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Anakin sat on the upper balcony just outside the quarters he shared with Obi-Wan at the Jedi Temple. His long legs were stretched out in front of him and his back was braced against a stone column. A cumbersome control panel was balanced precariously in his lap, connected to a small monitor screen which lay on the balcony floor beside his knees.
He gazed up at passing air traffic, silhouetted by the setting Coruscant sun as he waited, his hands twitching restlessly over the controls. A rapid beeping suddenly drew his attention back to the monitor screen. He grinned and quickly adjusted the controls to make the connection for an incoming reception.
The monitor's screen filled with the image of Padmé, reclining in a sunny antechamber in her palace. She smiled widely as his image appeared to her.
"Anakin! Are you busy? Is this a good time?" she asked quickly, a fleeting look of concern clouding her large brown eyes.
"Yes, Your Highness, this is a very good time," Anakin reassured her.
The young queen's smile brightened. "It's good news then?" Anakin nodded. "Oh Anakin, I could hardly wait any longer to contact you. I've been on edge all morning. Tell me everything!"
Anakin smiled and opened his mouth to speak, but Padmé interrupted him.
"Wait! First, how's your leg?" she demanded.
"It's fine, really. I have a slight limp still, but I've been assured it will disappear in time. I feel good. Strong. I'll be back in the thick of things in no time," he told her and winked slyly.
Padmé shrieked with delight. "Oh, Anakin! That means the Council has decided in your favor! I've been so worried! So tell me what happened! Don't leave out any details!"
Anakin laughed. "It was the most incredible thing!" he exclaimed, catching her enthusiasm. "Obi-Wan and I went to that inquest thinking we were both doomed. We had lost our one and only witness, which also meant we had failed our assigned mission...again. Obi-Wan was certain we were done for as a team. That was his worse fear. It was strange and touching in a way. He was afraid the Council would take me away from him."
"Poor Obi-Wan," Padmé sympathized.
Anakin leaned a little closer to the monitor. "I kept trying to tell him I didn't care what they said, that no matter what, I wasn't going anywhere." The young Jedi paused and smiled with recollection. "Then he reprimanded me and called me a rebellious teenager and told me if I didn't get rid of my attitude before we went in front of the Council, they'd know for sure that he had ruined me." Anakin laughed and shook his head. "He was serious too, that's what was so funny. Needless to say, the Council did not split us up."
"So what happened?" Padmé urged, sitting forward in her chair.
"Oh, get this," Anakin continued, licking his lips. "Obi-Wan received a communiqué from Teira Rure just as we were about to enter the courtroom."
"Teira Rure? Not Saloma?"
"Uh--no. But more on that later," Anakin informed. "She told Obi-Wan that a week after we left, the resistance was able to oust Governor Spiget and new democratic elections were held. Well, Teira Rure won. She's the new governor of Aremont."
Padmé s eyes widened. "If she's governor now, what happened to the charges Spiget brought against you?" she asked, unable to tell anything from the look on Anakin's face.
"Dropped." The handsome young Jedi's eyes twinkled with amusement as Padmé nearly jumped out of her chair in joy. "The Force was with us, that's all I can say. Teira Rure told Obi-Wan she wanted him to know she'd kept her promise to him and had already contacted the chancellor and the Jedi Council to speak on our behalf. So when the Council convened, Master Yoda just gave us a ponderous lecture and Master Windu gave us a tongue-lashing for disobeying a direct order. Then they came to the conclusion all is well that ends well, and sent us on our way."
Lowering her eyes, Padmé grimaced. "But not all is well." She looked back up at Anakin and shook her head. "Saloma hasn't come back yet, has she?"
Anakin frowned and sighed heavily. "No. She hasn't contacted either one of us. Though Teira's communiqué mentioned that Saloma had led many battles against the former regime and proved herself to be a keen and courageous military leader."
"Well, that's wonderful, but I'm sure it didn't make Obi-Wan feel any better," Padmé put in, her tone edged with criticism for the woman responsible for breaking her friend's heart. "How's he doing?" she asked quietly.
"Outwardly, he's fine, but I know he's just keeping up appearances. I can tell he thinks about her alot. He's functioning, you know, but not really living." Anakin paused and leaned back on the column. "Like the way I am when I'm not near you."
