Author's Note: Hey everyone! Happy Thursday. Yeah, it just doesn't have the same ring to it as Happy Friday, does it? Hope you enjoy the latest update! I'll be back soon with more - most likely early next week. Meandmysharpie – I know! 20 chapters! Can you believe it? It's gone by so fast! Hee – his Mommy! Yes, if only Jarrick's problems could be so easily cured! Elmthesmartypants – Hi there! I'm so glad you liked it – hope you enjoy this chapter as well! Erik's Leadinglady – Loved your reasoning about who could die and who couldn't. So funny! And there's that light saber threat again! Awesome! Your posts are hysterical, and I am so glad for them. One of your lines of thinking is also very accurate, but I can't let you know which one, of course… Wink, wink! Stay tuned! Hellish Red Devil – I'm so glad that came Jarrick came across the way b/c that was exactly my intention. He was totally mishandled from the day he was born and he's just so angry and lost about it. We'll just have to wait and see how those emotions come into play in the upcoming chapters! Thanks for your consistently insightful comments. They are fantastic! Padme's Sister – Great insight about the Senator there! Very accurate! ;-) And as for Obi-wan and Siri's toe loops? Read on to find out! Thanks again, all!

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ONE HOUR LATER - MAIN RINK

Siri felt the warmth of the spotlight on her face and blushed as she recalled the similar heat of Obi-wan's lips on hers. Those few moments had been amazing... She sighed, trying to push the memory away. It would do no good to dwell on it now. They had a routine to skate and she needed to concentrate.

Thankfully, she didn't have to wait too long as the first notes of their musical selection filled the air. It was a fairly light, upbeat score and she had come to enjoy it immensely over the past week. But now, she found she wanted nothing more than to stuff her ears full of medi-gauze. She was willing to try anything, just as long as it stifled the emotions the song evoked.

They were silly emotions anyway.

Hope. Triumph. Faith.

"Siri," Obi-wan whispered urgently.

She snapped back to the present and realized she was about to miss her cue. Bringing her arms above her head, she pushed off and sailed across the ice, knowing Obi-wan was shadowing her. She held her hand out to him and he took it without hesitation, the gesture so familiar it made her insides ache. His soft touch gave her a sense of calm and she let out a deep breath, giving herself over to the performance.

She just wanted to be with him, as Siri – not as a Jedi. Even if it was only for a short time.

The routine was breathtaking and the audience stayed silent, mesmerized by the emotions that were being expressed through every precise movement. Her hands whispered across his face, his legs brushed against hers. Their bodies fit together perfectly, her hands easily circled his narrow waist, his arms found the hollows just above below her shoulders. The sight was beautiful.

And for the two Jedi, the arena dropped away, ceasing to exist. For those long moments, each was only aware of the other, their eyes locked tightly, the message clear...

They belonged to each other.

Siri closed her eyes as they parted, but she still sensed Obi-wan's every breath, his every movement. She bit her lip unconsciously, sensing the moment had come.

As if she had done it all her life, she leapt with all her might, tucking her arms to her chest tightly. A feeling of weightlessness surrounded her as she twirled through the air... and landed perfectly on her feet a moment later.

Her eyes flew open at the sound of raging applause and immediately her gaze found Obi-wan. He was beaming and beckoned her towards him. She went willingly, barely noticing the fading music. She reached for him and he swept her into his arms, bringing them to a stop just as the final note faded away.

RINKSIDE - SAME TIME

"Oh no. I don't believe it," Anakin grumbled.

Padme looked up, momentarily forgetting her aggravation at her costume. "What is it?"

"I just might lose our bet. I might as well face it; I'll be wearing feathers and sparkles to my next blasted Jedi Council summoning."

She peeked over his shoulder, catching the adoring looks Siri and Obi-wan were giving each other as they started off the ice. She started to smile, but her delight quickly faded as their faces changed to masks of impassivity and polite courtesy.

"No, it looks like I might be on the losing end," she noted wryly.

