Chapter 24

A Blanket of Stars

Obi-Wan became aware of a bright, soft light surrounding him, and what sounded like muffled voices.

Where am I…am I dead? Is this what one sees after passing into the Cosmic Force? Is this some sort of reception area into the netherworlds of the Force?

The voices grew more distinct, and Obi-Wan strained to recognize them. Shapes began to emerge, slowly, from the light around him.

Those voices…who are they? The spirits of Jedi gone before?

Then, a mechanical, feminine voice joined the cacophony in his head.

"He's regaining consciousness."

The other voices became more and more distinct, relief now evident in them.

Where am I?

"Obi-Wan!"

Master?

"Master…"

"It's okay, Obi-Wan. You're safe now."

Obi-Wan turned towards his Master's voice, and got his first glimpse of his surroundings. He was on a cot built into the bulkhead of some sort of medical bay, various instruments and an IV hooked into him. Feeling somewhat drowsy, he guessed that some kind of painkiller was being pumped into his bloodstream. Gathered next to him was Qui-Gon, with Adi and Siri by his side and a medical droid by theirs. Adi was holding up a small holoprojector, projecting an image of Master Sifo-Dyas. Behind his visitors, Obi-Wan saw the entire wall on the opposite side of the room was a giant window looking out over deep space, with a sofa facing towards it. The walls were a soft, greyish-white color, the lights dimmed.

A starship…I'm in the medical bay of a starship. We're off of Vodran. Finally.

"Obi-Wan! You're awake!"

"Yes…yes, Master."

Qui-Gon grasped his apprentice by the shoulder, relief and happiness in his eyes. Obi-Wan sensed more warmth and paternal care in his Master than he had in years. He reached out to his Master through their Force bond.

I'm glad to see you too, Master.

Looking across from Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan could sense Siri nearly bursting with joy despite her outwardly calm demeanor, and knew that she was doing everything in her power not to rush up and throw her arms around him.

And you too, Siri.

Even Master Gallia and Master Sifo-Dyas couldn't help but look relieved at the scene. Master Sifo-Dyas broke the silence through the hololink.

"It's good to see you're alive, Padawan Kenobi. I'll let the Council know you're going to make it. Still, you'll probably spend your entire first day back at the Temple in a bacta tank."

Sifo-Dyas couldn't help but grin as he finished his sentence. Obi-Wan chuckled weakly as he settled back into his cot.

Ah…Bant's going to kill me for this.

Obi-Wan turned to his Master.

"Where am I?"

"You're in the medical bay of a Corellian shuttle, Obi-Wan. Master Gallia called in our extraction just as you passed out. The three of us managed to stabilize you before the shuttle arrived, but it was touch and go for several hours. You lost a large amount of blood in that skimmer. We were originally supposed to go back to Coruscant via a Consular-class cruiser, but she didn't have the medical facilities to treat your injuries. The shuttle, on the other hand, was designed as a personnel transport and has a proper medical wing. We're going back to Coruscant in the shuttle; we'll just have to refuel on the way back now."

"How much longer?"

"Roughly 2 days."

Better get used to these surroundings. I guess I'm not going anywhere fast, and I'm not looking forward to facing Bant after I get back. I'll just have to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

With a groan, Obi-Wan climbed out of his cot and trudged towards the sofa of his room with his IV and other monitoring machines in tow, supporting the weight of his wounded leg with a cane the medical droid had left for him. The friendly, doting machine left the room at night, only entering if the Padawan's vital signs dropped too low or he pressed the call buttons built into both his monitor and his bedside to summon the droid to his room. The lights had been turned off, the only light in the room now being the breathtaking vista of stars and nebulae shining through the room's massive window. Obi-Wan carefully sat down on the sofa, looking out over the incredible sight and taking in the presence of the Living Force from such a vast array of life.

This couch is an excellent place to meditate, with such a beautiful, peaceful vista. Whoever designed this shuttle deserves my thanks, and a large glass of Corellian ale.

Despite his drug-induced drowsiness and the pain in his leg, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and meditated for the first time in days. The Force flowed through his body, rejuvenating his exhausted mind and muscles as he soaked it in.

I needed this like a thirsty man needed water.

