The Penpal Paradox/Chapter Eleven

She'd been correct. Dorme wasn't happy with the news.

"You need to get out of this mess now before we end up with extra appendages or forked tongues," her friend warned, which Padme couldn't take as lightly as she may have intended. According to Master Yoda, if she made one mistake, let something slip, their very lives could be in danger.

Dorme was up out of bed and pacing the floor. "If he approaches you during the invasion – distracts you in any way, or he's distracted or tries to save his Master, he could die. You could die or worse, be taken prisoner by Gunray. And then what would happen to the people of Naboo? How much more would they suffer?"

"I realize all this," Padme adamantly tried to convince her friend. "I'm going to be careful. I promise."

"I know how intriguing this seems to be but I really think you should reconsider."

"If you'd like, I'll let you proofread every letter before I send it to him. I'm not going to disclose any unnecessary information. I promised Master Yoda I wouldn't. "

"I'll pass," Dorme responded, scrunching her face in distaste. "I have a feeling these letters are going to get disgustingly amorous."

Padme huffed in denial. "Don't be ridiculous. We're just friends."

"And banthas don't stink," she replied. "Be honest. I can see it, why can't you?"

Maybe she was the dense one. It was true, whenever she pictured Obi-Wan sending or receiving these letters, she didn't see him as a Padawan. She saw him as she did on Naboo; as an attractive and virile young man. He wasn't there yet, but he would be soon. Was she truly just interested in being a supportive friend, or was she hoping for something more?

"Forget the extra toes and forked tongues. If you're not careful, you'll wake up tomorrow with three kids and a wedding ring on your finger." Dorme pointed out as she headed toward the bathroom.

Padme took a moment to stare at her unadorned left hand. Would that be so bad? She didn't think so. She'd always wanted to have children and being married to the father of them sounded ideal.

First things first. She needed to reply to his last letter.

"But what about the invasion?" she hollered at her friend. "Master Yoda only told me to be careful and not to change anything, but he needs to know. Before he approaches me in the past or I hurt his feelings by not responding to him. I have to prepare him at least for that, don't I?"

Dorme emerged from the room with a clean face but a scowl. "You're giving me a headache."

"Think about it," she urged the young woman. "As soon as he realizes who I am, he's going to act differently toward me, but I won't know what he's talking about. I'm just going to appear rude and uninterested when I'm doing my best to be the opposite. I have to explain."

"How old is he now?"

Padme checked the date on the letter and compared it to her notes. "If I'm correct, he should just now be turning sixteen."

Dorme shrugged her shoulders. "Sounds like you have plenty of time to decide what to do."

Hours, Padme thought. At most, a few days. That wasn't a whole lot of time for such an important decision.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chommel Sector/Naberrie,Padme

420127/18:08/047

Dear Obi-Wan,

First of all, never worry about the time it takes you to respond. I fully understand the duties of a Jedi and how dangerous they can be. I do worry about the peril you may possibly be in, but I know the wait is unavoidable.

I do value life and hate to see it wasted. It was one of the reasons I became interested in politics. I want to be able to help those who can't help themselves. I want to commit my life to public service and direct government affairs that will result in the betterment of all species in all systems.

I'm sorry. It sounds like I'm running for an election, doesn't it? I understand the term 'politician' is often used in a derogatory way, but I want to be better than that. I will always stay true to my values.

If I understand correctly, the Jedi take vows to protect the public and serve the galaxy. In that way, I believe you and I are the same.

I am proud to be your friend, Obi-Wan, and I truly hope you can avoid such dangerous missions in the future.

Please take care of yourself and your Master and write back as soon as possible.

Sincerely, Padme