Disclaimer: Not mine. They all belong to George Lucas.

Next part of the "Meeting Again" Obi/Padme series. Missing parts can be found
at my site: http://www.dreamwater.net/sydsvaughn/obiwan.html
or at the new Obidala fanfiction archive: http://www.obidala.net

Author Note: This chapter starts at Kamino, then branches off from there.
Again, since this is AU, I'm extending the encounter on Kamino. Trust me, the
rest will fall into place, but you'll all be able to see where I start down
my own path, or rather, a little detour in getting to the end of AOTC!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Obi-Wan exchanged a startled glance with Padme as they both tried to
comprehend what Lama Su had just told them.

Someone had commissioned a clone army for the Republic? And that someone was
supposedly a Jedi Master believed killed years ago?

What in the Force was going on here?

Padme was trying to sort through all the information in her mind, the
ramifications of this knowledge changing the entire scope of the Republic's
future. Dear Gods, someone had created an army for the Republic. Someone had
commissioned and paid for this army, and the Senate and obviously the Jedi
were unaware of it.

"I am sure you are anxious to see your army," Lama Su intoned, rising and
extending an arm.

"That's why we're here," Obi-Wan replied, ignoring the quick glance Padme
shot his way at the wry humor in his voice. Rising, he held out his arm as
she slipped hers through it and they followed Lama Su and Taun We down the
brightly lit hallways.

Padme used the opportunity to observe her surroundings, noting so far, most
of the creatures they'd passed in the halls were obviously Kaminans. And
everything here was so while, so plain, compared to the stormy sea of color
outside, it was rather eerie in a way.

Obi-Wan was trying to figure out what to make of this entire situation. So
far, he had seen no sign of a bounty hunter, and he and Padme had not seemed
to strike suspicion in anyone. However, the knowledge of this clone army was
a huge shock, one he was sure the Council would not be pleased with.

Stewing those thoughts over in his mind, he and Padme followed their hosts
through a sliding door, entering what suddenly seemed to be a strange new
world.

He stopped in his tracks, feeling Padme do the same as their eyes focused on
the sight in front of them. Rows of what looked like fetuses in glass bottles
surrounded them, obviously the baby clones in some state of gestation.
Machines floated here and there, tending to some unknown task, geared towards
keeping the clone fetuses alive.

Padme swallowed hard as her gaze moved from above to below, surprised to note
there were hundreds of boys who looked to be no more than 12, all with the
same face. She supposed that was what clones were, but it was still rather
frightening to see.

Obi-Wan noted the young clones, hearing vaguely as Lama Su explained their
cloning process. It did not sound ethical, manipulating human genetics, but
he suspected it was the least of the Kaminan's worries. His eyes widened as
he turned to his right and saw the fully-grown clones, sitting at row after
row of tables, eating their daily meal.

It was a rather unsettling sight, to see the same face, again and again and
again.

He noted Lama Su was now explaining the origin of the clones. His ears perked
up as he heard the words "bounty hunter." He felt Padme stiffen at his side,
noting she too had caught the reference. They both exchanged glances as the
Prime Minister explained about Jango Fett and the fact that he lived on
Kamino. Something told Obi-Wan this was the clue they'd been waiting for.

"I would like to meet this Jango Fett," he offered casually, glad when the
suggestion seemed to go over rather well with their hosts and Taun We agreed
to set up a meeting. He squeezed Padme's hand as they stepped through another
door, pulling her a little closer as the room darkened around them as they
stepped up to the balcony.

Padme's gasp was barely audible, but Obi-Wan heard it, felt her body tense
alongside his, the sound of his own sharp gasp mingling with hers as they
looked over the scene before them.

"Dear Gods," Padme murmured under her breath as she observed row after row of
uniformed clones, marching in flanks below them. It was literally a sea of
black and white that seemed to roll on forever. She pressed a little closer
to Obi-Wan's side, a shiver running through her body at the so obvious signs
of an army ready for battle. An army the Senate did not know about.

Obi-Wan tightened his grip on her hand as he too took in the scene below
them. The sense of disbelief ran strongest, almost as if he could not, would
not, believe what he was seeing. But the evidence was there, plain as day.
And the Kaminans' were obviously waiting for a response.

"It looks to be a fine army," he managed in reply, glad to note their two
long necked hosts looked pleased at his comment.

