Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

AN: Here's chapter 4! Thanks for all the great reviews!

This story is very AU, so if seems like some characters are out of character, it is completely intentional. You'll understand why as you read. The M version of this story is located at my group. The link is below, but please be 18 to read that version. Here at you will find the T version. :) To find the link to my group, click on my penname to visit my profile. You'll find it there. Enjoy!

Forever Destined

Chapter 4: Tension

Jedi Knight Siri Tachi stood before the Jedi Council. After nearly four years working undercover in a dangerous smuggling ring, she and her team had finally brought down the leaders of the violent crime ring.

"Done well, you have Knight Tachi. Grant you a lengthy period of leave, we do," Yoda commended. The blonde Jedi bowed.

"Thank you master," she replied.

"Will you stay around Coruscant long?" Adi Gallia asked her old padawan.

"Yes master, for a time. I have a lot of catching up to do with friends," Siri replied. She did not miss the pointed, cold looks masters Jinn and Dooku gave her. They were making no effort to disguise the fact that they didn't like her. And she supposed that they had every reason not to. As the Council dismissed, Obi-Wan entered the chamber and she laid eyes on him for the first time in fifteen years. Siri knew that part of her would always regret leaving him. But she knew that if she had settled down so young, she would have never been truly happy. She had craved adventure and traveling across the galaxy, where as Obi-Wan was perfectly content staying on Coruscant most of the time, save for when the Council sent him on missions. Obi-Wan saw her and she could tell he was struggling to show no reaction to her presence. But she knew him well and she knew he was feeling many things at the moment, as she carefully approached him.

"Hello Obi-Wan," she said softly.

"Hello Siri," he replied stoically.

"It's good to see you again," Siri said.

"It's good to see you again too. You remember Anakin?" Obi-Wan said, gesturing to the tall young man behind him.

"Anakin?" My goodness, you were just a toddler the last time I saw you," Siri replied.

"Hello Siri," Anakin replied stiffly.

"I have to go right now. But I'd love it if we could catch up soon, Obi-Wan," she said, as she left. Anakin watched Obi-Wan leave without saying a word, before he followed his father and grandfather to the training room.

After his training session ended for the day, Anakin was about to head to his brother's apartment, when he ran into Aayla in the halls.

"Hey there sexy. They tell me you're getting ready to enter the trails. Want to come back to my place and celebrate?" she tempted sultrily. Anakin pushed her hand away.

"Sorry Aayla, but I'm taken," he replied.

"Really? Do tell," she replied.

"Her name is Padme and I really like her...a lot," Anakin replied.

"So, do you think she might be the one?" Aayla asked.

"I really hope so. I've never felt like this before. We just met, but I feel like I've known her forever," Anakin replied. Aayla smiled.

"I hope she is. You deserve to be happy. I suppose I'll have to be the bearer of bad news though. Do you have any idea how many girls' hearts you're about to break here in the Temple?" she teased. Anakin sighed and gave her a half smile.

"I'm nothing special Aayla, I'm jut me," Anakin replied, as he left. Once he was out of earshot, Aayla spoke to herself quietly.

"Oh yes you are Anakin Skywalker. I hope this girl knows what she has," Aayla said.

Anakin landed his speeder on Padme's veranda that evening. Dorme escorted him in and Padme came out a few minutes later. She was dressed in a simple light blue dress, nothing fancy, since they weren't going anywhere. Her hair was braided down her back. She stunned him to speechlessness again with her elegant beauty.

"I dressed a little casual, since I've been cooking," she said shyly.

"You look gorgeous," he replied, as he leaned down and kissed her cheek. She blushed.

"Thank you. Dinner is almost ready," Padme replied. Dorme helped serve them and then quietly slipped out, leaving them alone. After the delicious meal that Padme prepared and some red wine, Padme brought the Shurra fruit out for desert.

"Have you ever had Shurra?" she asked.

"I don't think so," he replied.

"It's native to Naboo and my favorite," she said, as she prepared to cut it. Anakin raised his hand and floated the piece of fruit across the table to his plate. Anakin sliced the fruit and then scooted his chair around next to hers. He speared the fruit with his fork and guided it to her mouth. She bit into it and then he took a bite.

"I can see why it's your favorite. It's delicious," he said, as his eyes never left hers. He leaned in and brushed his lips softly against hers. He pulled back and smiled at her before feeding her another bite. Later, they retired to the sitting room, once again talking about anything and everything.

Obi-Wan sipped at his brandy in one of the clubs he usually frequented. He would never admit this to anyone, but he always had more fun when Anakin was with him. But now, his baby brother was busy with his girlfriend and not interested in club hopping anymore. Anakin had promised that he and Padme would come dancing one night, but Obi-Wan was not looking forward to her coming along. As more of the brandy slid down his throat, a beautiful blonde woman sat down next to him.

