Anakin confirmed the clearance to land their ship at the temple before rising from the pilot's seat in order to inform his Master they were nearing Coruscant's orbit. For most of the two-day trip, Obi-Wan had been quiet and contemplative, spending most of his time pouring over Padmé's old messages the padawan had conveniently stored in his datareader.
The young man found Obi-Wan in the galley of the ship once more engrossed with the letters, a cup of something with the distinct odor of chav sitting on the table in front of him.
"We'll be in orbit in approximately ten minutes, Master." The young padawan announced from the corridor.
"Good." Obi-Wan replied without moving his focus away from the datapad he held in his hands. Anakin stood for a minute and watched his Master. Obi-Wan's reaction to his outburst on Sardis IV had been unexpected, but the padawan had felt the need to push Obi-Wan into admitting his attraction for the Naboo Senator. At least to himself.
Instead, Obi-Wan had become sullen and withdrawn. Was this a sign that he had given up hope, like Master Aayla had warned he might? And even though it seemed that he was absorbed in reading Padmé's letters, did that mean he'd forgiven her and was going to attempt to make amends? Or was he just wallowing in self-pity?
No. That couldn't be it. Even if his Master had given up on any possible chance with Padmé, he would never sit around and mope about it. Or would he?
"Master?" Anakin finally spoke up, prompting the rise of Obi-Wan's head and brow.
"Are…" He began, trying to choose his words carefully. "Are you going to write her again?"
"Yes, padawan." Obi-Wan answered simply, powering off the datapad and leaning back in his seat, his head tilted to one side.
"But are you going to tell her who you are?"
The Jedi Master's hand stroked through the copper-colored beard and sat pensive and silent for a while. "In due time." He answered finally.
The young Jedi smiled in response. That was at least a start.
"I'll go begin the landing cycle." Anakin stated before turning to retreat toward the bridge.
"Padawan?" Obi-Wan's voice stopped his movement.
"Yes, Master?"
"Thank you." The older Jedi quietly replied. "You were right."
"I know." Anakin answered followed with a cocky grin before once again returning to the bridge.
Dormé, the senator's faithful handmaiden and friend sat across from Padmé at dinner. The restaurant the young woman had chosen this evening was in the upper levels of Galactic City; its customers typically public officials or other such celebrities. It usually did not cater to the Jedi, and that was exactly what Padmé was counting on. She did not wish for another accidental meeting like the one at Dexter's Diner.
Dormé' studied her employer as she picked away at her meal. The senator had been generally happy since finally receiving a reply through the dating service site a week ago, and actually had told her she had received several messages since, butPadmédidn't seem as ecstatic about it as she was before. Something had changed.
"I think the chef actually killed your meal before he cooked it, Mi'Lady." Dormé noted upon watching Padmé repeatedly stab the piece of nerf tenderloin on her plate.
"Huh?" Padmé replied before realizing what she was doing and lay aside her utensil. "Sorry. I'm afraid I'm not very good company tonight."
"Is it that shimona star guy? What happened? I thought you two were writing again?"
Padmé once again picked up her fork and began flicking around the vegetables on her plate. "I suppose I should be happy that we are, but I want more, Dormé. I don't want a relationship where all we do is write letters to each other for the rest of our lives." Padmé sighed, a small smile appearing as she met Dormé's gaze. "Although they are wonderful letters. He must be an author or something."
"So he hasn't even hinted about meeting up with you again?"
"No. Not really." Padmé replied softly. "But that's okay. If corresponding with me is all he wants for now, I'll deal with it."
Dormé shook her head sadly. How satisfying could a relationship like that possibly be? She then matched Padmé's small smile, trying to console her friend. However, her smile quickly turned to startled confusion as Padmé abruptly hid her face behind a quickly-elevated hand.
"Mi-Lady? What's the matter?"
"It's Obi-Wan!" The senator hissed from behind the shelter of her hand, one eye peering between her gapped fingers. "Dormé don't turn around! He'll see us!"
The young handmaiden sat rigidly still, but the brush of a dark brown cloak entered her peripheral vision and she turned her head to glance up at the Jedi. Obi-Wan, however, had his eyes focused on the young senator across from her, a comical expression on his face.
"Good evening, Master Kenobi." Dormé said, lightly kicking Padmé's shin underneath the table.
"Good evening." Obi-Wan answered politely with a smile before returning his attention back to the young woman whose hand had just now slowly crept down away from her face. "Mind if I join you?"