Shift: Chapter Five

I delivered a happy Ben back home, even though his team had lost the game. After he'd informed his mother of the morning's occurrences, he asked to go down the hall and visit a friend. She agreed with a kiss to his cheek and a warning to use his manners.

It occurred to me that she was a significant factor in her children's lives. And although I'd only been here for two days, I wondered why she hadn't gone to work. She never mentioned it, wasn't even dressed for it. Most of the politicians I knew lived a rather lavish lifestyle and her apartment wasn't even in the right building. It was nice, but one that was typically assigned to someone with a lower income than a Senator. I'd have to ask her about that. It was closer to Ben's school, so that might be the reason she chose to live here.

"That was kind of you to take up for Ben like that. He's one of the smaller boys on his team, and sometimes I worry if he's being bullied or not."

While she talked, she walked around picking up the same toys she'd picked up the day before. The effort seemed like a waste of time to me. They would probably end up back on the floor by tomorrow. Speaking of…

"Where are the other two?" I asked, thinking quickly of their names. "Leia and Lucas?"

The clutter went into a storage unit disguised as an end table on one side of the couch. "I put them down for a nap a little while ago," she informed me before standing and pulling aside her long hair. She was looking at me in a way that made me nervous. Wasn't she angry with me just last night? Some men might take advantage of this particular situation, but I wasn't comfortable at all with the idea.

"I'm going to go take a shower," I blurted out, hoping to distract her.

Without waiting for a reply, I hurried into the bathing room and stripped down, turned on the water as hot as I could take it, and stood under it. After a couple of minutes, the pounding heat had done wonders for the tense muscles of my neck. I turned around to face the spray, allowing the same treatment on my chest. I was thoroughly engrossed in the pleasure of the aqua therapy and didn't hear the shower door open until suddenly, I felt cool, mounded flesh pressed against my back.

"I thought I'd join you," Padmé purred seductively while wrapping her arms around my waist.

Panicked, I froze in place. I wasn't about to turn around and let her see all my...stuff. What was I going to do?

"The children will be napping for at least an hour, so I thought we could have some quiet time together. Obi-Wan, I know I've been a little cranky and impatient lately, but you have to admit, you've been acting strangely. Did something happen on your mission that upset you?"

How could I tell her the truth when I didn't know what it was? Should I just make something up? What was the point? There was no way I was going to be able to concentrate with her hands wandering across my abdomen and chest like they were!

"No, not really. I'm probably just stressed. That's all," I hazarded a guess. Stress usually went along with the job, although Jedi intentionally purged such emotions through meditation and exercise – neither of which I've had in the past two days.

"Maybe you need to see a healer? Would that help? I can't imagine everything you put yourself through. The Jedi Council should really consider giving you some time off. They've been sending you out too often in my opinion."

Is that what she was doing? Taking time off? "That's not a bad idea," I agreed. "Perhaps you could take some time off as well and we could go on a holiday together." It was a suggestion I was hoping would lead to some information.

"Time off? From what? The children? Motherhood doesn't work like that, Obi-Wan. It's kind of a lifetime commitment."

I detected humorous sarcasm in her tone, although I was shocked. "You mean, you're not a senator?" I blurted out before I could stop myself. It made no sense! She was so good at her job!

There was silence behind me followed by a tug on my arm, which I resisted.

"Obi-Wan. Turn around and look at me."

I couldn't comply. I just couldn't! Sure, we had kissed after we'd met during the Naboo Invasion, but I'd never seen her naked. Quickly, I grabbed the body soap and lathered up my face.

"I can't right now. I've got soap in my eyes." It was a childish maneuver, but what choice did I have?

Within a few seconds, I heard the shower door open and close. Good. She'd left. I hurriedly finished washing, turned off the water, grabbed a towel, wrapped it around me, and walked into the bedroom. Padmé was sitting on the bed waiting for me. She'd at least put on a robe. That made conversation a little easier, although I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from her. She must think I was absolutely crazy, although her expression was revealing mainly worry.

"Obi-Wan, I'm concerned. Deeply concerned. You aren't acting like yourself, you're coming home intoxicated, and just now completely avoided my efforts at intimacy."

Her worry had transitioned to pain. I could see it in her eyes and it made my heart hurt. No matter what was going on with me, I didn't wish to cause her discomfort or make her unhappy.

"I'm sorry," I told her honestly.

She sat up straighter with new determination and I had a bad feeling an ultimatum was coming my way.

"If you care about me at all, I want you to see someone at the Temple. While you were showering, I took the liberty of speaking with Healer T'Pal. You have an appointment with her this evening. I want you to do this Obi-Wan. Not only for your sake but for us and the children as well."

She did what? In this world or any other, I had no interest in healers or a liking of them for that matter. Having someone trample around haphazardly in your brain wasn't fun. However, I'd already upset her, and I didn't wish to add to her misery, so I swallowed my pride and agreed to meet with T'Pal.