Disclaimer: Not mine. Never will be. Obi belongs to GL and GL alone. I'm just
borrowing him. (Aura is mine, actually, in a nice world, she'd be me!)

Notes: This is a sequel to my story "Wishful Thinking." I wrote it a while
ago, and it's archived at Sith Chicks. You NEED to read that before this one,
even if its as a refresher, or parts will NOT make sense! Enjoy!

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

Aura sighed, rubbing her forehead as she tried to focus on her show, instead
of the Holonews blaring from the Senate news channel on the video screen in
front of her. She already had a headache from a long day of trying to find
interesting stories about a war that only got more bloody and more confusing
by the hour.

Not the mention the constant state of worry she lived in, knowing Obi-Wan was
right in the middle of it all.

Obi-Wan.

The thought of him brought a small smile to her face and sent a tingle
through her body as she remembered the incredible night they'd spent together
before he'd left on this latest mission.

They might have only known each other for a little more than two weeks, and
it might have only been in their minds, but it was as binding as if they had
physically consummated their relationship.

But since that night, since their parting, he had always been with her, in
thought and mind if not in body.

But she had not heard from him since then, not that she'd expected to.

It was too dangerous to send holovids with spies and traitors lurking in
every corner. She was even growing suspicious of several of her co-workers,
and beginning to wonder just where her manager's loyalty lay.

She had never mentioned a word to them about her relationship with General
Obi-Wan Kenobi, accept to say he had been an interesting interview subject.
Only her photographer Doug had a suspicion of what had transpired during
those three days, and she knew he would remain quiet.

She was amazed she'd managed to mostly hide the 'after great sex' glow she'd
worn the week after the interview, knowing her fellow employees chalked it up
to scoring a major interview with one of the most sought after figures in the
galaxy.

However, knowing what she did about his past and present, that could be a
good thing or a very, very bad one.

She felt her eyes go unfocused as she remembered the way his eyes lit up when
he smiled, the way his voice would deepen as he whispered against her ear.
The feel of his lips crushing hers, while his phantom touches still lingered
in her mind.

She missed him.

Missed him with a soul deep ache that surprised her.

They had not physically consummated their relationship because of their
situation at the time. He was her interview subject, she was a journalist.
They'd managed to respect that relationship, only getting to know each other
intimately through a melding of minds.

But his promise rang in her ears.

The next time they met, away from all pressure of their respective jobs and
positions, they would see this through to the conclusion they both desired.

It was something she was aching for more and more each day with a desire that
only grew.

In those short three days, she'd done the most impossible thing she ever
could have.

She'd fallen in love with him.

And he with her.

But the dangers that relationship could bring loomed over both their heads.
Which was another reason she'd kept quiet about what had transpired during
their interview.

He had told her the secrets of his past, the demons that haunted him, and the
evil that lurked ahead for him and all those he loved.

But she was willing to risk that, to risk her life, if it meant being with
him.

However, she would take no chances at the present. Any misspoken word or
action could be taken the wrong way, attract the wrong attention, and bring
disaster to them both.

It was an added stress she did not need with her current job, but would
gladly accept if it meant getting to spend another night in his arms.

Not just in his mind.

"Aura, where are you?"

She jolted back to the present at Dalia's words, sighing and smiling
sheepishly at her co-worker.

"Sorry, just lost in thought for a moment, trying to figure out what to
report tonight," she muttered as her friend nodded.

"Here's something for you. It's heating up in the outer galaxy. Senate-Net
just reported a small battle cruiser came under heavy fire, massive
casualties reported, but no word on which side," she replied, turning to
answer a call, missing Aura's stunned expression.

Aura forced her trembling hands to remain on her keyboard as she quickly
turned her attention to one of the video monitors above her, focusing on the
sound.

She held her breath as she watched the images blurring before her eyes.

It couldn't be his ship.

Please, the gods above, it could not be him!

"Damn, Aura, you'd better turn this up."

She felt her heart sink as Doug's terse voice materialized in her ear. Taking
a deep breath, she hit the volume as the anchors began to speak.

