Mace was getting really tired of this.

The Chancellor had simply insisted that the Jedi make a statement in regards to the capture of Ventress, and the ransom Dooku had offered so quickly. And, of course, Mace Windu had been the one sentenced to face the relentless crowds of reporters who wouldn't live until tomorrow unless they got some sort of conference.

"Alright, next question!"

Dozens of aliens were suddenly raising their hands, eager for attention. Mace pointed out a female Twi'lek sitting in the middle of the first row. "Yes?"

"Rumor has it that Ventress has killed many, many Jedi before. Will you be punishing her for this in any way?"

"Of course not," Mace said angrily, his nostrils flaring in his attempt to control his temper. "We are Jedi, keepers of the peace: we do not resort to such atrocities as torture or revenge. Next question." A male Zabrak in the back was chosen.

"What do you make of Dooku's eagerness to regain Ventress?"

"Next question."

A female Zabrak in the middle of the crowd.

"Rumors have been circulating that Dooku is holding several Jedi of his own. Are these rumors true?"

"We investigated each and every disappearance of our own," Mace said tiredly, "and we are still working on the cases involving Dooku. Next question."

Out of the clamor, a Bith.

"General Grievous has threatened to march on the Temple if Ventress is not returned to the Separatists in due time. What do you make of this?"

"The ravings of a lunatic. Next!"

"Jedi Master Coleman Kcaj was on the scene when Ventress first arrived, as were several other members of the Council. Can we get a statement from one of them?"

"I'm still here."

"We were hoping for a few different eyewitness viewpoints."

Mace sighed, and stepped back to where Shaak Ti, Chancellor Palpatine, Yoda, and Agen Kolar were waiting. "Yeah, I can't do this," he muttered. "Sorry, Chancellor, but someone else is going to have to take over from here."

Palpatine hardly seemed surprised. "Well, Master Ti?" he asked. "You're incredible with placating crowds-if you please…?"

Shaak Ti barely sighed, but Mace caught it through the Force. She marched up to the podium where Mace had just been standing, and gestured vaguely at the edges of the seats. The male Zabrak in the first row took that as his cue. "The Count has just let it leak to the Holonet that if Ventress has returned to him tomorrow, he will release all of the Jedi he holds hostage!"

Shaak Ti froze. She wasn't sure what to make of this statement. "How do you know this?" she asked, stunned that someone would be so bold. How was this alien getting feed from the Holonet when he was sitting here, right in front of her? Or had this happened hours ago, and they just didn't catch the broadcast-?

"The broadcast was just made minutes ago; I am listening to it right now-!"

Shaak Ti felt her heart suddenly fly into her throat. She swallowed it down again, and tried to remain calm. "I cannot comment on that area of the situation," she said, sounding slightly faint with the shock. She didn't dare turn around to see what the rest of the Jedi were making of this; she didn't have to. She was sure they were as shocked as she was. She pointed out a male Togruta in the middle of the crowd.

"As Ventress attempted an escape yet?"

Heh. Yet. I can see why, though. "No, not yet."

And the questions kept coming. "What was it like when you first saw Ventress where she belongs?"

"Next question. That one doesn't make sense."

"As a Council member, you are privy to just about everything that goes on in the Order. Can you tell us when the next Separatist-Republic clash will be?"

"When we hand over Ventress and Dooku shows up with fake money."

"Have you dealt with Ventress personally either before and during this?"

"Thankfully, no. She's a ticking time bomb."

"I have two questions. First, what is your personal view of Master Kenobi's actions?"

"He acted like a true Jedi, and I stand by his actions one hundred percent. Your other question?"

"Will you sign my arm?"

"Ew. No."

"Where is the exchange taking place?"

"Next question!"

Agen came up behind Shaak Ti, getting her attention with a hand to her shoulder. Shaak Ti turned slightly, relieved that someone else was taking over. "Time to split," he whispered. "We're getting a transmission of the Holonet from Palpatine's guards, and if any of them are listening, it's going to get messy."

"How messy?"

"Like, Dooku is showing holograms of all the Jedi Grievous captured for him messy."

"Oh, that's bad." Shaak Ti turned to address the masses once again, announcing, "Alright, that's it for today. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!"

Shaak Ti practically sprinted off the scene.

