A/N: Warning - dark themes, if you are uncomfortable with sexual issues, well, I advise you not read this chapter. However this is the crux of my plot. Just so you are aware.
~Verite
The brilliantly lit planet was this time, an immense welcome as Obi-Wan approached Coruscant. With the weight of Padmé's fear bearing down on
him, he could not get to the Council fast enough. Without a word to R4, he practically ran into the temple towards the main meeting room
entrance. He took a few breaths and straightened his robes. The last thing he wanted was the Council to question the thoughts on his mind, the
fear he had felt. Calmly he entered the room and walked to the center, bowing respectfully to Masters Yoda and Windu. To his surprise and
utter alleviation, no comments were made in reference to his troubled state. Instead Master Windu informed him on the situation
that Obi-Wan had already sensed from Kamino. They had received a distress signal from Senator Amidala on Naboo. Anakin had left her and
undertaken some mission of his own. At first Obi-Wan was incensed. It took all his control not to shout his exasperation at the foolishness of his
rash apprentice. Burying his anger, he waited for the Council to finish their report. Relief radiated through his veins as they confirmed what would
ease his anxious heart; they were sending him to look after Padmé. Finally he would once again see her, and protect her as he so desperately
had hoped ever since the mission began. "I will leave for Naboo immediately." He acquiesced, bowing once more and turning to exit the room
All this dreaming was coming true, he would soon be with Padmé and all would be well with his soul. Nothing and no one in the vast, entire
universe could dampen his spirits. From behind he heard a small voice. "A moment to speak to you I would like." Master Yoda had followed him,
nimbly keeping up pace for such a small creature using a walking stick. Obi-Wan slowed his pace to accommodate a polite speed for the master.
"The Council room, anger in you I sensed." Obi-Wan's throat went dry. He was so sure he had successfully masked it. He had underestimated the
skills Yoda possessed. "I am… conflicted Master." He admitted. "About Anakin. I feel I have let him down in his training, and Senator Amidala as
well, as a result." Yoda pursed his lips, taking in what Obi-Wan had confessed. "In young Skywalker, much confusion there is. Carefully we must be
in dealing with your Padawan, Obi-Wan." "How should I proceed once I have made sure the Senator is safe?" Don't think about her that way, not
that way. "Further instruction you will receive, once safe the Senator is. May the Force be with you, young Kenobi." Obi-Wan left for the
hanger bay and boarded his Interceptor, leaving the atmosphere to dock onto a Syluire-31 hyperspace ring, setting a course for Naboo. His mind
meandered to thoughts of the woman waiting for him, lonely, and scared. …Padmé I'm coming. Soon you won't have to be afraid… His ship
entered the atmosphere and pushed down through the clouds that concealed the ethereal view of Naboo's capital. At the sight of it, Obi-Wan
momentarily stopped breathing. So many memories flooded his mind. Hiding with Qui-Gon Jinn in the muggy swamps. Fighting the droids and
oh, how could one forget Jar-Jar Binks? Okay, he thought, so not all those memories were great. But then discovering Padmé, the handmaiden
rightfully queen in disguise, how he admired her courage, subversively taking matters into her own hands under the very noses of both Jedi.
"I wish I knew her then like I do now." He mused. Captain Typho was there to greet him when he landed. Apparently the captain had been
expecting all the questions Obi-Wan had to ask. Ever since Anakin had abruptly departed a few nights ago, Padmé had felt it best to leave and
stay with her family on the outskirts of the capital where she felt less conspicuous. "I find I can't blame her," Typho remarked as he walked along
the Jedi, bitterness in his voice. "There's no excuse for Skywalker to just leave." He gave Obi-Wan a sideways look. "No offense to you sir."
He finished his final opinion almost as if to himself. "She was so upset. I've never seen her that way, not even after the death of Cordé." For
a while, Obi-Wan did not respond. He was focusing with all his might to keep his anger at bay. The worst thing he could do was worry Captain
Typho even more. Feeling fully composed, he told Captain Typho that he'd be much obliged if he would lead him to where the house was located
in the immense capital. The castle was still visible from afar when Typho stopped in front of a stone building, the second story attaching to the
connecting arch to the building across the street. Everything was white stone, large and smooth. It gave Obi-Wan a feeling of purity, of a place
only surrounded by tranquility. In all the galaxy, this was where she belonged, and he wanted nothing more to belong there with her. But there
underneath, was that current of doubt, that cold feeling of rationality that told him he was wrong to desire such a selfish life. He was not here for
love. He was here as a Jedi ordered to protect a member of the Galactic Senate. He was here to serve. To be selfless and to do nothing but his
duty as a member of the Jedi Order. Remember your place Obi-Wan Kenobi. He would not let his feelings leave her vulnerable, as Anakin
no doubt had done, bringing Obi-Wan here in the first place. A movement in his peripheral vision reminded him that Captain Typho was still there.
Excusing his lapse of attention, he asked the captain if he would join him in entering the Naberrie household. "Perhaps your introduction could
verify that I am someone they can trust." Typho agreed to this. Two little girls came to answer the door, grinning up at the familiar face smiling at
each of them. "Hello you two little ones, maybe we come in?" "Yes!" They chirped in answer, dashing into the interior of the house. The main
room was empty, but soon a somber young woman appeared from around a corner and extended her hand to the captain. "Typho, so good to
have you visit again, but I'm afraid my sister isn't ready to see anyone." Her handsome face turned down into a frown as she took in Obi-Wan.