"And you Senator, do you believe your Senate will be pleased?" Lama Su asked
Padme, his eyes fixing on hers.

Padme swallowed hard before replying.

"I think you have done a fine job in fulfilling our request," she answered
neutrally, seeing Obi-Wan's slight nod of agreement with her answer. She felt
a tingling warmth flow through her body, despite the seriousness of the
situation. It felt good to know Obi-Wan was pleased with her performance.
Not that Senator, Formerly Queen Amidala had ever needed anyone's approval.
But she still found herself wanting this Master Jedi's.

"Excuse me, Master Jedi Kenobi," Lama Su suddenly offered, turning as another
Kaminan walked through the doors and to his side. Obi-Wan and Padme watched
carefully as the two conferred in quiet voices, Taun We standing slightly to
the side. A moment later, Lama Su turned to whisper something to Taun We,
then turned back to Obi-Wan and Padme with a look of regret on his face.

"I am afraid Jango has not returned from his current mission," the Prime
Minister offered, as Obi-Wan felt Padme tense up again. "I know you had
hoped to meet him today, but that will not be possible. We expect him to
return sometime late tonight, and we can arrange a meeting with him tomorrow.
I am sure he will want to know what you both think of his clones. That is, if
you will allow us to offer you shelter for the night?" he finished.

Obi-Wan sighed. He did not want to spend a night on this planet, but he knew
he needed to meet this bounty hunter, find out if he was the one after Padme.
Although, if he was, he wondered if it would only put Padme in more danger.
Which meant maybe it would be better to leave, get Padme someplace safe and
then come back to question Jango himself.

Padme sensed his fears, could clearly read the indecision and worry, for her,
in his eyes. She felt a chill of fear permeate her own body at the knowledge
that the person who wanted her dead could be so close-by. But she could not
let that fear control her, or Obi-Wan. She was perfectly capable of defending
herself, and she would have Obi-Wan with her. Besides, she wanted to look the
man who might want her dead straight in the eye as she questioned him.

"Thank you Prime Minister, we accept your offer and are looking most forward
to meeting Jango tomorrow morning," she offered in as regal a voice as she
could manage. She ignored the frown Obi-Wan sent her way, and tightened her
grip almost painfully on his arm as he seemed to be about to say something to
refute her answer.

Obi-Wan felt the frustration rising as she literally took the decision out of
his hands. While part of him had to admire her bravery, another part was
annoyed she had acted without consulting him first. Especially since he was
supposed to be protecting her.

But as he had learned in his years as Master to Anakin, there was a time to
argue and a time to remain silent. This was definitely the latter.

"Thank you for your kindness," Obi-Wan finally managed, missing the slight
grin Padme sent him at his stiff answer.

"Well then, I am sure you must be tired, let me show you to your rooms," Taun
We offered, extending a hand and urging them to follow.

Making their good-byes to Lama Su, Obi-Wan and Padme remained silent as they
again made their way through the almost abnormally bright halls. Obi-Wan
found himself analyzing the set up and layout of the building, his mind
always on alert for the need of a fast escape. He smiled to himself as he
noted Padme's gaze was literally mirroring his, her mind obviously working
along the same track.

A short time later, they reached two doors, one of which slid open at a
vocal prompt from Taun We.

"Senator Amidala, this is one of our finest guest suites, I hope it is
satisfactory," Taun We explained as she ushered them in the door.

Padme tried not to gasp at the wash of color now surrounding them. For a
plain, seemingly black and white planet, the colors were extraordinary, all
blues and greens of various hues, creating a soothing and calming effect,
quite different from the sterile white halls.

"It's lovely," she offered, genuinely meaning her compliment.

Taun We smiled.

"We know it can be disconcerting for visitors to see everything in black and
white, so we try to keep our guest quarters a little more colorful," she
offered.

Padme smiled.

"I think I will be very comfortable here, thank you," she returned, as their
host nodded, then turned to Obi-Wan.

"Master Kenobi, your quarters are adjoining the Senator's," Taun We
continued, turning to push a button on a door just off of the living area.
Obi-Wan followed his host through the door, only to find himself staring at
another colorful room, this time decorated in grays and greens. The layout
was essentially the same, only the color scheme was different.

