Author's Note: Hi everyone! Real life has really gotten to me, so the time in between posts is a bit more lengthy than usual. Sorry about that! HellishRedDevil - Hee! I'm glad you liked the dancing part - I can just imagine Obi-wan being horrified by the mere idea! Thanks for your support and encouragement. I always love hearing from you! Erik's Leadinglady - I know! Finally, Anakin and Siri bonded. The partner mix-up was really good for them, I think. And Happy Chrismahanakwanzah to you too! When's your birthday? Mine is the 31st! Meandmysharpie - Obi-wan shaking his hips is definitely a mental image that probably doesn't come to too many people. Hee! Hang in there! Hopeless4Life - Thanks for stopping in! Sorry my updates haven't been as frequent! RavenRulzRF - Padme is a pregnant woman on a reality show - she's got to have some ice cream to get through it, you know? Hee! Elmthesmartypants - I'm so happy you're having fun with this story - thanks for the kind words! TO ALL - I'll be back as soon as I can with more! From here on out, we're definitely diving into the Grand Finale stuff. Wow, huh?
DAY BEFORE COMPETITION - LATE AFTERNOON
Obi-wan stomped up the stairs dramatically and Siri shook her head at his behavior. The competition was looming and here they were, having yet another petty fight.
"All right, I'll bite. What is wrong with you?" she finally asked.
"I cannot believe you are making me the head of the conga line," he complained, jabbing at the door controls. "How utterly embarrassing."
"I didn't make the final call. The team voted, it was unanimous," she replied tiredly.
"Only because you goaded them into it."
"I did not," she snapped, her patience wearing thin. "We all agreed that you would be the best one to lead us."
"It goes against my nature," he insisted, striding through the doorway.
"That is precisely why we want you to lead. The audience will never expect it." She tossed her cloak over the back of a chair. "Think of all those fans of yours. They will be delighted!"
He seemed pleased by that, but then pointed out, "The Council will tease me endlessly."
Throwing caution to the wind, Siri tried a different route. "That will pass. And don't forget - most women like a take charge Jedi."
Despite his agitation, Obi-wan looked intrigued. "Is that so?" He began to smile charmingly. "Does such a common sentiment pertain to you as well?"
"We'll have to wait and see," she responded saucily. "After all, I'm not most women." Tossing him a wink, she headed for the 'fresher.
Alone, Obi-wan scrubbed a hand across his face as he grumbled, "Isn't that the truth."
NINETY MINUTES LATER - SUITE OF DAKE AND KAHLA
"Anakin, that was a great meal," Padme complimented, sitting back in her chair happily.
"Thank you," he replied graciously. After all, Siri wasn't the only one who knew how to program Artoo. "You certainly seemed to enjoy it."
She blushed, covering her empty plate with a napkin. "Well, I was hungry. Dancing with your former Master is not an easy task, you know." Her eyes sparkled in amusement. "It truly takes a great deal of energy and fortitude, so I guess you could say I was just making the necessary preparations."
Obi-wan choked on his mouthful of water and tried to sputter a protest.
"You have my deepest sympathies, my love," Anakin soothed. "But the night isn't over yet. We still have one more practice to fit in."
At that, Siri jumped up and began to clear the table. "Yes, we had better get going. We really need to do a few more walkthroughs. I know the last part of the routine is just a free skate, but we should still get an idea of what we want to do, so we don't crash into each other."
"Actually, I had my own thoughts on that," Obi-wan piped up.
Siri looked up, completely surprised. He hadn't shown the least bit of interest the entire week - he had, in fact, seemed rather annoyed by the entire thing, as evidenced by their earlier argument over the conga line. Nevertheless, she was intrigued by what he had to say.
"Go on," she encouraged.
He leaned forward earnestly and splayed his hands on the table. "What would you think if we just left the last part to chance? I mean, the final segment is supposed to be unscripted, correct?" As everyone nodded, he continued, "Then let's just leave it to the will of the Force. Through the music, it will guide us."
