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Chapter Six -o- Just the Beginning
Anakin watched as Padme and Buffy tumbled to the sand rolling down the hill out of sight. He turned back to Obi-Wan, an insane wish to stop the ship swirling through him. But he took a deep breath and shook his head as something Buffy had told him came back to him, 'you have to trust people, you have to help them enough so they can take care of themselves, and then you have to understand that sometimes the people you love are going to get hurt.' Anakin knew Padme could take care of herself, he trusted her strength.
"They will be fine," Obi-Wan said, surprised by the calm coming off his Padawan. He had been sure Anakin would...but he didn't. He looked very at ease with what had just happened.
"I know they will be," Anakin said, nodding his head before he looked forward to the hangar they were about to land in. They could see Dooku's speeder parked right outside the huge doors. Anakin and Obi-Wan jumped out of the ship a few seconds before it actually touched down. They ran into the hangar and found Dooku preparing his Interstellar Sail Ship. He turned when the two of them came to a stop behind him.
"You're going to pay for all the Jedi you've killed today, Dooku," Anakin said as he and Obi-Wan ignited their lightsabers. Dooku smirked at him as he stepped away from the control panel.
"You think so?" Dooku smiled humorlessly as he pulled a lightsaber from his belt.
"We'll take him together - you go in slowly on the left, I'll go in on the right," Obi-Wan said in a very low voice, looking over at Anakin. He nodded his head once and Obi-Wan blinked in surprise. He had little time to think over his padawan's change in behavior as Dooku's lightsaber flared to life.
As they both went in, Anakin on the left and Obi-Wan on the right, Dooku raised his left hand and pointed it Anakin; the force lightning that shot out of his hand blasting Anakin in the chest shocked Obi-Wan.
"As you can see, my Jedi powers are far beyond yours," Dooku said, sneering over at Obi-Wan who was standing just a few feet away. Obi-Wan looked to Anakin who seemed to be knocked out and then back to Dooku.
"I don't think so," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head as he brought his lightsaber up. Obi-Wan went in hard, slashing in a downward arc at Dooku. He easily blocked the attack and then made an attack of his own coming in low. Obi-Wan turned and just missed the tip of Dooku's lightsaber. The lightsabers sizzled and flashed as the two of them fought. Obi-Wan was holding his own but it was obvious that Dooku was the better swordsmen.
"Master Kenobi, you disappoint me. Yoda holds you in such high esteem," Dooku told him, sneering nastily at him as he swiped at his head. Obi-Wan blocked and took a step back as Dooku pushed forward. Obi-Wan winced as Dooku's lightsaber caught him in the right shoulder, a searing pain running through him. Twice more Obi-Wan blocked and turned, missing Dooku's lightsaber. But he was slowed down by the wound to his shoulder and Dooku got him again in the thigh. Obi-Wan lost his footing and fell back against the wall behind him, his lightsaber skittering across the floor.
"Well," Dooku said, raising his hand. "I guess Yoda was wrong," he said, bringing the lightsaber down only to have it collide with another lightsaber. He turned around to find Anakin standing behind him.
"That's brave of you, boy - but foolish. I would have thought you'd have learned your lesson," Dooku told him, smirking.
"I'm a slow learner," Anakin said sarcastically, raising his lightsaber. He brought it down in a curve and Dooku just barely had time to block it. Anakin drove Dooku away from Obi-Wan, trading blow for blow. He smiled when he hit Dooku in the shoulder, singeing him quite a bit.
"Perhaps you should be teaching your master to fight, young Padawan," Dooku said, snarling, as Anakin attacked again.
-o-o-o-o-
"We have to get in there," Padme said as the ship put down right next to the other ship. Buffy put her hand on Padme's shoulder and held her back. Padme turned and looked at her questioningly.
"If we go in there shouting and they're fighting, do you want to distract them?" she asked and Padme shook her head. Buffy smiled and nodded her head. "We'll go in slow and quiet, see if we can't help somehow." Padme nodded her head and followed behind Buffy, keeping to the wall and the shadows as much as possible.
-o-o-o-o-o-
"You have unusual powers, young Padawan. But not enough to save you this time," Dooku said as he began to dominate the fight.
"Don't bet on it!" Anakin said, turning half way around just as Obi-Wan called out his name. He caught Obi-Wan's lightsaber in his other hand and turned it on, now fighting with two lightsabers.
"Man, your boyfriend's got the moves," Buffy said as they watched Anakin and Dooku fight. She was trying to get to Obi-Wan, make sure he was ok. Padme looked a little stunned as the blush crept onto her checks; there was also a little bit of worry in her eyes.
