Rhea

After having spent the day tangled in one another's embrace it's almost sunset by the time we make it to the street my family home is on, walking through the city together for the first time together since all those years ago. I know it certainly brings back memories for us both.

"Well, this is certainly a lot more lively than how we found it," he says and squeezes my hand since there's no one here to recognise him. "I dare say they have their general to thank for that."

"Well my sister would say it's far more militarised thanks to their general," I chuckle knowing that when she agreed to it that an army wasn't what she had in mind. "But I've managed to scare away anyone else from invading."

"I did hear that," he tells me. "I remember watching the announcement on the holo news that Naboo had passed a bill to create a reservist army." I look at him in intrigue as he adds "Well more specifically I was watching you."

I'm blushing now. "I had hoped somewhere you would be."

He brings the back of my hand up to his lips as we step out of sight beneath one of the bridges. "I always was whenever I knew there'd be an announcement from Naboo, I could always count on you being by Padme's side with a blaster on your belt along with the saber, always a deadly sort of beautiful."

"A deadly sort of beautiful?" I repeat in astonishment, having been utterly ill prepared for his newfound way with words. "Obi-Wan, I must say you've somehow only become more charming in the past ten years."

"I should hope so considering what we were doing in that field," he says with a teasing grin as he adds "And in the cockpit."

"We used to have more self control than this I'm sure," I laugh despite knowing very well we did not. "As it seems age does not make you wiser."

"You my dear were the wise one, I was not," he reminds me and I kiss his hand now in quiet reassurance.

"We're here now, as unwise as this may be," I admit, both of us knowing it. "But you can't tell me it doesn't feel right."

"Nothing has felt more right," he says and dares to pull me closer. "I can't explain it, but it's the same as it was ten years ago yet more. This deep knowing but only deeper."

"And you could say we would be unwise to deny it," I say, using my own twisted logic to justify this for us and he goes along with it.

"We would be," he says as I point down the street.

"Here, this is my family's house."

"Do you think they'll know where Padmé chose to stay?"

"They should if she isn't there," I say, half expecting her to be here with our family considering Dormé and her other handmaidens have remained on Coruscant as her decoys. "She needs to know that she's leading the opposition against a Republic Army that's already been created."

"With two hundred thousand units and a million more on the way," he sighs, swinging our joined hands like we're young again, safe with the anonymity he has here on Naboo as we come around the corner. "I'll be letting you explain that to her, my sweetheart."

I smile at his endless terms of endearment and warn him "Now I know this is quite soon to be officially meeting my family."

"Really?" he teases. "And by soon you mean a few hours after we-"

"Made love," I finish for him, taking pleasure in the blush in his cheeks now. "Be warned my dear, they'll be all over you and trying to convince me to sign a marriage certificate then and there." He laughs as if I'm joking and I quickly elaborate "Arranged marriages are common on Naboo amongst the aristocracy, my parents were going to be in one until they actually fell in love so don't doubt they'll try it, they've already tried to talk me into one before."

He just raises a teasing eyebrow. "Well, better us than Anakin and Padme."

I blush at those words, stealing a kiss around the corner of the house like lovesick kids before letting go of his hand. "Come on."

We walk up the steps to my childhood home, well, even if I was absent for nearly ten years of that childhood. The door opens before I can reach it and my nieces run out squealing.

"Ryoo!" I smile, picking up my niece. "Pooja!"

I manage to pick them both up, one on each hip and far bigger than I remember, smiling as I present them to Obi-Wan.

"These are my darling nieces," I tell him. "Ryoo and Pooja."

"Hello there," he smiles and the girls are just happy to have visitors.

"This is aunty Rae's good friend Obi-Wan," I tell them as I haul them inside, nodding for Obi-Wan to follow as I set them down and we walk into the kitchen where Sola is helping Mom prepare dinner.

"Rhea!" Sola exclaims in surprise, hugging me. "We'd seen Padmé but had no idea you were coming."

"Neither did I," I say and Mom much to my surprise hugs me, Dad coming into the room to see what the fuss is.

"Well it's been long enough," he says gruffly before softening up and then Obi-Wan comes in, towering over the lot of us.

"Who is this Rhea?" Sola asks eyeing Obi-Wan, not recognising him from the invasion not that I can blame her, a beard and hair longer than a blade of grass can change a man's appearance drastically even if he's still the same bright eyed soul.

"This is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," I say reintroducing him to my family. "Obi-Wan, this is my mother Jobal and my father Ruwee. You met briefly in the aftermath of the invasion."

"Hello," Obi-Wan chimes with that classic charm, shaking their hands, both of them looking quite impressed. "Your home is lovely."

From the look my parents share it's clear they're already getting ideas, and who couldn't be completely enamoured with Obi-Wan, meanwhile Sola who is utterly aware of who he is stands there with a slightly open mouth as I make introductions.

"And this is my sister Sola."

I give her a warning look to keep her mouth shut and she gives me a surprised look in return before greeting him. "Master Kenobi."

"Hello there," Obi-Wan says to her and smiles down at my nieces as Mom ushers him into the dining room.

"Come sit, eat, you're just in time for dinner," she says, putting food on the table. "Shiraya knows what trouble my daughter's dragged you into."

"While it seems to find her I can assure you she's not the culprit," Obi-Wan admits while I debate the truth of that and even he reconsiders those words upon saying them. "Well, partly."

Mom sighs before looking at me properly and gaping "Are those bruises?"

"We had a bumpy trip," I say brushing off her concern as we sit down. "Padmé isn't here?"

"She was here a few days ago," she tells me, raising her eyebrows excitedly. "With a boy."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan says in relief, glad to have some news of him. "My apprentice."

"First Padmé brings a Jedi home and now Rhea," Sola muses as she sits down beside me. "You two do have a type."

"Sola," I scold, while Obi-Wan keeps a perfect poker face, amused. "We are on a political mission-"

"Yes, yes, we heard the same story from Padmé but I'm not blind," she says openly teasing me and I'm a little concerned they're comparing Obi-Wan and I to Padme and Anakin considering what we were just doing. "At least you got the better of the two."

I can feel Obi-Wan's satisfaction as he flashes a charming grin, rightfully chuffed. "I'm flattered."

"Sola stop teasing your sister," Mom calls out as she brings over another plate. "You scared that other poor boy enough, we'll be lucky if Padmé ever brings him home again."

"Don't worry, there is very little you can do to deter Anakin when it comes to Padmé," Obi-Wan remarks, them not knowing the half of it. "Did he behave himself?"

