Chapter VI
Obi-Wan awoke the next morning feeling well rested. He showered and dressed in his Jedi attire and met Anakin for breakfast. He kept Anakin engaged in conversation about current events and watched the news on one of the public HoloNet screens that played continuously in the Temple commissary. He did what he could to distract Anakin from asking about his assignment. Anakin had a hard enough time with his emotions as it was. Obi-Wan did not want him to think he struggled with the same.
After breakfast he and Anakin used one of the training rooms to practice balance exercises using physical strength along with the Force. It was always possible that balance could be the difference between life and death and it was vital to master the skill. And even those who mastered it still needed to practice.
When he was ready to leave, he instructed Anakin to have lunch and then head to the lecture hall where Jedi Healer Stass Allie was to give a lecture on force healing minor injuries. Another skill Jedi should know. Not all Jedi had the gift for Force healing, but they were able to be taught how to channel the Force to ease minor injuries, not just for themselves, but for others as well. And since Anakin showed no interest in Force healing whatsoever, Obi-Wan thought it would be a good idea for him to attend the lecture. Obi-Wan was also certain he would return before the lecture was over.
Obi-Wan took a public transport to the lower level and got off near the Cosmic Cove. He entered and approached the bar. Robin was behind the bar stacking glasses that came from the automatic washer in the kitchen. Obi-Wan took a seat and Robin turned around to look at him. "So, you've retuned then," he said.
Obi-Wan nodded then asked, "You work here also?"
"No," replied Robin. "The regular day bar man had another obligation to attend to today and Jamed asked me to fill in for him."
"What can I get you?" he asked Obi-Wan.
"Just a light ale please."
Robin pulled a bottle of light house ale and a cold glass from the cooler. He opened the bottle and poured it in the glass until the head reached the top and then placed the bottle on the bar next to the glass. Obi-Wan was thirsty from the trip and downed the ale in the glass and refilled it with the rest of the ale in the bottle. Robin took the bottle from the bar and tossed it in the recycling receptacle.
Obi-Wan took another sip from his glass and asked, "Is Maddie working today?"
"She only works the day shift once a week. She's on night duty tonight, but she'll be down shortly to help me. I'm a mechanic by trade, not a bar man. I know enough to help out. Maddie helps me with the harder stuff," he explained to Obi-Wan.
"Has Maddie worked here long?" he asked Robin.
"Since leaving school," Robin replied.
"So this is all she's ever done," Obi-Wan stated.
"Well, she does take classes at the University. We both do. Neither of us can go full time. We have to wait until we've saved up enough credits to attend one class. It's not easy. Maddie has to rely on tips. The salary here is too small for savings because it includes the living space upstairs," Robin explained.
"I can see how that would be difficult," Obi-Wan said.
"More so for her than for me, but she never complains," he said.
Robin was now eying Obi-Wan suspiciously. "Come to take her up on her offer then, have you?"
Obi-Wan took another sip of his ale and replied, "No, I'd just like to speak with her."
"She drives a hard bargain. You may want to reconsider," Robin told him suppressing a laugh behind his grin.
"I am a Jedi," Obi-Wan said plain and simply. "Reconsideration is not a possibility."
"Oh yeah, right," Robin said. "You Jedi have rules about that sort of thing, don't you?"
Obi-Wan was beginning to get impatient. He didn't like it when people questioned the ethics of the Jedi. But he stayed calm and answered Robin. "The Jedi live by their code. We make a commitment to the order and to the Force. Duty is our only priority. There is little time or room for anything else," Obi-Wan explained.
"Sounds like a lonely life to me," said Robin
"It is not without its challenges. But as long the Force is with us, Jedi are never alone." Obi-Wan told him.
"Right, the Force. The mystic behind the Jedi. A bunch of wizardry if you ask me." Robin snorted.
Obi-Wan got a bit defensive and said, "I didn't ask you and I don't expect you to understand."
Robin challenged him back, "I have no interest in understanding, Master Jedi."
"Fair enough," said Obi-Wan. He wasn't there to argue the tenets of the Jedi with this man.
