Author's Note: Hellish Red Devil – Oh, I'm glad you're happy about Obi-wan having a possible pairing. I'll do my best to keep it from getting too soap opera-ish. Anakin's Girl – I've never read anything official about Siri (don't know much about the EU), but I've seen her pop up enough in fan fictions that I think I have a basic idea of what she's like. Meandmysharpie – Yes, I have some funny things in mind for our dear Obi-wan and his "mastery" of the ice. Hopeless4Life – thanks for your enthusiastic review! Hope you'll like this chapter too!

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SUITE 7 - ONE HOUR LATER

Anakin pulled the soft shirt over his head and jammed his feet into a pair of boots, sliding the pair of iceblades into his rucksack. Frantic, he glanced towards the bedroom before hurrying towards the archway that separated their suite from Obi-wan's and Siri's.

"Master!" he whispered hoarsely.

Obi-wan's head popped out from the kitchen, his hands laden with a plateful of fruit and cheese. Raising his eyebrows curiously, he finished chewing and merely asked, "Yes?"

"We should go. Now!" he insisted impatiently.

"What's the hurry? Practice isn't for another twenty minutes. Has something happened?" Instantly, his hand went to his waist where his light saber normally rested. He frowned as he remembered his weapon was now discretely stowed in one of Artoo's many hidden compartments.

"No, nothing has happened - yet," Anakin replied, his eyes darting back to the closed bedroom door.

"Then what's the problem?" Obi-wan asked casually, popping another cube of cheese into his mouth.

"Padme has gone in to change for practice," Anakin explained knowingly. He tilted his head as if his Master should easily be able to follow his line of thinking.

His expression blank, Obi-wan prompted, "And?"

Anakin sighed impatiently before continuing, "And if they've left something for her to wear that is as uncomfortable as last time, she's not going to be happy. And your partner won't be either. Trust me."

His eyes widening, Obi-wan looked at Siri's door, currently closed as she too prepared for their first practice.

"Oh dear."

Pulling on a pair of boots and grabbing his iceblades, Obi-wan was on Anakin's heels as they fled the apartments, seconds before a pair of feminine voices shrieked in anger.

RINK B - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

Anakin reluctantly pulled on his iceblades, fastening the ties so tight he wondered if he might have cut off circulation. He studied the span of ice looming before him and was suddenly grateful for the plentiful wardrobe the staff had left for him. Designed to contain body heat, the garments varied in style and color – and, as a former resident of a desert planet, that amenity suited him just fine.

Unfortunately, the wardrobe staff hadn't been as kind to Padme or Siri.

Trotting down the stairs, both women were swathed in dark cloaks, their hair pulled back in braids. Each clutched a pair of iceblades in their hands and wore identical murderous expressions. I was right, Anakin realized. Then, Oh, this is not good.

Despite the warning glance his former Padawan gave him, Obi-wan was the first one to speak:

"That's what you were given to wear for skating? How odd. Full-length cloaks hardly seem conducive for some of the moves we're supposed to learn."

Well, Master, it was nice knowing you, Anakin thought darkly.

"The only move you're going to learn is how to remove a light sab-" Siri began angrily, her eyes flashing at Obi-wan.

"These aren't our practice costumes," Padme interrupted loudly, hoping her new friend would refrain from finishing that descriptive sentence. She had a feeling it was going to be quite... colorful. "We threw these on for warmth."

Looking at each other, the two women nodded at each other reassuringly and let the cloaks fall to the floor.

Dressed in what could only be described as long-sleeved leotards, each had fastened a short skirt around their hips in an attempt to preserve some form of modesty. Brightly colored fabric encircled the lower halves of their legs, the effect functional, but also somewhat humorous.

Anakin bit his tongue so hard he was sure he tasted blood. Please Force, don't let me smile... Sadly, Obi-wan had not learned that trick and burst into a sputtering fit of laughter.

"Oh, I thought I had seen it all, but this is truly something to behold." He wiped a tear from his eye.

Wobbling slightly on the iceblades she had quickly stepped into, Siri made her way towards Obi-wan, shoving a dainty finger into his chest.

"If I hear a word about this to any of our friends back on Coruscant..." she let the threat trail off and pushed past him, gingerly working her way onto the ice. Flailing desperately, she managed to stay upright and slowly proceeded towards the middle of the rink, where their droids were scheduled to meet them any minute.

Turning away, Anakin drank in the sight of his wife as he volunteered, "I think you look beautiful." Kissing her cheek, he saw her try to hide a pleased smile before she gave him a skeptical "are you kidding" look.

"Honestly," he swore, putting up his hands in mock surrender.

Laughing quietly, she kissed him deeply before turning towards the ice. After giving Obi-wan's arm a supportive pat, she stepped onto the slick surface, her arms moving like pinwheels to keep her balance.

"Kahla! Wait for me! I'll catch up with you in just a second," she called. Wobbling severely, she paused for a moment and decided to amend her statement. "Okay, maybe I will be there sometime tomorrow." Siri's answering laugh filled the arena, the sound pure and genuine.

Once Padme had moved out of earshot, Anakin came to stand next to Obi-wan, who was still staring after Siri with an unreadable expression on his face.

"You have a lot to learn about women, Master," Anakin admonished lightly. "It is truly staggering."

"Well, while you were off breaking the Code and gathering all this knowledge, I was busy being a good, law-abiding Jedi," he retorted, dragging a hand through his short hair.

Anakin simply glared and a moment of silence passed before Obi-wan sighed deeply and replied, "I'm sorry, my friend. You know I didn't mean that. It's just... I haven't seen her in so long. We've always teased each other relentlessly - but perhaps things have changed. Perhaps that type of a relationship is not appropriate anymore."

Anakin shook his head slowly, before suggesting, "Or, maybe you merely need to... pick your moments a bit more carefully?"

Obi-wan took several minutes to let Anakin's advice sink in. Finally, he nodded his agreement and clapped a hand across Anakin's shoulders. "I do believe it's time we join the ladies and show them our attire isn't the only good thing on this blasted ice."

Side-by-side, the fearless Jedi stepped through the small gate...

...And promptly landed on their backsides.