"I don't want you to go out with him," he said quietly, a small frown creasing his forehead.
"What?!" her voice incredulous.
"I don't want you to go out with him," he said, a little louder his time, but not loud enough for the other occupants of the hallway to hear.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, when is who I chose to date any of your business?!" Siri said, loud enough for a few PadaWans and Jedi Knights to overhear. Pointing a finger in his face she continued, "Just because I help you with your Quantum Physics and we went a several missions together doesn't mean you have a right to interfere in my social life!"
"It's just that Dap not a very nice guy, a good Padawan, but his motives for dating a girl can be, well questionable..." Obi-Wan managed, lame as it sounded.
"Look, I know you mean well, but I'm perfectly capable of fending off any unWanted advances if I wanted to," her voice softened.
"But..."
"Your concern's almost nice, but it's misplaced. I gotta run, Dap's waiting for me in The Room of a Thousand Fountains." Siri offered a slight smile, then headed for the turbolift, her brown robe flapping behind her.
Obi-Wan sighed, running a hand through his spiky ginger brown hair. "That went well," he muttered. He had found from Garen that out Siri was dating Dap, an older Padawan. That had been enough to convince him to make his feelings known to Siri, but it had obviously not gone as well as he had planned. Pushing the thought to the back of his head, Obi-Wan turned towards the training rooms, mentally preparing himself for the sparring session ahead. His Master, Qui-Gon Jinn didn't like to be kept waiting.
Siri walked towards the refresher, looking forward to a cool shower. The saber training session with her Master Adi Gallia had been grueling. Out of the corner of her eye she saw another Master-Padawan team training.
"Concentrate,' she heard a familiar voice. Turning she saw Qui-Gon circling his eighteen-year old Padawan. Obi-Wan was doing a one-handed handstand, balancing a few weights on his right foot. His free hand outstretched, he levitated a stack of training mats. Beads of perspiration dotted his forehead, and his braid formed a small coil on the floor. Siri admired the determination she saw in his blue-green eyes. She could tell he was tiring.
"...enough for today," she heard Qui-Gon say as he removed the weights from Obi-Wan's foot. The mats dropped to the floor with a soft thud, as Obi-Wan did a back-flip and got back onto his feet. Qui-Gon said something to him, and Obi-Wan flashed his Master a big smile, his eyes shinning.
Siri's breath caught in her throat, she had never noticed, how attractive Obi-Wan looked, especially with that smile of his. She chastened herself for having such thoughts, reminding herself that Obi-Wan and her were only friends. Hoping Obi-Wan had not noticed her watching, Siri resumed her walk to the refresher.
Obi-Wan stifled a yawn. His thoughts drifted to the conversation he had with Siri at the Temple almost two months ago. Since then he had been on several missions with Qui-Gon and he had convinced himself there had neither been the time nor place to broach the subject again. Now, seemed a good time. He was alone in a small prison cell with Siri.
The two Jedi teams, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, Adi and Siri had been sent to rescue and a Senator who was held prisoner on the remote planet of Orlean. The planet was ruled by an extremist group who had taken the Senator hostage planning to use him as a bargaining chip with the Republic. Obi-Wan and Siri had gotten themselves "arrested" in the same prison as the Senator, and were kept in a holding cell awaiting their punishment.
Qui-Gon and Adi posed as the Republic's ambassadors who had come to the prison to negotiate the Senator's release. In actual fact, they were to create a diversion, allowing the PadaWans time to free the Senator.
"This is taking longer than I expected." Siri said, tucking her long blond hair, along with her Padawan braid behind her ear.
"Patience, my young Padawan," Obi-Wan teased. Siri shot him an annoyed look.
"How are things between you and Dap?" Obi-Wan asked, avoiding Siri's eyes.
"We aren't going out anymore." Siri said quietly.
"Really? Why?" Obi-Wan hoped Siri had not detected the relief in his voice.
"Why would you Wanna know? So that you can say 'I told you so?', that you were right about him being a jerk?" Siri replied angrily.
"No, I just... Why'd you always have to be so hard on me? It was just a question..."
"That's cos I'm sick of you having to be right all the time, having to be the perfect Padawan to Qui-Gon, ever since Melida/Daan - " Siri stopped realizing she had let her anger get the better of her.
"You didn't have to bring that up, I was just asking because I care," Obi-Wan answered, a hint of hurt in his voice.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to, it's just that sometimes I get tired of trying to keep up with you. You're good at everything, Qui-Gon's so proud of you, you've got everything going for you, I've seen how the other female PadaWans look at you..." her voice trailed off as she looked down, studying the cold hard floor.
