And this room was one of her favorites. Three of its walls were lined with panels of wood stained a rich mahogany, contrasting the almost white natural hardwood floor that was worn to a dull shine by Padawans and Knights learning and teaching and practicing the same forms generation after generation. The fourth wall was a mirror used to spot and correct problems with form. What Siri enjoyed most about this room, though, was its ceiling, actually one big skylight. Its high placement in the Temple allowed the natural light to illuminate the room by day, unimpeded by the urban jungle of Coruscant. At dusk, the building's automatic lighting would kick on, allowing daylong practice sessions to continue without interruption.
Siri took off her shoes, her outer tunic and utility belt and left them in a heap along one of the wood walls. Today she wore black, a stretchy pants-and-tank set that would not restrict her movements. Her shoulder-length blond hair was casually tied back into a loose ponytail. She walked to the center of the floor, the quiet and solitude covering her in a blanket of peace, and stood with her arms at her sides facing the mirror.
She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath, then pushed it out of her lungs. Inhale, exhale. With each breath, she released more of her fears and confusion into the Force. As she surrendered to the chorus of whispers, the room transformed into a field, the light that shone through the skylight expanding until it dissolved the walls into an open sky. The wooden floor disappeared, and waves of wild grass carpeted the scene. When Siri raised her arms in the opening move of the kata, she could feel the sun warming her face.
This form, Tree in the Wind, had never been at the top of her list, but it had been a favorite of her master, Adi Gallia, whose tall, willowy body was suited to kata that emphasized grace and fluidity. As with most forms, learning this one had been a long process, starting with trying to remember the details – where each hand should be, how far out her legs should sweep, how her hips should line up to her stance. Once time and practice had burned the moves into her mind, she was able to take her awareness up a level and concentrate on smoothing out the transitions from position to position, adding just the right snap at the end of each extension. Eventually, Siri was able to let go of those details and shift her focus to the big picture and her concentration to the Force.
And it was still that way on this day, though it had been a couple of years since she had executed this particular form. Her limbs flowed from one position to the next, a physical representation of a parable. She didn't hear the swish of her bare foot sweeping over the floor. She didn't see her hands cross in front of her face before her arms extended out over her head and slowly cascaded to her sides. She didn't feel the sweat beading and trickling down her back. She had released her immediate senses and let the Force guide her in telling the story.
Only after her palms met in front of her heart did she allow her consciousness to surface. As she took in another deep breath, a presence pricked the corner of her awareness. She exhaled, emptying her lungs. Siri then opened her eyes and turned to greet Obi-Wan, who had been watching unobtrusively near the door. His expression was unreadable, but she could feel the swirling currents around him in the Force.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your practice," he said, strolling over to join her. "When I saw what you were doing I was going to wait outside, but I was captivated. That's one of my favorites, you know."
"It would be, wouldn't it?" Siri flashed him a quick grin, then dipped into a squat to stretch out the muscles in her legs. "It's been a long time since you've seen me do a form." Even on the missions they shared, there had never been time for practicing basics. When they were lucky they could squeeze in a practice duel or two with lightsabers.
"Indeed. You preferred sparring, if I remember correctly. And when you did settle for doing kata, you chose the power-based forms. Lighting Kata, I believe, was one of your favorites."
"It still is." She faced the mirror and stretched out her arms one at a time over her head. She noticed with some satisfaction that Obi-Wan was struggling to avert his gaze. "But I needed a break from kicks and thrusts. I was looking for something a little more fluid and feminine."
One ginger eyebrow shot up. "So being wined and dined by some man you know nothing about doesn't make you feel enough like a woman?" Siri could tell he was trying to keep the tone light, but she could also feel an edge creep into his words.
She twirled out of her stretch and stalked toward him. "So this is why you've come looking for me." She stepped right up to him and stuck her finger in his chest. "What's the matter, Kenobi? Jealous of yourself?"
She had been trying to get his back up, and, under the surface, she could tell that she had succeeded. But on the outside, Obi-Wan maintained his calm, gently taking her hand and moving it back to her side.