Mace met her at the entrance to the room. "Hey, that was genius," he said, shaking his head. "Mixing the truth with a little humor. Perfect. Now, we need to get live feed of the Holonet broadcasts. If Dooku is making a move, we need to know about it first!"

Shaak Ti nodded once, and she and Mace took off for the Temple.

OOOOOOOOOO

She couldn't control it.

He couldn't control it.

She was spiraling up.

He was spiraling down.

She was unaware of the fate that awaited her.

He knew full well what loving her meant.

Ventress finally gave in. She slunk closed to Obi-Wan, sitting down against his side, curling up, and putting his head down on his shoulder. Obi-Wan wasn't entirely sure what to do; she just sat there, rather dejectedly, hands still in his, just enjoying his presence. Now that they had admitted it to themselves and each other, it seemed so much better. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off their shoulders. But, a new one would soon take its place. Now came the hiding phase. And Obi-Wan' wasn't sure which he would rather take: denial, and life apart, or very infrequent, secret meetings that he doubted could last longer than fifteen minutes at a time. Obi-Wan heaved in a deep breath; Ventress felt his shoulders rise and fall, and glanced up at him.

"What?" she said softly, barely moving.

"No, just…just thinking."

Ventress smiled softly. "I don't like to think when I'm under pressure. It just makes it so much worse, because you're trying to do everything at once. I just let my instincts take over, because even if it doesn't work, I'm almost guaranteed to live."

Obi-Wan shrugged slightly; only one shoulder moved, due to the extra fifteen pounds on his opposite shoulder. "I guess that's one way of seeing it," he said slowly. "But, you do know we are going to have do something about this?"

"It's either denial, or hiding it. Pick one."

"That's actually what I was just thinking about."

A whisper in the Force warned them; Stass Allie was coming back. As the doors to the apartment cycled open, Ventress shot away from Obi-Wan, situating herself on the far end of the couch. Obi-Wan scooted away from her just as Allie walked in; the two had kept talking, mostly about nonsense, to make it seem like Allie had walked in on a conversation.

"Master Allie," Obi-Wan greeted pleasantly. "You're back!"

"Council meeting," Allie said. "And before you get mad at me for not telling you, I couldn't. You're the only who can keep her under control."

Ventress blinked once. "Excuse me?" she said incredulously. "I am not some dumb animal who is being contained for rabies quarantine, I am not for controlling-!"

"She means keep you from destroying the entire temple with whatever you can find here," Obi-Wan said tiredly. "And even you must admit, it's a fairly valid concern."

"I can make a bomb of corn, flour, water, and a jar."

"Case in point!"

Ventress flashed Allie a devilish smirk. "So," she said pleasantly, "the meeting. Are you gonna let me have a last meal before I get shot on the roof?"

"You aren't dying," Allie said with a tired sigh. Obi-Wan could sense her discomfort as she responded. "We are making contact with Dooku to discuss where we will make the trade."

"Somewhere public, so you can't pull a fast one on me."

"Ah, hey! We're not Sith!"

"But you would!"

"Well maybe Kit would, but no one else would!"

Obi-Wan stood up, and turned to Allie. "A word?" Allie nodded, and the two took several steps away from Ventress. The Rattataki female returned to her earlier position of staring out the window and brooding, and Obi-Wan could practically hear the thunder rumbling on the horizon. "So, what can't you tell me in front of her?"

"Besides everything?" Allie snorted. "Okay, until Dooku can make a date for us to transfer her and the money, we want you to kind of…try to weasel information out of her. Obviously, she responds to you: she might tell you something."

Obi-Wan sighed slowly. He hated to do this to Ventress; he really did. But it wouldn't be easy to just lie and say she didn't want to talk…oh, well. He would have to put some thought into this. "Alright," he whispered. "I'll see what I can do."

"Hey, check this out!"

Ventress's voice cut through Obi-Wan and Allie's conversation. Both Jedi turned around to see Ventress holding a small Holo-projector, watching as the news played out. "How did she manage to get a hold of that?" Allie hissed. Obi-Wan shrugged.

"Guess she had it on her when we brought her in."

"Impossible. I searched her, and stripped her of all forty-some knives and all communications devices. Is it yours?"

Obi-Wan stopped, staring at the palm-sized projector. "It might very well be."

"Hey, shut up! It's about me!"

