Author's Note: I have not disappeared from the face of the planet, honestly! I've just been so busy and have also had a major case of writer's block - not a good thing since this is an important chapter. Anyway, I think I've conquered it - hope you agree! Padme's Sister - I hope your Christmas was wonderful - and I'm so glad you liked the last chapter! It was a lot of fun to create the routine! Eriks Leadinglady - It was funny, the ending of the routine just seemed to write itself - and somehow, I thought it was an appropriate way for them to end! Very un-Jedi-like, but yet... appropriate! I must ask - were your gifts wrapped in Star Wars paper? Meandmysharpie - Yes, skating is hard - my ankles just want to bend inwards - it hurts after awhile! Sounds like you had a good time though! Jedi X-man Serena Kenobi - Ha! Your review was great! Too cute! Glad you liked it! Thank you - and welcome! Hellish Red Devil - That is such a sweet compliment - thank you! It's so difficult to write the routines, so it makes me feel good that you can actually 'see' what I'm absolutely struggling to describe. :-) RavenRulzRF - Aw, I'm so glad you liked the routine - I'd been planning it for weeks, if you'll believe that! Hopeless4Life - The costumes just seemed to take on a life of their own! Elmthesmartypants - I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it! All - I hope to be back in a few days with more, but it may be closer to a week with the way my schedule is going! Please forgive me!
The audience sensed the moment it happened, although it wasn't quite significant enough to draw their attention from their cheering. It was more like a prickle of energy, easily dismissed in favor of the spectacle before them.
But for the three Jedi and the Senator, it was significant. The Force crackled around them as the threads of their friendship tightened and solidified, binding them together with love and loyalty. It was just as Padme had described weeks before: all of the pieces falling into place.
That moment would always be remembered: the sense of belonging, the simultaneous bows before an adoring crowd, the interlocked hands. There was certainly no doubt; their routine had been an overwhelming success on every level, even in spite of the haphazard ending...
...Or maybe because of it.
Padme sighed happily as she absorbed the new sensation. Everything was going to be all right. She was sure of it. She had a husband she loved desperately, a baby on the way and the closest circle of friends she could ever ask for. There was nothing that could shatter it.
Later, she would look back in horror at her naiveté. For she had done the one thing she had vowed never to do... Not after the confrontation with Jarrick that had nearly left her mind and body in shreds...
She underestimated the power of the Dark Side.
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER – BACKSTAGE
"I don't care how uncomfortable you are, we've been told to stay in costume!" Siri commanded, frowning at Obi-wan who was eyeing his dressing room with longing. "We have to go back out there for curtain call and Tarv will certainly be unhappy if we don't follow his directives."
"Fine," he relented, pulling the cape tighter around him. He sighed at the sight of the tattered ends, torn during a scuffle between security and the desperate fan that had caught it at the very start of the routine.
Bloody overzealous fans, he muttered silently. Ruined a perfectly good cape.
Siri put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. "Sorry if I was a bit harsh," she apologized. She turned away, chancing a glance at Anakin and Padme. They were leaning against the wall, talking animatedly and Padme was practically glowing, bursting to let loose with her secret. "There's just something going on tonight."
"Yes, we've all developed a Force bond," Obi-wan replied, looking amused. "And from skating on a reality show, no less! It does appear as if the Force has an odd sense of humor."
Siri's smile didn't quite reach her eyes before she continued her explanation. "Perhaps. But what I'm feeling right now has nothing to do with that. I'm getting a sense of rippling power and yet - I can't get a handle on it."
"The Dark Side clouds everything," Obi-wan reminded her. "Perhaps our dear friend, Jarrick, is merely trying to set us on edge."
"No, I don't think that's it." Siri shook her head and bit her fingernails in agitation, a habit she had given up years and years ago. She cursed under her breath and returned her hands to her sides... where they promptly began twirling a loose scrap of fabric. She knew she wasn't exactly the picture of Jedi poise at that moment.
"Jedi don't fidget." The voice of a younger Obi-wan floated through her brain as memories of another time assailed her.
"What is this? The renowned Siri Tachi is fidgeting?" he questioned playfully. "If you do that in front of the Council, they're going to think I have physically coerced you into leaving with me!"
He clutched his chest dramatically as she made a gesture to teasingly indicate he was speaking the truth. "Now, now, they're going to be displeased with me enough as it is. Don't make it worse! That just wouldn't do at all."
"I think it would do quite nicely," she retorted.
He laughed loudly, before his expression turned serious. "Are you sure you're going to be all right? They at least need to know that we are both going willingly. I know we discussed this, but if you need more time, I understand. This is your life we're talking about."
"Our life, you mean," she whispered, the idea bringing a soothing wave of calmness and serenity. "Together."
She closed her eyes, a stab of pain slicing through her as she remembered what had followed that conversation. Obi-wan had disappeared, heading on a journey to parts unknown without even saying good-bye.