There was a moment's awkward silence before Obi-Wan spoke up. "Siri, you don't have to keep up with me, and Adi's very proud of you too. You're brave and courageous, you have one of the best saber skills in our age group, and as for the other female PadaWans, I'd rather have your attention than any other girl's."
Siri turned to face him, her blue eyes revealed her surprise. Obi-Wan continued.
"I've always felt a connection to you, and it's more than the Force, we've got something special, I've always liked you, since our mission to rescue Qui-Gon from Jenna Zan Arbor," Obi-Wan stopped, giving Siri some time to take in all he had said. He continued to look into her eyes, his face only inches from hers.
She closed her eyes, and Obi-Wan found himself leaning towards her, their lips touching as they shared a kiss.
"I'm sorry, I - , if you don't feel the same about me, I - "Obi-Wan stammered as his heart hammered against his chest.
Siri silenced him as she kissed him deeply. She smiled sheepishly at him, her face a turning red.
Obi-Wan gave her a goofy grin, "I guess, you feel the same way too."
"You just voiced out something we should have told each other a long time ago, truth is I was so caught up with trying to better you... You're right we have a connection, I've just been trying to ignore it all this time."
Obi-Wan took her hand in his; being so close to her had never felt so good.
A series of clicks on Obi-Wan's comlink signaled the start of the diversion the Jedi Masters had created. They would draw the guard droids away from the main holding block, giving Obi-Wan and Siri the opportunity to free the Senator.
"I guess it's back to work," Obi-Wan grinned. Together they used their lightsabers to cut a hole through their cell.
"This way," Siri lead them along a narrow corridor, "This should be Senator Ksyskll's holding cell." She knocked on the door, "We're Jedi, here to free you, stand back." There was no time to waste.
Obi-Wan kept watch outside the cell, twirling his lightsaber impatiently. Siri went through the hole they cut in the cell door and emerged moments later with the Twi'lek Senator.
"Senator Ksyskll," Obi-Wan gave him a slight nod, "we have to move fast, stay between Siri and me at all times."
The Senator nodded, and the three of them moved swiftly along the empty corridors, towards the exit. The only sounds to be heard were their footsteps and the hum of their lightsabers.
Obi-Wan stabbed his lightsaber into a panel of buttons, the door leading to the outside slid open. The sound of lightsabers and blaster fire could be heard in the distance.
The three of them hurried out into the open field. What happened next was not according to plan.
A group of attack droids surrounded them, blasters ready to fire.
"Stay between us!" Obi-Wan shouted to the Senator, holding his saber in a defensive position.
They stood back-to-back, the Senator in between them. He suddenly felt very responsible for Siri, he knew she was very capable of handling any attack, but he was determined to see her unharmed. They had been taught that Jedi were to look out for each other, but this was different, he knew he was fighting alongside his love.
The droids opened fire, Obi-Wan's lightsaber a constant blur of blue light, deflecting blaster fire. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Siri do the same. He sliced two of the droids in half. Bring down a third droid by deflecting blaster fire towards it. He noticed Qui-Gon and Adi running towards them. Their ship was just beyond the wired fence.
Senator Ksyskll made a sudden dash for the fence, not noticing a blaster shot aimed straight at his head. Obi-Wan felt the Force surge around him, time seemed to slow down. In one swift movement he shoved the Senator to the ground, swinging his lightsaber to deflect the shot. But that lapse in concentration to ensure the Senator's safety was his undoing.
Siri felt the same surge in the Force, she turned, slashing at the last few attack droids in her path. She watched almost with disbelief as Obi-Wan took a shot to his chest, falling heavily to the ground, his lightsaber flew from his hand. For a moment it felt as though she had been shot, as she felt a stab of pain in her heart. Obi-Wan lay motionless on the grass, his eyes closed.
Qui-Gon and Adi were next to her in an instant. The Jedi quickly dispatched of the remaining droids.
"Siri, get us a way out of here," Adi commanded, "hurry, more droids are coming," she said as she helped the Senator to his feet.
It took all Siri's training to prevent her from rushing to Obi-Wan's side, as she cut a hole through the fence.
She heard Qui-Gon, now kneeling by Obi-Wan's side, "Padawan..."
Relief washed over her when she heard Obi-Wan reply, "Master? I'm ok," he croaked. She saw Obi-Wan wince as Qui-Gon helped him to his feet.
Handing Obi-Wan his lightsaber, Qui-Gon asked, concern in his voice, "Can you walk?"
Obi-Wan nodded, "It's not that bad, my shoulder," a gapping wound on his left shoulder could be seen.