Padmé blinked up at him and blushed prettily. "Me too," she whispered. "Sometimes you seem so far away. Too far away. I look up at the stars in the night and search for you there. When I see your light sparkling in my sky, it's like you're here watching over me."
Anakin sighed wistfully and crossed his arms over his chest. He gazed deeply into her eyes and offered her a shy smile. "When you sit like that in the sunshine, the way you are now, and you feel its rays warming your skin and the breeze ruffling through your hair, I want you to think of me reaching out to touch you. That way, I'll always be near you, Padmé. Day or night, keeping watch."
The young queen turned her head and wiped discreetly at her eyes. When she faced Anakin again, she stretched out her arms and leaned her head back until her face was fully washed in sunshine and closed her eyes.
His heart pounding inside him, Anakin watched her, entranced, as she slowly drew her arms in and hugged herself. Then she opened her eyes, looked directly at him, and smiled adoringly.
***
Saloma fidgeted with the "limited access" pass she had attached to her uniform as she followed the child into a vast and beautiful garden. The canopy of stars above were not the actual view from the skylights, but a filtered, digitally enhanced version of what Coruscant's night sky would look like minus the artificial lights and air traffic.
The child, a boy of approximately four, dressed in the same kind of off-white tunic and pants outfit the older Jedi wore, led Saloma down a well-worn path beside a bubbling stream and past a clearing to a small rocky alcove. He paused and looked back at her, then pointed into the darkness just ahead.
"There. Can you see him? He is there," the young Jedi directed.
Saloma squinted. Her heart began banging heavily against her chest. At first she couldn't make out anything in the thick shadows, but then he moved and looked up and seemed to be looking right at her.
Swallowing hard, Saloma thanked the boy and sent him on his way.
She watched him approach her. He walked purposefully with a long graceful stride. The hem of his mahogany-colored cloak glided over the ground behind him. Suddenly Saloma wanted to run into his arms, but found she could hardly breathe, let alone move. She had forgotten how handsome he was, and when he said her name, her insides melted.
"Saloma....at first, I thought my eyes may be deceiving me," he was saying. He stopped a short distance in front of her, looking her slowly up and down. "You look wonderful. And doing well, I've heard. You're an officer now. Congratulations....It's so good to see you again."
"Obi-Wan," she said and sighed. "....You look good too. I see you grew a beard again."
Lowering the hood of his cloak, the Jedi nodded. "It doesn't play to a Jedi Master's advantage to have a 'boyishly winsome' face," he said and grinned.
Saloma's mouth fell open in surprise. "Super nova, you actually remembered me saying that about you?"
Obi-Wan lowered his eyes briefly. "I remembered everything," he told her with utmost sincerity, then realized how pathetic that made him sound. He gnawed his upper lip, suddenly feeling very awkward. All of a sudden, he didn't know what else to say to her. He took a deep steadying breath and pretended to study some of the flora adorning the garden.
"It's very pretty here," Saloma announced, breaking the stretch of silence that had descended over them. "Do you come here often?" She took a tentative step closer to him.
The Jedi nodded. "It's peaceful. It's a good place to meditate. And just think things through," he told her, then frowned deeply. "I must admit, your visit has caught me a little off guard. Please, forgive my lack of manners. We can go inside where I'm sure you'll be more comfortable. I could show you around if you'd like, or if you're hungry, we could get something to eat. Or we could go to my quarters--I mean, for tea or just to sit and talk or something."
Obi-Wan cursed mentally. He absolutely hated feeling so uncomfortable around her; a woman he had been intimately involved with only a month ago. But he couldn't help it. He didn't know what was appropriate anymore. They were talking to each other like acquaintances instead of the lovers they really were. Had things changed that much between them already?
Saloma's heart twisted hearing his thoughts. He was right. They had suddenly become strangers, keeping each other at a respectful distance. She didn't like it any more than he did, but wasn't sure how he would react if she commented on what he was thinking. He knew she could hear him, but he often unintentionally continued to think very private things at times.
Another long period of silence was followed by coy glances and nervous chuckling.
"This is pitiful," Saloma finally spoke up. "We were more chatty and animated when we first met." She took another step closer to him. "It's not like we're enemies... are we?"
