Obi-Wan had thrown himself into his mission following the heartbreaking encounter with Asajj several days earlier. Anakin and Cody especially had noticed how his personality had changed, and not for the better, but neither said anything. Thankfully. The mission, a humanitarian aid project to Ryloth, had gone without a hitch (surprisingly). Normally that would have made Obi-Wan happy, but not this time. With that mission over, he wanted another. Something, anything to keep him busy and not berating himself for what had happened with Asajj.

He was severely disappointed when Master Windu had told him there was no pressing need for him to return to the field just yet. He would be more valuable at the Temple providing distance support and advice to various teams throughout the galaxy.

He'd never felt more useless.

It was on the second day of his impromptu grounding that he tried to reach Asajj through their bond. She may have closed herself off from him, but the bond was permanent. For a brief moment, he thought he'd gotten through. He felt her signature pulse against his…until she snapped the link closed as certainly as slamming a door.

Sorrow threatened to consume him then. "I don't know what to do," he murmured to the shadows of his room.

And when has that ever stopped you before, my young Padawan?

Obi-Wan's head shot up. "Qui-Gon?"

Who else? The unseen voice seemed to brim with laughter. It definitely sounded like Qui-Gon. Your emotions are getting the better of you, Obi-Wan. I'm surprised Yoda hasn't confronted you about it by now.

"I haven't exactly felt like discussing this with anyone, let alone Master Yoda."

Because you feel the need to bear this burden on your own?

"Because it's my fault Asajj-" He quickly cut himself off. Not only was her name painful to say right now, but the entire matter was difficult to give voice to.

Ah, your bondmate. Don't be so surprised. I may be dead, but I still know what goes on in the mundane world.

"Perfect," Obi-Wan scoffed. "Now that makes three Jedi who know about her. That's exactly what drove her away in the first place."

No, what drove her away was your delivery of the news. Qui-Gon's presence grew serious. You know how damaged she is, Obi-Wan. You must think things through more carefully when dealing with someone like Asajj Ventress.

"I know that, Master. I've replayed everything since she first broke into my room in my head, wondering what I could have done differently to protect her from this. But what good is that? The past can't be changed."

No, it can't. So, what are you going to do about it today?

Obi-Wan stood and paced. He really didn't want a lecture right now, least of all from his deceased Master. "What can I do? She told me not to contact her, and she refuses to open her side of our bond to me. I can't go out searching for her; when she doesn't want to be found, she won't be."

I ask again: when has that ever stopped you before?

He nearly shouted in frustration. "What do you want me to do? Go out into the center of the Works and yell for her like calling an animal?"

He couldn't be certain, but he had the feeling Qui-Gon was laughing at him now. I wouldn't go that far; I highly doubt she would appreciate that as well. But you still have her holofrequency, yes?

Obi-Wan stopped pacing. How much of an idiot was he to not have remembered that sooner? "She's probably changed it by now."

Have you even tried it? Silence. I didn't think so. You are a brilliant man, Obi-Wan. I couldn't be prouder of you. But even you can forget such obvious facts every now and then.

Now Qui-Gon was definitely laughing at him. "What if she doesn't answer? It's not been very long since…" He couldn't bring himself to finish that sentence. "She can hold a grudge for a very long time. I doubt she'd even answer."

How do you know if you never try? From what I know of her, she was once consumed by hatred and pain. But then she found you, and vice versa. You've helped her more than you'll ever know, Obi-Wan. But she knows. She's been so alone all her life and now she has you. I highly suspect that she will not give up your companionship so easily, not if it means being alone again.

Obi-Wan stared at the floor, one hand stroking his beard in thought. He let out a chuckle when he realized how foolish he'd been. "You're right, Master, as usual. I just hope you're right about Asajj." Finding his comlink in the folds of his robe, he prepared to open a channel to Asajj's frequency when a sudden thought struck him. "By the way, do I take this little visit as a sign that you approve of our…relationship?"

Obi-Wan, I have only ever wanted you to be happy. The Jedi Code may have its good points, but it seems to forget that those of us who follow its ideals are still sentient creatures with emotions and weaknesses. And love certainly isn't a weakness in itself. Obi-Wan started at the word 'love'. Besides, if I didn't think there was a chance your relationship would overcome something like this I wouldn't be here. Now stop talking to me and call her. You'll know what to say. Oh, and you might want to think about some sort of apology gift for her.

Obi-Wan remained still even after Qui-Gon's presence had faded from his mind. He tried to think, but he couldn't get past his Master's last words. And what did he mean by 'apology gift'? Finally, with what seemed to be a shove through the Force (thanks, Qui-Gon), he activated his comlink and waited for a sign that the other end had been opened.

He almost gave up in despair when a much-missed voice cut through the darkness of his room. "Hello, Kenobi."

He let out an audible breath at the calmness in her voice. At least she wasn't hissing at him. "Hello, Asajj."

A silent beat. "What do you want?"

"I…I'm…" Well, this is going swimmingly.

"Spit it out. Stammering doesn't become you."

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. For everything."

Another beat. "Go on."

At least she was speaking to him, albeit in clipped tones. It was better than agonizing silence. "For not taking as much care as you did in keeping us a secret. For not telling you about Yoda's knowledge of your visits sooner. For dropping the news on you the way I did. I know I can't take back how it happened, but please understand that I thought you had the right to know. I didn't intend to withhold anything from you, especially not this." The weight that had settled in his chest now felt considerably lighter that he'd said it. But an unpleasant tingling had started in his gut when she didn't say anything in response. For a long time. "Asajj? Are you still there?"

