Author's Note: meandmysharpie – Aw, I got the biggest grin when I heard that the last chapter made you laugh. Thanks! And yes, ice skating is very difficult business! I almost broke my elbow in college when I gave it a shot. I still love it though! HellishRedDevil – yes, Obi-wan and Siri seem to make a perfect couple. I'm so glad you're enjoying them! There's much more to come, so I hope you'll stay turned! I always enjoy your enthusiastic reviews! Rachel791 – Siri Tachi is a character from the EU. From what I've gleaned from fan fics (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong), she and Obi-wan were raised in the Jedi Temple at the same time, developing a close, teasing friendship which gradually grew into love. Not wanting to disobey the Code – they didn't act on it. Bittersweet, eh?

00000

Anakin quickly glanced at the center ice, where Padme and Siri were deeply engrossed in a detailed conversation. His thoughts were joyous as they ran through his head: They didn't see! Thank the stars, they didn't see!

He should have known not to celebrate too prematurely. After all, his Master wasn't one to keep silent when he suffered a pride-damaging injury.

As if on cue, Obi-wan let out a rather pitiful groan as he attempted to struggle to his feet. The sound reverberated through the empty arena like a shot from a blaster, instantly drawing the attention of their female partners. At first, they only stared, a look of concern passing through their eyes and Anakin felt his anxiety begin to ease. But then hysterical peals of laughter filled the air. Blast!

"Are we having some trouble gentlemen?" Siri asked, holding her stomach as her giggles subsided.

Obi-wan began to raise his hand in a rather rude gesture, but stopped as he remembered Anakin's advice. Instead, he cleared his throat and fixed an embarrassed smile on his face.

"Yes, it would appear so," he finally managed. Standing, he extended a hand to Anakin who was still scowling deeply.

Good job, Master. Now they think we're incapable.

It's all right, Anakin. We've simply eased their nerves... broken the ice, if you will.

Not the best choice of words, Master, however appropriate.

Grinning, Anakin accepted Obi-wan's offer of assistance and was soon back to a standing position. There was a brief moment of horror as they felt their feet begin to go out from under them again, but they managed to keep their footing this time.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Anakin confessed under his breath.

"Yes, well - judging by the way this mission is going so far, I can see why," Obi-wan acknowledged ruefully. Clumsily, the two began the treacherous journey to their partners' sides, mumbling incoherently under their breath.

Finally, their hard work was rewarded as they reached the center ice. Biting back a smile, Padme stretched her hands towards Anakin, who grasped them gratefully. Sympathetically, she pressed a kiss to his hand and smoothed the hair off his forehead.

"At least you got your first fall out of the way," she offered brightly.

Before he could respond, the steady whirring of motors caught their attention and they turned towards the noise. Threepio and TX-306, their faithful "instructor" droids for this ordeal, were making their grand entrance. They were standing aboard a pair of hoversleds and each raised a metallic hand in greeting.

"You sent Jarrick's housekeeping droid?" Padme hissed in Anakin's ear. "What were you thinking?"

"She's been reprogrammed," he said defensively. "Besides, the Council wanted me to continue my work on her. Think of all that information about Jarrick and the Sith - it's just sitting there, tucked away in her memory files."

"And what about the self destruct feature?" she asked, her brows knitted together in a frown.

"It's been dismantled," he promised. "She poses no threat."

Somewhat satisfied, Padme sighed and waited for the sleds to arrive. The real work was about to start.

00000

"My friends, it is so nice to see you," Threepio enthused. Bending at the waist in a slight bow, he spoke to Siri, "Mistress Kahla, I am C3PO, human-cyborg relations. I am so pleased to make your acquaintance."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Threepio. I've heard a lot about you," Siri responded, the corners of her mouth twitching at the sight of the flustered droid.

"Oh. Well then," Threepio continued, pleased. "As you know, I have been assigned to Master Dake and Mistress Kahla's team. My cohort, TX-306, will be working with Master Kaide and Mistress Liri. Both of us have received extensive downloads and are programmed to train you accordingly."

"Fantastic," Obi-wan muttered, causing Threepio to tilt his head nervously. Unaware of the tension, TX-306 brought her hoversled forward slightly as she took over the explanation:

"Today's main objective: allow contestants to familiar themselves with the ice. Rules: No utilization of partners, no clinging desperately to the wall. Physical technique pointers: Heads up, backs straight, arms relaxed. Iceblade warning: contestants must refrain from leaning forward on the front tip of their blades. Practice time will commence... now."

With that, the two droids retreated to the far end of the rink and looked at them expectantly. Warily, the group split off - heading in four separate directions. Soon, the arena was filled with the sounds of bodies hitting the ice and the muttering of scalding epithets.

THIRTY MINUTES LATER

Anakin picked himself up of the ice and glared at the graceful forms of his wife and Siri. After a few falls, they had taken to the ice like a Hutt takes to gambling and were currently skating circles around Obi-wan... literally.

"Come on, Dake," Siri cheered. "I know you can do it."

The Jedi Master's legs worked quickly as he tried to keep up, chopping into the ice with ruthless efficiency. Suddenly, his foot seemed to get stuck and he pitched forward onto his face, sliding across the slick surface.

TX-306 sounded weary as she zoomed up on her hoversled for the thirteenth time.

"Master Dake, Master Kaide - you are both in violation of the iceblade warning: leaning into the front of your blades. Reason behind warning: the serrated edge that is carved into the tip of the blade. Technical name: toe pick. Purpose: digs into the ice - helpful for jumps and spins, not regular skating maneuvers. Corrective measure: Contestants must center their bodies and carry themselves more upright, which will lead to the desire result - skating as proficiently as Mistress Liri and Kahla."

This time, Anakin helped Obi-wan to his feet and they sent a pair of withering glares at the droid's retreating figure. Threepio caught their expressions and twitched nervously. Leaning over, Obi-wan whispered, "So, the self-destruct feature is really deactivated?"

"Yes, Master," Anakin replied, pushing off with his right leg and struggling to keep his posture steady. Padme clapped gleefully as he swept past her.

"What a pity," Obi-wan answered darkly.