Chapter Eight

Ciana tiptoed down the hallway, looking at everything. Wow, this place sure is…luscious…Now, where'd that guy go?…Jeez, she didn't even know his name. Yeah, Ci, you were sitting there bawling your eyes out and this cute guy comes along and takes you to his lodge! Wait…no, he said it was his friends…wonder who his friends are… By now Ciana was standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Anakin sat at the table, munching on a piece of Nubian native fruit. He smiled at her.
"You can sit down and join me"
Ciana shook her head. "No, I couldn't, besides, I better be going." she said while looking out the window at the slowly descending sun.
"Where ya going?" he asked while grabbing another piece of fruit and munching on it.
Ciana walked up to the table and looked right into Anakin's eyes.
"That, JEDI, is none of your business." she said, while putting her chin up in defiance. Anakin chuckled and kept on munching in that casual way that annoyed the heck out of Ciana. He shrugged carelessly.
"Alright, no need to get testy."
Ciana huffed and sat down at the table. Well, she WAS hungry. They sat like that, the only sound in the room was of munching. After awhile the silence was too much and Ciana looked at Anakin, he too was sitting there, looking all comfortable and he was tapping a tune on the table. She narrowed her eyes at him. Why was this guy all alone here? He said he had friends…but..where were they? Well…..first, she had to know his name! Ciana cleared her throat.
"Er, I'm sorry, I don't even know your name"
Anakin chuckled. "I'm Anakin Skywalker. Happy now"
Ciana sniffed. "Yes, I am. Well….you said this place was one of your friends houses?"
Anakin nodded and leaned close.
"Yeah, this lodge belongs to Padmé, er, rather her family. Anyway, you see this holograph"Ciana nodded, there was Anakin, and another man, and another woman…who she noticed was…Senator Padmé Amidala. Hmmm, not bad for a Jedi. she thought with a smirk. She had to pay attention to what he was saying.
"….and that's Padmé Amidala in the middle, the man to her right is Obi-Wan Kenobi, my Master." he finished with a smile full of pride. Ciana nodded.
"So, you know Senator Amidala, eh? You mean…she's going to come here"
Anakin nodded. "Yup, Obi-Wan and her went to go see her grandma or something, they'll be back anytime soon. And well, for starters, just call her Padmé"
"I won't until she says I can or not, it's not my place. She, after all, is the Senator"
Anakin shrugged, clearly confused.
"So"
"So! She's the SENATOR!" Ciana purposely emphasized the word 'Senator' and slapped the table with her hand.Anakin raised his eyebrows.
"Ye-es….ok, sure, whatever" he said slowly.Ciana rolled her eyes and snorted. She stood up and walked closer to the holograph, she wanted a good look at Senator Amidala and Master Obi-Wan. Just as she knew, Padmé Amidala was a beautiful woman, her brown eyes sparkled in the picture, her smile was dazzling. She looked even more beautiful with the dress she was wearing, a long gown of green silk with gold embroidery. It accented her hair color. The man standing next to her, Obi-Wan Kenobi, was quite handsome. His golden reddish hair glinted in the sunlight and his eyes sparkled with mischief. His gaze lingered on Padmé, Ciana noticed with a smile. She turned to Anakin, who was still munching on fruit, he was watching her closely.
"Really, I should be going"
"Going WHERE? I found you sitting behind a bush, bawling your eyes out. I think that you have no where to go. Want to tell me about it?" he said as he got up and ushered her into the living room. He sat down on the couch, crossed his legs, put his arm along the back of the couch and sat there, watching her. Ciana stood there, fumbling with her fingers, she stilled them and sat down. Why am I telling him this! her mind screamed at her.
"Well, my father, he got drunk and kicked me out of the house, at least he didn't beat me this time. I..just was scared…I guess. I don't really have any relatives, so I didn't have anywhere to stay. " During this Ciana had had her head down, staring at her fingers. She looked up to see that Anakin had an understanding look on his face. He smiled softly.
"Well, more of a reason to have you stay with us!" he said jumping up excitedly, he moved to walk but Ciana laid a hand on his arm.
"No, what would your friends say?…." she said worridly.Anakin rolled his eyes and sat back down.
"Pfft, don't worry about Obi-Wan and Padmé. I'm sure Padmé won't mind, but Obi-Wan, he might be a little skeptical…as usual." he said dryly.
"Are you sure? Absolutely sure"
"Positive, you need a place to stay, don't ya"
"Ye-es, I do. But --"
Anakin held up a hand for silence. "No BUTS, Ciana, I'm glad you're staying." he said with a smile and a glint in his eyes that scared her, yet made her heart flutter. Anakin stood up again, he grabbed her arm.
