One Path Chapter 3-The Road Home (original) (raw)

Title: The Road Home
Author: Lionchilde
Summary: Qui-Gon showed no reaction at first, then closed his eyes in thought. "You must be willing to let these feelings go, Obi-Wan, if you are to be a Jedi Knight."

Rating: G
Length: Around 3000 words
Category: Romance
Pairings/Charaters: Obidala
A/N: One Path Chapter 3. Set during TPM, after Queen Amidala's transport lands on Tatooine.

The Road Home

Obi Wan strode down the ramp, his boots clanging loudly against the metal as he moved. He hurried toward Qui-Gon and Padme, conscious of his own racing heart. "I was getting worried," he said, keeping his eyes determinedly on his Master.

Qui-Gon dismounted without comment and started to help Padme off the back of the eopie. Restraining the urge to help her himself, Obi Wan drew in a centering breath and waited for the elder Jedi to speak. When he did, Qui-Gon's tone was brisk and businesslike.

"Start getting this hyperdrive generator installed," he instructed. "I'm going back. I have some unfinished business."

"Business?" Obi Wan repeated.

"I won't be long," Qui-Gon promised.

Obi Wan said nothing, regarding his teacher for a long moment. Had they been alone, he might have reminded Qui-Gon of his assurance that they would talk when he returned. With Padme's eyes on him, though, he could say nothing--only hope that she would be required to make a real report to the queen once they were inside.

Even the thought of that, though, made his stomach tighten. He had been worried--more about her than Qui-Gon--from the moment the storm hit. If he was honest, he knew he might even have been worried before that. The whole idea of the queen sending her into Mos Espa galled him. Sighing, he pushed these thoughts away, aware that Qui-Gon was now carefully watching him.

"Why do I sense we've picked up an other pitiful life form?" he asked.

Qui-Gon took his arm, leading him away from Padme and Jar Jar as he explained, "It's the boy who's responsible for getting us these parts. The boy whose blood sample you ran the midi-chlorian test on last night."

Obi Wan's jaw tightened. The boy again, of course. What did Qui-Gon think he was going to do with the boy? He was too old to be trained as a Jedi, no matter how high a midi-chlorian count he had. The Padawan said nothing, though, knowing that there was no dissuading Qui-Gon once his mind was set.

He turned away, and as Qui-Gon left again, Padme hurried over to him with a bright smile. She tilted her head teasingly. "You do get cranky when you haven't slept, don't you?"

"Only when I'm stuck in the desert," he groused, stalking off to do his Master's bidding.

She followed, throwing her arms around him from behind. Her chin came to rest briefly on his shoulder and she gave him a companionable squeeze. "What are you so grumpy about? We're leaving!"

His breath caught, and he realized all over again why he needed to talk to Qui-Gon. He felt the tension ease from his frame even as she released him, and he mumbled a self conscious, "I'm sorry, Padme."

"You really have been worried, haven't you?" she asked, pulling him around.

"Yes," he nodded. "I have been. Mos Espa is a dangerous place."

"Things are all right now, Obi Wan," she pointed out with a concerned frown.

He allowed a slight smile of agreement, then gestured toward the generator. "Come on, we'd better help before Jar Jar makes a mess of things."

***

Sabe and her handmaidens were waiting in her quarters. She'd told Obi Wan that she was going to give a real report to the queen, and he accepted the statement a chuckle. She felt more than a little relieved to be back among the friends she knew and trusted, where there could be a respite from pretense.

The girls wanted to hear about her experiences in Mos Espa, so she talked mostly about the strange culture of the place and the societal rules which, she had discovered, were so very different from those to which they were accustomed. She grew hesitant when the story approached the second evening and her conversation with Obi Wan. It had been entirely innocent, but she wondered if the girls might read more into it than there had been. She didn't want to say anything which could reflect poorly on Obi Wan, whose conduct had been no less than gentlemanly--far more so than that of his Master, in fact.

Sabe realized that there was something she was hiding, though, and shot Padme several long looks as the queen talked. Finally, knowing that she wasn't going to deceive her friend, she dismissed the others and then stood with her back to the door, leaning lightly on it until they were sure they were alone.

"It's nothing, really," Padme assured the decoy.

"Nothing that you can talk about?" Sabe smiled knowingly.

Padme chuckled, glancing down as she shook her head. "No, really. Obi Wan and I talked a few times over his Master's comlink, that's all. I told Qui-Gon I was reporting to you."

Sabe's eyebrow rose. "Obi Wan?"

"The Padawan…?" Padme replied, frowning. In all the time that Sabe and the others had spent on the ship while she was gone, she was sure that they must have learned his name.

"I know who he is, Your Highness," Sabe nodded. "What I don't know is when you started calling him by name."

"Oh. Before I left, he helped me clean Artoo Detoo," explained Padme.

"He what?" Sabe blinked.

"He's really very nice," Padme smiled.

"I see," the decoy smirked.

Padme's eyes narrowed, then widened in surprise. "It wasn't like that! He was only being friendly. And the night when the message came in, I was upset. He was…"

"He was what?" Sabe prompted with the distinct air of someone trying not to laugh.