"Double Corellian scotch on the rocks," she ordered from the bartender.

"What are you doing here?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I came with Aayla. She said you come here a lot. I thought we could catch up," Siri replied.

"Well, you thought wrong," Obi-Wan replied.

"What are you so cold?" she asked. He face-faulted.

"What am I so cold? You're the one that dumped me to go gallivanting across the galaxy!" Obi-Wan spat.

"I left you, but it wasn't because I didn't love you," she shouted. They began to draw attention to themselves, so Obi-Wan led her to one of the back rooms and shut the door.

"Last time I checked Siri, you don't dump the person you claim to love," Obi-Wan said angrily.

"I left, but it wasn't because I didn't love you. We wanted different things. You were ready to get married and I wasn't," she replied.

"So, why are you suddenly back? Do you really think you could just waltz back into my life and expect things to be the same?" Obi-Wan demanded.

"No, but I was hoping that we could at least be friends," she replied hotly.

"Friends don't rip each other's hearts out," Obi-Wan retorted.

"Obi-Wan, I'm sorry I hurt you. It was never my intention. But I figured that if we married before I was ready, I would end up hurting you worse in the long run," Siri replied. Obi-Wan was silent and Siri timidly stepped closer, bringing her lips to his. Obi-Wan was going to push her away, but as she moved her lips over his, it was suddenly fifteen years ago. And before he knew it, he was kissing her back in earnest.

"I've missed you," she said, breathlessly, as he kissed down her neck. He backed her against the wall and looked into her eyes.

"You sure have a funny way of showing it," Obi-Wan said bitterly.

"You missed me too, even though you're trying your damnest to hate my guts," she replied, as she pressed her chest against his.

"I do hate you. You're poison," he spat, while his hands traveled down her sides and around to her ass, before he kissed her furiously again.

"You don't seem to hate me," she replied.

"Make no mistake, this is purely physical," Obi-Wan replied, as he fondled her breasts through her shirt.

"Let's go back to my place. I have a bottle of scotch I'm dying to share with somebody," she said.

"Lead the way. You owe me a good drink," he replied.

As they rode in the air taxi on the way to Siri's they talked a little.

"So, have you been with a lot of women since me?" she asked.

"Maybe. Have you been with many men, since me?" he asked. She met his eyes.

"Maybe," she replied mysteriously.

"How has your family been? Anakin certainly seems to be doing well," Siri replied, changing the subject.

"Anakin is very gifted. He's set to the youngest Knight in the archive's history," Obi-Wan replied.

"Your father and grandfather must be proud," she replied.

"They are. So am I," Obi-Wan replied. The air taxi arrived at Siri's apartment and Obi-Wan followed her inside.

"You certainly aren't much of a conversationalist tonight, Ben," she said, as she poured some scotch in their glasses.

"What exactly am I supposed to say to you?" Obi-Wan asked, as he downed the scotch and held his glass up to be refilled. She did so, knowing that his ability to hold liquor was legendary.

"Well, you could be more civil, at least," Siri replied.

"Well, I'm so sorry if I hurt your feelings," Obi-Wan replied, sarcastically. She simmered inwardly. He was thoroughly enjoying his tormenting.

"If you're so unhappy with my company, then why are you here?" she asked.

"Because this is some damn fine scotch. Oh, and of course for the sex I'm sure we're going to have," he replied confidently. She glared at him.

"You think we're going to have sex?" she asked.

"I know we are," he replied.

"Really? What makes you so confident?" she asked.

"Because you want me and you can't resist me," Obi-Wan replied, as he finished his third glass.

"Okay, you're done," she replied, grabbing his glass.

"You want me to leave now?" he asked.

"Yes, now," she replied. He smirked.

"No you don't. You invited me here for more than just a drink," Obi-Wan replied, as he stepped closer to her.

"Well, that's before I realized how much you've change. The Obi-Wan I knew wouldn't just go looking to get laid from anyone who was willing to let him screw them," she replied, harshly. He stepped closer, his face now inches from hers.

"Well, we all know who made me that way," he replied. She blanched.

"Oh...oh no, you can't be seriously blaming me for all your problems!" she replied angrily.

"Well, if the shoe fits," he replied. She raised her hand to slap him, but he caught it and held her wrist. She snarled at him.

"I don't even know you anymore! I can't believe that you just go around screwing any woman who will have you and then have the nerve to blame it on me!" she yelled.

"What in blazes did you expect Siri? I was in love with you! But you showed me that love isn't worth it," Obi-Wan spat.