I give Obi-Wan a look, mouthing "old Ben" and grinning at ever the concerned master.

"He seems like a fine young man," Dad says as he sits down leaving Obi-Wan pleasantly surprised, or rather utterly stunned, that someone would describe Anakin that way and now decides to give Obi-Wan the same interrogation he would have no doubt given Anakin. "And how old are you?"

"Thirty five," Obi-Wan answers, six years older than me, but I'm hardly worried considering they like Anakin. I may have been Anakin's age when I met Obi-wan but well, considering he was a padawan at twenty five I feel that cancels out any concerns over age. As much as I adore him he was a late bloomer. "I first came to your daughter's acquaintance during the invasion."

"Ah that's right," Dad remembers. "Ten years hasn't it been?"

"Yes a long ten years in which neither of my sisters have ever brought anyone home and yet here we are," Sola says, having a great time with this despite having no interest in romantic partners herself. "Two in the same week."

I roll my eyes and kick her as best I can under the table as Dad asks "Now please tell me that only one of my daughters is in danger."

Obi-Wan sighs, knowing hours ago we were fighting a bounty hunter. "I wish I could."

"Obi-Wan," I say, not wanting to cause a fuss and explain. "There have been some security issues that the Jedi council have become involved with. We have cause to believe it is the Separatists targeting Padmé, and well they aren't fond of me either."

"I can't imagine why," Sola comments, having been there when Padmé discovered I was one of them and having to physically intervene. Mom and Dad exchange an awkward look, that day having been scarred into all of our brains. "Didn't you work with what's his name, the count?"

I glance at Obi-Wan who lets me know I'm on my own with this one. "Yes, yes I did and there are very good reasons why I am not anymore but no need to get into politics." I begin cutting up my food out of anxiousness. "We stopped by to ask about Padmé." The salt's across the table where Obi-Wan sits beside my father. "Obi-Wan can you pass the salt please."

"Of course," he says passing it to me and Sola just gives me a knowing look, unfortunately aware of a little too much for my liking. 

"Padmé is staying in the Lake Country," Mom tells me and I should have known. "She came by for a visit after she met with the Queen. I'm surprised you were able to convince her to come home."

"Well it's Padmé, she argues but in the end she listens to me," I remark, praying those words stay true. "You know how she hates to run away from a fight."

"Like her sister," Obi-Wan says and tells my parents "Did you know Rhea has mastered one of the most difficult forms of lightsaber combat."

They're both surprised and I have to hide my smile at him still talking me up to my parents. "No, we did not," my mother answers and clears her throat. "Rhea does not speak much of Jedi business after the ex-communication."

Ex-communication, like it's some church and not a cult. Obi-Wan must notice how my face falls because I feel his foot brushing mine beneath the table.

"Well, she is still greatly respected by the council and has become a Jedi in her own right without their guidance," he says proudly, knowing I still yearn for their approval. "A rather remarkable one in fact."

"As is Obi-Wan," I quickly follow on. "He is one of the most trusted Jedi within the order, the council admires him greatly."

"You sound like you admire him greatly," Sola murmurs under her breath so luckily only I can hear and I kick her foot beneath the table only to find her silently staring at my neck and quickly I cover whatever Obi-Wan left with my hair.

"And I admire her greatly," Obi-Wan says giving me a warm smile, unable to help his charming nature. "The past ten years have only made her more breathtakingly brilliant than ever."

His eyes are bright as I look at him, stunned he's being so open considering the circumstances of this and realise he wouldn't risk being caught if he wasn't already planning on it, on damning what the order may say, and before I can speak we're interrupted by my father.

"Come, let me show you the garden," he says to Obi-Wan and Sola lowers my hand as I reach for the wine on the table, having been banned from that quite a long time ago.

"I'd be honoured," Obi-Wan says positioning his knife and fork on his empty plate, always with perfect manners, and he nods to us as he follows my father outside. He's calm and collected but I know deep down that he has to be nervous, meanwhile this suddenly becomes quite real.

We haven't discussed just how we would make this work, I'd had my thoughts regarding it but it seems Obi-Wan has already made up his mind to do the one thing I could never ask of him. I'd pleaded with him knowing the sacrifices I'm prepared to make, yet it may be him who makes the greatest one.

"Young Anakin was terrified when your father took him on a walk," Mom tells us and I don't doubt that. "He's nice young boy, but Obi-Wan is a grown man who definitely cares for you greatly."

"And I care for him," I admit, careful of the ground we're treading and suddenly as soon as Obi-Wan takes that step forward I'm quickly taking one back, quite aware the consequences for him are far greater than any I could face and realise how badly my emotions have clouded any judgement I've had since seeing him again. "He's a dear friend."

"You have feelings for him," Mom states while Sola sits there with a raised eyebrow at what she saw on my neck and the fact she knows damn well what we were physically even if I could never begin to explain emotionally what he meant to me. "You do not need to hide that from us."

"He is still a Jedi," I remind her. "I am free to do as I wish but he isn't. Same as Anakin. It- it's all complicated."

"If you love him that won't matter," she tells me, and I blink at her, surprised she has come to that conclusion. "Oh come on, ten years and you've been nothing but miserable until you've showed up with him. You're only making it more complicated than it has to be." My eyes roll into the back of my head as she lectures. "You're almost thirty, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if it's him you want to be with it's time you make your mind up, especially if you want children."

Sola quickly intervenes. "Rhea still has a long life ahead of her, same as Padmé, there's no rush."

"I only meant it as a mother," Mom begins and the two descend into argument as I carry my plate out to the kitchen and look out the window at Dad and Obi-Wan talking in the garden. Obi-Wan has no struggle with conversation, always calm and at ease with an undeniable charm. Yet I still remember him as the self-serious and slightly awkward boy I immediately descended into argument with the first time we were left alone together.

I fell in love with that boy, but oh how I am falling deeper in love with the man in front of me by the moment even if all the odds are stacked against us. My family likes him and they want me to be happy, to settle down. I don't know if I'll ever be able to settle down, but I do want to be happy.

And I know that's with him.

We've made the decision to be together, but what that will mean is what I'm afraid to face.

"Just remember Rhea," Mom says with a hand on my shoulder as she comes into the kitchen, watching them with me. "Love is never enough on its own. You're a fighter, don't let this be this exception."

For once she's right. It's the truth I had known at nineteen, that it's never enough on its own but yet I still hoped it would fall into place through blind faith alone.

I'm not that naive anymore.

But still... I'm afraid of what it will cost him, cost both of us, especially once the order no doubt discovers the truth behind my association with Count Dooku.