"I'm not jealous. I know you are trying to get information out of him." He placed his hands on the sides of her arms and confronted the full force of her sapphire glare. "I know you want to help, but you should stay out of it. I've sensed some darkness surrounding him. It's enough that you are playing such a big part in this war. I don't want you exposed to danger at home, too. You don't need to get involved in this."
Despite the indignation she felt at Obi-Wan's protectiveness, Siri softened her features. "I'm already involved, so I might as well play my part." She walked to the edge of the room and gathered up her tunic and shoes. "If you want to pretend to be my keeper, though, you can walk me back to my room."
A spark returned to Obi-Wan's eyes as he dipped into a deep bow. "It would be my pleasure." He looked at the bundle in her arms. "You aren't going to put those on?"
Siri shook her head and stepped into the hallway. "It's too hot. The slow forms don't look like much, but they make me sweat."
"Harder than they look, aren't they? Maybe now you'll stop teasing me for choosing those over your acrobatics." He stepped alongside her, matching her stride. He took the clothes from her and, before she could protest, tucked the bundle under his arm.
"An escort and a pack bantha, too. I should remember to bring you along next time I go to the markets."
"Not shopping," Obi-Wan scrunched his face in mock anguish. "Tell me, what is the appeal of pushing your way through a mob just to look at some trinkets? Jedi aren't supposed to have possessions, remember?"
"What's wrong with buying some odd bits here and there? A girl has to keep up her spirits, you know."
"It's nothing a little meditation can't help with."
"Ah, meditation. The cure for all that ails you." Siri smirked as she rounded the corner and entered the hallway where her quarters were located. "You know, Obi-Wan, you can be so- Hey!"
The door to Siri's apartment was wide open.
Obi-Wan peered through the doorway and said, "Is there any chance that it was open when you left?"
Siri shook her head, "I remember it closing behind me. I had even thought about going back for a towel, but changed my mind. The door was definitely closed."
"Wait here. I'll check it out."
Siri pushed her way past him, saying, "No way. These are my quarters, and I can look over them just fine."
Her eyes swept over the main living area and found nothing out of place. Despite her remarks to Obi-Wan about trinkets, she had few personal possessions. Aside from the modest furniture that standard in Knights' quarters, she had a small collection of stones from various planets she had visited and some books scattered around the room. As Obi-Wan stuck his head into her kitchenette, she went to check her bedchamber. Her sleepcouch was made and everything looked just as she had left it, with Obi-Wan's cloak folded neatly at one end. She grabbed it and went back to her living room.
"I don't see anything," she said. "Maybe the door malfunctioned."
Obi-Wan's brow furrowed as his eyes scanned the area. "I don't know. Something doesn't feel right."
"How would you know? You've never been here."
He shrugged. "Just a feeling."
"Well, we can't do anything about it now." She handed him his cloak and said, "Thank you for this."
"Of course." He accepted the garment, then draped it over the back of the nearest chair.
As Obi-Wan continued to sweep the room for any evidence of a break-in, Siri wandered to the kitchenette and called out, "Tea?" She wasn't sure of the exact reason, but she knew she didn't want him to leave.
"Yes, please."
She set the water kettle on the warmer and took two mugs out of her cabinet. As she started to set up the tray, she caught sight of a white blossom on her countertop, where she had put it upon returning home from the garden that morning. It was looking a little crushed but still pretty, so she set it in the center of the tea tray.
When she carried the tray to the living room, she found Obi-Wan settled in one of the chairs, lost in thought. She set the tray on the table and sat on the sofa across from him. "I forgot to thank you for the flower."
Obi-Wan blinked and came out of his thoughts. "Flower? It's lovely. Flandorian, if I'm not mistaken."
Siri cocked her head and gave him a strange look. "You didn't leave this for me in the garden?"
He shook his head and reached for the large blossom. "No. I've only seen these in parades. I didn't even know we grew them here. You say it looked like this was left for you deliberately?"
