The Penpal Paradox/Chapter Eighteen

"What's the problem?" Obi-Wan stood calmly still, his arms crossed over his chest before Padme jabbed a finger toward the offensive monitor installed in the corner.

"This is where I draw the line! Having the extra security stationed around is bad enough. Then the Chancellor sends you two. Now, I have to tolerate a complete lack of privacy by having a camera in my bedroom? I think not!" Padme annoyingly huffed away a tendril of her hair which had fallen across her face during her rant, but kept her hands firmly planted at her waist.

Her serious tone and posture had the opposite effect she'd intended. Apparently Obi-Wan thought it was funny. A small grin had lifted the corner of his mouth, which nearly undid her completely!

"I told Typho this was a bad idea. I know you well enough and realized right away you wouldn't agree to it. I'll have him take it down immediately."

Now, it was her turn to look confused. "Thank you. But wait...What do you mean you know me well enough?" Her heart rate just sped up a little.

"Have a seat, Padme. There's a lot I have to say."

Both of Dorme's brows lifted high with surprise. "I'll…be leaving now," she said before slipping out and shutting the door.

In the common room, the other Jedi - the young, tall one was glaring at her. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah," Dorme answered intelligently. "That all depends," she continued, coming up with an idea. Perhaps she would be able to get some answers from the Padawan. "Are you aware of your Master…" How could she put this? "Previously establishing a relationship with the Senator?"

His previous glare softened a little and he chuckled. "That's an understatement. He talks about her all…

…"the time." Obi-Wan admitted. "In fact, I can't stop thinking about you and I tried. I really did. It might help if I didn't carry this around with me."

From inside of his tunic, he withdrew a tattered and worn…

"…photo of her around with him. I catch him staring at it sometimes," Anakin explained.

"That's…wonderful!" Dorme exclaimed. "I can't believe it! So, it worked out after all. Waddya know?" It seemed too perfect to be true, actually. "He really talks about her all the time?" she asked just to confirm the good feeling.

"Well, not to me personally," the Jedi Apprentice pointed out. "Most of the talking is done during his…."

"…sleep. And I've lost weight as well." Obi-Wan explained. "Healer T'Pal thinks the stress of training a Padawan is to blame, but I know better. Ever since I wrote that final letter to you, I've lost sight of who I am and who I want to be."

Finally, Obi-Wan turned away from the bank of windows and gazed at her. His expression was pained and Padme wanted to say something to take his discomfort away.

"I was insensitive and rude to you, when you didn't deserve it."

"No, you weren't," Padme argued with him, rising to take a step toward him. "I took risks I shouldn't have. Master Yoda warned me but I was too concerned with my own selfish desires."

"That's kind of you to say," he replied, "but I'm well aware of my actions. I've read all those…

…letters a thousand times," Anakin told her. As the young man spoke, he performed his tasks while Dorme followed him around. "I tried talking to him about it once but he wouldn't discuss it. He's a very private person."

"So is she," Dorme shared. "Hence, the fit she's probably throwing right now about the damn camera in the bedroom."

"He has his moments as well believe me, but I'm pretty sure they belong together," Anakin pointed out while observing the sky traffic. "From what I've gathered during his nighttime murmurings, he's absolutely in…"

…love with you."

The admission caused Padme's trembling to begin again. "I fell in love with you years ago," she confessed also. "Well, it was actually days for me although it feels like a lifetime."

"Then I have the advantage," Obi-Wan teased, stepping closer. "I've had the opportunity to love you for much longer."

His eyes sparkled with mischief as they gazed at her. After their initial meeting on Naboo, Padme could've sworn they were green, but they were most definitely...

...blue lightsaber lit up the veranda.

"What is it?"

"A drone," Anakin identified. "Flying much too close for my comfort. It's gone now."

The young man was still for a long moment, his eyes distant. She followed his line of sight, but didn't see anything. "Everything okay?"

"I was just checking something. No worries."

Jedi, Dorme pondered skeptically. She would never understand how Padme could fall in love with one. The problem was, you never knew what they were...

...thinking." Padme told Obi-Wan. "You walked in here all seriousness and duty. I didn't know who you were...what I mean is, if you were the one I've been talking to."

"It can get confusing, especially when, about eight years ago, I had one memory of my life and the next day I woke up with an entirely different one," Obi-Wan casually explained as he sat on the edge of her bed.

Padme sat down next to him. "I never thought of that and Master Yoda didn't bring it up either. That must've been so...

"...weird." Dorme tried to define, although she really had no clue. "This power you have inside you. It tells you things? Like when something bad is about to happen? What does it do? Upset your stomach or something?"

"Not exactly," Anakin laughed, boldly reaching to move a lock of her hair which had been blown out of place. The unexpected action caused Dorme to straighten her posture, while he didn't seem to think twice about it. "It's more like a vibration that no one else feels but me."

"I see," Dorme replied, although she actually had no idea. She was pretty sure, however, that Anakin had the most remarkable...

...hands were encasing her own, the warmth of his touch sending tiny electrical volts up her arms. "I'm so sorry for what happened to your friend, Corde. I heard about it while on Ansion. I returned to Coruscant as quickly as I could. I had to make sure that you were safe. I volunteered for this duty actually before the Chancellor contacted me."

So, this was how it was going to be, thought Padme. Constantly worrying about one another, longing to be together, stealing moments such as this.

As Obi-Wan's touch moved from her hands to her face and the sparks moved from her arms to her belly, Padme had a thought. When he leaned forward and captured her lips in a slow, luxurious kiss, she made a decision. He was worth it. Oh, for the love of the galaxy, he was worth it all.

A/N: There you go Lalez...a different POV. LOL (not exactly what you requested...)