Every step forward in this mission only proves that is inevitable.

I may yet lose my life for what I've done before having to face the consequences of our affair.

~

Obi-Wan

This is certainly not a situation I've ever foreseen, meeting the father of the woman I love and making small talk, but here we are.

"I hope the girls haven't given you too hard a time," he says, speaking of them fondly. "I'm sure Rhea warned you before she brought you that her mother's been trying to marry her off for quite some time."

It's apparent to me Rhea still holds some ill will towards her parents, specifically her mother for sending her to join the order, but it seems that more recent issues have also contributed to that. "Yes, that she did."

"My wife means well, but nothing was ever the same when Rhea came back," he starts explaining. "You let go of a screaming six year old girl, and suddenly a teenager shows up on your doorstep after years of trying to make peace with it.... I don't think Jobal ever really let go of the image she had of that little girl and Rhea knew it. Sola welcomed her with open arms and tears, Padmé was still a baby when Rhea left and had no memory of her but she adored her, saw her as a hero. Nine years old and suddenly she had a sister who was a Jedi, how couldn't she admire her? But still Rhea and Jobal never seemed to reconnect."

"Rhea had mentioned to me in passing that her mother shamed her for leaving the order," I tread carefully and he gives a reluctant nod.

"Yes, Jobal means well but often her words don't quite come out as she intends," he says, voice filled with regrets. "Rhea was angry with her mother for letting her go, and Jobal couldn't understand why she would walk away from such a prestigious life. Jobal came from a noble family and had great aspirations for the girls whilst I was content living out in the mountains. At one point Rhea ran away from home as a teenager after they'd fought, took the name Amidala and eventually Padmé would choose her ruling name to honour her. For a long time her and her mother didn't speak and it was only after her sisters intervened that they started to try to repair things and in turn Jobal's ended up being overbearing at times. They fight more often than not although it is far better than it was."

"I can imagine," I say, having experienced arguments with Rhea more than I'd like. "Rhea is combative by nature but she does mean well also."

He seems relieved I understand what he means and tells me. "It's only been since she finished her term as Princess of Theed that she's begun to calm down, become quieter, more focused." Something in me goes a little colder knowing that event coincided with her becoming Dooku's apprentice and his next words surprise me. "For a long time she was off the rails, just- just mad."

"Really?"

"Her sisters were worried sick about her around the time of her investigation into the chancellor," he begins but hesitates before continuing. "She'd be out all night drinking, mixing with the worst types, coming back smelling like spice in the morning and then drinking more and fighting more. She pushed herself too far in that investigation and coped with the stress of it in the worst ways."

"Really?" I inquire in deep concern, utterly shocked. I'd realised that she hadn't been necessarily happy but never had an inkling as to anything like that. "I kept tabs on her and she always seemed collected in her addresses."

"Her reputation was spotless, well aside from threatening some politicians and committing a few assaults, but everyone loved her and wanted her to be queen," he says with a sprinkling of pride, but still shakes his head. "She hated public duty, absolutely hated it despite being good at it. She poured her heart and soul into the militarisation and the investigation, but when it came to nothing she seemingly lost faith in the Republic." I lower my eyes, having assessed that moment was the cause of her decision. "I don't know much about this Separatist business she's been involved in but her and Padmé didn't speak for months after she'd discovered it, up until now that is."

"That- that is unfortunate," I struggle to say, still in a state of disbelief at how bad things were before she'd become Dooku's apprentice. "Rhea's loyalty had always been first to her sister before all else."

"It still is, I'm sure of that much," he says and I nod in quiet agreement considering it was the threat to Padme's life and her loyalty to her that caused her to turn away from Dooku. "I must admit I'm surprised to see her working alongside the Jedi. I know she hated the order but after the invasion something was different. Padmé told me she had tried to return but they wouldn't allow it."

"I had tried to petition them to allow her return," I explain to him. "They respected her for everything she'd done but she was too strong willed, too loyal to those she loved for the council's liking."

The disdain in my own voice surprises me, I thought I'd held little ill will towards the council for their decision but it seems I may have been mistaken in the extent of it and the bitterness harboured.

"I don't understand a lot of the rules and Rhea gets slightly erratic when trying to explain it," he sighs, clearly an exhausted father trying to do his best, something I can understand to a degree. "Is it true the Jedi aren't allowed to love, not even love their families?"

"That is true," I say regretfully, knowing it's more complicated than that but in its simplest form it's the truth. Even if I'd never known Rhea, or Satine for that matter, I'd still be quietly defying the code in my love for Anakin, my brother. "Although many of us have our own views on the matter."

He nods and says "My daughter... I remember the words you said to us after the invasion when she was in the hospital. It became clear from things we'd overheard her tell her sisters, or words that would come out in moments of anger, that she had loved someone and that it ended and left her hurt." We come to a stop and he tells me "She loves you, ten years there was never anybody else. You seem like a good man Obi-Wan and I don't want to see her hurt again."

I could see the stunned look in Rhea's eye before he brought me outside, while she may be content to make an attempt at secrecy whilst I remain part of the order I know I can only devote myself to one and I'd made my decision before we landed on Naboo. She will fight with me on this, on leaving the order, but she deserves to be loved properly. If she attempts to make an argument for both I'll go along with it to prevent an argument, but the truth is any plans we make now are very much dependent on the outcome of this mission. 

"Neither do I," I tell him and after a moment of consideration confess "Rhea and I did have a very strong connection to one another, even if it was brief it has persisted these many years we've been apart." It's her father I'm speaking to, a man who is concerned for his daughter and I need to be brave enough to confront the feelings I've suppressed for so many years. "I cared for her very deeply, and it broke both our hearts to return to the Jedi Temple without her. We both had our duties, hers to Naboo and mine to the Jedi order, and whilst nothing has changed in regards to duty... I can assure you I am quite devoted to her and do not plan to make the same mistake twice in leaving her."

"I am glad," he says and I feel her watching from the window. "Because I don't think I have ever seen her like this, and if you were to marry her you would be welcome in our home."

It's with those words this suddenly becomes very real. The thought of returning here with Rhea, of this being part of my day to day life rather than meditations and training, of having family outside of the order. I know that commitment is pointless without absolute devotion so marriage only seems logical, and for the first time I allow myself to truly entertain the thought of it beyond practicality.

The thought of calling Rhea my wife. Possession, that is another thing that is forbidden by the code but being hers, and her being mine... the thought makes my heart clench and fill with longing. I've never truly let myself want anything before, but selfishly I want her, and to be hers, more than anything.

