Chapter Eight
Extortion. Coercion. Intimidation. Whatever you want to call it. How does he always seem to manage to get himself into these kind of situations is beyond Anakin's understanding. He never asks for trouble, but it always seems to find him. Fall right into his lap. Much like the gyrating hips of the girl he's dancing with.
What's he supposed to do? And why did Master Windu leave his niece to Anakin's care in the first place? If the man had any idea what Anakin was thinking about doing to the girl, the young man was sure his balls would end up in a sling, hanging from the tallest tower of the Temple.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Master Kenobi. I'm afraid Delphi is a little spoiled. My sister has allowed her too much freedom."
"She does seem to be a free spirit," Breha agrees as the group glances out at the dance floor, where they witness the young woman putting on quite a show in front of a red-faced Anakin Skywalker.
"If she has such a crush on Obi-Wan," Bail points out, "I wonder why you would leave her in the care of his student?"
"Good question." Mace frowns upon seeing Anakin's hands squeeze Delphi's twisting hips. "I don't trust him. Teenagers, that is. It's time to put a stop to this."
Intimidating. That's actually the perfect word. One of these days, perhaps Anakin will have grown enough and learned enough to be worthy of respect from the older Jedi, but right now, Mace Windu's stare causes his spine to tremble. Hard to dance with no backbone.
"Time to go," the young man announces to his partner.
"Now? Just when we're getting warmed up?"
Anakin takes a deep breath and tries his best to ignore the soft breasts pressing against his chest. "Master Windu is motioning for us."
"Damn," Delphi replies with a pout. "My uncle always ruins a good thing. Perhaps we can continue this later. After you introduce me to your Master."
"Perhaps," Anakin agrees, although he has a feeling Master Windu might have something to say about that -- considering the dark steely glare piercing his brain like a red-hot lightsaber.
"Anakin, it looks like you've been having a good time."
"Mostly, Senator Amidala, although dancing isn't really my favorite activity."
Padme's smile is generous, but Anakin instantly regrets his words. He doesn't want Delphi to think he didn't enjoy himself. If he hurt her feelings, Master Windu would not be pleased. One glance toward the young woman assures him he hasn't. Her focus is intent and centered on a single object: His Master.
"Delphi, allow me to introduce..."
"Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," Delphi interrupts her uncle's introduction, "Padawan to Master Qui-Gon Jinn. The only Jedi Padawan in history to single-handedly defeat a Sith warrior," Delphi finishes, her gaze turning enamored as she takes his Obi-Wan's arm and easily guides him away, with no argument from his Master whatsoever.
"I believe, Senator, it's time to begin the auction, is it not?"
Oh no. Not the auction! Not yet! There hasn't been time....he hasn't had a chance to...
"Yes, I believe it is, Master Jedi."
Padme's smile turns friendly as she follows Mace Windu's lead and steps away from the\ group of friends to head toward the grandstand, where the crowd has already begun assembling for the highlight of the evening: the charity auction.
He's run out of time. He's failed. He failed Padme, his Master, and the Galaxy. Not a first for his Master, but never before has the weight of the entire Galaxy been on his shoulders. If he doesn't fix this, something bad is going to happen! Something very bad! He has to stop Padme from getting on that stage! If he doesn't, it will be too late and all will be lost. Lost. Lost!
"Padawan Skywalker, dear. You look upset. Is everything all right?"
The young man's distraught gaze slowly rotates and is captured by the kind and gentle eyes of Senator Organa's wife. He doesn't know Queen Breha very well, but has heard nothing but kind words about her. She is a generous and compassionate woman. Could she possibly help him? Would she? What choice did he have?"
"No ma'am. Everything is not all right," Anakin begins, finding hope in the concerned glance of not only Breha, but Bail Organa as well. "I need to ask you both a favor."
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