Author's Note: Anakin's Girl – Hee! Yeah, I just had to work that line in! I'm glad you're enjoying Obi-wan and Siri. Thanks for the review! Hopeless4Life – oh, I think Padme and Siri would be quite a team, don't you? Hope you like this update too! Meandmysharpie – Aw, I'm glad you like Mace; it's fun to tweak his character a little. I'm glad that ginseng did the job for you! I'll keep that in mind next time I get sick. Hellish Red Devil – I know! Can you just imagine those big bad Jedi in skating costumes? Oh, the image is something that never fails to make me smile! Thanks again to you all – you're keeping me inspired!
MOMENTS BEFORE PREMIER EPISODE OF SKATING WITH THE STAR WARS
Padme looked at the long line of contestants as they stood side-by-side, waiting for the grand introduction. They were from all walks of life - a true variety of species, personalities and talents. Yet they all had one thing in common.
They were all "ready-to-faint-any-moment" nervous.
She shifted her gaze to focus on Siri and Obi-wan as they stood a few yards away. Looking slightly uncomfortable, they were trading admiring glances when they thought no one else was looking. Although they seemed determined to deny their feelings, Padme noticed they were standing so close together that Siri's cloak blended with Obi-wan's costume, causing them to look like one body with two heads.
The effect would be comical if it wasn't so incredibly sweet.
Padme sighed happily, deeply certain her friends would acknowledge their feelings in no time. Bringing her lips to Anakin's ear, she whispered, "They really are a good match, aren't they?"
Wrinkling his nose in confusion, Anakin asked, "Who?"
"Siri and Obi-wan," she replied, exasperated.
"Well, they were partners for a long time," Anakin offered, ignoring her implications. "When I first came to the Temple, the stories about them were already becoming the stuff of legends."
"I think they're more than teammates," she insisted firmly.
Anakin looked horrified at the thought. "Obi-wan and Siri? No, my love - I really don't think so. My former Master practically sleeps with the Code tucked under his pillow."
Padme gave him a disdainful look. "Well, I know the feelings are there. Just you wait and see."
He fixed a cocky grin on his face. "I'll bet you nothing comes of it. If it does, I will wear one of my skating costumes the next time I am summoned to the Council chambers."
"All right, I'll take that bet," Padme replied quickly, her eyes flashing.
"And what will I get if I win?" he asked nonchalantly.
"If you win, I will wear one of my costumes to the next Senate session," Padme replied, her eyes flashing.
"Deal."
"Deal."
Leaning over, they sealed their pact with a kiss, only pulling apart when Obi-wan started making exaggerating gagging noises. Anakin started to glare at him, but the sight of his Master dressed in a dark purple tunic and pants was too good to pass up and he settled on a mocking grin instead.
"Sure glad I didn't get stuck with purple," Anakin said, just loud enough for Obi-wan to hear. With an exaggerated motion of his arm, he pretended to inspect the dark blue color of his own costume.
Padme was glad when the "On-Air" signal blinked on, certain that the nerves were about to spill over in a rather unattractive way. She would have hated to see their cover blown over a few unwise comments about a Jedi Master's color choice. Suddenly, the show's theme music blasted through the arena.
It was time.
"Welcome, dear friends, to the very first episode of Skating with the Star Wars!" the announcer trilled, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Our brave contestants are ready to show you their finest moves on ice as they battle for the championship. Let's meet them, shall we?"
The line started to move forward as the producer waved them over to the rink's entrance. Padme glanced over her shoulder and saw Siri clutching her cloak around her tightly. She halfway wondered if the Jedi was going to be able to part with it.
"Makala and Poya, hailing from Ryloth!"
"Ravie and Bowermi, joining us from Adari!"
"Yirn and Aspa, representing Mirial!"
Padme and Anakin stood side by side, their feet poised over the ice as they waited for their cue. Glancing around the stands, they were shocked to find the Performance Arena packed to capacity.
"Liri and Kaide, residents of the Outer Rim!"
Padme gratefully slipped her hand into Anakin's as they skated to the center ice, taking their place beside the other contestants. The crowd was on its feet, waving and clapping excitedly. Padme felt her face turn red as she took in the adoration. In truth, it was humbling and yet... soothing. To have so many people rooting for you, well - as a politician she didn't get that too much.
The announcer waited patiently for the noise to subside. After another wave of cheering, it finally did.