"They grow on a bush clear across the garden from where we were. I don't think it would have just blown over there." Despite herself, Siri was starting to feel a little spooked. First the open door, now the flower – taken separately, she could explain them away, but there was too much of a coincidence.
Apparently Obi-Wan shared her feelings. He dropped the blossom on the table and stood up, pacing one side of the room. "This is not good, Siri. Please reconsider getting involved in this investigation."
"How do you know Jak's involved? Maybe these things are just random." Even as the words came out, Siri knew she wasn't trying to convince Obi-Wan so much as herself. "Maybe one of the younglings left me the flower. And maybe the door got stuck."
"You're more perceptive than that. You sense something is wrong, too." He stopped his pacing and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms at his chest. "Maybe home isn't the safest place for you to be. I'm on the Council now, you know. I could recommend you for a mission."
Siri was on her feet in a flash, her narrowed eyes shooting blue daggers. "Don't even think about it."
Her glare didn't have its intended effect. Quite the opposite, in fact. Obi-Wan had the gall to look iamused/i. While Siri seethed, he scratched his beard thoughtfully and said, "You know, we've been talking about sending a reconnaissance team to Hoth-"
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Or maybe you'd prefer somewhere a little warmer." His blue-green eyes glinted as he pretended to think. "We could use a Jedi presence over on Tatooine. I hope you like sand – oof!" He suddenly found himself lying on the ground, a sofa cushion in his face and an indignant Jedi sitting on his stomach.
"Mr. High and Mighty thinks he can just send me away? Think again, pal!" She couldn't help the triumphant smile that took over her expression.
When Obi-Wan pushed the pillow off his face, he sputtered, "Are you trying to smother me?" A quick sweep of the arm and a twist of the torso had their positions reversed. "I'm afraid that doing away with me won't get you anywhere. There's a clone of me running around, don't you know? He could just take my place as your tormentor, and no one would be the wiser."
Siri sensed something more behind his teasing tone and her grin melted into a soft smile. "You know better than that, Kenobi," she chided gently, automatically lifting her hand to brush back a lock of hair that had fallen across his face. Their eyes met, and for two heartbeats they shared a look burdened by the weight of their unspoken emotions.
Feeling a need to change the mood, Siri twisted her lips into a droll smile and quipped, "No one could torment me the way you do."
The tension broken, Obi-Wan laughed and shifted his weight to one side, freeing Siri. She sat up and rested her back against the wall, crossing her legs at the ankles. Obi-Wan reclined on his side, using his hand to prop up his head. Neither could remember the last time they felt this at ease with one another, and neither wanted to do anything to take that feeling away.
"So are you still going to talk me out of taking Jak out for a drink?"
With a resigned shake of his head, Obi-wan said, "Could you at least make sure he doesn't have too much? He will likely be recognized as me, and it wouldn't look good for the Order."
"Oh come on. It might actually make us look good, you know, like we aren't all stuffed tunics." A fleeting image of a tipsy Master Yoda ran through her head, making her giggle. "Besides, how else am I supposed to get him to lower his guard and leak some information?"
Obi-Wan looked at her and raised one eyebrow suggestively.
Siri's jaw dropped in shock. "You wouldn't ask me to-"
A rich laugh came from his throat, and he patted her leg. "Of course not. I just couldn't resist baiting you."
The corners of her mouth quirked up. "Funny, Kenobi. But, you know," she rested her chin on her hands, "maybe your plan has some merit."
Obi-Wan's smile vanished. "No."
"Why not? I've gone undercover before. What's so different about a slight change in personality? And maybe a little costume for dramatic effect." She rose and started walking toward her bedchamber. "I think I've got some of Zora's outfits in my closet."
Before she could get far, Obi-Wan had stood up and grabbed her arm. "You can't be serious." As Siri tugged herself out of his grip, he called out, "Fine. Get him plastered. To hell with image."
Siri turned around and folded her arms over her chest. "I'm glad you see it my way." She couldn't help the smug smile that stole over her features. "But don't worry. You're a funny drunk; I'll bet your clone is, too."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, exhaling a loud sigh. "Siri, you are trying my patience."