"Don't sweat it, your secret's safe with me for as long as it needs to be," Buffy said, smiling at her. Padme looked a little shocked but she nodded her head. When they got to Obi-Wan, Buffy bent down next to him and smiled at him.
"Hey, you know I think you're supposed to stay on your feet when you sword fight," Buffy told him as she looked at his shoulder and leg. "But I think you're going to live."
"That's good to hear," Obi-Wan told her sarcastically, wincing slightly when she touched his leg.
"Does he need some help?" Buffy asked, looking out at Anakin; he was holding his own, but just slightly.
"It's on its way," Obi-Wan said as his eyes brightened a little and he tried to sit up.
"On its way?" she asked, looking where Obi-Wan was looking, but she didn't see anything. All of their eyes flew to Anakin as Dooku used a force push to propel him backwards into a wall, both his lightsabers went flying.
"Anakin!" Padme cried, as she jumped up and called Dooku's attention to them. She looked down at Buffy and Obi-Wan apologetically. Dooku smirked as he turned and started towards them.
"That was quite a job you did on my bounty hunter," Dooku said, his eyes searching Buffy. Buffy stood up and put her hand on Padme's shoulder and stepped in front of her. "And yet, you're not a Jedi, you've never been trained."
"Nope," Buffy said, shaking her head as she stepped farther away from Obi-Wan and Padme. She tried not to worry about the fact that Anakin had yet to move since he fell to the ground. She ignited her lightsaber. "Scary, huh?" she asked, smirking at him.
"Elisa," Buffy heard a voice from behind Dooku say. She looked over his shoulder as he did and saw Yoda walking into the hangar. "Your fight, this is not," he said, walking towards them.
"Master Yoda," Dooku said, forgetting Buffy for a moment as he turned to face Yoda.
"Count Dooku," Yoda said, very slowly making his way towards him. Buffy took one step back but she didn't turn off her lightsaber, Yoda might need a little help.
"Elisa," Obi-Wan said quietly and Buffy turned to look at him. "Get to his ship, stop him from-"
"Oh no," Dooku said, turning to look at them. He held out his hand towards Buffy and blue lightning shot out of his hand, striking Buffy right in the chest, sending her crashing into the wall behind Obi-Wan. "None of that now."
"Master Kenobi," Padme said, leaning down next to him. "What should I do?" she asked in a whisper once Dooku's attention was back on Yoda.
"Get to back to the ships, tell them - don't let him out of here," Obi-Wan said and Padme nodded her head. She looked once over at Anakin, swallowed hard and then stood and snuck back out the way she had come. Buffy was only a foot or so away from Anakin and Obi-Wan sat up and tried to make his way over to them. He had to make sure she was ok; he knew Anakin was ok, he could feel it.
"Powerful you have become, Dooku. The dark side I sense in you," Yoda said as he deflected another piece of rock that Dooku sent his way.
"I have become more powerful than any Jedi. Even you, my old Master," Dooku said, sneering down at Yoda. He hurled force lightning at Yoda who deflected it easily.
"Much to learn you still have," Yoda told him, shaking his head sadly.
"It is obvious this contest will not be decided by our knowledge of the Force, but by our skills with a lightsaber," Dooku said, igniting his lightsaber again. Yoda pulled out his lightsaber and nodded at Dooku.
"Elisa?" Obi-Wan said when he got to her. She mumbled something and shook her head. To her left, Anakin was beginning to wake, his eyes blinking slowly.
"Master?" he asked, his voice a little thin.
"Are you alright Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, looking over at him. Anakin looked down at himself and nodded his head.
"Yes master," he said, nodding his head. He looked down at Buffy, a little surprised. "When did she get here? Is Padme with her?"
"Padme is getting help," Obi-Wan said, dismissing the concern in Anakin's voice at the mention of Padme. "Elisa," Obi-Wan said, putting his hand on her shoulder. 'Wake up,' he thought, staring down at her. Her eyes blinked a few times and she looked up Obi-Wan.
"Geez, you don't have to shout," Buffy said, sitting up stiffly. "That," she said, looking down at her chest, "was so rude!" Buffy said, rolling her shoulders. Truthfully that had been the most painful thing she had ever experienced, and she had died, but she wasn't going to tell them that, at least not right now. Her eyes went wide when she saw Yoda do a flip off the back of the control panels. His lightsaber was nothing but a blur of green light. She smiled as he drove Dooku back with every swing of it.
"Wow," she said, shocked that all that power could come out of something so small.
"Fought well, you have, my old Padawan," Yoda said as Dooku backed away from Yoda and brought his lightsaber down.
