Frantically, Obi-Wan called out to the Force to aid in his leap off the low gray stone wall. He flew through the air and landed precariously on the back of an air car that was speeding away from the palace.
His footing slipped however, and he fell heavily against the trunk, drawing the attention of the driver who immediately started swaying the vehicle in an attempt to ditch his stowaway. Obi-Wan slid backward, but held onto the fender of the car, his legs dangling in open air, several meters from the ground, as he scrambled for a better handhold further up the rear of the vehicle.
Straining with effort, he managed to pull himself forward, only to be met by several blaster bolts that thankfully missed him, ricocheting away and scorching the red metallic paint right next to his head. He could now see that there were actually two men in the vehicle. The driver was the one who had shot at him, his menacing look alternately focusing upon Obi-Wan and his driving. The other man, the one in the back seat had his hands full with Padmé, who was twisting and fighting bravely in an effort to gain her freedom. The rear passenger let out a yelp as the young woman's teeth clamped firmly down onto his forearm, and as he retaliated with a backhand across her cheek, Obi-Wan was forced to tamp down the resulting rage that rose up inside of him.
The car continued to dip and dive, and Obi-Wan's body slid across the rear panel, his hands aching from the strain of his grip. With a concentrated effort and assistance from the Force, he propelled himself forward and into the back seat of the vehicle, ignited his lightsaber and disposed of one of the two abductors. Flinging the now-deceased pirate's body overboard and out of the way, he scrambled to reach the pilot, but instead found himself trying to protect Padmé as the air car was inadvertently flipped upside down. The driver, having belted himself in, obviously did not care about delivering his hostage dead or alive, and was taking no chances in getting killed himself and so he decided to ditch his cargo.
The car continued in its inverted position as Obi-Wan used one hand to hold onto a durasteel roll bar that protruded horizontally across the back seat, and with the other, he held tightly onto Padmé's dangling body, his hand firmly gripped around her wrist.
With or without the Force's assistance, he knew he couldn't hold on much longer and so he looked down at the rapidly passing surface beneath them to find an adequate landing spot. Padmé noticed his intentions and followed his gaze.
The driver added to their difficulty by swinging the air car to and fro, while tilting the vehicle at the same time. Still, Obi-Wan held on, until he discovered a clear patch just ahead, darker than the surrounding surfaces. He hoped that it was grass or maybe even water. Either would be sufficient. He nodded once to Padmé, and she obviously understood his meaning, because she abruptly let go of his arm and fell. Obi-Wan soon followed after her, ducking his head and rolling his body as he hit solid ground.
Once his momentum had stopped, his mind was alert to the sound of the air car which had actually circled and was coming back toward them.
From underneath the hood of the vehicle, twin blaster canons protruded and fired upon the knight, but the Force had warned him of the danger and he had been prepared. His lightsaber reflected both shots, and as the vehicle passed him by, Obi-Wan jumped out of the way, sweeping out his 'saber in such a precise swing that it immediately decapitated the driver. The vehicle crashed in a grove just beyond with a resulting explosion and ball of fire that ate away at the lower branches of the surrounding trees.
Once satisfied that they were safe and there were no other threats, Obi-Wan rushed to where Padmé had landed. She was awake and had arched up from the ground to watch the attack, but winced in pain when Obi-Wan attempted to help her stand.
"It's my ankle." She moaned and Obi-Wan sat her back down onto the grass and assessed the joint.
"Looks like a bad sprain." He noted as his fingers gently palpated the area and bone, but Padmé still hissed in pain.
"Allow me to escort you home, Mi'Lady." Obi-Wan looked up at her and grinned mischievously before he promptly picked up her in his arms and carried her as he walked.
"This isn't necessary." Padmé argued, not accustomed to being coddled. "Qui-Gon surely will have sent guards out by now. They'll probably be here any minute."
"Probably." Obi-Wan agreed as he continued walking, ignoring her protests, realizing that they were weakened by the fact that she had wrapped her arms about his neck and was sighing against his chest.