She wondered how she would handle it when he was called away on another assignment after the last show was skated. And he would be called, she had no doubt of that.After all, they both had important duties to fulfill... Her knees nearly buckled at the thought.
Obi-wan sensed her turmoil acutely and reacted, stepping in her path.
"Siri-" he began, reaching for her. "About that night. You should know that I always-"
"Contestants!" the announcer called through the loudspeaker, interrupting the unsettled moment. "Please return to the center ice immediately. I repeat, all contestants, please return to the center ice immediately. Thank you."
Despite his deep well of Jedi patience, Obi-wan nearly shouted in aggravation as they were swept away by a tide of scurrying performers. Why are we never allowed to have two minutes to ourselves? he wondered. It was incredibly frustrating.
"We'll talk later," he promised, smiling reassuringly.
She still looked doubtful so he took her hand in his, a thrill running through him when she didn't pull away. In fact, he was feeling so euphoric that he was still grasping her hand when they stepped on the ice – not even dropping it when Mace Windu shot him a hard glance.
It was time to right some wrongs.
"Relax," he murmured to Siri, who was trying to pull her hand free. "We're supposed to be a couple, remember?"
She rolled her eyes, recalling her similar admonishment to him just a few weeks earlier. But she couldn't help the delighted laughter that passed through her lips at the new development.
"I have a suggestion, Kahla. Just for tonight," he whispered. "Let's not be Jedi."
"What an interesting plan, Dake. Someone brilliant must have come up with it."
Little did they know, they would have to be Jedi in every sense of the word, just a few short minutes later.
CENTER ICE – CONCLUSION OF EXHIBITION EPISODE
"Ladies and gentlemen, it has been quite a night!" the announcer declared. The crowd roared its wholehearted agreement. "As if we haven't had enough excitement, it's about to get even more surreal for our contestants."
"Great," Padme muttered sarcastically, her sour tone leading Anakin to chuckle softly.
Honestly, how could tonight get any more surreal? she wondered silently. Obi-wan and Siri, the quintessential Jedi, were getting along nicely, practically flirting with each other; Anakin was less than a half-hour away from finding out he was going to be a father. No, they didn't need anything else to make this a night to remember. It was already on that path all by itself.
Her attention was returned to the task at hand when the main host resumed his speech.
"As you probably know, our humble little show has been given quite an honor. The Chancellor himself is in attendance tonight and has graciously agreed to make a live appearance with our teams."
Padme's mouth dropped open in muted horror. Her mind immediately swam with various escape routes but she discarded everyone of them. The simple fact was there was no place to go - not without being conspicuous. All they could do was hope that Palpatine was so engrossed in charming the audience that he didn't pay them much attention.
She looked down the line at Anakin, Siri and Obi-wan and noticed the resigned expressions on their faces.
Yes, it was time to start praying.
"Fellow audience members, you have been so energetic tonight! Let's spread some of that goodwill to the Chancellor and give him a warm welcome, shall we?"
The spotlight swiveled to the far side of the rink, illuminating the distinguished politician and his array of armed guards. He stepped onto the ice gingerly and started forward, waving to the throngs of people as they craned their necks, hoping for a better view.
Padme kept her gaze on the ice, trying to look meek, timid and nervous.
The last emotion wasn't too difficult to project.
MOMENTS LATER, CENTER ICE
"My friends, it is certainly an honor to be standing before you this evening, after having the opportunity to witness such a fine program," the Chancellor insisted, his face lighting up at the sound of the crowd's applause. "It reminds me what is so very good about the Republic - our sense of unity, pride and courage - not to mention an ever-present sense of humor." The audience laughed good-naturedly and the contestants tried not to blush. "It is these very traits that make up the cornerstone of the Republic - a cornerstone that is impervious to the machinations of the likes of the Divided Systems!"
Again, the audience cheered and Anakin felt a stirring of pride, knowing he was part of the team that helped destroy the main command center of the threat to the Republic.
"It is with a sense of resignation that I feel I must warn you of another disturbance, one that affects the very Order that defends our way of life." A murmur began to work its way through the Arena and Anakin felt his face flush. Something was going on, something that they were unprepared for. He reached through the Force and felt a vague stirring of danger, yet it remained muted... almost as if it were being-
"Cloaked." Obi-wan stated, his voice quiet and flat.
Anakin looked at his former Master in surprise, but the Jedi's face remained glued to the Chancellor.
"There is a traitor in our midst," Palpatine declared, his face haunted. "It is my duty to assure you, we are doing everything in our power to hunt down and bring this enemy to justice-"
"Then let me give you a hand, my dear Chancellor," a voice interrupted, booming unnaturally through the large room. "Allow me to introduce you to Kaide. Or shall we call him by the name the Galaxy knows him?
Anakin Skywalker."