"You're a Jedi. Find more patience." Seeing his struggle, Siri dropped her teasing tone and faced him. "Look, you don't have to protect me or worry about me. I'm a Jedi. Right up until we were Padawans we had the same training. If I can't protect myself, well, I deserve to get hurt."
"That doesn't mean I have to like it," was his soft reply. He met her gaze. "This isn't your mess, you know."
"I'm already involved, so at least let me play an active role. Besides, if our suspicions are right and he has something to do with my door being open and the flower, I deserve to be in on this too."
There was a short silence.
"Very well."
That was a little too easy, Siri thought.
"But I'm coming along to make sure you're safe."
Ah, there's the kicker. "You can't come. I won't be able to get anything out of him."
"I will come in disguise and hide in a dark corner. He won't know I'm there."
Siri relented. "But you can't interfere. No stepping in unless there's a brawl or something. And if that happens, you're just there to help me get him out."
Obi-Wan hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded. "You must promise me something, though." He took both of her hands in his. "Please be careful."
"Aren't I always?" Her response was an automatic one, simply because her mind was buzzing too loudly to come up with anything else. Her hands were on fire, and she felt the heat spread through her veins, awakening every cell in her body. She closed her eyes, wanting to surrender to the siren's call she heard in the Force. She could sense Obi-Wan there, just beyond her reach. If she stretched just a little farther-
The heat – and the siren's song – dissipated as Obi-Wan dropped her hands. Siri's chest rose and fell as she struggled to regain her composure.
"Why?" The word came out in a ragged whisper. "If it's wrong to be together … why does it feel as if the Force-"
"I don't know." When Siri was able to raise her head, she saw that Obi-Wan looked as drained and confused as she felt. When his eyes rose to meet hers, though, he gave her a reassuring smile and stroked her cheek with his thumb.
"There is something I would like you to know."
Siri smiled wanly, enjoying the tender touch. "And what is that?"
"If I were to choose a flower for you, it wouldn't be white." He was speaking barely above a whisper. "It would be violet, or blue to match your eyes. A strong, brilliant shade to match your strength and brilliant presence."
Who knew that The Negotiator could be such a romantic? Siri decided it was time to snap back to reality before she melted into a puddle. Gesturing toward the table, she observed, "Look, we let the tea get cold." She moved to pick up the tray.
Obi-Wan took it from her. "Let me." He walked to the kitchen and set it down next to the sink. "We'll have tea another time. I must go find Anakin. He seems to be in the middle of a disagreement with Master Windu at the moment."
"Aren't you supposed to be letting go at this point?" Siri said, half-joking. "He's a Knight now."
"Somehow I feel as if I will never be able to let go." His hand came up to scratch his beard. "It's funny. I once felt as if I couldn't be free of the responsibility fast enough, but now that I am, I'm finding it hard not to step in when I sense trouble."
"From what I've heard about him, that must be all the time," Siri teased. "What does Anakin think of this clone business? Is he aware of the whole situation?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes. I think he finds the whole thing amusing. At the very least, it's one more thing for him to tease me about. But he has been a little distracted as of late."
"By a certain young Senator, perhaps?"
"So you've noticed, too. This is not good." The ginger-haired Jedi slowly shook his head. "And, of course, I can't really say anything given my own issues…"
"Of course you can. We have behaved. Somehow I don't think they've actually-"
He interrupted her. "Please don't go there. There are some images I can do without."
That got a chuckle out of Siri. "If it makes you feel better," she said, "I only sensed it because you are so concerned about it. Sometimes, I feel as if I can read your mind, like-"
"Like a bond. Yes, I've sensed it too. Like this morning. Please don't think I'm trying to invade your privacy."
"Oh, if I thought that, you'd know it. My shields are pretty strong when I want them to be. I can keep you out." She turned to him and grinned. "How about yours? Are you shields strong enough to hide from yourself?"
Obi-Wan's lips curved up into a slight smile, one that seemed to be tinged with regret. He said, "Sometimes I feel as if I've been doing that all my life."