Padme quickly nodded her agreement with the plan and Anakin followed suit. Still a bit uncertain, Siri bit her lip, lost in thought.
Perhaps this was what Master Windu meant when he spoke about how I'd know what was right. This could be the sign I've been looking for.
With an air of determination, she smiled and raised her glass.
"To the will of the Force. Whatever it may be."
PRACTICE RINK B - TWO HOURS LATER
"Come on, Obi-wan," Padme urged. "Get up on those toe picks."
"I am bloody well trying," he insisted. "It's not that easy! I didn't have dance training like you did on that Force-forsaken show that started all this!"
"Yes, you missed out and your life will never be the same," she replied sarcastically. "Now, we need sharper movements. Like this."
Obi-wan clenched his jaw and quickly obeyed, his blades cutting into the ice as they circled each other, their legs snapping in precise movements. After another few moments, they had it down pat.
"Well done!" Padme gasped, putting her hands on her knees. "You know, I think you just may have a hidden talent for all of this."
Affectionately, he tweaked her braid and rolled his eyes. She swatted him lightly in return, skating away before he could retaliate.
Quietly, he asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," she admitted. "And the mornings aren't too wonderful. But otherwise, I am great."
"I'm a bit worn out as well," he moaned. "I think all this business about finding out I'm going to be a grandfather has aged me mentally."
Padme laughed, touched by the fact that the Jedi Master considered Anakin his son. "You'll be a great one."
He beamed at the compliment and moved next to her, matching her languid pace. "If necessary, I will protect your child as if he or she were my own."
"I know," she acknowledged, serious. "Thank you."
There was a loud burst of laughter from the other end of the rink and they turned to see Anakin and Siri working through the beginning of their routine. Their moves were purposely exaggerated and sloppy, but both seemed to be having fun. Clearly, the real practice time was over.
Obi-wan's face lit up as he took in the grin on Siri's face, her flushed cheeks and loose hair. She had been working so hard the past week, designing and teaching them every aspect of their routine - it was good to see her finally letting go.
"What do you say we join them" Padme suggested playfully.
At Obi-wan's nod, they raced towards their partners. Soon, the Arena was filled with the sounds of giggling and teasing shrieks.
It would be their last peaceful evening on Sogur.
NEXT MORNING - SUITE OF LIRI AND KAIDE
"Good morning!" Siri trilled, entering the room. She poured herself a cup of caf and sank into the comfortable sofa, flipping on the big screen viewer.
"Please, make yourself at home," Padme commented sardonically.
"I think I will!" the Jedi retorted. She began to flip through the channels until she caught sight of the show's logo spinning across the screen.
"Padme! Look at this!" She quickly turned up the volume. "We've made the Holo-net!"
The newscaster smiled into the camera. "In other entertainment news, it's exhibition night at Skating with the Star Wars. Already guaranteed to be a night of excitement and surprises, we have one of our own to reveal to you. Apparently a fan of the program, Chancellor Palpatine himself has made arrangements to join the live audience." The woman grinned at the thought. "It seems that the viewers of this show are as diverse as the contestants themselves. Now, we just have to wonder - which couple does he favor? Liri and Kaide or Dake and Kahla?"
With mounting horror, Siri flicked off the screen. "Our cover," she groaned. "The Chancellor is going to blow it."
Padme tried to stay positive. "Now, don't assume the worst. He will be in the V.I.P. box, way up in the top row. I'm sure he won't see us up close."
"But there are monitors up there. And you know those hovering camera droids have a fondness for close-up shots." Siri buried her face in a pillow.
"We'll be wearing make up," Padme reasoned. "We'll just make sure we have on a lot of it. He'll never recognize us."
Siri sat up and took a long sip of the warm beverage, trying to ease the chill that had settled into her stomach. There was something going on here, something that didn't just involve the possibility of their cover being exposed.
She sighed, certain she was merely being paranoid. "I hope you're right."