The water and laserworks show continued as Padmé gazed up into the night, vaguely aware that Obi-Wan was watching her.
She wondered for a second what it was that had caught his attention. Did he like what he saw or was he criticizing her features?
She decided no on the latter. Criticism seemed beyond his nature, but she did wonder what had intrigued him so.
Obi-Wan gazed at Padmé, aware that her countenance had changed and that a slightly embarrassed grin had appeared on her face, and he knew why, but he couldn't help himself. From the decorative flowered band that so attractively held up her long dark hair, to the delicate earlobe decorated with a dangling jewel, the slim shoulders bare to the chill of the evening, a trim waist wrapped tightly in blue velvet, she was a stunning woman.
He continued his appreciative perusal, seemingly unaware of the activity occurring around him, until the Force issued out a warning. Somewhere near the base of the main fountain, using Force assistance, he could hear a Gungan call out Jar-Jar's name, heard the mentioned creature let out a yelp, followed by a stumbling sound that could only be a pair of Gungan feet tripping over electrical wires, and then a familiar over-anxious voice screaming out, "Oh no!"
Obi-Wan had just enough time to reach around and grab a hold of his nerfhide cloak and cover both himself and Padmé, at the same time, reaching out with his other arm and pulling her into the shelter of the protection of the makeshift shield and his chest, just as several of the water jets in the fountain were knocked over, forcing the powerful streams directly out into the surrounding grassy areas.
Shocked gasps followed by giggles and roars of laughter issued forth from the crowd. The incident only occurred for a moment, but became prolonged at the awareness of the young woman pressed firmly against his side, his arm wrapped tightly around her petite body, their breaths mixing together, her eyes peering up at him, revealing humor at first, and then an unmistakable longing.
So close. She was so close. Just a pursing of his lips and he could taste her sweetness. He craved it, and apparently she did as well, as he noticed her eyes had moved to focus upon his mouth, which he slowly curled upward into a smile.
She was interested. This was good news.
But he wouldn't rush this. The sensation was too delicious to hurry through.
"I think I'll take you up on that tour offer now, your highness." He said in a rough whisper, noting the slight surprise on her face.
"Padmé." She answered back just as quietly beneath the dark veil. "Call me Padmé."
Obi-Wan removed the cloak, hesitantly pulling his eyes away from her lovely face, and then paused to look about him to ensure everyone was okay. Everything was pretty soaked, but they were all right. Captain Panaka quickly had everything under control and he, along with the assistance of the Naboo and the Gungans, were busy cleaning up the mess.
Obi-Wan stood and offered his hand down to help Padmé up. She grasped a hold of it with a smile, which he matched when noting that after she had stood, she had not let go of his hand. He wrapped his fingers tightly between hers and together they walked out of the park, leaving behind a slightly dampened crowd, but not dampened spirits. The party would continue on even without the completion of the laser show until the wee hours of the morning.
They walked together hand and hand along the quiet stone streets of Theed, the noise of the celebration being left behind them. Padmé pointed out several significant architectural structures, relating their importance in Naboo history as well as some with Gungan influence.
Several hours passed by and the couple found themselves strolling leisurely through the edge of the expansive palace gardens, the full moon, along with tall scattered lamps lighting their way.
Obi-Wan spoke of his experiences during his apprenticeship, and his profound respect for Qui-Gon and Master Yoda. Padmé shared with him her political and family history and offered to introduce him to her parents some day, an invitation which Obi-Wan gratefully accepted.
They touched upon the past loves in their lives, comparing stories of both humor and heartbreak, until the moon rose high in the Naboo sky and stars twinkled much more brightly.
Obi-Wan could tell by the sounds of Theed that the party had moved inside the palace and he noted the time.
"Aren't you missing the Unity Ball?" He asked with concern, releasing her hand and turning to face her, also realizing that they had already missed the evening meal.
Padmé smiled gently at the man in front of her, thinking how Sabé had been wrong. So very wrong. She didn't just have it bad. She was terminal. And it was wonderful.
"I don't feel like dancing." She noted with a sly tilt of her head, which was met with a charming raise of Obi-Wan's brow.
That surprised him. He had visited the ball once, several days ago, and had seen her dancing up a storm. Perhaps all their walking had tired her. He once more reached out to take her hand as they strolled further into the gardens, his eyes moving about to look for a place where they could sit down.
In the distance, the ball attendants were spilling out onto the palace balcony and into the gardens, and he smiled at the genuine peaceful and joyous atmosphere that the Unity Day celebration produced.
Noting a carved bench not far from their position, he directed their walk down a narrow, flower-lined path, but was stopped by the approach of a Gungan he did not know.
She was a young female, about ten standard years of age and in her hand she held a delicate white flower. Obi-Wan smiled, believing that the youngster had brought the offering to Padmé. It had become obvious that the Naboo loved and respected her, and he was pleased to find that the Gungans apparently did as well.
But he was shocked to see that the young Gungan was holding up the flower to him.
He reached down and took the flower from her hand, holding it by its stem.
"Meesa wants to thank the Jedi." She said a little shyly, her long arms swinging to and fro. "The Jedi found Cho-Ca who was lost."
Ah. The Gungan youngling he had discovered early that morning before the parade. This must be his sibling.
"We owe the Jedi thanks."
And with that, the little Gungan turned and fled. Obi-Wan called out his appreciation, but was unsure if she had heard him. He turned to look upon Padmé, noticing her face glowing with an emotion he was also unsure of.
"It's a kabba flower." She said, glancing down at the white blossom he held in his hand. "They grow wild along the banks of Otoh Gunga, the capital city of the Gungans. When I was little, I used to fill my arms full of them and present them to my mother. She never complained that along with the flowers were clumps of dirt and weeds that usually ended up all over her kitchen floor." The young woman sighed at the remembrance and then added. "It's a beautiful flower."
Obi-Wan glanced down at the bud in his hand and its intricately detailed numerous white petals. "It is lovely, but there's only one thing that would make it beautiful."
He moved closer to the young woman, reached up and placed the stem of the flower deep into her hair, adding to the adornment already there.
Padmé looked up at him with shining eyes.
The music of the ball was drifting along the slight breeze of the Naboo night, its soft, soothing distant lullaby meeting their ears.
"Would you care to dance, Obi-Wan?" She asked with a smile.
A teasing smirk crossed the young man's face. "I thought you didn't feel like dancing."
Padmé reached out and boldly placed both hands behind his strong neck, her thumbs gently caressing along his hairline. "I changed my mind."