"The latest information we have is that the battle cruiser the great General
Kenobi was commanding came under heavy fire three days ago. We are just
getting word of the attack now. No word on if the illustrious and respected
General was among the casualties, although he is thought to be missing in
action. Details are still sketchy of exactly what happened. More information
as it becomes available."

Aura closed her eyes a moment, feeling Doug's hand squeeze her shoulder.

"He's alive. I know it, you'd know it if he wasn't," he whispered for her
ears alone.

Turning to him, she forced a slight smile.

"I know, I only hope our faith in him and my inner Force sense is enough,"
she whispered, squeezing his hand in thanks as he turned and headed for the
back of the room.

"Looks like your General might be in a spot of trouble. Maybe he'll contact
you with a one-on-one exclusive interview from the ravages of battle,"
Chandel snipped, a snide smile on her face.

Aura clenched her hands at the reporter's harsh words. It was no secret
Chandel had declared her an enemy the instant she learned the General had not
requested her for the interview. She'd spent the past few months making snide
remarks, teasing Aura beyond measure.

To her surprise, Aura found it much easier to ignore the remarks, keeping the
events of those three days to herself.

Still, it rankled, now especially.

"First off, he's not 'my' General, and second, if he's in the middle of
fighting, the last thing he'll be thinking about is an interview Chandel, you
should know that," she shot back, turning her attention back to the holovid.

She ignored Chandel's huff as the other woman turned and flounced out of the
room.

Rubbing her forehead, she sighed, again trying to concentrate on putting her
show together, while her mind was off in that remote corner of the galaxy,
praying the dark forces had not gotten to him yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Two days later Aura was a certifiable wreck, at least in her mind. Outwardly,
she had managed to keep up a good appearance, but alone at night was a
different story.

She hadn't slept in the past 48 hours, alternating between watching the news
for any information and worrying about him, wondering if they would ever get
to find that future together.

So far, no word had been heard on the whereabouts of General Kenobi. He was
presumed missing in action, but not yet declared dead.

She refused to listen, knowing deep inside that he was not dead, knowing she
would have sensed it if he was through their unique mind bond.

The stress was taking its toll however.

Not to mention the tensions were growing at work, as sides began to form and
alliances sprung up, as everyone tried to ally themselves with the side they
thought would win.

Many of her friends and co-workers were choosing to go with the new regime,
instead of against it. She found herself more and more the recipient of
probing questions about her loyalties and her contact, non-existent though it
was, with General Kenobi.

She knew he was falling out of favor with many, and those turning against the
Republic were anxious for anything they could use to bring him down.

While it frightened her, she was always conscious of her behavior and tried
not to let her fear for him show. As far as everyone was concerned, she'd
interviewed him and that was that.

But she had to admit, she was looking over her shoulder more, sure at times
she was being watched. She'd begun alternating the route she took home and
had taken to carrying a small stun blaster in her purse.

Obi-Wan's words of warning haunted her brain, warning her to be careful of
whom she talked to and what she said.

She knew he worried what would happen if Darth Vader found her by some
strange Force, but so far, she wasn't extremely worried.

Still, she found herself always watching her words, her actions and
everything she did around work. Paranoia had become a force of its own in her
mind.

She wondered only how long it would be until her station became nothing but a
mouthpiece for those determined to destroy the Jedi and the Republic.

When that happened, she knew one thing for sure.

She would not be with them.

She wasn't sure how she would manage it without calling undue attention to
herself, but she vowed she would never work for the people that had killed
Obi-Wan's family and friends. Dark forces whom she could never respect of
follow in her life.

If only Obi-Wan were here, he would certainly know what to say to help her
make a choice, to figure out a future.

Preferably together.

Sighing, pushing her worries down, she walked up the stairs to her apartment,
searching in her bag for the key card to unlock the front door. Smiling in
relief, she opened the door and stepped into the room, fingers searching for
the light pad.

She stopped mid-stretch.

Someone was in her apartment.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention as a bolt of fear struck
her heart.

She lived alone, it was late at night and her neighbor was hard of hearing.

Dear Gods, what had she walked into?

"I can assure you my dear, hurting you is the last thing on my mind."