Resignation permeated the loud voice as it proceeded to the next couple. Padme grinned as she realized Obi-wan and Siri were about to be announced. Sure enough, the booming voice declared: "Also coming from the Outer Rim, Dake and Kahla!"
Her eyes went straight to the end of the rink where Siri tossed aside her cloak, entering the ice with a look of fierce determination on her face. A few yards in, she turned to find Obi-wan still standing there, staring at her in amazement.
Nudging Anakin, she murmured, "I want you to wear the outfit with the most sparkles. Master Windu will be most pleased." His response was a frown and a colorful curse word.
Finally, Obi-wan seemed to regain his senses and skated to Siri, joining their hands firmly. A happy buzz went through the crowd as they got their first look at the woman who had captured "Dake's" heart. Oblivious to the attention, they smiled at each other shyly, their shoulder visibly relaxing.
It was going to be an interesting night.
FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER
Padme couldn't help but grin as she felt the familiar warmth of the spotlight on her skin. Her back to Anakin, she could feel his breath on her neck and the sensation brought a tingling thrill of anticipation. I love you, Anakin. He squeezed her hand as his reply echoed through her mind: I love you too.
The audience was silent as the first chords of music echoed through the building. TX-306 had chosen a soft, romantic tune and the melody brought a haunting aspect to their routine.
Padme pushed off, her dress fluttering around her gracefully. She kept her head high, her feet moving in perfect unison with Anakin's as he came up beside her. As they approached the wall, she dug in her blades and moved in a graceful arc to the right while Anakin cut to the left. Paying close attention to the beat of the music, her feet slashed across the ice, conquering the complicated footwork.
The half-circle nearly complete, she returned to center ice and met up with Anakin. Gently, he wrapped his hands around her body and she hooked her leg around his waist. For a brief moment, they twirled and their world narrowed, consisting only of each other. Nothing will part us, my love. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he brought them to a stop just as the music reached its crescendo, earning them a burst of applause.
The heat between them was palpable as they brought their hands up between them, palm-to-palm. Pushing with all her might, she gave a teasing grin as they parted, working through the second required aspect of the routine, but this time the difficult backwards skating proved effortless.
Their Bond flowed between them so strongly, she was able to pinpoint Anakin's exact position in the rink. And so, as the music drew to a close, she was right beside him as they threw their arms up with a flourish.
The crowd was on its feet.
Padme turned to Anakin just as he swept her into a hug, thrilled that their first performance was over. Remembering skating etiquette, he reluctantly released her and they gave a pair of sweeping bows, startled by the amount of flowers and gifts that were being tossed on the ice. Making their way to the waiting area, Padme caught a glimpse of Obi-wan and Siri, bickering.
Uh oh…
"I haven't decided which outfit I want you to wear yet," Anakin teased, following her gaze. "I'm sure I'll have a favorite before too long."
Blast!
ENTRANCE TO RINK, SAME TIME
"I did not have any hand in designing this costume," Siri insisted. "Do you really think I would choose something like this?"
"Well, you have always liked making a statement," Obi-wan implied sharply.
"And what do you mean by that?" she wondered, hurt.
"Nothing."
"You know what, Obi-wan Kenobi?" she hissed under her breath. "You're… You're just… Mean."
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
"I am not," he sputtered. "I am simply concerned. This show is being broadcasted across the Galaxy and I don't like-"
"You don't like what?" she prompted, anger causing her face to flush.
"I don't like people gawking at you, all right? It's… impolite."
Siri felt her heart pound at his admission. Hiding a grin, she forced her face into a blank expression before taking his hand in hers.
"I appreciate your gallantry," she replied honestly. "But I can take care of myself."
Yes, I know that better than anyone. Yet I can't help wanting to take care of you too, he thought. But the announcer called for them to take the ice and any further conversation was halted as they were urged forward. The crowd, already excited by "Liri and Kaide's" performance, continued their cheering as they spotted their other favorite contestants entering the rink.
The trek from the entrance to center ice seemed to take forever, but finally they reached their destination. Facing each other, their hands were linked tightly as the spotlight came to rest on them.
"Show me what you've got, Kenobi," Siri whispered. She squeezed his hands supportively and the gesture sent his heart to his throat. For a moment, he studied her - the elaborate hair, the stage make-up and the crazy costume. She had done all this for him. The realization was so overwhelming he fell silent, so grateful she was simply there. With him… for him.
We'll be fine, he promised silently. No matter what, we will be fine. I promise, Siri.
"I know," she replied and his eyes snapped to hers in shock.
Their connection had been renewed.
And the music started.