"Thank you very much, this will do just fine," Obi-Wan replied, bowing
slightly in respect.

Taun We smiled.

"Very well then, it is late and I will let you retire. I will notify you when
Jango has returned and we have set up a meeting, enjoy your stay," she
replied, bowing again before disappearing out the door.

Padme waited until the door had slid shut behind their host before walking
into Obi-Wan's quarters.

"Well, what do you propose we do about this clone army?" she began, stopping
as he held up a hand and with a quick motion, pulled a strange looking device
off his belt. She immediately realized what he was doing, remaining quiet as
he swept the room for surveillance devices.

Several minutes later, he replaced the device and turned to smile wearily at
her.

"Well, I can find no listening or surveillance devices of any type, so
obviously, we must not pose a threat, at least to the Kaminans," he mused,
smiling as Padme came over and settled down on the plush sofa, letting her
head fall back against the pillows in relief.

"I don't think the shock of seeing those clones has worn off yet," she
murmured, rubbing her temples, hoping to ease the slow ache that had been
building behind her eyes since she'd gotten her first glimpse of the clone
army.

Obi-Wan sighed as he settled down on the sofa next to her, sending a
soothing, healing touch through the Force to Padme, in hopes her headache
would lessen. She smiled in thanks as the tension lines on her forehead eased.

He sighed as he too relaxed back into the couch, his mind still awhirl with
the possibilities and repercussions of what they'd learned today, and
possibly would learn tomorrow. The meeting with Jango also brought back some
of the fear he felt about having Padme in such close contact with her
potential assassin.

"You're worrying again Obi-Wan," she offered dryly, opening her eyes as she
felt the worry coming in waves off of him. She knew he had a right to be
worried, but she really didn't think it would be as big a deal as he did.
After all, she was no stranger to danger.

"Well, the thought of you possibly being in the same room with a man sworn to
kill you doesn't do much for my nerves," he muttered, turning to offer her a
wry smile.

Padme laughed.

"You mean those supposedly unflappable Jedi nerves?" she teased, seeing his
eyes spark at her playful words.

"Padme, this is serious," he continued, his voice lowering as he looked into
her eyes, willing her to understand. "I will do everything in my power to
protect you, but if he tries something, if I can't protect you," he stopped,
unable to finish the sentence, the thought of something happening to her
enough to instill in him a fear he'd never felt before.

Padme felt her own heart moved as she read his emotions, feeling a sense of
wonderment that he was so concerned for her. Despite the fact she knew her
guards, handmaidens and others cared about her and her safety, it was
different, knowing it was Obi-Wan.

"I told you before Obi-Wan, I know you will protect me with your life, so I'm
not going to worry. Whatever happens, we'll face it together," she replied
softly, moving so she was now leaning against his side.

Obi-Wan sighed, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. He
smiled as she nestled her head against his neck, breathing in the unique
scent that she wore. It still amazed him how comfortable she was with him,
how easy it was for her to curl up in his arms, to make him smile and laugh,
despite his fear and worry. How easy it was to be with her, despite all the
dangers and obstacles around them. The biggest, he suddenly realized as the
guilt swamped him, being someone he hadn't thought about today.

Anakin.

Padme felt his body tense against her, and pulled back just far enough to
stare up at him. She felt her heart ache as she read the worry and confusion
now mixed in those beautiful orbs. She knew immediately whom he was thinking
of.

"You're worried about Anakin too, aren't you?" she asked quietly, feeling him
sigh against her.

"I just wish he hadn't taken off like that, he's so impulsive, so rash, I'm
worried what he might do," he finally offered, unconsciously tightening his
arms around her. He knew his padawan would not rest until he'd found his
mother. What worried him was what he might do if he found her hurt, or worse,
dead.

Padme could sense where his thoughts had gone, because hers had been down
that road as well. Anakin was so unpredictable, so determined to achieve his
goals, whatever way possible. She shivered as she imagined what he might do
to anyone who hurt his mother, or anyone by rights, who hurt him.

Another shiver went through her body as she realized that she and Obi-Wan had
now become two of those people.

Obi-Wan immediately sensed her thoughts, could see the worry she was now
trying hard to hide. He found it rather ironic that she was not worried about
facing a dangerous bounty hunter out to kill her, but instead by his padawan.
Though, he thought with a tinge of guilt, he could not blame her.

