A/N: I know I haven't updated for 4 weeks. But I think you all know these moment when you just don't know how your story should continue. I'm really sorry and hope you'll be satisfied with this. You'll see, Shayariel will play an important part when it comes to Ben's and Padmé's relationship. Njoy !

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars…

Empathy

They were all sitting in the living room, listening to Shayariel's stories laughing loudly. She told them how she had met Qui-Gon and about her first visit at the Jedi temple, as well as the adventures that she and the ghostly apparition had gone through. It was the first time they had visitors since they had arrived on Tattooine and it felt good to hear other voices and laughter filling the house. And Shayariel was glad to have found what was left of her family – the Jedi – Obi-Wan and Padmé. Although they had had a difficult start, she now already felt very close to them and called them her friends. And it felt damn good to have friends.

Friendship. Joy. Happiness. The end of loneliness.

It had gotten late and the darkness of the night covered the endless desert landscape around the little cabin in the mountains.

"Why don't you stay here with us over night ? I mean, you don't really want to go out into the desert again when it's so dark that you might get lost in the endless blackness." Padmé suddenly suggested to Shayariel. Her face lit up and she started to smile happily. No one had ever been this friendly to her, except Qui-Gon. But Qui-Gon was actually dead so he was in a different category.

"I think Padmé is right. The desert is already dangerous at daytime. Stay with us for a while, we'd be pleased." Obi-Wan added.

"Well, I actually have no choice, have I ?" she replied.

"Alright then it's done. Ah… Padmé ?" Obi-Wan called out her name and gently touched her shoulders when she turned around to him.

Affection. Warmth. Love.

"Huh ?"

"I think we have some stuff to do…" he said, looking on to the mountains of dishes that were standing on the table. The way Padmé smiled back at Obi-Wan sent a warm and comforting emotion to Shayariel's mind. But at the same time, she felt a sharp pain in her heart.

Longing. Heartache. Tragedy.

"Nothing that I'd like to do now, but it has to be done. Shayariel, Master Qui-Gon, we'll be back in a few minutes." She said into their direction and started to collect the plates and cups from the table.

"Ah, never mind. I have to do some meditation anyway, so… I'll go outside and enjoy the fresh breeze of the Tattooine desert." Shayariel said sarcastically and got up from her seat, followed by Qui-Gon's apparition.

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She was sitting on the cold ground, staring at the dark sky. Qui-Gon did not have to reach out to the Force to see that she was lost in her thoughts about something she just could not erase from her mind.

"You're not meditating, are you ?" he asked carefully.

"No, Master."

"Then what's bothering you ?"

"Nothing. There's just something that I don't understand." She replied and looked at him.

"Tell me."

"C'mon, I know that you know already." She answered.

"You're thinking about Obi-Wan and Padmé." He revealed her thoughts. Shayariel nodded.

"See, I just don't get it. Why are they trying to hide their feelings ? I mean… It doesn't make any sense."

"What kind of feelings are you talking about ?" Qui-Gon inquired.

"Oh Master ! Please ! You're a Jedi who's one with the Force. You can't tell me that you didn't sense the tension between them. For cryin' out loud, the whole house is filled with their thoughts, their longings, and their feelings for each other. And there are a million unspoken 'I love Yous' written on the walls. Their feelings are nearly visible to me so don't try to pretend you had no idea !" she said impatiently.

"Padawan, calm down ! You're right, I have sensed it. Even more, I know. But I have no right to interfere." He finally gave in.

"At first, I felt so happy for them. I sensed the bond between them and the way they treat each other with so much respect and kindness. But then there was something else. Felt like someone's stabbing my heart. And somehow I saw a wall between them. What is it that makes them keep the distance ?" she wanted to know. Shayariel had always had empathic powers. But since she had started her training with Qui-Gon, they had grown and sometimes they just overcame her and she did not know how to deal with it.

"Hmmm. Now how do I start… Do you remember what I've told you about the Chosen One ?" Shayariel answered with a nod.

"He should destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force. Instead, he destroyed the Jedi and joined the Sith. His name was Anakin Skywalker. He was Obi-Wan's padawan learner… and Padmé's… Senator Amidala's husband." Qui-Gon started.

"Are you saying that Padmé used to be a galactic senator ?" Shayariel asked stunning.

"At first she was the Queen of Naboo, then she was asked to be the senator representing the planet. Anakin was obsessed with her and she didn't realize it. They got married and Padmé was pregnant with twins. Since he was aware of her pregnancy, Anakin had nightmares about her dying in childbirth. He wanted to save her, no matter what it would take, even if it meant to learn the powers of the darks side. Chancellor Palpatine knew about all of this. He seduced him. He knew that after the loss of his mother, Anakin would never be able to let go of his wife. When Anakin turned to the dark side, it almost broke Padmé's heart. But she survived because Obi-Wan was there for her. He was holding her hand during childbirth, he was giving her the strength she needed. It is true, Shayariel, they have feelings for each other. They do love each other, but the loss of Anakin is still lying heavily on their shoulders. It is not even a month since he has gone. They just need more time." He tried to explain the situation to Shayariel. Her face expression saddened. She felt deep sympathy for Obi-Wan and Padmé, especially for her because she had to give up her children and her husband.

"It must be killing them… To be with each other every day but still keep a distance although there is nothing in the galaxy that you'd want more than… Whatever. I didn't know that, Master. I mean… that she is… Skywalker's wife. And Ben… he lost his padawan, his friend. It's a true tragedy." She said with a trembling voice. Shayariel always seemed to be the tough girl on the outside. But deep within herself she was a vulnerable soul. Whenever she saw the misery of others, she felt it breaking down on her. It was as if she was a part of them, as if the sadness was running through each of her veins, poisoning her blood.

"It's unfair." She whimpered.

"It may be. But it's not hopeless, padawan." He answered calmly.

"How can you say that ? You don't know how they feel. You don't know how sad they are and how much they wish to be together. It is breaking my heart." She cried.

"The gift of empathy has, like any other gift, its advantages but also disadvantages. You have to learn to control it. Otherwise you will break into a million pieces. Your abilities will grow over the years. And there will be voices of people in your mind that you've never seen before. You'll go insane – sooner or later." Qui-Gon said, placing his blue shining hand on her shoulder.

To Be Continued...

(And this time it won't take me 4 or 5 weeks, promised !)