She closed her eyes at the familiar voice, almost unable to believe she
wasn't dreaming. It had happened far too often in the past few months.

"I'm not a dream, this time, I'm complete reality. And completely yours, if
you still want me," he whispered, his voice flowing sensually through the
darkened room.

"Obi?" she whispered, still not believing he was here.

"You were expecting someone else?" he asked in an amused voice.

Tears flooded her eyes as she dropped her bag and raced across the room,
instinctively heading towards his voice.

She couldn't help her muffled sob as his strong arms wrapped tightly around
her and she buried her head in his chest.

"You're here, you're alive," she kept muttering, clutching him tightly,
almost hysterical with relief.

His soft laughter and the soothing motions of his hands slowly calmed her
enough so that she could pull back and stare into his beautiful bluish-green
eyes.

"I told you I'd return. Despite the risk, I couldn't stay away," he whispered
hoarsely, his hands cupping her cheeks, his thumbs stroking over her soft
skin.

Aura looked into his eyes, seeing the emotions reflected there equaled her
own.

With a soft whimper, she leaned up as he bent down and their lips collided.

The kiss was heated, fast and desperate. It had been far too long since they
had felt the sensation of the other's lips, the touch of hands and fingers,
the whispers and moans of need and desire.

She was lost in the sensations swamping her body, a paralyzing pleasure she
had never felt before and knew she never would again outside his arms.

Pushing closer, pressed her body against his, moaning as she felt his desire,
strong and hard, pressed against her thigh.

"Obi-Wan," she managed to gasp as she felt his hands molding her breasts,
teasing her unbearably hard nipples to even tighter peaks through the thin
material of her sweater. She arched against him, urging him to continue,
needing to feel him against her, inside her, around her with a desperation
she'd never felt before.

"So sweet, my Aura," he whispered, trailing kisses down her neck, his hands
reaching to pull the sweater over her head. She helped him willingly,
removing her bra in the process.

Her soft moan echoed through the apartment as his rough, calloused hands
cupped her soft skin, his fingers inciting her to a near frenzy. She cried
out as his mouth captured one breast, sucking and pulling at it until she was
weak and moaning in his arms.

Her own hands had managed to get his shirt and trousers off and were
currently conducting a very thorough examination of his body. She smiled as
she felt his shudder as she ran her hands across his chest, absorbed his moan
as her mouth soon followed, her hands sliding lower.

She gasped as he whirled her around and she suddenly felt her back hit the
wall, her legs lifting to wrap around his waist.

"Need you, now," he panted, his fingers slipping to her core, stroking
quickly to discover she was more than ready for him.

"Yes, please Obi-Wan, it's been too long," she whimpered as he positioned
himself against her.

With a sharp cry, he thrust home.

She moaned as he filled her, the sensation even more exquisite than it had
been in her mind. He was everything she'd imagined and more.

"So much better in reality," he muttered as he began to move against her, his
lips reaching for hers again.

She could only moan and tighten her legs around his waist, arching to meet
his every thrust, feeling her body fly higher and higher with each move.

"Obi-Wan, please, please," was all she could beg as she felt his fingers
slide to her center and press deeply, giving her the final stimulation she
needed to send her crashing over the edge.

Her cry of release was joined by his as he emptied himself into her, his arms
holding her tightly to him as he gasped and panted in release.

They sank to the floor, bodies still entwined, eyes closed as they came to
rest against each other.

Aura sighed as she finally fluttered her eyes open, feeling her heart begin
to race again as they met his brilliant blue-green orbs.

"Now that was definitely a welcome I could get used to," he teased softly,
reaching to stroke a sweaty strand of hair off her forehead.

She laughed, closing her eyes and snuggling closer.

"Me too, although you think we might move this to someplace a little more
comfortable," she asked, smiling as he nodded and withdrew from her, lifting
her carefully into his arms and carrying her into the bedroom.

"Pretty familiar with my apartment, how long have you been waiting?" she
teased softly, feeling him smile against her forehead.

"Far too long," he replied, settling her gently onto the bed, using his Force
skills to pull back the covers. She sighed as he immediately climbed in with
her, pulling her to him and spooning her against him.

