Dearly Departed: Chapter Seven

She had been under for at least half an hour and he had already eaten, but Obi-Wan hesitated at the bedside. He had told her he would wake her up soon, but he'd had a change of heart. To continue on in this manner was almost ridiculous, but he wasn't about to sacrifice an innocent animal to put an end to it, even if the Queen's idea would actually work.

What he needed to do was spend some time meditating on the Force. He hadn't had the opportunity to do so since this strange episode in his life had begun. And he needed to, badly.

Perhaps Padmé would forgive him if he let her sleep a while, he reasoned as he stepped away from her still, emaciated form, and quietly stepped out onto the veranda.

Aldera City was surrounded by nearby snow-peaked mountains, but the late afternoon was sunny and warm. There was a bite to the breeze coming down onto the palace, however, and he knew his meditation would have to be brief. Once night had fallen, the temperatures would most likely plummet, and staying outdoors too long would lead to complications.

Quickly, Obi-Wan sunk to his knees on the hard surface and focused his thoughts inward. One question immediately came to the forefront of his mind: How could he undo what he'd done? He didn't wish to lose her again, but he didn't want to watch her fade away, knowing he could do nothing to help her. It would be best to say what he needed to and let her go once and for all. But how?

He had gotten them in to this predicament by making his anguished plea to the Force. Could he simply take it back?

There was no way to know unless he tried, and so, he did. Thinking back just those few short days ago when he had felt the overwhelming pain of loss, he reached out to the Force and made his request. She deserved to be happy, but she also deserved peace and rest. Her spirit needed to be released into the afterlife.

He apologized for his selfish whim and made his appeal. Over and over he repeated the request, just in case he'd been misunderstood, and in order to declare his sincerity. If the Force had granted his first wish, surely it would listen to this one as well. Especially, since this one made much more sense.

The Force, however, had something else in mind. For when he rose from his knees to check on Padmé's status, not only did he not find her passed on, but she was on her feet, glaring at him.

"Why did you let me sleep so long?"

"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan apologized, noticing that indeed, the sun was beginning to sink behind the mountains and the sky was painted by its setting. "I guess I lost track of time while meditating."

"Well.." she chewed her lip, showing a rare hint of irritation, "I wish you would've woken me up earlier like you promised. I'll never be able to sleep tonight."

That wasn't going to be a problem for him. Exhaustion was seeping up from his feet and into his knees which were sore from kneeling for so long. But he wasn't about to tell her that.

"And what else is there to do?" she continued complaining, crossing her arms over her chest. "There's no entertainment of any kind, and no datapads. There's not even a comm system in here."

"If there were," Obi-Wan pointed out, "I wouldn't allow you access to it. You're supposed to be hiding, remember?"

"Which I'm getting pretty tired of!" she loudly declared, stepping up to the doors to look at the view, although it did little to calm her nerves. "We should be out there," she motioned into the sky, "not in here burrowing like a couple of field rodents! And speaking of rodents, someone needs to let Breha know about the stench! It smells like one died in here."

Obi-Wan's eyes widened with surprise. He'd actually begun to notice, but hadn't mentioned it. It was something he would get used to, he imagined.

"I'll speak to her about it," he replied, trying his best to ease her distress, although she was becoming increasingly restless. "In the meantime, you need to find something to occupy your time. Would you care for a game of.."

"Don't you dare say sabbac!" she growled, shoving her fingers into her hair and grabbing it by the fistful as Obi-Wan shuddered. There was a very good chance she was about to pull it all out by the roots, and he stepped forward to stop her, but she stepped away before he could, and began pacing the floor.

"I don't want to spend my time shut up in here playing cards while there is a murderer out there! I can't believe this! You know what? If I didn't care about you so much, I really wouldn't like you right about now."

It was obvious she was upset, but he couldn't keep the silly grin off his face. So, she had feelings for him after all. He had often wondered what would've happened if he had approached her back then, and told her how he felt about her. Would she have returned his affections and chosen him over his apprentice?

"And just what are you smiling at?"

"I'm deliriously….tired," he edited himself, disappointed with what a coward he was. "I need to get some rest and then we'll discuss this some more if you'd like."

"You're impossible, do you know that? And what am I supposed to do while you're sleeping?"

She was right in one aspect. There was very little to do, but he did have one suggestion.

"Perhaps relax with a long, hot soak in the tub? It may make you feel better."

"That's one idea," she replied, though not looking completely convinced.

"Or I could put you out for the night," Obi-Wan offered with a crooked smile.

"I'm not falling for that again," Padmé declared. "The first time, you promised me just a short nap. Who knows? If I let you do that again to me for the night? I may not ever wake up!"