Robin saw Maddie turn the corner first and said in his usual playful tone. "Maddie, love, it's about time. I thought you were going to leave me on me own."
"I'd never dream of it," she said with a laugh.
"You have a visitor," his tone was more serious now. He wasn't sure what to make of Obi-Wan and he didn't trust him, even if he was a Jedi.
Maddie saw Obi-Wan seated at the bar and strode up to him. "Master Jedi! You've come back to take me up on my offer, haven't you?" she asked excitedly.
Obi-Wan could feel her excitement in the Force. She was in her uniform and she was standing far too close for his comfort. His feelings began to betray him again and this time, so did his body. He was thankful for his many layers of Jedi clothing. He took in a breath and let it out. He gently held her by her upper arms and moved her back to arm's length. He didn't want her to get any closer. "No Maddie. I cannot take you up on your offer. I am flattered that you find me worthy enough for something so precious, but it just cannot be," he told her sadly.
"Please Maddie," he said almost desperately, "will you help me?"
Maddie had turned away from him and was leaning on the bar. Obi-Wan could feel her disappointment and he felt badly that he was the cause of it.
She laughed but the amusement never reached her eyes. "You may be a Jedi, but you sure know how to be a man," she said to him and shook her head.
"I'm afraid I don't understand," Obi-Wan said.
"Oh, I think you do, Master Jedi. You know how to work a woman to get what you want just like every other man I've ever encountered," she looked down to examine her fingernails so that Obi-Wan would not see just how disappointed she was. She had no idea he could feel it. He didn't need to see it.
He remembered when Jamed said she didn't want another failed relationship. These must be the men she was speaking of. His tactics caused old wounds to reopen. He thought this might cause her to be spiteful now. She still wasn't looking at him so he broke the silence by asking her in his disappointed tone, "Does this mean you won't help me?"
Maddie laughed that sad laugh again and looked at Obi-Wan and said, "Do you really think I could look into those beautiful, defeated eyes of yours and tell you no?"
She embarrassed him once again and he blushed and said, "I was hoping that you wouldn't."
"I'm sorry I've been so difficult." she sighed sadly and pointed to his glass. "What's your poison?" She asked.
Obi-Wan raised his hand to wave her off, "That's not necessary."
"Please," she said, "accept my apology and let me buy you a drink. We'll go out of the way to talk." He raised an eyebrow to her. "To talk, I promise." She made a cross over her heart with her right hand and then raised it to seal the promise.
Obi-Wan smiled and nodded. Maddie looked over at Robin, pointed to Obi-Wan's now empty glass and held up two fingers. Robin retrieved two cold glasses and two light ales from the cooler. While he was tending to the drinks, Maddie turned to Obi-Wan and asked, "So, what's your name?" Obi-Wan realized that she never asked him his name last night and that she probably would have slept with him without ever knowing it.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi," he replied.
"It's nice to meet you, Master Kenobi."
Obi-Wan held up his hand and said, "Obi-Wan."
She looked at him confused.
"My friends call me Obi-Wan. I prefer it." He smiled ruefully and winked at her.
"Obi-Wan it is then." She smiled back at him.
She reached for the glasses and the bottles and Obi-Wan said, "Here, allow me." Maddie gave way for Obi-Wan to retrieve their drinks and turned to move to a booth across from the bar. Robin had been listening to the entire conversation and as Obi-Wan moved for the drinks Robin grabbed his wrist. This could have been a serious mistake for Robin, but Obi-Wan sensed no immediate danger so he let it pass. He did, however, look at Robin's hand on his wrist and with a dangerous look in his eye, looked back at Robin.
"I know I am no match for a Jedi," Robin said in a very low and serious tone, "so I'm going to ask you as nicely as possible not to hurt her."
Obi-Wan's expression softened and he nodded to Robin in acceptance and said, "You have my word." Robin let go of Obi-Wan's wrist and the two stared at each other for a moment. Robin broke the stare and went back to his duties. Obi-Wan took the drinks and walked over to the booth.
It was a rounded booth with a table in the center. Obi-Wan put the drinks on the table and slid in the booth beside Maddie but not too close. She behaved as she promised and stayed where she was.
