The most powerful minds of the Jedi Council gather outside of the entry to the base of the Temple where young Skywalker hides. They are arguing amongst themselves over the best course of action in how to extricate the boy, and then what to do with him once he is in their custody.
"He must be destroyed." Mace Windu declares boldly, to the sympathetic glances of Adi Gallia and Master Koth.
"Once a Jedi is tainted by the Dark Side, forever will it dominate their destiny. You've said so yourself, Master Yoda." The dark-skinned council member continues.
Yoda glances about him with weary eyes. "First things first. Retrieve the boy, we must. But care we must take. Unstable, he is."
"And how are we supposed to get him out of there if not by force?" Council member Ki-Adi-Mundi declares.
"He could be in there for a long, long time." Master Rancisis notes to the murmured agreement of those gathered around.
"Perhaps faith we should have in what the Force has not yet revealed." The head of the council states, quieting the group. The kindly green eyes move up and beyond the circle of his colleagues to gaze upon a slight girl with dark black hair and dark eyes. Her face displays an innocent determination and with a nod to her Master standing behind her, she approaches Yoda and the other Masters with an equally determined stride.
"Know you do of the danger you face." He warns, glancing up to the Padawan's Master, who nods a somber acknowledgment.
"Yes." The young girl says softly as all fall silent about them. "But I want to help him. Anakin's my friend."
"Then go, Padawan Suln, and may the Force be with you."
Blue-gray eyes flutter open, but before their vision clears, Obi-Wan can read the emotions of the young woman lying silently next to him. They are raw, open, and they are his.
A bond.
During his attempt to save her life, he has created a bond with her.
He was afraid this would happen.
However, fear is not an emotion he feels radiating from Padmé at the moment. Surprise, curiosity, and a peace he cannot explain.
He certainly doesn't feel at peace.
His apprentice has touched the Dark Side, destroyed the historical Serenity Gardens, and tried to kill his life mate.
His life mate. The phrase stuns him and Padmé repeats it, as if he had spoken the words aloud.
"Life mate." She utters quietly, one brow raising. "Bonded?"
Obi-Wan gulps. "Yes. I'm sorry, but it was necessary in order to save your life. I'm sure the healers can remove it after you've…"
The final word of his sentence never escapes his lips before Padmé's hand is pressed against his mouth, silencing him.
"Obi-Wan." She shakes her head in mock admonishment. "I love you. Why wouldn't I want to be bonded with you?" Her words turn to a whisper as she edges herself closer to him on the bed.
"B…but…" The young man's speech stutters as he is assaulted by two things: A pair of soft lips caressing his neck, and a growing passion emanating from the young woman pressing herself up against him. "Wait…wait." He insists, gently pushing against her. "You're not strong enough."
"I feel wonderful, thanks to you. Let me help you feel wonderful too." The words tickle along his ear, followed by the heat of a warm tongue toying with the lobe, and the knight is undone.
Something is incomplete between them and it must be attended to immediately. Its demand is gaining intensity and fueling the passion rising between them. Frayed edges of the bond that must be fused together, and soon. He knows there is only one way to accomplish this.
With a swipe of his hand through the air, the door to the med unit they occupy locks, the lights dim, and Obi-Wan listens and obeys.
He has always been one to follow the will of the Force.