by MissChris
Shaaks were grazing happily as Padmé lay down on the soft bed of grass. This was a perfect place - the rumbling of the waterfalls in the distance juxtaposed against a peaceful fragrant meadow. She'd always thought it would be a perfect romantic getaway spot. Images of frolicking in the fields with the young brooding padawan she had met almost 10 years ago came to mind. She wondered if she would ever meet Obi-Wan Kenobi again.
"Why are you blushing Padmé? Fantasising about a certain someone?" joked Sola. Padmé hid her face beneath her hands, cursing her sister's eagle eye.
Anakin and Padmé rode up on the reek, prompting the fatigued Obi-Wan to run and jump on to figurative safety - at least a respite from his battle with the Acklay. As he landed on the animal's back, Padmé reached back, her hand grazing his thigh, a gesture of reassurance made in innocent concern. However her gentle touch sent shockwaves spiralling through him - testosterone surging around his body, mingling with the already present adrenaline. Quickly he shielded his emotions - it wouldn't do to broadcast his sudden attraction to the two hundred or so Jedi Knights in the Geonosian arena.
Padmé had sat on her bed grazing on Chandrillan savoury snacks that Mon had thoughtfully given her. Her whole evening had been taken up drafting and redrafting another blasted bill for the Security Committee. It was now the early hours of the morning. Throwing her datapad aside she closed her eyes in frustration, roused sometime later by Threepio announcing that a Jedi was on the balcony here to see her. Thinking only of one person, she hastily put on her new Nubian red silky nightgown, eager to show it off.
So full of anticipation was she, that she didn't notice who the Jedi was until she had almost thrown herself at him. The figure of Obi-Wan Kenobi turned around (for he had been standing gazing at the night sky view) and whatever was on the tip of his silver tongue failed him. He stood frozen with his mouth agape, eyes arresting on her then elsewhere. She would have been mortified had she not also been highly amused that The Negotiator was stunned for words. She was most flattered by his reaction, showing that the Jedi was still a man underneath all that stoic serenity, and it gave her an unexpected thrill.
She decided to play casually oblivious, as if receiving him in alluring attire in the middle of the night was the most natural circumstance in the world.
"Master Kenobi, how good of you to drop by. How may I be able to assist you?"
He suddenly came to, took a deep breath and pulled himself together...almost.
"I am sorry to disturb you this late hour Senator, from...whatever you were doing. I'm here on the behest of the Jedi Council due to the growing concern of the...I'm sorry Padmé, may I?"
Surprised by his incoherence, she was then surprised further as he removed his cloak and gently draped it over her. It engulfed her frame entirely, and she was treated to the warmth left by his body. Again she was touched by his gentlemanly gallantry, as he whispered (perhaps to himself), "It would not do to freeze out here on my behalf milady."
He was able to continue after that, having composed himself entirely. He had come strictly on the business of Republic and the war, and after it was all discussed between the Senator and the Jedi Master, he turned to go. She offered him refreshment, perhaps a cup of his favourite blend and she watched him hesitate, as if torn in accepting the offer. He sadly shook his head and made his apologies again before leaving into the Coruscant night in his Jedi starfighter.
She stood for some time out there contemplating the blush of his cheeks, the darkening of his cerulean eyes and the accidental gentle brush of his fingertips against her bare skin as he placed his covering over her. She realised then that he had left it with her and she inhaled his signature scent of Belazuran Balsaam wood mingled with a hint of Cassia cinnamon spice from the outer rim. Very similar to the Gwethh tea blend he was often partial to.
She had to mentally shake herself from delving too deeply into dangerous thoughts. He was her friend and ally, nothing more. Duty bound was he to the Republic, as was she, as well as the marriage vows that she had pledged. He had done his duty - now it was time to return to hers.