"No," Obi-Wan responded immediately. He bowed his head and joined his hands behind his back. "I don't understand why this is so hard. I never pictured our reunion this way."
An image flitted through his mind which made Saloma blush and smile. Luckily he didn't notice her reaction to it. At least now she knew he was still interested in her that way. Encouraged, she decided to provoke him.
"I heard about the outcome of the inquest. I'm sorry I didn't make it back here sooner, but as it turned out, you didn't need me anyway," Saloma stated, and licked her lips apprehensively. "A new position had just opened up in Teira's reformed political circle and she thought I would be interested in accepting it. We had to hash out the details and formalities first and it took a little longer than either one of us had anticipated, you know how that goes."
"Yes."
"So, I thought I'd stop by and see you before I have to report for duty. It'll be pretty hectic for awhile until I can get all the kinks smoothed out. I'm really looking forward to it, however. It's a great opportunity for me as well."
"I'm very pleased to hear that," Obi-Wan said, not sounding particularly pleased. "You have my best wishes for success."
Saloma sighed heavily and lowered her eyes. "Thank you." He hadn't responded to her news the way she had hoped he would. The Jedi sensed a feeling of deepening sadness within her and thought perhaps it was because she felt as frustrated by this impenetrable distance between them as he did.
"Saloma...."
"Yes?" she said, looking up.
Obi-Wan sighed and quickly looked away, unable to think of anything to say now that he had her attention. His eyes fell on a white pelledia moon blossom just beginning to open on the edge of the path where he was standing. He plucked it with a sweeping movement of his hand. He buried his nose in the center of the flower, smelled it sweet, heady scent, and smiled. Then he slowly offered it to Saloma.
Surprised and caught off guard by the unexpected romantic gesture, Saloma fixed her eyes on the blossom and hesitantly stretched out her hand to accept it from him. Their fingertips touched briefly and Saloma felt her heart skip a beat. She looked up into his eyes, a sudden powerful swelling of desire surfacing inside her.
Saloma knew he had sensed her unguarded response to his touch when his eyes darkened with curiosity, then his open expression suddenly reflected his pleasant surprise.
The physical contact had been small, but Saloma's intense reaction to it startled the Jedi. In that brief instant, he had felt her sensuality stir. She had not given him any indication of still feeling this way about him until now. A flicker of hope warmed his heart. Intrigued, Obi-Wan took another step closer to her.
As if conducting an experiment, Obi-Wan reached out and brushed his knuckles softly over her left cheek. Her reaction to this deliberate touch was even more intense. Encouraged, the Jedi decided to take it one step further.
Awash with anticipation, Saloma bit her lower lip and closed her eyes, then whimpered delicately. She held her breath, waiting and hoping. Then she felt his hands slide around her back. The pressure of his arms tightened around her waist as he drew her up against him.
Saloma looked up at him. His crystalline blue eyes glittered with longing and he moistened his lips with the tip of his tongue. Slowly, he bent his head towards her and pressed his lips softly to hers; tentatively at first, as if half expecting her to pull away. Closing her eyes in ecstasy, Saloma encircled his neck with her arms to encourage him, and enticingly opened her mouth wider to deepen the kiss.
Obliging her subtle demand, Obi-Wan slipped his tongue between her teeth and sank his lips deeper against her mouth. His hands caressingly roved her back. It felt so good to touch her and hold her again. The awkward distance between seemed to disappear and the time they had spent apart faded away. Their bodies were melding together in the heat of their undeniable passion just like before--never to be separated again. Then it hit him. They would be separated again.
He suddenly began to wonder if it was wrong of him to kiss her; to inflame the desires they shared all over again. Saloma wasn't protesting now, but he knew she didn't like him to touch her whenever they were inevitably parting. She always said it made it too difficult for her. He abruptly pulled away from her and stepped back.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly, dropping his eyes to the ground, feeling as if he had just taken advantage of her.
Saloma swore softly. Her lips were tingling and her head felt as if it was swirling in a slow wide circle somewhere above her amidst the tops of the trees. She inhaled the crisp night air to clear her mind.
"How dare you apologize for that," she growled, clutching the pelledia flower protectively to her chest. "That's rather insensitive of you, not to mention down right rude."
Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes as he stared back at her and placed his hands on his hips. "Insensitive of me? I apologized because I was being sensitive."