"Now, if you're going to stay here, you'll need a room." he said while pulling her along with him down the hallway. He opened the doorway of a bedroom that was across from his room. "Here, this should do"
Ciana gasped, it was so…beautiful in here. "Oh no, I couldn't"
"Why not? Who said you can't!"

"Well…er…" Ciana sputtered. She rolled her eyes but smiled at Anakin. "Alright, I'll take it. Thank you so much, Anakin. I can't believe you're letting me stay here"
"No prob." he said with a wink. Suddenly Ciana stood on her tiptoes and kissed Anakin on the cheek. She had no idea why she did that, it just felt like the right thing to do. They both blushed and avoided each other's eyes. Anakin coughed.
"Well, um….I'm gonna go…get some food…Padmé and Master should be back anytime…" and he rushed off down the hallway, not looking at her. Ciana's brows furrowed in confusion. She shrugged and walked in. It was so pretty! She loved this place! Ciana sighed in bliss and feel upon the soft plush bed, and feel asleep.
Padmé slowly walked across the grass towards Obi-Wan, the man she loved with all her heart. He looked so handsome. She held onto the ring tightly, she didn't want to lose it. She smiled and sat down next to him. Obi-Wan looked down at the woman he loved with all his heart. She looked so beautiful and she just shined with love. He put his arm around her waist while she laid her head on his shoulder. They sat like that, for some time, listening to the birds sing and watching the sun slowly descend.
"Ya know, we better go pretty soon." Obi-Wan said softly. Padmé groaned softly, continuing to listen to his heart beat.
"Not just yet, this is too lovely. Well, before we go I have something to give to you." she said while raising her head, a dazzling smile on her face. She held up the ring.
"This is for you." she said softly, watching as Obi-Wan picked it up and looked at it.
"This ring has been in my family for generations, or as my grandma says, anyway, she told me that this ring has gone to every man every woman has loved in this family. I want you to have it. Because I love you, with everything in me"
Obi-Wan looked at Padmé, love reflecting in their eyes.
"I love you too, Padmé. I always have, always will. Thank you for the ring, it means a lot to me"
"It would mean a lot to me if you would try it on, now?" she said teasingly.
"I was just getting to that, I was just too dazzled by your beauty and love."
Padmé laughed and thumped him on the arm. "Just try it." she demanded, gently, of course. Obi-Wan chuckled and tried it on. It was too small. Well, it wasn't that it was too small, his knuckles were just too swollen. Obi-Wan could feel the disappoint radiating off of Padmé. He raised her chin so she had to look into his eyes. He kissed her softly.
"Don't be disappointed, Padmé. I'll just wear it around my neck. I'll never lose it. Trust me."
"I trust you." she said breathlessly, as Obi-Wan's lips came down on hers again, only this was a more passionate kiss. They broke apart and sighed. Obi-Wan stood up and offered his arm. Padmé took it, and without a word they started home. Home, that sounds wonderful, my home is wherever Obi-Wan is. Padmé thought happily while the sun sank below the horizon behind them.

Obi-Wan opened the front door, Padmé following, giggling softly. Obi-Wan tiptoed in, it was dark in the lodge except for the kitchen. No surprise there! Obi-Wan thought, as he took Padmé's hand, shut the door with his foot, and managed to kiss Padmé softly (all at the same time), in the darkened living room.
Anakin's eyes widened when he heard Padmé's giggling. They were home! Wait until they hear about Ciana! he thought excitedly as he rushed out of the kitchen. He turned on the living room light, to see Obi-Wan kissing Padmé softly. Something that surprised Anakin greatly was that there was no jealousy brewing in his heart at that sight, nothing…but…happiness for the two…Weird…Anakin shrugged and smiled as the surprised lovers looked at him.
"You're home!" he cried while hugging Padmé. Obi-Wan winked.
"What, you thought we'd leave you here all alone forever?…Did you get yourself in any trouble?" Obi-Wan could sense something…or someone else in the house. He looked at Anakin while passing him to walk down the hallway. He stopped in front of the door. He looked at Anakin, an eyebrow raised.
"Master…" Anakin started, but Obi-Wan had the door opened already and was staring at Ciana, still in her day clothes, laying on top of the bed, asleep. Luckily there wasn't enough light in the room, that would have alerted Ciana that there was people here, so she just slept on. Anakin pulled Obi-Wan out of the room and shut the door softly. He practically shoved Padmé and his Master down the hall and made them sit on the couch.
"Who is that, Anakin." Obi-Wan demanded, loudly, a bit too loud.
Anakin put his pointer finger against his lips. "SHH! You don't want to wake her up, she's had a…bad day."
"Yes, but who is she!" Padmé asked, watching him closely.Anakin sighed exasperatedly and rolled his eyes. He paced.