Now, she had their attention. Obi-Wan dismissed Ventress's disrespectful words, rushing over to the couch where she was sitting and practically falling down next to her. Ventress shifted so she was sitting straight on the couch, and then Allie sat down on the other side. A hushed silence fell over the room as the news broadcast paused; then, it returned again.

"This footage, which the Separatists released minutes ago was taken several hours previously, and shows the Separatist commander himself, General Grievous, bringing in another Jedi prisoner. Clearly, these Jedi have given up. But, Dooku has just reintroduced hope to them, by offering the Jedi on Coruscant all of these nine Jedi in exchange for Ventress's recovery by standard noon tomorrow! We are still awaiting contact from the Jedi in response to the Count's offer. In other news, Grievous has struck a crippling blow against the Republic by striking at Hoth, which held a key military base-"

Ventress switched off the projector, sighing as she handed it to Obi-Wan. "This is yours."

Obi-Wan stared at her incredulously. "How did you-?"

"While you were sitting here, I kinda snatched it from you…"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "And me, thinking there might just be a shred of good left in you…"

Ventress gave him an impish grin, and a wink. Allie didn't see; she was sitting right behind Ventress, so all she saw was the tattooed back of the Rattataki's head. Obi-Wan shook his head, but Ventress could see the smile playing at his lips. "So, why does he want me back anyway?" Ventress asked, pulling her feet up to rest of the edge of the couch. She pulled her knees up to her chest, and then rested her arms across her knees. She leaned forward, placing her chin atop her forearms. "Any idea whatsoever?"

"None," Obi-Wan said. "Unless, Allie, you found out something at the Council meeting?"

Allie shook her head. "No," she said. "This is all completely new. I think he's concerned you'll spill."

Ventress snickered, as if mocking the notion. "Please," she said. "The day I spill information to Jedi will be the day Grievous leaves flowers on a grave."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Allie asked, trying to remain calm, despite the barb that Ventress had expertly slid underneath her skin.

"You don't torture. You'll never get anything out of me."

Allie outright laughed at this. "We just do it humanely," she promised, patting Ventress's shoulder in a mockingly affectionate manner. She stood up, and moved towards the kitchen. "I'm getting something to drink. You want anything?"

"No, thank you," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head.

"Something insanely strong," Ventress muttered. "Something so strong that I won't even be conscious after I chug it."

"If you get drunk, I swear-" Obi-Wan was cut off by Ventress's less-than-wonderful response.

"It'll be on your head. You let me have it."

"I was going to say you might be easier to deal with."

Ventress's glare could through stone, she swore. But somehow, it couldn't cut the mere clouds that were Obi-Wan's eyes. She was subdued in a moment.

Obi-Wan sighed softly, standing up and glancing at Ventress. "Just behave?" he whispered to her. "For me?"

Ventress smiled slightly. "Only for you," she whispered in return. Obi-Wan smiled for real this time, and looked over his shoulder. Allie was standing in the kitchen area with her back to them, getting the drinks, and so, Obi-Wan decided to risk it. He leaned down, sliding his hand under Ventress's chin and lifting her face to his.

Their lips met.

The kiss was barely there, as they weren't daring to risk it by going further with Allie barely ten feet away. But still, it was a kiss, and Ventress felt like melting into a puddle of goo right then and there. Obi-Wan could feel the tingle where he had touched her, and gave her a soft smile as he left the apartment. Ventress was completely dazed, having been transported to her own personal heaven. If that was any hint of how he really kissed, well! She might just have to get him alone!

"Hey, you okay?"

Ventress snapped out of her daydream, glancing over at Allie and accepting a tall glass from the Jedi. "Yeah," she said slowly. "Just thinking…"

"Don't hurt yourself."

Ventress considered throwing the glass back at Allie, but then decided against it. She wasn't losing whatever alcohol was in there. She threw the entire glass back with barely two swallows, feeling the incessant burn of alcohol as it raced into her system. "Damn, you know how to knock me out," she said, leaning back and closing her eyes. "Well, give me five minutes and I'm out. Where am I sleeping?"

"Right here, on this couch."

"Good, because sleep will come in four minutes exactly."

A/N: And you know it would happen. XD Okay, maybe not, but I decided to have a little fun with this chapter. I might edit it later, but for now…I figured we could all use a little bit of a break from the horrors of-zOMG!-ROMANCE!! Review, please. :D