Bloodstained Kiss

Obi-Wan wasn't exactly sure why he had chosen to see her in this condition. He could have been taken care of just as well on Coruscant in their top-of-the-line medical facilities, where he would be patched up and back on the battlefield in no time. He had done it many times before, because he knew he was needed on the front lines of the Clone Wars.

And yet here he was, landing a damaged starfighter in Mandalore's capital city Sundari, his hand pressed against a bleeding gash beneath his armor on his right side. He hated being this badly injured, especially by a Separatist battle droid and their new, non-cauterizing weapons. But at least he had an excuse to see her now.

At the end of their battle, he had been forced to pilot his ship away in the same direction as Anakin's, but something had gone wrong with his jump to hyperspace and he ended up in what seemed like unfamiliar space. He'd consulted his navigation, and realized that it was approximately the same distance to Mandalore as it was to Coruscant from his position.

"Are you sure you can't make it back?"

"I'm sorry Anakin but I'm afraid my ship and I are too battle-scarred to make the jump."

"And you're sure the Duchess won't mind the intrusion? You know how she is."

"I'm sure she won't leave a bleeding Jedi to die."

"If it were anyone but you, she might."

Alright so maybe he did know why he came to see her while looking like an injured puppy. He knew Anakin was suspicious when they ended their holo-call, especially since this wasn't the first time Obi-Wan had gone to Mandalore instead of Coruscant to be patched up. But the last time had been years ago. Anakin had no real reason to suspect much.

"Master Kenobi!" Prime Minister Almec met him on the landing platform, catching him by the arm to assist him when Obi-Wan stumbled off of his ship. "Come, the Duchess is expecting you."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, leaning against him rather heavily.

"Expecting me?"

They walked over to a transport, which he realized was actually a very familiar royal transport. He boarded it, the gash in his side throbbing painfully as he walked. He was led to the back and through a pair of deep blue curtains, and Almec eased him into one of the plush seats against the wall. If he hadn't been injured, he would have easily sensed the figure who entered the room after them. Almec left, and Obi-Wan rested his head against the back of the seat, too drained to notice how Almec bowed before leaving.

"Hello Obi-Wan."

A smile spread over his lips, his head lolling towards her as he opened his eyes. Satine stood near the curtains he had just come through, dressed head to toe in her usual formal wear. He always found her mildly intimidating when she was dressed this way, the respect she constantly demanded only magnified by how she looked.

But the smile on her face and the look in her eyes broke that facade for him, and he simply watched her in mild amusement as she took the seat next to him. Now that she was closer, he could read the emotions she was experiencing.

She was relieved to see him, alive and mostly well. She was concerned that he was so badly injured. She was a bit frustrated that he had come to her this way after all this time. She was worried that his injuries were far more serious than they both thought. Obi-Wan nearly chuckled. He loved being able to read her like a book, it was an ability he was proud to lay claim to having.

She slid a bit closer, her hand gingerly covering his own at his injured side as she glanced at it.

"...Battle droids?" She asked softly, her eyes not leaving his side.

He nodded.

She looked over his face, saw the scar running across his cheek and the splotches of blood on him that she knew was not all his own. She searched his eyes, a pang in her chest when she saw the agony behind them. He was in a lot of pain, which was saying something for the great General Kenobi. As much as she hated the Clone Wars and his involvement in them, she knew there was nothing she could do to pull him away from the conflict. So she settled for taking care of him and enjoying the times they had together when he was recovering.

Obi-Wan knew that the Council would not allow him to take pleasure trips to Mandalore, since it was part of a neutral system. So he made sure that he only came to her when he was hurt, under the guise of her planet being the closest one to him that could help. It had taken a few fib-filled conversations and some awkward interrogations by Anakin, but eventually his actions stopped being questioned. No one else knew of their little arrangement, and although he only came to Mandalore every once in a while, Satine often worried that the Jedi Council would put the pieces together.

But that was an issue for another day.

She placed a hand on his cheek, his lazy smile accompanying his sudden inability to keep his eyes fully open. There was a relieving comfort in her touch, and he found himself nearly dizzy at the sheer amount of compassion and affection towards him that he felt radiating from her.

"Of course you would return to me battered and bruised."

Her voice was soft and teasing, but he felt the meaning behind her words. She had wanted to see him again, but when she finally did, he came to her like a very wounded animal on the side of a road… again.

"I always do."

A small chuckle escaped his lips, but it was cut short when she moved forward and closed the gap between their faces. His lips met hers willingly, his free hand moving up to gently caress her cheek. The kiss was tender but desperate, the anticipation that had been building in both of them finally being given an outlet.

"I'll be gone as soon as I'm healed…" he said softly when they parted. "I would hate to pose a distraction, Satine."

"I'm afraid you're a bit too late for that, my dear Obi-Wan." She smiled softly, leaning forward to close the gap between them once more. "We must nurse you back to full health before we send you back, and I know how you can be with medical droids."

"I suppose you will have to see to it personally then?" He asked with a hopeful smirk.

"I suppose you leave me no choice." She grinned. "I cannot leave a Jedi to die."

Their lips met again, the sharp scent of the blood staining his armor not deterring either of them as they lost themselves in the moment.

A/N: AAAAAHHHHH otay I'm good. Yet another cringe-filled awkwardfest. Leave a review if you like!