Dearly Departed: Chapter Ten

There was a lingering chill in the air, but the idea of getting dressed hadn't occurred to Obi-Wan. He wasn't thinking straight. It was as if his entire body was numb, and he realized it wasn't due to the cold.

The balcony doors were closed and locked, just as he had left them. There were no footprints in the snow outside. Nor was there any other sign of her inside. Obi-Wan realized with despair that the room was as empty as his soul. However, his common sense reasoned that this was for the best. Nothing good could've come from keeping her here. He had no choice but to let her go. What was the point?

But why? Why would the Force grant his wish, only to snatch her out of his hands again?

He knew if he wasn't careful, bitterness compounded with disappointment and grief would erode away what little was left of his sanity. He needed some time to be alone; to think, rest, and meditate. But there were other things now to consider. Padmé's children, for one. Something had to be done about them. They had to be protected.

Another wish began to form in his mind, but he dare not even think it. Instead, Obi-Wan leaned against the glass, his breath creating fogged patterns on its hard surface.

"If you keep standing there, you're going to catch your death."

Now, he was hearing voices. Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut and took inventory of his faculties. Could a crazy person recognize themselves as being such?

"I'm serious," the voice continued urging from behind him. "You should put some clothes on or else get back into bed."

It couldn't be. It wasn't possible! But he was too afraid to look.

A hand landed on his back near his shoulder blade and began to slowly travel across. The touch was gentle, warm, and intimate.

The loving gesture convinced him to turn around, although he did it slowly. At first, Obi-Wan thought the sunlight coming through the glass was playing tricks with his eyes, but he stepped forward, blocking the light, and saw her in her true form. Her skin was radiant and glowing, her lips full and red, her cheeks rosy, and although her hair was wet, it was rich and glossy.

"How?…" he stammered. "Where?…"

"Are you all right?" Padmé looked concerned and placed the palm of her hand on his cheek. He covered it with his own.

"Are you….real?" It was a strange question to ask and he knew it. She must've agreed, because a single brow rose high on her forehead and she smiled at him.

Force, she was beautiful.

He may be older and wiser than he'd been as a Padawan, but he still had so much to learn. Through all of this, he had managed to change one bad habit, though. No longer would he keep his thoughts to himself. From now on, he would share everything with her. No more secrets. No more regrets.

"You are so lovely."

The expression she wore was skeptical as she glanced down. "I'm wearing a towel, Obi-Wan."

"It doesn't matter what you wear. You're always beautiful to me."

This type of exchange was new to him, and he was embarrassed to discover a blush was creeping up his neck. Which only worsened when her dark eyes began to glow and her hand suddenly freed the towel wrapped around her, revealing her nude body to his gaze; a trim, healthy, and very attractive body.

"Then, how about this?"

There was no better confirmation of her being alive than to feel her for himself. And if he were dreaming or insane, it would give him an excuse for what he was about to do, wouldn't it?

There was no little voice telling him he was making a mistake, that she was a married woman. It was obvious she was with him here for a reason, that the Force had given them this moment. He wasn't sure why, but who was he to question the workings of the Force?

Her skin was soft and her lips were sweet. She smelled clean and fresh, like soap and spring rain, and she was holding him tight. Her kiss was tender, but years of building frustration and denial inflamed Obi-Wan and he wanted more, and soon Padmé was pulling back, gasping for breath but smiling at the same time.

"I knew it would be this way with us," she purred, her hands drifting down his bare back as she looked demurely up at him. "Come back to bed with me, Obi-Wan."

Her command was confident, her voice steady and he found he couldn't resist her. In fact, he wasn't even going to try. This is what he had wanted all along; a shared intimacy and passion with the one woman he loved more than anything in this galaxy, and who loved him in return.

Their physical joining brought him to tears, when he realized how close he had come to losing her for good. And how blessed he was to have another chance to be with her and make her happy.

Afterwards, it was a little like déjà vu. She was lying across his chest again, only the big difference was he wasn't trying to save her from hypothermia. The room was comfortably warm, and their equal exertion had covered them with a fine sheen of sweat.

And now, the questions began to form in his mind. Padmé was content and silent, curling her fingers in the hair on his chest, but Obi-Wan's mind was racing.

In her mind, she was single. In her mind, she did not have children. And in her mind, the galaxy was as it should be. There were dangers, but there was still hope.

He couldn't protect her from this. He had to tell her.

"Listen," he began slowly, running his fingers idly down her spin, causing her flesh to pimple. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

She was up on her elbow in a flash, her full lips twisting into a wry smile. "I knew it. But I don't want to hear it," she demanded, kissing him quickly between her words. "You're already regretting this, aren't you? What's the reason? The Jedi Code? Afraid you're going to succumb to my powers and I'm going to turn you to the Dark Side?"

It was his turn to grin sardonically, although he wasn't absolutely sure she was teasing. "No, it's nothing like that. I don't regret making love to you Padmé. I'll do it again, if you'd like."

Both brows rose that time and she lowered her mouth to his again, in a suckling, exploratory kiss that ended with a peck.

"It is tempting," she growled, sliding her hand down to his abdominal muscles and then back up again. "But first, let me assure you of one thing: I'm not a married woman. Anakin is no longer my husband. He betrayed everything and everyone who loves him. He turned his back on the Jedi, killed younglings and tried to kill me. He's dead to me. You are the one I want to be with. You are the man I love."

Wait.

"You know? I mean, you remember?"

She smiled so sweetly at him and took his face in both her hands. "I remember everything."

Obi-Wan couldn't quite grasp all that was happening, but he wasn't going to question his destiny. For once, it seemed as if the Force had granted his desires. It was an overwhelming thought.

"Now," she lay her head back into the hollow of his shoulder. "We can do what you suggested," she said as her hand returned to his previous position, though this time traveled further down, bringing a hiss of pleasure through Obi-Wan's lips. "But afterward, there's something we must do."

"And what's that?" he managed to say although her firm touch was driving his mind to distraction.

"Go get our children."

Her intention had been clear, her words spoken with authority, and Obi-Wan rolled Padmé to her back to gaze down upon her beauty. In her eyes, he saw absolute sincerity and profound determination, and he realized she was back. She was real. And she was his. He would do anything she asked.

/End

A/N: It says end up there, but I'm not sure I'm finished with this. I'm thinking on a continuation of this story, but I don't have it figured out yet. So, in the meantime, I'm going to end this part here and then pick up where I left off, probably as an entirely new posting. Thanks to everyone for reviewing!