"The battle is far from over. This is just the beginning," Dooku said, raising his hand to one of the cranes in the hangar. There was a loud shuddering noise as the crane broke loose of its bindings. Dooku directed it towards Buffy, Obi-Wan and Anakin. His eyes met Buffy's and he smirked before he took his hand away. There was a moment where Buffy was sure it was going to flatten them and then it stopped. Buffy could see Yoda was holding the crane up, along with help from Obi-Wan and Anakin, and while they were doing do so, Dooku was getting away.
She tried to stand to go after him but her legs fell out from under her and she collapsed to the floor. She watched as Dooku boarded his ship and the door closed up behind him. Buffy watched as its engines started up and seconds later it took off. She swore as Yoda made his way over to them, a sad and thoughtful look on his face.
"Just the beginning indeed," Yoda said to himself as he watched Obi-Wan help Buffy to her feet. Anakin didn't seem too bad off; he was standing on his own, but just barely.
-o-o-
"He got away sir," one of the clones told them a little while later. Padme was standing next to Anakin, checking his wounds, and Obi-Wan was talking with the clone and Yoda. Buffy stood to the side, clear of all of them and sighed. Things had just gotten a whole lot worse, she was sure. She looked at the clone, sad for him. But, she had to admit, they wouldn't be alive if it hadn't been for them. She looked at Padme and Anakin, she could feel their affection for each other in waves, could Obi-Wan and Yoda really not feel it? Or did they choose to ignore it? Obi-Wan nodded his head and turned and walked back over to her.
"We're going back to Coruscant," Obi-Wan told her; she nodded her head and smiled a little.
"So, tough day, huh?" she asked, looking around at everything. So much had happened and she'd only been here for a little more than three weeks. She was beginning to worry, was she doing right here? Was she helping at all, it was so hard to tell?
"Yes," Obi-Wan agreed, nodding his head. Buffy reached up and looked at his arm then looked down at his leg and pointed.
"You should have that looked at," she said, smiling up at him.
"You should have that looked at," he said, pointing to her leg too. In all the running and fighting she had almost forgotten she had been shot. The absurdity of it made her laugh out loud. Obi-Wan looked at her strangely and she shrugged her shoulders. Now that everything was settling down, she was beginning to feel a bit of pain.
"So," she said a moment later, "how are we getting back to Coruscant?"
"In a ship," Obi-Wan said with a straight face that made Buffy laugh again.
"I knew there must be a smart ass in you somewhere," she said, punching him lightly on his good arm. "A starship?"
"Yes," Obi-Wan said, nodding his head. "I'll show you," he told her as he walked her away from the hangar towards another one. The other hangar had a ship inside it, alright. It was huge, beyond big, her whole house times two would have fit in that ship, and more.
"We're going back in that?" she asked, having a little trouble believing something so big could fly.
"We are," Obi-Wan said, nodding his head, a smile on his face.
"Does it have showers?" she asked wistfully, making Obi-Wan laugh out loud now.
"It does," he assured her as he led her towards it. She sighed and nodded her head. She turned when she heard the rest of her little group coming in. Padme and Anakin had parted, about half a foot. And Yoda was still talking to the clone.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Anakin stood in front of his master's apartment, their apartment, Padme at his side. He had to tell him, he needed to be the first to know he was leaving. But as much as he wanted to tell him, he was scared, scared that Obi-Wan would not understand, that he would be angry with him. He looked down at Padme who just smiled patiently at him; they had been out here for almost ten minutes now. Anakin raised his hand to knock then let it fall again and sighed.
"Oh for force sake," Obi-Wan said as the door slid open. He had a cup of tea in his hands and was scowling. "I felt you the moment you approached Anakin, what are you waiting for?" Obi-Wan smiled down at Padme and moved out of the door so they could enter. Anakin was less than surprised to see Elisa sitting on the couch, she also had tea.
"I'm waiting to hear from the council," Buffy said, smiling at them. "Gave me a lightsaber but won't give me a straight answer as to why." She sighed in frustration and shook her head. "How are you guys?"
"Good," Padme said, nodding her head. Buffy saw the look that passed between them and stood up. "I'm going to, um, go, must be something to do around this place."
"Don't," Anakin said, shaking his head as he and Padme walked over to the couches with Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan looked over at Anakin and sat down in an arm chair. There was something going on here, something he was not going to like. Buffy sighed a little and sat back down.
"What is it, Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, seconds before he noticed the way they were holding themselves now. Close together, almost touching, both looking to each other every few seconds and he knew. He knew just what Anakin was about to say and he sighed. He looked over at Buffy and knew she had known something was going on.
