Distraction: Chapter Twenty-Five

I'd made myself a cot on the floor of Yoda's home later that evening, although I couldn't sleep. The old Jedi was having no trouble, however, and his soft snores provided a soothing ambiance. Between that and the sounds of a crackling fire, I should be at peace, and yet my soul was troubled.

There had never been any doubt in my mind that I was in love with Padme. Whether or not that was my own doing, I could never be sure. How could I tell if a lingering memory of Obi-Wan's connection wasn't planted into my brain? Until I knew for sure, I wouldn't take advantage of her.

Earlier, she had shown me the garden and I'd praised her efforts. She had even shown me the dragonsnake living in the bog just outside Yoda's home. A mere skip of a stone across the still waters was all it took for the massive creature to crest; its long body and spiked tail immediately disappearing beneath the surface after learning there was nothing to eat after all. The creature was fairly intimidating but I figured a Master Jedi could handle it. If the garden didn't provide sustenance, perhaps the dragonsnake would. It had to taste better than swamp toad stew.

Our conversation was light as we walked and I realized later that she had expected me to stay in her cabin. When I told her I wouldn't, for a fraction of a second, I saw a pained look on her face. She hid it quickly which made me wonder if she would ever trust me again. Had my actions damaged our relationship beyond repair? Only time would tell. In the meanwhile, I owed her as much respect as I could give, and if that meant denying my own selfish desires, then so be it.

She had said good night politely before I walked alone back to Yoda's, making it inside just as Dagobah's dark shadows consumed it.

My recall of the day's events was put on pause when I suddenly heard a screech from what I imagined was some type of winged creature. But when the scream was repeated, it sounded more human. Almost like a woman's scream.

My response was immediate and I ran outside, only to realize the swamp played tricks with vibrations. What I thought had come from the path to Padme's home could've come from any place. I was forced to wait and listen again.

The next sound I heard was more of an angry shout and I ran in the direction it had come from, only to find Padme lying on the ground. She was partially immobilized by what appeared to be thin twine wrapped around her ankles. In one hand she was holding a branch that she was using to waylay a large white knobby spider. I judged her strikes to be powerful enough, but the thing kept coming back for more. I almost felt sorry for it. To put up with such abuse, it must've been hungry. Perhaps I should offer it some swamp toad stew.

"Are you going to help me or not?" Padme yelled after noticing my arrival.

"I wasn't sure you needed my help. Looks to me like you're holding your own."

Once more the spider leaped forward, only to be knocked backward with a blow right between its multiple red eyes.

"This is no time to kid around! Stop just standing there and get this thing off me!"

"I'll help in a minute. I want to see what she's up to. I hear these things can be pretty cunning." What Padme apparently hadn't noticed was that I already had my lightsaber in my grip.

"Are you kidding? You can't be serious!" The spider then received a significant strike to its thorax that sent it skidding sideways along the ground.

"Come on," I teased. "You have to admit she's putting up a decent fight. She probably has hundreds of little mouths to feed back home."

"Ben, I swear! If you don't help me…"

"I'll help on one condition," I decided. This was an opportunity I might never have again.

"Fine," she spat out while keeping a close eye on her predator.

The spider seemed to be planning its next attack and suddenly began pulling Padme toward it while wrapping her legs at the same time. "Eek!" Padme squealed. "What is it? Hurry up!"

"No more toad stew," I demanded. "It's fairly disgusting."

"Okay, okay! Now kill it!"

"Not necessary," I pointed out as I gathered the Force within my hand. I didn't make it a habit of harming innocent creatures, even those who intended to do me harm first. There were other options.

The first shove was light, but it got the spider's attention. She lifted her head and looked straight at me for the first time.

"There's more where that came from," I warned before shoving it once more, this time back to the tree it had apparently swung down from.

When I stepped forward, it hissed, reared back on his legs, and then spun round to sprint up the tree. Only then did I turn my attention to Padme who was busy unwrapping the spider's silk from her legs.

