Author's Note: Hopeless4Life – here's the update! Sorry it wasn't sooner – life is totally crazy these days! Hellish Red Devil – hope you like Dake and Kahla's long-awaited performance. It was fun (but also difficult) to write. As always, thanks for your encouraging review! Meandmysharpie – yes, the mental imagery in this reality show trilogy is one of my favorite things about it! Hee! It makes me smile even as I write it! Everyone: Hope you all like this next chapter. I tried to put a blend of suspense and humor into it. Enjoy!

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Siri gave Obi-wan's hands a sharp tug, trying to bring him out of his startled trance. The first chords of their music selection had started and if they didn't move soon, they were going to be out of step.

Come on, Kenobi... Focus...

She sighed in relief as his eyes suddenly cleared and he began to skate, his movements precise and on track. She followed along, responding to his apologetic smile with one of her own as the music began to intensify.

They entered the first required element with a playful stop that sent a spray of ice towards the first row audience. Grinning teasingly, they glided backwards and their legs worked in tandem as they executed the sweeping footwork. Remembering what was coming next, Siri began to tense as they approached the difficult spin.

I don't know if I can do this. Force, what was I thinking?

Relax, Siri. I've got you.

His promise was all the reassurance she needed.

She moved to the side slightly and Obi-wan stepped behind her, maintaining his grip with her one hand while letting his other hand rest on her hip. Extending her leg gracefully, she leaned into him and he sent them into a reverse spin, matching the seductive beat of the music.

Perfect.

He reluctantly released her and she let the momentum carry her in a wide arc, chiding herself for already missing the feel of him beside her. Afraid to explore those thoughts further, she concentrated on the moves ahead and worked through the solo portion of the routine anxiously. Finally, she made the final turn and returned to center ice... and to Obi-wan.

Her heart leapt as she saw him approaching from the opposite direction, having just finished the same segment. Even though she hadn't seen any of it, she knew they were in sync - and from the way he was grinning at her, he knew it too.

The audience began to roar its approval as she once again entered the safe haven of his arms... and as the final note died away, he lowered her into a perfect Bend, his lips coming to rest mere inches from her throat.

Breathless, their eyes met and she could feel her stomach turning cartwheels. Her eyes fell shut, preparing for the exquisite sensation of his lips on hers-

"That music is really effective," he joked, looking uncomfortable as he studied the crowd.

Certain the hurt was reflected in her gaze, she began to struggle to regain her footing, but he only tightened his hold.

"Easy," he complained, looking at her with a mild hint of annoyance. "Your blades are going to cut me in half if you don't stop flailing around."

"Let me up," she growled. "I want to get off this ice and into my regular clothes."

And away from you before I humiliate myself even more.

She was grateful that her mind shields were once again in place, so her words went unheard. Finally, he set her back on her feet but wouldn't release her hand even as they took a quick bow.

She kept her smile frozen in place while the crowd continued their cheers. Exiting the ice, she pulled her hand free and hurried towards the waiting area where Padme was holding her cloak.

"Thank you," she murmured, jamming her arms into the sleeves.

"You two did really well," Padme offered encouragingly. "It was a beautiful performance."

"Thank you," Siri replied, grateful. A wistful smile came to her lips as she saw Obi-wan and Anakin laughing, clearly relieved that the night was almost over. She wished she could share their enthusiasm, but part of her ached to return to the ice, to the connection that bonded them so tightly.

Deal with it, Siri, she chided herself. You're a Jedi for crying out loud. Remember the "no attachments" rule?

Releasing her emotions to the Force, she turned back to Padme and chirped, "So, Liri - what do you say? Want to make dinner again?"

LATER THAT NIGHT

Siri threw off the covers, her bare feet landing on the floor with a thump. She put her head in her hands, her blond hair forming a curtain around her face. She took a few moments to send out calming waves through the Force, not wanting to alarm Obi-wan or Anakin.

Exhaling a shaky breath, she stood and slowly drew on a robe, trying to ignore her shaking hands. Despite her attempt to block the dream from her memory, images and voices still seemed to float through her mind.

A shadow whispering, not knowing he is heard.

"You mean nothing to him."

White-hot pain. Someone was screaming.

"They must be fractured, splintered apart. They are too dangerous when they are together."

"He pities you, surely you realize that?"

Silence. A ragged cry.

"Obi-wan?"