"Master," Anakin said as he and Padme sat down. Anakin folded and unfolded his hands in his lap. He opened his mouth and then closed it again and sighed. Obi-Wan had never seen him so indecisive before. Anakin took a deep breath and decided straight to the point would be best.
"Master, I've broken code," he told him, looking over to Padme. "I fell in love, and I don't plan on not being with Padme, ever." He looked to Obi-Wan for a reaction but got nothing more than a nod. Buffy was sitting on the couch across from them, beaming.
"I don't want to deceive the council, and I don't want to have to lie to you." Anakin explained, smiling when Padme reached over and took his hand. Obi-Wan watched in surprise as Anakin seemed to relax at her touch. "I'm leaving the Jedi order," Anakin finally got out after a moment.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath and closed his eyes. And for a moment he was 18 again, standing in the Room of a Thousand Fountains holding the hand of the woman he loved. He remembered as they decided to put their feelings aside to stay in the Jedi order. He remembered Qui-Gon's counsel to give up his love, to fulfill his destiny. He opened his eyes and found Anakin staring at him, waiting.
"If you're waiting for me to talk you out of it you're going to be waiting a very long time," Obi-Wan finally said after a moment in thought. He would not do what was done to him; he would not make them give up this love for destiny. Anakin was meant for Padme, this was the will of the force, that they had met at all only proved that.
"You're not mad?" Anakin asked, looking him in the eyes, searching for something he thought Obi-Wan was holding back. Obi-Wan smiled at him, a genuine bright smile and shook his head.
"No," he assured them as he stood. "I, however, cannot promise the same of the council." Anakin stood up too and looked across at Obi-Wan and then a huge smile broke out onto his face. He reached out to Obi-Wan who took his hand then pulled him into a hug. Buffy snuck across to the other couch and sat down next to Padme.
"I'm really happy for you guys," Buffy told her, smiling up at Anakin and Obi-Wan as they pulled apart.
"Thank you," Padme said, reaching over and taking Buffy's hand. "I hope you don't mind, but Anakin, he told me about you, where you come from, and why you're here."
"He did, huh?" Buffy asked, looking up at Anakin who had just turned around to find his seat taken. He smiled at her and she shrugged. "I had kinda hoped he'd tell you."
"We're going to get married," Anakin informed Buffy, smiling down at her. He turned quickly back to Obi-Wan and a hesitant smile fell onto his face. "I know it's unorthodox, but I was really hoping you'd stand with me?"
"I would like nothing more," he told Anakin, smiling at him. "When are you going to tell the council?"
"I thought I'd go down there now, while I know they're all convened," Anakin said, looking down at Buffy again. She rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Alone?" Buffy asked as she stood up and walked back over to her place picking up her tea. They all looked to the door when it rang and Obi-Wan walked over to it.
"Master Kenobi," a young Padawan said, looking up at Obi-Wan. "The council would like to speak to you, your apprentice and Elisa."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said smiling at the young man. The boy bowed his head then turned and ran off down the hall.
"You stay here, ok?" Anakin said, looking down at Padme. She stood up and took his hands into hers.
"Are you sure Annie, you might need me." She smiled up at him, still a little unused to this feeling flowing through her, but loving it nonetheless. Anakin reached up and brushed her loose hair out of her face.
"I'll be fine." He took her hand and placed it on his heart and smiled. "I have you right here giving me strength." Padme nodded her head, stood up on her tippy toes and kissed him.
-o-o-o-o-
"If you don't mind master, I'd like to go in first," Anakin said, looking from Obi-Wan to Buffy. Obi-Wan nodded his head and Anakin knocked on the chamber doors then opened it and walked in. The door closed silently behind him and Obi-Wan sat down on the chair outside.
"I'm sorry," Buffy said, sitting down next to him. Obi-Wan looked up at her and she looked to the door. "I know it must be hard, losing him." Obi-Wan looked to the door too and sighed.
"There is still so much more to teach him, I'm just-"
"You're scared," Buffy said, realizing it for the first time. "You don't want him to be swayed." Obi-Wan looked a little startled by her accurate guess. SO many things could come of not being fully trained, he was a more than a little worried.
"Even fully trained the pull of the dark side can be strong for some." He looked away from the door to Buffy. "I just worry for him, he can be so-"
"Headstrong? Arrogant? Childish?" Buffy said, ticking the things off on her fingers.
"Stop finishing my sentences," Obi-Wan demanded, a mock look of anger on his face. Buffy looked down at her hands and then back up at him, unsure if she should tell him just why it is that she could finish his sentences, it was probably prudent that at least someone knew.
