Author's Note: Hellish Red Devil – I'm so glad you think I'm doing a good job with Siri. Thank you very much! Hope you enjoy the next chapter! I'll be back with more soon!

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SUITE OF KAHLA AND DAKE, THE APPOINTED DINNER HOUR

Anakin slowly approached the door to the adjoining suite. Stealing a peek, he saw Siri and Padme chatting animatedly, not a trace of smoke to be found. Thank the Force. He breathed a sigh of relief before fully entering the apartment.

The sight that greeted him caused his jaw to drop. There was Obi-wan Kenobi, renowned Jedi warrior, dutifully setting the table. Does someone have a guilty conscience? Dreadful edibles indeed.

I heard that, Anakin.

Oh. Sorry, Master.

Suitably chastised, he turned towards the kitchen and pulled Padme into a crushing hug. Even though it had only been an hour since they parted, he had missed her. The depth and power of his emotions still overwhelmed him at times, but he was learning some control. Jarrick would not be able to manipulate him so easily next time.

Finally, he pulled away and was startled by the look of loneliness and longing in Siri's eyes as she watched them. Catching herself, the Jedi quickly smiled and teased, "No wonder Padme was so willing to help with dinner. If that's the reception I got every time I cooked a meal, I'd open up my own Galactic restaurant!"

Blushing, Padme shook her head in exasperation and returned to the counter for a covered platter. She placed it at the head of the table and stood back to admire her handiwork. Candles glowed on each end of the wooden surface and a glass bowl sat in the very center, brimming with exotic flowers. Four silver plates, covered with domed tops, were placed at each table setting and the steam rose from the edges tantalizingly.

"Shall we?" Siri asked, gesturing to the table.

After everyone was seated, Obi-wan raised his glass with a smile.

"Here's to Skating with the Star Wars... and all the bruises that go with it."

Echoing the sentiment with laughter, they drank deeply and eased the covers off their plates. Anakin stared in amazement at the piles of meats, cheeses and vegetables that rimmed his plate in an artful display. Shooting a disbelieving glance at Obi-wan, he noticed the Jedi Master looked just as shocked as he did.

Catching their expressions, Siri burst out laughing.

"Go on," she encouraged. "Try it! You just might be surprised. It's not dreadful, I promise."

At that, Obi-wan frowned. She knew.

Blast!

PRACTICE RINK C, NEXT MORNING

Obi-wan jammed his feet into his iceblades and stepped through the gate, careful to maintain his upright posture as he hurried towards center ice. Turning his feet to the side, he came to a quick stop a few inches from Siri.

"You're late, Kenobi," she murmured.

"Please accept my apologies," he replied earnestly. "I seemed to have misplaced my warming socks. My feet were frozen yesterday and I do not wish to repeat the experience."

Siri whistled innocently and tapped her toe-pick into the ice playfully, drawing his attention to her feet.

"You're wearing them, aren't you?" he asked, incredulous.

Smoothly, she backed away from him and made a sweeping gesture with her hand, indicating the skimpy practice outfit she was wearing. Her point made, Obi-wan admitted, "All right, perhaps you do need them more."

Threepio buzzed forward on his hoversled, a datapad held securely in his metallic hand. He studied it briefly, inputting the routine to memory.

"Mistress Kahla, Master Dake, perhaps we should get started?" he prodded gently. "My programming tells me it would be best to start working through the routine and when we get to a part that introduces a new technique, I will provide a lesson."

"That sounds fine, Threepio," Obi-wan agreed.

"Well then, I believe we should begin," the droid continued. "Mistress Kahla, will you please come around and face Master Dake? Yes, that's right. Now, put your hands in his, keep your chin up, relax your shoulders..."

The droid's voice seemed to die away as Siri found herself looking into the blue eyes that had haunted her dreams for years. She could feel the electricity crackling where their fingers touched and she watched Obi-wan's gaze darken as he too realized what it meant.

The connection still exists. It may be hidden and weakened, but it's there nonetheless.

Resolutely, she ignored the emotions that were starting to stir and reinforced her mind shields. When she returned her gaze to Obi-wan, her eyes were clear and expressionless.

Unfortunately, she couldn't say the same thing of her heart.

PRACTICE RINK B, SAME TIME

"Warning! Unacceptable technique: falling," TX-306 called. "Preferred remedy: not falling."

Padme watched Anakin slowly stand, rubbing his elbow painfully.

"I hate that droid," he seethed under his breath. "Does she honestly believe I don't know that I'm not supposed to fall?" For the tenth time in as many minutes, he silently cursed the Jedi Council for sending them on this horrifying assignment.

"Well, you did go a little further this time," Padme insisted, trying desperately to stay positive. However, Anakin saw right through the pretense and his voice was dry when he spoke:

"Oh yes, instead of falling immediately, I waited until a couple seconds later. My improvement is staggering, maybe even one for the Holorecords."

Laughing quietly, she skated towards him and framed his face with her hands, bringing him in for a deep kiss. TX-306 made a chiming sound behind them, signaling their next drill was about to begin. Reluctantly, she broke away to confess, "I really miss Threepio."

Anakin was grinning as he stated, "Me too."

With a renewed sense of energy, they returned to the wall and waited for the instruction to begin. Reaching out, Anakin took Padme's hand and squeezed it appreciatively. Thank you, my love. As the buzz sounded, Anakin started to move away but she tightened her grip in response.

"If one falls, the other falls," she stated simply. "We're in this together, all the way. Even the tumbles."

With a smile, he nodded. Determined, they began to skate backwards, hand-in-hand.

And this time, he didn't fall.

LOCATION UNKNOWN

"They've done just as you predicted, Milord," the shadow reported, bowing before the shimmering image of his Master. "Kenobi, Skywalker and Amidala are all on Sogur, preparing for the show."

"Good, very good," the voice hissed.

"There is one thing, Master. They've brought another Jedi, a female... Her Force presence is odd and one I find very difficult to draw upon."

He had to suppress a shudder as he sensed the growing anger emanating from his Master. His hands went to his throat, trying to pull away the unseen hands that were gripping him.

"What is another Jedi compared to the power of the Dark side?" his Master spat. "Are you doubting our strength?"

He shook his head emphatically and the pressure eased. "Of course not, my Master," he finally replied, his words hoarse and subdued.

"Continue your reports."

"Yes, my Master."

As the transmission blinked out, Jarrick stood and gathered the mist around him. It was time to send another message to his beloved.

One she wouldn't soon forget.