"What a beautiful bouquet! Padmé, these must be for the Queen. They must be properly screened."
Obi-Wan held an exotic bouquet of sweet-smelling blossoms that she did not recognize. The messenger in front of her was sweating slightly. Obi-Wan frowned, he seemed more nervous than perhaps he ought to be for such a simple delivery.
"E-Excuse me, Madame, but—I was specifically told to give them to you."
Obi-Wan nodded absently.
"I feel nothing malicious from them, but I will take a closer look before I allow them near the Queen."
"No, Madame Jedi," the boy nearly squeaked, "They are for you."
Obi-Wan stared at him blankly.
"Excuse me?"
"Begging your pardon, Ma'am, but I was told very specifically that they were for the Jedi guarding Queen Amidala."
The boy glanced over his shoulder, like he expected something to jump out of the shadows at him.
Obi-Wan swallowed.
"I got a description and everything! You—You have the red bead in your braid—and—"
Obi-Wan held up a gentle hand to stop the boy's babbling.
"It's alright, you have done your job well."
The boy looked immensely relieved and darted off without waiting for a tip.
"I—Thank you!" She called down the corridor before closing the door behind her.
She stared at the white and red blossoms, feeling her cheeks grow hot. A paper tag caught her attention, it read very simply: "For the other night."
She felt her cheeks brighten more, certainly there had to have been some mistake. She jumped when Padmé spoke.
"A secret admirer, Obi-Wan?" Padmé's voice was lightly teasing.
"It certainly appears that way…"
"That poor boy was so nervous."
"Mm." Obi-Wan sat down and stared at the flowers in her hand. They smelled lovely. Her stomach sank and her heart fluttered. There are few people who would scare her as much as the boy looked; he had been ready to wet himself if someone moved too quickly. She frowned heavily. He had sent them. Absently, she reached up to her braid and grasped it, pulling it taught.
"Obi-Wan?" Padmé's voice was concerned now, "This is not just a simple thank you, is it? Is someone threatening you?"
Eager to assuage the other woman's fears, Obi-Wan replied hastily, "No. No. It's—more complex than that. Threats do not worry me."
"Yet this does, my friend. I do not want to pry into your private business, but you are so rarely out of sorts…"
"I saved his life," Obi-Wan said simply, trying not to let the conflict she felt feature so prominently on her face. She deliberately unclenched the hand around her braid and brought it to her side. She was going to break that habit one day.
"You save people's lives regularly. None have sent you flowers that I've seen. It cannot be so simple, or you would not be so conflicted, Obi-Wan."
"You are very perceptive. The Queen is wise to have you on her side," Obi-Wan said.
"You don't need the Force to see when someone is greatly affected by something, especially such a simple gesture. Now stop trying to change the subject," Padmé chided, her hands crossing over her chest. "This isn't just anyone you saved."
"No," Obi-Wan admitted. "Why these flowers? I do not recognize them, and yet…"
Obi-Wan gently prodded Maul's presence in the Force, hoping to glean meaning without his notice. Perhaps he just thought them beautiful; but she did not think he would care enough for that. These meant something to him. They must. The scent was warm and lightly fragrant. She let it fill her nose and she saw something. A cool forest; a small child playing in a shallow pool. The flowers surrounding the glade filled it with the scent, though most looked different than the ones she held. A child's laughter filled the glade and then her vision snapped away.
So the boy listened to me, after all, Maul's voice did not surprise her; she had looked too deep.
This scent. It reminds you of when you were happy.
Obi-Wan felt the soft petals between her fingers as Maul went silent for a moment. She felt trepidation coming from him.
You do not remember your home, Maul said simply.
Her home had always been the temple, but Maul remembered a time before his Master; a time when he had been truly happy. What was he trying to say?
Maul—
"Obi-Wan?"
"Hmm?"
Padmé tilted her head, "I lost you there for a minute."
"I am not sure how much I ought to say," Obi-Wan admitted.
"You had that same expression on your face that you did after—Tatooine."
Obi-Wan looked up sharply, her whole body tensing, feeling Padmé's shock. Her friend's features remained smooth despite her new feelings.
Padmé's shoulders fell and she smiled with a shake of her head.
"Anything else would have been less complicated, yes?"
Obi-Wan frowned.
"I am not certain it could get much more complicated. I—I am not certain I ought to be on the Queen's bodyguard."