And so I nod my head in respect to her father, recognising that he's given me his blessing without having to ask for it. "I am grateful for that."

I look back at her watching and find her face drawn in concern, but I just give her an assuring nod. Anakin will soon be knighted and when I know he will be alright we will begin to strategise how to go about this to cause the least damage we can, but something tells me the council will be far more concerned about her training under Dooku than anything involving myself. 

~

Rhea

It's dark when everyone's finally decided to retire, being home has done something to ease my anxiety but still there is much uncertainty. Instead of bringing him to my official residence in the palace I bring him into my room here in the house for privacy. The Queen is kind but I doubt she would take well to me bringing a Jedi into my private rooms to sleep.

I got away with my fair share while Padmé was queen, but I know not to push my luck now of all times. I'm not naive enough to believe that if the truth were to be known that it wouldn't be anything short of absolute scandal. 

Only then it strikes me that such a scandal would mean my position as General would be compromised, although I've outlasted three queens or so by this point so I'd like to see them be rid of me. At this rate the only way they would do that is by bringing me up on charges of treason against the Republic, which is also plausible. I've committed no treason against Naboo, I have always worked to ensure its security first and foremost despite my beliefs and work with Dooku. In my role as a General I have done my duty without flaws, even Padmé could not fault me on that when she discovered my apprenticeship, but my allegiance to the Republic is another story.

Obi-Wan and I stroll into my room and he folds his cloak over my desk chair as I shut the door and lock it, leaving us finally alone with one another since our entanglement when we landed. Since he got on his knees and confessed his heart to me, along with his decision for us to be with one another without dealing with the logistics of it.

Enough time has passed now for me to be half rational about this, and I remember why I'd made my decision ten years ago even if I stand by the one I made onboard that ship, the decision to be with him no matter how difficult it may be.

"Your father is quite worried about his daughters," he tells me, only confirming what I already know. "Although he did manage to ask me if I planned to marry you."

I laugh unsurprised at that, the idea of marriage is one I'd never taken seriously but now it is one of the confronting aspects of this decision but I try to keep it light hearted for now.

"And how did you talk yourself out of that one?" I ask him, sitting down on the edge of the bed and looking up at him, his very presence easing me, or perhaps I'm simply weakened at the sight of his handsome face.

"Well, I didn't," he says and I blink in surprise. "I assured him that I am quite devoted to his daughter." He's shameless in his admission, reaching to take my hands in his as he stands before me. "I did not admit anything overly incriminating, but he did tell me that if we were to marry I would be welcome in his home."

I'm still in utter disbelief he is being so shamelessly open about our relationship, which only further confirms for me he's made the decision I don't want him to make but everything is going to remain uncertain until I know the council won't have my head. Still, I let myself entertain the fantasy for a moment longer.

"Well that is..." I find myself at a loss for words at the open consideration of marriage, quickly becoming flustered. "I'm glad my family have been so welcoming," I say, kissing his hand and holding it to my face. "Not that I'm surprised, if they like Anakin then they must love you."

His smile is warm. "I'm glad I made a good impression."

I smile up at him, tugging him closer. "It's you, of course you would." He leans down and presses his lips to my forehead as I try to gather my thoughts. "So, tomorrow we'll go and find Padme. Then we'll track down Jango Fett."

"That's the plan," he says, but he must feel my uncertainty because he adds "And then we'll have to figure out how we'll go about this."

Unlike last time I can't pretend it will all be well as much as I want to wish it will be. If I've learned one thing it's to take charge of my life whilst trusting the force will guide me and so I make the decision before he can because I know what his will be.

"I'll move to Coruscant," I decide on the spot, not giving myself a chance to second guess this, or him time to declare he'll leave the order and Anakin behind. "We'll be in the same city unless you're on a mission or I'm on Naboo for political business."

That takes him by surprise. "You'd move to Coruscant?"

I can't let him throw his life away by making a decision that cannot be reversed when I may yet not live to see the end of this. I'm remaining hopeful, but I must take precautions for his sake. 

"Obi," I begin gently, even when assuming that they don't charge me with treason I don't want him to make the ultimate sacrifice when mine could be so much smaller. "Moving to a new planet so I can be with you is the least I'm prepared to do. I already spend a significant amount of time there anyways. I'm one of Padme's representatives, well I was before she found out that I'd become a separatist but that can all be sorted. She already decided to move there permanently several years back and this means I'll be close to you. We'll be just across the city from one another." I smile, knowing Coruscant is the right decision. It has to be. "I'll be able to see the temple from my apartment."

He's slightly stunned, this plan having not crossed his mind before he went and started declaring his love for me to my family.

"I-" For once he struggles for words. "I'm prepared to leave the order to come to Naboo, to devote myself to you entirely, and I- I still..." His words cause my heart to tighten and I hold his hands in mine. "I want to devote myself to you. You deserve no less than full commitment instead of what this arrangement would mean. Weeks or even longer without seeing one another-"

"I want to try," I tell him, having a feeling that whatever comes next will be greater than either of us. "I value you more than my own selfishness, and after what we saw on Kamino I dare say we'll both have our work cut out for us." His face turns serious now, feeling it as well. "This isn't going to simply end Obi, this is greater than we ever could have imagined. This may yet lead to war."

He nods in agreement, and despite wanting to throw himself into this as wholly as he did ten years ago he reaches a compromise. "You- you're right. Perhaps I've been overly caught up in my emotions, we both have been, and yet here we are again with you being the one who is wise."

I scoff lightly, playfully. "Realistic rather than wise. If it weren't for fear I'd run away with you right now and never look back."

"Fear?" he repeats, searching my eyes but I try to move past that.

"I want to try to make this work with as little sacrifice on both parts as possible, and if we have to make more then we will," I tell him, holding his hands tight in my own and he relents, he is a Jedi and I cannot strip him of his identity. Not without at least trying to make this arrangement work first.

"Perhaps I'd made a hasty decision without considering the other possibilities," he says but makes clear to me "We have decided to be together, and I won't half devote myself to you, but- if there is a chance we could be together while I remain as part of the order-"

"We will try," I promise him. "We will do whatever it takes to avoid having to make that sacrifice. I know how important being a Jedi is to you, how important Anakin is to you." I've felt it every time he's spoken of the boy, he loves his apprentice as a brother, in a way no Jedi should love, but he cannot help it and he knows it. "I cannot let you abandon your brother for me, not when I refused to abandon my sister for you."

