A/N: OK, this is I think a sweet chapter. Finally a conversation between Obi-Wan and Padmé and even more ? Find out & enjoy !
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. It's all George's.
Lyrics: "Only Time Will Tell", Nana Mouskouri
Time Will Tell
He was sitting next to Padmé's bed and looked at her while she was sleeping peacefully. He had meditated on his conflict, but still didn't come to any clear solution. Torn between religion and love, he waited for her to wake up. Her company, her voice - that was what he needed now most. He held her hand in his, stroking it tenderly.
"Padmé, wake up !" he whispered. And as if he had been in her dreams to take her back to reality, she slowly opened her eyes and smiled at him. One of her sweet smiles that made him already feel so much better. And there was something else… A whisper in his head, telling him that this was what he had wanted for all his life. A voice that pushed him in her arms every night when he dreamed about her. The voice he could not recognize but still sounded so familiar.
"Still there ?" she asked a bit sleepy.
"Of course. Why shouldn't I ?" Obi-Wan returned calmly. Her look turned to a kind of sadness that hit him right in the heart.
"You wanted to leave without me." Padmé answered quietly. He started to shake his head vigorously.
"No. No. It's just... I'm a bit... no... a hell of a lot confused these times. So many things happened. So many things have changed. And sometimes I'm just wondering where my mind is." Padmé looked into his blue eyes as if they would lead her into his mind. She seemed to get lost in the deep blue of his iris, swimming through his thoughts, diving into his feelings. And then she spoke with a whispering voice:
"You're afraid. Afraid of falling. Because of me." Obi-Wan gazed at her in amazement. She used only a few words, simple words and with them, she explained it all so well. There was no need to tell her any fairy tales or lies. She knew. She understood.
"How come that you know me so well ?" he asked. Padmé just touched his face tenderly.
"Maybe because you're my closest friend."
"Hmmm… But… I also think that you've become Force sensitive during your pregnancy. It seems you have become strong… in the Force. I mean… you seem to sense the feelings around you and know what's on my mind. It's kind of strange." he turned to serious again. Padmé nodded.
Sometimes you remind me of Master Yoda." he said and began to grin. Padmé laughed out loudly.
"Are you saying my skin colour has changed to green while I was sleeping ?" she said, sarcasm dripping off her voice.
"No...," Obi-Wan returned, still laughing, "it is the way you talk. You sound like him."
"Sound like him, I do ?" she imitated Yoda's voice giggling. Obi-Wan could not help it. Although there was so much darkness around them, and their future was still undecided, she made him laugh until he cried. Where did Padmé get her strength from ? How could she come up with such jokes now ? How was she able to laugh at all ?
"Padmé… what if you weren't there anymore ?" he said softly.
For a moment, they remained silent. She was deeply touched by his words and did not know what to answer. But her eyes told him a story that was much more beautiful than any spoken words could ever be.
"So… what can I do about it ? That… Force thing ?" she interrupted the silence.
"I could help you with that... How to use it for good, how to meditate on certain things, how to get along with the voices in your head… " he replied.
"You will teach me how to use the Force ?"
"If you want me to..." Padmé answered with a nod.
"I'd feel honoured." she added. Then Obi-Wan's face expression turned to sad again.
"Obi-Wan ? What is it ?" she wanted to know.
"Nothing… It is just… There are some things that we have to talk about." he returned.
"OK." she replied shortly.
"Uhm.. First of all, are you sure about living on Tattooine with me ? You know the place and you know what it's like. I can only imagine that for someone who once has lived on Naboo, a heavenly planet, a paradise, living on Tattooine is like hell." he began. And for the first time, he admitted to himelf, that he was afraid she would decide not to stay with him. But Padmé only shook her head.
"It is true. I will miss Naboo. But I believe that you can make up your own little paradise, no matter where you are. It just depends on with whom you share your life and what you make out of it." Padmé's words felt like pure light filling his heart.
"You're much wiser than I am." he said.
"No, I just don't want to be the pessimist here." she answered smiling.
"Uhm… how do you feel about the funeral ? You have to pretend that you're dead, which means, nobody must know you're still alive, except Yoda, Bail, Sabé, Owen, Beru and myself. Your family needs to believe you're dead. No contact to anyone you know except us. Do you think you can do that ?" he went on.
"Not to tell my family will be hard." she admitted, sadness dripping off her voice.
"I know. But it has to be." Padmé nodded.
"You are right, Obi-Wan. Then so be it." she whispered, feeling a tear running down her pale cheek.
"The Force will help you through these times. And so will I." Obi-Wan tried to reassure her and wiped the tear from her face. She put her hand on his while it was still resting on her cheek. For a few moments, she just enjoyed the warmth and the smell of his skin. Then she leaned forward to him, so that her forehead touched his. Now that she was so close to him, she could feel his every breath on her face. It felt familiar and for some reason not weird at all to be so close to him.
"Padmé… what you said… during childbirth… About me and you… Did you… I mean were you…?" he stuttered nervously.
"Did I mean it ?" she completed his sentence.
"Yes." he whispered.
"Every word. I was serious about my feelings for you. You are precious to me. I need you in my life." she said, crying tears of joy now. Obi-Wan took her head in both of his hands and closed his eyes. He gently kissed her on the cheeks, feeling the salty taste of tears on his tongue. After he had taken a deep breath he opened his mouth to speak:
"I love you… But… right now… everything is so complicated. And our wounds have not healed over yet. I just need time. Time to find myself, to find peace. And so do you. But one day, there will be a chance for us. And until then, I will be your friend and your companion. I'll be there for you, and I'll keep my love deep within my soul. I won't lose it. It won't be long, Padmé. This I promise you."
They stayed for quite a while in that position, not knowing that two Jedi were watching them smiling hopefully…
Love changed our lonely lives
Caught us by surprise
Opened up our eyes
Somehow we both knew
Something rare and true
Something bright and new
Could be ours forever
But love love can not be planned
More you try to learn
Less you understand
Words could not dispel
What we know so well
Only time will tell
Like a tree as it grows
We will reach for the sky
Like a breeze gently blows
We'll be free you and I
For we know
Time alone holds the key
Only time alone will tell
Darling, only time will tell