He slowly left his meditative trance, having lost all track of time. It was still night, judging by the cabin lighting. The vista of stars still illuminated the room, bathing it in a soft, ethereal glow that gave way to darkness as the floor drifted away from the window. Obi-Wan stood up to use the fresher, squinting as he turned on the lights in the small room. Once he had finished and washed his hands, he paused to look at himself in the mirror. He was wearing a loose, white medical robe, the various monitors and IV hooked into his body protruding from underneath it. His utility belt, lightsaber, and Jedi robes were stored in a locker labeled "PATIENT EFFECTS" behind his cot. Despite the ordeal of the past several days, with his meditative session his face was now peaceful and his mind calm, the Jedi stoicism having returned after the vicious battle with Nurkkis and his henchmen not two days earlier. Obi-Wan looked himself up and down before walking out, and sighed at what he saw as a brief pang of emotion hit him.

You've been through a great deal these past few months, Kenobi. And you still have more to face before you see the Jedi Trials.

As he entered the main room and turned again to the vista of stars, he heard the door to his room open. He already knew who it was without needing to look.

Medical droids don't have Force presences.

"Siri."

She can't be here. We can't be alone in the middle of the night like this.

"Obi-Wan."

"You can't be here."

As he said this, he turned towards her, despite the Jedi in him telling him not to do so.

What are you doing? You can't dignify her presence by turning to face her! Look out the window! Look disinterested!

She closed the door and stepped towards him despite his admonition.

Call the medical droid! She can't be caught in here with you!

Despite his Jedi training telling him to hit the call button on his monitor, everything else in his mind and body refused to even reach for it.

"Siri, I'll call the medical droid."

"No, you won't."

He began to back away from her, trying to sound as authoritative as he could.

"I will!"

Her voice was calm, her poise unfazed.

"You won't. If you really wanted to, you would have done it already."

She's right. Besides, do you realize what would happen to her if she were caught in here with you? Would you really get the woman you love expelled from the Jedi Order in the name of the rules?

Slowly, the thought of pressing that ominous call button drifted from Obi-Wan's mind as his heart began to race. As Siri stepped towards the window where Obi-Wan stood and the light illuminated her form, he couldn't help but take her in. She wore the same cream-colored nightgown she had worn to the Council meeting the night Lok'ayy fled, relatively loose-fitting but showing off enough of her curves to keep Obi-Wan enthralled despite his reservations. She was clean and smelled of floral-scented soap, a far cry from the dirty, wet-haired, desperate young woman he had fought for his life alongside just days earlier. On top of all this, her hair looked alluringly, and suspiciously, neat.

She was planning this, wasn't she?

She continued to step towards him as he continued to backpedal even as he admitted to himself that he was enjoying the sight of her. Then, Obi-Wan's feet suddenly refused to move. The Padawan could do nothing but stand his ground as Siri continued to approach him despite everything he had been taught as a Jedi screaming at him to smash through the window and run as far away as he could. She stopped just short of him, looking up into his eyes. He could only look back at her, raising his hand to her cheek and brushing her hair behind her ear. She smiled nervously, her eyes fixed on his. Then, slowly, he lowered his hand from her face as his body begged him to go further. He turned to look at the vista before them as she did the same. Her voice was quiet and, unusually for her, nervous.

"Wow…that's incredible. Look at that."

"I know. I spent some time meditating right here before you showed up."

"You make my arrival sound so unwanted, Kenobi."

And you really do want her in here right now, don't you?

Without thinking, he reached his hand over to hers. She took it, and although her gaze was on the stars outside he could tell her mind was entirely focused on him. For what seemed like minutes, they stood there, basking in the glow of the vista outside and savoring the touch of their hands against one another. Then, she turned to look at him.

"Come on. Let's get you to bed."

"Siri, I don't need a nurse. I can…"

She was already leading him towards his cot by the hand as he protested.

"You stubborn gundark. Come on, lay down."

"Siri…"

Much to his amazement, he was complying with her every instruction.

She has you by the balls!

Obi-Wan laid himself across the cot as Siri helped him bring his wounded leg up. Without noticing, she held his leg by the wound. Obi-Wan let out a cry of pain as a searing sensation shot up his leg at her touch. She deftly re-gripped his leg and gently eased it onto the cot.

"Siri! That's the wound!"

"I know, I know…don't be such a baby. Here, I'll make it better."