"This is nice, I wanted to wake up like this with you that night," she
whispered as he chuckled against her ear.

"I dreamt about this moment every night, and during the day as well. My crew
noticed I was more distracted than usual, a very uncommon occurrence," he
replied as she suddenly stiffened.

"Your ship? Your crew? We heard you were attacked, you're supposedly
missing," she began, only to feel him press a finger across her lips.

"How can I be missing, I'm right here, and very happy at the moment," he
teased as she frowned at him.

"Stop joking! What's going on?" she asked seriously, sighing as he turned her
to face him, his eyes boring deeply into hers.

"That was a rumor we started. We needed our enemies to think we were wounded,
to think I was out of commission," he whispered softly, his eyes darkening
with memory.

She remained quiet, knowing he would explain.

After a moment, he did.

"If I am not an immediate threat, we might force the corruption out, its
leaders might set their plan in motion a little later than we had thought.
That gives us more time to figure out what they plan and where they will
strike next," he replied, his face suddenly turning grave.

"What aren't you telling me?" she whispered, sensing he was keeping something
back.

He sighed as his eyes clouded.

"General Kenobi must disappear," he began, stopping her words with a quick
kiss. "It must be so or else the galaxy is doomed," he finished as she
remained silent.

"What will you do? Where will you go?" she asked quietly, seeing his eyes
turn even darker.

"The Force has set in motion a series of events that cannot be changed," he
began, his fingers unconsciously stroking her cheeks as he talked. "Anakin
Skywalker's children must be protected, they must never know their past until
the time comes when they will change the future," he answered cryptically.

She frowned.

"What are you saying? You have to go into hiding with a couple of kids?" she
asked in confusion.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Anakin's wife was with child when he died. Twins were born several months
ago. However, both were separated and put into hiding for their safety," he
finished.

Aura looked at him.

"So what does this have to do with you?" she asked curiously as he sighed
again.

"I must go watch over the boy, Luke. He and his sister, who is also in
hiding, are the last Jedi remaining. Luke must be raised and trained if this
battle is ever to be won," he replied mysteriously again.

Aura sighed in frustration.

"Can you stop the riddles please? My mind is already short-circuiting," she
whispered as he smiled slightly.

"I'm sorry, I'm not used to sharing these things with anyone," he answered
softly, as she felt her eyes fill.

"You trust me that much?" she whispered, still unable to believe this man was
here with her.

Obi-Wan smiled.

"More than I ever thought I could anyone again," he whispered, leaning down
to capture her lips once more.

This time the kiss was sweet and filled with a promise she was almost scared
to explore. Sighing, she pulled back, smiling into his eyes.

The smile faded as something he'd said earlier finally registered.

"What did you mean the 'last' Jedi?" she suddenly asked, sensing a great
sadness fill him at the words.

His eyes closed for a moment, his forehead wrinkling in what she recognized
as pain.

"Obi-Wan?" she whispered, trying to soothe the worry from his brow.

"The Jedi as I knew them are no more," he whispered softly, his eyes dark
with pain when he opened them again.

"What happened?" she asked quietly, tightening her arms around him.

"Somehow, Darth Vader and the Sith Lords managed to destroy the Jedi Temple,"
he whispered, holding her tightly as she pulled back in shock.

"What? When? We would have heard something," she began, only to be stopped by
the look in his eyes.

"It was yesterday, the news has not reached here yet. I felt it through the
Force when it happened, I was on my way here," he whispered, a wealth of pain
in his words.

She swallowed hard, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, holding him
close as his grief washed over her.

"I'm so sorry," was all she could whisper as she held him, feeling his body
tremble against hers for a moment.

"The Force works in its own way, despite the pain, there is reason behind
this, although I must admit, it is hard to see it at the moment," he
whispered, tears in his eyes and his voice.

She simply held him tighter, amazed he'd come to her in the midst of all this
grief.

"I knew you would be here, and the only person I could talk to about this,"
he whispered through the lump in his throat.

She smiled, her own eyes filling as she turned her gaze to his.

"I'll always be here for you, you know that, even though we really haven't
known each other all that long," she whispered, reaching out to cup his cheek
and stroke his stubbly chin.