"Kind," Padme said, raising her chin defiantly.

"I haven't heard you say that a man was kind in a long time, Your Highness. In fact, I don't know that you've ever said it," Sabe observed.

"This one is," Padme said smoothly.

"Then why couldn't you say that to the others?" Sabe asked, still unconvinced.

"I just didn't want there to be any misunderstanding. Jedi are forbidden to have romantic relationships, and I thought it might cause trouble for him if someone assumed that there was more than friendship between us," explained Padme with a pointed look. Then her expression softened. "It's been a long time since I've had a friend besides you and the handmaidens, Sabe. I'd like to have this friendship a while longer."

"Then I suggest you go and talk to him, Your Highness, because once we reach Coruscant, you'll have to be Amidala again," Sabe advised.

***

Obi Wan was helping Ric Olie install the hyper drive generator when he felt Padme approach. She hung back, radiating what seemed an uncharacteristic uncertainty as she waited for them to finish. He firmly kept his focus on the task at hand, hoping that the installation would be complete by the time that Qui-Gon returned.

He wasn't entirely sure what his Master would be doing in order to bring the slaveboy with them, so he wasn't particularly concerned when Qui-Gon hadn't appeared by the time they were finished. Both men turned, Olie noticing Padme for the first time. He nodded, and Obi Wan smiled warmly as she straightened her shoulders and stepped toward them.

"Queen Amidala wishes to thank you for extending such kindness to me while I was in Mos Espa," she told Obi Wan.

The Padawan replied with a formal bow, "Please tell Her Highness that thanks aren't necessary."

"I'd like to thank you too," she added.

Obi Wan felt a smile tug his lips, and he shook his head. "It's not necessary, Padme."

"Thank you anyway," she insisted.

"You're welcome then," Obi Wan chuckled.

Olie looked from one to the other, suddenly coming to the realization that he was probably intruding and excused himself, murmuring something about running a pre-flight check. They watched him go, and Padme turned back to Obi Wan with a speculative look.

"You think there's any caf aboard? Maybe we could talk a few minutes before Qui…" she paused, suddenly struck by the fact that they were still stealing brief moments of conversation while waiting for Qui-Gon to appear.

Both laughed, and Obi Wan shrugged slightly. "I'm not sure, but I don't usually drink caf anyway."

"Oh," she frowned. "Is that against the rules?"

"What rules?" he asked.

"The Jedi Code…?" she trailed off uncertainly.

"No. I just don't see much point in drinking something that doesn't taste good," he explained.

"It's an acquired taste. It grows on you," Padme replied.

"Well, what's the point of an acquired taste?" Obi Wan asked lightly.

Padme folded her arms in thought and lifted an eyebrow. "That's a very good question. So, what do you drink, then? Maybe we could find some of that."

"Jawa Juice when I can get it. I doubt we'll find any here, but know a place on Coruscant--" he broke off suddenly, turning toward the open entry ramp. "Something's wrong."

"What?" Padme asked.

"Don't know," Obi Wan replied, but he was already moving toward the ramp. Padme sprang after him, and they reached it just as the disheveled waif that had to be his Master's new project burst inside.

"Qui-Gon's in trouble!" he announced, breathless and sweating. "He says to take off now."

"Where is he?" demanded Obi Wan, but the boy's eyes shot toward Padme with real fear. Deciding that Qui-Gon probably didn't have time to wait for him to win the child's trust, he whirled about, racing off toward the cockpit.

Padme and the boy followed, crowding in behind him as Obi Wan moved toward the viewport. "Qui-Gon's in trouble," she repeated.

Olie shifted position to peer over Obi Wan's shoulder, saying, "I don't see anything--"

"Over there!" Obi Wan cut him off. "Get us into the air and over there! Now! Fly low!"

Olie was instantly in the pilot's chair, his hands moving over the controls to obey. Obi Wan forced himself to breathe normally as the ship took off, forced his mind away from fear and self-recrimination as they cut through the desert air toward Qui-Gon.

Part of his mind whispered that he should have known sooner, should have sensed danger directed at his Master. Perhaps he would have if he had not been so distracted. Now, though, he drew on the Force to clear his thoughts and focused his attention on the viewport.

"There," he pointed as Qui-Gon came into view. As the ship moved closer, they could see him locked in a fierce duel with a black robed figure wielding what could only be a lightsaber--a red lightsaber.

"Stand by," Olie said as he brought the ship around and started to drop the ramp.

Nothing was visible through the swirling sand, and Obi-Wan's eyes moved automatically to the view screens, scanning frantically for his teacher. Suddenly, Qui-Gon did appear, leaping onto the ramp, and Obi-Wan felt a moment's elation, but he knew the battle was not yet won. The monstrous attacker came after him, making a leap onto the ramp as they began to gain altitude.

The creature was off balance, though, and Qui-Gon moved toward him, taking up the fight again at the edge of the ramp. Obi Wan stood transfixed as weapons whirled, unsure that this was a battle his Master could win and yet somehow unable to move. "Qui-Gon," he pleaded, only half aware that he had spoken the name aloud.