"Well, if you don't mind me saying, your senses are slightly off kilter, Master Kenobi. A Jedi should have been able to sense pleasure in that kiss, not remorse. My pleasure, but apparently your remorse. Did I give you any indication that I was sorry you were kissing me? I don't think so." Saloma turned her back on him and stomped her foot in frustration. "Damn you, why do you have to make things so complicated?"
Obi-Wan stalked over to her and spun her around to face him. "Oh no you don't!" he warned. "You are not blaming me again for your bipolar convictions. If you want to leave, leave! If you want to stay, then stay! One reckless kiss should not affect you that much either way."
"What are you talking about?" Saloma hissed, exasperated.
The Jedi took a deep breath before he continued. "You had just told me you were leaving. I realized it was wrong of me to toy with what I was sensing when I touched you because you always seem to think I'm trying to deviantly coerce you to change your mind, when in fact it's only because I love you and I can't seem to resist touching you. You seemed to want it as much as I did and I've missed you so much....but I don't want to make things complicated for you, that's why I realized I shouldn't have kissed you, and that's why I apologized!"
Saloma held up her hands to halt his raving. "Wait a minute. You're jumping to all kinds of conclusions. What makes you think I'm going anywhere? I never said I was leaving, or even thinking about leaving. As a matter of fact, I just got here, but if this is the kind of welcome I get, well, maybe I should just reconsider this ambassadorship and ask Teira to find me a job somewhere across the galaxy. And for your information, reckless or not, those soft, sultry kisses of yours turn me inside out and set me ablaze like newborn star. Affect me? Oh yeah."
Obi-Wan's heart had stopped. "Ambassador?"
Saloma stared up at him, a mischievous smile slowly brightening her face. "Yes. You're looking at Aremont's new ambassador to Coruscant." She started to laugh as the Jedi's eyes suddenly lit with realization. "I didn't want to tell you right off," she continued, "I wanted to see if anything had changed between us. I have to admit, I was a little concerned at first. But now it's obvious, nothing's changed. Our passions still burn and our personalities still clash. Same as before."
Obi-Wan suddenly seized her and crushed her to him in a smothering hug. He eased his grip just enough to cover her face with kisses and then hugged her again.
"No. Not the same as before," the Jedi countered gently. He pulled back and gazed deeply into her eyes. "I love you," he whispered. "I promise I won't be so negligent this time, but I won't become possessive or domineering either. I shall graciously accept whatever part of your life you are willing to offer me...Do you think you could do the same for me?"
Saloma smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. "I love you too," she sighed and stroked the side of his face. "I understand what you are saying and the answer is yes. I promise I won't be so demanding of your time and attention. I know you still have other important commitments, and I will too, but I'll be here, close to you, beside you whenever possible. If you can be content with that, so can I."
Obi-Wan took her hand and kissed it. "We'll just take it one day at a time."
"Ah yes. Live in the moment!" Saloma said and laughed. "Let me tell you, that has become one of my favorite sayings. And right now, at this moment, I feel like celebrating."
The Jedi smiled and nodded. "A welcoming celebration would certainly be justifiable. Allow me the privilege of escorting you, Ambassador. Where would you like to go? What would you like to do? All of Coruscant lies at your feet."
Reaching up to trace the curve of his ear with the petals of the moon blossom, Saloma pretended to think long and hard. She inconspicuously slipped her hand around his waist and slowly let it slide down over the firm muscle of his rearend.
"You had mentioned something about taking me to your quarters before, for tea, or something..." she purred. "You know, that sounds rather appealing."
The Jedi shifted his weight, moving beneath her provocatively placed palm. "I get the impression you have an idea of just where 'tea at my quarters' may lead."
"Mmm, think of it as a way for us to reconcile our differences. After this last little spat we just had," Saloma suggested, "I think I need a little reassuring. And you're so very good at... reassuring me."
Obi-Wan inhaled sharply. At this rate, he didn't know if he could wait until they got all the way across the temple to his quarters.
"Is that why you pick fights with me all the time?" he asked, taking her hand to lead her to a secluded clearing that he knew of deep within the garden.
Saloma stared back at him with mock indignation. "Oh, absolutely," she confessed and then smiled impishly.
END
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