"Nonsense," Padmé said sharply and with more authority than she had used before. "You are a Jedi, and I do not think a little thing like your feelings will get in your way, will they? Aren't you trained for this sort of thing?"
Obi-Wan smiled.
"Yes."
"You will do what is right, I have no doubt."
"I am afraid I am not as adept as I thought at telling which path is the right one."
"We are talking about more than love and saving the life of a planetary ruler now."
"Yes. I see these visions. I feel that I am caught up in some great tide that will change the galaxy forever, but I cannot see it well enough to know which path is which."
"The entire galaxy does not rest on your shoulders Obi-Wan. It is up to all of us to direct the future."
"I always thought the prophecy for the chosen one was a little far-fetched as well, but I do think I have some part to play in this that will affect things. More than either of us know."
Padmé pulled Obi-Wan into a hug.
"I know you will make the right choice."
Obi-Wan gave her an exasperated look.
Padmé smirked and put her hands on her hips.
"Let's practice," she gestured to herself and pulled her hood up over her face menacingly. "I am your Assassin lover," she held up her hands like claws. "Are you going to let me kill the Queen?"
Obi-Wan rolled her eyes, "No."
Padmé straightened up, "Then there is no problem, is there? Just keep your work out of your bed, and you'll be fine. Although, if you want to kiss during those intense saber battles, I want you to know that the romantic in me heartily approves."
"You are mad, you know that?"
She shrugged, "You already know you have opposing goals, so he cannot break your heart. Perhaps you ought to take what time you have before you must face each other again…If he is likely to kill or be killed, then it seems the end is inevitable."
Obi-Wan pinched her lips.
"He can't. He can't kill me, and I can't kill him. That is the only reason I lived through our duel on Tatooine. He is a much better duelist than I."
"Well, I think that settles it." Padmé shook her head again in amusement.
"What do you mean?"
"Destiny has spoken, and you cannot fight that. I think you cannot escape this no matter how much you run from it; so don't. Is this the future you fear? One with a broken heart?"
"No. I do not fear my own pain. I— I fear that this connection will override my decisions somehow. That I will not be able to make rational judgements with this weight on me."
Padmé shrugged, "Then don't let it."
"You say that so simply."
"It is what I see the Queen do, sometimes daily. Her people are dying, perhaps even her family, and she stands tall for what is right. You will do the same."
"Master Qui-Gon, taken her trials, Obi-Wan has not."
Obi-Wan could not help but follow when she heard Master Yoda and Qui-Gon speaking as they walked down a quiet hall in the Temple. She knew she would be chastised for such a childish thing as eavesdropping, but they were in public. It was not as though she had her ear to a door.
"She is ready; she will be fine without me, and she will pass the trials. The boy needs training, he is already older than we usually take, I do not wish to waste time."
Obi-Wan tried not to fume quietly at her Master's words; she knew he did not think her a waste of time, in fact, she had just listened to him explain she was ready to move on without him, but that blip of annoyance stuck and would not leave. She felt herself grabbing at her braid and tried to stop herself, but it was grounding to feel the small pressure.
Just breathe, Obi-Wan.
She really ought to just walk away. Overhearing more would not help, but she was so curious to know.
"Listen, you will not. Lost without your guidance she may be."
"Obi-Wan is…" Qui-Gon trailed off.
Obi-Wan could picture the concerned look on her Master's face. She did not need to see it to know his brow was furrowed and his lips were pursed. She knew him well.
"Hmm? Noticed the change finally, have you?"
"She has been more emotional since the dealings with the Sith, but she always keeps herself in-check. It is no more trouble than it usually is."
Emotional? Anxious maybe, but emotional?
Obi-Wan snorted under her breath a little. She knew she was being childish. Qui-Gon did not mean those things as an insult. On more than one occasion he had told her that her empathy was a credit. That it was a good thing. Obi-Wan shook her head and mentally chided herself. She moved to turn away and leave.
"So certain, you are?"
Qui-Gon's hesitation stopped Obi-Wan's feet and she closed her eyes.
"I've never felt hate from her until…And it doesn't make sense when I do feel it coming off of her."
Was Qui-Gon sensing Maul's emotions through her?
"Mmm. Unchanged is her behavior, you say?"
"Yes, she is dependable and level-headed as always. Perhaps that encounter with the Sith rattled her more than I thought."
"Assuredly. Fear she may get lost in this wave without guidance, I do."
"What shall become of Anakin, then?"
Yoda sighed.