He felt a strong, slender hand grip his arm and finally tore his gaze from the screen to meet Padme's dark eyes. Then he pulled away, hurrying toward the ramp.

The boy raced through the hall with him, both of them reaching Qui-Gon at the same time. They helped the Master to his feet and Anakin blurted, "Are you all right?"

Qui-Gon reassured him, but Obi Wan continued to frown. "What was it?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. But he was trained in the Jedi arts. My guess is he was after the queen," said Qui-Gon.

"Do you think he'll follow us?" asked the boy.

"We'll be safe enough once we're in hyperspace," Qui-Gon replied. "But I have no doubt he knows our destination. If he found us once, he can find us again."

"What are we going to do about it?" the boy demanded.

Obi-Wan turned to face him, eyebrows rising. "We?"

***

Padme didn't know what compelled her into the main chamber that night. She had heard Sio Bibble's message already over the comlink, but felt the need to see it for herself. She didn't know what she thought it would accomplish, if through seeing it with her own eyes she could determine whether or not it had been a trick or if it was simply her guilt that drove her.

As she viewed the flickering hologram and heard the plea again, she hung her head, almost overwhelmed by the hopelessness of the situation. She had been trained to lead and govern the people of Naboo; she had led them to this, and now unless she could convince the Senate to help, her home and millions of lives would be lost.

Footsteps sounded and she looked up with a sharp gasp as Obi Wan entered the room. He strode over to her, reaching for her arm. Even in the dim light of the console, she could see the concern etched on his youthful features.

"Are you all right?" he murmured.

She started to nod, but his gaze held hers, and she shook her head. Obi Wan hesitated for a moment, then drew her against his chest. She had resolved not to cry, but as his warmth and the strength of his arms enfolded her, she felt tears beginning to leak past her closed eyelids.

"What if the Senate won't help us?" she asked tremulously.

"I will," he promised.

She looked up in surprise. "You?"

"And I imagine so will Qui-Gon," he continued with a slight smile.

"The Jedi serve the Republic…" she trailed off in confusion.

He started to say something more, but frowned suddenly and pulled back. He turned, and Padme followed his gaze, eyes widening as she spotted Anakin. She moved quickly away from Obi Wan, hurrying toward where the boy crouched shivering.

She knelt beside him, talking softly to him for a few moments, and then picked up a blanket and wrapped it around him. In return he gave her a carved pendant, which he said would bring her good fortune. Padme couldn't help but smile. She promised that she wouldn't need a necklace to remember him, but the boy's eyes flicked uncertainly toward Obi Wan.

Padme felt her cheeks grow warm as she realized that Anakin had seen her crying in the Jedi's embrace. She smiled reassuringly and reached to turn his face back toward her. "Many things will change when we reach Coruscant, Ani. My caring for you will not be one of them."

"I know. And I won't stop caring for you, either. Only, I miss--" Anakin broke off, his eyes filling with tears again.

"You miss your mother," Padme finished knowingly. She gathered him in her arms and held him for a few moments, then carried him back to bed.

Obi Wan was still waiting when she returned, and she looked down with an embarrassed smile at the necklace that Anakin had given her. The Jedi smiled too, and stepped closer. "Put it on," he shrugged. "Perhaps it will bring good fortune."

"I don't need it for that," she replied.

"Let me help you," Obi Wan offered, reaching to take the necklace from her hands. He walked around behind her, and Padme lifted back her hood to let him fasten it around her neck.

***

Obi Wan slipped into the small room where his Master was meditating and waited for the door to close behind him. He stood for a moment, then stepped forward and sank down crosslegged across from his teacher, waiting patiently for Qui-Gon to acknowledge him.

Finally, the elder Jedi opened his eyes, but calmly held the silence. Obi Wan looked down, considering his words carefully. He had been wanting speak to Qui-Gon for days, yet now he felt unable to begin. Qui-Gon reached out, laying a warm hand on his arm.

He looked up again and took a breath, deciding that there was only one thing he could say. "I think I'm falling in love with Padme, Master."

Qui-Gon showed no reaction at first, then closed his eyes in thought. "You must be willing to let these feelings go, Obi Wan, if you are to be a Jedi Knight."

"I am willing," Obi Wan asserted, then his brow furrowed. "It's more difficult than I imagined it would be…"

Qui-Gon nodded. "Very difficult. But you will make the right choice, Obi Wan."

"Should I avoid her, Master?" Obi Wan asked, breathing a sigh of relief when the other immediately shook his head.

"No. You must face what you feel, not run from it," advised Qui-Gon.

"How can I do that without…?" Obi Wan trailed off.

"With careful self-discipline. Other Jedi have faced this challenge before you," Qui-Gon told him quietly. "It is never easy. Nor should it be. But if you avoid her, you will have given in to fear."

Obi Wan's lips flickered upward in a momentary smile. "If they succeeded, perhaps they knew things I don't."

"There are times one can succeed and fail at the same time," Qui-Gon murmured.