Something changes in his eyes now, as if this only reinforces this decision we are finally making the right one no matter how difficult it may be and he reveals to me "And this- this is why I love you Rhea, because you understand that these emotions are not as black and white as the council would have it be. I- the past years have not been easy training Anakin. There have been times I know he's contemplated leaving the order to return to his mother, or for other reasons similar to your own, and I knew early on if he left I would leave with him. I'd said as much to Master Yoda on one occasion. As much as the thought of Anakin leaving frightened me, it also brought me peace."

"Peace?" I repeat and he takes me by the waist, holding me as if I'm some sacred thing.

"Because I knew if he did leave I'd bring him to the only person I knew I could go to, the only person outside of the order I could truly trust," he says and I run my fingers through his hair now as he bares something far more vulnerable than his emotions to me. "I know you may think I've made this decision on impulse, but I haven't. If we were unable to make it work on Coruscant, if the order were to discover us... leaving is a decision a lifetime in the making. One that is greater than my feelings for you. I'd debated it from when I was only sixteen, before romantic entanglements or any other attachments had come into consideration." His face is drawn in contemplation as I listen. "After we'd fought onboard your ship and I was debating what decision I would make... I knew my heart had already made it for me, the only question would just be how far I would take it. Then I thought of Anakin and knew he would understand, that he'd even smile for me. That was when I knew that if I left the order to be with you, I would carry little regrets."

His words are carefully thought out, no longer charged with the emotional intensity of before, but with meaning and consideration of all the possible variables and I know without any doubts that he believes in this decision as much as I do. Perhaps more so considering he isn't the one who is afraid I won't live to see it come to fruition. 

Gently I lean forward and take his face in my hands as I kiss him, deeply, slowly. As if we have all the time in the galaxy. As if we might not die tomorrow.

"I love you Obi-Wan," I tell him, his face resting close to mine with a soft smile. "If leaving is what your heart tells you is right you know I will support you, but first I still want to try to see if both is possible."

He looks at me now in curiosity. "Do you still have hopes of returning to the order?"

I shake my head in a bittersweet acceptance. "Does part of me wish for it as I did back when we were younger? Yes. I do now that it would not carry the same personal difficulties as it would have a decade ago, but I know better than to have hope that they would accept me back after all this time when they've refused it once. Especially considering the circumstances..."

He sits down beside me now, eyes filled with concern as he observes "You fear what the council will do when they discover the truth."

"We both know it's inevitable my love," I say, searching his eyes and finding that truth in his as well. "Perhaps we're dreaming when we talk of this for we simply do not know what will happen to me when the truth is discovered. Dooku... Dooku plans to acquire an army of battle droids and regardless if he uses them it will be seen as an act of war, and once my role in the Confederacy becomes known I will be a traitor to the Republic." For the first time I say the words out loud and swallow hard as the past decade finally catches up to me. "At the mercy of the chancellor I tried to convict for the same crime. That's- that's not event taking into account the fact I was a Sith Lord's apprentice. The odds are against me Obi-Wan, horribly so."

"Padmé will defend you," he tries to assure me. "As will I."

I can only shake my head sadly. "Obi, sweetheart, you know that the council would not listen, and as for Padmé.. she will want to, but politically she cannot," I say, knowing as much as she loves me, it is impossible.

"Why's that?" Obi-Wan still asks. "You're doing all of this for her, almost every decision you've made since leaving the order has been for her and for Naboo."

"Because that's what we do Obi-Wan, we mentor them and love them more selflessly than we've ever loved anyone, but they outgrow us and take on their own duties without needing us to guide them," I lament to him and see the impact those words have. "The consequences of defending me would ruin her reputation and that I would not allow even if she were willing to risk it. I've made myself an enemy of both the Confederacy and the Republic by playing both sides, by letting my anger towards the Republic allow Dooku to manipulate me." He cannot argue with that assessment. "I still believe it is corrupt at its core, Palpatine is as corrupt as they come, but the Confederacy is a lie as much as the Republic if a Sith lord is at its heart, I-"

He stops me by kissing my hand gently before taking me in his arms, a comforting hand running over my loose hair. "Torture yourself with the possibilities after we've spoken to Padmé and finished this investigation."

I nod weakly and he tilts my chin up to kiss me softly, making me forget the lingering uncertainties if just for a moment. It takes me another to remember that neither of us are resisting this any longer, that I'm allowed to kiss him, allowed to feel this. 

Allowed to feel him.

We fall deeper into the kiss and into the mattress, my legs parting for him to slot between as my head comes to rest on the pillow behind me, his body again covering mine. We should both be satiated, and even now we both feel that little voice chiding us in the back of our minds, lecturing us on self control, temptations and passions. 

Sex was never explicitly forbidden by the code nor the council, but what it entails certainly is. Attachment is what the order forbids, and passion is explicitly forbidden by the code. Yet here we are giving ourselves over to both, but how could it possibly be wrong when making love to him feels like worshipping the force itself?

My fingers make quick work of the belt that holds his saber, setting it on the nightstand beside us without so much as breaking the kiss, and I whimper a complaint when he pulls back only for it to disappear as his lips find my neck. 

"Oh-" I sigh lightly, neither of us needing to verbalise the need to be quiet, but when his beard scrapes my sensitive skin he makes it difficult. "Obi-Wan..."

My sleeve slips down my shoulder and his lips trail down my chest as he unlaces the front the dress I wear, taking his excruciating time. His warm breath fans across my breasts as my dress is discarded into a heap on the floor with his own clothes, and my eyes fall shut as his mouth latches onto my breast. His hands on my body, gentle as they may be, ignite something in me- a burning need only he has ever satiated. Peeling back his robes I feel the hardened muscle beneath his softness, a reminder of the warrior beneath his gentle exterior, and it further feeds that fire.

Perhaps it's the fact I'm the only person living who's seen the sheer strength he harbours, an almost frightening brutality when it comes to life and death. Who knows just how powerful his emotions can be when that self control slips, who's seen the warrior within. I taste it with every kiss, how deeply his emotions live in him and how desperate they've been to surface.

Despite the learned discipline to keep those emotions at bay, to either let them pass or to brutally shove them away, he lets me feel them with every touch of our bodies and every kiss we share. He lets me feel them as if they are my own, as if our hearts are one.

I'm bringing a hand up over my mouth as his own finds its way between my legs, his form skillful and precise and oh too effective. He moans into me as I reach down into his hair to pull his mouth back to mine. 

"I love you," I breathe as I kiss him. "But I'm going to wake the house up if you keep doing that."

He grins breathlessly and kisses me back, swallowing the gasp I make as his hand slips between my legs instead. "Better?"