"Her name is Ciana, I was taking a walk in the woods, I was really bored and I thought I had heard something so I followed it, of course. I found her sitting behind a bush, crying her eyes out. And she looked a real mess, so, er…I…well, she got totally freaked out and she aimed a blaster at me, right at my face actually, I got her to calm down and I took her here, so, she took a shower and she ate some food, we talked a bit, and then..well, she feel asleep. I don't know, yeah, she sure is something." Anakin had said all of that really fast and when he stopped his pacing he saw that Obi-Wan and Padmé were looking at him like he had lost his mind, Padmé's mouth was actually hanging open, whereas Obi-Wan just looked…well…not any different.
"You brought her here? She AIMED A BLASTER AT YOUR FACE!" Padmé said, in shock. All of the sudden she burst into laughter.
"What is so funny!" Anakin demanded, shifting his weight to his other leg, and putting his hand on his hip, an annoyed expression on his face. Padmé shook her head and clutched her sides, continuing to laugh. Tears came to her eyes, she was laughing so hard. Obi-Wan was just sitting there, looking between Padmé and Anakin. They were all weird. Very weird.
"So, if she's sleeping here, you mean for her to stay with us"
Anakin blushed.
"Yeah…if that's alright with you…well, she doesn't really have…well, she told me that her dad kicked her out of the house, and she doesn't really have any other place to go. So, I figured she could stay with us"
Obi-Wan rubbed his beard, nodding slowly. Of course Obi-Wan was ok with her staying here, he was just making Anakin nervous. Hehe, he was having too much fun. Anakin was watching him closely, staring at him. Obi-Wan opened his mouth, but shut it again. He stifled a laugh as Anakin groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Ok, she can stay, but you better keep a close watch on her." he warned. Anakin jumped up and whooped loudly. He smiled and looked like he was about to hug Obi-Wan.
"Oh you bet I will, Master!" and Anakin rushed out of the living room.
During this Padmé had of course controlled her laughter and was now looking at Obi-Wan.
"Well, that was interesting. I just couldn't believe how Anakin said that, all fast and he looked extremely nervous. Hmm, can't wait until she wakes up"
Obi-Wan laughed put his arm around Padmé's waist and kissed her temple.
"Neither can I!" he murmured into her hair. Padmé moved from him and smacked his arm."Oh you! You don't mean it that way." Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Yeah, you just keep fretting about that, love. Although you should know that I love only one woman." he murmured, looking into her eyes. Padmé smiled and snuggled up to him again.
"Yes, I do now, very much so. Anyway, I noticed that Anakin didn't freak out when he saw us kissing, I am so relieved that his feelings have changed"
"So am I. I think he has something for Ciana now." he chuckled.
Padmé laughed and stood up.
"Want a cup of cocoa"
"Sure"
"Ok, if ya wouldn't mind, could you go into my room and get a couple of quilts"
"Sure." Obi-Wan stood up and walked into Padmé's bedroom as Padmé walked into the kitchen. As he walked to her bed he saw something glitter against the light on her dresser. He curiously walked over to it and saw that it was a small turquoise rock. He picked it up and studied it, he wondered why Padmé had it. A mischievous smile came upon his lips and he slid it in his pocket. He quickly found the quilts and walked back into the living room to see Padmé setting down two cups of cocoa on the coffee table. They sat there, basking in their comfortness with each other, sipping their hot cocoa. Padmé loved this time to be alone with Obi-Wan, and just talk to him…or NOT talk to him, either way, she loved him more and more every second.
"So, tell me about your childhood. Anakin told me that you had some pretty exciting times." she said smiling over the rim of her cup. Obi-Wan chuckled and sipped.
"Well, it all started when I met Siri……."

Obi-Wan blinked and raised his head. He could feel something warm was laying against him. He blinked a couple of times again and he finally saw Padmé, sleeping against him, her head on his shoulder, her hand on his chest, it was moving up and down with his breathing. She looked so peaceful. The quilts were laying on them, how'd that happen? He noticed they were still on the couch and their coca was still there. Hmm….Obi-Wan turned his head and saw that the sun was just coming out. Obi-Wan turned his head towards the hallway when he heard shuffling feet against the wood floor. He smiled when he saw Anakin walking to the kitchen, hair all messed up, he kept rubbing his eyes and blinking. Obi-Wan was surprised when he saw Ciana following him, she too was blinking her eyes, but she looked more rested then Anakin. He just happened to turn his head and see Obi-Wan laying there on the couch. The back of the couch was to Anakin so he only saw Obi-Wan's head. He smiled and walked over to them. Anakin's face registered surprise when he saw Padmé laying there also, but he quickly hid it under a wink.
"So, comfy?" he asked while leaning against the couch with his arms laying on the top.Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and looked down at Padmé, he smiled as Ciana came forward.