"Robin cares very deeply for you," Obi-Wan said.
"Yes," she smiled and nodded. "We've been friends a very long time."
"Just friends?" Obi-Wan questioned her.
She started to laugh and said, "You mean last night."
"It's none of my business, really, but your love for each other is more than obvious, why is it that you are just friends?" he asked.
"Ok, I guess you could call us friends with benefits," Maddie emphasized.
"You - mean the - last - night - part," Obi-Wan stammered while waving his finger back and forth.
Maddie laughed and said, "Yes." She went on to explain, "Our friendship goes back a long way. Our parents work in the recycling factory. They've been friends for a long time. We lived in the same sector of the city and Robin and I went to school together. We ran in the same circles and had all the same interests. There was a group of us who were always together and Robin and I always seemed to be at the helm. All of us stay in touch by meeting here once a week for sabacc. They were here last night as a matter of fact."
"I don't think I quite understand," Obi-Wan said.
"Robin and I love each other, yes, but a romantic relationship is just out of the question. We tried that once and it ruined everything. All we did was argue. So, we made a promise to each other to remain friends forever. The benefits part is not as often as you think. We've had exclusive relationships with other people. And it would hardly do to have benefits with your best friend while you're seeing someone else. Besides, Robin is in love with Taleesa. He has been for ages. I tell her she's crazy and missing out a great thing, but Taleesa is holding out for money. She wants to take the easy way to upper level."
"And what about you Maddie? What are you holding out for?" Obi-Wan asked.
She got that sad look in her eye again and said, "The perfect man."
"I'm not sure that exists, Maddie," Obi-Wan told her.
"And here I thought he walked into my life last night." She was trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm afraid you give me more credit than I am worth," he told her.
Maddie looked at him shook her head. "You really don't see it, do you?"
"See what?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Yourself." she said.
Obi-Wan shrugged his shoulders and said, "I am just me, Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"I have seen quite a few Jedi on the lower level, but none that ever looked like you," Maddie started to tell him.
"I'll tell you what I see when I look at you, Obi-Wan," she said. And Obi-Wan listened to her as he wiped the condensation from his glass with his finger. He liked the sound of her voice. "I see a strong, stoic, yet gentle, kind and handsome man. You are all those things rolled up in one, a prince charming so to speak. The dream of little girls everywhere."
Obi-Wan looked at her seriously and said, "You, my young friend, are far too kind. Do not sell yourself short. Prince charming would be lucky to have you." Then he smiled at her and took a sip of his ale and Maddie smiled back and took a sip of hers. She looked up at Robin who was watching them closely and smiled at him to let him know she was ok. Robin nodded to her. A few patrons walked in and he moved on to serve them.
"Maddie?" Obi-Wan asked. "Where is L'mar?"
She sighed and said, "He is on Zeltros."
"Do you know where on Zeltros he is?"
Maddie pulled a data chip from her pocket. "He contacted me a few days ago. Said he wanted me to know where he was and tried to beg me to wait for his return. That conversation didn't end well. The bar's comm station records everything. I don't think he knew that. I don't know why I kept the recording, but the coordinates of the location of the comm station he used on Zeltros are documented on it. You should be able to pinpoint his location from that."
"You didn't know I would back. Why did you have this chip with you?" Obi-Wan asked her as he turned the chip over in his hand.
"I didn't know for sure, but I was fairly certain you wouldn't give up so easily. I'm to understand that Jedi never do," she explained. "Besides," she said, "had you not returned I would have left a message at your Temple."
"Why didn't you give me this information last night, Maddie?"
"Well, first of all I really did want you to stay last night. I had to give it a shot. And second, I promised L'mar when I spoke to him that I wouldn't tell anyone where he was. I didn't want to break a promise." Maddie was beginning to feel ashamed.
"What made you change your mind?" he asked.
"I'm not one who would ever break a promise, but I knew it wouldn't be in my best interest to keep information from the Jedi," Maddie explained.
"No, it wouldn't. Thank you, Maddie," Obi-Wan said.
"You're welcome, Obi-Wan," she replied sadly.