"Yeah. I'm here." He let out a breath, but the long pauses were worrying. Finally, he heard her huff, "I've been thinking it over, a lot actually, and I know you did what you thought was right. It's not entirely your fault we've been found out, I suppose. Although you could have done a better job at hiding it."

He smiled at the familiar teasing in her tone at that. "Am I forgiven then?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Kenobi. I'm still peeved about all of this, especially regarding the Skywalker brat."

"I'm just grateful you answered your comm," he breathed sincerely, ignoring the jab at Anakin. "You might make fun of me, but I truly have missed your voice, my darling."

She laughed, a sound that chased away his fears for good. "Of course you have, my dear."

Another long pause, this time unburdened by doubt and tension. "Asajj, when can I see you again?"

"I don't know. I'm still angry with you. And I'm on a job right now." A shuffling whispered through the comlink, the snap of what must have been a power pack into a blaster. "And I've actually got to go now. Target's in sight."

"Wait," he called hurriedly. "Contact me when your job is done. I…have something for you."

He could almost feel her curiosity through the comlink…or was it through the Force? Was she opening back up to him? "So long as it's not a lightsaber through the heart or an invitation for a stay in a Republic prison cell, I suppose I can do that. But don't think you're forgiven just yet, Kenobi."

The link went dead before he could reply. He didn't mind the abrupt end of the conversation. He was just thankful that she had answered and they had talked. It was the first step to healing the rift he had inadvertently caused.

Now the next step was coming up with something to give her as Qui-Gon had suggested. Why he had promised something before actually having it, he didn't know. Must be that I can't stand her being angry with me. Now I know how Anakin feels at the mercy of his emotions.

She contacted him two days later, a smile in her voice; apparently her latest bounty had gone well. They'd agreed to meet in public, in a market several kilometers from both the Temple and the Senate to keep from being recognized. Obi-Wan tried to contain his delight, which wasn't difficult considering he had been given another assignment by the Council. And he was leaving today.

He hurried through the streets, reaching out through the Force to find his bondmate faster. He had to hurry and return to the Temple before he was missed, along with the gift he had taken for her. His anxiousness almost blinded him to the corner shop they were supposed to meet at. Quickly refocusing, he hid himself in the narrow alley and waited. He didn't have to wait long.

"So, I'm here," a voice said to his right. "Make it quick. I've got another job waiting."

Asajj sounded almost bored, her eyes fixed on the half-eaten fruit in her hand. Obi-Wan still smiled at her. "Same here. I just wanted to apologize again-"

"You've done that already. Get on with it."

He didn't take offense to her tone this time; he knew that it was her way of protecting herself from further emotional harm. He couldn't say he blamed her. "Well then, I hope this will earn me a place back in your good graces." He reached under his cloak and unclipped something form his belt. He watched with no shortage of fascination and relief as her expression lost its hardness and her eyes widened in shock. He almost laughed when the fruit fell from her hand to roll away into the shadows.

Asajj's fingers shook as she gingerly traced the curves and lines of the lightsaber. Was this real? It felt solid, but she still couldn't wholly believe that this was truly Master Narec's lightsaber. Obi-Wan had stolen it from her palace on Rattatak when he and Alpha had escaped from her torture. And now he was returning it? Why?

"I had no right to take this, but the Order had no right to keep it. It may not be mine to give back, but it belongs at your side, Asajj. Your Master would want you to have it."

She still hadn't looked at him, all of her attention focused on the shining hilt as she carefully, reverently lifted it from his hand with both of hers. She lowered her head until her forehead touched the beloved weapon as if in worship of some holy relic. Her eyes shone with tears of happiness and speechless gratitude when she lifted them to his. She closed them before the tears could fall. "I…can't take this." She tried to push it back into his hands. "I don't deserve it."

Obi-Wan firmly closed her fingers back over the cool metal, keeping them in place with both hands. "Yes, you do. You've earned it, my darling. Besides, it would be of much better use in your hands than locked away in some vault in the Temple," he added with a small laugh.

Now she met his eyes. Without another word, her arms went around his neck and drew him down into a kiss overflowing with thankfulness and deep affection. Now she reopened her side of their bond. Obi-Wan almost staggered at the surge of emotion from her. Instead he wrapped her in a tight embrace and returned her kiss with enthusiasm.

His heart swelled when he saw the smile on her lips as she pulled away, felt the serenity in her Force signature. Her eyes were filled with light when they fluttered open. "If this was a ploy to get me to forgive you faster… it worked." He kissed her again at those words. Force, he'd missed her taste, her scent, the feel of her body against his. "But don't you ever do something like that again," she said when they separated for breath.

"I assure you I'll do my best to avoid such missteps in the future, my dear," he laughed.

Asajj leaned into the fingers on her cheek for a brief moment before straightening. "I have to go."

"Me too."

Neither moved. Obi-Wan was reluctant to leave the sight of her smile, the joy she projected through the Force. Asajj wanted nothing more than to remain in his arms until the universe ended. But they had duties to attend to, ones that couldn't be ignored for very long.

A final caress of hands and minds and they broke apart. "I don't have to tell you how much this means to me, Obi-Wan."

"I know how much your Master meant to you," he replied softly.

"I meant your stealing from your precious Temple for me. Perhaps you aren't as much of a saint as you like to pretend." She laughed at the stricken look he gave her before a smile turned his mouth up under his beard. "I do thank you, Obi-Wan. Very much."

"You are most welcome, my sweet."

He didn't miss the lightness in her steps as she turned and walked away into the shadows, lightsaber cradled carefully in her hands, nor the lightness in his as he returned to his speeder. Thank you, Master Qui-Gon.

Huzzah! They're alright now! Maybe...

There's a bigger development coming right around the corner ;)