She shook her head, trying to make sense of the jumble, but to no avail. Needing to clear her mind, she stepped onto the balcony and let the cool air wash over her flushed skin.

"Bad dream?" came a soft voice.

Siri jumped and her hand automatically went to her waist for her light saber, but came up empty. Catching sight of Padme's worried face peering at her from the other balcony, she sighed and slowly relaxed.

"You're lucky I'm unarmed, Senator."

"Sorry for startling you," Padme replied. "I know how it feels."

Siri couldn't help but smile at her friend's statement. "Yes, I suppose you do."

"What was your dream about?"

"Boy, you go right for the throat, don't you?" Siri asked, stalling.

"Hey, what do you expect? I am a politician," Padme suggested with a laugh.

"Good point."

There was a soothing silence while the two women studied each other sympathetically. Finally, Padme broke the silence, twisting her braid around her fingers.

"My dream was about Anakin. At least, it looked like Anakin," she mused. "We were standing on a fiery planet, lava raining down around us. In my dream, I was pregnant so it definitely wasn't the smartest place to be anyway."

Siri made a gesture with her hands, encouraging her to continue.

"At first, Anakin wouldn't meet my eyes, but finally he did and what I saw in him filled me with terror. There was such hatred there - and a sense of betrayal. It was so overwhelming his eyes were yellow in color."

Alarm filled Siri as she realized what Padme was describing - a Sith Lord.

"He choked me, Siri," she whispered shakily. "There I was, carrying his child and pleading for him to return to us and he stole the air from my lungs. I thank the Force every day that I woke up and it was only a dream. I know Anakin would never do something like that - not my Ani. But if he ever did, I really don't think I would survive."

"Good thing it was only a dream then," Siri managed. Padme nodded and looked at her expectantly. "Oh, all right. You really are persistent, aren't you? Yes, yes - it has to do with being a politician. I get it."

The Jedi took a deep breath, trying to bring the horrible images back to the forefront of her mind. "I didn't have a bad dream, not exactly. It was more like... random sequences. I don't even know if they are connected or not."

Hesitantly, she described them to Padme, pausing every now and then to clarify. When she finished, she still didn't know what to make of them, but at least she felt better now that they were out in the open.

"Do you think it was a vision?" Padme wondered. "I can speak from experience - Jarrick loves nothing more than a good mind game."

"I don't know. It didn't really feel like that, exactly. I don't think I was supposed to 'see' what I did."

"Perhaps that is a good thing?"

"Perhaps," Siri acquiesced. At least if that was the case, they'd be one step ahead.

"You'll tell me if anything else out of the ordinary happens?"

"Yes, Senator, I promise. And the same goes for you."

"Agreed."

PRACTICE RINK B - NEXT MORNING

"We're late," Siri groaned, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "My darling partner is never going to let me hear the end of this."

Padme simply gave an ear splitting yawn in response as they clambered down the last few steps. Neither woman had slept much the night before, choosing to stay up into the wee hours to discuss the 'visions' and what they might symbolize. It seemed that they were now paying for the indiscretion.

Finally, they reached the main floor and Padme sank onto the nearest bench to pull on her iceblades. She was just about to yawn again when she was interrupted by a nudge from Siri. Glancing up, all thoughts of further sleep were dashed from her mind as she saw what was happening on the ice.

Obi-wan and Anakin had apparently raided the supply closet and were now having a duel with the long foam bumpers. Normally used as cushioning on the unforgiving walls, the objects were a far cry from a light saber, but the Jedi brandished them skillfully - except for the occasional wipe-out when they'd forget they were on a slick surface.

Delighted, the two women watched the battle, wincing as Obi-wan landed a particularly embarrassing blow on the top of Anakin's head and the younger Jedi retaliated in kind. But judging by the grins on their faces, they were having the time of their lives.

"Come on," Siri prompted, handing over a purple bumper and keeping a green one for herself. "We can take them."

With an excited cry, the two women rushed the ice and joined the fray gleefully.

OBSERVATION AREA - SAME TIME

"Working, your plan is, Master Windu," Yoda murmured. "Happy I am to see the four of them together."

"The disturbance in the Force is growing," Mace replied thoughtfully. "We won't be able to block them from it forever. Master Tachi is already suspicious."

"Ready, they will be when the time comes," Yoda insisted.

"I hope you're right." Turning back to the glass wall, the two Jedi watched the happy couples below them. "They are our only hope."