A/N: thanks to those of u who decided to review, it's u guys who made me decide to update sooner than planned:) and to 'moul' since i couldn't PM you i'll say thanks for ur awesome review, and i know i thanked the others via pm-ing, but i'd just like to thank you all again, u are all awesome! luv y'all mucho much!this chaps 4 u!
Day 3: Second Time's a Charm
Padmé's opened her eyes at a generous pace, allowing them to adjust to the sudden light. She lifted her arms above her head and echoed a stretch that of a cat. Her mouth opened wide and she effortlessly let out a long yawn.
She turned her head to look out the tall windows and smiled to herself. A mass of brown curls surrounded her head and she absently twirled a piece around her index finger. Padmé had dreamt of Cordé's last moments of life again, but Obi-Wan's words had been true. This last one hadn't been as bad, and actually focused more on her life than death. She of course had still woken up with a start, but the second time she fell as sleep, she had the same dream about Obi-Wan, except…longer.
Maybe it was the clean, nature-scent filled air, or maybe it was the fact that she would be able to see him right away, she didn't know and she didn't care to find out, but whatever the case, Padmé was more eager than ever to get out of bed and let the day begin.
She threw her olive covers back and threw herself out of bed. She walked to the closet and flung open the doors, quickly deciding on a dress that seemed to shift colors from a creamy lavender to a deep burgundy, depending on the way the sun touched it. Padmé hung the dress over an arm and left her room, making her way to the first bathroom she could find.
The door was closed, but so were all the others in the large house, so thinking nothing of it she turned the knob and pushed it wide open. Only to find a bareback Obi-Wan bending over at the sink, splashing water onto his bearded face wearing nothing but his trousers.
"Oh!" Did she just squeak? "I'm so sorry, I didn't know that you were, um," her eyes dropped to his chest as he straightened and turned to face her. Padmé caught herself. "I didn't know you were in here, uhh…" she racked her mind desperately, begging herself to say the right then, as she noticed his sculpted arms and gulped, forcing herself to stare at the ceiling, the floor, anything but him. "My apologies." She spun around and shut the door behind her.
Padmé's eyes were wide, and as a maid carrying a stack of freshly cleaned and dried towels in her arms passed her she asked, "Are you alright, M'lady?"
"Yes," she was astonished at how calm she sounded. "I'm fine thank you." Padmé smiled politely as the woman continued on. She glanced back just as the woman opened the same bathroom door. "No-" she was too late to warn her.
The maid ducked her head instantly, "I'm so sorry, Master Jedi." And she closed the door, moving on the next washroom without a single squeak.
She frowned. Well, if Padmé had responded that way it would have definitely saved her a lot of embarrassment. Ugh, she needed to get away from him if she was going to preserve her sanity.
Obidala
Obi-Wan rattled his knuckles against Padmé's bedroom door, "Padmé? Are you in there?"
No answer.
He frowned and rubbed his chin absently. Where could she be? Where was there to go? Maybe she was in the kitchen. Doubtful, but it was worth a look. He jogged down the stairs and made his way towards the swinging doors. He stuck his head inside but he only saw the maid.
"Is Senator Amidala in here?"
She looked up from the bowl of fruit she was arranging and shook her head. "No, Master Jedi. She said something about exploring the path in the back."
"Thank you very much, Miss," Obi-Wan smiled, but as soon as he reached the back, it disappeared. There was not 'a' path. There were not even two paths. There were five, all spread far apart. He set his fists on his hips, pushing the Jedi robe back and exposing his lightsaber as he glared at his options.
From left to right, the first path would seem drab to the dimensional woman, the second and third looked rather scenic, while the fourth and fifth appeared only a little more interesting than the first.
Obi-Wan walked over to the second and knelt down in front of the opening, and inspected the grassy ground. The path would seem untouched to the average eye, but to him, it was as clear as day. Blades of grass were bent and the remnants of small footprints barely remained. He jogged over to the middle one. Instead if grass, this path was made of dirt, and in it was clear indentations of petite shoes.
Fifty-fifty chance then, he figured. Obi-Wan decided to begin with the third.
He charged through the opening and was immediately engulfed by bright green trees, big and small. Wild flowers sprouted from the ground while small roots protruded from the earth under his feet. But they were not a problem to him, he was trained to easily glide over or jump beside obstacles, whatever their size may be. What bothered him was that it had been his job to keep his eyes on Padmé, now he didn't even have one eye on her.
He silently thanked the stars for the thick treetops that protected him from the searing sun that was high in the sky. While he ran, Obi-Wan quickly took in his surroundings; small footsteps were barely visible in the dirt, but they looked about Padmé's size.
Half an hour passed and the soft impressions still remained, and were becoming fresher. To his left, he passed a twig that was snapped in half, barely hanging on. He quickly slowed his pace when he heard a quiet voice humming. Seconds later a woman appeared in front of him. Another maid.
She was picking dark purple berries from a bush and dropping them in a woven basket. She noticed him and paused, looking up with a friendly grin, "Good day, Master Jedi."