Sighing, he tightened his arms around her, feeling better when she
immediately clung tightly to him. He too had had those same thoughts, bore
the same guilt at knowing the woman his padawan loved, preferred his Master.
And the consequences could be disastrous.

"Padme," he began, tipping her chin up so her eyes met his. "Anakin has
always had immense power, power that frightens me when I see it uncontrolled,
which has become more and more often lately." He sighed as he ran a fingertip
down her cheek, marveling again at the softness of her skin. "If he knew how
we, how I," he stumbled, unsure of what to say. He felt his heart settle at
the look she gave him, as she leaned up to place a kiss against his lips.

"He would go insane with anger and jealousy if he knew how we felt about each
other," she stated quietly, admitting for them both, what neither had been
able to say.

Obi-Wan felt a surge of happiness at realizing she felt the same. That
happiness was quickly tempered by worry, and then guilt. Guilt because he
knew he was betraying his padawan with these feelings he held for Padme.

"Obi-Wan, don't," Padme whispered quietly, knowing where his thoughts were.
"Anakin may think, may believe, he loves me, but he doesn't. He's obsessed
with me, and it will pass. It must. And if it does not, it is something he
will have to learn to accept and deal with," she managed, looking deep into
his eyes to make sure he understood her words. "I will always love Anakin,
but only as a sister would a brother, I can't help that. But it's you I want
to be with, you I want to argue and fight with, you I want to go to bed with,
and wake up next to every morning," she finished in a hoarse whisper, her
eyes echoing everything she had said.

Obi-Wan had no words to answer her declaration, still amazed that she felt
this way about him. Astounded that she wanted to be with him, as much as he
wanted to be with her. Worried that he was actually considering taking the
risk of enraging Anakin if he ever found out. Because no matter what she
said, he knew his padawan would never give up on Padme. His apprentice wanted
this woman more than most probably, anything in his young life. It would
devastate the young man if he ever realized their feelings for each other.

But somehow, in this place, at this moment, he found himself wanting to take
that risk

"Oh Padme," he whispered as he cupped her face in his palms, "do you know how
it makes me feel to hear you say things like that," he whispered, leaning
down to brush his lips across her cheek, inhaling the fragrance that she
always wore. "Do you understand what you do to me, the things I want, the
things I want to do to you and with you, when I hear you talk like that," he
continued, feeling her pulse speed up as his thumbs stroked her neck.

Padme was trying to control her breathing, unable to do more than close her
eyes and let his words wash over her, arousing her beyond anything she'd ever
felt before. She shivered as his whiskered beard brushed across her cheeks
and his lips planted kisses across her face.

She sighed and leaned into him, letting her hands tighten around his back,
arching against him unconsciously as his lips moved to her earlobe.

"Obi-Wan," she managed, not sure what she was asking of him, only knowing she
would die if she didn't feel his lips against hers immediately.

Obi-Wan sensed her rising desire, which perfectly matched his. With a low
growl, he brought his lips to hers, moaning softly as they immediately opened
to him. His tongue reached out to tangle with hers, getting lost in the warm
recess of her mouth.

Padme felt her world spinning out of control as he deepened the kiss, his
hands pulling her tightly against him, allowing her to feel his rising desire
for her pressed against her thigh.

Obi-Wan was lost in the sensation of having her warm, soft body against his,
lost in the desire he felt in her kiss, in the way her hands were raking over
his back, lost in the soft moans she was uttering against his lips.
Without stopping to think, simply going on the feelings that flowed through
him, through the Force around them, he slid his hands underneath her top,
reveling in the feel of her heated skin against his.

Padme's breath caught as she felt his fingers move across the sensitive flesh
of her stomach, then rise to cup her breasts, no hesitation at all this time.
She moaned against his lips, arching her flesh against his warm fingers,
writhing against him as his soft touch lit off explosions throughout her
already overly sensitized body. She'd never known anything could feel so
good, so right, as his touch. She knew she couldn't live without it, not when
she'd been allowed the privilege of experiencing it.

Obi-Wan moaned as he moved from her lips to her neck, leaving a trail of
heated kisses in his wake. He felt her heart pounding against his chest, felt
her breath shudder from her body as he allowed his mouth to move lower. He
felt an answering growl in his throat as he replaced his hands with his lips
against her breasts, drawing a long moan from deep in her throat as she
pressed more of her sensitive flesh against his lips and tongue.