Siri bent down and gently kissed the wound, sending Obi-Wan a wave of comfort through the Force as she did this. Obi-Wan relaxed onto his pillow as she crawled up onto his chest. She put her hand to his face, a playful smile on her lips as she spoke.

"There. That better, Kenobi?"

"Much."

Obi-Wan then realized he was running his hands up to Siri's waist. He became aware of her breathing becoming more rapid as she looked into his eyes. A voice in his head spoke calmly to him.

Don't think. Just let it happen.

She leaned in, her eyes fluttering shut. He closed his eyes and raised his head to meet her lips with his. She deepened the kiss and pressed him down onto the pillow as he ran one hand up to her face, savoring the feel and the taste of her. For what felt like the first time in his life, the Jedi Code went to the wind as Obi-Wan savored the moment. For now, as much as it disturbed him, he was just a man, enjoying his time in the arms of the woman he loved.

This…this is heaven. This is incredible. All these years we've known each other, and we've never been this close before. She's an incredible woman, and I'm the luckiest man in the galaxy to have her.

They finally broke the kiss, their faces precariously close to one another. Her once-calm voice was now breathless, seductive, and filled with desire.

"Obie…"

The two rolled over to the side, and then Siri carried her hand to the back of Obi-Wan's hospital robe.

She's…are we going to go that far? Are we really going to consummate what we've felt for each other all these years tonight?

By now, his hands were on the straps of her nightgown. All he needed to do was pull it off of her as she undressed him, roll her onto her back, and take her where she lay. As he contemplated what was about to unfold, the gravity of it began to dawn on him. His logical mind began to override his arousal.

Think about this, Obi-Wan. Are you really willing to go that far with her? You've both crossed one too many lines on this night alone, and making love is something that can never be undone. Even if this doesn't result in some kind of horrifying unplanned pregnancy, you'll never be able to forget this. And neither will she. It will bond the two of you forever in a way nothing else can. Are you really willing to put the Jedi Order, to put all that the two of you have strove towards, aside for this?

Surprisingly, there was none of the anger that had characterized the aftermath of their kiss on the balcony. Obi-Wan's mind was calm and rational as he pondered the consequences before him. Then, after a moment's deliberation, he made his decision.

"Siri."

"Obie."

"Don't."

"Don't what?"

"You know what I mean."

He carried his hands away from her shoulders to emphasize his point, noticing that one of the straps of her nightgown had slipped off under his hands.

"Why not?"

He gently grasped her arms, moving them away from his back.

"Think about this, Siri. Think about what it will be like between us if we make love tonight."

"You're worried about a baby, aren't you?"

"Not just that. This will bond us in a way neither of us can imagine. It will never be the same between us. And if we do it once, I can tell you we will do it again, with even less inhibition."

"Obie…"

"We're Jedi, Siri. We can't let this undo everything we've worked towards."

She paused for a moment, and then gave her reply.

"I understand."

"I love you, Siri. I don't want to ruin you over an impulsive decision like this."

"Say that again, Obie."

"What?"

"I love you.' Say it again."

"I love you, Siri."

Her eyes sparkled at his words, tears beginning to form beneath the big blue irises.

"I love you too, Obie."

With that, she kissed him again, passionately. After a few seconds, they broke the kiss, Obi-Wan wiping a tear from Siri's cheek. She turned over, looking out the window at the vista of stars as Obi-Wan pushed her hair out of the way and kissed the nape of her neck. He placed his head on her shoulder, resting it against hers as they looked out over the view together.

Here we are, two lovers in each other's arms, cuddled under a blanket of stars. And yet we're Jedi. Who would have thought?

"Siri, you should get going now."

With a sigh, she swung her legs over the edge of the cot and turned to Obi-Wan as she sat upright.

"Fair enough."

She looked into his eyes with a smile, and then bent down and gently kissed him one last time. She lingered over him for a moment as their lips parted, her voice a caress.

"Sleep well, my love."

Siri rose and walked to the door as Obi-Wan watched, enjoying the feminine sway of her hips. As if on cue, she turned to him as she reached the door, a mischievous grin on her face.

"Seen enough, Kenobi?"

With a wink, she shut the door. Obi-Wan smiled and settled back down onto his pillow. Unlike last time, there was no self-admonition or angst at what he had just indulged in.

Just let it happen.

Under the blanket of stars, sleep came to him immediately, a smile still on his features.