"Indeed," he managed to keep the sarcasm from drowning his voice. "Tell me, have you seen Amidala?"
"Yes, I did."
He let out a deep sigh of pure and utter relief.
"She was entering the path next to this one. The second one from the left."
Obi-Wan muffled his groan. "You mean she's not on this path?" he asked exasperatedly. "I've been following you this whole time?"
The woman winced. "I'm afraid so. I'm sorry." She frowned. "Is she in danger?"
"No, no. I'm just trying to locate her. Thank you for your help." He turned around and ran down the path, this time completely ignoring everything around him, save for the path ahead.
Obidala
Padmé turned back towards the trail, a very satisfied smirk wreathing her mouth. Her dress whished around her bare feet at the grassy path, but her hair was piled on top of her head which provided some relief from the heat. Anticipation and excitement over what she had found seemed to sprout freely in her bones and before she had realized what she was doing, she began to run.
No more than five minutes had passed before a familiar sight appeared as she turned a corner.
"Padmé!" Obi-Wan called and grabbed her arm when they stopped in front of each other. "Where were you?"
"Oh, Obi-Wan. I found the most beautiful place in the entire galaxy," she smile, almost wistfully.
"What you were doing out here all alone? You know better than that," he scolded.
Padmé rolled her eyes at him, "You're such a drama queen." He began to retort but she interrupted, "I'm not a child, I can take care of myself. Besides, I figured it would be better to walk down a clear path than swim out to that island without telling anyone. Don't you agree?" She grinned all to sweetly.
He sighed and dropped his arms to his side resignedly, "I take it you want to show me this place that you found?"
Her smirk widened, "I thought you'd never ask." She spun around and began to run again, calling over her shoulder, "This way." Obi-Wan let out another breath and followed her, easily keeping up with her pace. No sooner had he finished going over all the lectures he would receive from the Jedi Council for allowing the Senator out of his sight, they broke through the perimeter of trees.
He came to a stop beside Padmé. "Isn't it amazing?" she whispered. It was, he had to admit. A crystal clear waterfall was tumbling over a cliff of sparkling rocks into an equally translucent lake. The small opening was surrounded by tall trees that seemed to strain themselves, trying to touch the sky. The sun glistened off the water.
She took a few steps forward but was stopped by the steel hand that wrapped around her arm. "Where are you going?"
Padmé turned her head and flashed a mischievous at Obi-Wan. "Swimming." She felt his grip loosen and freed herself from his grasp. "Care to join?" She didn't wait for an answer and began unzipping the back of her dress. It fell to a heap on the sand and she stepped out of it, leaving her only in her lavender bra and panties. Surprisingly, she didn't feel over exposed or self-conscious.
Obi-Wan on the other hand felt as if he was being suffocated. To his great relief, he managed to hide the strain well. "Padmé-"
"You aren't going to change my mind. So choose: you can either go back to the house and leave me here, or you can join me." She said as she cautiously dipped her big toe in the water. Padmé glanced over her shoulder and with the same smirk asked, "So?"
"No middle ground?"
"None." She waded into the water until it was deep enough to actually swim and turned completely around to face Obi-Wan treading water.
"I have nothing to wear."
"Sad excuse. Just keep on your trousers, everything else leave by my dress."
He fought to keep himself from fidgeting at the sight of a nearly naked Padmé. "If the Council finds out-"
"I'm not going to tell them. Are you?"
"Of course not but-"
"Then get in. The waters great." She formed a persuasive smirk. "Please?" she added in a tiny, and just as influential voice.
Obi-Wan exhaled noisily. "I'm not going to change your mind, am I?" The humorous glint in her eyes answered his exasperated question. "All right." The word gained a victorious laugh from Padmé. "Only for a while." He shrugged off his robe and undid the utility belt, dropping them beside her dress. Once his tunic, boots and socks were added to the pile – while Padmé tried desperately not to stare – he jogged towards the water fall and climbed easily onto a ledge sitting beside it, then dove off with a grace and agility that spoke of many years training and being a Jedi.
She absently realized that this was the second time she had seen him without a shirt on and swallowed unwillingly. She watched starry eyed as the muscles worked together, then he disappeared beneath the surface, only to reappear just as quickly. She wiped the dreamy look of her face, yanking her head out of the clouds. He swam over to her with the hint of a half-smile on his lips. "You're right."
"What?" Padmé blinked – apparently part of her was still floating around in the sky.
"The water is great." He paused and looked at her with questioning eyes. "Padmé, are you feeling alright? You seem a bit…pale."
"No," she shook her head to strengthen her response and to push the clouds away. "I'm fine. Was that fun?"
"Diving? Very. You should try it. Plus the view is amazing."