"Not yet," I answer and reach for his waistband, the next movements as urgent as they were in the field and soon his trousers join the rest of our clothes on the floor. 

He cups my face and kisses me deeply, waiting for my nod of consent before pushing into me and my head falls back at just how he stretches me. He turns my face back to him, holding my gaze as he moves in all the way. 

"I love you," he murmurs as he kisses me, my fingers lacing with his while he slips a hand beneath my back to embrace me fully. His movements are deep and slow, but powerful as he makes love to me. Every thrust of his hips moving with the same precise intent that he wields his saber with. My mouth's open in ecstasy as he hits a place so impossibly deep within me it could almost border on pain if not for the sheer pleasure it brings and I'm muffling my gasp into his shoulder. 

Just as one wave of pleasure washes over me he lifts me with ease up into his lap, my chest flush with his and our eyes level. He gives me a moment to recover, lips soft along my jaw and murmuring sweet nothings into my ear whilst all I feel is blinding pleasure and him. He's still hard inside of me, and remembering just how disciplined his stamina was ten years ago is enough to make me short of breath when I consider what it must be now. 

His pelvis moves with mine, grinding perfectly at every point of contact and bringing me a physical pleasure I'd forgotten was possible. Yet even as I reach that peak I still cannot bear to tear my eyes from his, drowning in them the closer I reach to that high and his own breathing's heavy as I kiss him hard to muffle the sounds that escape me, making love to him knowing very well we might not see the other side of this mess. 

~

He wakes me with soft kisses across my face, sunlight beaming in through the crack in the curtains, the warmth of his body enveloping mine.

"Darling," he murmurs, his beard tickling my cheek. "Sweetheart."

In my half awake state I murmur "Hmm?"

"Good morning."

"Morning," I smile as he kisses me and my eyes open to meet his and nothing has ever been so beautiful. He moves to kiss the tip of my nose and I nuzzle into him, letting myself indulge in this for a moment more before facing what comes after. 

"Did you sleep well?" he asks as if we're not naked beneath the covers.

"Quite well actually, although I can't possibly imagine why," I tease and he smiles against my mouth as I kiss him. 

"Might have something to do with getting tossed about on Kamino?"

"I would have said something else but we can go with that."

He blushes, kissing me again but not for long enough before breaking away and beginning "I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we do have to figure out how we are going to tell your sister the army she's opposing's already been created." My head falls against his shoulder in reluctance to leave this bed and he reminds me "Since you were the one who insisted on coming here after all."

"I know," I sigh and suddenly feel quite sick. "Padmé... I told her long ago that it was Dooku who was completing my training, she didn't have a problem with that until he outed himself as the Separatist leader. She- she doesn't even know he's a Sith lord and how the hell is he involved with an army that's meant for the Republic? It makes no sense."

That part has Obi-Wan equally stumped. "I don't know, but that's what we're going to figure out, Unfortunately for that to happen we have to get out of bed."

"The greatest tragedy," I lament, cupping his bearded cheek. "Aside from what Padmé's going to do to me when she learns I hid the fact I apprenticed for a Sith lord, although I doubt that would make her angrier than when she learned I was a Separatist."

He raises his eyebrows now, still slightly mad about that part. "You're on your own with that one darling."

At least he's still calling me darling. Though I'd be offended if he didn't considering our current states. 

"That's fair," I acknowledge, reluctantly beginning to sit up but it's difficult when it only gives me a better look at his naked body. His chest that's decorated with light coloured hair, and also with far more scars than I recall. I should have noticed them before on Coruscant but both of our attention then was solely on mine. Now in the light his brows draw together, a protective hand running along my own scars, tracing them with a delicacy they don't deserve.

"Are you going to tell me how you got these?" he asks me now, and I decide it's best to proceed with complete honesty.

"Dooku was a good master, but he left no room for mistakes," I begin and see an anger I haven't seen in quite a long time simmering behind those eyes. "I'd always specialised in saber training and Dooku was perhaps the best swordsman in living memory during his time with the order. He- he was relentless in his training from the start but towards the end there was little empathy or leniency. If I didn't move fast enough or if I made an error he wouldn't stop himself and would let me bear the consequences of my mistakes."

He shakes his head with a disapproval only a fellow master can have. "That is not the making of a good master."

"Qui-Gon is proof of the master he once was," I tread carefully, knowing it's a sensitive subject. "And at the start that was the master I'd had. It was only in that last year or two I began to feel a corruption in him. At that point he was like a father to me, and I thought we believed in the same goal which was creating a confederacy without the corruption of the Republic's senate, belief in the will of the living force rather than the council and it's code. I never thought for a moment war was what he wanted. I just- I'd just lost all faith in the Republic and needed guidance. He respected me and listened to me, he took my ideas and opinions seriously, even now he was willing to make me grand general of the Separatist army... he just underestimated the fact that I'm driven by justice rather than ambition."

Obi-Wan searches my eyes, and I feel him searching deeper but this time I don't become defensive and he speaks almost with awe. "Your heart, almost a decade apprenticing for a Sith lord and it's untainted."

"I don't desire power, nor great feats of the force," I say, the blanket slipping from around my chest as I lean forward to again cup his face. "Everything I want... it's come back to me."

His eyes soften before his lips meet mine, his hand tracing my spine as I melt into him but before we can continue last nights events we hear my Mom's voice calling out from the kitchen that breakfast is cooking.

My head falls against his in frustration and he chuckles lightly. "We don't want to be late for breakfast."

"They can wait a minute," I say, sitting up to take him in with my hand running over his chest knowing we'll need to shower. "We have Fett's location tracked so we'll know where he's gone, and it's not like Padme and Anakin are going anywhere."

"But breakfast will be," he teases, his hand trailing along my side as we hear my nieces calling out from the hallway. "And you have two nieces begging to see aunty Rae."

"Alright," I sigh, pulling him out of bed with me to the adjoining bathroom. "Can we spare five minutes to clean ourselves up?"

But he must see the glint in my eye as I pull him inside and soon enough his lips are on mine and then elsewhere as we find ourselves kneeling beneath the steaming water, certainly taking a little longer than just five minutes, but as the Jedi would say we're our best selves when our minds are clear. 

Although that only seems to last until I'm wrapped in a towel in front of my wardrobe and he sits dressed on the edge of the bed watching as I debate what the most acceptable choice of outfit is for likely getting cussed out by my sister with a teenager judging me for my political affiliations. 

"I've hardly lived here since I was a teenager," I tell Obi-Wan. "Since Padme's first election I've lived in official residences or on Coruscant in her apartment."