"I can't help it," Buffy said, shrugging her shoulders now as she looked up at him. "Your sentences are always so loud in my head."
"My sentences are loud in you- you don't mean..." He trailed off and she looked down at her hands again. 'Elisa.'
"Wow!" Buffy hollered, jumping up out of her seat to look down at him. It hadn't been an almost mute sound in the back of her mind that time. It was if he'd spoken, but he hadn't. "See, see there it is," she said, pointing at him, as if accusing him. Obi-Wan looked slightly impressed and smiled at her.
"Try it," he told her as he too stood up and walked over to her.
"I can't," Buffy said, shaking her head. This was all so weird, she wasn't sure she could take something new right now.
"Try it," Obi-Wan said, reaching out and placing his finger tips on the side of her forehead. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and tried to think at him. 'Think at him,' Buffy thought sarcastically.
'Obi-Wan,' she thought, opening her eyes to see if it worked, but she needn't look to see that it worked, all she had to do was listen.
'Right here.' The thought came into her mind freely and it made her jump a little again. 'So weird,' she thought, taking a step back.
"We'll need to work on your control so you don't project everything you think," Obi-Wan said, smiling at her.
"I don't-"
"No, you normally don't, but just then, 'So weird', I picked up on that." Obi-Wan explained to her as he made his way back to his chair.
"What is this?" Buffy asked as she slowly walked back to the chairs. "Can all of you guys do this?"
"No," Obi-Wan said shaking his head. "A master and a Padawan have a bond that allows for it and many of the stronger masters can on their own but-" He stopped midsentence and Buffy looked to the doors expecting to see Anakin but they were still closed.
"What?" she asked, looking over at him. He had a very thoughtful look on his face, he turned his face towards the chamber doors again and then back to Buffy.
"Nothing," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. They sat in silence for a few moments then something occurred to Buffy.
"Can you and Anakin, can you talk in each other's heads?" Obi-Wan nodded his head and looked at the doors.
"But Anakin does not like it much, he prefers to speak. It can come in handy in a battle situation though."
"I bet," Buffy said, nodding her head. She should know, her Scoobies had used that little trick a few times.
"He's coming out," Obi-Wan said, seconds before the door opened and Anakin stepped out, looking no worse for the wear. He actually had a small smile on his face as he walked over to Obi-Wan.
"They would like to see you, both of you," Anakin said, looking down at Buffy as well.
"Goody," Buffy said, standing up as Obi-Wan did. "Should be loads of fun."
"I'll be in our apartment, waiting," Anakin told them and Obi-Wan nodded his head, wishing for a little more information, but it would have to wait. Anakin bowed his head a little and turned and headed down the hall. Obi-Wan turned to Buffy and smiled at her.
"Are you ready?" he asked as they walked towards the doors.
"Sure," Buffy said, nodding her head. She hated that these people held her fate in their hands, but she knew this was how it worked here and she would have to live with that. Even if it meant 'following' a few rules.
"Masters." Obi-Wan bowed a little and Buffy followed suit, smiling at all of them. She couldn't remember all of their names and that worried her a little.
"Know of your padawan's plans, you do?" Yoda asked, looking up at Obi-Wan, meeting his eyes.
"He told me just before coming here, master," Obi-Wan said and Buffy noticed that he held himself differently in here, almost as if he were less sure of himself here. Something about that didn't seem right to Buffy, she'd have to see if she could find out why that was.
"Sad we are, to lose your Padawan," Yoda told them and Obi-Wan nodded his head. He did look sad, Buffy could see it, but there was something else, something under the sadness. Yoda nodded his head and then looked over at Buffy.
"Skilled with a lightsaber, Windu tells us," Yoda said smiling at her. Buffy nodded her head, her thoughts going to her fight with Jango.
"Remorse you feel, for taking his life?" Yoda asked and Buffy nodded her head, she hadn't meant to, she was just trying to wound him.
"Good that you feel remorse, only human you are," Yoda said and smiled at her. He looked her over then turned to Windu, Windu nodded his head and Buffy hoped it was a good nod. 'Please let it be a good nod,' she thought, taking a deep breath readying herself for the worst.
"A Jedi, you will be," Yoda said and Buffy had a hard time containing her excitement. She let out the air in a hard rush and smiled.
"Thanks," she said smiling; she looked up at Obi-Wan as a word filtered through her mind, 'Padawan.'
"Need a master to train you, you will," Yoda said, looking around at the people in the room.
"I would like to take Elisa on as my Padawan," Buffy looked up at Obi-Wan with a shocked look on her face. It had never even occurred to her that it might be Obi-Wan training her; he had Anakin after all, or did have.