"I'd give you a proper good morning and even a hello but…Padmé here is still asleep." he said with a bit of regret in his voice. Anakin smiled and suddenly poked Padmé's cheek. She groaned and snuggled up against Obi-Wan even more. Obi-Wan blushed. Anakin smirked and poked her cheek again. This time her eyes open with an annoyed look on her face.
"What!…it's too early." she groaned. She raised her head and blinked. There was shock on her face when she saw Anakin and Ciana standing there. She gasped and pushed herself off Obi-Wan. She stood up and took a step backwards but in doing so she tripped over the coffee table and feel to the floor. Padmé lay there in shock, Anakin rushed over to her. By the time he was kneeling by her she was already in peels of laughter.
"Ah! I'm - " she couldn't continue, she was laughing so hard. Finally she calmed down.
"Well, that was a lovely way to be waken up!" she exclaimed loudly, a huge smile on her face.
"Well, Padmé, actually you did that yourself." Anakin said, while giving her his hand, which she reached for and he helped her up. She brushed off her pjs. She smiled at Ciana. She held out her hand.
"I'm sorry, I didn't get to properly introduce myself last night. I'm Padmé." Ciana shook her hand and smiled at Padmé.
"I know. I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you guys by staying here. By the way, I'm Ciana Rouge"
Obi-Wan got up from the couch and stood next to Padmé.
"No, you're not disturbing us at all, you're welcome here anytime. I'm Obi-Wan Kenobi." Obi-Wan said with a smile and a hand shake.
"Now, if my stomach doesn't deceive me, I'm guessing we're all hungry?"
The other three laughed and all walked into the kitchen. Anakin and Ciana sat down at the table, while they watched Padmé and Obi-Wan make breakfast. Obi-Wan and Padmé never once bumped into each other in that small kitchen, they worked like a team, they worked like a family. Anakin was amazed by this and he told Ciana by raising his eyebrows at her as Obi-Wan and Padmé made a narrow escape from bumping. Ciana smiled and shrugged. Finally the food was done, and they all sat down to eat. After a few minutes of silence Obi-Wan looked up at Ciana.
"So, Anakin tells me that your dad kicked you out of the house? How come?…if you don't mind me asking"
Ciana hesitated but a small small smile appeared.
"Well, my dad, he's a drunkard, and often he comes home real late…and…beats me." Tears welled in Ciana's eyes but they didn't fall. "I…my mom, she died when I was 10. I…was so young, and after my mom's death, my dad just, changed. He began drinking more and more and all the time he would yell that he hated me and that I was worthless. I didn't know what to do, and the day that he kicked me out, well, he just came home and went crazy. Dad was consumed by the rum and he started throwing all my clothes out, everything out of my room, and finally he grabbed me by the shoulders and hauled me outside and yelled at me to get out and never return. I'm never going to go back, ever. I don't care what happens to my dad, I hate him too." Ciana said, with tears in her eyes but an angry flame in them. Her hands were laying on the table, bunched up in fists. When she looked up she felt ashamed because all three of them were staring at her, with pity.. "I don't want your pity." she spat out before she stormed out of the kitchen and outside. Anakin glanced at Obi-Wan and Padmé before jumping up and following Ciana.
Obi-Wan turned his head slowly to look at Padmé. She sighed sadly and looked at the table.
"She has a lot of anger in her, just like Anakin." Obi-Wan murmured before standing up and clearing the table. Padmé suddenly stood up and hugged Obi-Wan. She put her arms around his waist and listened to his heartbeat. Obi-Wan stood there for a second, like, what happened but then he hugged her back. He didn't know why she was doing this but…oh well.
"Promise me we'll help her, Obi-Wan." she said softly.
Obi-Wan nodded.
"Yes, we will." he murmured and laid his chin on her head. They stood like that for a long time.
Anakin raced down the hill, following Ciana. He could tell she was getting tired, she had been running for awhile now. Where is she going?
She wasn't going anywhere, she was just running. Ciana didn't bother to mess with the tears running down her cheeks, she just kept on running. Finally she got spent and collapsed on the ground, sobbing. She didn't hear Anakin come up to her, nor feel him pick her up and cradle her against him. She felt nothing. Except for unbearable pain. Not physical pain, but emotional pain, that her dad had to be like that and her mom had to be dead. She didn't know what to do. Subconsciously she grabbed onto Anakin's shirt and sobbed into it. Anakin just sat there, in a rather awkward position but he didn't mind, just as long as Ciana got better.
So, what'd ya'll think? Loved it! It was ok? Bad? Anyway, please review! Thanks for readin! I'm about half way through chap 9 so no worries my friends:)

P.K. - 91 out.