Even through the thin material of her top, Padme could feel the sensations
coursing through her body as Obi-Wan worked over her flesh with his talented
mouth. His hands were not idle either, one clenched in her hair, bending her
head back to allow him more access to her chest, the other drawing
tantalizing circles against her abdomen, but not moving any further.

She moaned his name again, freeing one of her hands from its death grip on
his hair, moving it over top of his, guiding him lower, needing to feel him
where she wanted him most.

Obi-Wan gasped as he felt her take the initiative, unable to resist when she
pulled his hand lower, growling low in his throat again as he felt the heat
of her center, burning with desire, for him.

He couldn't stop his hand from moving, delighting in learning what pressure
where made her cry out, or mewl frantically as she arched against him. He
couldn't believe the feelings coursing through his body as he watched her
lose herself in sensation, his mind flashing back to the other night,
realizing, in amazement, this time, it was not a dream. He was really here,
touching her, kissing her, showing her how much he desired her.

It was nearly enough to drive him mad.

He had to kiss her again.

His hand still moving between her legs, he raised his head from her chest and
took her lips again in a savage kiss, ravaging the tender flesh as she moaned
and arched against him, urging him on with her mewls and cries of pleasure.

He couldn't help but groan himself as he felt her small hands finally move
from his neck, and begin their own tour of his chest, sliding under his
tunics, making him shudder with need as he felt her soft fingers against his
bare skin. It felt even better than before, and he knew he needed more, much
more, before this night was over.

He cried out against her lips as she boldly moved her hand lower, to cup his
hardness through the thin material of his trousers. His eyes flew open, to
see the wonderment in hers as she began to stroke him, gently at first,
learning how and what he liked through his whispered urgings and constant
moans.

"Padme, please," he whimpered, finally gathering the willpower to remove her
hand and bring it back up to the safer area of his chest.

"Please what Obi-Wan, can't you see how much I want you?" she whispered,
letting her body move against his, telling him without words that she needed
him more than her next breath.

For a moment, he stared at her in wonder, amazed that this was Senator
Amidala, formerly Queen of Naboo, lying beneath him, cheeks flushed, eyes
delirious with desire, begging him to make love to her.

If he didn't know better, he'd have sworn it was all a wonderful dream.

"It's not a dream Obi-Wan, I want you, I need you," she whispered, reading
his thoughts again as she reached up to grab his face and pull him back down
to her. "Take me," she husked against his ear, biting the sensitive flesh
gently, knowing it would drive him over the edge.

Obi-Wan moaned long and low in his throat as he suddenly began tugging at her
clothing, determined now to see her fully revealed to him. Padme was
attempting the same thing, damning the layers of the Jedi uniform as she
struggled to pull it off of him.

Minutes, and a few creative moves later, they both lay naked against each
other, clothing lying in a discarded heap on the floor.

"Padme, are you sure?" he whispered one final time, needing to know she
wanted this as much as he did.

"I've never been more sure in my life Obi-Wan, please," she moaned, arching
up against him, their bodies now in perfect alignment.

With another moan, he thrust forward and took them both to heaven, forgetting
all the worries, the dangers, the fears and troubles they would face in the
morning and in their future. For tonight, it was just the two of them and
their desire. It was all they needed. It might be all they could have. For
tonight, it was enough.

~~~~~~~~~~

Parsecs away, on the sandy, barren wastelands of Tatooine, Anakin Skywalker
felt a strong jolt of something unpleasant flood his body as he stood looking
down at the Tusken Raider's camp. Stopping for a moment, he let the feeling
wash over him, wondering what he sensed that was making him so uncomfortable.
For a moment, he wondered if Padme was in trouble, if Obi-Wan had somehow
managed to get them into trouble. But then, his rational mind reasserted
itself.

Obi-Wan didn't know how to fail, and Padme wouldn't accept defeat. They would
be just fine, and if all went well, he would be reunited with his love and
his Master on Naboo by the next night.

First though, he needed to rescue his mother.

Pushing the disquieting feeling to the back of his mind, he stealthily jumped
from his high perch atop a cliff, concentrating all his energy on reaching
his mother.

He would not fail.

~~~~~~~~~