Distraction: Chapter Twenty

Dagobah. At last, it was within sight, not just a blip on the map. I had been awakened early that morning to the sound of the autopilot warning we were getting close. The truth was, I was happy to leave Padme's bed. Lying awake for hours next to her had allowed me ample time to think. I had come to a decision. She wasn't going to like it and I wasn't ready to talk about it.

I took over the controls and maneuvered the ship for entry into the atmosphere just as I heard her approaching. She had taken a shower and gotten dressed and was yawning as she took a seat.

"That's it?" she asked while staring out the front view. "You know, I never did ask you why Yoda chose this place of all places. It's so remote and from what I understand, there isn't a single sentient being living on it. Well, Yoda of course, though sometimes I wonder."

She was in a good mood this morning. And why shouldn't she be? However, I was guarded. I smiled at her attempt to joke with me although she could see right through me. There was no way she didn't believe something was wrong. Did she even know what she'd said last night? I didn't think so. She was half asleep when she'd said those words. In fact, she may have spoken them while asleep. I couldn't be sure. All I could do was wait and see what she had to say this morning. If I were lucky, she wouldn't say anything.

Padme allowed a few moments of silence to pass between us before speaking again.

"Are we going to talk about last night?"

I guess I wasn't so lucky.

"What about it?"

When she didn't answer, I quickly glanced at her. Her face bore a mixture of disbelief and disappointment. "Can we land first and talk later?" I suggested.

"Absolutely."

I was relieved. For about two seconds.

"Just know that when we do get settled, we're going to have that talk."

I nodded my head sagely and remembered suddenly she had asked me a question. "Master Yoda chose Dagobah because it's permeated with the Light Side of the Force."

"I'm not going to pretend to understand what that means," she pointed out honestly.

How could I explain something I didn't fully understand myself? "The Living Force is found in all living things; the ground, trees, plants, wildlife, even in the water. Dagobah is comprised of all those things."

"Okay, I get it, but there are numerous planets that fit that description."

"Not this dense. Dagobah is so heavily covered with swamps and bogs, it interferes with our technology."

Just as I spoke the words, the ship's datascreens became pixelated and then whited out completely.

"I see," Padme replied. "So the Empire won't be able to scan it and find us."

"Something like that," I agreed, although I wouldn't put it past Sidious to search every inch of every planet in the galaxy to find us. The man didn't just hate to lose, he absolutely refused to.

"Do you need my help?"

My first reaction to her question was to pretend to be a virile and confident male specimen who didn't need help from anyone, but I'd never landed a ship blind before. I thought twice and accepted her offer.

As we flew into the atmosphere, we tried to locate a clear spot to land. Something – anything to accommodate the size of our vessel. It was proving near impossible.

"There," Padme announced excitedly, pointing to open an area that might work.

"Good eye," I complimented her, steering us in that direction. Working together, we set down on a reasonably dry piece of land, although there was a bog surrounding it on every side.

We hadn't hesitated in opening the hatch or lowering the ramp, so I was surprised to see Master Yoda standing there waiting for us.

"Welcome," he announced happily. "Senator Amidala, so pleased am I to see you."

"It's good to see you as well, Master Yoda."

Her greeting had been friendly but I could see the concern in her eyes. She had become accustomed to every luxury life could offer. I realized asking her to stay here was asking a lot. Perhaps, it was too much.

"Come," Yoda told us as he began hobbling away.

He led us into a heavily wooded area. Through the mist and vegetation I spied a small hut ahead I assumed was his home. It was dome shaped and located inside the roots of a large gnarltree. It was small although it suited him quite well. Inside were numerous items he had carved from wood and stone. On one side was his bed, covered in hides I didn't recognize. On the other was a small table, and that was it.

I glanced at Padme and again saw her concern. She was doing her best to be polite, but she was worried. She didn't need to be. What I had in mind for her home would be much more accommodating. But I needed to get started right away. The three of us wouldn't be able to stay comfortably here for long.

"Master Yoda," I began with a voice revealing my determination. "I would like to begin constructing a cabin as soon as possible in order to provide adequate shelter for the Senator. Perhaps near that place we landed on. Close enough to you for convenience, but far enough away for privacy."

As Yoda gazed at me, I felt a ripple cross my senses. When it disappeared, his countenance fell. Somehow, he knew exactly what I was planning to do.

"Do what you think is right, you should."

I nodded an affirmation to him before turning to leave. I hadn't made it two steps outside before a small but strong hand seized my upper arm.

"Where are you going?" Padme asked me. Her brow was furrowed which caused a line to appear on her forehead. She was so beautiful. I wish I could tell her that.

"I'm going to do what I said. I'm going to build you a home."

She looked at me as if she were trying to figure out my intentions. I had said it as plainly as possible, but if I didn't leave, she'd quickly realize I was hiding something.

"I'm coming with you."

Her grip on my arm had tightened. As tenderly as I could, I pried her fingers away and revealed a smile to disguise the turmoil raging inside me. "No. I'll be using my lightsaber and it could be dangerous. Stay here with Master Yoda. I'll return when I'm finished. It shouldn't take more than a couple of days."

She let me walk away, though stopped my progress with her voice.

"Ben? I'll be waiting for you."

I didn't turn to look at her. Instead, I jogged through the marsh. Perhaps work would help take my mind off her, though I doubted it.

I slept in the ship for two nights and on the third morning awoke to view my progress. Tucked into the trees, based on a solid bed of granite I had constructed a log-framed home. Inside, I had placed a few items from the ship: her bed and linens, a rolling storage unit, and a mirror. The rest of the items I had created myself. There was a small table with a matching stool, a large bowl and set of smaller ones, and utensils. I'd also left her two buckets I'd found on board, and several unisuits to wear.

Satisfied, I returned to the ship and gathered as many supplies as I could spare and stored them inside the cabin. After some adjustment and with Yoda's help, she would be able to live comfortably here. The home was small but suitable for her.

Now, for the most difficult part. I didn't wish to face her again and so I cleared my mind and asked the Force to contact Master Yoda.

I wasn't sure how he managed it, especially with his limp, but he had appeared before I'd finished my communication.

"Leaving, you are."

Apparently, he was going to make this easy, when it was everything but. Perhaps, that was his intention.

"Yes," I stated simply. "Things…have become complicated."

I had a feeling he wanted to tell me I was wrong, that I should stay and give it more time. I was glad he didn't.

"Sorry I am to hear that," he told me instead.

I gazed at him and wondered: When I was old, would I be this wise? I highly doubted it. It seemed I was doomed to blunder my way through life.

"Tell Padme…" I stopped because I didn't know what to say. This was going to upset her. Understandably so. But how could I stay with someone I was in love with when they didn't love me for who I was? Who secretly wished I were someone else? I couldn't and that was the main reason I had decided it was best to leave. Even though I had no idea where I was going.

"May the Force be with you," Yoda told me.

It seemed to be some sort of rote saying, perhaps between Jedi. I smiled, realizing in this small way, he had accepted me.

"And may the Force be with you as well."