"I really should return to the Temple," he told her as he slid out of the booth. He helped Maddie out of the booth, and when she got to her feet Obi-Wan was still holding her hand. He held it for a moment and caressed the back of it with his thumb and said to her, "Maddie, I feel I must tell you this," he looked from her hand to her eyes. "You are a very beautiful and desirable young woman. You are also intelligent, amusing and kind-hearted." He had no idea what came over him in that moment and he didn't care. He released her hand and put both of his on her tiny waist and pulled her close to him. He was talking very softly to her now. "If this had been another time, another place and under other circumstances, things would have been different. I assure you."
Maddie put her arms around his neck and whispered, "It hardly seems fair Obi-Wan."
"What is that?" he questioned.
"That it's not a different time and place. And that you got what you wanted and I did not," she said.
His lips were a breath away from hers. She closed her eyes in anticipation and he whispered, "You're right, Maddie. It isn't fair." And Obi-Wan closed the space between them and put his lips to hers. She parted hers slightly and Obi-Wan took the invitation and deepened the kiss. His beard felt soft against her skin and her skin was soft under his touch.
After a few moments, Obi-Wan gently broken the kiss and she looked at him with a dazed look in her eyes. He gently pushed her a few inches from him to look at her. She blinked a few times to come back to reality and dropped her arms to her side. She made him a promise and intended to keep this one. He put one hand on her upper arm, used the other one to tuck her hair behind her ear and said, "Thank you again, Maddie, and not just for the information."
She smiled at him and in her mischievous voice said, "The pleasure was all mine, Master Jedi, believe me."
Obi-Wan blushed and smiled back at her.
"I'll never forget you Obi-Wan Kenobi," Maddie told him.
"Nor I you, Maddie." Obi-Wan realized that he never asked for her last name, but it didn't matter now. He had no plans to take this any further, so there was no need to know. Besides, he had taken it too far already. He had no regrets about it though. There was no time for regrets and he'd have no more negative emotions, not on this mission anyway.
Still holding her upper arm, Obi-Wan raised a finger to her and said seriously, "Take care of your Robin, Maddie. Taleesa's rejection has wounded him deeply. Help him to heal."
"I will Obi-Wan. I promise."
"That's my girl," he said with affection in his voice.
"Goodbye, Maddie."
"Goodbye, Obi-Wan," she said as he headed for the door.
"Obi-Wan," she called after him and he turned back to look at her, "may the Force be with you." She was smiling and suppressing a laugh.
He could see she was teasing him and he gave her a deep bow and said, "It is, Maddie, always." He smiled brightly back at her, shook his head and left the bar.
Robin stepped up beside Maddie and put his arm around her, "Are you alright?"
"Never better," she said and turned to put her arms around him. She looked truly happy.
"Are you sure?" Robin asked her.
"I am sure." Maddie reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
They were looking at each other and Robin said, "He's some Jedi."
"Yep, he's some Jedi."
"I'm sorry it didn't work out the way you wanted, Maddie," Robin told her.
"I'm not," she said. "Now that I think about it, it would be worse to sit at home wondering if your Jedi lover will return from his latest mission." She thought for a moment. "Yes, that would definitely be far worse than not having him at all. Besides, there's no use in dwelling on things we can't have, so why bother?"
"Easier said than done, Maddie," Robin said sadly.
She hugged him and said, "Well, easier for some of us. Don't fret Robin. Things will be different one day for both of us. I'm sure of it."
"Well, now that I know you're alright," he returned to his playful self, "what do you say you get a move on, love and clear that table? Patrons are arriving and it wouldn't do to have them sit at dirty tables, now would it?" He tapped her on the behind before he walked back to the bar.
"Robin!" she yelped.
Robin threw his head back and laughed maniacally. He was smiling. He was feeling light-hearted at the moment. He thought about what Maddie said and then thought to himself, "If Maddie can do it, so can I." Besides, he knew she'd always be there for him when he needed her.
Obi-Wan left the bar and did not look back. He flagged an air taxi and headed back to the Jedi Temple. He had a simple mission to complete.
A short epilogue will follow. I'll put it up sometime during the week. Thanks to all who read. I hope at least one of you liked it.