"Take her as your Padawan, you will," Yoda said, nodding his head. For some reason Buffy got the feeling this was how Yoda wanted things to be.
"We are at the beginning of a war now," Windu said, looking from Obi-Wan to Buffy and back again. "Training will not be easy and it will not be fun." Buffy knew he was just warning her, trying to help, so she didn't point out that she had saved the world a few times. Of course, that had just been one world. She nodded her head and tried to look solemn.
"Escort the Senator back to Naboo," Yoda told them, nodding his head. "Report back to the council when you return."
"Yes master," Obi-Wan said, nodding his head. Buffy bowed a little and smiled at them all. Then she and Obi-Wan turned and walked out of the chambers.
"So," Buffy asked, turning to look at him. "Do I have to start calling you master now?" Obi-Wan looked down at her and grinned.
"Yes," he said, nodding his head and she smirked.
"You're not going to call me Padawan all the time are you?" she asked, looking up at him; she didn't really like the term all that much.
"Not all the time," he assured her, smiling down at her. "But I hope you like Anakin's hair cut."
"What!?" Buffy exclaimed, pulling her hair forward. "You're not going to make me shave my head are you?" she asked, a pleading tone to her voice.
"No," Obi-Wan said, laughing out loud at the look on her face. "But you will have to cut it, and you'll need a braid."
"Like Anakin's?" she asked, sighing in relief that she wasn't going to be getting a buzz cut.
"Yes, like Anakin's," Obi-Wan agreed, nodding his head.
"Well, that's not so bad then," Buffy said, smiling at him.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Two days later and they were all four staying at the lake side retreat on Naboo. Buffy really liked it here, quiet and very pretty. She had persuaded Obi-Wan to let her go swimming that morning and was now laying on the sand with a towel wrapped around herself, the warm sun beating down on her.
"I do love this beach," Padme said, startling Buffy out of her day dreams. She was so going to have to work on the whole 'be mindful of your surroundings' thing.
"It's really nice here," Buffy said, nodding her head as she sat up and looked out over the water. "Thanks for the suit," Buffy said, indicating the swimming suit she had borrowed from Padme.
"You're welcome," Padme said, picking up a handful of sand and letting it run through her fingers. Buffy could tell she had something on her mind.
"Are you nervous?" Buffy asked, trying to get her to talk about whatever was bothering her.
"No," Padme said with a strong conviction. She smiled at Buffy then looked up to the balcony a little ways away from them where she could see Obi-Wan and Anakin's backs. "I'm so excited."
"Oh, well that's good," Buffy said, nodding her head. "I really am very happy for you two."
"Thank you," Padme said, looking back to the island way across the water. "Elisa, I was wondering, hoping actually, that you might stand with me in the wedding, Anakin is having Obi-Wan, it only seems right that you stand with me." She stopped and smiled at Buffy uncertainly then went on, quickly. "I mean only if you want to because-"
"Padme," Buffy said, cutting off her ramble. 'This girl would have gotten along well with Willow,' Buffy thought, smiling at her. "I would love that."
"Thank you," Padme said, nodding her head. She looked to the water again then back to Buffy.
"Is your family coming tonight?" Buffy asked, curious to the look on Padme's face now. Padme brightened at the mention of her family and nodded her head.
"Yes, they should be here tonight sometime." She looked out at the water again and then back to Buffy, her smile going wide. "Are you a good swimmer?"
"I'm not bad, why?" Buffy asked, looking out at the tiny island way out there in the water. Padme followed her gaze and smirked.
"Think you can make it?" Padme asked as she stood up and took off her robe, revealing a light blue swimming suit.
"I'm sure I can," Buffy said, nodding her head as she stood up.
"Ok," Padme said, smiling at her, "let's go then." And both girls were off, running into the water, splashing as they went.
-o-o-o-o-
"I hope you're happy," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head as the two of them watched Buffy and Padme swim towards the island. "I think I just ended up with a Padawan even stronger willed than you." Anakin laughed and patted Obi-Wan on the back.
"She won't be so bad," Anakin told him, smirking. "Wait till she has to cut her hair, I get the feeling she's as attached to her hair as Padme is."
"I think she's actually excited about the braid," Obi-Wan told him, chuckling lightly.
"She's a little odd," Anakin said, tugging lightly on the Padawan braid he hadn't been able to bring himself to cut off yet.
"So were you," Obi-Wan said, looking over at Anakin. His face turned serious as he searched Anakin's eyes. "Padme is very good for you; all of a sudden you're calmer, reserved. I'm happy for you."
