Chapter Ten

Padmé woke into what she thought must be a dream. It was dark, so that she wouldn't have known she wasn't sleeping if it weren't for the terrible headache raging in her mind. She didn't want to move, because that seemed to make it worse, but she was afraid of what might happen if she didn't. Padmé wasn't necessarily afraid of the dark, but for as long as she could remember she'd liked to have her back protected. She knew it didn't stop anything from attacking her, but she just felt safer when she could see what m ight be coming at her.So, try as she might to ignore her own nagging, she had to move from her face-down position so she was laying on her back.

From here, Padmé was ready to assess the situation. First of all…where was she? She vaguely remembered something cool and wet across her face…no, before that? What had happened?

Well, whatever it was, it wasn't very comfortable, and that made Padmé guess that she'd been…what, taken hostage? How? Why? When?

But most importantly, who? Was it a vengeful Nemoidian, angry over what had happened with the Trade Federation? She didn't see who else it could be.

Her heart started to beat a little faster when she began to picture what might happen to her...no. She had to look on the bright side. Obi-Wan and the royal guard would surely be after whoever had done this, and she would be free soon.

She hoped.

-

Obi-Wan knew now that he was riding in circles. This was the third time he had passed the little trickle of a stream that ran exactly in the middle of the area between two trees. Angry with himself, he slammed on the brakes, causing his body to go flying forward with the sudden stop and his lack of balance. The steering mechanism hithim in the chest,hard.He reached for his lightsaber, ready to slice the speeder up ten different ways, but he stopped.He was being ridiculous—and ridiculously close to the Dark side. Anger was not the way.

Obi-Wan stepped out of the side of the speeder. He needed the Force, but to reach it he also needed to be calm and pliant in its grasp. He sat, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. It took a little longer than usual to connect with the living Force, but Obi-Wan knew he had to have it's help to find Padmé.

He gave himself over, completely, with one desire and mission beating in his heart: find her. He felt his body rise but he was not with it. Instead, he was watching from above, mind disconnected with his body for the time being as the Force guided it. He saw his body move away from the speeder bike and into the forest. Suddenly, he wasn't in the forest at all, but a small grey room. He had stepped into a tree, and now in front of him was a staircase heading down. Still watching his body from the outside, his mind found the awful humor that he had been circling this place the entire time. He should have seen through a trick as simple as a holographic image generator.

His body moved down the stairs, much calmer than his mind felt. He reminded himself to keep a level head. He could only be taken by the living Force if he welcomed and accepted its guidance.

Obi-Wan's body continued its path, zig-zagging purposefully through complicated corridors. He encountered two guards but, restraining his mind, he let his body sneak past them. Logically, he knew that nothing would be gained by attacking these guards, and that they were only hired me. It was possible they didn't even know of Padmé's kidnapping. At least, this was what the Force told him. But still, in a dark place, he wished to strangle the life out of anyone connected with Padmé's current situation.

No. He must keep his mind on the task at hand. He knew he was getting closer, as he could feel her Force presence more and more strongly with each step. He came upon two more guards—big, lunking humans. Not as obviousa choiceas a species better suited for protection, but still fairly effective. Whoever was doing this didn't want to be traceable. It probably wasn't going to be a hostage and ransom situation, then. The only suspect he had right away was the Trade Federation, perhaps still upset over their embarrassment on a galactic stage.

But that didn't seem like the Trade Federation. Yes, they would get revenge, but if there was no monetary profit to be made, Obi-Wan didn't think they'd bother. So who had kidnapped Padmé?

While his mind contemplated this mystery, Obi-Wan started to reenter his body. Once again he had to press himself to stay on one path toward one goal. This was the hardest he'd had to work to keep in unison with the Force since he was a young Padawan. But he knew it would be worth it. It had to be worth it. He had to find her…

Focusing on his goal, he let his body be completely controlled by the Force. Obi-Wan watched as he attacked swiftly, taking out the two guards but only causing them to lose consciousness—no permanent damage. On his own, he knew that he would have never been able to execute the highly specialized motions the Force was creating.

He could feel Padmé's Force presence almost as if she was standing next to him. She had to be behind this door those men were guarding. He closed his eyes and ran his fingers along the smooth metal casing that held the door controls. The Force chose the numbers he was to enter into the keypad, and as the door slid open Obi-Wan's mind reentered his body with a jolt.

"Padmé?"

"O—Obi-Wan?" Her voice only shook a little, but she sounded like her throat was dry. His eyes adjusted slightly to the darkness of the room and he could somewhat see her outline, hands outstretched and shielding her eyes, moving slowly toward him.

"Padmé!" He rushed forward, scooping her up and crushing her body against him, kissing the top of her head. "Oh, Padmé, darling. What have they done to you? Are you hurt? Who did this?"

"Obi-Wan…" Her body began convulsing in sobs and he felt his jaw automatically clench in anger.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, while attempting to contact the Force and calm himself.

"No, it's not that…oh, Obi-Wan…I'm just so glad to see you…" She looked up and hesaw pure love and adoration behind waterlogged eyes. He wiped the frizzed and loose hair from her face and held it her cheek with the hand not being used to press her as close to him as possible.

"Padmé." He bent his head to press their lips together, just enough to reassure himself that she was really there. After all, now was no the time for passionate kisses that he didn't really think she needed or wanted at this point. He pulled their lips apart and told her he loved her. "Now, we've got to get out of here."

Sorry it took so long!