Her long blonde locks shimmer down her back in the evening light. Though Concordia has been the cause of many of her sleepless nights, tonight it provides her unimaginable beauty. He's left dumbfounded, searching for something to say to get her attention.

He clears his throat and bows his head. "Duchess."

She softly turns, her mesmerizing blue eyes meeting his for the first time in years. A smile grows on her face as she rushes to his side. He lets out a soft gasp as her arms wrap around his neck, pulling him closer to her than he thought possible. "Obi-Wan." She happily sighs in his arms.

"Hello, Satine." He greets in her ear before she loosens her grip. When he had last seen her, he and Qui-Gon were leaving to head back to the Temple, their duty completed. They had been protecting her through her people's civil war and succeeded in making her Duchess of Mandalore.

Throughout their close time together then, feelings had bloomed. Neither one chose to say anything in fear of ruining what precious thing they had. If it was said out loud, then they would be acknowledging that what they were doing was wrong. Jedi were not to fall in love, and Mandalorians were not to be with Jedi. Especially a Mandalorian that wanted to lead her people from the ashes of a civil war.

It was a good idea not to start another war over who she chose as her spouse.

So Obi-Wan left Satine with a handshake and a long goodbye. Undisclosed feelings were shoved deep down so that they could perform their duties. Both of them swore that they would forget the other, but that promise has almost made it harder. There are very few days when they don't think of what the other is doing.

"I've missed you." She says, breathless. She studies his face, which he has now grown into. No longer do his ears look too big for his head. His naff padawan braid has been cut away, replaced with an elegant, flowing mullet. She reaches out, noticing his beard and cupping his cheek.

He closes his eyes, leaning into her hand. "I was afraid that you would have forgotten me." He whispers, sending shivers down her back. "I thought that you might have found someone else. Someone more deserving of you."

"Don't be so modest." She quietly replies. "No one could ever replace you."

His eyes open and he sports a shy smile. His cheeks flush as his eyes look to the ground. Though he has physically changed, he's just like she remembers. He can flirt for hours on end, but when it comes back at him, he becomes a stumbling mess.

An adorable stumbling mess.

"What are you doing here?" She asks, hoping to bring his attention back to her. She longs to look into his hypnotizing blue eyes.

"I was in the system. Thought I'd drop by." He says, his hands tightening on her hips. She is practically melting from his touch and she hopes that he knows it. She wants him to know how much she needs him, how much she's been craving his presence.

"I feel like a terrible host by not having anything ready." She says. "I wish you would have told me before. Then I could have had a grand meal prepared for you."

"Where's the surprise in that?" He chuckles, placing his forehead onto hers. She giggles, both of her hands weaved through his long hair and holding on tight. He's here. He's really here. Her heart is pounding wildly in her chest, telling her that this isn't some dream. This is reality.

He pulls away, looking around the room. She becomes self-conscious, worried that he will find some fault in her quarters. She sees that frown on his face, and before she can ask what's wrong, he says, "I hope I haven't interrupted something. I know you've been busy and it was selfish of me to show up unannounced."

She's stunned. Sure, she's been wrapped up in politics lately and this was going to be her first moment to herself in a long time. But that doesn't matter. Any moment shared with Obi-Wan outshines whatever else she had planned. She would always make time for him. "No." She says to him. "I mean, never." She slightly stutters, looking for the right words. "I mean, you're always welcome here."

"That's good to hear." He smiles, attempting to calm her, but it doesn't work. She can feel the kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Her hands want to tremble, but she's locked her fingers in his hair. Slowly, he pulls her closer to him. Her waist is pressed against him and she's so close to him that all she can see is his gorgeous face.

Why won't he close the gap already? She longs to taste his lips, yearns to feel them on hers. Her heart is demanding to be connected to his. She watches his eyes trail her face then settle on her lips. She feels like she's losing her mind as she waits for his next move. Finally, she reaches her breaking point. "Kiss me."

Did he hear her right? Her request is so quiet that Obi-Wan almost thinks that he's imagined it. But when he looks into her eyes, he sees that she wants it just as much as him. She too has been craving to have him in her life.

And without another word, he presses his lips to hers. Her hands run through his hair and he's lost in the moment. He's lost in her and everything she's done to him. Jedi are not to have attachments, but she will always have a place in his heart. Not once has she slipped from his mind.

They are so wrapped up in each other that they almost don't hear his comlink buzzing on his wrist. She pulls away, but his lips go to her neck. "Obi-Wan." She breathes, trying to get his attention. As usual, he ignores her. "Obi-Wan." She laughs, grabbing his head.

"Yes?" He asks, his stupid grin making her blush.

"Your comlink." She says, pointing to his wrist.

He hums, looking down. She watches the smile on his face slowly disappear. His straight posture resumes, his grip on her loosening. "What's wrong?" She asks, suddenly feeling cold.

"It's Anakin." He replies, his eyes still scanning through his latest message.

"Anakin?" She asks. She has never heard of them before.

"He's my padawan. I left him at the Temple to train but something has happened." He says, distress present on his moonlit face. She touches him in an attempt of comforting him. She should have known that he has a padawan. Obi-Wan is one of the wisest and bravest Jedi in the Order. It would be foolish not to give him someone to train and raise.

And he must return back to him. Anakin needs him much more than she needs him. She has her people to care for. She has political issues to resolve and correct. Though her heart demands that Obi-Wan never leaves her side again, she knows that she can carry out her tasks without him. Anakin needs him to show him the ways of a Jedi. "Go back to him."

He pauses, sadness entering his eyes. "And leave you?"

"I will survive without you. Just like I have for the past few years." She says. And it's true, she has survived without him. But being with him makes surviving feel like living. Her heart feels like it's on fire when he's holding her. She practically melts hearing his voice and her soul feels complete when he looks at her.

"Anakin can survive without me too." He counters. She watches him freeze, wanting to take back the words, but they both know that it's true. Anakin could get another master, yes. But there's no one greater than Obi-Wan.

"You have your duties. And I have mine." She quietly sighs, her head dipping.

Softly, he tilts her head up then presses his lips to hers. She knows that's the last of him she'll taste until he returns someday. He pulls away, holding onto her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll see you soon, my Satine."

And although they've both swore off saying that they're in love, her heart demands that she tells him. "I love you, my Obi-Wan."

He gives a quick glance around the room then playfully glares at her. She is worried that he's going to argue with her about saying that she loves him. She's just about to correct herself when he says, "I thought we agreed that I would go by Ben so no one would know?"

She covers her smile, thinking back on how they used codenames so that Qui-Gon wouldn't know about their feelings for each other. "Sorry." She laughs, trying to hide her blush. "I love you, Ben."

"I love you too, Satine." He quickly replies, his lips attacking her cheeks and neck.

"Obi-Wan, stop." She grins, lightly pushing him away. Again, he ignores her. "You have to get back to the Temple."

"Alright, alright." He agrees, stepping away from her. He gives her a bow, his eyes locked on her. "May the Force be with you, Satine."

"May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan." She blushes. Hearing him say her name makes her want to run back into his arms. But instead of carrying out her wishes, she watches him exit her quarters. He shoots her a wink before closing the door, leaving her alone.

She sighs, her hands resting over her heart. She knows how wrong it is for them to be in love, but she can't stop herself. He's so sweet, caring, and kind. If their duties didn't come first, they would be inseparable.

Unfortunately, stolen kisses and secret meetings will have to be enough for them.

~~~~~~~~~~