The sound of water trickling over the rocks behind him in the stream reached his ears, the Jedi forced himself to listen, taking in the living force about him. His strong arms, which had only just wrapped about her, held him off the wall beneath the bridge, eyes closed as his mind ran through all the reasons why he and Padme' couldn't be together. He was a Jedi; he had sworn an oath for life. The scandal would ruin her as a Senator and as a person…they couldn't. But no matter what his mind told him that, he kept asking what if? What if they did indulge, could love be that bad? Surely the Jedi would understand true love, but in his heart he knew he would have to choose.

"What are you thinking about?" Padme' instantly regretted the poor choice of words. It had sounded better in her head and now he knew what a fool she could be.

Obi-Wan laughed, turning to face her, "You" The single word cut into the air between them and she came one step closer to him.

"Obi-Wan…" The words were pointless; her usually full mind came up with a blank. What could she say to the man?

The name broke him from the wall and he pushed up, taking a step towards her. The eyes seemed to fill with fire as he approached. "Look. I wish that I could give in, wish I could just give it all up for you. But I can't Padme', I just can't. I took an oath…and you. You, it would ruin you." The deep eyes rested on her once again and she saw edge of tears there. Seeing how he was tearing himself up, his face contorted and body shaking she couldn't hold back anymore.
"I wouldn't ask you to give it up." Taking a deep breath she tried to muster the courage to tell him. "Obi-Wan, I love you and I won't ask you do give it up…no matter how much I love you I couldn't live with making you give up everything for me."
Hearing her words, meant to make it easier for him but making it ten times worse. Unsurely he reached out and brushed his fingers on her face, "But I can't give you up either. Padme', send me away and I shall go if that is your wish. However, if I you feel the same, knowing it would make it impossible to choose the Order over you."

She looked up at him; she saw the same intensity in his eyes, knew the sacrifice he was willing to make and was on the verge of tears, the knowledge that the next words would seal his fate was unbearable. "Obi-Wan, I love you but I cannot ask this of you"
Strong arms pulled her to him as tears ran down her face and she could only just hear his whispered words. "You do not ask it of me, I know." Tears wetted his robes and he ran a comforting hand through her hand, "But I love you and that is al; that matters."

They stood in stony silence, the Jedi tenderly holding her as they tried to absorb the choice they had made. A choice that could only lead to pain, but a choice they made willingly.