"Thank you Mas-" Anakin stopped mid-word and smiled at him. "Thank you Obi-Wan"
"And you know something else?" he asked as he turned back out and looked over the water, smiling as Buffy and Padme climbed onto the beach out of the water. Anakin looked to Obi-Wan, waiting. Obi-Wan turned to Anakin and his smile was warm and happy now. "Qui-Gon would have been very proud of you too."
"Thank you," Anakin whispered, his voice low as he turned to watch the girls too. His soon to be wife and Obi-Wan's new Padawan, how odd things had turned out, but all for the good Anakin was sure.
-o-o-o-o-o-
"I'm sorry I can't be there," Shmi said, smiling sadly at Anakin and Padme over the hololink. Anakin took a deep breath and nodded his head, a smile on his face.
"We'll come out to see you right after the ceremony," Anakin promised her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing much better," Shmi said, nodding her head, and she really looked it too. The bruises were all but gone and the cuts around her mouth were beginning to heal. Anakin wished she could be there to see him get married, but they couldn't afford to leave the farm, and Shmi really wasn't up to it yet.
"I'm sorry you can't be here", Padme said, smiling at her, "but Artoo is going to be recording the whole thing so we call all watch it when we come see you."
"I would love that," Shmi said, nodding her head.
"Anakin!" A loud voice called from down the hall. "Your soon to be in-laws are here!" A blonde girl came running into the room, a huge smile on her face. "There are two little girls and- Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Elisa, this is my mom," Anakin said, moving a little so Shmi could see her.
"Hi!" Buffy called smiling at her. "It's good to meet you."
"You too," Shmi said, nodding her head. "Someday in the future in the flesh perhaps?"
"Oh yeah, totally," Buffy said, nodding her head, laughing lightly. Shmi smiled at her then looked back to her son.
"I'll let you go greet your family," Shmi told them, looking over to Padme. "I'll see you soon."
"Of course," Padme said, nodding her head.
"I love you mom," Anakin said and Shmi smiled at him, her eyes watering just a little.
"I love you too Annie," Shmi said, nodding her head. She looked between the two of them again, smiled and disconnected.
"Sorry," Buffy said sheepishly.
"It's ok," Anakin said rising with Padme. He reached over without thought and took Padme's hand. Buffy nodded her head and left the room first. They looked so sweet together, she was glad everything had worked itself out, though something told her this was just the beginning.
-o-o-o-o-
"Well, I for one am a little surprised it fit," Buffy said, looking down at the silky baby blue dress she now had on. She was borrowing it for the wedding seeing as she had no really pretty clothing. It went all the way to the floor and was cut in a V at the neck. The sleeves were long and cut in a bell shape. When Buffy had first seen it she hadn't be sure it would look right on her, but now she loved it.
"Why wouldn't it fit?" Padme's mom, Jobal asked, smoothing out the skirt of her daughter's dress. "You and Padme are just about the same size." Buffy smiled at the older woman. She really liked Padme's family, they were all very nice, especially the two little girls. Both of them were so full of energy, always running somewhere.
"Mom!" Ryoo called, running into the room, her beautiful curls bouncing as she ran. "Mom, they're ready!" she called excitedly.
"Thank you, Ryoo," Sola said, patting her oldest daughter on the head. "Where is your sister?"
"Pooja's with Uncle Annie and Uncle Obi." Ryoo said, smiling up at her mother. The two girls had taken to calling Obi-Wan Uncle Obi and Buffy Aunty Lisa; the Uncle Annie thing was the only one that was correct, but all the women thought it was very cute, so none of them corrected the girls.
"You look very nice in your dress," Buffy said, looking down at the little girl. Ryoo, who seemed to be the more open of the two girls, beamed up at her.
"Thank you!" she said, turning around so Buffy could see the whole dress. "It's the same color as yours." She pointed out and Buffy nodded her head. That had been one of the reasons Padme had picked it, the two girls had dresses the same color and she thought it would be nice if they all matched.
"Mom, would you stop fussing," Padme said, smiling down at her mother.
"Sorry dear," Jobal said, standing up to look at her daughter. "You look so beautiful," she said, wiping at her eye.
"Oh, don't start that mom," Padme said, laughing lightly. "You'll just get me going."
"And then I'd have to redo your makeup," Sola said, turning to smile at her sister. She really did look beautiful. Her long white dress was made up of so much silk and lace, it was the prettiest thing she had ever seen.
"May I come in?" Ruwee asked as he pushed the door open a little.
"Hi dad," Padme said, smiling up at her father. "Does it look ok?" she asked, holding her arms out a little.
"You look wonderful," he said and Padme nodded her head.