"I'm ok," Obi-Wan said trying to mask the pain by calling on the Force. He said it more for Siri's benefit than his own.
The group hurried through the fence, running for the ship's landing ramp as blaster fire pinged around their heads.
Siri wanted to run to Obi-Wan to make sure he was really alright, but Adi's commanding voice prevented her from doing so, "Siri take the controls, get us out of here!"
Siri watched Qui-Gon help Obi-Wan to his cabin, "Siri!" Adi shouted as she shoved the Senator into a seat, "I need you up here!"
Siri took her place at the controls by her Master's side. She felt Obi-Wan's pain, blocking it out with her mental shields, she piloted them into the atmosphere.
The infirmary in the healers' wing of the temple was empty except for the lone Jedi Master, hunched over on his elbows. After sitting in the chair for the past half-hour, Qui-Gon decided that the chair was getting too hard to be comfortable. During the two-day journey back to Corscant, he had done his best to keep his apprentice comfortable. He had made sure that Obi-Wan's shoulder wound was treated with bacta and bandaged tightly to stop the bleeding. He had constantly sent waves of reassurance through the Force, helping to alleviate Obi-Wan's pain. He hoped it was enough.
The doors to the infirmary slid open, and Qui-Gon was not surprised to see that it was Siri who took a seat next to him.
"The Council has been briefed on our mission?" Qui-Gon asked. Siri nodded, her face tense.
"Any word on Obi-Wan?" She asked worry etched on her face.
"Not yet, but I'm sure he's fine, he's been through worse..." Qui-Gon patted Siri's hand. Something had transpired between his Padawan and Siri during the mission, Qui-Gon was sure. He knew they were good friends but she has constantly stayed by Obi-Wan's side during their journey back to Coruscant, even when Qui-Gon had told her he would take care of Obi-Wan. He made a mental note to ask his apprentice about it when he got the chance.
Master Tinj one of the healers at the Temple emerged from the treatment room. Qui-Gon and Siri stood up expectantly at the same time. She motioned Qui-Gon forward.
"Obi-Wan is resting now. The wound was deep almost to the bone, but you did a good job preventing any infection. I'll keep him here for the night, give him one more bacta treatment in the morning then I'll release him to your care. He will make a full recovery in a week's time." Tinj smiled reassuringly at her old friend.
"Thank you. Can I see him?" Qui-Gon replied, visibly relieved.
"I know how protective you are over him but don't stay too long, he needs his rest."
Qui-Gon nodded as he entered the room.
Obi-Wan lay on a bed, his left arm in a sling, immobilized to prevent any further injury to his shoulder. His eyes were closed, and he seemed to be asleep.
Sensing movement in the room, Obi-Wan opened his eyes, smiling sleepily at his Master.
"How are you feeling young one?" Qui-Gon asked, smiling down at the teenager he regarded as his son.
"A little woozy from the pain meds," Obi-Wan replied, "but I'm alright otherwise. I think it will be awhile before Master Tinj puts me back on active duty."
"Don't you worry about that," Qui-Gon out a hand on Obi-Wan's good shoulder. "Someone's here to see you," he added.
Obi-Wan' face lit up as he saw Siri entering the room. She bent over Obi-Wan carefully giving him a hug. Her eyes moistened, "When I saw you get shot, I thought you... and then you didn't move, I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."
Obi-Wan pulled her closer, "It's ok, I'm ok. You're not going to lose me, I'll be with you always, promise," he planted a small kiss on her cheek.
"I'll come see you tomorrow, I don't think Master Tinj Wants us disturbing your rest," Siri whispered into his ear.
Obi-Wan nodded. Siri planted a kiss on his forehead, bowed to Qui-Gon then left the room.
Qui-Gon raised his eyebrows, a small grin on his face.
"I'm sorry Master, I meant to tell you when the mission was over but I didn't get the chance, we, Siri and I kinda got together during the mission." He smiled a goofy grin, "I hope you approve."
"As long as you don't let it interfere with your training, and, as long as Adi approves."
"Siri will tell her, I'm sure."
Qui-Gon laughed, "Well it's about time. You've had a thing for Siri as long as I can remember."
Obi-Wan blushed slightly.
"You get some rest, I'll come back in the morning to take you back to our quarters." Qui-Gon sent a wave of comfort through their training bond.
Obi-Wan yawned, he closed his eyelids. His Master left the room quietly. To Obi-Wan it felt as if all was right with the world.
DISCLAIMER: All recognizable Star Wars characters and places are the exclusive property of George Lucas. I'm just borrowing them and taking them for a spin.