He, too, was relishing in the feel of her body in his arms, but that wasn't the reason he was carrying her away. The Force was issuing out a warning to him. Something wasn't right here. Since when did pirates come to a planet and use air cars to take hostages? Ones equipped with blaster canons? He could understand the attempt in space, but to send in just two of them to try and kidnap her? It just didn't make any sense. Pirates didn't usually take such risks in acquiring a ransom. No matter how big.
And taking Padmé hostage for a hefty ransom was what Obi-Wan initially believed their intention was, but now he wasn't so sure.
There had to be another reason behind all of this. And possibly even someone behind it all. But who?
Obi-Wan shifted the sweet burden in his arms as he applied a tender kiss to the crown of her head. So far, he had not seen or heard any rescuers arriving from the palace, and so he decided to take advantage of their time together, and he deposited Padmé gently upon a fallen log. They were just outside of the city limits and the woods were dense with trees and undergrowth. It was peaceful and quiet aside from the occasional chirps of night insects and birds. He sighed into the night and knelt down to eye level with the beautiful woman seated in front of him, smiling gently at first, but then becoming quite alarmed when he noted tears brimming in her eyes.
"Padmé? Are you okay?"
"No." She murmured. "I don't want you to go."
Obi-Wan's eyes dropped down to the hands in her lap and reached out to hold onto them, his thumbs soothing the tender skin along her inner wrists. "You know and I know, it's the right thing to do."
"But I love you."
Obi-Wan's eyes shot back up in time to see a lone tear escape from her brown eyes, and his heart nearly broke. Why was she making this so damn difficult? It was already difficult enough.
He had to leave. He had to return to the Temple. She had to stay and marry the King, secure her planet, rule her new kingdom. It was her destiny.
Or was it?
The knight gripped onto her hands more firmly, his eyes lighting with hope. "Come with me." He suggested.
Another sob escaped the young woman as her eyes drifted shut in misery. "Obi-Wan. I can't."
The young man shook his head in sorrowful regret. Of course she couldn't. He should have known better. Even if it wasn't for the engagement, she was a leader. She loved her people and they loved her. She belonged here. He had no right to ask her to leave.
"I'm sorry." He said in a whisper. "That was unfair of me."
Her small hand escaped from his grasp and lingered in a slow caress along his face. "Nothing about this is fair."
Obi-Wan leaned into the caress, his eyes drifting shut, savoring the touch of her soft hand upon his skin. He was slightly taken aback by another sensation, as much softer skin met his lips in a whisper of a caress, her lips moving tenderly against him, her tongue darting out to shyly ask permission, which Obi-Wan granted readily as he reached out and pulled her against his chest, devouring her mouth, his tongue plundering the small space, his senses memorizing the taste, the feel, and the smell of her. Memories that he would take with him to keep him company on the long lonely nights that he knew lay ahead of him after he left Naboo.
A whimper escaped Padmé as Obi-Wan continued his tender assault, bringing his hands up to undo the long braid that hung down her back. Soon, his fingers were embedded in the luxurious curls of her hair, and he used that leverage to deepen their kiss even further.
Her eyes were black with desire when he released her to draw breath, his own desire pounding through his body, bordering on painful as she took his hand and placed it upon her breast.
"Touch me." She whispered huskily. "Please."
And there was nothing more than Obi-Wan wanted to do, but in the distance, he could hear the approach of several speeders, which he assumed were sent from the palace, and he knew there wasn't enough time.
Apparently, this wasn't meant to be.
Padmé obviously heard the search party as well, and she could not hide the look of disappointment on her face.
She swallowed heavily and adjusted her clothing.
Obi-Wan stood up and distanced himself from her, glancing over his shoulder to catch sight of the distant shadowy figures of the palace guards searching through the woods.
"You'll come see me before you leave? To say goodbye?" She asked, the pain of their future parting coloring her words.
"Yes."The young man replied. The one syllable was all Obi-Wan was capable of choking out.