"I can't believe you," she muttered before standing to brush herself off. "Just how close were you going to let her come?"

"A bit," I replied, adding the most charming grin I could muster.

"That wasn't funny." She dropped the branch apparently in order to punch me in the arm for emphasis.

"No, it wasn't," I agreed. "Why were you out here in the first place? Don't you realize there are things creeping around at night that wouldn't hesitate to have you over for dinner? As the main course?"

"Yes, I know that," she replied sheepishly.

"Then tell me why you came out here alone," I insisted. It was important.

"I was on my way to see you. I couldn't sleep."

Her admission had cost her. I could tell by the way her cheeks had reddened.

"You couldn't have waited until morning? It would be a lot safer by…"

"No," she interrupted me before taking a step forward, directly into my personal space. "I have to ask you a question."

How could she smell this nice while living in a swamp? All my senses were being attacked by her presence. She had no idea what she did to me. I cleared my throat before answering.

"Go ahead."

Her eyes nervously darted to and fro and one more sense was assaulted as her hand touched my arm. "Do you love me?"

This was a completely unfair situation. Of course I did! The question was, did she love me? My mouth opened to ask that very question but I was interrupted.

"Before you answer that, please let me explain."

Thank the Force! She'd caught me off guard and I wasn't ready for this confession!

Padme smiled sweetly before continuing. "As you know, I loved Obi-Wan, but the truth is, he didn't love me back."

What? How was that possible?

"It's a sad tale, I know, but he never told me. Not once."

I smirked to try and play off the seriousness of her acknowledgment. "That doesn't mean he didn't. It just means he couldn't say it out loud."

I knew the feeling.

"Possibly," she agreed before she moved close enough to press her body against mine. "Which is why I need to know. If indeed you're not him and no part of him is up here," she emphasized my head with a tap of her finger, "then you'll say it. Aloud, where I can hear it."

"I…" Why was this so difficult?

"Please Ben," she pleaded. "I need to know."

My soul was drawn to hers. There was no denying it. I couldn't tear myself away from her again if I tried. And whether those feelings had been transferred to me during the cloning process was inconsequential.

"Yes," I finally answered. "I love you. I'm in love with you. However you need me to say it, I will. I love you, Padme."

Her smile grew wide as she closed her eyes. She was practically glowing with happiness, and apparently, that's all it had taken.

"Thank you."

And just like that, she dropped her hand and turned around to head back to her cabin. I stood there dumbfounded for a few seconds before I caught up with her.

"Wait a minute! Aren't you going to say something in return?" I knew this wasn't going to be fair!

"What, Ben? What would like for me to say?" Her reply accompanied her walk, which had sped up significantly.

"Some kind of response is generally required," I complained. "Any response. Seriously, I'll take any!" I had no choice but to walk with her, at least until she paused on the front step of the cabin.

When she turned to look at me, I could detect a sparkle of mischief in her eye.

"You had me worried there for a second," I declared before releasing a huge sigh of relief.

"I owed you that, by the way," she teased before opening the door and stepping inside. I followed her in, grateful, and content. "Of course I love you, Ben. I couldn't put up with you if I didn't."

"That's good to know," I countered just as I spied a long tongue slither between the doorframe and the door.

Padme smiled at me and then bent low to address her companion. "Not tonight Sola. I'm afraid you'll have to sleep outside. What's about to happen in here is for consenting adults only."

She shut the door and then took my hand before leading me in the direction of the bed. Our bed.

Padme demanded my undivided attention that evening for several hours, although there were a few times I couldn't help but think that perhaps I should've put a lock on that door…

/End

Author's Notes: Thank you to everyone who took the time to post a review. It means a lot. I'm not certain what's coming next. I had a story idea in my mind but I lost it up there somewhere. Hopefully, I can search through the rubble and find it again soon. Until then, God Bless and may the Force be with you all!