With the Separatists on the run after the battle of Geonosis, the Republic began preparations to fight an expeditionary war on a galactic scale. The Jedi would play an integral part as leaders of the Clone Army.
Several of the Jedi had already been appointed Generals in the Grand Army of The Republic. Obi-Wan Kenobi had just received his appointment and he wasn't exactly sure he was happy about it.
He saw Amira approaching him from across the expansive lobby of the Jedi Temple. She smiled and gave a corny salute, "Good morning General, what is the order of the day." He shook his head in annoyance but could not suppress the smile that crept across his face, "Very funny 'Colonel' Organa."
She returned his smile, "So they finally got around to making you a General." He nodded, "I was trying to avoid it." She replied, "You will be a fine General Ben." He shook his head, "This is a mistake; I am no soldier." She nodded, "I know it isn't what we were trained for, but we serve the Republic and this is what the Republic needs from us right now."
He motioned for her to follow him, "I'm glad I ran into you I have something I wanted to discuss with you." She walked beside him and asked, "Sure what is it?" He said, "Let's go some where more private."
They walked to the Temple gardens and continued on towards the waterfalls. The gardens were deserted. She commented, "It is too quiet here now." He nodded, "Yes, it is not the same place. Everything living thing here feels the loss as we do. So many Jedi are gone."
She swallowed hard and forced her self not to think of all the Jedi killed in the arena on Geonosis. Both she and Obi-Wan were fortunate to be among the living. She turned her focus back to the present,"What is on your mind?"
He turned to look at her, "We've been given some time to ourselves before the fleet leaves to go after the Separatists. I thought that we might take that time and spend it together."
She smiled broadly, "I would like that. Do you have somewhere in mind?" He took her hands in his and said, "The Macavens contacted me recently. They are holding a celebration banquet to mark the fourth anniversary of their reunification. They have asked us to come as guests of honor."
He felt her stiffen and she took a deep breath and let it out, "Macaven?" He squeezed her hand and asked, "Are you alright?" She nodded, "Yes of course, it's been several years now."
His blue eyes reflected his concern, "If you aren't ready I understand. You went through too much on that mission. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to go back there."
She replied, "No it's ok. The Macavens are not to blame for what happened and I am honored they want us to join their celebration…I have always wanted the chance to thank them for taking care of me after…" She did not end her sentence.
He placed his hands on her shoulders, "You aren't convincing me." She gave him a weak smile, "I have demons I must face. This might be the best thing for me."
He pulled her into his embrace and she relaxed into him easily, "I also have bad memories and things I need to face. I could have lost you; I could have lost you without you ever knowing how much I love you. I was too stubborn, too devoted to the Code to tell you."
Her arms encircled his waist and she squeezed him tighter, "You may not have told me Ben, but I knew. If I had died on Macaven, I would have died knowing you loved me."
She lifted her head to look into his eyes and whispered, "We should go there. We should go there and stand on the same veranda and say the things we wanted to say to each other that night four years ago."
She felt her pulse quicken as he leaned towards her and took her lips in his in a tender kiss. She returned his kiss eagerly. He pulled her against him and deepening the kiss.
Sensing that someone else had entered the Temple gardens they ended the kiss and drew apart. Obi-Wan fought to contain the passion coursing through his body. She let out a deep breath and asked, "When do we leave?"