He was silent for a moment, looking deeply into her eyes.

"I know you're hurting, in pain at losing your family and friends, and I wish
I could do something to take that pain away," she whispered, seeing his eyes
flash at her words.

"Could you love me?"

She started at the words, sure she'd heard them wrong.

"You heard them right, could you, or do you love me Aura?" he whispered
again, never breaking their gaze.

She swallowed hard, feelings rushing through her system, nearly swamping her.

But she knew her answer without a thought, had probably known it since the
first day she'd met him.

"Yes, I love you Obi-Wan, I think I have from the moment our eyes met across
that damn room at the press conference," she whispered, seeing his eyes light
up with joy.

"I think I've loved you even longer, before I knew you, something just told
me I'd find my soulmate one day. And then I looked up at that press
conference, and I found you," he whispered, smiling as her eyes filled to
overflowing.

She sighed as he leaned down to kiss her sweetly, letting their love deepen
the bond they already shared.

Through that bond, she suddenly knew what he wanted her to do.

She pulled back, seeing the understanding in his eyes.

"You want me to come with you, into hiding," she whispered softly, seeing his
mouth curve into a wry smile.

"You're getting too good at reading my mind," he whispered, his eyes turning
serious as he pulled her closer.

"I know I have no right to ask it of you. It will not be an easy existence. I
must get as far away as I can from this life, a place no one would think to
look. We would not have an easy life, perhaps a dangerous one, and I could
not promise you that I could always keep you safe," he whispered, the words
obviously paining him.

Aura looked deeply into his eyes, reading all the things he couldn't say.

She wasn't sure what to think.

She hardly knew him, but she felt as if she'd known him forever.

He was asking her to leave everything she'd ever known, the only life she'd
known, for an uncertain future that might end too soon.

But as she looked into his eyes, she realized suddenly that there was no
place she'd rather be than by his side.

She saw he'd picked up on the thought as his eyes began to glow in the
darkness.

"You're sure? We have a few days if you need to think about it. I know it's
asking more than I have a right to," he began only to be stopped by her
fingers this time.

"I know. I want to go with you Obi-Wan. I have nothing much here anymore,"
she offered honestly as his eyes grew confused. "The station will soon be
siding against us and I already had determined I did not want to be a part of
it. My family is all dead, so there are no real ties to this place," she
whispered, seeing his eyes lighten again.

"You would be willing to go into this self-imposed exile with me? No matter
that I am putting your life in danger?" he asked, reaching to cup her face
again.

Aura smiled into his eyes.

"You promised to protect me and I believe you will. No one, not even you, can
know the complete plans for the future, even through the "Force" you speak
about. I am willing to risk it, as long as you are by my side, I love you,"
she whispered softly, her voice cracking as a tear slid down her cheek.

Obi-Wan's eyes were moist as well as he pulled her tightly to his chest.

"I love you more than I ever thought possible, and I will die myself before I
let anything happen to you," he whispered against her hair as she sighed into
his chest.

"I know," was all she needed to reply as she closed her eyes.

"It's going to be all right. We'll find a way to survive and we'll find a way
to raise Luke in the footsteps of the Jedi, I won't fail him like I did his
father," he whispered against her hair.

She was suddenly awake again, staring at him strangely.

"How did you fail his father?" she asked quietly, seeing the pain again dawn
in his eyes.

Obi-Wan sighed, pulling her close, burying his head against her neck.

"It's a very long, complicated story that I will tell you when we are away
from here. I promise, I will explain everything, no matter how painful, how
many failures of mine that might be," he whispered as she hugged him tightly.

"You'll never be a failure in my eyes," she whispered, feeling him smile
against her hair.

"What would I do without you?" he whispered, his voice growing drowsy as he
relaxed against her.

"The gods willing, you'll never have to find out," she replied as she drifted
off to sleep, images of her new life, with Obi-Wan flowing across her mind.

Content and happy, the two finally slept, unaware of the important roles they
would play in the future of the galaxy, through a boy named Luke.

~~~~~~~~~

The End?

Feedback if you'd like more!