enough to return to Siri. For her part Siri was careful to avoid conversations about his upcoming mission, she knew it would do him no good to make him feel guilty or upset in anyway.

Obi-Wan had tried to continue to train Luke anyway that he could, but he could tell the young man was growing restless and that worried him. The more he watched Luke the more he realized how much he resembled his father. The headstrong lad would rush into any danger to save his friends, not even considering the threat to his own well being or to the mission at hand. Obi-Wan had even been forced to take command of Luke's body in order to fend off Darth Vader on one occasion.

The Rebel forces had relocated to the remote ice planet of Hoth, and Obi-Wan knew it was time to convince Luke to search out Master Yoda whom Obi-Wan had also kept in contact with. The day came, Obi-Wan and Siri prepared themselves for the worst. Obi-Wan tried to keep his thoughts positive as he said goodbye to Bant, Garen, Boga, and Qui-Gon, not wanting to focus on the idea of never seeing any of them again.

As he turned away from his old master a familiar figure caught his eye, he was stunned to see her and for an instant thought he was dreaming. He rushed towards her, not sure how to respond to her presence. They came within a few feet of each other, neither sure what to say. She stared at him with her huge brown eyes, tears beginning to run down her cheeks.

"Padme,"

She smiled. "Hello Obi-Wan,"

"How is this possible?" He asked, taking his old friend into a warm embrace.

"Apparently giving birth to the Chosen One's children has granted me some privileges." She held onto him tightly for another moment. "Obi-Wan, I'm so sorry."

He pulled away from the hug and looked at her. "You have no need to apologize Padme, you did nothing wrong."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Nothing,"

He let out a sad chuckle. "Well…"

"Obi-Wan, I don't deserve you…you are the most amazingly loyal person I have ever known." He took her hands in his and shook his head. "Anyone would be lucky to call you their friend."

"Likewise,"

She shook her head. "Still so humble, you forget how much you've done for me? When I sit down and think about it I'm blown away."

"Padme…"

"You lost your Master when you helped me protect my home planet, you jumped out a window to protect me, the love of your life died trying to save me, you were there for the birth of my children, you held my son while I took my last breath and watched over him for seventeen years, then died while trying to rescue my daughter!" She began to rant.

He grabbed both her shoulders. "Shhh…its ok Padme, if I had the chance I'd do it all over again because you've done a lot for me as well."

"Oh please,"

"You have…you were the discreet shoulder I cried on after Qui-Gon was killed; you many times were the only Senator fighting for the Jedi, plus you made Anakin happy during a very stressful period." He forced her to look at him. "See, you've done just as much for me."

She looked away from him. "I heard what you are doing for Luke…that you may never be able to return."

"Yes that's true." He put a finger under her chin. "You know it's funny, I still see you pregnant with the twins." He smiled. "I remember thinking to myself that you never looked happier, like you had the greatest secret to protect."

"I only wish I could've been the mother I always wanted to be." She found herself crying. "But I let my feelings for Anakin take hold and I left my children orphaned…I wasn't strong enough for them."

Obi-Wan placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'll admit it took me by surprise to see you give up Padme because I've only known one other woman as strong willed as you."

"Siri,"

"Yeah," he smiled. "But I realized that somehow you knew that leaving was the only way to protect them."

"What,"

"Do you think that had you survived that Vader or the Emperor would've given up looking for you?" His voice grew serious. "You were strong enough to make the choice to leave them in order to save them."

She threw her arms around him. "My family doesn't deserve you."

He kissed the top of her head. "Your family is my family Padme…Anakin will always be my brother, and I see your children as my niece and nephew."

"Thank you,"

"Now Milady I must be going, your son is wandering around in the snow and needs some direction." Obi-Wan tried to make light of the subject.

Padme smiled. "Well, who better to guide him?"

He winked at her and turned towards the Temple, Padme watched him leave unsure of what else to say.

"Obi-Wan," she called after him. "Do you remember the last thing I said to you?"

He stopped and looked at her. "Yes,"

"Do you think it's true, that there is still good in him?" She hugged herself as she spoke.

"With all my heart Padme I wish it were so."

A brilliant white light engulfed him, causing Padme to shield her eyes. Once the light receded she noticed he was gone, she sadly turned to return home when she saw Siri standing in the distance. The two women stared at each other for a moment, not saying another word.

TBC!