He followed her gaze and was only mildly surprised to see the strict expression on his Master's face. He was Obi-wan, after all - one of the strictest Jedi in all the land.

"Aw, it'll be okay," he said soothingly. "Your fellow Senators are going to love your new look. They will think you're making some sort of fashion statement."

"I only do that with my hair," she replied curtly.

Anakin laughed, picking her up and twirling her around. He loved it when she got grumpy. It was so cute.

"It's not cute," she insisted, reading his mind. Oops. He sometimes forgot she could do that.

Easily, he set her down and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her hair had been left loose with the exception of two braids that crossed over her crown, acting as a headband.

He knew she wasn't pleased with this week's costume. It was fairly simple over all - black in color, long gauzy sleeves, elegantly scooped neckline. Everything met her approval - except for the skirt. Very short and split along the sides, it was simply cut for maximum maneuverability. He didn't see the problem whatsoever and promptly told her so.

"Oh, I'm sure there will be those who like it," Padme jeered. "Mainly men."

Suddenly, Anakin realized he hated that blasted costume.

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

Padme cut across the ice, Anakin a few inches away. Their hands were linked tightly, their feet moving in perfect synchrony. They settled into the routine easily, as one would don a familiar cloak.

The music built and they split apart, even while their minds stayed connected. We can do this… Here we go… Simultaneously, they took a deep breath... and executed two perfect toe loops.

Glad that's out of the way, Padme thought, deeply relieved.

Me too, Anakin answered.

The backwards skating came naturally now and they used it to gain some speed. They turned the corner sharply and once again came face-to-face. Linking hands, they let the momentum carry them into a series of small flip jumps, rotating around each other at each pass.

The crowd cheered wildly at the playful twist.

Padme grinned, thoroughly enjoying herself. They so rarely got a chance to just be together in this way – carefree and silly. She relished it, even forgetting about her skimpy costume... temporarily.

Unfortunately, the routine started to draw to a close and she sank to the cold surface, wrapping her arms around Anakin's waist as he knelt. The music concluded with a sharp note, just as Anakin threw his arms up in the final pose.

"Well done, my love!" he beamed.

Padme got to her feet, waving happily to the crowd. Her lungs drank in the chilly air and she knew her cheeks were flushed from the exertion. It didn't matter though. She still felt as if she could skate a million more routines.

As long as she had her husband by her side.

LATE EVENING - SUITE OF DAKE AND KAHLA

"Enter!" Obi-wan called, sensing Master Windu's presence even before he could activate the intercom.

The door slid open and Master Windu quickly strode into the large room, moving aside for another visitor.

"M- Master Yoda!" Siri choked. Her gaze froze on the small Jedi Master, certain he was there to reprimand them. Padme moved to stand beside her, silently offering support. Anakin did the same with Obi-wan.

"A good evening it is," Yoda commented. "Skated two lovely routines, you did."

"Thank you," they all replied quietly.

There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. Padme was the first to speak.

"What can we do for you, Master Windu... Master Yoda?"

"We've come to warn you of a disturbance in the Force," Mace explained. "There's been a very troubling turn."

"Descending, the darkness is," Yoda began. "Much care we must take. Coming, the trial is - but ready, we are not."

Anakin felt himself bristle at the lack of confidence that was being shown. Surely, the Council must believe they would defeat Jarrick. Hadn't they done everything that had been asked of them? Obi-wan and Siri were even clinging desperately to the Code, in spite of the feelings that had been rekindled due to this assignment. What more could they do?

Mace's head swiveled towards him, sensing the frustration rising in the young Jedi.

"Patience, Skywalker," he barked. "The four of you are heading down the right path. We have no doubt of that. Your journey is not complete yet, however."

"Yes, Master." Anakin lowered his head apologetically.

"Cruel deception is what Jarrick will use," Yoda warned. "Breaking apart the four of you will be his goal."

"You must not let him succeed," Mace instructed. "No matter how things look, remember the truth. Always think back to your time here, to the connections that have been made."

With that, the two Jedi Masters exited the apartment, leaving behind three confused Jedi and one bewildered Senator.