"As you know, that Jedi left her in quite a state. I have yet to get her to tell me what exactly happened." Time for diplomacy. "I would be
very grateful if you showed me to her." He returned her solemn look to indicate he was serious. It was his eyes she seemed to trust, for she then
escorted Obi-Wan down a hallway that seemed to lead to the very end of the house. So this is where Padmé had grown up, discovered her
ambitions. Ones that would define a nation, a planet, himself. The house was vast, with rooms and hallways in every direction. Finally they
neared the end of the hallway. Padmé's sister gave him one final look as if to say "Hurt my sister like the other one of you did? I will ensure your
death." Obi-Wan didn't have to use the Force to know she meant it. What the blazes had Anakin done to incur such hatred? He only hoped he
had arrived before it was too late for some sort of reconciliation between the Senator and the Jedi. He gently knocked the door. "I'm not going to
open the door Sola!" Came a muffled angry cry, "Just leave me alone!" This was bad if she wasn't even seeing her family. "Senator Amidala?
Please let me in. The Jedi Council has sent me to investigate Anakin's disappearance." There was a pause. Then a clicking of a lock. A bleary
eyed Padmé leant on the door she had half opened. And Obi-Wan had no need to ask her what had happened to make her so miserable. Was
it possible he was wrong? He begged the Force he was wrong. But no, he could feel the Force's presence in her. She was pregnant. But that didn't
seem to be what was troubling her. Did she not know yet? Perhaps Anakin had missed it too. In his rush to where ever he had run off to. The
judgment he faced when he resurfaced would be more severe that Obi-Wan could imagine. And Obi-Wan sincerely wanted to be the one to
unleash the full weight of what his foolish and irresponsible apprentice would feel. To be with Padmé in such a way was forbidden, to leave her
so shaken and fearful that this once brave, bold, and powerful woman was reduced to a fragile echo of herself was unpardonable. Obi-Wan longed
to reach out and just put his hand on her shoulder. Just let her know she was safe, that he wouldn't leave her side as long as it was in his power.
A tear slid down her pale cheek and she nudged it away with one shoulder. Softly, she whispered his name. And was it his imagination or did a
small smile briefly drift across her face? "Padmé," He repeated as softly as she had spoken his name. "Please let me in." Her lashes were wet with
tears as she clenched her eyes shut as if the very request was causing her pain. "No." She said, sliding the door closer to him. "I'll come out soon."
Running could be heard down the hallway towards him. One of the little girls was glaring at him. "If you came to make my Auntie Padmé cry
again, I'll hit you." Hmm, they must be Sola's daughters. Obi-Wan leaned against the wall adjacent to Padmé's doorway. Holographic images were
neatly lined up along the hallway, showing the family through the years. From Padme's parents, to the birth of Sola, then Padmé then her parent's
grandchildren. Each picture showed a family full of love and joy. And what would Padmé's next picture look like? Would she be laughing, and happily
embracing her own child? And would there be someone beside her, making her own family complete? He wandered down the rows of images until he
reached one he remembered. The celebration back on Naboo. And there he was, standing off to one side, with a much younger Anakin.
What will I tell her? How can I tell her? Obi-Wan wracked his brain for answers. Do I let her find out herself? Would that be the right thing?
Of course not! I now have two to protect, even if she is unaware. The door creaked open again and Padmé peeked out. He realized he had
never seen her wear her hair just as it was, no plaits or head pieces. Just softly curling, rich brown locks flowing down beyond her shoulders.
Did he forget to breathe again? He straightened up swiftly, shaking out his robes so they didn't trip his feet. Noting that no part of her body was
exposed, even though Naboo was in its summer season, only strengthened his sense that she had been violated. Obi-Wan felt his heart was
rent in two. Here he had been, envying Anakin for his ability to be near her, desiring nothing more to be in his place, and instead he had
insisted that he was in the wrong, Anakin should be the one to watch Padmé. He sensed that she had felt more at ease with him. Now he knew
nothing, nothing about that had been right. How could he even begin to bring Padmé's spirit back to life? She was watching him cautiously,
gauging the distance between them. By the Force… was she afraid of him? He smiled warmly at her, making no movement toward her, letting
her come to him at a pace she was comfortable with. Not only was she fully clothed, but nothing revealed her shapely form. Layer over layer
over layer prevented one from knowing exactly how beautiful Padmé Naberrie really was. Her eyes were red, cheeks colorless and her face
was… empty. He would destroy Anakin for this. For harming this fairytale girl he cherished more than anything. All these thoughts of self
imposed solitude were gone from his mind. I love you Padmé. I will live for you. I would die for you. "Obi-Wan-" Padmé's voice cracked as she
tried to talk to him. She tried again. "Obi-Wan, it's nice to see you again. It really is." Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes were not. They looked
grey in the dim light, not her bright, sparkling brown. So slowly she came toward him. No confidence in her step, no sure movement. She seemed
older this way. Too old. Anakin Skywalker had stolen her youth along with her fiery spirit. Obi-Wan promised her silently that he would return it
to her. She would be happy again. She would smile. He would have her laugh. And she would not be afraid of him. He swore deep down in his
soul, she would have nothing less. He remained silent for a moment before answering. "Senator Amidala, is there a place we might sit and talk?"
"Outside, in the garden. It's been a while since I've been out there." He politely offered his arm for her to walk beside him, but she pulled
back. Wrong move. He dropped his arm and bowed slightly in apology. She remained against the other wall, moving a bit faster now as they
approached the stairs leading out to the back gardens. Once they were outside, he made sure she was comfortably seated. Realizing the
damage's full extent, he had to be careful in asking. "Padmé, do you know where Anakin went?" She lowered her eyes. "He went to Tatooine."
A/N: The next few chapters will be shorter and at a slower pace, remember, she's in a very delicate state, and it will take some time to know exactly what happened.
Please R&R!