"We'll just give you a moment," Buffy said, reaching out to take Ryoo's hand. The four of them walked out the door, leaving the father and daughter alone for a moment.
"You know," Buffy said as they waited for Padme and Ruwee to come out. "I've never been in a wedding before."
"Me either," Ryoo said, looking up at her. The door opened behind them and Padme and Ruwee came out, both looking like they were trying not to cry.
"We ready?" Sola asked, patting her father on the shoulder.
"Yes," Padme said, nodding her head; there was so much love in her eyes, it was clear all she wanted to do was get married.
-o-o-o-o-
"Would you like to dance?" Anakin asked, looking down at Buffy. Buffy smiled up at him and nodded her head, taking his offered hand.
"Where's your wife?" Buffy asked, smiling at how his eyes lit up when she said 'wife.' He looked over his shoulder to where Padme was dancing with Obi-Wan, who could dance, what a surprise.
"Can you Jedi do everything?" Buffy asked as she walked out onto the dance floor. Anakin laughed and took her hand.
"Yes," Anakin said, nodding his head, totally serious. Buffy laughed, a little surprised when he dipped her backwards. They danced for a few minutes, talking about the wedding and where Anakin planned to take Padme for their getaway vacation. On the second song they passed Obi-Wan and Padme and Anakin smiled.
"Trade you," Anakin said, looking at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan looked over at Buffy and faked a sigh.
"I guess," he said, letting go of Padme's hand. Padme giggled and Buffy rolled her eyes as they switched partners. Obi-Wan, as it had looked, was a good dancer.
"Better get used to me buddy," Buffy said as the song changed tempo and it slowed a little. "You're stuck with me now."
"Well," Obi-Wan said smiling down at her. "You can't possibly be any worse than Anakin."
"Oh," Buffy said, an evil little grin on her face. "I think I hear a challenge in there." Now Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and Buffy laughed. "I'm sure we can come to some kind of a compromise."
"I'm sure," Obi-Wan said, nodding his head. Neither of them noticed the pair of eyes following them on the dance floor.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Buffy had never seen anything as beautiful as a sunset on Naboo. The way the light behind the mountains just made the whole mountain glow, reds, purples and orange, it was wonderful. Of course, now it was well past sunset, but Buffy had seen it. She took a deep breath and relished in the cool air drifting on the breeze. She had a warm cup of tea in her hands and her pajamas on. By now everyone was in bed and fast asleep, everyone but her, and whoever was standing in the doorway behind her. He, and she was pretty sure it was Obi-Wan, had been standing there for almost five minutes now. Buffy closed her eyes a small grin on her face as she leaned back in her chair.
'I know you're there,' she thought, not looking over her shoulder at him. She heard him shift and then she saw his shadow blocking out the light from the room behind her.
"We're going to have to head back tomorrow," Obi-Wan told her, coming around the chair; he walked over to the edge of the balcony and Buffy stood up. She walked over so she was standing next to him.
"I know," Buffy told him sighing. She really liked it here, wouldn't mind staying for a while, but they had to go back and she knew it. "I don't think..." She trailed off and Obi-Wan looked down at her. "I don't think you need to worry about Anakin, I think...I think Padme balances him."
"Yes, she does," Obi-Wan agreed with her; leaning forward on the balcony he looked out over the water. In the light from the house you could only see a little ways out, then it was all darkness. Buffy thought it was a good analogy for their future, a little bit out and it was all dark, no way of knowing what was out there. She shivered a little, but it wasn't from the breeze.
"When we get back we will have to go right into your training," Obi-Wan said, looking down at her; the fun, excited guy from the wedding was gone, in his place was Master Obi-Wan and Buffy nodded. That was how this was supposed to be, as long as she could drag the fun guy out every once in a while.
"Training I can do, don't worry about me," Buffy told him, nodding her head. "Things are...bad out there, huh?" she asked, looking up into the stars now.
"The clone wars have begun," Obi-Wan said, looking up to the stars too. "From this point on, everything changes." They both stared into the night sky thinking about the things to come in the future. Buffy gasped a little when a shooting star shot through the sky.
"Make a wish," Buffy said, pointing to it as it faded from the sky. Buffy closed her eyes and wished for all of this to come out right, wished that whatever she did it was the right thing. Buffy opened her eyes and looked over at Obi-Wan; he still had his eyes closed. He must have a lot of wishes, or one really big one. He opened his eyes after a second and looked down at her, there was a small smile curling his lips now. Then he looked away from her and back towards the sky. Buffy wanted to know what he'd wished for, she wanted to ask him, but she knew, if you told what you wished for it didn't come true, and she had a feeling he wanted this wish to come true.
The End...
For Now...
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