"Really? Love isn't worth it?" she asked.

"No. I see no point in putting your heart on the line when it's just going to get ripped out. I've tried to tell Anakin that, but he won't listen to me," Obi-Wan replied.

"Good for him," she retorted, as she walked away and grabbed her glass of scotch.

"So, if I'm the cause of all your problems, then why the Sith are you here?" she asked, taking a long drink.

"You invited me," he replied. She suppressed a growl.

"Fine, you're here. You want sex, so let's have sex," she replied, turning to him.

"We do change our mind fast," he retorted.

"Backing out? All talk and no action? Is that the real Obi-Wan Kenobi now?" she taunted.

"I'm just waiting for you to decide if you really want it. You have to understand that it would be just sex, purely physical," he replied. She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I bet I can change your mind about that. One night with me and you'll might be ready to rethink love," Siri said, while mentally she was going crazy.

'What the hell am I thinking? This is a huge gamble. I don't know if I can handle it if he really does walk out on me afterwards...'

But it was a gamble she was willing to chance. She wanted Obi-Wan Kenobi back and she had to try. If this is where she had to start, then that's where she would start.

"Just sex. I can handle that," she lied, as she captured his lips in a sweltering kiss. Obi-Wan began backing her toward the bedroom and kicked the door shut behind him...

Padme laughed, as he finished another one of his stories from his childhood. A particularly mischievous one, which he seemed to have a lot of.

"You are so bad!" she chided.

"Blame Obi-Wan. I was always following him," Anakin defended himself.

"You sound like you did your share," she teased.

"Perhaps," he replied, with a roguish smirk that made her want to melt. He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. A sweet humming noise escaped her throat, as he kissed her deeply. He slanted his lips over hers in a hard, passionate kiss. His tongue slid against her own, dueling for control. Slowly, he lowered her to the sofa and settled over her, while their lips moved furiously over one another's. She threw her head back and her skin tingled, as his kissed down her neck. The insistent chiming of the door indicator interrupted their passionate embrace. Padme whimpered in annoyance, as he pulled his lips away. She did not want him to stop, as his ministrations were driving her wild. He stood up and they straightened their clothes, before she went to answer the door. She opened it and Dorme was there, with a look of terror on her face.

"Dorme? What's wrong?" Padme asked, letting her in.

"Oh milady, it's terrible!" Dorme said.

"Dorme, what's going on?" she asked, as Anakin came to stand by her, concern filling his eyes.

"The Trade Federation has invaded Naboo," she said. Padme paled.

"What?" she asked.

"Viceroy Nute Gunray has captured Queen Jamilla and has occupied the planet with his droid armies," Dorme cried.

"No...no...my people," Padme said, in despair. Anakin held her close.

"Dorme, does the Jedi Council know yet?" Anakin asked.

"I heard that they are calling an emergency session tonight," Dorme replied. Anakin nodded and took Padme's hand.

"Come on, let's go to the Temple. We can find out more there," Anakin told her. She nodded and followed him to his speeder.

Anakin and Padme waited impatiently outside the Council room. The members of the Council began filing out, all giving Padme looks of sympathy.

"Dad, what's going on? We're going to help Naboo, aren't we?" Anakin asked.

"Yes Anakin, the Council has decided to send Obi-Wan, Siri, Aayla, your grandfather and myself. We will be leaving right away," Qui-Gon said.

"You have to let us come, dad," Anakin pleaded.

"Master Jinn, those are my people. I have to be there for them," Padme pleaded as well.

"They have already captured the Queen, milady. We cannot send you in to danger. And you will stay here as well, Anakin," Qui-Gon said.

"But dad..." Anakin tried to argue.

"No arguments Ani, I don't have time," Qui-Gon said, as he rushed off. Padme gritted her teeth and stalked off for the nearest exit.

"Padme, where are you going?" Anakin called, as he ran to catch up.

"I'm not going to sit here on Coruscant while my people are dying, Anakin. I'm leaving for Naboo," she replied. He gripped her hand and stepped into stride with her.

"You're not going alone," he replied. She stopped and turned to him.

"I can't let you go too. You'd be a lot of trouble with the Council," she replied.

"I'm not letting you go alone. Besides, you're worth any trouble I may get into," he replied, with a smirk. She blushed.

"You'd really do this for me?" Padme asked. He smiled and caressed her cheek.

"I'd do anything for you. And I care about you too much to let you go alone, it's too dangerous," he replied. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

"Come on, we should hurry before someone discovers what we're up to," Padme replied. They hurried off for Anakin's speeder and left for the docking bay at the Senate Rotunda, where Padme's Nabooan cruiser was docked...