Chapter 7
Obi-Wan had been dreading this moment since the second he'd first kissed her, but it was finally time.
He pressed a button on the holoprojector, and a twenty centimeter image of Jedi Master Yoda appeared.
"Greetings, Jedi Kenobi."
"Greetings, Master Yoda."
"Over the month's leave you requested is. At the top of his class is young Skywalker. A powerful Jedi he will become. But first, his training you must begin."
"Master, it is easy to be at the top of one's class when one is several years older than one's peers. I do not believe I can begin to train him until he is at the level of a beginner padawan. It may be...unwise for me to begin his training so soon after becoming a full Knight myself. I request Anakin be trained at the temple for at least another month."
The diminutive Jedi seemed to contemplate this for a long while, but Obi-Wan was sure it only felt that way because of his heart beating so fast, despite the calming technique he was using.
"Hmn," he finally spoke. "Good points do you make. Granted, another month is. But on your mind is not only Anakin's training, hmn?"
"No, Master Yoda. I have other reasons for wishing to remain here..." Don't make me elaborate, please!
"Careful, be. These reasons, dangerous are they?"
"Can you...can you see the future in this matter?"
"Forget not--always in motion the future is. But ask you did, so share I will." Yoda sighed heavily. "Great pain I sense, great pain."
Obi-Wan's heart fell slightly at this.
"My warning heed, but rely on my vision you should not, young Jedi."
-
Padmé's stomach was fluttering with nervous energy as she waited in Obi-Wan's receiving room, Right now, he was discovering whether they would remain together for another month, of he would leave her tomorrow. Oh, Force, she couldn't lose him, not just yet. She needed him, for now and ever. She would give him up, of course she would, but please, just not right now...
The last few days had been hard. First the scare she'd had about him leaving early, and then pressure from Panaka to return to the throne. The people needed her, he'd said, taking on a patriotic voice. The worst part was that it was true--and she still didn't care about her planet more than herself. If this was the price of loving Obi-Wan, was it too high for a Queen?
She would take things one step at a time. She had to keep doing that.
Obi-Wan entered, looking slightly shaken. It must be awful news. She crossed the room and put her arms around him, squeezing as tight as she could and pressing her cheek to his chest.
"When are you leaving, then?" she choked out through a tightening throat. His arms loosened and hands were on her shoulders, pushing her back. Tears rolled freely down both sides of her face, and he delicately kissed them away as she strove to cry quietly.
"Not for another month." He smiled genuinely, and it took a few seconds for the words to register. When they did she threw herself back into his arms and cried out of joy.
"Never do that again," she whispered through tears, pounding him uselessly on the beak with a fist. "Gods, Obi-Wan..."
"Shh, shh..." He held her tighter, kissing her hair gently. "You worry too much. I told you it would be all right--we've got another month."
"And after that?"
"Let's take it one month at a time, hmn? One beautiful month, you and me together. Mmm, I love you..." She could hear his smile.
"Obi-Wan...I have to go back into office. The--the people want to me. I'm needed."
"All right," he said, the dreamy smile not leaving, she could tell.
"We won't be together always."
"Yes we will. I'll serve as a protector for you. I don't think the Nubian government could refuse that without seeming rude."
"We still won't have every moment to ourselves."
He stroked her back. "I'm fine with that. You need to do your job." He rested his head on her shoulder. "At least we're on the same planet."
Reviews:
Aiska Kenobi- Thank you! It was one of my favorites too. :)
The Dancing Cavalier - But Obi-Wan has to stay!
HanSolosGal - (giggles with HSG) Aren't they?