"And Serenno," he points out for the sake of sarcasm.

"Yes, and Serenno," I sigh, beginning to realise he isn't going to let that part go. "I suppose that after meeting Padmé and Anakin we'll be following Fett's trail so I best be practical."

"Would you like to borrow a set of my robes?" he teases and I just laugh as I hold up one of my combat jumpsuits in the mirror.

 "I think I'd be swimming in yours."

He pulls me back to his chest, peppering kisses along my shoulder before letting me go to get dressed, although his eyes linger as I set my towel over the back of my chair only to quickly avert them as I look back, eyes falling like the gentleman he is.

I smile as I stand in front of him, lifting his chin up.

"Shy now are we?"

"Well when there's a beautiful woman naked in front of me, yes."

I press a kiss to his lips and tease "I'm the one who should be shy, putting on a show for the most handsome man I've ever seen."

"Stop," he smiles as I kiss his jaw, not used to flattery but can't resist indulging in it. "Really?"

"Well," I begin, bringing his hand to my waist. "After I ran and hid when I heard the elevator so I could make an entrance I could hardly keep myself from drooling at the sight of you."

He laughs, really laughs, the type of laugh that's loud and beautiful.

"You ran and hid?"

"You can ask Jar Jar," I laugh and mimic his voice. "Rhea whysa you running!"

He's laughing into my shoulder, and his laugh is my favourite thing I've ever heard. He grabs me by the waist and pulls me back down onto the bed, both of us laughing as my head hits the pillows and he peppers kissing across my face.

"Well, you aren't running now."

"Definitely not," I smile, lacing my fingers with his as he presses scattered kisses across the softness of my chest, my stomach. "Oh-"

"Beautiful," he murmurs, his lips tracing my waist. "Do you want to know what I thought when I saw you?"

"Mmm?" I inquire breathlessly, sprawled out beneath him as he works his way back to my mouth, cupping my face in his hand.

"That you truly are the most breathtaking thing I've ever seen in my life," he says to me, poetry flowing from his mouth as he kisses beneath my ear. "Rivalling any sunset, any sunrise..." all I can do is sigh as his lips move across my jaw. "That they should be envious of the way the force itself seems to sing when you speak."

"Obi," I breathe, moving to kiss him but before either of us can do anything we're interrupted by knocking on the door but thankfully we had the foresight to lock it.

"Rhea!" Mom calls out. "Breakfast is getting cold."

We're both desperately trying to stay quiet as we muffle our mortified laughter and he helps me to my feet, flushed as he physically turns me around so he can put clothes on me before we end up in another position.

"The romantics will have to wait then?"

"Unfortunately so my dear," he says, helping secure the back of my bra after a moment of confusion with the clasp. "Now, so we won't be any later to breakfast."

"Seems like you already had yours in the shower," I tease and he truly does go red now.

"Sometimes I forget what a mouth you have on you."

"You seemed quite appreciative of it not long ago," I remark and he's shaking his head as he brings a hand up to physically cover my mouth, both of us struggling to suppress laughter as he helps secure the back of my jumpsuit.

"Very appreciative," he assures me once he's regained enough composure and I tidy his hair for him. "Do I at least look dignified?"

"Always," I promise him with a kiss on the cheek, and we both try to appear innocent as we enter the kitchen and take our seats. 

"Sorry," I say clearing my throat as we sit down. "We were just discussing... Jedi things."

"Jedi things?" Sola repeats, murmuring so only I can hear her clearly. "Sounded like lightsaber techniques to me."

She receives a swift kick from the table but thankfully if any of that was overheard it seems to go over our parents heads at the confused look they share. Although I can't help but be slightly mortified upon remembering her room is next to mine, meanwhile Obi-Wan is suddenly the very picture of composure. 

"Yes and what forms we can best use against any potential opposition we may face during our mission," Obi-Wan finishes while Pooja climbs into my lap, playing with my hair. "As I suspect it will come to that."

"We spoke about it yesterday," Dad says, and despite the walls I've put up with my parents his concern does touch me and leaves me guilty knowing I'd gone elsewhere searching for the concern I couldn't accept from him. "But what further danger could you face?"

"Mandalorians," I mutter, still feeling an ache from that fight. "They're as far removed from the Jedi as one can get and this one we're tracking's made it personal. Mandalorian's are something else."

Obi-Wan's eyebrows raise in surprise, although there's something odd about his demeanour at the mention of Mandalorians before he speaks to my father "There is some danger yes, but nothing we cannot handle. Padme is quite safe with Anakin protecting her and we will see her shortly to update her on the progress of the investigation."

"As long as it isn't the same danger as before, with- what was it called?"

"A Sith lord," I finish, watching Obi-Wan's expression falter slightly. "I can assure you it is nothing of that sort, Obi-Wan killed the one who attacked us during the invasion. The chances of encountering a Sith are non-existent.""

A complete and utter lie, but a necessary one. 

Pooja climbs into my lap and plays with my hair as Obi-Wan carries the conversation, slightly alarmed by the ease of my lie. "Whilst there is a chance of conflict Rhea is and always has been more than capable of holding her own, so I can assure you that the risks are minimal. Whatever comes we will handle it and have this investigation finished soon."

I pass Obi-Wan a bowl of porridge with a thankful smile. "You'll handle it with food in your stomach, I don't think I'd seen you eat since we left Coruscant up until dinner last night."

"Not even lunch!" Pooja exclaims, horrified by Obi-Wan's horrible self care, excluding his hair and beard which he always manages to find time for it seems.

"I know, I've been quite forgetful. You should always eat your lunch, three meals a day," he says to my niece. "I know your aunt will be insisting on it."

"I've already packed some food for the two of you," Mom says and assures me. "Don't worry I did the same for Padme and Anakin. I love you girls dearly but let's face it, neither of you are cooks."

"Thank you Mrs Naberrie," Obi-Wan says with a sweet smile. "It will be well appreciated."

Sola looks at me and I meet her eye as she gives a nod of impressed approval and I know that my father's already accepted him as the son he never had, likely Anakin too. In a perfect world they would be. The four of us all here together having breakfast. Except much to Anakin's disappointment I'm sure Padme no doubt views him as a little brother of sorts, the same as she did during the Invasion. Still, Obi-Wan may yet truly become part of our family and that is a thought that warms me despite knowing the secrecy will begin the moment we leave Naboo.

So for now I enjoy the moment.

"Aunty Rae can we braid your hair before you go?" Ryoo asks, Pooja clapping in excitement.