"Be your responsibility, he will. Neglect your true apprentice, you will not. A ward only until Obi-Wan has no more need of you."
Bending the rules for Qui-Gon again. Obi-Wan smiled and shook her head wanly; Yoda was worried about both her and Anakin. More than he was letting her see or feel from him. It was probably just to protect her from more anxious thoughts—but it hurt just a bit to hear him say she was not ready to take the trials. And all because of the Sith she couldn't get rid of.
Their conversation trailed in a different direction and Obi-Wan stalked off, more put-out than she ought to be. Her life had been exactly as she wanted, and now Maul—
Obi-Wan.
She felt Maul's presence, even stronger than it had been before. It was strangely comforting, like the vice grip she had on her braid, but also made her want to scream.
Do you mind? Now is not really a good time.
It never is. In any case, it is my prerogative as your enemy to aggravate you at least once a week.
Maul paused.
You are upset. What has sullied your perfect calm, Jedi?
You! You are the problem, she snapped back.
Oh. I am hurt, Obi-Wan. I've never been anyone's problem before. I doubt you mean that as much as you claim, at least this time.
Obi-Wan rolled her eyes at his tone.
What do you want, Maul?
There was silence for a moment. She felt some confusion from him.
Do I need a reason to speak to you, Obi-Wan? When speaking to you is as easy as talking to myself?
A ghost of a finger brushed her cheek, and she tried to ignore it. Maul's statement had come with a wave of affection, surprising her once more.
So you want companionship?
Is that so difficult to believe?
From you? Yes.
She said it, but she did not truly believe it. Maul was obviously lonely, and was constantly under the scrutiny of his cruel master. He was reaching out; to her, because he was lonely. Right? She was just convenient.
You're working yourself up again, Obi-Wan.
She got the impression he was lounging somewhere absurd, like in the rafters above a pool of snakes and was just completely calm about it. She shook her head; he was so flippant about the weirdest things.
Isn't that what you want, to get me to use the dark side by succumbing to my irritations?
His answer surprised her.
Kriff, no.
Maul sent the impression that he was quite pleased with himself and continued.
When you succumb to me, I want you to be entirely in your right mind, Jedi.
Obi-Wan rolled her eyes again, doing her best to ignore the growing sensation of lust from him.
If you keep doing that, they might get stuck up there.
Obi-Wan kept her eyes firmly staring ahead as she tried not to stomp to her chambers. He was so smug. It was irritating. She sighed, she had to be patient. Perhaps if she was boring enough, he might leave her be.
She was about to tell him and his infuriatingly warm presence to shove it, when he surprised her again.
Meet me.
What?
Her next thought was Where? And it was out before she realized it was more than a whim and she stumbled through the rest of her thoughts as she felt her face heat up once more.
Ah, can't take it back, Obi-Wan.
You are childish. I meant—
You want to come, and it is painfully obvious.
She frowned deeply. He was right, she did want to meet him. Padmé's words echoed in her head, and she considered them. She could not be certain if the reason she wanted to see him was actually him wanting to see her. Did that truly matter? She was not going to jump in based on infatuation in any case. She was beginning to understand Master Yoda's cautionary words about their goals merging.
No tricks.
Maul scoffed, then with a fierceness that made her heart thump in an irritating manner, he shot back.
I will not hurt you, Obi-Wan. You mean too much.
She felt her cheeks flush. She would have thought he only meant she was important because her injuries would hurt him, but his words came with such a wave of affection that her heart hurt just to feel it. It vanished suddenly and she could not help but wonder if he was trying to hide it from her. She pushed at his swirling emotions and her heart ached when a wave of desperation crashed over her. She froze, just letting his emotions drown her.
His fears reflected some of hers. She felt the oncoming dread of death. He thought they were going to die, and she did not disagree with the sentiment. Their goals would collide again, and it was guaranteed that they would not be the only combatants in a fight. As she tried to delve further, Maul pulled her out.
That's enough, Jedi, he growled.
Is there really a point in trying to hide it from me, Maul? she asked gently.
I can try.
Stubborn.
I'm not the only one, he said.
Making her decision, Obi-Wan sighed quietly. Perhaps she was following her emotions too closely, but there wasn't really a logical reason why she should not go. She supposed he could carry her off and lock her up somewhere, but that would put them in more danger than before. If he fought another Jedi without her around, the likelihood that they would die went up.
Obi-Wan? he asked.
Where? she repeated, this time intentionally.
His next words chased a surge of elation that she felt down to her toes.