She grinned back at him, "I think I will." Even as Padmé said that, she began swimming towards the shore near the same projection that Obi-Wan had chosen. Since she wasn't as experienced as he was, she first stepped onto a step-like ridge before she stood on the wider rock floor. She discovered that he had spoken the truth, the view was amazing – the sandy bottom was visible, the bright blue sky above, the gorgeous bareback, half-naked man in the water… Wait – what? Since when do I think that Obi-Wan is gorgeous?
Since always, another voice in her head chided.
I…no I don't.
Yes, Padmé, you do. Now get off this cliff, you look like a physically impaired idiot just standing there.
Padmé obeyed the mental order and threw herself off the outcropping with a thrilled scream. She swam up to the surface to find Obi-Wan already making his way over to her with smooth movements that created the illusion that he belonged in the water. Every stroke melted into the next, making it more and more obvious why he excelled in lightsaber combat. "So? How was it?"
She smiled widely and without restraint. "You're right. The view is amazing."
Obidala
After hours and hours of water fights, laughing until their sides hurt and dunking each other – well, Obi-Wan successfully dunking Padmé numerous times, and her attempting twice as much and only succeeding once because he allowed her to – they made their way down the up the steps leading to the back door. A chill had sprung in the air, as the moon and stars had, and she held his offered Jedi robe firmly around her shivering frame.
Her stomach growled as they entered the house and Obi-Wan glanced at her with amusement gleaming in his shamefully blue eyes. "Hungry, M'lady?" he shifted her dress to the other arm and folded it in two so it kept of the floor.
"Why do you call me that?" she frowned and led them straight to the kitchen where they Obi-Wan instructed her to sit down on one of the two stools that were arranged around a small table, which he assumed was used by the maids. He laid her dress over a counter top carefully, as if he might break it with one wrong move.
He began gathering various fruits from baskets then commenced on slicing them up. "Because it's proper," he answered finally. "And because I know you don't like it," he added grinning, pushing up the sleeves of his slightly damp tunic, which he unfortunately – in Padmé's opinion – had donned after they concurred that the maids might wonder where they had disappeared to.
She pursed her lips together in a fashion he thought was all too adorable for her own good. She observed his fluid actions until a generous stack of fruit sat in a bowl in the middle of the table, deciding to ignore his comment and smirk as he sat across from her. She seized a piece and chewed it slowly, savoring the sweet flavour while Obi-Wan followed suit.
Still chewing she asked in the most un-lady-like way, "What?" A slight bit of irritation seeping into her voice.
"What?"
She swallowed. "You're staring at me."
"Am I?" he quirked an eyebrow. "Hmm. I suppose I am." They both reached for the same fruit, Obi-Wan smiled, obviously challenging her.
Padmé took the bait – and the fruit. He chuckled and settled for the one next to it. "Why?"
"Why?"
She let out a that could have been very quieter. "Why are you staring at me?" she asked exasperatedly. "Please, Obi-Wan, must we play this game?"
"I'm staring because you're beautiful and I simply got tired of trying not to. You wearing my Jedi robe is just such an unexpected sight." He decided to leave out the part about him being unbearably attracted to her – especially when she was only wearing her undergarments under the robe. If he knew one thing only, it was that he would never wear that robe again and feel the same way about it.
Her scowl voiced the confusion she felt. Padmé decided not to respond. She corrected herself – it was more exact that she didn't know how to respond to a comment like that coming from this certain Jedi. They finished their late meal slash night snack in silence until the maids entered, both visibly relieved to see them again – although confused and no doubt curious about why Padmé's dress was draped across the counter and why she was gripping Obi-Wan's robe tight against her.
"Oh, good to see you've come back," the red-haired one said.
"Yes, we were beginning to worry about the two of you. Is everything all right?" Blondie asked pleasantly.
"Yes, yes," Obi-Wan assured her.
"Well, that's good," Red dipped her head slightly. "Are you two finished?" she motioned to the empty bowl on the table.
"Yes," Padmé stood, along with Obi-Wan. Red took the dish and brought it to the counter. "Thank you. I'm rather tired, so I think I'll retire." He agreed and they began to leave the room.
"M'lady?" Blondie asked somewhat awkwardly, "Your dress?"
She smiled gratefully and took it from the bewildered woman. "Thank you," she said and walked with Obi-Wan to her bedroom. They stopped in front of the closed door. "And thanks for joining me today at the lake."
"It was my pleasure," he said as the corners of his lips lifted. And he wasn't lying. Padmé returned his smile as she looked up at him. After a few seconds of just staring at each other, her grin faltered. She forced herself not to break eye contact and her heart rate accelerated. His head dipped the slightest bit, but even that tiny inclination drove her pulse to an all time record.
Obi-Wan leaned closer when Padmé didn't protest until they could feel each other's breath drifting over their mouths. Just as she expected him to kiss her full on the lips, his head turned and in the most gentle and tender way possible, brushed his lips against her cheek. A simple gesture became so much more complex when it was preformed by him, and an eruption of emotion spread through her body.
He pulled back, but remained close. "I hope you have sweet dreams, Padmé." And Obi-Wan left.
She indisputably would.
A/N: please review! thanks a bundle:)