I look to Obi-Wan who's smiling as he assures me "It's still early, I'm sure we can spare a few minutes before we go to meet Padmé."

"Come on girls," I say lifting Pooja up from my lap. "Let's go out on the front steps."

I take the girls outside where they decide what flowers they want to take from the garden to put in my hair and Obi-Wan watches with a quiet smile as they get to work.

"Was Aunty Padme happy when she was here?" I ask the girls and Ryoo being the eldest giggles.

"She has a boyfriend."

"A boyfriend now?" Obi-Wan inquires in amusement.

"Mommy said she brought her boyfriend home."

I just laugh it off. "Your mommy thinks I've brought one home too because she's silly."

"Well," Obi-Wan says, playing coy and I smile up at him. 

"No, no," Ryoo corrects me. "He definitely like likes her."

"Like likes her?" I laugh and Obi-Wan shakes his head upon the realisation that Anakin's subtlety truly is non-existent. "Oh we know that but I don't think she like like's him."

She shakes her head and giggles. "Mommy says she does."

Obi-Wan's ears prick up in equal surprise and doubt. "Does she now?"

"Auntie Padme and her boyfriend brought R2 with them," she also adds. "He's funny."

"I should have brought my droid," Obi-Wan says. "R4, he's like R2 but well, red."

"Competition now is it?" I tease as Pooja goes to Obi-Wan and lifts her arms for him to pick her up and the sight of Obi-Wan with my niece has me starting to wonder if being selfish enough to ask him to leave the order entirely would be so awful. If it was our daughter he was playing with. 

Ours. 

"Beard!" little Pooja says pointing to Obi-Wan's face who throws his head back laughing.

"Yes I do have a beard," he says, making small talk with a three year old while Ryoo finishes up with my hair and all those questions about wanting children, right now they're being answered without any doubts in my mind. I do want it. "You have a pretty dress."

"Aunty Rae gave it to me," she tells Obi-Wan.

"Ah, does your aunt spoil you?" he asks and both my nieces nod happily while I smile proudly. "Of course she does."

The door opens and Mom comes out with Sola who smiles at the sight. 

"Oh how precious," she says and asks the girls "Did you pick the flowers too?"

Ryoo nods and Obi-Wan sets Pooja down into my lap so she can play with my braid and I meet Sola's eye, both of us remembering the question she'd asked me years ago now about having children. Both of us knowing that I'm finally letting myself dream of it, that after years of duty and all this mess I can have peaceful life here with my family, and one of my own. 

As impossible as it may be. 

"Come on, let me get a holophoto," Mom says holding her holocam and ushering Sola into the photo as well, taking a few before saying. "You too Obi-Wan."

"If you insist," he says humbly, coming to kneel beside me on the front steps. Pooja comes over asking for a piggy back and I smile as Obi-Wan lifts her up onto his shoulders.

"Beautiful," Mom smiles and winks "I'll save these for the wedding."

"Mom!" I groan while Obi-Wan contemplates those words, passing Pooja over to me as we prepare to leave before we can be further implicated. "Okay I've got to say goodbye now, we have to go see aunty Padmé."

I farewell my nieces while Obi-Wan accepts the food Mom made us and Sola pulls me aside.

"Be safe," Sola says while Obi-Wan has a few more words with my concerned father. "Shiraya knows you get into enough trouble as it is, you and Padmé both."

Out of curiosity I inquire "What did the girls mean about you calling Anakin Padme's boyfriend?"

"You mean the fact that I have eyes?" she retorts and I blink in confusion.

"I mean Anakin's clearly in love with her but it's obviously unrequited." 

Her face changes and she leans in, telling me. "I wouldn't be too sure about that." I'm left only more confused, telling myself Sola has to be misunderstanding something but before I can seek clarification she quietens her voice to change to a more sensitive subject. "Please don't let yourself fall in love with him again if it's going to end the same. I mean he's lovely and I understand now why you spent so long missing him, but don't put yourself through that torture if you can't have a future with him."

The concern in her voice is thick and I assure her "It won't end the same. It's- it's complicated yes but it won't end the same as it did before."

Sola knows it's forbidden, Mom and Dad might take that rule as being a suggestion and she might be happy enough to make jokes but I see the look that crosses her face upon realising what I'm prepared to do. "If people found out-"

"I know," I assure her. "Which is why I'd rather our parents not know anything for certain, it's... they may joke and act as if I can simply marry a Jedi with no repercussions but it'll be far more serious than that. There has to be a level of deniability."

Obi-Wan has far more to lose than I do, and even if he's comfortable with my family acknowledging our relationship in the privacy of my home that will all change once we're on Coruscant. 

"We didn't live through Padme's reign without learning to keep a secret," Sola assures me, but still her concern doesn't ease. "Be safe Rhea."

I nod and we look over to Dad who's still speaking with Obi-Wan, but considering how he adopted each of Padme's handmaidens I shouldn't be surprised he's attempting to do the same with Obi-Wan.

"It's been good to meet you properly Obi-Wan," Dad says shaking his hand. "You're a good man."

"And you Mr Naberrie."

"Please, call me Ruwee."

"Of course, Ruwee," Obi-Wan says, Dad finally letting go of the handshake. "Be rest assured I will bring both your daughters home safely."

"If they let you," he remarks and turns his attention to me. "Rhea, stay safe."

"Yes, Dad," I say, hugging him and Mom. "Don't you worry, we'll all be home soon."

"And both of you girls better bring these lovely Jedi home for dinner," Mom says with a pointed finger as we leave home to make our way to my ship, standing at a somewhat respectable distance as we walk through the street.

"I see why you left the order to be with them," Obi-Wan says to me and it catches me by surprise. "If I had a family like that which I remembered... I think I finally understand now why they bring us to the temple so young."

"That- that is the family I always remembered," I admit to myself, feeling shame at turning away from them these past years. "Even if it was far different when I'd returned it's slowly begun to resemble the family I remembered. For so long it was so difficult, but it seems my nieces brought a much missed warmth to it."

He smiles and reaches over to squeeze my hand, perhaps also knowing my answers to the questions he's also asked and not seeming awfully afraid of the idea, but contemplative, accepting. "They are lovely children, happy too, I couldn't imagine a better planet to raise a child."

"Neither could I," I let myself dream and he leans in, a hand on my back as he makes me a promise.

"Let's get through this mission before making any final decisions as to what we'll do when this is done." His eyes are bright and his voice is kind. "And what will make us happiest."

I nod in relieved agreement with that, daring to let myself dream for a moment longer before we make our journey to the lakehouse.